47. Chapter Forty-Seven

Chapter Forty-Seven

I t was dark by the time they returned to Mae’s court, both of them taking a swig from the canister of spelled water Ellisar had given them as they caught their breaths in the forest beyond it.

Any trace of the monsters they’d fought a few days prior had completely gone, the clearing entirely covered by snow trodden thin by horses’ hooves. Though Zylah’s threads had returned to their full strength, they weren’t powerful enough to pass through the number of wards protecting the court, and Holt shared her trepidation at what they might find waiting for them.

“That’s a lot of footfall for three days,” he said quietly at her side, his breath clouding in front of him. Zylah’s other sight had returned with the strength of her threads, but shadows still blotted out most of what she could see with her eyes, creating weak spots where it overlaid with what she ‘saw’ via her magic. She doubted whether even an effective anti-venom could save them now.

Another surge of comfort flared down their bond, and Zylah shot Holt an appreciative smile. He was at full strength, too, and it wasn’t lost on either of them how much their healing and their magic was so intricately entwined, Zylah’s ruined eyesight the only exception.

Nothing about you is ruined , he told her fiercely, one hand cupping her cheek as he leaned down to brush a kiss over her lips. Ready?

She studied his face, part of her still catching up with the fact that he was alive. That he was hers. But there was something else, something that had been eating away at her since they’d left the Aquaris Court. “There were so many vampires in that last attack. Do you think we should have stayed to see if more were coming?”

“They’d most likely lived there before they were turned, when they were still Fae. It’s Fae blood they crave most; I think they were going where they knew they could find a healthy source.”

Zylah shivered. “There are children there.” Fae and human, whether its High Lord knew that or not.

Holt’s flare of confirmation told her the High Lord did. “Malok is a strategist. He’ll have already moved them to a secure location, bolstered the court’s defences.”

“With what soldiers? We have his army.”

“What we’re doing will prevent any more vampires from being made. Malok knows that, understands it’s the only chance at a future those children have.”

Zylah loosed a breath between pursed lips. What were any of them doing? They couldn’t get close to Virian’s palace in meaningful numbers. Couldn’t keep up with all the vampire and thrall attacks or count how many more vampires had been created.

Breathe, Zylah. One step at a time. Whatever Mae has waiting for us could be our first puzzle piece, Holt said gently in her thoughts.

Zylah sucked in a breath. Dipped her chin in acknowledgement and followed her mate through the tunnel beyond the waterfall into the court. Wards flexed over her skin as they passed, a rush of information hitting Zylah’s threads at once; Finn heading up a group of armed guards fast approaching. A group of furious armed guards. But Zylah didn’t reach for her weapon.

“How dare you return here,” the Fae barked, a hand raised and a crackle of energy rippling in the air.

Roots and vines erupted from the earth at their feet, around Finn’s body, his throat, a few of them burning like glowing embers before they snuffed out, the scent of burning wood filling the space between them all mixed with Finn’s hiss of surprise. The guards behind him drew their weapons, but Holt cut them off.

“Don’t.” His doing, all of it. The embers were new, but he’d controlled them carefully, though Zylah knew that control could dwindle quickly if any of them tried to attack again.

“I—” Finn choked, eyes darting between the two of them and settling on Holt. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know. When you were here last…”

Zylah had all but forgotten this part. The fierce protectiveness and unpredictability Holt had shown even to their friends when they’d been in the presence of other males after she’d accepted the bond.

As if in response to her thoughts, some of Holt’s roots receded. “Our promise was to return within seventy-two hours,” he said, more of the vines retreating. “If she still draws breath, take us to her.”

Finn gave a pointed look at the remaining roots restraining him, but Holt didn’t release him yet. The Fae sighed, turning to the nearest guard. “Take to your posts. Report immediately if there’s any sign of vampires.”

The guard’s eyes darted to Holt and back to Finn again before he opened his mouth. A wise decision. “Of course,” the Fae said, waving the others along, all of them giving Holt and Zylah a wide berth.

Holt’s restraints fell away from Finn, and only then did Zylah realise the Fae was missing an arm, one sleeve hanging loose and empty. But if he felt her attention, he didn’t comment, as if he was anticipating another outburst from Holt.

Outburst? Holt raised an eyebrow as he glanced down at her, and she resisted the urge to elbow him in the ribs. Finn led them through the court, past the gossiping clusters of Fae and up through the central trees towards Mae’s residence.

Fine, controlled attack . She felt his amusement skitter down her spine. The way you’re combining your magic, it’s incredible.

His palm settled against her lower back as they crossed the final walkway, one last little touch before they entered Mae’s home. You showed me how.

He was a quick study, she’d give him that. They stepped off the walkway into Mae’s residence, the scent of celandia hitting them the moment they were inside. The room was full of doting Fae just as it had been before, though they averted their gazes at Holt and Zylah’s presence.

The same sprawling bed from before lay ahead of them. Though this time, only Sarina, the female Zylah had healed after the attack, sat beside Mae, tending to her High Lady with care.

Mae had seen better days. Her usually unblemished skin was waxy and yellow, white hair sticking to her face from a mixture of sweat and the cloth Sarina dabbed at her forehead. She wore a thin lilac dress, clutching at her chest where her heart was no doubt failing beneath it, her breaths raspy and laboured.

Her pale blue eyes tracked Holt and Zylah as they neared the bed, and she whispered something to Sarina.

“Maelissa wishes to congratulate you both,” Sarina said, her head bowed, though this time it was enough to make out that she was missing an eye.

Anger flared in Zylah’s chest. Finn’s arm. Sarina’s eye. No doubt sacrifices for their High Lady, only they had not returned with arrenium counterparts as she had. “Maelissa still has a working tongue,” she snapped. She and Holt held their positions near the door, neither of them making any effort to approach the bed. Fae could scent the mating bond, but Mae’s half-assed congratulations meant nothing to Zylah.

Finn went to his High Lady, sitting at her other side and taking her hand—her arrenium hand—in his.

“Why?” Mae rasped.

Why were they doing this? Why had Zylah poisoned her? Why had they returned, when they could have just left her to die? Probably a mixture of all three, but Zylah’s gaze flitted over the way Sarina and Finn doted on the Fae, despite everything they’d lost, despite Mae’s failings.

“For the way you used him,” Zylah said, her eyes meeting Holt’s before shifting back to Mae. “For the way you used those around you. The way you continue to use those around you. Even now.” She stared pointedly at Finn’s empty sleeve before holding Mae’s watery gaze. At least the High Lady had enough sense not to argue; neither Finn nor Sarina did, either.

Again, Mae whispered something in Sarina’s ear, and this time the Fae clapped her hands. “Leave,” Sarina told the room. The remaining Fae dispersed without dissent, some of them bowing low to their High Lady before they left, all of them giving Holt and Zylah a wide berth. Neither Sarina nor Finn shifted from Mae’s side, the male taking over with the cloth to pass it gently over Mae’s exposed skin.

Zylah wouldn’t let herself feel guilty. Not for this. Not for the Fae that had used Holt for years, who had whipped one of her own, used those she loved no matter the cost.

“You have the antidote?” Finn asked, and there was no doubting the desperation in his tone.

Mae made no attempt to offer up the information they needed; there were no Yzdrit waiting in the court, no stockpiles of arrenium sitting beside one of the cascades. Yet Finn was missing an arm, Sarina an eye, so some exchange had been made, some bargain had been struck, Zylah suspected.

She made her way to the table beyond the bed, considering whether the court, whether Astaria, would be better off without Mae in it. The spread was wildly different from just a few days before: all matter of medicines were strewn across the table, herbs, a pestle and mortar, uncorked vials of tonics that were of absolutely no use here. None contained the single ingredient needed to counter the poison from the alcane, the clavaria that sat in Zylah’s pocket preserved in moss.

“They took an eye and an arm. What did the Yzdrit give you in return?” Zylah asked.

“Two of their best blacksmiths have gone on ahead,” Finn began.

Zylah raised a hand to cut him off, made her way to the foot of the bed. “She’s quite capable of telling me. Aren’t you, Mae?”

Mae was all but swallowed up by cushions and blankets, her body frail and fragile from the alcane poisoning her blood. Zylah felt Holt step into place beside her, his arm brushing hers and his comforting scent wrapping around her as they waited for Mae’s answer.

The High Lady wet her lips, her gaze lifting to meet Zylah’s. “It is as Finn said.” A wheeze, Sarina and Finn fussing over her before Mae shook them off. “Two blacksmiths went ahead to your camp at the edge of Kerthen.” Another wheeze, and this time, Sarina dipped a fresh cloth into a cup of water, dabbing it along Mae’s lips.

They hadn’t told her about the camp. Or its location, and though it was warded, it wouldn’t be difficult for spies to stumble across with so many soldiers coming and going. But Mae had eyes and ears everywhere, connections she loved to spread information to for a price. It was why Holt had brought them to the court the last time. But it didn’t sit well with Zylah that two strangers were now on their way to their friends, unannounced, when they possessed such a clear penchant for bargains. For suffering.

“They’re willing to work against Ranon,” Mae offered, as if she could sense Zylah’s rising temper.

Holt had tensed beside her at Mae’s statement, but Zylah knew his expression wouldn’t show it. He doubted the truth of Mae’s words just as much as she did. “What did you have to promise this time for them to agree to that?” Finn’s arm, Sarina’s eye. They can’t have been the only bargaining chips for a prize so great.

“That is my secret to keep,” the High Lady managed, but the words broke into a cough.

There was a threat there, though Zylah had to admire the Fae’s audacity, even as she lay on her death bed. She tossed the bundle of moss at Finn’s feet. “Boil this until it dissolves. Have her drink the water once its cooled. All of it, even when she throws up half her guts in your lap, make her finish it all.”

Finn was already moving, rushing for the door. “Will she live?”

“Maybe.” Zylah shrugged. “If you hurry.” She took in Mae’s frail form, searching herself for any signs of regret and finding none. Affirmation warmed her skin, Holt’s support wrapping around her shoulders and sharpening her resolve. She met his gaze, slid her hand into his, and turned to leave.

“Ranon is trying to return home,” Mae rasped behind them.

Impossible… and yet….

I think she’s telling the truth , Holt told her.

Zylah paused, turning to face the High Lady one last time and searching her face for any hint of a lie. Mae’s crystalline eyes slid to where Holt’s hand wrapped around Zylah’s, then back up to meet her gaze. “Blessings, Zylah,” the Fae said with a sad smile, something that might have been relief in her tone. “He was waiting for you.”

They didn’t wait for Finn to return to see if the antidote worked, only made their way through the court to say their goodbyes to Dalana and Ellisar. The pair insisted they return soon to celebrate their mating, and Zylah accepted their invitation gladly, though she didn’t have it in her to tell them there was no knowing when that would be.

With Kopi resuming his position on her shoulder, Holt wrapped his hand over hers and they began their journey back to camp.