Page 172 of Wrath of the Fae

‘No idea. It looked like a flock of birds or something. We can’t say for sure how many, but at least fifty. Small. Black. They moved with speed and spread out all over the place.’

‘We think they were spies,’ El says. ‘Machines. Sent through by Ivan to look-’

‘For me.’ I inwardly slump. ‘He needs my power to finish his machine’s work. To give it one final push.’ My fingers drag through my hair. ‘I don’t understand how this last tear happened.’

‘You used your shield,’ Tessa says. ‘Ivan latched onto it.’

‘No. He tried but I resisted. He didn’t get it from me. I’m almost certain of it. Last time there was pain, and I almost faded. This time, I only felt the power of the tear.’ I chew my lip, thinking hard. ‘The Bond is in place. I’m settled. He can’t take my power.’

‘So how did he make this last rip?’ Tessa asks.

All I can offer is a shrug.

‘We’re to move you to Midnight’s End,’ El says, pulling me away from my countless and disorganised thoughts. ‘Your shield is still in place there, and it is safer. Here, we have no real protection. So as soon as you are well enough to create a portal, we’ll go.’

‘We won the battle?’

‘Yes.’ Tessa says proudly. ‘We have the Thirteenth, First, and this Kingdom under your command, and whatever remains of the First Kingdom soldiers or their followers are gathering in the mountains of the Tenth Kingdom. They are hiding like the cowards we all know they are, and by all accounts, there are less than three hundred all told. Wolf is sure they will surrender once confronted. We hear that it’s mainly false lords and stolen ladies. Most of the fighters died at the First and Fifth battles. The rest surrendered to us.’

‘And Jonah?’ I ask.

‘Captured.’ She grins.

I look at Tessa, utter relief lifting from my body and soul at that one, single word.

‘Captured?’ I repeat in a whisper. ‘Really?’

She nods.

‘He and Ezra are precisely where they belong. In the cells and most uncomfortable.’

‘We got Ezra too?’ Joyous tears prick in my eyes. I see the same tears in hers as she nods.

‘We got them both, Raven.’

I take her hand and we share a look.

We got them both.

‘Your Mates are in the southern garden,’ she tells me, knowing my next question. ‘I will take you.’ She holds out a fur-lined cloak for me. ‘It’s cold. You’ll want this.’

I’m up and taking it instantly, uncaring that the room spins and my body feels weak and cumbersome.

She heads out of the room, and I follow close behind.

Standing in the large arch beneath a silver sky and watching the snow slowly fall over the courtyard, I listen to the twang of steel and the playful chatter of the three guys.

‘Practising,’ I chuckle, standing beside Tessa.

‘Practising,’ she agrees.

She briefly looks longingly at Reid before returning to me with a well-rehearsed smile.

‘I am happy for you, Raven. And I am glad that they are not the enemies we thought.’

Truth.

‘You will have no more trouble from me. I give you and Reid my blessing.’

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