Page 49 of Songs of Retribution

Ishir turned his horse around, pulled a jacket from his bag to wrap around his face, and returned for fallen soldiers. Lennox watched him then nickered to his horse and followed behind. Shaan gaped at him, one hand outstretched like he'd stop him.

I couldn't join them as much as I wished to. Even if Lira wasn't on my horse, my injuries would stop me from being able to lift others. Lennox reached a soldier, dropped to his feet, and shoved the man onto his horse before reaching another and doing the same.

He didn't part his mouth to breathe again until he made it back to us, Ishir beside him. Shaan slid back on his horse, making room for Lennox, and the group began galloping and running away from the weapons.

Everything turned into a thunder of hooves slamming the wet forest floor, the moans of rescued soldiers, the rapid exhales of Lira's breath over my arm.

When we were far enough, Lennox and Shaan dropped off their horse, and Lira and I joined them. Shaan's expression appeared haunted, his eyes dark and soulless. He whispered, "I could use my magic. We could still keep them from what they’re searching for.” There was an uncertainty in his voice. He didn't want to.

Lennox placed a hand on his back as the captain approached us. "No, Shaan."

"You'd have to kill all of them to keep them from going,” Lira said. “We can't just slaughter thousands of people."

Lennox grimaced but bobbed his head. "I agree. They've outmaneuvered us this time."

The captain arrived, and we discussed with him before grimly agreeing to cede ground and reconsider our strategy. A quarter of our best soldiers were down, some dead, their bodies slung across the horses. We hadn't even fought or used magic.

We ran like street dogs with tails tucked, but what could we do? This metal evaded magic; none of us could stop it.

Later, once we'd made camp closer to the Prasanna border and had called for more troops, I made rounds through the tents housing the injured, pausing at each bedroll, speaking quietly with them, and thanking them for their service.

The captain stopped me as I exited the last tent. He was much older than me with fierce, dark eyes and a scar that ran through the corner of his brow. I should bow, touch his feet, show respect for an older, high-ranking official, but everything had changed in the last weeks, and he spoke to me before I could make the proper addresses.

"Prince Sai, if I may have a minute of your time?"

"Of course."

He nodded to a trail away from the tents, and I followed him. The light had changed from a murky gray to a gem blue. The rain had stopped, but the sun set, dragging the new light away.

"It's regarding the soldiers who breathed in the material."

"How many have we lost?" I asked, my heart aching.

"A dozen." He stopped by a creek that trailed through the valley, water trickling over smooth stones. "The issue is with those alive."

"They seem to be recovering."

"They are. Hanuman be thanked." He touched three fingers to his forehead. "However, their magic is gone."

"Gone?"

He moved closer to the bank of the creek, his boots sinking into long grass. "Perhaps it will recover with time. Currently, none of them can access their powers. The most recovered among them are working with siren healers. The sirens tell me they do not feel like fairies anymore. They are reading similar to humans."

My heart sank at his words. "The weapons the Seelie used today drained their magic, shifting them to a human form?"

"That's my best guess. I'm afraid I have worse news, however."

I tried to maintain a neutral posture. I stood on the Maharani’s behalf and our court. It was up to me to keep the calm composure Mother donned during a crisis. I wondered how she managed it. "That is?"

"The King's book that your wife's companion brought to the court." The journal Margo had written. I nodded, unable to form words as I waited for the blow of whatever news could be worse than the Seelie having weapons that could strip our people of their very being. "It referenced the King stealing magic."

My face snapped up. "You think our troops' magic wasn't just drained, but taken by Carrington?"

His lips formed a grim line. "We can't say for certain, of course, but it would explain their loss of magic."

We stared at each other as the situation’s weight settled on us. If Carrington had ground up metal that could steal powers and possibly turn fairies into humans, weak and unable to protect themselves, then we fought a losing battle. If he could steal Prasanna memory magic, he’d turn our best weapon against us.

It wasn't a question of if Carrington would defeat us, but when.

---