Page 39 of Songs of Retribution

Half our guards trotted ahead of us. They were following Lennox's directions towards Sai and Lira's location.

Do you want to share about what?I asked.

He was likely still feeling low from the Froh’s response. He’d spoken with the King again the morning we left, imploring him to join us but ultimately didn’t want to risk the political connection too much. The previous night he'd barely been able to find words. He'd grappled for me instead, like touch might make sense of the situation. I was happy to provide comfort by whatever means, holding him in my arms and listening to the gasping breathing and not-quite-sobs he released.

It surprised me the Froh had received us at all. If anything, it was a comfort that their court wasn't as hostile as we'd long imagined with their connection to the Seelie. Of course they had to protect their court. To go along with Carrington's desires when their kingdoms bordered so closely and the Seelie King was vastly more powerful than the Froh King was safer. I'd never imagined the Froh would actually align with us. That King Frederick had accepted us into his home, accepted Lennox’s and my relationship was a minor miracle itself.

Lennox gave a boyish smile that made my heart leap as he answered me.I'm thinking kelpies are far more useful for travel, especially in the rain, than horses.

I rolled my eyes but returned the smile.Our creatures aren't good enough for you, Your Highness?

Lennox clicked his tongue. "You know that isn't true."

Elisa looked back at us and grinned like she understood most of our conversation had remained private. She was so easy natured; I understood why Lennox had befriended her. I was glad she'd come on the trip for that reason as well. She'd stayed up with us late after dinner at the Froh palace, talking with Lennox on our balcony, discussing the situation in placid tones. I could feel the ease that slipped into Lennox's body at her words even if they didn't change the situation.

Lennox was still smirking at me, his eyes sparkling, when suddenly the expression melted from his face. "Oh, God."

"What's wrong?"

The guards stopped and turned towards Lennox as well. They knew he communicated with Lira.

"They're in trouble," he gasped. "Soldiers have them surrounded."

The guards looked at me. Lennox was the leader of the two of us, really, the one who could make decisive choices, direct people, and plan strategies. But I was the Prasanna Prince. These guards were under my order.

"How close are we to them?" I asked.

"Close." Lennox's eyes which had sparkled with mirth only moments before flooded with fear and glistened with magic. "I thought we might run across them any minute."

I looked at the head guard. Ishir rode at his side and gave me a steadying nod. "Let's pick up the pace," I said. "Your prince and princess are in danger."

"Yes, Raja-kumara."

They cried out, kicked their horses, and our party pushed forward into a thunder of movement. We clattered through the boggy lands, weaving through trees, the rain hitting my face in painful bursts at the speed.

We climbed a hill and from the top, the dozens of Seelie's green uniforms dotted the land before us. Sai lay crumpled beneath a tree, and Lira screamed as soldiers grabbed her. She kicked and sang, her magic weakly crackling ice over the ground but doing little more.

Lennox released a breath loudly enough that it sounded over the storm. "Elisa," he said, his wide eyes focused on the movement below us, "move to Shaan's horse."

Elisa didn't ask questions. She rose as I slid back, making room for her. I offered my hand to help her climb onto my horse.

"Lennox," I said, my voice more frightened than I'd expected, making me realize the terror that gripped me.

He clasped my hand and his eyes met mine for a minute. They were paling with magic, turning clear. The love he felt for me shimmered through them beyond the lack of color. He squeezed my fingers then released me, urging his horse into the valley. Trees beyond the group caught fire, hissing like a woken dragon as the damp bark erupted in flame.

The Seelie soldiers startled, looking around and catching sight of Lennox who rode into the group like a demon, his coat flying behind him, magic flowing.

"Follow the Prince," I shouted to the first half of our guards, before realizing that included Ishir. He nodded and joined the group following Lennox's descent into chaos.

Lira cried out at the sight of Lennox, and a soldier shoved her down into the earth. Elisa whimpered and clasped her hands over her mouth. My magic surged to the surface of my skin, tingling over it like currents of electricity, eager to strike.

Our horse pranced nervously, his ears flicking back, and I pulled on his reins, urging him to remain steady. I wouldn't use that magic unless I had to.

Lennox caused rain to fall in great heaves, washing soldiers off their horses. He used wind to push them away from Lira, grabbed her, and helped pull her onto his horse.

The soldiers righted themselves and stared in obvious confusion at Lennox who'd appeared out of nowhere, who looked different from they'd ever seen, and who wielded what the Seelie labeled as dangerous, forbidden magic.

A few soldiers were so startled they stood, their hands hanging limply at their sides, and stared. But others located weapons and prepared to fight. They had their orders.

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