“And ye dinna believe ye would hinder him? Keep his mind on yerself rather than on the battle?”
Lexi bowed her head and whispered, “I didn’t think of that.”
Mairwen almost groaned. She wanted to shout at the lass. Take her by the shoulders and shake her. “How could ye help him, Lexi? If ye were there, how could ye help in a way other than becoming something standing in the corner that needed to be dusted?”
“I could fight!” Lexi said through clenched teeth. “I could fight those idiots who refused to listen.”
“Andhowwould ye fight them? What would be yer weapon of choice?”
Lexi frowned and sat back in her chair. “My weapon of choice?”
“Aye, lass. What would ye use to defend yer Jeros? How would ye keep him safe if he were injured and could not fight for himself?”
Opening and closing her fists, Lexi stared at them. Ever so slowly, she turned to the cat sitting on the table in front of her. “How would we keep him safe, Aylryd?”
The kitten meowed.
Lexi’s frown deepened. She was still staring at the cat. “Buthowwould we wage war and take over?”
The small ginger feline flattened its ears against its head and rumbled with a precocious growl.
“But how could the unicorns protect him?”
With his hackles partially raised and the position of his ears still angry, Aylryd turned his back on Lexi as if to say,I’m not talking to you anymore.
Mairwen understood the feeling completely. “Ye talk to the cat as though ye hear his thoughts.”
“I understand him because I’ve been around him. I’m that way with animals. Always have been.” Lexi rubbed her forehead. “But the only reason I know a unicorn’s specificthoughtsis because of Pegasus’s mark.”
Clenching her teeth so tightly her jaws ached, Mairwen battled with the urge to shout at the lass she had just heard the cat’s specificthoughts.Instead, she softly patted the table. “Go for a walk with yer wee catling. Perhaps he will decide to enlighten ye more since the two of ye have a good bond.” She glared at the cat, willing the beast to be more specific and make Lexi understand that she was a rare and gifted woman indeed.
ChapterFifteen
Darkness cloaked the land. One day merged into the next since the heavy black smoke from the scorched earth blotted out all sunlight. The Fae of the Fires had chosen to side with the Fifth Kingdom, destroying Scotland’s glorious glens and heather-covered mountains faster than the Green Fae and the Water Sprites could heal them. The stench of death and hopelessness turned the hot winds fetid. Mortals caught in the crossfire of the Fae war had no hope of surviving.
Jeros watched from the highest pinnacle of Sevenrest Hall, pacing back and forth across the parapet that provided the clearest view of Sevenrest’s lush, verdant lands. So far, the barrier wards and his elite guard had held strong against the enemy, no matter their form or powers. But for how much longer would Sevenrest remain safe was anyone’s guess.
Darkcord joined him on the stone walkway that ran the circumference of the tower. The commander’s grim expression and the storm of emotions in his one good eye halted Jeros’s pacing.
“What now?” Jeros braced himself.
“The Fifth Kingdom prevails. The Court of the Seventh Realm has fallen.” With a grimy hand, Darkcord wiped at the sweat trickling down his soot-covered face. “Faeniana executed yer parents and brothers this morning. Beheaded them, then placed their bodies on pikes in front of the palace. She comes for Sevenrest next.”
“All are dead?” Jeros repeated softly, even though he did not doubt Darkcord’s accuracy. An eerie numbness took hold of him rather than any gut-wrenching pain or sense of loss. No love had ever existed betwixt himself and his family, and he refused to pretend otherwise. But to be overthrown and beheaded…
“Aye, old friend,” Darkcord said. “All yer family and most of the courtiers. Faeniana spared no one. Not even the queen.” He squinted at the smoky horizon. “Those of the Court who escaped will come here for sanctuary. What say ye?”
“Admit only creatures seeking shelter,” Jeros said without hesitation because he knew that was what his beloved Lexi would wish. “Only the animals remained loyal to my precious mate when all others of the royal court turned their backs and rejected her.”
“Even the Fae who swear to change their ways? Grant ye their fealty and beg for forgiveness?”
“If I couldn’t trust them weeks ago, how can I now?” Jeros raked a hand through his hair, slicking the ash-filled strands back from his face. The searing breeze buffeted them harder as if to remind them destruction was eager to take them, too. “What say ye?” he asked Darkcord.
The commander nodded. “Agreed. We have those of Sevenrest to protect and provide for. We dinna need more mouths to feed. Especially not the mouths of traitors. Let them plead their case to their new queen. Faeniana can care for them.”
Both of them knew the cruel, cold-hearted princess would only see to her own needs rather than the needs of her people. But now was not the time to be sentimental or trusting. Those of Sevenrest had never wavered in their loyalty. They deserved consideration and protection first.
Darkcord edged closer and tipped a hesitant nod. “Any word from the old one? Any news of our lady?”
