"As my queen says," Taranis told Afon and steered Valetine away from him. "And watch what you say about Yelena for your own safety."
They left the haughty lord red-faced and fuming. Valentine shook his head in disgust.
"You would think they would be used to Yelena's presence by now," he commented.
"They aren't all like that. Afon just thinks she'll go wild and turn on them at any moment," Emyr said. She grinned widely. "Yelena does nothing to reassure them that she's not going to. It keeps them on their toes."
Valentine understood that it was sometimes better to be feared than loved, and if they were scared of her, it meant they would stay out of her way. After meeting Afon for less than five minutes, he admired Yelena's restraint for not taking him down a notch.
The wind was cold when they reached the launching area. Owain disappeared into an adjoining storeroom and came out with a pack. "At least they have been keeping the supply rooms stocked in our absence."
"I made sure of it. I've been so bored, I've been reduced to checking weapons and stock supplies," Emyr complained. She moved away from the others and shifted effortlessly into a brilliant green dragon.
Taranis pulled Valentine into a hug and whispered in his ear, "Bring them back, and if you are pushed, release your dragon. Don't hesitate because if you do, Midir's men will kill you."
"I won't hesitate," Valentine replied, letting him go."Make sure your shit lords don't upset my auntie."
"Ha. I can handle those snotty pricks," Quinn said, tossing her hair.
Taranis only held her closer.
Valentine moved over to Emyr, who lowered herself so he could climb up in between her wings. He pulled up the hood of his jacket and tapped Emyr on her scales to let her know he was ready. Owain had shifted again beside them and carried the large pack in his claws.
Valentine held on as Emyr walked to the end of the stone platform and dropped over it. Her wings shot out, catching an updraft of wind, and she soared out of the ravine.
Valentine shut his eyes and let the roar of the wind drown out every other noise around him. He plunged down into his magic until he could see the silver thread of Yelena's power, still tied around his ankle. He didn't know if the connection went both ways, or if she would feel anything in her icy shroud, but he did his best to send her reassurance.
We are coming,he whispered through it, and hoped that they would get there in time.
8
Valentine sensed the tug from the silver thread of Yelena's power before any sight of camp came into view. It was late afternoon, and they would lose the light soon. There was time enough to follow the magic.
Valentine focused his magic and gently touched Emyr's mind telepathically.
We are close to the camp, start descending.
How do you know?she replied, not surprised at all to find him prodding at her.
I am tracing her magic, he said, and left the explanation to that. Thankfully, Emyr didn't try to argue or question him further. She let out a roar to get Owain's attention and started to do wide circles as she descended.
There. To the left, Valentine said, spotting a clearing in the trees.
Emyr landed heavily, and the smell of rot wafted up. Valentine covered his nose and jumped down from her back before she shifted.
Around the glade was a trashed camping site. Tents, equipment, and bodies were all shredded.
"What could have done this?" Valentine asked. It looked like a massive tiger had come through it and sliced the place to pieces.
Owain shifted and stared around at the wreckage. "Fuck. These fae were ours. I can smell Avallach and Yelena's dragon and...shapeshifter." He spat on the ground three times.
"Midir sent Cathal after them. Dagda spare us," Emyr growled.
"Who is Cathal?" Valentine asked and started to walk through the camp, carefully placing his feet where he wouldn't slip on something viscous.
"He's Midir's general, and a shapeshifter. This is his work. Probably changed into some feral bear monster for maximum damage," Emyr replied.
Valentine had seen a large fae male in his dream. He had cut off Yelena's hand, and he wondered if that was Cathal. It didn't matter. He would die.
