Someone from the crowd spoke up, “If she is his soulmate, then the Nepheli have our true queen!”
Anger shot through the crowd. “It’s the loyalists! They want to destroy our future!” someone shouted. Shouts of agreement filled the air.
“We must avenge her!” a warrior shouted.
When they had ridden back to the encampment, warriors shared they should not be riding back to Bayberry. Kyla knew the loyalty to Savine was higher than ever after he called the trees and elk into battle. But their loyalty stretched beyond Savine and now reached Avery.
Shouts from the crowd came in an uproar. “Save the witch! Save our king!”
Garnel’s voice boomed above the crowd, “We will not let this attack on our folk—and our future queen stand! All who are able will ride out to save Avery from the Tower of Teeth!”
Kyla’s pride in her soulmate made her beam. But in the pit of her stomach, dread churned. This call to battle was impossible. They didn’t have the manpower to defeat the Nepheli and their high fortresses in the sky.
“Garnel…” she said in low tones.
“Kyla, we cannot let Savine go there alone. We got the injured healed. We have reunited the warriors with their families, just as Savine wanted. You know what the Tower of Teeth took from him, and I’ll be damned to the Abyss if I don’t get him out of there by any means necessary.” His essence was so still it caught Kyla’s breath. Tentatively, she let his emotions settle over her. Guilt and rage filled her soulmate.
Kyla sighed as she pressed her blood-stained hands to Garnel’s arms. Their foreheads met, and she pressed her emotions into him. Regret mingled with apprehension and hope. Always hope.
“Every day, I thank the Goddess that you are here at my side. Avery made that possible. I don’t- I can’t think of her being subjected to what Savine experienced in the towers. And for him to return there?” Kyla shook her head. “Let the troops spend one night with their families. We ride at dawn.”
Chapter forty-six
Avery
The warmth against Avery’s back startled her awake. The last thing she remembered was Rylo’s hands touching her forehead as she slipped into sleep. Was that him behind her? She was going to be sick. Her hands were bound again, and she struggled to push herself up.
Sighing with relief, Avery saw Rue sleeping next to her. It was Rue. Not that monster. Avery looked down at her hands, expecting Weston’s dried and flaking blood on her skin. Instead, her skin was clean. She was no longer in her leather armor, either. Warm, soft fabric draped across her skin. She’d been changed into some sort of dress without her consent or knowledge. Her empty stomach churned, and even though she thought she’d be sick, she realized it had been possibly three days since she ate anything. Had she had any water? She couldn’t remember, but her tongue felt thick in her mouth, and her throat was so dry it hurt to breathe in air.
“Water,” she croaked. A Nepheli approached her. It was that same dark feathered fae, Selene. She carried a cup as she approached.
Selene tipped the cup to Avery’s lips, and Avery didn’t hesitate to take the water from her.
Avery couldn’t get enough of the water as it soothed her parched throat. “More. Please,” Avery rasped.
Selene turned her head toward Rue’s sleeping form, gazing at her. Avery looked at Rue. Her clothing was changed too. Her skin scrubbed. The tight ringlets of her hair were pressed against the cold stone, yet she looked at peace. Avery hoped Rue wouldn’t wake up and be reminded of the nightmare they were in.
“It’s a pity that she followed you. She could have been so much more than what you will offer her. Following you is a death sentence here,” Selene said. Her expression looked sad, even remorseful for Rue. “I will not look forward to destroying such a soul.”
“Destroy?” Avery asked. She couldn’t even make full sentences, not when all her mind could think of was the demand for her basic needs.
“That oath you took. Do you think it can stop someone like me? I don’t need to use physical pain. Nor did Rylo include me in your little oath. You best learn to watch the words of the fae closely, little human.”
Selene stood up from her crouching position and walked across the cavern. Avery looked at her surroundings. They were in a different cavern. This one was tighter, more compact. What little light in the cave came from the small entry. So it was day. Avery had lost track of the days since she was taken from Savine. Water dripped down from the roof of the cave, making a slight splashing sound. The stifling air made Avery sweaty, the foreign dress sticking to her skin.
Susan was next to Rue, also still sleeping. Avery noticed the golden wings of Rylo’s sleeping form across the cave. Selene and another Nepheli seemed on watch.
Selene met Avery’s eyes. She walked back to Avery with a small plate of food. “You must be hungry. I will unbind you, but do nothing you will regret.”
No magic prickled over her as Selene took the bindings off her wrist. Avery couldn’t help but stretch her tight muscles before she took theplate Selene held out. Taking food from this woman was a risk, but what other choice did she have?
“Eat. It’s safe,” Selene said. She crouched down on the floor near Avery. Avery took a bite of some sort of plain bread.
Selene looked at Avery. Her violet eyes shone as she spoke. “When Savine was in the Tower of Teeth, I extracted parts of his soul. I examined them. Did you know this is what I do?” Silver light shimmered across her perfect face.
Avery shook her head as she took another bite of food. Now that she ate, the pangs of hunger hit her harder. She wouldn’t be able to make herself stop eating if she wanted to.
“His soul is tarnished. You should be thankful that Rylo took you from him.” Selene looked at Avery like she was giving her a gift.
