“None,” Toryn said tightly. “Nothing from Boudica, either.”
“I’m certain there’s an explanation.”
“Yes, and none of the possibilities are positive.” Toryn scanned the world beyond the border, though there was nothing out there now but mist. The return of the gods had transformed the storm fae kingdom into a replica of this one. All of Aesir was now full of darkness. I didn’t know if I’d ever see my beloved sun again.
“Grab the horses. I’ll go search for him with you,” I said.
Toryn slid his narrowed gaze my way. “Youwant to search for my king?”
My king, he’d said. I didn’t miss the emphasis, and the meaning behind it. He didn’t trust me. And again, I couldn’t blame him, much like I couldn’t blame Nellie for snarling at me. He likely assumed I’d only fought for Dubnos because of my vow to Kalen. Every time he looked at me, I saw the unspoken question in his eyes.
Why are you still here?
“I know we didn’t get off to a good start—”
Toryn shoved off the wall and faced me. Deep lines bracketed his mouth. “You showed up in Albyria with a knife to Nellie’s neck.”
His voice shook when he spoke the girl’s name. He shifted in front of her, blocking me from getting closer. Ah, that explained things, then. He had the feral protectiveness only a fae in love could have. I could only imagine how worried he must be that she was still in this strange wolfish form.
“Yes, well, I was never actually going to hurt her.” I sighed when his eyes narrowed even further. “Listen, I just want to survive. And I want my family and my people to survive. So far, I’ve done nothing but trust the wrong people. But from where I’m standing, Kalen Denare is fighting on the right side. And I think we need him if we’re going to win the inevitable battle against the gods.”
“You’re the one who told him Bellicent fled to Gailfean. How can we be sure you didn’t send him into a trap? A trap that you want to lead us into as well?”
“That’s…an excellent point, actually.” I shrugged. “You can’t be certain unless you send me out there alone to search for him, but I have a feeling you’ll want to come along.”
His entire body seemed to sigh as he closed his eyes. For a moment, he looked less like the newest leader of the storm fae and more like a man drowning beneath an avalanche of rubble. Nellie rose from her haunches and pressed her head against his leg. He dropped his hand and rested it on her fur, fingers sliding between the thick gray strands. He held on to her for a moment like that, then opened his eyes.
“All right. So be it. You and I, we’ll search for Kalen together.”
Nellie growled. I glanced at her, not entirely certain she wouldn’t attack me.
Toryn smiled at the look on my face. “I believe she’s trying to say that if you tryanythingwhile we’re out there, she’ll rip your throat out.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less,” I told her.
The Temple bell clanged. Toryn frowned and turned toward it. A breathless warrior rushed up the steps of the battlements. The paleness of his sweat-stained face turned my stomach.
“Your Grace,” he said in a rush. “Dubnos is under attack.”
“Already?” I asked sharply. We’d only just defeated the enemy army, killing dozens of of the gods’ monstrous creatures and many of the storm fae who had joined their side. They’d taken heavy losses. So had we, which was why we’d yet to send our army outside the safety of these walls. How had the enemy regrouped so quickly? How did they already have the numbers for another fight?
The only way they could be attacking now was if the gods themselves had come here.
Nausea churned my gut. We weren’t ready to face them. Kalen Denare was not here. Neither was Tessa Baran and her glorious power. Dubnos did not stand a chance without either of them.
Toryn chewed on the scout’s words for a moment, his thoughts no doubt matching mine. After a time, he asked, “How many gods have come?”
As if that would make a difference to our survival. They could mute our elite fae powers and our healing abilities. If only one arrived at our gates, we were done.
“None of the gods, Your Grace,” the scout said. “It’s Star Isles, based on their banners. They’ve brought an army of at least two hundred. Fae only. No beasts.”
Toryn exhaled in relief. But it was only short-lived. The bell clanged again, and another scout rushed up the steps. Blood painted her face. “They’ve started up the mountain path now. I just barely got away. What do we do, Your Grace?”
A muscle worked in Toryn’s jaw. “Get the civilians into the castle. All of them. Tell anyone who can wield a sword to meet us in the courtyard. Wemustfind a way to save this city.”
Seven
Tessa
