I love him.
As soon as we clear the glacial ice, we hear the clash of swords and an ugly hiss in the distance.
I look back at our group and see the leader of the elves, Ayla, and her alce crane to look beyond us.
Teo curses, and we hurry forward to see several of the Enduar hunters fighting off three of the cold creatures that attacked us before.
My stomach drops. Not again.
“Did they make it into the cave?” I ask my mate.
He shakes his head. “I do not know. We’ve not been here in weeks.”
Behind us, one of the elves lets out their wild, yelping cries. Ayla, Farryn, and Elanila rush forward barely squeezing past us as we clear the ice.
“Hold!” Teo calls to the Enduar hunters. I don’t recognize either of them, but I am sure he does.
They wait, watching the elves as the heads of the cold ones are lobbed off in clean strikes, followed by a thorough slicing of the bodies. It takes no time for the creatures to be steaming bodies on the chilly snow.
We fly over on theglacialmarasand stop just in front of the group. The Enduares point their weapons at the elves, who bare their teeth in turn. It’s a lot of growling and snarling, which is understandable, given the altercation after my wedding.
“Is everything all right inside?” I ask the hunters as soon as we are close enough to be heard.
One of the hunters looks up at me, and it turns out I do know him.
Joso, with his enormous body, thick arms, and cave-cub happy smile. His face lights up at the sound of my voice.
“My King and Queen,” he bows deeply, showcasing his armored tail. “All is well. We have just been on watch, attentive to your return home.”
Something in my chest squeezes.
“Tell your little guards to stand down,” Ayla says down at the men. Her alce raises one enormous foot and stamps it in the snow. Particles of ice float up around its massive legs and cling to its thick fur.
“The elves are friends,” Teo says, affirming her words.
Weapons are sheathed, and the hunters turn to the gilded door. The red veins swirling out of the entrance no longer appear like blood to me.
Theysing.
“You did not tell us that you had a problem with these creatures,” Ayla says as mechanisms on the door begin to click and twist.
Teo draws closer. “You know what they are?”
Ayla nods once.
“In our legends, we have a monster called thebaobhan sith, but that honor is only given to women wronged by men. I think.” Her green eyes trail back to the black stains of blood in the snow. “These are called thevaimpír, which are the children of the demon Abhartach and the goddess Nicnevin.”
I pause.
“Who is Nicnevin?” My mind swims as I remember the witches who tortured me spoke of her.
“Our goddess. Doro’s indifferent consort,” Ayla says simply.
“I have read of Abhartach—he is a god bound long ago,” Teo nods.
“Yes. He was to be bound for ten thousand years,” Ayla confirms.
“How long ago was that?” Ra'Salore asks.
