I look towards the innocent sound and find a family huddled, warming their hands around a small fire, their icy breaths curling into the air.
Bunching my fists at my sides, I make my way over to the group of four. “Excuse me?” I address the female and male with wide eyes as their boisterous children make shadows in the flickering light.
I quickly glance to where I left Rivern, and he stands, watching me. I don’t know what he is waiting for, but I leave him to his post.
“Yes, dear?” the female answers. “I’m afraid we have no food,” she adds with a small smile.
I wish we had food to give her.Her kindness in the face of the nameless is overwhelming, and makes my blood burn for the head of theking who sits in his luxurious manor house as he blames his people for his ancestors’ massacres.
“Oh, no, I’m not here for food. I’m wondering if I can help your family.” The male and female look at each other quizzically, and I continue. “You do not know me, but I know of a village willing to accept exiled peoples several turns north of here. My guide and I are heading out tonight. Would your family like to join us?"
The question rings out into the air.
“But this is all we know,” the female’s voice states as I see her partner squeeze her hand within his.
“I understand it’s scary to trust someone you’ve never met, but right now, the king seeks your dismissal from the kingdom. At least, this way, you have the hope of finding sanctuary. Without my guide, there’s no knowing what we could find.” My fire is a simmer within my belly. I understand these people’s plight. They fear the new. In the span of one evening, I have had to leave behind everything that provided me some semblance of safety and sanctuary. We are living the same daemon.
“Momma, ask if they have food there. We are so hungry.” The little boy, now listening intently to us, rubs his stomach in an exaggerated gesture.
They all look at me, and I hope my answer is correct. “All the food a young boy like yourself could need.” I smile, and his toothy grin melts my heart.
“Come on Momma, Pappa. They have food!” The small children around us start to chant the word, and their father tells them to hush.
“You are right. We have no future here. The king has sent his dyre wolves to warn us that we will be run out by sunrise if we do not leaveon our own accord. Our time here has come to an end, and the king” —the male grits his teeth— “is no king of ours.”
Without preamble, he stands up and exchanges hushed words with his partner.
Scurrying off, she starts to converse with other families.
He then informs his children to spread the word that we are leaving for a new Haven as soon as possible, and to meet at the northern gate.
The children scuttle off, and the male moves closer to me, whispering close to my body. “You are the girl from the cage.” My face pales, and he chuckles. “Don’t worry, child, I’ll keep your secret. It seems we have the same enemy, and that is why I trust you. Though, I’m unsure of your guide.” He nodes towards my enduring fae prince, located further down the steps, watching on in wonderment as the news spreads fast of our departure. “Go talk to your guide, and you may walk with my family,” he adds, leaving me in shock thatIdid it.I might save some of these people yet.
The man grasps my hand, and we shake. “What is your name?” I ask as I look up into drawn eyes.
“Lucas, and my wife is Mera.”
“Thank you, Lucas. I’m Dove.”
He inclines his head as I make my way back down to a very awe-struck prince.
twenty-one
Rivern
This small human surprisesme at every turn. The way she walked up to that family with determination in her heart and fire in her eyes…
The bond sings to go to her, to touch her. I push the feeling down and settle into my job as a guard tomy queen.And to think that I was headed to this place to kill the other side of this bond. And now I’m faced with her fear, her beauty, her fire, all I want to do is protect her. To live every moment inher sanctuary.
Snap out of it, you fool.My internal red flags fly.Such things cannot be. I need to stop making her promises. Making myself promises. Calling her my fucking queen. Just call me the delusional prince.
Solen flies overhead. I fill him in on everything that was happening while keeping eyes on my Little Dove.
Mage still waits on the other side of the northern mountains, and now I just wait for her—for Dove to save her people. I cannot find it within my heart to begrudge her this. I would do the exact same thing if those were my people.
I need her to follow me. I need to sort this Goddess bond out. Surely, the oracles can see how to fix it.
I’m promised to another, and the Goddess knows it. I do it for her folk, after all. We need this bond with the tribe of the Silver Sands. The fae need me to step up as their prince, for our continued prosperous future within our lands.
