Page 59 of The Shadow Fae Rhapsody
The tendrils of his shadow wraps around Coral, helping her rise to her feet. She limps slowly towards the darkness.
I turn to the barely alive fae, plastered to the tree. “I’m taking the wyvern with me,” I announce my claim.
Coral chose me. I’m not leaving her here to starve.
“So take her,” he says uncaringly. “Take him too.”
He juts his head towards the loud painting that’s still mocking me non-stop. “You’ll pay for what you did to the Master.”
A fae’s gifts are dangerous and always full of tricks. I shake my head, refusing the offer. Why would I want a mean painting? It’s creepy anyway, with the green hat and mismatched socks.
“Can you at least turn him over?” Landon pleads, his voice rife with pain.
I move to pick up the Jester, wiping the mud from his frame.
“Master, oh lords… what has she done to you?” The jester gasps and sobs. He may be loud, unfunny, and annoying, but he might be able to draw attention and call for help. I plant the painting at the foot of a tree right in front of the Shadow Fae.
“Fucking hell…” Landon drawls a curse and turns to me. “You truly have no mercy, don’t you, elf?”
I gather my satchel and look at the fae for the last time. I feel bad for leaving him hanging on the tree.
“You’ve seen my face…” the fae drawls. He gives me a slow smile that strikes a fear deep in my heart. “Remember this well. You’re marked for death.”
Black fogs surround Ken as soon as the fae says that. I run to the shadow on pure instinct, launching myself into his arms. “No, don’t!”
But it’s too late. My gaze swivels to the tree.
A shadow spear is now stuck on the trunk, inches away from the fae’s head. It gradually disappears like smoke. Had I not disrupted Ken’s aim, Landon would have died instantly.
I touch Ken’s shadowy hand. “Let’s just go home, please.”
The shadow touches my cheek in understanding.Home.
“Wait, girl!” the fae calls for me.
I sigh and cast him another look. His expression turns thunderous.
“Who are you?” he asks desperately. “Why do you have one of the Ysendrals with you?”
This armored fae is Eirik Bloodhound’s Herald, the summoner of the Wild Hunt. And I’m a queen who had just trespassed on the enemy’s territory.
I enter the aperture without looking back.
Moving in the portal feels like wading through a body of water, an endless pitch-black ocean. Coral and I fumble through the darkness until we find a bright light ahead of us. I glimpse the silhouette of a man standing tall.
“Svenn!” My cry is muffled by the excited screech of the wyvern beside me. She’s delighted to see him too.
Yes, we’re home, Coral.
A grunt escapes him when we both slam into his body. He envelopes me in his arms, filling my lungs with his addictive, fresh ocean breeze. I nearly burst into tears.
“Are you injured?” he asks.
I shake my head. The scratches and pain don’t matter. I close my eyes, relishing in the safety of his embrace.
He leans down, kissing the crown of my head. “Coinneach, take us to safety.”
I’m so grateful to hear the sound of his cool voice.
