Page 98 of Royal Captive
“Ellis, please. We have to go. It will all burn.”
Panic seized my throat in a chokehold and wouldn’t let go.
“Help! Help me!” The figure’s soft voice registered a moment later as they lowered the hood of their cloak, Feyanna’s cheeks stained with tears as she carefully picked her way over the debris toward us. “Please, I barely escaped the palace. Please help me!”
Her hood fell back, revealing the last person I expected to see.
Eve tensed as Feyanna approached.
“Who is it? What is she saying?”
Ah, further confirmation it was Feyanna. Feyanna only spoke the fae language.
“What are you doing here? Did the rebels storm the palace?” I asked Feyanna.
She sniffed as she reached for me, nodding frantically. “It was awful! They came out of nowhere, swarming us and attacking our father. I didn’t see. I couldn’t look … I just ran! You don’t think I’m a coward, do you?”
Feyanna peeked up at me from underneath her eyelashes, distress creating lines on her delicate features. She clutched the ragged, filthy cloak close to her chest and reached a hand out to me.
Thunder and lightning boomed, and she shook with fear, lunging toward me for safety.
“Get away from him!” Eve put herself between us, practically shoving Feyanna away. The fae female stumbled and fell, thick tears spilling onto her cloak.
“Eve! She’s upset and distressed. Rebels attacked the palace and her family! She’s asking for help!”
A surge of kinship and protectiveness rose in me. I knew intimately what it was like to have your home and family slaughtered by rebels. It was something Eve would never understand. Feyanna needed our help and compassion. For once, I could actually do something and help someone. I had control. I knew it would be difficult for Eve to understand, because to her, Feyanna was the enemy. I’d have to help both of them overcome this.
“Wait, so Fennis is dead?” Eve asked harshly.
Feyanna cried harder, confirming it.
“Come now. You may travel with us if you like,” I offered before I thought about it, earning myself a glare from Eve for my troubles. Why had she wanted to take the injured fae with us, but not Feyanna? I couldn’t admit to Feyanna where we were going, could I?
“Excuse us for a moment,” I said, giving Feyanna a small smile. Eve pulled me back and whispered furiously in my ear.
“What are you doing?”
I took a deep breath. “She is scared and alone. Just like I was. Except there is no Eve to save her.” I ran a hand through my hair as Eve’s eyes widened at my vehemence. “Look, she probably knows where the barrier is. She can help us.”
“She is not coming back to our realm,” Eve said stubbornly. “Her people can have her like they had Hayida.” Her voice shook, remembering the horror.
I swallowed, determined not to let that happen to Feyanna. She didn’t deserve it. I understood Eve’s reticence, but I didn’t see an enemy fae when I looked at Feyanna. I saw myself. I saw my brother’s bride, Ildris. I saw my younger sister, Rowan.
It must have shown on my face, because Eve’s expression crumpled. “I used to be tough and stubborn before you,” she grumbled.
I grinned, flashing my small fangs at her. “Used to be?”
Turning back toward Feyanna, I slipped my hand in Eve’s.
“You may travel with us.” I left off any other information about where we were going.
Her face brightened like the morning sun cresting over the mountains. “Thank you, thank you!”
Feyanna clasped her hands in front of us, eyes alight with joy. Together, we started moving north, out and away from the rubble and horror of the ruined city around us. We couldn’t speak over the clash of thunder and the rain beating against the rubble, so we moved in silence. Part of me felt the need to stay and help—to save those I could.
But this wasn’t my kingdom.
These weren’t my people.
