Page 20 of Songs of Retribution

As if she heard my thoughts Elisa spoke. "This isn't over yet, Nei."

"What do you mean?"

"We can't give this up until it's finished." Her voice went quiet. "No matter the cost."

I swallowed but didn't answer her. She was right, and I knew I'd agree, but damn if almost losing each other didn't make me want to cling to her, to beg her to leave the fairies and carve out some place for the two of us away from all the trouble brewing.

Feeling the warmth of Elisa's body against mine, the comfort of this woman I loved more than my soul, I longed to secure that future, to press her into my heart forever.

"Marry me," I said before I had time to think.

Elisa froze, her breath catching, then pulled away. "What?"

My tongue weighed heavy in my mouth, but I knew I meant the words as I turned to face her. She embodied beauty and happiness, like a goddess who'd fallen to the earth to grace us with her presence. The sunset brought out her color as grass swirled around her legs. I took her hands and slid my thumbs over her fingers. "I know this isn't planned out or romantic or how I'd imagined doing this. And I'm sorry for that because you deserve the world. However, you'd told Lennox jokingly in Kali's caves that if you were lucky, I might marry you one day. I was speechless because you aren't the lucky one, Lis. I am. And it would make me feel like the luckiest woman to have lived, human or fae, if you'd do me the honor. So, would you marry me?"

A laugh spilled past her lips, and she surged forward, kissing me in a way that outshone the sunset. I clutched her, felt the weight of her against me, and sighed happily. This woman was my home, and her happiness was the only joy I needed. The future could hold itself. "Is that a yes?" I asked when she pulled her face back.

"Yes, of course." She sniffled, then a twinkle lit her eyes. "I'll want Lennox to be in the wedding, though."

I slid her off my lap and crossed my arms. "Now you're just heckling me."

She burst into a laugh and pulled me down to the grass beside her, her hair tangling with the blades, making her seem wild and untouchable. "I love you, Neia."

"I love you, too." I leaned over and kissed her nose and knew no matter what happened in the coming weeks, there was nothing that could destroy the truth of that.

CHAPTERNINE

SAI

Another meeting wrapped up,and I bowed to the Maharani. She paused and gripped my shoulder, giving me a steadying look before leaving with her advisors.

I took a deep breath and stepped towards those who lingered in the space. The chamber was actually designed for minor events, the walls lined in gold accents that matched the tiles in the floor. Several chandeliers illuminated the tables now covered in maps and copied pages from books about the old, rare magic the Seelie King sought to decimate us with. Margo had outlined those plans in her journal. Dragons and spells that could steal magic. The bastard.

My team was scattered across the room. Neia and Elisa whispered near a window. Orman took notice of me striding towards Lennox and nudged Luz so that they both walked in my direction. Shaan sat in a chair, something heavy weighing him down. He looked worse than he did after Lennox's betrayal.

The Prince rested a hand on Shaan's shoulder, though his focus remained on Sir Eldrick. Including King Carrington's advisor in the meeting had been contentious. Mother had considered the situation carefully and decided we needed to extend trust to Lennox by allowing him to have an advisor of his choosing.However,—her eyes had grown sharp—we'll post a guard on him at all times. He is not to leave the palace.

It was a comfort that one wrong move on his part could be a death sentence, because I'd love to be the one who executed it. I couldn't fucking believe he'd left Lira in the hands of her malicious father. I didn't care about his excuses—following her fucking orders, my ass. He could have sent the book ahead with Margo and gotten Lira out of there.

He bowed close to Lennox. Their voices were low, both of them in their starched and stuffed fucking Seelie garb. I was ready to strangle them both, but that energy was mostly a bone deep terror for Lira that gripped me like a vice. I tried to keep myself calm when I spoke to her through magic, but it was a struggle. My emotions oscillated between anger and worry with no middle ground.

Neia and Elisa stepped over as Luz and Orman reached us. Eldrick stood taller then bowed to me. I clenched my teeth. He could fucking take his court manners and shove them up his ass. Shaan rose and tucked his hand into Lennox's. That was another thing I was going to have to pretend wasn't happening to keep my sanity intact.

"Our greatest issue," I said without preamble, "is the fact that the Seelie have vaster military forces than ours."

"True," Eldrick said, and it took every drop of self-control I had to keep my emotions level. Lira was drained of magic. I could feel it every time we spoke, the exhaustion and misery that rippled off her. She claimed she had connections in the palace. If I could just give her time, she kept saying, she’d figure out a plan. My patience, however, was running out.

Lennox frowned and bowed his head. "I wish talking would work, but I'm afraid my father will not listen to reason."

I placed my hands behind my back. "It's imperative that we use the next few weeks to strengthen any alliances we can form. We have the Alegre." I looked at Luz who gave me a nod. They'd leave in the next few days to return to the hidden Alegre city in Kali's caves and act as a messenger for us there, leaving the warded mountain every hour so we could send thrushes to the Alegre's King.

"Even with the Alegre," Lennox said, "we'll still be at a disadvantage."

Eldrick's eyes dashed to Lennox then back to me. "It's true. There is no higher honor for a Seelie than joining our armed forces. Many civilian Seelie have military training and could be called on for service. Our troops' numbers may double if the King finds it necessary."

A silence stretched between us. Neia frowned and looked down at the gold and crimson tiles at her feet.

Orman released a breath. "You know I'd be useful here."

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