Page 246 of Lady of Starfire

“Not eventually,” Scarlett replied. “I want all ways into this world closed. Anyone who wants in, will need to go through me. The mirror gates are taken care of. We find these rings and destroy this portal key.” Her gaze went to Hale. “And we figure out what to do about the kings.”

That particular detail Nuri and Mordecaihadfilled them in on. How Drake had learned of the unexpected cost of taking down the wards around the mortal lands. Scarlett had been quiet and lost to her own thoughts ever since.

“Tarek had one of the rings the last I knew,” Talwyn suddenly offered.

“Why?” Rayner asked.

“He retained Eliné’s ring after taking it from Sorin.”

“Alaric would have surely taken it back by now if he wants all three,” Briar argued.

“No,” Scarlett and Cassius said together.

Scarlett nodded at Cass, and he said, “He would have kept them separated until he had all three. If he kept them together, they would be easier to steal.”

“So we think one is in the Earth Court with Tarek. One is lost in the Fellowship remains. And the third?” Cethin asked.

“Would be kept close. Not on Alaric, but likely in Baylorin,” Cassius said.

“Balam?” asked Cyrus.

“No,” Scarlett said softly. “Mikale has one.”

The name alone had Sorin stifling a growl, and Scarlett cast him a quick glance.

“When he trapped me in that dream the last time, it was on his finger. I didn’t realize that’s what it was because the stone is different. Emerald instead of the sapphire my ring was,” she added.

“Which one should we go after first?” Cyrus asked, turning to Cassius.

Cass pushed out a harsh breath, rubbing at the back of his neck. “While Hazel is working on the missing one, we can go after one of the other two. I know Baylorin to get the one Mikale has, but the Earth Court—”

“We will get that one,” Scarlett said. “We were planning on taking back that Court next. Those plans can be escalated. Are the Witches restored enough to fight?”

“The host that came with me is certainly ready, and we have units waiting at the borders. Jetta can lead them all in my absence,” Hazel replied.

“Cass and I will go after the other one then,” Cyrus said, gaze fixed on the table as he picked at a chip in the wood.

“I will go with you two,” Sorin said, and Cyrus’s head snapped up.

“Why?”

“I need a reason to help my family?”

“No, but…” Cyrus stared back at him.

“It is not a reflection of you, Cyrus,” Sorin said, knowing his friend too well. “I know you are capable of this, but you are facing a Maraan Lord and possible other unknowns. Additional power would be wise.”

“He has a point,” Cassius said, but he looked at Scarlett. “Seastar?”

She waved him off, clearly already thinking about something else. “We’ll have plenty of help with the rest of the Fae Royalty, the Witches, Shifters, and Avonleyans. If he wants to go—” She stopped abruptly, turning to face him fully. “You want to kill Mikale.”

A slow, malicious grin tilted on Sorin’s lips. “You can have Alaric, Love, but Mikale’s death is mine.”

“You cannot kill him, Sorin. Callan’s life and his are bound together.”

“I am aware,” he said, settling back in his seat. “There are so many things worse than death.”

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