Page 78 of Fate and Flame
“Yes, I am. But not about this.”
Red tinged his skin as his anger rose to the surface.
“You know the most interesting thing about her death? It wasn’t the way fear glinted in her eyes, it wasn’t even the shrill sound she made right before I ended her.” I slid the chair behind me away with my foot. “It was the fact that she honestly didn’t see it coming at all.”
“What the fuck do you want to know about the Hunt?” he asked, still holding his guards at bay. “Morwena could never take it from me because the magic to cross into the human lands cannot be stolen. It has to be freely given.”
“Now was that so hard?” I asked.
A cheeky grin slathered his round face. “You’re going to die. When this is all over, which will be soon, you, your king, his entire kingdom will be nothing but ash.” His voice rose. “You think you can come in here and force information from me like I am not sovereign? As if I’m not the king of a more powerful realm than yours. My army,” he said, now screaming, “is the greatest army in this world! I’m not afraid of you or your king!”
I tapped my fingers to my lips. “Do I detect a hint of denial?”
I’d pushed too far, and I knew it, but apparently angry Coro liked to spew information.
“No, and do you know why? Because I’ve given Autus the Hunt in exchange for immunity from the war. I’ve given him free passage through my lands. And guess what, he’s capturing a human army to solidify his rightful place as High King of Alewyn.”
“Why the fuck would you do that?” I yelled, matching his volume. “You have the greatest army in the world and you just bend over and take it right up the ass from Autus? You’re a fucking idiot.”
“I’ve just decided to add my army to his. Thank you for helping me make that decision.” He sat down slowly. “Kill them,” he ordered.
The guards rushed toward me, but Greeve was there in a flash. I sunk my blade into the fae on the right as the door crashed open and more guards poured into the small room. Gaea spirited and slashed while Greeve tried to watch over both me and her. I hopped onto the table, battling my own fate. If Coro handed over his army, we wouldn’t have a chance against Autus.
But there was only one way to prevent it.
I stepped closer to the king. A hint of worry shone in his eyes, but still he doubted me. They always did. I kicked the heel of my boot on the table, triggering the blade at the toe to come out. Their guards rushed me, but they weren’t quick enough. I planted my foot deep into Coro’s neck, and for an instant, the room went still, his gurgling filing the silence as his court members seemed to flinch. But then Greeve swung his sword, taking off another guard’s head, and the chamber became a blood bath until only three remained standing.
“I’m pretty sure this was the only thing Fen told us not to do.” Gaea said, heaving.
“It came down to them or us, G. We always choose us.”
“How the hell are we going to explain this to Fen?” Greeve asked, wiping the blood from his blade.
Gaea pointed at me. “Look at her. She’s covered in blood. The second we get home, he’s only going to wish he got the final blow.” Gaea reached forward, grabbed Greeve’s arm, and spirited away, leaving me behind, just like we had planned.
Chapter Twenty
Ara
The rebel headquarters in the Flame Court were hidden in plain sight. The male who retrieved us from the lists, thanks to Rhogan’s unmistakable wingspan, led us through the bustling city and to a large shop with a hammer chiseled into the modern sign hanging above the heavy wooden door with etched glass.
The front room of the repair shop was full of busy workers and patrons. Several worked with magnifying glasses and others beat on metal with hammers. Some of the workers tinkered and a few moved inventory around the store. High fae and lessers working side by side. We passed a pixie fixing a clock being held by a high fae with sharp cheekbones and shoulder-length silver hair discussing his lunch plans with her as if they were friends.
Nadra squeezed my hand tightly. This was exactly where we were meant to be.
I was still surprised by the rebel’s initial reaction to Nadra, especially considering the atmosphere here. We followed the fae to the back of the store and through an oversized door. The first room we entered was empty aside from the rows and rows of vacant chairs that faced a raised platform in the back. We continued walking until our guide led us to a door and knocked three times.
“I’m naked,” a male voice called.
“Oh. Sorry, sir,” the rebel replied, his cheeks flushing.
“I’m just fucking with you, Davok. Come in.”
He laughed nervously and opened the door, gesturing for us to enter. A fae male with goat horns similar to Rook’s and golden-brown hair lounged in a chair, his shirt completely unbuttoned, and his feet kicked up onto the worn desk in front of him.He waited for us to be seated in the unmatched chairs before waving his hand for Davok to leave us. “I bet he gaveyoua hard time.” He looked at Nadra like he wanted to devour her.
A growl echoed through the room and it took a minute to register that it was my own.
“Sorry.” He put his hands in the air. “We don’t get a lot of mates around here. Anyway, Davok is still getting used to the fact that high fae and lesser fae play in the same sandbox in the Flame Court. How was your journey?”
