Each witch from the islands had made it through the fight. Having asked for their help would cost me, but there wasn’t anything I wouldn’t bargain away to keep Audryn safe.
I pulled her onto my lap as the Queen’s hand fell away. “Thank you,” I mouthed to her. She dipped her head and went to help my sister, who was still looking unwell, but Amalee refused. The Queen looked at me questioningly, but I shook my head.
Queen Arden leaned over and whispered in my ear, “We need to speak. There is a war brewing.” She stood and smiled. “Audryn makes a beautiful bride, it’s quite a shame she wore such a hideous dress. I hope her gown selection for your ceremony is better. It seems congratulations are in order.”
Screams erupted into the evening sky as the coven moved through the castle, no doubt looking for the rogue witch. While we waited, Dysis moved to lie behind my back, letting me settle in while Amalee and Fisher addressed the crowd. They worked together to determine who wanted to stay and who would make Kuroden their new home.
38
AUDRYN
The breeze rushed past as we lifted into the sky and left behind all that I’d lost in Rivale. With the warmth of the man sitting at my back, I leaned in, allowing myself to be held up against the sturdy support that had stayed a constant since the moment I met him. I hadn’t told him I loved him, but I would have the conversation soon, because life wasn’t guaranteed.
Col had been thoughtful to take me far enough away for others not to hear the moment my chest cracked from the news of my father’s death. If it hadn’t been for his ready arms, I would have fallen to the ground, crushed by the weight of grief. When he told me who was responsible, guilt rolled through. I’d had so many chances to kill Hunt, and if I had, my father would have lived. The only consolation was knowing the guard got what he deserved at the hands of the man closest to me.
Dozens of wings flapped around us as we made our way north. Their rhythmic beat was almost soothing.
“Are you cold?” Col pulled me into him, wrapping his hand around my waist, his sweat-soaked scent a comfort in a time filled with so much sadness.
“If I lie and say yes, will you stay like this?” I mused.
Leanna had my clothes, along with the rest of the books I’d borrowed from the library, placed in bags and dramatically thrown from the bedroom window. Though she might’ve thought it would humiliate me, it was more of a mercy considering I’d been left to wear the chopped up remnants of their familial wedding gown.
Not offered a place to change, Col and Dysis protected me from the eyes of those who remained in the sea of flowers. My wyvern covered me with her wings and screeched at each person until their backs were all turned. I was pretty sure she was threatening them, based on the shared feelings deep in my mind, and I was grateful she didn’t attempt to act.
“You know she’s probably upset that you flew with me instead of with her, right?” Col looked at Dysis, who was flying next to us.
I tilted my head at the creature. “I think she understands. And if not, let’s hope she doesn’t hold a grudge.” On cue, she huffed a breath in our direction, covering us with moisture from her sinuses.
“Oh, she definitely does. You should’ve seen her with Fisher. He’s going to have a difficult time winning her over.” His chest rumbled with a chuckle, and it was the most beautiful sound I’d heard in a week.
Wrapping my hand around his, I pulled his arm back and into me. He adjusted his seat, getting rid of every inch between us.
“So, you got the missive.” I hummed. “That’s how you knew to come.”
“What missive?”
“I sent one a couple of days ago to Kuroden. When I saw you, I assumed you’d received it.” I looked back thoughtfully over my shoulder at him.
“Nope, the day you left was the day I left.” He brought his chin down, letting our cheeks meet. “It was a risk to help, considering you didn’t want me to, but …” He sat quietly for several moments while the beating wings flapped around us. “I couldn’t let you go,” he said, “and Sky said she felt something off inside of you. Like someone might’ve used Macabre magic on your mind.”
Thingswereoff. I’d been feeling it for weeks, but couldn’t put my finger on it. When I was sitting in the prison, something changed, though. Whatever was wrapped around my mind and pulled me backwards finally severed and shrunk away. It was a slight relief I felt in such immense panic.
“When we get back, I’d like to have someone look at you,” Col continued, “but only if you feel up to it. If you’re comfortable with Sky, maybe she could?—”
“Yes,” I said, cutting him off. I inhaled deeply and blew the breath out slowly before continuing. “I trust Sky. You trust her too, right?”
“I do.”
Even without Col’s opinion, I trusted her. When I’d pushed everyone away in Kuroden, she kept beating at the walls I’d thrown up. I’d never felt her judging me, even when she should’ve been. I was grateful she’d been the one to take my father from the chaos. He would’ve been happy to finally take a ride on a wyvern when he’d only ever seen them in books.
A gryphon flew past us, frantic to get away with a screaming Fisher aboard. Roark and a witch maniacally laughed as they chased after him on a wyvern.
More fae wanted to go to Kuroden than the witches had seats for, so Col sent Roark and Fisher to negotiate taking a dozen gryphons with us. Leanna agreed to the exchange so long as they were returned. Thankfully, the Ardens offered to deliver them back. The only other caveat was that Leanna would claim Col stole them to keep up the charade of a feud between the twokingdoms. Whether the feud would last was a matter to be determined at a later date.
I thought back to how so much had changed since I first climbed on a beast with Col behind me. “When we first went to Kuroden, you said the wyverns would kill the gryphons if they flew together,” I said, watching the two creatures dip and dive in the distance. The wyvern kept space between them even though it was much faster and could easily catch it.
“I lied,” Col said smugly.
