Page 49 of Lady for Embers

Then he lurched forward at the same time Drake let out a cry of rage. “Tava!” Drake bellowed.

Because that was his sister the seraph had with him. One muscled arm was wrapped around her torso, the other had a hand clamped to her mouth, muf?ing her screams.

The entire ship rocked when the seraph landed on the main deck beside Lord Tyndell, and it was the Lord who was snarling at the winged male.

“What the fuck are you doing with her?” he demanded. “She is not who you were sent to retrieve.”

“I know what my orders were,” the seraph replied gruf?y. “This one shoved the child out of the way. One of the Water Fae was able to shield the girl before I could grab her, so I grabbed this one instead. I had to take out one of the Fae to get away with her, but I ?gured she would be better than nothing.”

No one dared to move.

“That is my daughter,” Lord Tyndell snarled again. “Remove your hand from her mouth.”

The seraph did as ordered, and Tava immediately looked at them all. “Neve has Eva, but Nakoa...” She trailed off, tears streaming down her face. “I’m so sorry, Briar.”

Callan glanced at the Water Fae who had gone still as death.

“Azrael, take Briar and Sawyer to the ship with the children. Check on Nakoa. Go now,” Scarlett ordered, turning back to Lord Tyndell. “Tell me again how you are not here to ?ght with us.”

“This was not supposed to happen. It is an unfortunate turn of events, but before your associates depart...”

Everyone stilled once more.

“You should know we have seraphs on every one of your ships. They are not there to hurt anyone, but will if they feel threatened as Haniel obviously did,” Lord Tyndell went on.

“Haniel, is it?” Briar asked, his tone icy and vicious. The seraph stiffened, jerking his head in a single nod.

“If my general is dead, I will drown you on dry land while simultaneously slowly freezing every drop of blood in your body.”

The seraph’s lips curled into a daring, cruel smile. “I would like to see you try, Water Prince.”

Briar’s lips peeled back, and Callan was sure the prince was about to lunge at him, but the seraph still held Tava.

“Let her go,” Drake said from behind Eliza. “If you care for us the way you claim to, then demand that he release her, Father.”

Lord Tyndell’s gaze snapped to Drake before they slowly moved back to Tava. “Haniel, give her to me.”

“That isnotwhat I said,” Drake snarled. “I said release her.”

“I am not going to hurt her,” Lord Tyndell returned calmly. “But I do need to have a conversation with Scarlett. Several of them, it appears. I am certain she will be more agreeable while Tava is by my side.”

“Then speak,” the queen spat.

Lord Tyndell’s eyes drifted over her before moving over her shoulder. “How interested he will be to learn your twin ?ame lives. We will need to adjust our plans to accommodate that fascinating discovery.”

“Fuck,” Callan heard Scarlett mutter. She was silent for a moment, and he could only assume she and Sorin were having some sort of silent conversation using their bond.

“You look identical to your mother,” Lord Tyndell was saying, his dark eyes back on Tava, and there was no mistaking what Callan saw in the Lord’s eyes now. That was... sorrow. Sorrow and grief.

“What is his message?” Scarlett asked sharply, Sorin stepping to her side once more.

King and Queen.

Shadows and the ?ames in which they thrived.

“I suppose my wording was incorrect,” Lord Tyndell conceded, tearing his eyes from Tava to refocus on Scarlett. When Scarlett didn’t respond, he continued. “I am the offer before the message, but considering who is somehow still at your side, I will extend the offer to you both. Come with me back to Baylorin willingly, along with the Solgard heirs, and we will allow the rest of your company to continue their passage west without interference.”

“And when I refuse the offer?” Scarlett asked, twirling the hilt of her sword.

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