Page 86 of The Court of Thorns and Wings

26

TAVISH

My throat constricted as a new guard, coming from a different direction, flew through the window and crashed into Eiric. The guard grunted, unable to see her with my darkness surrounding us, but this momentum pushed her backward. Lira prepared to catch her sister, but I gripped Lira’s waist and yanked her to the side as I moved forward to keep Eiric from falling.

The world spun slightly. I was far more drained than I wanted to admit. The injuries and the burst of magic I’d used on our arrival had caught up to me, and I had not been able to refuel during the past few hours with the chains on me.

Still… I refused to allow Lira to be injured more than she already was.

Tavish, no!Lira exclaimed as determination flashed through our bond, but I ignored the sensation as I moved my shoulder forward just as Eiric’s body pressed into it.

Nightbane stepped in front of Lira, blocking her from heading back toward the threat. I kept Eiric aloft, fighting the momentum of the guard, and I connected,You’re injured.You’ll wind up getting all of us hurt, because everyone here is determined to protect you, including Eiric and Nightbane.

Her displeasure pulsed between us, but Nightbane growled a warning at her. Knowing the beast would protect her and not allow her to interfere, I turned my attention to her sister. Eiric’s wings flapped in my face, causing my skin to crawl. Wings were one of the most intimate parts of our bodies, and it felt wrong having hers all over me. This wasn’t for pleasure but out of necessity.

Another guard rammed into the first one, and my feet slipped underneath me. I gritted my teeth, shoving forward and allowing my illusion magic to trickle out and swarm the guards. My magic quivered and stretched, but I didn’t have the luxury of not using it. I had to remain strong.

Finnian gripped my shoulders to aid in our battle, and we shoved both guards out the window, hitting a third who had paused outside.

Continuing forward, I clutched Eiric’s arms, keeping her from falling out with them. Then I pivoted to her and spoke in a faint whisper, “Go out another windownow.”

“Are the windows unlocked? Otherwise, we’re going to get hurt,” Eiric hissed under her breath.

“They’re like the Seelie’s,” Lira replied. “They’re all open air except for the royal chambers to protect the ruling king and queen. Everywhere else is wide open.”

The sound of the three guards’ beating wings helped cover my instruction, but a female guard yelled, “The former king is cloaking them and attacking us here!”

Excellent. Let them believe we’d remain here so we could find a better exit.

Our best chance to beat Eldrin was to get out of the castle so we’d be harder to locate. With the sky dark once more, we could easily hide in the ruined lands and sneak attack the guards. Noone but a royal could sense my darkness magic, which meant disarming the guards and killing the ones who posed an actual threat to us should be easy.

The six of us flew down the hall toward my chambers as more guards flew in through the window. We needed weapons—another dilemma to rectify as blasting quickly as possible.

Caelan and Finnian led the charge as Lira waited for Eiric and me before flying alongside us. Of course, Nightbane remained glued to my mate’s side, and I found myself feeling grateful for the beast I’d once tortured. I never would have believed that I’d feel indebted to a cù-sìth, but Lira had again changed my perception.

Lorne followed us with his sword in his hand, prepared to fight the guards who’d followed us. Yet another person I’d never dreamed of allying with because he’d led the rebellion against me twelve years ago.

After a few strokes of our wings, I felt a faint sting through my connection with Lira, as if she were hiding her pain from me.

Her wings.

Of course, they’d hurt if we flew. I hadn’t considered that.

I turned to see a tear trailing down Lira’s cheek, and my heart squeezed uncomfortably as the rigidness of my terror spread throughout my chest.

She’d fight me on it, but I needed to carry her. Her injury was worse than mine, and I couldn’t stand to let her suffer any more than she already had.

“Wait,” I said, louder than I wanted, but I needed Finnian and Caelan to hear me ahead.

Without question, the entire group stopped, searching for the threat.

The guards we’d left behind quieted too, and then I heard their feet shuffling in our direction.

Nightbane whimpered, staring at Lira, realizing the same thing I had. I wanted to scold the beast, but I’d already given away our location. I bent and lifted Lira in my arms like the princess she was, and her mouth formed anOof surprise.

What are you doing?she connected.

Since we were all cloaked in darkness, we could see each other, and I nodded as the guards flew toward us. We had to move before they reached us. We hadn’t made it far.

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