Reid holds a cold rag to my throat and I hiss through gritted teeth. “Sorry,” he mumbles, trying again. It feels like something has been carved into my skin, and I can’t move past the pain.
The scent of wine hits my nose. “Really?” I ask, and I cough.
“We have to cool it down. It’ll be much worse in the morning.”
“I’ll heal.” I will, a benefit to the bond.
“If it still works. It’s best to wait.”
Another day lost. More time wasted.
Kaden doesn’t have time.
“We can’t wait any longer.”
Reid looks up at me, confused. “It’ll only be a few hours?—”
Grabbing his wrist, I pull the rag away. “He can’t wait any longer. Tell me about Aoife.”
Because I need to know what I’m walking into. I need to understand this world, understand why in my gut, I know I’m needed here. Why the palace is so important to my journey.
The Fae tsks. “I don’t know much, Max. She’s old—ancient. Her land is green. She’s kind of got a thing for gold. And she’s very distrusting of anyone who isn’t Kaden.”
“Why Kaden?”
“She was there after my mother died.” The rag goes back to my throat and I blink against the pain. “Kaden was grown, but he relied on her council. She was the first to agree to his coup. And no one is stupid enough to push the old Fae Queen.”
Until me.
“Why do we need the princes?” I jerk my head at their camp. “What do they offer?”
“Besides extra protection against wolves?” Reid’s brows furrow. “They provide a path in to Aoife. Without them, she’ll attack first, ask questions later.”
“How do we get past that without them?”
“Oh, no,” Reid says, shaking his finger. At my look, he scoffs. “No, Max. Don’t.”
Moving closer, I lower my voice. “He can’t wait, Reid. He needshelp. If Aoife is the only one who can provide it, I’m willing to take that chance.”
Baris said we just needed my blood and our love, but I’m not putting my faith into one Fairy and his old knowledge. Nor into cryptic words from a God of the Dead. And certainly not into Fate.
I am going to do everything possible to save Kaden, before I worry about the world. Aoife is my only chance.
Reid exhales, scanning the woods. He seems to wrestle with his thoughts before kicking his foot against a spare rock. “Godsdammit.Fine. What’s the plan?”
Rushing through the trees, we stumble over to Samkien. The Dark Fae is younger than Zeke, with long black hair and a hard expression. Once he sees me, he stands, hand on his sword.
“My Queen,” he says, bowing. “What can I do for you?”
“We’re leaving.” Baris rides into our camp, swinging his long leg. His eyes fall to my neck, his worry a physical slap, but I force myself to continue. “Gather the men. Do it quietly. We’re going on without the Woodland Fae.”
“Is that wise?” Baris asks, crossing his arms. I ignore him.
“I will not wait to save my mate.” I begin to braid my hair, watching as the Fae pack. “We leave shortly. If the Woodland Fae discover we’ve gone, they can try to catch us. But we’re going to save the king.”
Moral boosts with each word I say. The soldiers were just waiting for me to do the impossible—to put Kaden first.
He’s always been first, but now, I’m trusting myself.
