Page 179 of Wrath of the Fae

‘As far as we know, but that tear leads somewhere. If he can’t get to me, I have no doubt he will come through to fetch me if he can.’

‘I want to send some of my people through,’ he says. ‘I don’t like waiting for a fight.’

‘It’s not safe.’

‘They’re warriors, and this is war. They don’t do safe, and waiting is a death sentence. The shield protects against the living who intend harm. We have no idea what Ivan has sent through and if it protects against them,’ he continues. ‘His machines are advanced, and he knows this world. He knows our weaknesses. I don’t want to wait around for his next move.’

‘Okay,’ I agree, hoping I haven’t just agreed to send others to their death.

I wonder again what would happen if I just slit my throat and be done with it. Maybe only I need to die.

‘Think that shit again, Pup, and I’ll tell your two Mates. They’ll have you locked up before you can blink.’

I lift my gaze to see Lucca passing at the far end of the hall with a dozen others, all securing various weapons to themselves. He throws me a wink and tightens his sword holster at his hip.

The others file out, heading to a balcony, their wings spread.

‘You better not tell them what I’m thinking then,’I reply.

‘Nothing at all?’he teases. ‘Some of your thoughts are most delicious. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind hearing them. My favourite is how you have wondered if you would enjoy watching them together. I'm not sure they’d enjoy it, but I sure as shit wouldn’t mind a sneak peek of that naked dance.’

I burst out laughing, my giggle echoing off the halls. Lucca, too, is chuckling away.

‘You’ll get used to it,’ Tessa groans.

I turn to see the jealous glares Reid and Cyrus throw at us both.

‘Those two behave like children,’ Tessa grumbles. ‘Sharing their private little jokes all the time.’

When I return to Lucca, he’s leaping from the balcony with the others and taking to the skies.

‘Laters, Pup.’

‘Be safe.’

Wolf continues to reaffirm that everything is in hand. He has scouts watching the tear, searching for the drones and watching the mountain where the First Kingdom have gone to hide.

I listen and nod as we walk the hallways, and all the time, I feel that anger and frustration from the guys screaming at me through the Bond.

‘Can you tell them the rest, please?’ I ask Wolf, nodding to Reid and Cyrus. ‘I need to catch my breath.’

With a bow, Wolf faces them, and the three start talking intently.

I walk away, my mind on nothing but the solitude of my bedroom.

Rhea rushes after me and takes my hand in hers. I grip it tightly.

‘You okay?’ she asks quietly, glancing back. ‘They’re watching you.’

‘They’re always watching me.’

‘Where are we going?’

‘To my room. I need to change.’ I hurry up the stone steps. ‘I’m not wearing a stupid fucking dress when I cut our father’s head off.’

Back in my room, I swiftly pull off my dress and put on a shirt and a pair of black trousers.

‘Those markings. What are they?’ Rhea asks anxiously, standing by the fireplace and watching me tuck my dagger into my belt.

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