I lifted my face to his and kissed him sweetly. “I can hardly believe it either.”
“Nor can I,” Conall said crisply. “But let's not celebrate just yet. We need to get into Seelie as fast as possible. The Unseelie may not have had their horses with them, but it won't take long to fetch the beasts. They'll be on our trail soon enough.”
“You're right, Sir Conall,” Trenton said as he set his stare ahead of us and tightened his hold on me. “We need to get our lady to safety.”
“Are you really willing to share me with Conall?” I asked Trenton.
“If he makes you happy, then I'm happy... as long as I have you too,” Trenton said with a soft smile. “I know that Conall's the reason you came to Tirne, and I can hardly take you from him and keep my honor.”
“You fairies are so strange,” I said teasingly.
“But you love us anyway,” Trenton said.
“Well; two of you, at least.”
“We love you too,” Conall declared. “And we will finish that ceremony you started with Drostan; except it shall be the two of us you share blood with.”
“We will?” I asked in surprise.
“Unless you don't wish to,” Trenton said gently. “No one is pressuring you, Riley.”
“No; I wish to.” I smiled brilliantly and then laid back into Trenton's embrace. “I very much wish to.”
“Then hold on tightly, my love,” Trenton said as he spurred his horse on, “and I shall give you all you desire.”
Chapter Forty-Five
We had just reached the Seelie border when the rear guard spotted a host of Unseelie knights approaching. I peered warily over Trenton's shoulder at the smudge on the horizon. My imagination sharpened the image into the savage soldiers of the Dark Court; riding frothy-mouthed beasts, with their vicious king in the lead. I could see his grim expression in my mind, and I knew that Drostan would not stop until he had me back. The Unseelie King was not a man to be thwarted.
Luckily, the Seelie Queen was a brilliant tactician and had sent the rest of her army to line the border of Seelie. They closed in behind us after we made it past their ranks. Queen Tana had sent Trenton with a mounted force small enough to move quickly through Unseelie, and then had backed him with the bulk of her army. Thousands of fairy soldiers stood staring out towards Unseelie; armored and eager to cross swords with their enemies.
Trenton reined in his horse as soon as we were behind the Seelie lines, and Conall rode up alongside us.
“Riley, I want you to go with Sir Conall,” Trenton said as he stroked my cheek tenderly.
“What? Why? What are you going to do?” I asked anxiously.
“I'm going to lead my army against the Unseelie,” he said calmly.
“No,” I nearly screeched. “I just got you back; you can't go into battle now.”
“My soldiers are going to war for us, my love.” Trenton took my face in his hands and kissed me gently. “I cannot let them fight without their commander. It would be the highest act of cowardice and arrogance, and I refuse to be that man... even for you.”
“I wouldn't love that man,” I whispered as I looked down at the silk ribbon tied to his belt; the same one I had given him in the training courtyard. “All right, Trenton. But if you're staying, then so am I.”
“And I,” Conall added.
“No; you are not,” Trenton said firmly. “In this, you will obey me, Riley. We have braved much to save you; not only us Seelie, but also your friend in the Unseelie Court, who risked his life to send me a message about your Understanding being released. Now, you will do the honorable thing and respect your hard-won safety.”
“My friend in Unseelie?” I scowled at him. “What friend?”
“The message wasn't signed, though it arrived in a cloud of pixie dust,” Conall said with a meaningful look.
“Hugo,” I whispered. “That wonderful little man.”
“Conall, take her.” Trenton grabbed me by the waist and passed me to Conall.
“Trenton, wait.” I leaned over and kissed him again. “I love you; remember what you fight for. Do not save me only to destroy me.”
