Page 36 of Their War

Considering this information, I asked, “Is there any way we can knock them out? Can you take them food or drink to make them sleep?”

“From what I've gathered, they're not allowed to eat or drink anything while on shift to prevent that sort of thing.”

I turned to Brannoc. “What about you? Can you get in there?”

“If I could, you'd have been out in no time. There's magic blocking me from entering. I suspect there's enchantments that prevent anyone from using magic inside the prison. Not to mention the iron, which quickly drains what you have.”

“Well shit,” I said, the wheels turning in my mind. “Surely there must be a way. I refuse to believe it's impossible.” The problem was, I knew barely anything about the limits of magic. Which made finding a solution impossible for me. Not without more information. “What can you do?”

Juniper considered that. “The guards keep up a routine schedule, rotating out every four hours. They don't want to risk having anyone falling asleep or growing lax.”

Okay. “So, presumably the best time to break in is around hour three, when they're toward the end of the shift. Although it certainly narrows our window of opportunity.”

“I wish I could tell you more,” Juniper apologized.

“It's more than we knew before.” Admitting defeat, I looked at her. “We need to head back and find out what the others have come up with. Can I count on your help when we come up with a plan?”

“Of course, my Queen. I've spent my life preparing to serve you and to finding a way to overthrow Titania.”

I laughed uncomfortably at the title, something I knew I'd have to grow used to. “Okay. We'll be back soon to let you know the plan. Once we've come up with it.”

Not waiting for her response, Brannoc wrapped an arm around me, whisking me away into the smoke and back to the safety of our hideout.

Chapter Twenty One: Rhowyn

It seemed that our task was one that didn't require as much time as the others. That was my first thought as Brannoc and I landed in the living room of his home. I was positive that was their intention all along when they assigned us to it. Now, I found myself pacing back and forth after waiting much longer than I had anticipated. My mind whirred with concern for them, knowing my anxiety wouldn't settle until they were all back here safe and with me.

Brannoc sat in one of the chairs in front of the fireplace, watching me as I tried to displace this nervous energy in the only way I could. Normally, back on Earth, I would have been able to go to the gym to dispel my fears through sparring or simply working a bag. There was none of that here, so I was forced to find another way. One that wouldn't destroy Brannoc's beautiful home as I tried to fight the imaginary demons in my head.

Amusement lit his face as he watched me, but he remained silent, a soft, barely there smile following me from one end of the room to the other. Over and over again.

I paused, shaking my hands out, the energy threatening to overwhelm me. I really didn't like them out there taking risks without me. I wanted to be with them, to protect them. Of course, I knew they'd say they didn't need my protection and that it was their job to provide me with protection, but I didn't see it that way. They were my responsibility. From the moment I met them, my life had been drastically changed, and despite the danger we were all in, I couldn't imagine life without them anymore.

Glancing at Brannoc as I opened and closed my hands, I realized I was becoming attracted to him. There was something about him that drew me in, his mysterious air pulling me in like a moth to the flame. Every line of his body screamed danger, but I couldn't help but want to risk walking too close to the flames.

I wasn't sure what the other four would think about my attraction to Brannoc, but I was sure they felt some of that through the bond. There would never truly be secrets from each other any longer, sharing our emotions in ways women on Earth would dream of. But from what I knew of the fae, they were more open about relationships than the humans on Earth. I had once thought I was normal in that regard, never truly desiring to be with more than one person, but since being here in Avalon, it was like a part of me was switched on. A part that I hadn't even known existed and desired pushing the boundaries.

Twice now, I had been with two of my consorts at one time, something that still shocked humans despite their ideas that they were advanced and emotionally aware. It was like my body knew that what we were doing was natural, following the pleasure that we could bring each other, not allowing preconceived notions to tell us how to embrace our relationships.

And yet, I was nervous about how to proceed with my attraction toward Brannoc. I wanted to respect my consorts, but I felt there was something more than simple lust between Brannoc and me. From what I could understand, while the queens of Avalon history had been free to pursue lovers, none of them had embraced long-term lovers outside of the consorts that had been chosen for them.

Deep in my gut, I knew that Brannoc was going to be important to me. That if we did decide to pursue a relationship, especially a sexual one, we'd need it to be more than a fling. I wanted him to be equal with my consorts in a way that was apparently unheard of.

I resumed my pacing, unable to stop myself. “If you continue, you'll be worn out before we can ever mount a rescue,” Brannoc said with a smile in his voice.

Stopping to face him, I searched for the words to respond, to explain my racing thoughts and fears. It wasn't just them being gone, I realized. It was so much more. It was everything finally catching up to me. Things that I pushed from my mind, swelling up to drown me and pull me under. When I stayed busy, I could ignore my thoughts, but in moments of calm and stillness, I was struggling.

Uncrossing his legs, he pushed himself up from the chair. The smooth movement transfixed me for a moment as he seemed to glide over to me soundlessly. I could see the assassin now. It was written in the very lines of his body, of his being. It was everything he was, and yet, he was so much more than just an assassin.

Coming to a stop in front of me, he reached out a hand to pull my gaze to his, a brief flash of uncertainty and hesitation crossing so quickly that it felt like it was just in my imagination. “There are many things in this life that you can't change. Many things that you have no control over. Fate seems to make fools of us all,” he said confidently.

Puzzled at where he was going, I opened my mouth to inquire further, but he simply shook his head. “Just listen.” I nodded as his hand dropped to run along my arm in a soothing gesture that he didn't seem to be aware of. “What I've learned over the many years that I've been alive is that if we focus on the things that are beyond our control, we will quickly be consumed by them. Regrets hinder us from ever being able to progress.

“I know this because I had to learn the hard way to let those things go, and I recognize when others are struggling with the same thing. It's okay to not have the answers now. It's okay to not know where fate is leading you, but don't let fear be your guide. Don't get lost in thoughts about what you think you are or aren't.”

Swallowing at his words, emotions threatened to spill from my eyes as he continued, wiping away a tear as it escaped and rolled down my cheek. “I haven't known you long, but I believe in you. I believe you're the answer to the prayers of the fae people. For years, we believed Avalonia had abandoned us to suffer under the Queen, our lands and people dying out. A long, slow but sure process.

“And then you arrived. You reminded the people what strength and courage should be. You demonstrated honor and loyalty through your deeds. Captivating us all with your kindness and beauty.

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