Gwyn ap Nudd, Lord of the Wild Hunt, I summon thee to Brí Léith.
Gwyn ap Nudd, Lord of the Wild Hunt, I summon thee to Brí Léith."
The world hushed, and Yelena drew closer to Valentine. "Is she fucking insane?" she whispered to him. "There are some namespeople have the sense not to say aloud, especially in the remains of a battle."
Valentine grinned. "It's okay. Imogen is no more insane than the rest of us."
"You have got to be kidding me," Arawan snarled.
Imogen blew him a kiss. "I love you the most, but this was Val's idea, not mine."
"Was it?" Arawan's depthless black eyes on Valentine. Yelena hissed at him in warning before she could think. That just made Arawan's lips twitch in an almost smile.
The halls shook, and reality tore. A dark portal appeared, and a rider came through it, tall and terrifying on a white horse. His silver and black hair was tied back in braids with bones and crow feathers studded through them.
"Imogen Ironwood, have you changed your mind about becoming my consort?" the rider asked in a deep voice.
Yelena swallowed down the fear and terror that was climbing up her gullet.
"Yeah, no. Sorry, Gwyn, I haven't changed my mind on that front," Imogen said and shot Arawan a wink. "But I do have other gifts for you."
Valentine shoved Midir down with the other three bound lords. "All the worst traitors and war mongering idiots."
Gwyn glanced from Imogen back to the prisoners. "Well, well, Midir. I always wondered what your downfall would be. Looks as if a human finally got you. How embarrassing for you."
Midir thrashed against his bonds, and Gwyn only laughed. Black ropes appeared in his hand, and they wrapped around the four males. All their red-faced fury disappeared, and they went pale with terror.
Yelena pulled their chains off Midir, the touch of Gwyn'spower making her recoil. Valentine's magic separated from hers and curled back inside of him.
"A favor I do for you, Lady of Annwn, so a favor I would ask in return," Gwyn said.
Arawan's voice was merciless as death. "Be careful with your tongue, Lord of the Hunt."
"Calm yourself. Her hand has clearly been won," Gwyn replied, an amused twitch to his lips. "I would ask only that she assist me with learning the courting rituals she mentioned at our previous meeting. I need to understand the people of this time so that I might win a consort for myself."
"You want dating advice?" Imogen asked with a bark of laughter. "Sure, Gwyn, I can help you with that."
"Excellent. We have an agreement. If that is all, we will be leaving," Gwyn said, with a nod of his head.
"Actually, I would like one more moment," Taranis interrupted, striding over to where Afon stood, a black rope around his neck.
"My king, I..."Afon began before Taranis's fist smashed into his face.
"That is for selling out Yelena and Avallach," Taranis snarled before hitting the lord again, smashing bones and teeth. "And that is for insulting my queen when you thought I didn't notice."
"Midir called you old and Quinn fat and common if you need an excuse to hit him, too," Valentine said with a slow smile.
Taranis whirled on the king, but Gwyn held up a hand.
"Enough. We will be here all day," he said before nodding to Taranis. "Don't worry, dragon. They will pay for their crimes. The Hunt will make sure of it."
Gwyn flicked the reins, and his horse turned toward the portal, dragging an unconscious Afon and three terrified prisoners back through it. The portal closed with a snap, and every soul left in the wreckage of the barrow kingdom finally exhaled in relief.
All except for Arawan, who was glaring at Imogen. "You are in so much trouble. The kind you won't enjoy."
Imogen pouted. "You sure?"
Yelena could only shake her head. Taranis came toward them, the look of anger gone from his face.
