Page 84 of The Court of Thorns and Wings

My wings fluttered and my wounds ached.

“Her wing is already injured,” Lorne said, pulling me a little against his side.

A malicious smirk spread across Malikor’s face. “Even better.”

My stomach roiled, and the banging on the cell door continued as Tavish yelled even louder. I couldn’t make out the words with my pulse pounding in my ears.

Lorne turned me so my wings were over the bowl, and I swung my free hand, nailing him in the face. His head jerked back, though his grip didn’t loosen, and Malikor leaped over some bowls with the dagger raised over his head.

Ignoring the way my scabs stretched and pain shot through them, I spread my wings out completely so they lay completely flat along my back. The daggerwhooshedby, missing me. It was close enough that the air hit my back.

Lorne released me, stepping forward.

A deep, pain-filled grunt came from behind me, and I spun around to see Lorne’s sword lodged through Malikor’s neck. Malikor’s eyes widened in shock as his black blood poured out.

“Here.” Lorne handed me the keys. “Go. Only a few guards are here since the Seelie—”

Wings flapped, and Eldrin soared toward us. I squatted, knowing he would hit me, but Lorne flew over me, catching Eldrin head-on.

I stood as Eldrin landed on the bowls with Lorne on top of him, and I took off back toward the prison cell, the cold keys heavy in my hand.

“Lira!” Tavish screamed in agony as I darted toward them.

Get ready. We’re getting out of here,I connected with him as the cell came into view. I landed at the door, slid the key into the lock, and swung it open.

The sounds of Lorne and Eldrin’s scuffle were faint, but it gave me enough hope that we would make it out. Then, complete agony filtered into me, forcing me to my knees.

Bran.

The keys dropped from my hands. Finnian scooped them up and stuttered, “Tav… turn….” His words trailed off as Bran’s footsteps headed toward us.

No. I couldn’t let him take control of the situation. Lorne was risking his life to free us, and we’d never get another chance like this.

Though my magic was weak, I tugged at it, calling for healing. If I could negate the pain enough by healing myself, maybe I could free Tavish. He was stronger than Bran.

My magic was a mere trickle, but it took the edge off. Though I didn’t have a fresh injury, the magic healed my mind from thinking it did. I lifted my head. Finnian was hunched over with the key between his fingers and Nightbane whimpering at his feet.

Gritting my teeth, I stood and took the keys from him and stumbled the two steps to Tavish’s chained wings. Tavish’s chest heaved as he struggled without his magic protecting him.

Tears filled my eyes, and my hands shook as I tried sliding the correct key into the hole.

“Quit that!” Bran snapped. His footsteps got faster. He understood that I was a threat.

Just as he reached the door, I slipped the key into the lock and turned it. The click sounded magical, and Tavish grunted as he moved his wings, allowing the chains to clank to the floor.

Bran fisted the hair on the back of my head, yanking me away from Tavish. The ripping pain at my roots fizzled the last bit of my healing magic.

“You blasting sunscorched!” Bran yelled a moment before he started whimpering.

The chill of darkness brushed across me. Tavish was using his magic, and my fated mate reached for Bran and pulled back, holding Bran’s sword.

“Don’t,” Bran squeaked, releasing his hold on me. I dropped to my knees in relief while snagging the keys which had fallen to the floor with the chains.

“Do you remember my warning?” Tavish seethed.

Nightbane rushed to his side, snarling. He wanted to teach Bran a lesson as well.

Turning to Finnian, I freed his wings as Bran whimpered, “I’m sorry.”

---