Chapter Thirty

CHAPTER THIRTY

H eart in her throat, Morgan forced herself to turn away, and it was one of the hardest things that she'd ever done.

She had to trust Caedmon could handle himself.

Atlas was already pulling the hippogriff from the mud, and she joined him, grabbing on to the harness. Magic burned through her muscles, giving her an extra boost of strength. Ignoring the snarls and roars of battle, they strained to pull the creature free, one painful inch at a time.

When the hippogriff was finally able to yank her front feet free of the mud, she used her talons to help drag herself out of the mire. The creature emerged slowly, and Morgan gaped at her sheer size. Once the hippogriff stepped on land, she folded her legs underneath her, her sides heaving in exhaustion.

Atlas remained at her side, running his hands along her neck and shoulders to soothe her fretting, keeping the cloth secured around her head.

Knowing they would be okay, Morgan touched the harness, calling the metal back into the form of a long, sharp spear, then turned toward the fight .

And could only gape, the spear tip lowering to the ground as she watched Caedmon fend off the cat. In his loup garou form, he was easily able to leap out of the way of the fangs and claws. In fact, the bastard looked like he was playing with the creature, tweaking and pulling at the cat's tails.

The pissed off cat hissed and roared at the continual pestering. When the beast saw that the hippogriff was free, it snarled at the loss of his meal before he turned and bounded back into the trees.

Caedmon loped toward her in an awkward gait that was a combination of hands and feet. When he neared, he slowed and pushed himself upright, not stopping until he stood before her in all his beastly glory, chest puffed out, his head high, pausing for her inspection.

Morgan scanned his massive form in awe, breathing a sigh of relief when she saw no injuries beyond a few minor scratches that were already knitting shut, even as she watched. She threw herself against his chest and immediately felt a pleased rumble under her head.

Magic sparked against her skin, heat tingling against her wherever they touched as he shifted forms until she found herself wrapped up in the arms of the man. When she pulled back, his hold tightened, and she glanced up at him in concern.

Only for him to slam his mouth down over hers.

The kiss was raw and hungry as he ravaged her, and she arched into him with a hum of approval. Then he pulled back, his forehead pressed against hers, panting as he tried to get his breath back.

"You were magnificent." She wasn't sure if she was referring more to the kiss or the fight, but it worked for both situations.

He seemed to read her mind, flashing her a wide grin that made her breath hitch. She traced the tattoos on his face, allowing her hand to brush briefly through his long dark hair, loving the way the wild strands tangled with her fingers.

Chirping from the creature and softly spoken words from Atlas reminded her that they weren't alone. They had to keep moving. Morgan pulled back with a sigh. As they approached the pair near the river, Atlas tossed Caedmon his pack, and the man dressed quickly, much to her disappointment.

Caedmon approached the beast confidently. The hippogriff cocked his head as if sensing him, chirping almost excitedly, and Morgan remembered that Caedmon's gift was with animals. She watched the two of them and would swear that they were actually speaking.

Atlas came to her side, slipping his arms around her waist, tucking her close. After a minute, Caedmon removed the shirt from around the creature. The hippogriff shook her head out, rising to her feet, pawing at the ground. It was all she could do not to yank Caedmon away. But instead of being aggressive, the beast calmed and walked toward him, then gently bumped her head against his chest like an affectionate kitten seeking attention.

A low chuckle escaped Caedmon, and he continued to pet the beast for another minute. Then Caedmon patted the great beast's shoulders before stepping back and heading toward them.

And the hippogriff followed as docile as a kitten trailing after its mother.

Morgan's brows rose at the sight, her heart light as they approached. "What are you going to do with her?"

"Nothing." Caedmon gave her a wry smile and snorted. "You try telling a two-ton beast to go. See how that works for you."

Morgan couldn't suppress her grin at the cute pair. "What should we do?"

"Continue our journey." Atlas released her reluctantly, his hands running across her curves before he finally pulled away. "Once she feels safe and secure enough, she'll leave."

Morgan wasn't so sure about that, getting the sense that the creature had imprinted itself on both the men like a baby chick, but she didn't argue.

As they began to walk, the hippogriff would nudge the men with her head every once in a while, chirping at them curiously. Morgan wasn't sure if she was showing affection, wanting to play, or just trying to hurry them along.

When the hippogriff looked at her, Morgan suddenly felt very small.

Until she saw the nasty wound on the animal's hindquarters was still bleeding sluggishly. "If she goes anywhere, she'll leave behind a trail for the zheng to follow."

Before the guys could argue, Morgan held out her hand toward the beast. She half expected the creature to snap its beak at her. Black eyes assessed her for a full minute before the creature slowly approached, head lowering until she pressed her massive head against her hand.

Her fingers sank into the softest down she'd ever felt, pure magic humming under her palm. She closed her eyes and gasped in surprise and awe as magic danced inside the creature.

Everywhere but the wound.

Morgan concentrated on the darkness around the wound, allowing her own magic to rise and fill the space. The two different types of magic shimmered when they collided, wavering for a second before they began to thread together.

Stitching the wound slowly closed.

Knowing she could do nothing else, Morgan reluctantly pulled away and opened her eyes, already missing the warmth from the creature.

While blood and dirt still painted the hide, the injury was closed, the claw marks fading. There would be a light scar, but the beast would be okay.

The hippogriff chirped softly, prancing about them, and Morgan couldn't help but smile at the creature's antics.

"It's getting dark." Caedmon snagged her hand, pulling her between him and Atlas. "We need to keep going."

As they followed the bend in the river, Morgan stopped dead at the sight before them, her jaw dropping at the sight of the majestic fae kingdom nestled in the valley.

"Holy shit," she whispered reverently, unwilling to destroy the tranquility by speaking louder .

It was like nothing that could be found on Earth.

It was as beautiful as it was intimidating.

White and black stones reached for the sky, the castle lit up like a city rising out of the darkness. Every window and peak gleamed like stars in the night. The place sprawled over what had to cover at least five hundred acres.

It was an architectural marvel.

"So big," she said, because she was so articulate and shit, but in her defense, she was in awe of the imposing fortress.

Caedmon's grip around her hand tightened until her bones creaked in protest, and she peered up at him. She'd secretly worried that once he returned to Faerie, he wouldn't ever want to leave again. If the revulsion on his face was any indication, that fear was groundless.

He loathed the castle, and she winced that he was forced to return because of her. "Caedmon?—"

"You did it—you passed the trials. Faerie has given you her approval." Yet he didn't sound happy. He avoided her gaze as he surveyed the castle, unconsciously pulling her close, like he was afraid that she would be taken from him if he didn't hold on tight enough. "The queen is in residence, so the castle will be full of fae. The moment we arrive, we'll become the center of attention as they decide whether you live or die."

Her heart clutched at the thread of hopelessness he couldn't mask.

He thought she would die.

Or that he would.

Caedmon shook off his mood, his tone brisk when he spoke. "If we push forward, we should be able to reach the city by nightfall."

Morgan allowed herself to be pulled along as they headed toward the bridge in the distance. She tightened her hold on his hand, offering him support, refusing to let him face his past on his own. "The queens have no hold over you. You are not alone any longer."

After a few minutes, Caedmon sighed in defeat. "I'm not worried about me. If you walk into that den of vipers, you might not walk out again. I just found you. I've lived countless centuries alone, but the thought of losing you now is too unbearable to imagine."

"You don't think I felt the same when you two numbskulls volunteered to go with me? It's the last thing I wanted!" She smacked his arm, her annoyance getting the best of her, then she let it go, slid her arm around his waist, and leaned into him. "Then we make a pact—we walk in together, we walk out together, deal?"

Caedmon gazed down at her with such a vulnerable expression that her soul ached at the deep wounds he'd carried for so long. He took a shuddering breath, then straightened and pulled his shoulders back. He shot a glance over at Atlas, and her dark fae nodded in agreement. "All of us. Together."

As they neared the bridge, the hippogriff began chirping and pawing at the ground in agitation, nudging the boys away from the bridge. Atlas and Caedmon frowned, gently pushing the beast away. But the closer they got to the bridge, the more aggressive the creature became, until she stormed between them and gave a squawk of outrage, her wings spread wide.

"Something's wrong." Morgan pulled the guys back, then closed her eyes and called to the magic around her.

And immediately sensed what had upset the hippogriff.

She opened her eyes and narrowed her gaze on the bridge. "There is something waiting underneath."

The guys exchanged a glance, both drawing their weapons and heading in opposite directions to get a look. They didn't go far when they returned, Atlas scowling. "Trolls."

Morgan just blinked at him. "Excuse me?"

He looked at her for a beat, then grinned at her stunned expression. "Trolls live under bridges. It's not practiced much in the human realm anymore, but that's not the case in Faerie."

Morgan's brain boggled at the information. She'd heard about trolls, learned about them in her studies, but she didn't know anyone who'd ever come across one. They weren't considered dangerous enough to warrant the assassin's attention. "So what do you normally do when you come across one?"

Caedmon rubbed his hand across his jaw, his eyes troubled. "We have no choice but find another way across. With the proximity to the capital and the size of the bridge, he'll be too big for us to take without a fight."

"Should we attempt crossing here?" Morgan eyed the water suspiciously, not trusting the dark, too calm surface.

But Atlas was already shaking his head. "If the bridge is occupied, the water will be as well. It's probably used as a defense mechanism to keep out the unwanted."

Another damned test.

Morgan was getting sick of them.

"So we either take our chances with the bridge, the river, or keep going and find another way across." None of those options were appealing. It would be dark soon, and she didn't want to run across any of the patrols they'd mentioned. She very much doubted that the fae would be very friendly.

Before either of the men could make a suggestion, the hippogriff nudged Caedmon, chirping and pawing at the ground. His yellow eyes closed, his head tipped to the side as if listening to something the creature was saying.

When his eyes popped open, a big grin stretched across his face. "We have a ride."

Her eyes widened in alarm. She opened her mouth to protest, then snapped it closed. She would not put her mates at risk just because she had trust issues. She eyed the hippogriff critically. "Will she be able to hold the three of us?"

Caedmon grinned, scooping her up in his arms, his hands cupping her ass. Morgan squeaked at the unexpected move and wrapped her arms and legs around him, her hold tightening in panic when he headed toward the hippogriff.

She expected him to deposit her on the creature's back. Instead, he mounted the creature in a single, smooth move like he'd done it a thousand times. She clutched at him when she found herself astride his lap, facing backwards. "Shit! Warn a girl next time!"

The hippogriff pranced under their weight, chirping happily, her feathers fluffing. Atlas joined them a second later, seating himself behind Caedmon.

It felt weirdly intimate to be seated in Caedmon's lap and gazing at Atlas.

Before her mind could go down a dark, smutty alley, the hippogriff took off with a lumbering lope. Morgan gave an embarrassing squeal, clutching Caedmon to her chest, leaving her staring directly at Atlas.

Gazing at him helped calm her racing heart.

Much sooner than she was ready, the hippogriff's wings snapped wide and they were airborne. Her stomach soared into her throat, then she went weightless.

Caedmon's arms tightened around her, his hands sliding up her back, keeping her stable. She refused to think that he was the only thing holding her secure.

And she definitely wasn't thinking about how they managed to remain on the beast without plummeting to their death.

It felt weird to be flying without any control, much less facing backwards. Seeing her mounting panic, Atlas leaned forward and kissed her. Then nothing else mattered when Caedmon ran his hands over her while Atlas's mouth destroyed her sanity.

The hippogriff bobbled beneath them, and Morgan jerked back in alarm, spying a shape flying next to them.

A familiar shape.

Morgan tipped her head to the side and squinted. "Loki?'

The beastie yipped excitedly, grinning proudly as he flew next to them, swooping and diving, his eyes bright red, the crest of the phoenix blazing on his chest.

"That must mean Kincade got through and managed to get a hold of Thanatos." She was practically giddy at the thought of seeing her mates again, almost forgetting their method of travel. The hippogriff chirped playfully, then the two of them were racing toward the castle.

But as they neared, unease stirred in her gut.

It looked like a fucking army was waiting for them.

Streaks of magic soared through the air, shattering when it hit a barrier. Orbs flashed and exploded. It was only a matter of time before the wards failed and the fighting began in earnest.

And her men were somewhere in the middle of it.