Draven didn’t even wait for the wolf to put her down, justpressed against her back, kissing the nape of her neck, running his hands over every inch of her body as if to reassure himself that she was okay.
Ryder gradually lowered her to the ground but didn’t let her go far. Ascher didn’t care, stepping right up to her and kissing her like he hadn’t seen her for a year, dipping her over his arm as he plundered her mouth.
Only when she clutched at his shoulders and groaned into his mouth did he relent, bringing her upright and cuddling her against his chest. When she saw Kincade over his shoulder, she reached for him, and Ascher let her go reluctantly, keeping her hand in his grip.
“You okay?” Kincade tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, then cupped the back of her neck, and pulled her close, scanning her from head to toe.
It was such a masculine, possessive thing to do, her body warmed in approval. She was so glad to see him that she placed a hand on his chest, needing to make sure he was real. “I’m fine. We’re good. What are you guys doing here?”
He yanked her closer, giving her a bruising, punishing kiss that lasted only seconds before he growled and pulled back with a snarl, his chest heaving. “Where else would we be?”
Draven chuckled at her when her brain refused to function. “Thanatos came through for us. While he’s not able to interfere directly, he brought us here as your backup, then went a step further and informed the light fae that you were in Faerie.”
Morgan laughed. “The sneaky bastard. He’s using them as a diversion of sorts. Everyone is so focused on them, we’ll be able to get inside without being stopped.”
A ferocious scowl darkened his face, and Draven stormed toward her until they were nose to nose. “Hell no! We’re getting the fuck out of Faerie before either side knows we’re here.”
He was so angry, the air practically vibrated with it, and her stomach churned at the thought of disappointing him. “I can’t.”
“Morgan—”
“She literally can’t leave yet,” Atlas interrupted, not lookingany happier at the prospect. “She passed all the trials, but she needs to go before the queens to be judged. If she doesn’t, everything will be for nothing and the fae will never leave her alone. They’ll keep coming after her until she’s dead.”
A few of the wolves growled, and it was only then that she saw dozens of them milling around the castle wall. Louis and a few of his wolves were present, along with three of the metal wolves, while the rest were from her pack…until she saw a group of ferals standing off to the side, playing with Loki.
“What the hell?” She glanced at Ryder in confusion. “What are they doing here?”
Ryder lifted his chin, every inch the alpha as he glanced over at the ferals. “The ferals are drawn to the void magic. Something about being at the coven calmed the beasts. They can’t change back yet, but I think the human part of them is returning slowly. The wolves believe that they’ll eventually be able to turn back if you remain near. They’ve been growing anxious with you gone. Thanatos insisted that they accompany us. He called them the guardians of the assassins.”
Morgan shook her head and pulled away from the others. “I don’t like the idea of the ferals being used this way. We brought them to the coven to help them. They didn’t sign up for this.”
One of the wolves gave a sharp bark, and the rest of the ferals stood to attention.
“Looks to me like they understand and want to help,” Draven drawled, a slight smirk on his face.
She took a threatening step toward him, ready to smack him, when Ascher stepped in her path. “They associate you with being whole again. They want to protect you. They know you can heal them. Without you, they will revert back to ferals.”
As much as she wanted to protect the ferals, it wasn’t her place to keep them locked up if they were no longer a threat. And she couldn’t blame them for wanting to protect their only hope for their future. She would do the same thing.
And if it meant more protection for her mates, then she would take it.
“Aargh, fine! We don’t have time to argue. We need to find a way into the castle before the guards discover us.” She headed toward the fortress, not liking that they were so exposed.
When she neared the outer bailey, a shadow detached from the walls. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you, not unless you want to alert the guards to your location.”
The guys got all growly and tense, but Morgan just crossed her arms. “Cashure? Why are you sulking around like a creep?”
The dark fae stepped out of the shadows. Dressed in his full military garb, he made an impressive sight. He tipped his head toward her, a slight bow of respect. “You passed the trials. You must finish the assessment.”
That didn’t sound ominous at all.
The guys must have felt the same, because they all gathered around her like protective hulks.
“If you don’t meet with the queens, you will be considered in breach and they will issue a warrant for your arrest. You will become a possession of Faerie, and the queens will decide your fate.” Memories haunted his lavender eyes—horrors that he’d endured.
She suspected he suffered from being a ward of Faerie.
A prisoner for all time to be used by the whim of the queens.
