7. Lira

7

LIRA

M y heart dropped, and my lungs seized.

Tavish's anger blazed within me, and he rushed to the bathroom door and yanked it open.

A deep, threatening growl came from near the bedroom door, indicating that Nightbane sensed a threat.

I refused to be left behind, so I marched right behind my mate so we could face whatever the threat was together.

When we reentered the bedchamber, I had to press my lips together, attempting to hold in the laughter.

Struan had the door cracked, and the fur on Nightbane's neck stood up as he readied to attack the guard if he risked opening it further. I jogged over and scratched his neck. "He means us no harm."

Nightbane quieted as Tavish opened the door. "What the blast is going on?"

"There's been an attack." Struan winced.

"What does that mean?" Tavish's wings expanded, and now, I didn't sense any discomfort from him.

Some of the weight on my shoulders lifted. He didn't seem to be in pain anymore, which meant he would be at full strength when handling his people.

Struan's wings went taut. "She's been attacked, and there's no way to prevent her from dying."

"We need answers." Tavish shoved past Struan, flying in the direction of the prison. Terror and anger wound within him like a thunderstorm building between two drastic temperatures in spring in Savannah back on Earth.

I flapped my wings, hoping I could keep up. My healing magic must have started working when I hadn't noticed because they only ached when they moved instead of causing pure agony. Tavish, I can't get there as quickly.

Stay in the bedchamber, and instruct someone you trust to stand guard outside. Something dangerous could happen in the prison, and I need you safe.

My pulse raced, and my breathing quickened. I couldn't believe he'd taken off, thinking I couldn't protect myself.

With my magic regenerating, I could potentially heal the woman enough for her to survive, but I needed to reach her side before she passed. And then, when it was handled, teach Tavish a lesson of his own. "Struan, can you carry me there? My wings still aren't completely better."

He winced. "If Tavish sees me touching you—"

"Then he'll have to get over it quickly," I gritted out. "He left my ass behind, so he doesn't get a say on what happens next."

His brow furrowed. "Not just your… er—ass. But all of you as well." He closed his eyes for a moment. "I'm not sure how I expect that to make you any less determined."

I didn't waste time explaining that wasn't what I'd meant and just leapt into his arms. He grunted, wrapping his arms around my waist and stumbling back. I didn't wrap my legs around his waist and opted for the hug hold because, even if I was pissed, I'd never want my privates touching any other man, even through clothes.

"Blighted abyss," he grumbled. "Since you're determined for me to die today, I expect you to take care of Isla once I'm gone." He took off for the prison.

"Agreed." If that was the price I paid to get him to carry me there, it was one that I'd gladly accept. Besides, I liked Isla way too much for that to actually be a burden.

We were several yards behind Tavish, and I could sense the tension rolling off the guard. "If there was a woman guard outside our door, believe me, I would have had her carry me instead of you," I added. "Why wasn't there a guard outside the door?" Even though his arms were stiff around my waist and not at all tender, the feel of another man's touch had my skin crawling.

I swallowed, not wanting to make a big deal out of the situation. The more awkward and wrong I felt, the more I wanted to yell at Tavish.

But not now.

We had to get through this first.

Struan coughed, his body jarring mine, and then he suddenly stopped and released me.

I opened my mouth to complain when the stench of feces and urine hit my nose, and I gagged. I hadn't been prepared for the strength of the odor.

"I'm not about to carry you in front of him feeling like that." Struan stepped back as if he'd never been close to me.

About twenty-five feet away, a cell door was open, and I could sense the frustration rippling from Tavish.

"How the blast did this happen?" His voice boomed. "Where were the guards?"

Struan had gotten me more than close enough. My bare feet hit the grimy floor, but I could wash them later. I jogged toward the cell, each step jolting my body and aggravating the ache in my wings. I gritted my teeth, knowing that I needed to get there in a hurry.

"Of course the sunscorched wildling wouldn't be far behind," Eldrin's voice came from the cell to the left of me.

My head jerked in his direction, taking in his disheveled appearance. Even unkempt, he wore a smug expression, and his white eyes seemed sinister.

I hated the chill that ran down my spine at remembering the way he'd seemed to materialize out of the shadows as I'd bathed not long enough ago. I schooled my expression and glanced away, not wanting him to know how much he still impacted me and pressed forward.

Now the cell was near, and I could see inside. A guard with hair the color of flint was pressed against the bars within the cell as Tavish held the tip of his sword at his throat. The woman who'd injured my wings with the arrow lay at their feet in a puddle of black blood from the slit in her throat, surrounded by Finola, back in her normal guard attire, and the silver-haired guard who accompanied Struan most places.

Whoever had killed the woman had made sure that, even dying, she couldn't speak and let any information slip out.

Tavish's body quivered with rage. "If you answer me, I might spare your life."

"He was the only guard down here. I told him to change out her bucket while I kept watch on Eldrin, and then I heard the woman gurgling." Finola glared at the traitor.

"Did you do this? Or did you allow it to happen?" Tavish spat.

I didn't need to see his face to know the exact expression my mate wore. I wanted to be at his side because even though I was pissed he'd left me behind, I would always stand beside him. Though he'd have a lot to make up for later when we were alone once more.

"The point was to kill her, so you couldn't. Her death was quick and painless so she wouldn't suffer needlessly for rightfully attacking our enemy… the sunscorched princess." The guard's nose wrinkled as he stared at my mate. "Eldrin should be our king, and I proved my loyalty to him by—" Tavish's blade slid into the guard's throat, cutting off his words. Black blood trickled down, oozing underneath his dark armor. The man's face twisted in agony, but the sword's blade kept him upright.

"That's for killing one of your own who was also loyal to Eldrin, just so that I didn't get the joy of draining the life from her for the suffering she caused my fated mate ." Tavish's wings stretched out, blocking the guard's face from my view. Anger emanated from him; I didn't need our connection to sense it.

I stepped inside the cell, and Finola moved toward me as if to stop me from interfering.

Blaze that.

I ducked under Tavish's wing, and his dark-slate irises turned toward me. Sprite, don't even ask me to spare his life. He did this on behalf of Eldrin so my cousin could take away something else I desperately wanted and prove that Eldrin still has power even behind bars. That he doesn't need to escape to undermine me.

Not hesitating, I stepped into Tavish's side so the guard could see me. A tiny part of me knew that I should tell him to stop, that we could use this man for something, but I couldn't make myself say the words. Instead, I said, "I want to make sure the last thing this nightfiend sees is me, seeing as he thinks so highly of the Seelie."

I hated that Eldrin still had people close to him who would obey his commands. We needed to kill him.

Fuck what he claimed to know about the dragons.

Mercy was appropriate at times, such as Tavish's actions yesterday. He'd given the people who hadn't spoken out against Eldrin's supporters one more chance. This was different, and I understood that.

Wrapping his left arm around my waist, he pulled me to his side and connected, You're making me want to devour you right now, sprite. Those words were the sexiest I've ever heard you say.

Of course, it would be threats that would get my fated mate going. Keep it in your pants, thorn. You won't be getting anything from me for a while after what you just pulled back there.

I won't regret trying to protect you. And I'm comforted by the fact that I was able to kill the man who murdered your attacker. His eyes narrowed as he dug the blade deeper into the guard's throat. We don't know everyone who's loyal to Eldrin.

Eldrin wants you as a prisoner so he can be free and rule. For some reason, ever since my memories came back, he doesn't seem as intent on killing me. I hadn't put that together until now. But with Eldrin telling Malikor that he couldn't kill me, just make me bleed for the veil, and then Prince Pyralis showing up, he had to be working with the dragons. That had to be how he knew something about them that we could use to our benefit.

Tavish kissed my forehead, making sure the guard saw the tender moment pass between us; then he sliced the rest of the way through the guard's neck. Blood spattered Tavish's shirt, blending in with the dark color, and after a moment, the guard crumpled to the ground.

"Clean this up," Tavish barked, glancing at Struan. "Finola, make sure you or Struan are watching Eldrin all the time. Obviously, he's trying to cause unrest among us, and I want only the guards I trust watching him. Once Lorne is healthy enough, he can join the rotation. No one besides you three, do you understand?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Struan said from his spot outside the cell.

Let's get you out of here. Tavish tightened his arm as we walked down the hallway, with Tavish closest to Eldrin's cell. He continued, Don't pay Eldrin any attention. That's what he wants, and I refuse to give in to him. We need to continue to make him feel worthless.

As we passed by his cell, Eldrin shuffled his feet. The two of us didn't even twitch, pretending we hadn't heard a noise.

"Clearly, this hasn't taught you the lesson needed," Eldrin drawled loudly.

Tavish stiffened, so I pushed comfort through our bond, wanting to ease his turmoil. You didn't expect him to stay silent if we didn't acknowledge him, did you? In reality, Eldrin had a hard time remaining quiet. He liked hearing himself talk way too much.

That doesn't mean I want to kill him any less. Tavish's nostrils flared, but he didn't move back.

"If you keep ignoring me, I'll be forced to take more drastic measures. Maybe even have someone attack the Seelie princess."

Before I could say or do anything, Tavish snapped. He released me, spun around, and headed back to the prison cell. His chest heaved, and his wings spread out, blocking Eldrin's view of me. He snarled, "Do not threaten Lira again, or I'll remove your tongue myself."

"You speaking to me was all that I wanted, Tavish." Eldrin chuckled. "If you'd just come last night or even first thing this morning, then maybe I wouldn't have been forced to get you down here."

I refused to be cut out of this conversation, especially since Eldrin had gotten exactly what he wanted. I stepped into the unlocked cell next to him so I could see the vile man once more.

"I've always suspected you were a toddler demanding attention." I smirked, tilting my head, wanting him to see that I wouldn't hide behind Tavish. I never had and wouldn't begin now, even if that was what my mate wanted. "Does your bucket need emptying; is that the issue?"

Eldrin scowled. "This is between my cousin and myself. I won't waste time speaking to someone so inconsequential."

"Yet I'm not the one in a prison cell vying for your king's attention." I batted my eyes, wanting to push him the way he tried to goad Tavish. "If it helps, no one has asked about you or your well-being. In fact, I doubt anyone cares about your existence."

"You stupid wildling." Eldrin's hands clenched at his sides. "I have more allies than you'll ever know."

Tavish snapped, "Unlock Eldrin's cell. There's no reason to keep him alive."

"That would be foolish." Eldrin straightened. "I haven't yet told you how Lira can get out of the agreement with the dragon prince. Or is saving her from an eternity with him not worth keeping me alive?"

There it was. The piece of information he'd continue to dangle in front of us. I wanted to watch the bastard bleed to death. Maybe even drain him like he'd wanted to do to me.

"I don't believe you." Tavish stepped back so that Finola could unlock the door. "You're playing with words, trying pathetically to save your life. If you truly know of a way to save Lira from the agreement, tell us now."

Eldrin smirked like this was what he'd wanted all along. "I know things that would most definitely make the vow that the Seelie princess will marry the dragon prince void. I'm the only fae aware of this fact, and if you want a chance to have a future with your sunscorched beloved, then there are certain vows that I need made by both you and the Seelie king and queen."

A sour taste filled my mouth. He'd made sure his words were clear and precise so that Tavish wouldn't dare risk killing him.

Finola had slipped the key into the lock when Tavish said, "Stop. Don't open it."

Of course, that made Eldrin smirk even more. I'd never experienced the amount of hatred in my life that I held for this man. I wouldn't put it past myself to dance over his dead body once we were relieved of his vile breath.

Stepping back, Finola placed the key back into her pocket and glanced at Struan. A strange expression crossed between them.

"What are your terms?" Tavish lifted his chin, and disgust seeped through our bond.

"No one kills me." Eldrin shrugged like it wasn't a big deal. "I get to live for eternity with the protection of Unseelie guards of my choosing."

Tavish laughed loudly and bitterly. "Like that will blasting happen. Your presence is a disgrace to every fae alive. You don't respect our magic or how the system works."

"It's the only agreement I'm willing to make." Eldrin shrugged. "Kill me now and spend what little bit of time you have left with your fated mate, or allow me to live and have her by your side for your time here in Ardanos."

I didn't miss that he didn't mention anything about obeying Tavish. If the pompous ass remained alive, he'd never stop trying to steal Tavish's throne from him and would continue to pit Unseelie against Seelie, keeping the cycle of hate and distrust going.

"You don't even have the king's sword, Tavish." Eldrin wrinkled his nose. "The Seelie are taking everything from us one day at a time."

He was trying to get into Tavish's head. He'd been gaslighting him his entire life. Tavish, he's manipulating you.

I know. Tavish smiled, though it didn't meet his eyes. "Well, I've heard enough." He folded his wings into his back and held out his hand to me. "Let's go get breakfast with the Seelie king and queen."

I swallowed my laughter, loving the words he'd tossed out just for Eldrin's benefit.

Obliging, I strolled away from the cell and took his hand, and the two of us headed back to the main castle.

"Enjoy it, Tavish, while you can," Eldrin called. "Because one day soon, you'll be desperate for this information."

Wrapped in Tavish's arms, I could feel my magic pulsing stronger within me. We had two people who could benefit from the healing that might be enough to help.

The two of us enjoyed the walk, making sure that Eldrin could hear us move farther and farther away. Something he wouldn't be able to do for a long time. Finola followed us, and Struan and the other guard stayed behind to keep watch over Eldrin.

As we passed the bedchamber, I stopped in my tracks, catching Tavish by surprise. I turned to Finola and smiled, thankful to see her a little closer to her normal self. "Do you mind standing guard for a while? I need to be alone with Tavish."

We should eat, but I do believe I can hold off for a few more minutes. Tavish's eyes lightened to the light gray they did when he was alone with me.

I'm glad. I winked, knowing exactly what I planned to do when we got behind closed doors.

"Yes, of course." Finola took her usual spot by the door as the two of us entered.

As soon as the door shut, Tavish pulled me against him, leaning down to kiss me.

Nightbane huffed, making his displeasure known. He wouldn't have to worry about that for long.

I spun Tavish around and shoved him against the wall, letting him feel the frustration and anger boiling inside me, making him realize he'd misread the situation completely. "Because what you did earlier is not acceptable."

He winced, preparing for the inevitable.