Page 21 of Songs of Retribution

I turned towards him. "No."

"I can call on my connections with the elves."

"It could cost you your life," I said. The elves were an isolated race, warded where not even thrushes could reach. If Orman returned and things went poorly, I’d have no ability to reach him much less influence them to spare his life.

His eyes went far off for a moment before he returned his gaze to me. "It'd be well spent if I protected your court and what ya' stand for. It's a risk I'm willing to take."

"Orman." I didn't want to have this conversation in front of Eldrick and Lennox. Leaders among the elves had threatened Orman to never return lest he face his death. He sheltered here with us, and it wasn't worth the potential danger to me.

Orman's lips thinned, his voice growing hard. "Name any fae group that is as well trained as the elves,"—he side-eyed Eldrick—"the Seelie included. The elves' entire culture is based on our strength and fighting abilities. You know that if we could compel them to fight it could change the outcome of this war."

"We could send messengers to them."

Orman chuckled and crossed his arms. His posture firmed up like he'd already decided. "The elves are too proud. They won't receive your messengers and won't consider entering a war if you send a fae messenger. But I think I could speak to them in a way they'd hear."

Everyone in the group looked at me, waiting for my call. But I could already tell Orman had decided and as much as worry clawed within me, I wouldn't hold him back from his decisions. "Who would you want to take with you?"

Orman skimmed his eyes across our group, over Luz who was leaving soon, Shaan, Lennox, and Eldrick who I knew he wouldn’t even consider. I was needed here or possibly to help Lira soon. Then he turned to Neia. "W'd'ya say, Schattenwanderer?"

Neia startled and looked at Elisa who nodded. "All right."

"Good. You can use your shadows to escape should things go to shit."

"When do you plan to leave? Elisa may want a few days."

Elisa placed her hand on Neia's arm. "I'm not going."

Neia whirled towards her. "What?"

"Orman is right. You could use your shadow magic to escape, but I don't have that ability. You'd spend your time worrying about me and you've said many times that it's not a good idea for us to work together because of that." Her eyes darted to Lennox and Neia followed their path until Elisa curled her fingers around her arms. "And others might need me here for now."

"Elisa," Neia whispered.

"Trust me. We finish this, then when you return, I'm going to make you regret being with me when I drag you through deciding a million wedding details."

My concentration broke at Elisa mentioning the wedding. We should be focusing on Neia and Elisa, but hell was breaking loose, and we’d have to face that instead. It didn’t change my happiness for them, however.

Neia's eyes had taken on a sheen, and she gripped Elisa's elbows. "Lis."

"Tell me I'm wrong."

Neia sighed, kissed her forehead, and turned back towards the group. Everyone remained quiet until she opened her eyes. "All right. But," she said to Orman, "you swear to me you'll bring both of us back safely."

Orman waved a hand at her as if to brush her off. "I'll have ya' back for your wedding. Don't you worry 'bout that."

Neia groaned but seemed to settle into an unhappy agreement.

Eldrick used the pause in conversation to shift the topic. "The Froh never officially aligned with the Seelie. At least not yet. What do we know of their connections with your court, Prince Sai?"

"So eager to see your court destroyed?" I asked.

His eyes narrowed, but to his credit, he didn't look away. "Eager to see Prince Lennox on the throne and a future that doesn't involve more wars. I'm part Alegre and have never believed that Seelie is the only acceptable fae court." He gave me a look that displayed words he wouldn't say.I'm loyal to the Seelie to the death. Try me and find out.

Lennox cleared his throat. "Perhaps it would be wise for me to visit the Froh. My mother was Froh, and I could draw on those connections and see where we might stand with them."

"The Froh's border is very close to Seelie land, Your Highness," Sir Eldrick said, his tone significantly more demure than when he spoke to me.

"It's near the north-east border—wild territory. Father has a difficult enough time subduing the Seelie in that area. He won't have a foothold there, and we could make the visit a short one."

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