Page 50 of The Dark Rises
I crook my finger, asking him to bend down. “And I want a kiss goodbye. And hello. This is non-negotiable.” I’m tired of them doing whatever the hell they want. All I’m asking for is a little consideration.
His lips twitch, but he grips my chin and lifts it higher to meet the kiss he lays on me. Long and deep, it goes way beyond hello. “I hope this will count as two—one for the goodbye I missed earlier and one for hello.”
“That works,” I breathe out. “Thank you.”
I go to walk away, but he stops me and points to Rivan. “Hyne called Cormal. Brixton is dead. His body was found hanging from the mast of one of his ships. The head in ashes at his feet. Eternal death. He won’t be regenerating.”
Shit. “Did Hyne kill him?” I hope not. The last thing we need to contend with right now is a war between the Water and Fire Fae.
“No, he insists he didn’t kill him, and he has an ironclad alibi,” Madoc remarks. “Brixton had a lot of enemies. It could have been any number of people. Maybe Denir got tired of him.” His tone is indifferent, as if who killed him doesn’t matter, but it will to Rivan.
With Madoc by my side, I walk over to Rivan.
He looks at each of us but stops on me. “What happened?”
“Brixton is dead,” I blurt, then wince. I relay the information Madoc told me.
Rivan stumbles back against the wall. “My sister, Aeris. She must be devastated. I need to leave.
“Do you want us to go with you?” I ask him.
“You’re not fucking going anywhere,” Madoc decrees with his arms crossed over his chest. “It’s too dangerous.”
“I did say ‘us’,” I huff out. “You, me, Cormal. And don’t remind me about Leandra. Or Denir. I’m aware of the risks.” I turn toward Rivan. “Well?”
He shakes his head sadly. “The Phoenix won’t want me there. I only want to see Aeris. Tell her I’m sorry. Ask her if she needs anything.”
Knowing it will be too dangerous for Rivan to go alone, I narrow my eyes at Madoc, silently telling him to do something.
“Let me talk to Cormal. See what we can arrange,” he growls in gruff voice, then stalks off.
Feeling the teensy bit triumphant, I turn to Rivan. “He’ll return soon. You should grab a shower.” Still angry and hurt, I leave him standing there alone.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
RIVAN
Cormal comes storming into the room, shadows spilling out around him, barking orders into the phone. “Find out what the hell happened. It looks like Lot escaped, but I wasn’t able to follow the trail. Send me updates on the hour. I need to take care of something here, but I’ll join you as soon as possible. Kavi, be careful. Whoever is at the other end of this is damn powerful.” He slides the phone into his pocket.
Cormal has entirely too much on his shoulders. Feeling guilty, I offer him a way out. “You don’t need to go.” I glance at Meri and Madoc. “I’m meeting Aeris, not the Phoenix army.”
Cormal stops pacing and stares at me. “Have you even spoken to your sister since you saved her from the light Fae all those years ago?”
My sister was one of the children held hostage and released when my elite squad and I surrendered. Stiffening, I shoot him an incredulous look. “You can’t believe she would kill me.” Shelooked happy and content walking with her daughter the last time I saw her.
Cormal’s lips flatten. “She’s lived under your father’s thumb for thousands of years. I can’t predict what she’ll do, which means we’ll take every precaution. Got it?”
I give him a curt nod. “What’s the plan?”
Madoc produces a map and places it on the table. “We need to meet on neutral ground but in a place where your sister will feel comfortable. Not Avalon.” He cuts a sideways glance at Meri.
I stare down at the map. “Anywhere close to the water is out.” My eyes scan inland. “Here. On the border of the Winter and Autumn courts. The Phoenix have well-established relationships with the Autumn Court. And we have one with Theron. I’m sure he’ll give us permission to enter his land.”
Squinting, I examine the border, looking for an ideal vantage point. “Here, where the land is flat.” Southland Meadows. “We’ll be able to see each other coming for miles.”
Cormal and Madoc both nod in agreement. “It’s perfect.”
Meri picks up her phone to send a message. It pings a moment later. “Theron and Arden are on their way. A map doesn’t always tell us everything we need to know.”
