Page 69 of The Light Falls
I laugh. “Is she speaking to you again?”
He gives me a smug look. “Yes, she saidget out. It’s a start.”
“Good luck,” I call out. Reaching up, I smooth the lines between Cormal’s brows. “Stay with me tonight? I don’t want to sleep alone.”
I can see how much he wants to leave and chase down Madoc, but I have a feeling he won’t find him.
“Fine. Leave. It’s what you do best, isn’t it? It’s been a long day, and I’m going to bed. With or without you,” I huff.
Interest sparks in Cormal’s blue eyes.
I wave a hand to clean and dress us in fresh clothes.
“Where’s the silk camisole and shorts you usually wear to bed?” he asks, with a raised eyebrow.
I glance down at the lounge set I put on. “I need comfort. This is comfortable. Get over it.”
He immediately picks me up in his arms. “Don’t be so prickly. I happen to love those little pajama sets of yours, but you can wear a fucking sackcloth to bed if you want. I will never turn down an invitation to join you. Got it?” Gently laying me on the bed, he eases over me to the other side and pulls me into his arms. “Sleep. I’ve got you.”
CHAPTERTWENTY-SEVEN
RIVAN
While the council members meet with the fire drakes, I watch the land around us. Shields protect the group but depending on the size of the army surrounding us, they could be shredded if they used enough force. I share a glance with Tiernan, and he nods in return. He feels them too.
Faris starts yelling at the group in front of him, calling them murderers. Tension rises. Guards slip their hands to the swords at their sides. I keep mine perfectly still. Tiernan follows my lead. Slowly, the others release the grips on their pommels. The last thing we need is to start a war we can’t finish. My gut tells me the trees are full of warriors, more than the ten of us could handle.
Abruptly, the fire drakes stand. “This meeting is over. It’s obvious you have no authority to grant any of our concessions. When you’re ready to have a serious discussion, let us know.” He smirks and raises his hand with his thumb pointed down.
Stiffening, I wait to see what the army in the forest will do. When nothing happens, I take a deep breath and calm myself.
The fire drakes swagger to the forest to join their friends. Minutes later, the sky fills with fire drakes, phoenix, and other winged Fire Fae. There are at least a hundred of them. If we had reacted, it would have been a massacre.
Estrella starts yelling at Faris. Lord Lorn gets up and walks off, as if he’s not the least bit interested in anything, much less mediating. What the hell does Meri see in him? He doesn’t seem any different from other Fae I’ve encountered.
You’re jealous.
I ignore the voice in my head and turn toward Tiernan. “I’m going to grab a bottle at the inn. Join me?”
He grins and slaps me on the back. Upon hearing my loud suggestion, the other guards decide to tag along.
“Great. First round is on me.”
With a roar, we all head out to get sloshed and pick up a barmaid or two.
Two bottles down, I slip out the back. Tiernan joins me five minutes later. Quietly, we head to the barn to change into the clothes I left earlier. My stomach is in knots, but I don’t let myself stop to think about what I’m doing.
“We need to get a few miles out of town first,” Tiernan murmurs. “Your phoenix will draw too much attention this close to Lady Estrella’s keep.” He beckons for me to follow and swiftly takes us into the forest surrounding the field.
“Meri was right. You’re one of them, aren’t you?”
He tenses. “As a fire drake, I lived here for many years, but my mother left after the war. She didn’t want to raise me here. Too many memories.” When I stare at him in disbelief, he lowers his brows. “I was one of the children saved when the elite squad sacrificed themselves and you became their prisoner. My mother knew staying here would lead to nothing good. Since I was also a lord’s bastard, I would have better opportunities if I left the fire drake community. As you saw tonight, she was right.”
The derisive tone in his voice convinces me to believe only half of what he is saying. “Don’t betray me. You won’t like the consequences.” My wings flare out wide, and I take off into the sky.
“Slow down, damn it. Not all of us were born with speed,” he demands, his voice full of irritation. “We cross into the Dark Fae Kingdom in about a mile. Follow me. Quietly. And do not deviate from the path. Got it?”
I look down at the land we’re passing over, but none of it looks remotely familiar. The forest has creeped unchecked until it no longer resembles the home I left behind.
