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 murderous expression 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.
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 names people 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.
