“Let go, astora,”Tiernan’s deep, silky voice whispered into her mind.“Let go.”
A breath shuddered out of her, and Maeve released her magic. She tempered it, soothed it, calmed it with nothing more than a change of heart. The guardian stood beyond her, battle ready but unmoving. The shadows returned to Tiernan, back to where they belonged. Her bubble shield evaporated, leaving the heady scent of magic, of orange blossom and cedarwood, floating on the breeze. It mingled with the salty breeze of the sea. Her fae warriors froze right as Merrick cut one down with his blade. It disintegrated, dissolving back into the shore from which it came.
All was still.
Brynn’s sword fell from her grasp. “Goddess above.”
“Holy fucking shit.” Merrick wiped the sweat from his forehead with the hem of his shirt. “She’s amazing.”
Lir watched her, his eyes glinting with pride, and when she turned to face Tiernan, her soul sang. She felt a pull, as though her very aura was reaching for him. The vibration of it left her breathless. He was smiling.Reallysmiling. He was the dusk before the fall of night. The essence of a Summer storm. And all Maeve wanted to do was kiss him.
The sand warriors receded, becoming once more nothing but a stretch of beautiful beach. The guardian returned to his kneeling position, where he protected the shoreline of Niahvess. But Maeve would not so quickly relinquish her sword of sunlight. She lifted it up, examined it. It was like holding the beauty of the sun and the force of its flame in her hands. No, this one she was definitely keeping.
Tiernan closed the distance between them in two steps. His hand cupped the back of her neck, and he hauled her against him.
“You,” he said, his voice rough and edgy, “are absolute perfection.”
Then his mouth was on hers and she was opening for him, needing him, wanting all of him. His tongue glided over hers, hot and velvety. He tasted of summer and violence. Maeve curled one fist into his shirt, wanting him as close to her as possible.
Merrick coughed loudly. “Get a room.”
Tiernan broke their kiss but kept his mouth barely a breath away from hers. “If you don’t shut up, I’ll use yours.”
From somewhere beside them, Brynn cackled.
But then Tiernan did pull away. The muscles of his arms stiffened beneath her touch. His jaw locked into place. Tension seeped from him, fierce and dangerous, and the claws of trepidation sank into Maeve’s shoulders.
“What’s wrong?” she asked. The others had sensed his shift as well. But Tiernan’s gaze was focused north, to the Summer forest. “Tiernan, what is it?”
“I don’t know.” He faced the three fae who would give their lives for him if he only asked. “Lir, ready your forces. Merrick, get your scouts to the forest at once. Brynn, the city.”
No one questioned. No one hesitated. One by one theyfadedfrom sight until it was just the two of them, alone on the beach. He didn’t even look at her when he said, “Maeve, return to the palace.”
Oh, hell no.
She drew back, ready to stand her ground. “Absolutely not.”
Swirling eyes locked onto her. His face was a storm, a violent clash of concern and duty. “I beg your pardon?”
“Whatever it is, I’m going with you.” He looked ready to implode, but Maeve refused to let him win. “Don’t lock me away. My place has never been inside pretty rooms with pretty beds. I grew up on the training fields, remember? I didn’t play with dolls, I played with swords.” She pointed to the glittering palace of Niahvess. “Thatis not my place. I belong on a battlefield, the same as you.”
He captured her chin, his touch gentle but firm. “I can’t let anything happen to you.”
“Then don’t.” She smiled sweetly, and he rolled his eyes to the growing turmoil in the skies. “But you know damn well if you send me back inside the palace walls, back to where it’ssafe, I’ll just bribe some poor Summer warrior to bring me along and then you’ll be forced to kill him.”
He groaned and scrubbed a hand over his face. “Fine. But you do not leave my side, do you understand?” He stole a glance at the sword of sunlight flaring in her grasp. “And bring that with you.”
She rose up on her toes and kissed the corner of his mouth, then whispered, “Yes, my lord.”
His response was a low and menacing growl. She couldn’t be sure, but she could’ve sworn the corner of his mouth lifted in the faintest of smiles. Then he hauled her against him and theyfadedaway to the Summer forest.
* * *
Maeve hadno idea what to expect when they arrived at the Summer forest, but it hadn’t been the sight before her.
Everywhere she looked, there were dozens of fae and all of them were running south, toward Niahvess. They spilled from the forest in droves and while some carried packs filled with their belongings and blankets, others carried small children. There were groups of families and friends, neighbors, and even those who looked to be completely alone. But they all bore the same expression. Fear was etched into the lines of their lovely faces. Tears and wails mingled with shouts as they emerged from the flowering trees and rushed past them without a glance back. In the distance, she heard the familiar rush of a waterfall, and a sharp twinge pierced her heart.
Merrick appeared before them, decked in his armor of cobalt leather and sunshine gold.