Page 89 of The Light Falls
“You’ll see me, but everyone else won’t,” he reminds me. “Don’t tell anyone I’m there.”
* * *
Galen and Garren’sfuneral is heartbreaking. In their prime and struck down so fast they didn’t even have a chance to defend themselves. This is on me. I own this one. They tried to get me to go back, but I wanted to wallow. Taking the torch from Kaius, I walk forward and light each pyre.
“May the keepers bless them on their journey to the other side.”
And may the keepers give me the strength to take down their murderers.
I consider Leandra just as culpable as the dark Fae king. Where is she hiding?
CHAPTERTHIRTY-SIX
MERI
Cormal, Ansel, Tiernan, Kaius, and I are standing by the portal the next morning. Camon too, but he doesn’t count as one of my five since he’s the intermediary. My eyes drift to the shadows, but I don’t see Madoc anywhere. Not a surprise. He’s paranoid about anyone besides the guards seeing him. Most would think it’s because of his scars, but Madoc isn’t vain. Just secretive.
Camon’s phone rings. He answers with a terse hello, listens, hangs up, then shares the coordinates. Cormal didn’t like the idea of anyone outside our tight little circle controlling the portal, and I agreed with him. Camon isn’t to be trusted.
We arrive at our destination in seconds. As we step out, so does the group across from us. I suck in a breath. Rivan. My eyes devour every inch of him. He already looks better, as if a massive weight has been lifted off him. His shoulders are back, and there’s a spark in his eyes that was missing. I drag my eyes from him to the Fae next to him. Dark blue hair, light blue eyes, and standing only comes up to Rivan’s shoulder. His wrinkled face tells me he’s old. This must be Fisk.
I move from him to a younger and significantly more massive Fae. Bald with a shaggy beard and black, fathomless eyes, he assesses our group closely. His eyes find mine, and he sneers. I chuckle. He reminds me of Madoc.
The remaining two men are obviously guards, based on their stance and the alert way they’re standing, hands hovering over the hilts of their weapons.
We meet in the center. Old blue-haired eyes me up and down. “You’re a tiny thing, aren’t you? Are you sure you’re old enough to be queen?” He barks out a hoarse laugh. “I’m Fisk.”
“You’re not exactly the tallest one out here,” I reply drily. “I’m Meri, and don’t worry, I assure you I’m old enough to be queen. I guess young people always look like babes when you’re as old as the Devil.”
The hulking man next to him laughs. “I don’t know, Fisk. I kind of like her. Doesn’t mean I won’t kill her, but I might feel a tinge of regret when I do.”
Cormal steps forward. “Fisk. Rivan. Whoever the fuck you are.”
Fisk slaps an arm across the chest of the big guy. “Stand down. Cormal looks human, but he’s deadly. Don’t fuck with him.” He gestures to the man. “This is Hyne. Please excuse him. He isn’t known for his manners.”
I turn my attention to Rivan. “I didn’t expect to see you so soon. You look good.” My voice trails off, but my eyes stay glued to his.
Fisk clears his throat. “Per our customs, we challenge you to a fight, and if you win, we’ll sit down and talk. If not, it’s war.”
Swallowing, I nod. “Understood. Who am I fighting?” Please don’t let it be Rivan. Please. Please. Please.
He gestures to Hyne. “He’s our best fighter.”
Relieved, I smile. “Great. When?”
Fisk looks taken aback by my response, especially my smile. “Never had anyone react to Hyne that way. Five minutes.”
I wink at the giant man. “See you in five. Bring your A game.”
A deep laugh shakes his body. “Aren’t you confident.”
The group walks away and Cormal grabs my arm. “What has gotten into you?”
“Stop grabbing me,” I warn him. “Nothing. I’m just glad I don’t have to fight Rivan. Why?”
“Hyne is a Kraken,” he says with an incredulous look. “He’s brutal in a fight. Incredibly strong, fast, and very agile. Multiple arms.”
“Sounds like Madoc,” I say with a laugh. “Well, except the multiple arms.”
