"I can't see anything over this. I'm going to follow the magic," Yelena replied. "Keep them off me if it pulls me under."
"I have you, now and forever," Valentine said, pulling her in for a hard kiss and letting her go just as quickly.
The silvery mist of Yelena's magic rose about her, turning hereyes gray. A thrill swept through Valentine, making his heart sing. He would never tire of watching her use her magic.
Valentine didn't waste a second. Yelena began to move. He wrapped a protective shield of magic about her and followed her back into the chaos.
Midir was cornered behind a row of pillars, his warriors four deep in a protective circle around him. A portal was open on either side, letting in more warriors to replace the ones that fell.
Yelena's eyes cleared of mist. "We have to yank him out of there before he tries to create a portal to escape."
Valentine nodded. "He's been stubborn enough to think he can win and not abandon his kingdom, but it won't be for long." The idea struck him a moment later. "Your chains, my threads."
"Now is not sexy time, Val," Yelena chastised.
"No. It's how we get through them," Valentine replied with a laugh. He took her silver hand, and their magic sparked against each other. "Go for the legs."
They held out their clasped hands, and Yelena's silver chains whipped out of them. Black and scarlet threaded through them, and it shot through the clashing armies. There was so much magic battering either side that they fought to keep it undetected.
It hit Midir's warriors, the black and scarlet threads heated with dragon fire and lashed out from the sides of the chain, slicing through limbs and downing the enemy in its way. It struck Midir at the knees, fast as a serpent, and wound around him, tightening before he could fight back with a counter spell.
"Up and out!" Valentine shouted, and they pulled on the chain. Midir was yanked high in the air, over the clashing seas of the battle, and toward their ranks.
Battle horns sounded, signaling a defeat. They had their king. It was over.
39
Yelena held onto Valentine's hand and the combined magic that pulsed between them. Their bindings covered Midir's mouth, and he was red-faced with fury.
"You have lost. Release the compulsion on your warriors," Valentine demanded.
When Midir tried to resist, the chains squeezed until he obeyed. The fighting died down in an instant. Midir's warriors dropped their weapons and sat on the floor of the hall, disoriented and dazed.
Yelena bit down on her fury. Midir didn't have a single being in his kingdom that was not under his thrall. She had known he was powerful, but she hadn’t known just how mad he was.
Taranis and his knights, the princes, Arawan, and Imogen, came through the ranks to where they were standing.
"You, big trouble," Taranis said, pointing at Valentine.
Valentine only gestured at the bound king. "You're welcome."
"What should we do with him? I kind of feel like cutting a few things off," Avallach said, looking Midir over with a murderousexpression that Yelena had never seen on the amiable knight before.
"Seems like it's too good for him or these fucking traitors. Bring them forward," Taranis said and gestured at Emyr, Vidar, and Owain. They dragged the three lords forward and shoved them to their knees next to Midir.
"Don't worry, Uncle. I have a better idea on how to punish them." Valentine stared down at Afon for a long moment, and Yelena thought he was about to take his head. Instead, Valentine spat on him and turned to Imogen. "You know what to do, Ironwood."
"And what would that be, darling?" Arawan asked, his tone colder than the darkest winter.
Imogen batted her eyelashes at him before pressing a finger to his lips. "Hush, baby. Your wife is working."
Yelena wanted to laugh but didn't dare. Imogen was the only being in all the worlds that could sass the Lord of Annwn and get away with it, unpunished.
"Okay, it's not a waning moon, but let's see if this works." Imogen wiped the blood off her face and made a jazz hand gesture before her eyes darkened, and death power filled the air.
Yelena's hand tightened on Valentine, but he didn't seem to notice the darkness and dread Imogen was gathering around her.
"Gwyn ap Nudd, Lord of the Wild Hunt, I summon thee to Brí Léith.
