15. Tavish

15

TAVISH

B etween the way Finnian whispered in Lira's ear and the proximity of Eldrin, something dark and sinister churned inside me, eager to spill blood. Once upon a time, this sort of rage was reserved solely for any injustice done to my people, but now Lira was the main trigger that made me want to kill anyone who dared get close to her.

Even my best friends.

Caelan wasn't nearly as huge of a threat, but Finnian adored Lira, which made him way too attentive to her for my comfort.

I swallowed my ire, watching as Finnian picked up the large animal, making Lira's joy flash through our bond.

For her, I could tame my bloodlust because she hadn't felt this lighthearted since we'd cemented our bond. Her delight radiated like the sun, melting the snow that I'd laid with my power.

Eldrin glowered at my mate. His displeasure at her no longer being injured was obvious, confirming that the thornling who'd shot the deadly arrow at Lira had meant to disable her wings for as long as possible.

Eldrin had known that Pyralis would come for her, but how was that possible? We'd never been in communication with the dragons.

Finola stood close by my cousin, her hand on the hilt of her sword. She watched his every reaction, knowing the exact type of threat he was.

Hey, don't let him get to you. Lira turned in my direction, though her eyes remained on Finnian's back. Eldrin wants us to be miserable. We need to make sure we don't seem that way when he's nearby.

The jolt that thrummed between us increased as we touched, and my body warmed in a less-than-ideal way, given the circumstances.

I'd barely gotten any sleep since the night Pyralis came, too consumed with staring out the windows to ensure the dragons weren't attempting to sneak up on us. Even though I didn't doubt the Seelie would protect their princess with all their might, I'd burn the entire realm down for Lira if that was the only way to keep her safe.

Finnian headed straight to Eldrin and, when he got close, said, "Eldy, Caelan and I talked and decided it makes sense for you to carry Nightbane to Cuil Dorcha."

Laughter built in my chest, but I managed to hold it in. Eldrin always refused menial tasks, and carrying the animal he'd always detested would infuriate him. He would feel as if we didn't view him as important, something Finnian likely knew. He was better at understanding people than Caelan and me.

"Absolutely not." Eldrin took a few steps back, the chains restricting his wings. His feet tangled in them, causing him to stumble, but he caught himself. "I will not carry anything."

Other than his stumbling, he didn't look any worse than usual, except for the scruff on his face. He didn't look malnourished, but he'd been without food for only a day, so that wasn't a surprise.

"If you don't carry Nightbane, then you will remain here with the beast." I stretched out my wings, trying to seem unconcerned even as adrenaline pumped through my body.

Eldrin bared his teeth and glared. "You wouldn't dare risk leaving me."

He had no clue how much I wanted him dead. If I left him here, I could come back and interrogate him after he'd had a few days here all alone.

"You overestimate your worth." Lira placed a hand on my chest and continued, "You claim you have information we need, but we have no reason to believe you."

Eldrin laughed bitterly. "Though your memories and magic have returned, speaking like that invalidates your position among Seelie royalty."

The edges of my vision darkened, but Lira kissed my cheek and pushed some of her calm toward me.

If it weren't for her, I'd have already allowed Eldrin to manipulate me into ruining the ruse that he was unimportant.

"Says the man chained and imprisoned." Lira didn't miss a beat, and instead of becoming angry, she laughed. "I'm still upset that what you know isn't important, especially considering how you're trying to get a reaction from Tavish."

Even though Lira embodied a strong, confident woman, I could feel the impact Eldrin had made on her soul when he'd attacked her in the bathroom. I'd give anything to go back in time and prevent that happening. It was yet another regret and thing I needed to make up to her for the rest of our lives.

"Don't play coy with me." Eldrin lifted his chin. "I know what you're doing. All of you are dying to learn what I know. Otherwise, you're stuck marrying an ashbreath sooner rather than later."

My body coiled for an attack, but Lira just rubbed her hand over my chest. She connected, Thorn, remember the plan. He knows threatening me is the way to get a reaction from you.

And he wasn't wrong. Still, if I wanted the knowledge he had, I needed to remember the overall strategy. Thank Fate Lira was here. "This is your last chance." I straightened my shoulders, spreading my wings wide and wrapping the edges around Lira's body, making sure everyone saw the intimate gesture. "Carry the cù-sìth and ensure he isn't harmed or get left behind. Those are your only options."

Eldrin's jaw clenched, and his eyes flashed with anger. I sensed he was bordering on losing control, which I enjoyed immensely.

"Fine, but you're going to regret it," he vowed.

Despite his threat, the benefit of his carrying Nightbane was that the beast would keep him in line. And he'd be so worn out from carrying him, his magic being drained, that he wouldn't be able to cause trouble before we locked up his wings again.

The whooshing of wingbeats sounded from behind me, and I turned to find Hestia by the window we would be vacating from.

"Are we ready to leave?" She surveyed the thirty or so prisoners standing in the hallway. "The villagers are waiting."

The last thing I wanted to do was release the chains from the prisoners' wings, but I didn't have a choice. They had to fly with us. Hating what I needed to say next, I inhaled. "I'd like to have twenty Seelie guards help mine keep an eye on the prisoners. We need to ensure that they don't try to fly away or do something asinine, resulting in injuries."

"I'll make the arrangements now, but the king and queen want Lira to fly in the middle of the group with them where they're protected on all sides. Of course, you're welcome to join her."

"I want her in the safest place as well," I agreed easily. For now, the Seelie and I were aligned in wanting Lira safe and away from dragons.

Only if you're with me, she connected, moving in front of me. Her long, wavy blonde hair hung over her light-gray dress. Aside from her vibrant blue eyes, she could easily be an Unseelie. Remember, we stay side by side.

My plan had been to keep an eye on Eldrin. However, I'd made a promise to my mate, one I never wanted to attempt to break even if I were able. I'll join you, but I'll need to take a few breaks to check on the prisoners.

She frowned but nodded, knowing what I meant.

Some of the tension ebbed from my shoulders and wings. It was time to return home after so long. "Remove the prisoners' chains, and if any of them do anything that poses a threat, do not hesitate to kill them." I tapped into my magic just enough that my words echoed against the walls, making sure that every guard and prisoner heard.

The Unseelie guards sprang into action, pulling out keys and unlocking chains while Finola handled Eldrin. She kept his chains in her left hand, ensuring her right was free. And then Finnian handed Nightbane to Eldrin.

Nightbane huffed and shook his fur, his drool hitting Eldrin's face.

I'd always tolerated the beast, making sure I trained him to be vicious enough to keep the prisoners in line. Since Lira had come, I'd felt guilty for my treatment of the cù-sìth, and in this moment, I found myself warming to the creature. Anything that could irritate Eldrin made me reconsider my stance about it.

Concern pulsed through Lira. "Finola, I need you to stab Eldrin in the heart if he so much as looks like he's contemplating letting go of Nightbane."

"Don't fret, Your Highness." Finola bowed her head slightly. "It would be my honor to end his life for any reason."

Lira's breath caught, and surprise pulsed from her. She just called me Your Highness.

I did make it clear I plan to marry you and make you their queen, and you're Seelie royalty. My people would bestow upon her the respect she deserved, like it or not. I'd kill anyone who insulted her from here on out.

"I believe Nightbane is larger than Eldrin." Finnian rocked back on his heels, watching my cousin struggle. "I bet the beast's penis is also bigger than his. No wonder neither men nor women were interested in him."

Eldrin huffed, and Nightbane growled. The animal turned his gaze on Lira, his green eyes pleading.

Don't even consider it. You just healed yourself, and I can sense that you aren't completely better. Lira would no doubt try to carry him otherwise.

She cut her eyes at me in warning, but she didn't argue.

Struan stepped forward, holding a set of chains at his side. "All the prisoners are ready to fly."

Excellent. The urge to leave this entire island behind took hold.

Taking Lira's hand, I guided her past the guard and the fifteen prisoners who had attacked us the day before. We flew out the window, the chill of the air brushing over my skin. Down below, the Unseelie villagers were gathered in the center of the town. Most carried small bags of their possessions. For myself, I had no desire to bring anything back from here. I wanted to start afresh back in my rightful kingdom with Lira by my side.

The Seelie guards lined the edge of the village while about thirty Unseelie guards instructed the villagers on the ground.

As soon as we flew overhead, a few of the children pointed upward, and Isla yelled, "It's time to leave!"

We met up with Lira's parents at the edge of the sea, and my focus turned in the direction of the new dragon kingdom. I half expected to see dragons rushing in our direction.

After what felt like hours but had to be mere minutes, our massive group of six thousand fae began the journey over the ocean. Hestia, the king, the queen, Lira, me, Finnian, Caelan, and Brenin hung back, allowing a third of the Seelie and Unseelie guards and half of our people to head out first.

Soon, our group of eight moved forward in the heart of the group, and we started across the water.

With each flap of wings, my excitement increased, but so did my concern. I glanced over my shoulder at the prisoners, who were close behind us, surrounded by guards. The rest of the villagers were behind them, and the remaining soldiers brought up the rear.

The memory of how we'd been herded to this island within a day of Eldrin freeing me from the Seelie castle sprang into my mind. I'd used glamour to hide between Caelan and Finnian. Dragons had circled us, ready to shoot fire, and the Seelie guards had been prepared to use magic and weapons on us if we flew an inch out of line.

Unlike the prisoners now, we hadn't deserved mistreatment.

As my attention split between watching the prisoners and keeping an eye on the skyline, something deep inside me became unsettled.

Is something wrong? Lira asked, her irises darkening with concern.

I could sense her worry about flying over the open sea, which had to be adding to my trepidation. I'm not sure what we're heading back to. Did the Seelie ruin our land, or will they be the same as when I left as a young man? When we escaped and hid in the underground lair, we didn't see much of the kingdom. Our magic naturally charged the land and made them darker and colder, but not one Unseelie had been there for years. I feared that, just as we hadn't been at full strength living on the ruined island, our natural land would have been hindered by our absence.

There's only one way to find out. Lira looked left and addressed her parents. "What is the state of the Unseelie land now? What can they expect when they arrive?"

The royals glanced at each other before the king cleared his throat. "If you're asking if we tried to infuse our magic into their land, the answer is no. We also never tore down their houses. Some of our guards were stationed there with their families to ensure nothing strange happened. It's not the same, but it shouldn't be hard to restore the land. We didn't risk disturbing the magic."

Hearing that they hadn't deliberately ruined our land gave me some relief, but it didn't stop the nagging sensation deep within me.

The group fell silent as we continued to push toward Aetherglen. Even Finnian and Caelan were unusually quiet.

Lira flew closer to me and took my hand, alleviating some of my discomfort. When we return, we'll get the people set up and the land back to normal, she reassured me.

The wind warmed, and the water gently crashed underneath us. My anticipation grew. Would our kingdom be what we remembered, and would it still feel like home?

Either way, I knew that, as long as Lira was by my side, everything would be all right.

When the border of Aetherglen came into view, my wings beat a little bit faster. I remembered the impact on the strength of my magic when we'd stayed here just one night, and all of us needed to recharge.

Suddenly, there was a commotion in front of us.

At least one hundred people in golden armor flew from the island directly at us, their wings flapping hard.

My stomach sank, and Lira's hand tightened on mine.

I had worried that the Seelie lured us here under false pretenses, but I'd hoped that, for Lira's sake, they wouldn't manipulate us.

"What is the meaning of this?" Lira's eyes cut toward her parents.

"We had no way to inform the guards on duty here that we were bringing the Unseelie home. It's nothing to be concerned about." The king glanced at Hestia. "Order them to stand down and inform them that the Unseelie are returning."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Hestia darted out of the group and headed toward the oncoming Seelie guards. However, when she glanced back at Brenin, she hesitated.

Something was wrong.

When I followed her gaze, my entire world shifted. Terror froze my heart, and I yanked Lira behind me.

Five figures soared in a slithering fashion high in the sky.

Dragons were coming to Aetherglen, somewhere they shouldn't have known we'd be.