Page 18 of The Dark Rises
“Really? That’s good to know, thanks,” I throw over my shoulder as I head out the door. Centuries of information might come in handy.
Back in the room, I spread the rough edges of the old map on the table and secure it with a couple of books. Leaning over, I visually follow the edges of the land to the water, then search for the Forbidden Sea. I don’t see it. I search a second time. Nothing. I frown. Solandis wouldn’t have given me the wrong map.
Using my fingers, I trace the border of the land. As I near a particular spot, my palm heats up, and I stop. There it is. Forbidden Sea. The letters identifying it are smaller than the other bodies of water around it. Maybe that’s why I kept missing it… or maybe not. I flip my hand over and gaze at my palm. Did the rune help me, or did I imagine that?
Craggy and tall, the island sits regally at the far end of the sea. There’s nothing between it and the mainland but water. Tiny depictions of waterfalls and forests dot its surface along with several small towns. At its pinnacle sits an enormous white castle. Beautiful. Treacherous. Old, wild magic. My heart thumps just looking at it on the map.
Madoc strides into the room with Cormal behind him.
Relieved to see them both, I automatically reach out and hug the closest one. Madoc’s hard body stiffens in my arms, but he doesn’t pull away. His head bends down close to mine and a large hand presses firmly against my back. I inhale his delicious dark scent and shiver. Embarrassed, I pivot away from him and crash against Cormal.
Cormal’s arms wrap around me tightly and his low chuckle fills my ear. “Give him time. He’s slowly acclimating to the real world.”
I pull back my head and look up into Cormal’s blue eyes. Guess he knows more about Madoc’s past. “I’m glad he found you in time. If I hadn’t gone to see Solandis, we wouldn’t have known about Avalon and its dangers. What happened?”
“The Forbidden Sea is full of ships filled with Phoenix. From what we’ve gathered, they’ve been making their way along the shores, setting traps for the Water Fae. They stopped moving a couple of nights ago and have been there ever since,” Cormal informs me, easing from my arms.
“Why would they think the Water Fae is the biggest threat?” I ask, biting my lip. “Do you think this is because of the treaty?”
“It’s likely,” Madoc interjects. “As I searched for Rivan, I heard quite a bit about the revolution. The Lesser Fae are torn between the peace and rights promised by the Water Fae and the righteous anger of the Fire Fae. To win against the aristocratic light Fae, Brixton needs a larger army, so he’s trying to recruit the Water Fae and simultaneously eliminate any opposition.”
That was the whole point of the treaty. It’s working, but at what cost? “Did you send word to Hyne?”
Cormal thrusts a hand through his hair. “I did. He’s aware of their tactics and is planning a few nasty surprises for them.” He turns and faces me. “Unfortunately, the Water Fae’s resources are limited, and I’m not sure how much manpower they have in that area.”
“Whereas the Fire Fae receive support from the dark Fae and Denir,” I say in an irritated tone. “Why have they stopped at Avalon?”
Cormal rolls his shoulders. “Rivan’s being held in the castle on Avalon.”
Madoc rubs the scruff on his jaw. “The Forbidden Sea, Phoenix, Avalon. Brixton picked the perfect trifecta. How the hell are we going to save Rivan?”
We.Huge step for Madoc. A warm, fuzzy feeling engulfs me.
Cormal throws him a broad grin. “We make a plan.”
He loves nothing more than planning and strategizing. Getting the drop on his enemies or pulling off a heist is his nirvana.
Madoc gives him a dirty look, but Cormal doesn’t even notice.
“The Phoenix are our first priority,” Cormal begins. Conjuring a pad of paper and a pencil, he immediately writes down the first objective. “We need a diversion large enough to pull the entire fleet out of that sea. We need the Water Fae.”
“The last thing we want to do is light the fuse between those two armies,” Madoc retorts, his jaw clenching in anger.
“You said the Water Fae need resources. You mean weapons?” I ask him, my mind latching on to the first thing he brought up. “Like the weapons you stored in the light Fae palace?” I try to think of the ramifications of giving them those weapons, but I’d rather they go to the Water Fae than any other group. “They were originally going to them. Who’s to say Brina didn’t find them and confiscate them for the Water Fae after Camon’s death?”
Cormal’s blue eyes light up. “Brilliant. With those resources, they can create a diversion to distract the Fire Fae.” It’s the catalyst he needs to focus.
Tilting his head, he studies the expanse of sea between the mainland and the island. “Any portal on the island is likely to be guarded. So, we need a way to get on the island undetected. Flying, maybe?”
Madoc shakes his head. “Anything large enough to carry us all would easily be seen. The portal might be the best way in, but it would be better if we didn’t have to fight our way through the guards. We need a reason.”
“Hyne could ask for a meeting with Brixton,” I say. “Offer to show him the treaty and discuss an alliance.”
“I doubt he’d fall for it,” Cormal states with a frown.
“He won’t, but if your greatest enemy offered to meet with you, you’d do it,” I say confidently. “Brixton isn’t honorable. He’ll take the opportunity to kill Hyne.”
Madoc snorts. “Hyne isn’t stupid. I doubt he would do it.”
