The seekers are on our heels. They come bursting through the barrier, hissing and snarling as they race to catch up with us. Emma still sleeps in my arms, her body intact. No burning or damage from the sun.
“Everett!” I call, and he races beside me, his horse foamy and almost spent. “Take her.” I hand over Emma as gently as I can, then jump from my horse and into my feral form. I’m even stronger now, a lion of daylight, one that will slay all who seek to harm my realm.
The roar I let out shakes the ground beneath my feet as I run full speed at the mass of evil roiling and expanding into Nightsbane. I jump, spreading my claws as I focus the sun ahead of me. Seekers explode and boil, their screams turning to ash as I sweep through them like a wildfire.
Charen flanks me on one side, Tristano and Bladin on the other. Together, we beat the seekers back, their numbers dwindling as I rage and slash, my claws cleaving them in two as my roars rain down pure sunlight, burning them to nothing.
Black tendrils of death ooze and constrict, bursting the seekers in their skin like sausages while Tristano and Bladin cut a wide swath through the nightmare. They will not come any farther; my people will be safe. I roar again, light bursting from my mouth and mowing down the foul creatures, their ruined bodies lying in charred heaps.
My heart soars, my bloodlust high as I strike back at Eraldon’s vast menace. I chase what’s left of them to the darkness, to the division between night and day, and send them off with another burst of furious sun, the flare so strong it fans out across the barrier, crackling like electricity from a raging storm.
They retreat into the dark, rolling back to their master who reigns from the Nightkeep.
Turning, I prowl back to the horses and sniff at Emma. She’s still asleep. Safe.
Though it takes some convincing, my feral retreats, and I return to my fae form. Taking her from Everett, I cradle her close and walk through the streets of Nightsbane with my warriors following at my back.
Residents return to the road, their eyes wide as I walk with my black-winged queen in my arms. Whispers start here, and I know they’ll travel to the far reaches of my realm before we make it back to the Spire. Good. They need to know their queen is home.
When I reach the edge of town, a crowd has amassed behind me, all of them bursting with questions and fear. Turning, I address them.
“The night realm has fallen. Eraldon slew his father Sigrid and turned many high fae into seekers. They’re warded from the sun.”
A gasp races through the crowd, and a changeling child near the front scoots closer to her mother.
“The rumors are true. War is coming. Eraldon will not rest until he has wrecked not only his realm but ours. Evacuate this city. Leave and head inland. I will send soldiers to escort the young, the old, and the weak. But everyone of sound mind and body needs to fight Eraldon’s evil.”
“And what about the evil in your arms?” someone calls.
I hold Emma closer, as if shielding her from their words. “This is Emma. First my consort and now my queen.”
“She’s a seeker. No queen of mine!” someone else cries.
“Look at her wings, her claws.” A lesser fae points a long finger. “She cannot be a queen. Of night maybe, but not here.”
“She’s my mate!” I roar, my voice booming over the crowd. “My true mate and your queen.”
The changeling child hides in her mother’s skirts.
Bladin rests a hand on my shoulder. “My lord, perhaps now is not the time for—”
“You’re right.” I sigh. No matter how badly I need Emma, I also need to protect my people. “Listen, all of you. Time is critical. We’ve struck a blow against Eraldon, hurt his army and wounded his pride. Hewillanswer it. And soon. This city will not stand for long under his onslaught. Leave now. I ride for the Shard of Day and will return with an army stronger than anything this realm has ever seen. Be ready.”
Everett guides my horse over, and I climb up then take Emma back into my arms.
The people begin to disperse, hurrying to their homes and collecting their belongings. The shadows build on the other side of the border, and I fear Eraldon is rebuilding his army, taking the lives of any his seekers can find. Turning them. Growing the monstrous legions until it’s time to strike.
“Everett, Bladin—you two stay here and help with the evacuation.”
“Yes, my lord.” They give me a nod.
“When the city is empty, begin setting up barricades and areas for our army. We need cover and defenses.”
“We’ll start fortifications now.” Bladin turns and leads his horse back into the city.
Everett follows. “Do you think we could stop off at the tavern first? I need a little refresh …” His voice fades as I begin the trek back to the Shard.
I should stay here and help, but I can’t leave Emma. Not like this. Not when she’s in some deep, dark slumber. I can’t reach her, can barely feel her.
