Page 99 of Chaos Tempted

Once we arrive at the shelter, Turgon releases Baelen, Daylor, and Corwin from the locked cabin.

Eldrin greets them by saying, “We head to the portal now. Our next mission is to lead an attack on the human king.”

Eldrin’s personal guards are taken aback, and look to Jaden for confirmation.

Jaden can only frown in response.

I don’t blame their confusion. I still wear a shocked expression over Eldrin’s aggressive and distant behavior.

Jaden is about to lift me onto his horse, but Eldrin forbids it. “The mortal and her keeper will walk.”

Jaden tenses, ready to fight him on this, but I pat him on the arm. “It’s alright. I can walk.”

All the others ride horses, so I have to hurry to keep pace with my shorter human legs. As a further insult, Merlara’s horse is being led along by one of our guards.

I glance over at my former keeper.

Merlara is struggling with her injuries but keeping a good pace. She’s been oddly quiet since she woke up in the faerie circle after Oakes barely healed her. My keeper covertly studies everyone’s movements on our way to the portal, especially Eldrin’s icy demeanor toward his people and his newfound camaraderie with Commander Turgon.

As we near the portal, Turgon announces, “The human will stay with me after all.”

Eldrin stills and studies Turgon with an inscrutable gaze. I feel the pulse of his influencer magic pushing against me but not aimed at me. Who is Eldrin influencing and why?

“I told you before,” Eldrin says plainly and coldly. “I need her to get close to the king. How else can I gain entry inside the castle to kill the coward?”

Turgon raises an eyebrow and grins. “I’m glad you’re seeing this whole thing properly now.”

“I am.” The prince roughly grabs the back of my dress and yanks me up onto his horse, draping me face down on my stomach like a sack of grain.

“Our soldiers will be at the castle walls,” Turgon instructs. “Tell the captain the wordvanquish,and he will know you are now in charge.”

Giving the commander a curt nod, Eldrin waits for Turgon to open the portal.

Then Eldrin motions for Merlara, Jaden, Oakes, and his personal guards to cross over to the mortal realm.

“May you be successful,” Turgon says as he shuts the portal behind our entourage, which also includes a few of Turgon’s soldiers.

Once the gateway closes, I struggle to get off Eldrin’s horse. “How could you?”

The prince pulls me close and whispers a warning in my ear, his voice deadly. “Be quiet.” He then shifts me so that I’m sitting upright on the saddle and not lying across the horse.

Over my shoulder, I turn my head and glare at him, but he’s too busy scanning the area to notice.

“Let’s make way. We don’t need to be attacked by ghouls or humans.” Eldrin snaps his head in Jaden’s and Oakes’ direction. “Do you sense anyone around?”

They both look as if they are about to protest following orders, but then they use their abilities to assess their surroundings for the safety of our group—for my sake. It will do no one any good to be ambushed.

“I’m not picking up a fresh scent.” Jaden frowns with a crinkled nose. “But there has been a lot of activity in the area. I can’t be sure.”

“I can’t feel anyone, but that doesn’t mean someone isn’t close—masked,” Oakes adds.

“Then it’s best if we move to a more secluded spot to plan our approach.” Eldrin nudges his horse into a trot.

As Eldrin sits on the saddle behind me, I move to separate myself, but it’s no use. There’s only so far one can move on a horse’s back.

We ride for an hour until we arrive at a clearing without saying another word to each other. I still can’t read Eldrin, and I sense that Oakes and Jaden are just as baffled.

“Oakes? Jaden?” Eldrin asks. “Anyone near?”

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