Page 11 of The Dark Rises
With his scent and strength wrapped around me, my world settles. I tilt my head back and look up at him. “I like that idea. Did you get us some clothes? The sooner we hunt her down, the better.”
He nods, then abruptly turns toward the door.
Madoc strides in with a somber expression on his face. “Rivan’s missing. With Fisk dead, the Kraken, Hyne, is leading the Water Fae. He said Rivan dropped off the treaty but couldn’t stay because he was returning to you. Did you tell him you were giving up the crown and coming here?”
The words crash into me, and my heart sinks like a stone. I never thought he would actually return to me. His mind was set on leaving the Fae world behind. “I didn’t tell him my plans. I thought he would feel obligated to stay, and I didn’t want that for him.” The last time I saw him was in my room at the palace, swearing to find Camon.
“He swore to hunt down Camon and make him pay for selling out Fisk,” Cormal says, jumping up. “We took out Camon.” He looks pointedly at Madoc, who severed Camon’s head from his body and burned him to ashes with faery fire. “Once Rivan found out about his demise, he likely went after his father.”
Dread curls in my stomach, and I get to my feet, needing to stand before I throw up. “Brixton is more likely to kill him than welcome him.” Two days have passed… he could have already done it. I shove the thought away. I would know if Rivan was dead. I’d feel it. I don’t know how, but I’d know. Right? “We need to find Rivan immediately.”
Cormal’s blue eyes reflect the same fears as mine. We both know it might be too late. “I’ll get my men on it. Someone always knows something. We’ll find him. I promise you.” His jaw tightens until he’s wearing his usual expression of determination. Sheer will is his greatest power.
Madoc steps over to me and adds his own assurances. Grey eyes peer at me from beneath long dark lashes. They should be cold, but all I see is warmth in them. “There isn’t an area in the Fae lands I don’t know. I’ll check the places the Phoenix like to hide first.” He turns to Cormal. “How do you want me to send word?”
Cormal conjures a phone for him. “Call me. My number is programmed in there.”
Madoc stares at the equipment likes it’s a snake waiting to bite him. His eyes dart to mine, and a slight pink hue spreads across his cheeks. “I don’t know how to use it. Is there another way?”
He’s embarrassed, but he shouldn’t be. I didn’t have a phone until Cormal gave one to me.
Cormal’s gaze sharpens. “Take it. If you need me, press this button.” He points to the one labeled contacts. “Then tap on my name. I’m the only one in there.” With a couple of taps, he shows him. Cormal’s phone rings, and Madoc immediately jumps, then scowls at a smirking Cormal.
“Does it work in the Fae lands?” he asks, reluctantly taking the phone from him.
“Not always,” Cormal replies with a sigh. “Here.” He hands him a card. “Say the spell on the back. I’ll find you, but it will take longer.”
Madoc slides the card into his pocket. “Thanks.” The grudging tone of his voice tells me he isn’t happy having to rely on Cormal.
I grab the phone from Madoc. “Here. I’m adding my number too. In case you can’t reach Cormal.”Or you don’t want to call him, but I don’t say it. I look over at Cormal, who’s now glaring at me.
“Don’t call her,” he orders Madoc. “She’s safe here. If she leaves, Leandra will find her.”
I open my mouth to spit something rude back to him, but before I can do so, Madoc is nodding his head in full agreement.
“Her safety is most important,” Madoc agrees with a firm nod. “After all, we can’t find Leandra without her.”
Well, that’s a reality check, isn’t it?My cheeks burn with anger and embarrassment.
“I’m going to find Arden,” I tell them. I stomp past Cormal, but he grabs my wrist and pulls me around to face him. I look up and see his blue eyes burning with intent.
“I mean it, Meri,” he says in a stern voice. “Stay here. Promise me.”
For a brief second, I press my lips tightly together like the old days, but I quickly push past my initial reaction. Rivan needs us. It goes against every grain in my body to give him a promise, but I do. Besides, I might have power, but my bodyguards are gone, and I don’t know where to search for Rivan.
“I promise.”
Cormal raises an eyebrow.
Gritting my teeth, I force the words out. “I promise I’ll stay here.”
Satisfied, he tosses an arrogant glance at Madoc. “If I don’t hear from you in a few hours, I’ll call and check on you.”
Madoc snorts. “Don’t bother. Keep yourself safe. Meri would be upset if something happened to you.” Without another word, he disappears through the door.
Cormal picks up his phone and taps on it. A dangerous smile slides across his face.
Curious, I peer over his shoulder and see a dot moving on a map. “Did you bug Madoc’s phone? What is wrong with you?”
