She released him and spun, leaving the cell.
The door clanged shut and was locked as she padded away.
Alvere was broken. He knew it now. For all his protests he didn’t want to die. He wanted to live to see Legs again. His will wavered. One moment he’d be strong, willing to hold out, hoping he’d be rescued, hoping he’d not have to face Merlin again. Yet, in the next moment his resolve dissolved and he feared he would submit to Merlin if she returned, especially if she disguised herself as Legs again. Would it be so bad to give her what she wanted, to end his pain with pleasure as she put it?
No! He couldn’t allow himself to be weak. He had to hold on.
But his will kept wavering and failing him.
“Please, Legs, anyone, get me out of here,” he whispered. It was his prayer; and he repeated it over and over until he had no more voice. Then he repeated it in his head. He didn’t know what he’d do if Merlin returned before he was freed, and he hoped, he wouldn’t have to find out.
Chapter 23
Sparrow
Fin brought allthe members of House Spider to the rendezvous spot outside the city. As the armies of the assembled Nobles gathered to the north, those who would be going in, in secret, met… on a farm that belonged to Maverick’s sister, to the south.
It was a cool and rainy day with thick dark clouds overhead, which seemed to reflect the mood of those gathered in the barn, the house itself was too small for the two groups.
Sparrow looked around at the faces, some familiar some not. Of her own house, the group going to rescue Alvere was no real surprise. Along with herself would be Legs, Ant, Silence, Midnight, and the Fey woman Ahmaia. All of whom looked grim.
“We may not be able to leave with the King,” Legs was saying to Lady Ursa, who was leading a team of seven others. It wasn’t a small team, but they’d potentially be fighting a mistweaverandher strongest minions all at once. The only other one Sparrow recognized was Lord Spike of Porcupine House. Other than that, it looked like a mix of tough characters. “If Merlin has cursed him the way she cursed the queen, then he’ll not be able to go far while she still lives.”
Ursa nodded. “Understood, get him to a spot you think is safe, if you can. Then wait for us to finish with Merlin.” The unspoken instruction was clear:don’t come and help us, stay with the king. Sparrow was certain that nothing would stop Legs from doing whatever she wished to do. They’d just have to wait and see how things turned out.
From outside the barn came the flapping of great leathery wings and the heavy thump of something large hitting the ground. That caused everyone to turn.
A dragon-like figure had just landed. Sparrow gawked for a moment, having never seen a Wyvern before. They were much larger than she’d thought. Using its wings to steady itself, while settling on its legs — it had no forelegs or arms, the wings took their place — it was most of the height of the barn itself, or so she assumed. She could only see the legs and part of the torso through the barn doors. The body was covered in thick scales — dark red with traces of gold — which shifted with every movement, a permanent armor. A moment later the form shrank to become Skyfire in battle armor. She marched into the barn. She was missing her left arm, and it was clear to see she was still favoring her left side just a little. She hadn’t fully healed from the previous fight with Merlin. Sparrow hadn’t been there, but had had various descriptions from the members of her house who had been. It sounded horrible.
“I’m coming with you,” she said, and her tone left little room for argument.
“As you wish,” Ursa said, sounding dubious. “At least let Lord Ant heal you. You look pained.”
Skyfire held up her remaining arm to stop Ant. “No. I am well enough to fight and the pain is mine to bear, a memory of my failure.” She quirked a determined grin. “I may have lost and arm and a tit, but I still have one of each and that’s enough.” To demonstrate, she drew her sword and flourished it. “I wear my wounds with honor, as a memory of the day I couldn’t protect those I loved.”
The people she loved? From what Sparrow had heard, she’d been protecting Lady Silvermane.
“How is Lady Silvermane?” Ursa asked, as if Skyfire hadn’t just admitted her love for another House leader.
“Still recovering. Her wound was grave, and she’ll be on the mend for some time still. Healers are helping her regain… some… of what she lost.” Skyfire’s tone was grim.
It had become known that Silvermane had been pregnant when attacked, and had lost the child. Sparrow could only guess at the torment the woman must be going through.
Sparrow leaned over to Silence. “Did you know Skyfire loved Silvermane?”
“Nope. That’s news to me.”
Sparrow nodded. At least she hadn’t missed anything the others already knew.
“We’re happy to have your battle expertise with us,” Ursa said.
Skyfire grinned, a vicious and deadly thing. “Yes, you are. Good.” She passed Legs and nodded to her. “Drake tells me you’re a House Leader in truth now? Good.” She slapped Legs’ shoulder hard, in camaraderie, nearly knocking Legs over. “Glad to have you.” Then to the rest of the group she said, “Let’s go kill a mistweaver.”
“Our mission is to apprehend her, if possible,” Ursa said.
“Yeah, right, of course,” Skyfire said, clearly ignoring Ursa.
Legs turned to Sparrow. “You know what to do.”
