“Ahhhhh…how sweet,” the female says, “The Shadowfae King is in love. And there I was thinking I might take you to my bed if we survived long enough.”
Sebastian’s jaw tightens.
I squeeze his hand.
“I’d no sooner bed you—” Sebastian starts to growl through gritted teeth.
“Yes…we’re in love,” I blurt. I’m not sure if I do so because of the burning jealousy I need not feel or because I want to stop Sebastian from saying something that could get him killed.
The female looks at him. Then she shrugs. “Let them ride together. It might give them more of a chance.”
A chance for what…or at what?
I don’t ask.
The nearest thornback lowers itself at a guttural command from one of the hy-weres. It goes down onto its belly, the bone spikes along its back jutting upward like the ramparts of a castlewall. Even kneeling, its back is higher than my neck. I’m not sure how I’m going to get up there.
I reach up as high as I can and put a hand on one of the spikes. Sebastian grips my hips and boosts me up. I find my seat between two rows of bony spikes, gripping the nearest one for balance. The bone is smooth and warm to the touch, like sunbaked stone. Not what I expected at all.
Sebastian climbs up behind me. I am almost in his lap. He wraps one arm around my waist while gripping a spike with the other.
The thornback rises. It is not a gentle motion. The creature heaves itself up from the mud, and we lurch forward, then back. I press back against Sebastian, and his arm tightens around me, pulling me against the hard length of him.
“Don’t try anything clever,” the male says. He’s standing in front of us. His arms are folded, and his face gives away nothing. “Do not use your magic on us. Do not try to escape, or you will face the consequences. We would like to keep you breathing, but it is not a necessity.” He gives a one-shouldered shrug.
“Understood,” Sebastian tells them.
The male holds his gaze, then nods and turns away.
The two fae drop to all fours and shift. The transformation is faster this time. Where two naked fae stood a heartbeat ago, two enormous creatures now stand.
The formation moves. The thornbacks lead, their massive strides slow but steady, covering more ground with each step than I would have guessed. The hy-weres fan out on all sides, running in easy, loping strides. The six-legged serpent creatures slither along the flanks, their gait silent on the wet ground.
As soon as we move, Nox squeals, going up on two legs before running away. Blessedly, toward the Shadow Court…toward home. Jack follows close on his heels.
“Goddess help us,” Sebastian mutters.
The thornback sways beneath us with each heavy step, a rocking motion that would almost be soothing if we weren’t prisoners of an army heading gods know where.
I keep my voice low. “It looks like we’re going back…toward the court…toward…” I hope I’m wrong.
“They’re moving in the same direction the dragons were flying. We’re headed into battle.”
I close my eyes for a moment. I’d hoped, foolishly, that being captured by the shifterfae was the worst that could happen today. But no. We’re being carried straight into the path of the woman who wants Sebastian dead.
“That’s why they said not to use my magic on them. They didn’t expressly forbid us from using magic.”
He nods. “That’s why the female let us ride together.”
I gasp. “She said we might have more of a chance that way. A chance of surviving.”
I turn to look at him, and his expression is grave.
I sag in his arms, pulling in a fortifying breath.
“What is a Drakar?” I whisper.
Sebastian is quiet for a few strides. His breath is warm against my hair. “The Shifterfae King. I thought he was lost like the rest of us, but perhaps not.”
