The stormbacks landed nearby, but only Stratow approached. He looked at Daisy as Tarian explained how riding them would work.
So, little human. You triumphed and lived to tell the tale,he said to her.
I lived, yes, but the gods forbade me to tell large parts of the tale. I can’t say why.They didn’t want all their trickery to get around. As if people didn’t know how horrible they were.
That’s for the best,Stratow said.You would inevitably tell it too many times and annoy your friends.
There was that, she supposed.
Faerie is as pure as I’ve ever felt it,he went on.You have done a great service to this land. You are a friend to us, little human. If you need us, we will come.
She touched her heart.That means a lot.Though she had no idea how she’d ever call in that favor.How did you know to come?
Tarianthiel had a need, he replied.The need flowed on the winds.
She nodded, making a mental note to ask Tarian about it.Thank you. My family has had a long journey.
His focus was stolen by Tarian and Kieran, with Kieran explaining how he could alter the winds to help the creatures take flight. That Demigod was widening a few eyes in this realm, just as Lexi had with her soul grabbing.
While everyone was getting sorted, Mordecai approached her. He’d been quiet the last few days, mulling things over.
Now he stopped in front of her and wrapped her in a tight hug.
“You scared me,” he said. “What were you thinking, trying to sacrifice yourself?”
“You would’ve done the same thing.”
“You would’ve been just as pissed at me for it.”
Too true.
“Thank you,” she told him, hugging him back. “For coming. You shouldn’t have.”
“You would’ve done the same thing.”
“You would’ve been just as pissed at me for it.”
He laughed, stepping back. He wiped the corner of his eye where it glistened. “I’m glad you’re coming home, but you could’ve been queen. You could’ve been the highest queen in the land!”
“Ofthisland, yeah.” She made a disgusted face and shook her head. “I’m sure it’s really pretty and it has some amazing qualities—or so Tarian says—but the gods are shit and the creatures are way overboard. You should see what the twisted magic does. It’s not pretty. Leathery zombies. Seriously. Nah, this is better. Going home—bringing him home—is better.”
His gaze was deep. “You really do love him.”
“I do, yes. I really do.”
“He’s it.”
“Yes. Fated mate aside, yes, he’s it. He and his people will fit in perfectly, you’ll see.”
He nodded. “How scared am I going to be on those huge, winged creatures?”
She laughed and shoved him. “Hopefully not as scared as I was. I didn’t look down.”
He blew out a breath and looked that way, spying Tarian coming over and monitoring his progress. Once close, Mordecai stuck out his hand. They’d been introduced in the marble city, but they’d been busy working on the deal and not much had been said.
Tarian took his hand, their grips tight.
“Take care of her,” Mordecai said.
