Page 56 of The Court of Thorns and Wings

The guard removed his sword. “Nightfiends, get to the side of the wall, or I’ll gut you.”

When Eiric removed her own sword, the betrayal sat heavy on my shoulders. I couldn’t believe, after all we’d gone through together, that she’d do this.

Knowing they wouldn’t kill me, I hurried over, blocking Finnian and Tavish. “To hurt them, you’ll have to go through me first.”

Lira, no, Tavish linked, and I felt him move closer to me, the air between us thrumming with static as the warmth of our bond surged back to life.

“Princess Lira, move.” Eiric nodded to the side.

Instead, I stood tall. “No. They haven’t done anything wrong.”

“Get the princess out of the way, and I’ll get the Unseelie,” the guard commanded Eiric as Tavish placed his hands on my shoulders.

I allowed my healing magic to surge into him. The only way we were getting out of here was if he had his own magic. I remembered the way I’d felt when my chains had come off.

“You’ve always been difficult,” Eiric gritted out, and she moved next to the guard. “Sometimes, I wish you’d just listen.” She glanced at the guard. “You ready?”

“Let’s move,” he said, and then they moved forward, right at me, as Tavish yanked me behind him, ready to fight.

17

TAVISH

Though malnourishment during my time in the holding cell was making the room spin, I refused to let my mate get injured by her own people.

I blocked Lira and Finnian, trying to tap into the cool magic of darkness to blanket us. However, I couldn’t access my magic, and I could feel the cold’s frigid grasp on my mate through our bond.

Without my sword or magic, I had no protection, but that didn’t matter. Better they hurt me than Lira and Finnian.

Finnian removed the chains from his wings as strong, warm hands touched my shoulders—no doubt Lira.

“Don’t—” she commanded behind me as I hunkered forward, ready to fight Eiric and the guard as Eiric removed a dagger sheathed at her waist and raised it high.

Lira yanked me back hard. I stumbled.Lira,I growled, needing her to not only feel my displeasure but hear it as well. But considering how weak I’d become, I couldn’t regain my footing and fell onto my blasted butt behind her.

Finnian’s chains dropped to the floor, and he straightened and prepared to defend my mate, but then I couldn’t believe what I saw.

Eiric slammed the hilt of her dagger into the center of the guard’s head, and his eyes rolled back. He swayed on his feet.

As I regained my feet, the guard lost consciousness and dropped forward onto Finnian.

Being as malnourished as me, Finnian fell to his knees and grunted, trying to hold up the guard and himself.

Pivoting toward him, Lira lifted some of the guard’s weight, and Finnian lost his balance completely. Now his butt hit the ground.

The fated-mate connection warmed as Lira’s relief exploded through it and untangled the tightness in my chest now that the sting of betrayal had subsided.

Thank the Fates her sister hadn’t betrayed her.

With her usual compassion, Lira laid the guard on the floor, taking care not to injure him further. I had thought it was a weakness, but now I wasn’t so sure. It took a strong person to have that sort of compassion, and I didn’t understand it. I was certain it was something I’d never achieve.

“E? What have you done?” Lira rasped, squatting next to the guard. “You’ll get in trouble for this. Father and Mother won’t be understanding if they find out.”

“I’m not complaining and am selfishly glad E came to our rescue,” Finnian grumbled, getting slowly back to his feet.

Lira glared at him over her shoulder and snapped, “No one asked you, and even though it’s hard for you to keep your mouth shut, now’s the time to exercise some restraint.”

“And my name isEirictoyou.” Eiric sneered at him.

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