Page 135 of Ravenrose

“Moons, save me. You had better behave, Rose Princess.”

Chapter 56

ROWAN

The ride to the village is hard and fast.

I cling tightly to Dash’s saddle between Ayer’s arms as the stallion tears through the forest. My new bow slung across his back. Right beside his own.

I hear the screams before I even see the smoke.

Ayer pulls Dash up, signaling the group to stop just outside of the village, while we’re still hidden beneath the cover of the trees. He slips so easily into command mode: calm, focused, decisive. Immediately taking charge and relaying the plan.

Half of the group will ride through the village entrance, drawing the raiders’ attention and engaging the fae in battle. The other half will circle around to the back of the village to stage a second attack from the rear.

The goal: separate the raiders from the villagers as much as possible to minimize civilian casualties.

Ayer slides off Dash, helping me down after him. His hand lingers on my waist just long enough to make sure I’m steady on my feet. He hands my bow and quiver over, his gaze unreadable when I take them from him. Leaving the horses behind, we move swiftly and quietly through the woods.

Ayer, Theo, and I are part of the second group closing in from the rear. Hayes and Wyatt are leading the group attacking from the gate.

Staying true to my word, I stick close to Theo and Ayer. The screams coming from the village twist my stomach; they aren’t just the screams of men, but of women and children too.

The sounds of laughter coming out of the village amongst the terrified screams sets me off. My magic flares, uncontrolled, a sudden burst of unrestrained rage. It lashes out wildly, only to crash hard against the rune’s barrier. My wrist lights up with a sharp, biting pain. I let out a small hiss, earning a questioning look from Ayer. But we’ve just about cleared the tree line, and the village finally comes into view.

Nothing could have prepared me for what I see.

Heat sears my face. Two buildings nearby are fully engulfed in bright orange flames. Bodies lie scattered, motionless, across the ground.

The scent of death and smoke hangs heavy in the air

Ayer holds up his fist, halting the group at the tree line. The wait is agony, and my fingers twitch at my sides, wanting to rip an arrow from my quiver or throw the dagger at my thigh at the unsuspecting fae raiders. They’re quite pleased with themselves, sadistic smiles on their faces as they light up another cottage—someone’s home.

My heart clenches, hoping to the gods that no one was inside.

Several painful minutes pass while we wait for the first group to attack. We need them to draw attention.

Up ahead, I spy a small group of people huddled together. Surviving villagers. Raiders circle the group. I recognize their armour immediately.

They wear the same nondescript bronze armour as the ones who ambushed Ayer’s company on the side of the road—and who hunted me by the river.

A few armed fae stand guard over the humans they’ve captured while the rest cycle in and out of the remaining buildings. They set more of them alight after taking out any perceived valuables.

A hulking fae male with a bald head appears out of the cottage closest to us. He drags out a young child by her blonde hair. She screams in pain, while her small hands claw at his wrist, trying to break free—or at least loosen his grip.

I grit my teeth, slowly pulling an arrow from my back and loading it into my bow.

She fights. Gods, she fights, but she’s so little compared to him, and he yanks her so roughly her body eventually goes limp. With no care, he drags her body into the square, tossing it with the others like he’s thrown out a sack of trash.

“Stay inside the tree line.” Ayer’s voice is so close to my ear I nearly jump. I didn’t realize he was so close. “You’re an archer. Take them out from a distance.”

I nod, my eyes still trained on the village—on the bald fae raider. My countless lessons with Riven and Fel are about to be put to the test. I might not hit the bullseye every time, but a fae skull is a far larger target.

I hold my breath as the first wave of Ayer’s men attack.

Clad in black armour, Kovari soldiers burst through the village gates on horseback, immediately drawing the attention of the fae raiders who lift their swords and engage them, leaving a few behind to guard their little circle of captives.

Ayer and Theo exchange a look, and then they charge.