“Larylis,” Teryn said, voice heavy with relief. The two embraced with the affection of brothers. Cora, feeling like an interloper, took another step back. She stifled a cry as her heel caught on something in the grass. Shifting her weight more evenly over her uninjured leg, she glanced down at what had nearly caused her fall. There, almost hidden amongst the overturned earth and muddy grass, was a long, slender blade. An amber crystal lay beside it, broken off from the hilt. She bent down and gingerly lifted the crystal. Her palm thrummed against its cold facets. A murky energy pounded against her hand, turning her stomach. She nearly dropped it when she noticed red dripping from the bottom of it.
Blood.
Was the crystal where Morkai had stored the blood he’d stolen?
Swallowing down the bile that rose in her throat, she prepared to throw the crystal into the pile of ash. Then something caught her attention. Some swirling movement behind the amber facets. Her palm thrummed again, this time sensing a new energy. It wasn’t dark or murky but…different.
A hand fell softly on her shoulder. She bit back a gasp and shoved the crystal into an inner pocket of her cloak. Teryn gave her a sad smile. “Larylis, this is Cora.”
Larylis gave her a solemn nod. “Lex told me about you.”
Teryn furrowed his brow. “What do you mean, Lex told you?”
“He came to Dermaine to warn us about the duke’s true intentions, then joined our entourage when we left for Centerpointe Rock. He fought with our forces.”
Cora and Teryn exchanged a befuddled glance. The last time they’d seen Lex, he’d taken Morkai’s deal.
“He’s apparently a master of deception,” Larylis said. He gave a humorless laugh, one in contrast with the sorrow in his eyes.
It reflected her own sorrow as she looked past the two men to the field beyond, where bodies lay strewn about. Horns bellowed from the east, signaling Khero’s retreat. Morkai’s death couldn’t be widespread yet, but it was clear the tide had turned. The duke’s magic had been severed.
It’s over. She felt Valorre’s words. Glancing around, she sought sight of him to no avail.
It is, she conveyed.Where are you?
Close. Your people flee back to the hillside. Will you go with them?
She turned toward the hill where the Forest People had hidden the last few days, but the haze was still too thick to make out any retreating forms. Extending her senses, she felt them near. The survivors at least. Salinda had made it. Roije too, although she sensed him only faintly. Her chest tightened at the knowledge that some of the Forest People had died today and more still could from injuries. Because of her.
Because we had to do what was right, she reminded herself.
She imagined how the battle would have gone without the Forest People’s aid. The wraiths would have overpowered Selay’s and Menah’s forces if not for the roots and vines that tore through the specters with ease.
“What is it?” Teryn asked, his fingertips lightly brushing against hers.
She met his eyes and felt as if her heart were suddenly torn in two. Valorre’s question echoed through her mind.
Your people…will you go with them?
The Forest People had fought at her side. They’d intervened with royal affairs in the name of protecting fae magic. But were they trulyherpeople? Or were the citizens of Khero?—
A dreadful realization sent her heart skittering.
“Dimetreus!” She whirled toward where she’d seen him last. There were too many bodies. Too many figures still darting across the field, some in retreat, some in combat. Finally, she spotted the dead stallion. Not far from it, a cluster of soldiers stood. She began limping in that direction. An arm caught hers and helped her forward. She flushed as she glanced to the side, expecting to find Teryn.
Instead, it was Larylis. “Let me help you.”
Disappointment struck her. Of course it wasn’t Teryn. Teryn was injured. He walked slightly ahead of them, his gait uneven, his hand pressed against his bandaged ribs. “King Verdian,” Teryn called.
A man turned around, and Cora recognized the King of Selay. His eyes widened. “Prince—” He cleared his throat. “KingTeryn. You’re alive.”
“I am.”
The king shifted his stance, his posture stiff. Cora sensed guilt wafting off of him. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
Teryn accepted the king’s condolences with a nod.
Verdian’s jaw shifted side to side. Lifting his chin, he said in a somewhat begrudging tone, “It will be an honor if you’d take my daughter as your bride when we return home.”
