11
MAX
“The barrier protects us,” Baris growls, leaning back in his chair. Crossing my arms, I lean against the door, Mal and Reid inspecting the hut. “To go past it, if you can, is dangerous.”
“We don’t have a choice, Baris.”
“You do,” he argues. Pointing a finger at me, he ignores the males. “I told you not to trust Aoife. She always lies. How do you know this is the correct course?”
“I don’t!” I shout, throwing my hands into the air. Gods, I wish I had brought the guards, but we all agreed it was easier to keep the party small. “All I know is in my heart, where I’m connected to my mate, the light is growing dim. He’s getting weaker. He won’t be able to hold on to his sense of self for long and the curse will win. And I need to save him.”
Baris snaps his head away.
“You said we needed my blood and my love,” I say quietly. “Aoife says that too but it must be pure.”
“She’s expecting you to fail.” His dark eyes look up at me. “She’s expecting this to either kill you, or you miss your chance. That’s why she sent you here. Getting through the barrier is impossible, andwolves prowl the boundary. This is just a mission that will lead to your death.”
Dropping to my knees, I place my hands in my lap and sigh. “And why would she do that, Baris? How does that help her? How does it help Kaden?”
He remains silent and it’s not the first time I’ve wished for my magic to work on him. That damn protection spell keeps him immune.
“Fine. Keep your secrets.” Standing, I flick my fingers at the males to my back. “Regardless, I came to you for help. To access the barrier and get those roses. I can’t do it without you.”
Exhaling, Bari’s face softens. “There is much you don’t understand, little one. Much that if I told you, would put you into danger.” Placing his hands on my shoulders, he shakes his head. “Do not trust anything she tells you. This errand might indeed certain death.”
“But you’re stubborn. Like your mother.” He unfurls his wings, giants masses that make the tiny room feel so much smaller. “And you’re both needed to break the curse on the world and fight the final battles. I’ll accompany you.”
It doesn’t occur to me that Reid and Mal haven’t seen Baris’ wings until Reid gasps and Mal drops his head in deference.
“What are you?—”
“He’s royalty,” Mal whispers, peeking up at us. “There are legends told about the last Fairies. They were rulers of the mountain.”
Reid’s eyes widen. “Max, does that mean?—”
“Yes,” Baris barks. “And we’re running out of time.” Turning toward me, he gestures to the mountain. “I can’t guarantee we will enter. But we will try.”
Ignoring their gaping mouths, we take off toward the mountain, our stallions following at a distance. The sun above warms my skin, and the butterflies flying by ease the tension in my shoulders.
We’re doing it. We’re going to save Kaden.
In the shadows, on the edge of the trees, my Hadeon patrols. I like having him there.
“He’s quite loyal,” Baris says, jerking his head toward the creature. “More so than I think he needs to be.”
“Perhaps he knows something we don’t.”
“Perhaps,” my father concedes. “He works on the orders ofSeti, and not mortals. He may know the future before we do.”
Traveling further into the woods, we discover a small footpath. Not wide enough for the horses, we leave them strapped to the trees and continue on.
The heavy leaves, wide and dark, hide us from the bright rays. Wiping my brow, I duck under a branch as Mal hacks through vegetation ahead of us. Reid covers our back, scanning the grounds.
I don’t feel Kaden nearby, only the flicker in my chest that tells me he’s alive.
“Tell me about the curse.” I step over a root, toe catching on the end. “The one Neith laid on the world.”
“At my urging,” he admits, gripping my elbow to steady me, “Neith laid a curse on the world. To strip away magic. It was a way to delay the war, let the world rest, until the child born of life and death could come and save everyone.”
