25
MAX
The wall parts like water, dripping over my body. It’s not quite wet but cold, and I hold my breath, afraid it’ll drown me just the same.
On the other side of the door, a blade finds my throat.
Reid blinks before it drops with a clang and he crushes me into a hug. Fee stands behind him, with purple circles under her eyes wide. It’s the only sign of her worry. Mal touches her arm and she jolts, throwing her arms around his neck, bodies pressed tight.
It’s the biggest display I’ve seen from the warrior princess.
“You’re alive,” Reid breathes, pulling me back to look me over. The prince is covered in bruises, eyes sunken, and lips dry. They’re being kept here, though not by great standards.
“I could say the same thing about you.” Fee has yet to release Mal, pressing so close, I’m afraid she’ll hurt him. Oddly enough, he hasn’t let her go either. “Are you alright?”
“We’re thriving.” Reid gestures to the wall. “Aoife is smart. Made us a prison I can’t break out of.”
“Who is that?” Fee asks, looking over Mal’s shoulder. In the corner, Layla stands there, looking at the dark sky, her pale faceserene. She seems to glow, reflecting the stars overhead, drinking in the moon like a source of water. Maybe it is for her.
Reid swallows loudly, and he wipes his hands on his pants. “You see her too, right?”
“You’re not imaging her,” I remark, turning Layla to the rest of the group. Reid’s eyes grow larger. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say the Fae was speechless. “This is Layla. Another prisoner of Aoife’s.”
“We’re breaking her out,” Mal adds. “And she’s a daughter ofNylxa.”
Fee gasps. Apparently even the Dark Fae have heard the tales.
Before the princess can pull her sword, I intervene. “We have her word she won’t kill anyone. We just wanted to get her out.” I have no idea what Aoife is planning with the half-goddess, but I’d rather let her free than risk it.
Fee seems to understand, and nods. “Fine. Then let’s get out of here.”
Layla finds the exit, hand going through without a whisper. Being a daughter of a goddess has its benefits, particularly when it comes to magic. Mal is the last to leave and Fee turns to the left, intent to escape the palace. Before she can, I yank on her arm.
“We can’t leave. Not yet.”
“Max, he’s lost,” Fee’s voice trembles. “And you know how much that pains me to say. But it’s true. Whatever Aoife has done, has altered him. Kaden is not the Fae we love anymore. We have to get out before Aoife kills us if there is a chance at saving the world.”
“Technically, she won’t kill Max.” Fee glares at her brother, but his eyes haven’t left Layla.
“Not unless she wants to kill Kaden.” Mal crosses his arms. “But I agree with Fee. If we try to get the Dark King, it won’t end well for any of us.”
“And I just got released,” Fee reminds me. “I’d rather not go back.”
“I understand.” And it’s agony to admit they’re right. Everything in me rebels at leaving my husband to his fate, but they have a valid point.
Aoife will kill them, and keep me imprisoned. And I can’t save anyone if I’m trapped.
But I can still save Kaden.
“We need the spell book,” I tell them, squaring my shoulders. “If we can get it, we can bring it to Baris. We can figure out what she did to Kaden and counteract it.”
“Did you suddenly grow the ability to cast spells and make potions?” Fee rubs the bridge of her nose. “This can be a foolish endeavor. What if we can’t find it? What if we only find Aoife? We should focus on the world and Griffin coming for our court.”
“I can go alone,” I offer. “But we need that book. For Kaden and for Griffin. It’s the only way to stop all of this.”
If we get the book, we can break whatever Aoife did. We can save the world.
Fee groans, glancing around. No one comes near us. Apparently, these levels were all forbidden. Aoife must have never wanted anyone to find the Moorgate siblings nor Layla.
