Page 19 of Beyond the Mountain (Fae's Captive 4)

I spread my wings. “I’m our escape plan.”

“I’m far too heavy for you to carry.”

“Maybe. But we fly together, or we die together. I’m never leaving you again.”

He smiles, the worry draining from him bit by bit. “My mate.” He cups the back of my neck and pulls my mouth to his.

I push him back. “Focus.”

His eyes narrow. “Yes. To safety.”

I spread my wings again. “Okay, if I can get enough of a running start, then I—” I scream as a bolt of darkness pierces my wing, and Shathinor rises from his spot next to the shattered throne.

I curl my injured wing inward.

Leander snatches the obsidian blade from the steps and turns, throwing the sword with vicious efficiency. It catches Shathinor in the chest, piercing his rotten heart.

He grabs it but can’t wrench it free.

Leander takes my hand and keeps me behind him as he climbs the stairs, wrath tangible in each of his heavy steps.

Staggering back, Shathinor holds out a hand, as if it can ward off the fury of Leander, the vengeance of the heart of winter.

Leander surges forward and grabs the blade, twisting it and lifting Shathinor’s ruined body off its feet.

Shathinor screams, the sound cloaked in death and darkness, and I cover my ears. Leander doesn’t flinch as he slams my father to the ground, rips the blade free, and beheads him with one vicious stroke.

The mountain shudders.

He turns to me and inspects my wing.

“Wait.” I step to my father’s corpse, his black eyes still open. “I’m not letting his evil come back. Never again.” I hold out my hand and black flames shoot from my palm. They envelope his body, burning him in the flames of death, destroying him so thoroughly that only a black outline of soot remains when the fire finally abates.

Leander spits on the ashes then takes me by the shoulders. “Fly, little one. Save yourself.”

“No. We’re not dying today.” I hold my hand out and pull forth the healing magic. My wing heals, the skin knitting back together and the black feathers fluffing over the wound.

A huge chunk of stone falls and shatters so close that Leander grabs me and races away from the impact.

“Hold onto me.” I reach down deep, dragging up every bit of magic I have left. Blackness infuses me, my wings spreading wide as a shadow encases them.

Leander grips my waist and presses his lips to my neck. “If you fly us out of here, the moment we land, I intend to worship this body as it deserves.”

I shiver, my dark magic shimmering as I wrap my legs around him. “Shh. I need to concentrate.”

He kisses his mark on my shoulder and holds on tighter.

I push my magic down, imagining the darkness working like jet thrusters. At first it simply pools beneath our feet.

“Hmm.” I push it harder, trying to get some lift.

Leander kisses along my jaw. “Allow me.”

With a swell of power, he creates a pedestal of ice that grows so fast it acts like a launcher, shooting us through one of the many openings in the crumbling mountaintop.

We surge into the night sky. It’s exhilarating to see the ruined stone beneath us, my father’s work caving in on itself.

But then the ice stops.

“Fly,” he whispers, his mouth at my ear.

My wings stretch, the darkness still coating them with power, and I flap them hard. They ache, pain ripping down my back as I struggle to surge upward and away from the rock below.

I can feel what little magic Leander has left pushing through the bond, adding to my stores as I flap my wings, gaining a bit of distance between us and the mountain. The pain in my back is like razor blades skating down my flesh, but I power through it.

Leander peers down at the ruined cavern. “If you need to leave me—”

“Never.” I push harder, every muscle in my body straining as I finally get enough lift away from the peak that I can stretch out and glide. “But you weigh a ton.”

The fires are still burning in the valley, so I bank hard away from them until I can see nothing but darkness below.

“We should land there.” He points to a black area just like all the other black areas.

“What’s there?” I aim toward the spot nestled at the base of the mountain. Rocks still slide down its sides, the top now fully collapsed.

“Friends.” He peppers kisses along my chest, spending extra time on the spot where the obsidian blade pierced me.

“Distracting fae.” I grit out as I let my wings catch the wind and float toward the ground.

He nibbles my ear lobe. “What did you promise the magic?”

“I can’t hear you.” I point to my ear and shake my head. “The wind is super loud.”

He glares but doesn’t ask again. Instead, he contents himself with running his hands along my sides and nipping at my throat as I glide lower, the stony ground beckoning and my back begging for relief.

When we’re close, he lets go. I screech as he hits the ground and rolls, ending up on his feet as the pain in my back eases, though I land a little harder than intended.

He wraps his arms around me before I fall and pulls me against him. Our bond ignites, the light between us burning brighter than the stars. I feel his love, his fear, his need for me.

Turning, I wrap my arms around his neck, and he kisses me with a fervor that sends heat to every extremity … some more than others.

“I love you.” He cups my face and kisses my nose, my forehead, my chin. “I love you so much, little one.”

“I love you, too.” I smile. “More than I ever thought possible.”

He claims my mouth, his tongue expertly stroking mine as he grabs my ass and lifts me to his height. I run my fingers through his dark hair and relish his touch, his scent, the sparks that flow between us through the bond.

“I waited with the horses while you brought the mountain down.”

Leander spins me to his back and draws the obsidian blade, then quickly stows it when Ravella appears from the darkness.

“And now you have wings?” She crosses her arms over her chest. “What else did I miss? Everything?” She glares. “I missed everything, didn’t I?”

“You got to spend a little time with me. Worth it, right?” Phinellas appears from the gloom, his usual Catcher outfit gone, replaced with a simple black tunic and pants.

Ravella holds her hand up and closes it in a ‘shut up’ motion at him.

Someone grunts nearby, and all three of them draw their weapons and push me behind them.

“Guys.” I snap my fingers and a black starburst appears in my palm. “I’m death incarnate. Remember? You should be behind me.”

Ravella’s eyes widen. “Whoa.”

Another grunt, then Gareth’s voice calling for Ravella.

“It’s the Phalanx.” Leander relaxes and takes my hand, leading me to the horses and his bloody, bruised, but still-alive Phalanx.

Gareth stills, his eyes on Leander. Then he whoops loudly and rushes to his friend. Their embrace almost bowls me over. Then, when Beth runs to me, I give in and let her tackle me to the ground.

“I thought you were dead!” She wraps her arms around my neck and squeezes so hard I see stars. “Wait, you were dead. What happened? Did Leander bring you back? Was there more mating? What in the Spires is going on?”

“I can explain.” I laugh as she kisses me on the cheek. “Stop mauling me.”

“No way.” She kisses the other cheek then sobers a little, her eyebrows drawing together. “And you were a bitch, too. I

’m glad you’re back to the old Taylor.”

“I’m not.” We sit up. “I’m different. A little old. A little new. A lot to learn.”

Valen limps up with Cecile and the other me, both of them scratched and dirty, but still alive.

I climb to my feet. “I also have a lot to make up for.” When I step toward Cecile and the other me, they flinch. I can’t blame them. “I’m sorry.” I take a deep breath as Leander stands at my side. “I was out of control. My feral is sort of …”

“Evil?” Cecile crosses her thin arms. “A lunatic? A homicidal maniac?”

I hold my hand up and waggle it in a “kind of” motion. “But I have it under control.”

Neither of them look particularly convinced.

“Okay, I mean, not under control. It’s a part of me, and we are one, and—” I pin my lips together, then try again. “I still have that darkness inside me. But I will never use it against my friends again. I’m sorry for what I’ve done to both of you, and I promise I will work to earn your forgiveness.” The sizzle of magic reinforces my promise, and Cecile finally uncoils, then wraps her arm around the other me. “Come on, let’s pick the best horse.” They turn and walk past Brannon, Thorn, and Gray, all of them looking much the worse for wear.

When they gather in front of Leander and me, they all take a knee and bow their heads.

“Rise, my friends.” Leander tucks me under his arm, and I lean into him. “It is time for us to return home.”

“Wonderful. I’m way past due for some relaxation.” Selene skitters into view, a makeshift bag thrown over her shoulder, human bones sticking out of the top. “Especially now that I’m the high witch of the winter realm.”

“You survived.” I would hug her. But, eww human bones.

“I’m obsidian.” She grins. “I don’t break.”

“And wait, high witch of the winter realm?” I cock my head to the side.

“I made a bargain.” She tweaks my nose. “Your king wanted to know where you were. I wanted all the gristle I can eat and a nice title.”

“You aren’t bringing that to High Mountain.” Gareth grimaces at her pack of blood and bone.

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