Page 39 of Fate and Flame
“Just some fae I found wandering the city,” Kai said, showing every single one of his teeth.
Greeve actually groaned out loud. “I’m not feeling so hot.” He wrapped his hands around his abdomen.
Kai shoved him. “Oh no you don’t. You’re going. A deal’s a deal, Greeve.”
“Fine, one drink. But I’m not bathing or anything.” He shoved Kai back.
“Good. You’ll match her stench.”
I punched Kai square in the gut.
“Fine. Fine,” he rasped. “It’s Gaea.”
Greeve’s eyes doubled in size as he jerked his spine straight and shook his head, no.
“You don’t get a choice. You have to go.”
His face turned red and he punched the wall before storming out.
“For some reason, I thought that would have gone smoother,” I said from a few paces away.
“Similar to someone else in this circle, he doesn’t like being forced to do something.”
“It will be good for him,” Fen said. “Ready?”
I wrapped my cloak across my shoulders and pulled the hood up. “Why are we hiding again?”
“We have no idea if Morwena is still in the city. I’d rather notice her before she notices us.”
Fen’s concerns were valid, but we made it through the city and to the compound without a single hint of the sea queen.
“Shall we go in?” Wren asked, leaning her shoulder against her sister’s as they welcomed us.
“Lead the way.” Fen dipped his chin and Sabra smiled warmly at him.
I wasn’t even a teeny bit irritated. Fen cleared his throat and I realized they’d all moved toward the entrance while I stood watching Sabra like she’d grown a second head.
Ragey fae shit, I guess.
We entered the compound, finding so many fae. Many more than I ever realized had fled to the Flame Court. There were fae of all species here, cohabitating in peace. I marveled at the high fae female working side by side with the pixies, just as they did in the castle. It hadn’t been normal for them before, but they had all adjusted and found a new way of life. I’d never been so inspired. I watched a centaur give a high fae child a ride, both giggling, and my heart nearly exploded.
“This is the way it’s supposed to be. This is the way the world should look,” I said to no one in particular.
“This is the way of the southern kingdom, Ara,” Fen answered.
“I’ve barely left the castle though. I’ve only seen the fae that come to watch us train. This is . . . This means something.”
“Isn’t it beautiful?” Wren asked, bumping me with her shoulder.
Her heart was so damn good. Wren, the mother hen, loved so fully, the rest of us would truly never compare. She reached out and took my hand. I squeezed and she knew exactly what I was trying to say but couldn’t find the words to. I was so beyond proud of my friend.
“You’ve given them all hope,” Fen said. “Let’s see if they are willing to fight for it.”
“Shall I call a gathering?” Sabra asked.
“Please do,” he answered.
The refugees poured out of the metal buildings scattered through the compound as we moved to a small, raised platform. Fen stepped forward and, like a wave through the ocean, every single one of them took a knee and bowed their heads.
