24. Lira

24

LIRA

M y heart hammered in my chest. Who would be in my room, especially since no one expected me to be back at the castle?

We moved past the tree that grew through the open window, causing a few of the pink flowers of the Silathair to fall to the floor. Normally, I enjoyed the scent and view, but right now, it kept me from being able to see clearly inside.

Nightbane barreled deeper into my room in the direction of the closet. A whimper sounded, and I flapped my wings, trying to reach the person at the same time as he did.

When we entered the closet, I found wide aquamarine eyes staring at the beast. Gaelle, the high fae assigned to work as a luxury castle maiden, dropped the gowns she'd gathered in her arms and lifted her hands as Nightbane hunkered down.

I gritted my teeth. I wasn't going to allow her to use her wind magic on Nightbane. "Put your hands down, Gaelle." I landed between her and the cù-sìth, not wanting the situation to escalate.

She pushed her dark-blonde hair out of her face. "Me? The monster is trying to kill me! Do you despise me so much that you're commanding me to stand here and die?"

Nightbane growled, and I could sense his rising alarm at her tone. Knowing that I had to calm him before he attacked, I turned my back to her, spreading my wings to block her from Nightbane's view. My closet was sizable, with garments hanging on both sides, but the tips of my wings still brushed the clothes. "It's okay, boy." I tangled my fingers in the fur on top of his head. "She doesn't mean us harm."

At my touch, he calmed, and soon he stopped growling, though his hackles remained up.

Moving so my right side brushed the gowns, I positioned myself so that my other side pressed against him. That was when I noticed that my closet didn't seem as full as the last time I was here, and my gaze homed in on the gorgeous gowns in sky blue, forest green, and sunray yellow that Gaelle had dropped on the floor.

She hastily bent and picked up the dresses and placed them back on the tree branches that had grown from the wall. She avoided my gaze.

"What are you doing in here?" Something felt off, and the sense of warning returned.

"I… I was…" She tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and then spun toward me, placing her hands on her hips before asking, "Wait. Why are you here?"

She was deflecting. However, I'd play her game for now. "I decided to return home. Besides, all my things are here. Is there a problem with that?"

"Fate, no." She laughed, a little high-pitched. "I'm sure your parents are thrilled about your return. They just didn't inform any of us of those plans. That's all."

"It was a very last-minute decision." I smiled, wanting to ease the tension between us.

As expected, she exhaled, and her wings relaxed.

"I'm sure if they'd had ample notice, they would've alerted you. Which brings me back to my first question. If you weren't aware of my return, then why are you in my closet?"

Once again, her body stiffened, though this time, it was from my question and not from Nightbane. "Oh… well… I just wanted to check on some things."

"I noticed that you were holding three of my gowns, and several more appear to be missing." In fairness, I wouldn't be able to point out which because I still missed jeans and T-shirts and wore gowns only because they were the only clothes provided. But she didn't know that which meant I could potentially trick her. "I'd love for you to locate a gown I have that looks similar to yours. It should be in here somewhere."

Her breathing turned ragged.

That confirmed my suspicion. "Is it a problem if I wear a dress similar to yours?"

Dropping her arms, she pivoted toward me. She swallowed. "You are clearly already aware this is your dress, or you wouldn't be making such comments."

"So you've been taking my clothes?" I crossed my arms. "You weren't in here to check on my wardrobe but to take more pieces for yourself?"

"And why not?" She huffed, not even bothering to pretend any longer. "Someone might as well. You ran off with a nightfiend, leaving behind your parents and your people. You shouldn't have been allowed to come back, and yet you convinced your parents to not only permit you back here but to let the nightfiends reinhabit their world. When the sky is filled with darkness once more, the Seelie will have only you to blame."

Not only did she have the audacity to steal my clothes, but she believed she could speak to me so rudely. I narrowed my eyes, stepping into her space. "And when peace is actually bridged between our two species and Tavish and I are united as one, I'll make sure your high fae title is stripped from you and you can go live with the common Seelie working the gardens."

Her face flushed, and she took a step back, trying to counter my move. However, she'd already backed up almost to the wall when Nightbane entered and chased her.

"By tonight, I expect every piece of my clothing to be returned. If it's not, I will alert my parents to what you've done." The two of us were similar in age, but we'd never liked each other. Mainly because I didn't trust her, and I'd watched the way she'd tried to elevate her status. This moment proved everything I'd believed as a child. "And if you ever speak to me that way again, there will be dire consequences. I doubt my parents will stand in the way of your punishment."

She swallowed loudly and then huffed. "Fine. I'll return everything."

"You'll return everything what?" I arched a brow and smirked.

" Princess ," she hissed.

I didn't care if she hated me, but I did care if she treated me with respect. "Then you may leave and focus on whatever else requires your attention."

"My pleasure," she said curtly, taking a step toward me.

Nightbane snarled once again at her proximity, his mouth open wide and drool dripping from his teeth. His lime eyes were bright, even though we weren't cloaked in darkness.

Her bottom lip quivered, and she looked at me.

I paused before touching Nightbane's neck, wanting her to sweat another moment. He quieted, and she flew over him and rushed out the door.

Guiding Nightbane back into the bedroom, we entered the main room again, just as the door to the hallway shut, indicating we were once again alone.

I shook my head, trying to come to terms with what had just happened. I shouldn't have been shocked; Gaelle took advantage of any situation that would gain her favor.

Exhaustion from the past few days settled hard within my bones, and my bed looked inviting. The emerald sheets reminded me of Eiric's eyes, and the fluffy pillows called to me.

I locked the door and hurried to my bed, then lay down and patted the side next to me where Tavish would normally be. Nightbane didn't hesitate, lunging onto the mattress, and I turned onto my back, our sides touching. I drifted off to sleep, welcoming the much-needed rest.

Hunger pains shooting through my stomach woke me. Groggily, I opened my eyes and saw that the sun was getting close to setting. I'd slept longer than I intended, which meant that Tavish had to be close to Tìr na Dràgon.

The warmth in my chest comforted me, though the bond contracted.

Did you arrive all right? I asked, needing to check in.

Yes, sprite. We're fine. We're watching from far away, waiting for darkness to settle. I've been slowly covering the sun so it doesn't seem completely out of the ordinary. Right now, there isn't much activity other than their guards watching the boundaries of the kingdom.

They were there, and he hadn't let rage take over. I feared that if I were there, he wouldn't be as levelheaded—another reason I hadn't pushed to go with them tonight. Any sign of Eiric?

He paused before replying. No. But none of us expected to see her. She'll be locked in a prison cell.

My heart ached, my hunger forgotten. Once again, the dragons were affecting me in ways that I would never want to admit. Do dragons hate the Seelie like the Unseelie hated me? The night Tavish had taken me from Earth back to the ruined dragon land, an Unseelie guard, Malikor, had attempted to scar my face like my people had done his. Before he could, Tavish had intervened, thanks to our fated-mate bond coming into play.

Eiric didn't have that luxury.

There was no one there to protect her.

No, they don't hate the Seelie the same way, he reassured me. They may not favor them because they tend to stick to their own kind, but the dragons that were involved with the relocation of Unseelie from Cuil Dorcha to their former land—their hatred was focused on us.

Though that wasn't the best answer, it did give me a little peace of mind concerning Eiric. And better, he wouldn't have been able to say it if it weren't true. I need her back home, thorn. A sob built in my chest, and I held it down, not wanting to alarm Nightbane.

Still, the beast lifted his huge head and whimpered, curling tighter into my side. I turned, wrapping my arm around him, enjoying the warmth he provided. I couldn't imagine how I'd be doing if he wasn't here, especially with Tavish's absence.

Affection spread from Tavish's side of the bond. We're going to get her back. We'll make sure of that tomorrow.

His words released some of the apprehension in my stomach. I feared that he would still try to talk me out of the plan tomorrow, but I could feel his intention behind the words. He wouldn't stop me.

I love you. I'd spoken those words right before he left, but I needed him to know the magnitude of my feelings and how much I appreciated him.

That may be true, but I love you more. The sun is setting, so I need to concentrate. Make sure you get something to eat. Don't think I didn't notice you not eating this morning. If you're going to hand yourself over to Pyralis, you need to be at full strength because there will be war. Eat and rest, and I'll inform you when we're returning.

I almost replied Yes, Dad, but I doubted he'd understand the joke. Sarcasm didn't land as well in Ardanos as it had back on Earth. The only person besides Dad, Mom, and Eiric who even somewhat understood it was Finnian.

My stomach grumbled just as I heard a knock on my door.

"Princess Lira, your parents have requested your presence at dinner," Sorcha called.

Of course it'd be her, especially since Mom and Dad had left with Tavish. "I'll be there in a minute." I glanced down at Tavish's mother's gown, which I still wore, knowing I wanted to change into something that fit better.

"I'll wait for you out here," she replied, sounding bored.

I rolled my eyes. She always had to be difficult. "I can go to the dining room alone."

"I think it's better if I escort you."

Not wanting to argue, I quickly changed into a light-pink gown that hugged my curves without being uncomfortable. I glamoured my face to make it appear like I wore natural makeup and ensured I left my fated-mate markings on full display. Petting Nightbane, I asked him to stay then headed to the door.

When Sorcha saw me, her attention immediately went to my markings, and her face twisted with disgust. She disliked my bond with Tavish.

"You know, you should glamour those." She pointed to them before turning down the hallway that led to the dining hall.

I had no intention of hiding anything, especially the sacred connection Tavish and I shared. "Noted."

She shrugged. "Fine. You can't say I didn't try."

We flew the rest of the way in silence, though every fae I passed either avoided my gaze or glared at me with hatred. Two reactions I had gotten to know quite well during my time as Tavish's prisoner. Blast, even some of the Unseelie still tried to keep their distance from me, but most had come around to accepting that my presence was permanent.

After making the turns, I found the opening to the dining room and slowed, not wanting to appear hurried.

As I breezed over the threshold, I found Father sitting at one end of the table, seeming too big for the chair made of roots and the leaf he was perched on. Mother sat on his left, wearing a sparkling blue gown, her legs crossed.

Servants stood in one corner of the room. Seeing them looking down at me had my knees growing weak. Not wanting to risk tripping, I flew to the spot across from Mother where a third place had been set. From this position, I could look across the massive balcony to an absolutely gorgeous view of the village below.

The three of us took the chance to get reacquainted with each other. They asked about my time on Earth, and I asked about what had happened the past twelve years in Gleann Solas. We enjoyed each other's company, something we all needed to feel like family once again. Though it would take more effort than just now, it was a beginning.

By the time we finished, the moon had risen high in the sky, indicating that it was time for me to return to my room to rest. We had a war to fight tomorrow.

I gave my parents big hugs and grabbed some food for Nightbane. Sorcha escorted me back to my room, and I noticed how quiet the entire castle was.

When we reached my bedroom door once more, Sorcha opened it, preparing to go inside.

"Nightbane is in there. He won't have let anyone enter." The cù-sìth would protect me with his life.

"Princess—" she started, but I lifted my hand.

"It's fine." Even though I believed those words, there was more to my story. "If you go in there, he'll feel threatened, and I won't be able to protect you. It's best if I enter alone."

She scowled but nodded, moving out of the way.

Wanting to get away from the moody guard, I slipped into the room and shut the door behind me. I locked it for good measure, at least ensuring a warning if someone tried to get inside.

That was when I heard Nightbane snoring.

I laughed. With all the chaos, he must have been more tired than any of us realized. I set the food on one of the pink rose petal cushions by the wall. He could eat later.

Yawning, I strolled back into the closet and changed into an orange petal nightgown. I was exhausted.

As I stepped back into the room, a shadow fell across me, coming from the direction of my bathroom.

A scream lodged in my throat, and I spun and kicked the man in the stomach. His sword missed me, and familiar red eyes widened as he crouched, protecting his stomach. Taking the opportunity, I slammed my elbow on the back of his head. His sword clanked to the floor, and he crumpled after it.

I kicked him in the head, making sure that he'd completely passed out. As I bent to retrieve the sword, a key slid into the lock of the door.

Shit.