When she reached him, she launched into his arms. Her feet left the ground as her arms wound tight around his neck. Lorcan was here. He was solid. And real. And he had come for her. Who cared if he was a shadow fae? Who cared if he’d lied to keep it secret? She wasn’t perfect either.
After several moments, he gently lowered her back to the ground and pushed the wind-swept hair out of her eyes. “You’re alive.”
“Did I cheat you out of a brave and daring rescue?” she said with a smile.
“Yes, you should apologize immediately,” he said. “And then return to the castle to get captured again. That way I can rescue you properly.”
“Hmm, yes. That might be difficult.” How did she explain this to him? “The castle is likely destroyed. The Ruin hit it while we were escaping.”
He shielded his eyes and stared at the distant horizon. “The Ruin? Again? And this far south?”
Reyna shrugged. “I know. I don’t quite understand it.”
She fell silent as Enbarr clopped up next to her. Whatever was happening with the Ruin, she did not want to scare Eislyn.
“Where’s Thane?” her sister asked. “Did he stay in Tairngire?”
Reyna could hear the disappointment in her voice. She had clearly hoped he had come for her. In truth, Reyna was shocked he hadn’t. He might be High King now, but he was still Thane inside. Unless the attack on the coronation had claimed his life.
For the sake of them all, she fiercely hoped not.
My, how things change...
Lorcan’s jaw rippled, and he glanced away. “He was with me until we were attacked by a band of assassins. It seems there is a contract out on his life. I told him to run and hide somewhere safe, where no one would think to check.”
“What?” Reyna asked, lips parting. “He went into hiding? But he is the High King. He can’t just…go away.”
Eislyn’s face had gone white, and she clutched Enbarr’s mane in her trembling hands. “So, he’s alone out there?”
“He’s alone, but he is safe,” Lorcan said, still avoiding Reyna’s gaze. “I’m sorry. There was nothing else I could do to save him. We were heavily outnumbered.”
Reyna frowned. She wanted to trust Lorcan. She did not wish to doubt him. But his story did not make sense.
“How were you able to get away from the assassins then? If Thane ran and you fought?” she asked.
“They were not interested in me. I fought a few, but they quickly gave up when they realized that I would not be an easy mark.”
Reyna narrowed her eyes but didn’t probe further. In truth, she was far too weary to do anything but steel herself for the long trip back north. Her aching bones needed a bed. She’d charged hard and long to reach Eislyn in time, and then had spent far too many nights in a cramped, dirty cell. And then she’d fought harder than she’d ever fought in her life.
She needed…rest.
“Ah,” Lorcan said, wrapping strong arms around her as her vision went dark, her tired body finally giving out. He held her tight to his chest, and then lifted her from the ground. “I’ve got you.”
* * *
Almost a week later, the trio arrived back in Tairngire to find a very different court than the one they had left. They were stopped at the gates by guards who proclaimed to be loyal to Grand Alderman Aengus, who had seized the throne in Thane’s absence. They were taken straight to the Great Hall and questioned extensively by the de factor ruler. He’d wanted to know everything about their disappearance.
“And where is the High King now?” he asked, leaning forward on the throne, arm braced on his knee. He’d even put a golden crown on his head.
Reyna exchanged a weighted glance with Lorcan. For some reason, she felt confident that the less said, the better. She cleared her throat. “His guard, Lorcan, was the last to see him.”
It was a hint to Lorcan.Lie.She could only hope he understood her implication. If Aengus knew that Thane was somewhere hiding, he would tell the entire realm that their High King was a coward.
The Grand Alderman turned his attention to the warrior who stood just behind her. “And what say you? Where is the High King?”
“We got split up during the chaos,” Lorcan said easily. “He should be on his way back now. He’ll arrive any day.”
Aengus arched a brow. “Based on what the princess here has said about the…what do you call it?”
