His earnestness was so damned sweet that the back of her throat tightened.
Caedmon exchanged a look with Atlas, then stepped forward. “They won’t allow anyone but other fae into Faerie. We’ll go with her and keep her safe.”
“No, wait! Neither of you can go. You heard Aoibh—if you return to Faerie, you’ll never be able to come back.” Silence descended around her when no one spoke, and it felt like her heart was cracking.
They knew the risks, and they were determined to come anyway.
“Not happening. You?—”
“They either go with you, or we go to war.” Ascher crossed his arms, refusing to unbend, the rest of her mates standing next to him just as resolute.
Her lungs burned so badly, it felt like her insides were being turned to ash.
How could they ask her to be okay with losing two of her mates?
She wanted to be selfish and refuse, and entertained the ideafor a full minute. They could run, use the void to escape to a different time and place. Then reality crashed down on her. The fae would only follow, bringing chaos and destruction wherever they went.
The only way to stop them would be to go to Faerie and find a way to win the trial that was already stacked against her.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
“What’s your name?” Morgan came to a stop before the dark fae, doing her best not to panic at the thought of leaving her mates behind and vulnerable.
The fae eyed her warily, then pursed his lips before finally answering. “Cashure.”
“Very well, Cashure, I will go with you willingly, but I will have your word that the coven and my people, including my mates, will not be harmed in any way or our deal is off. No attacks from the fae, either direct or indirect. Understand?” It was her only demand, one she refused to compromise on.
Though he didn’t overall react otherwise, amusement sparked in his eyes. He thought he had her trapped and at his mercy. A cocky smile kicked up the corner of his mouth. “And if I refuse?”
He looked so smug, it was all she could do not to go over there and castrate the asshat. Her smile held more of an evil edge, and she lifted a brow. “I open a portal to the light fae and turn myself over to them. I’m sure I can make the same deal with them. Knowing the fae, they have us under surveillance even now.”
His face hardened, any hint of emotions vanished, and hestraightened slowly. Watching him turn so serious, Morgan realized that the whole evening had all been a game to him. Plotting her death had amused him. He’d been toying with them the whole time, certain he had them trapped.
Fuck him.
He’d conspired against her coven and poisoned her wolves. Like hell she wouldn’t ask for her own pound of flesh in return.
He deserved to pay.
A muscle ticked at the corner of his eye, betraying him. He was either pissed that a human had outwitted him or that she dared mention the light fae.
Probably both.
Her smile widened at his reaction, but it didn’t stop her stomach from churning at the thought of leaving her mates.
“Very well, you have my word. The coven shall remain untouched.” He spoke grudgingly, like agreeing with her was physically painful.
If she were a vindictive person, she’d hope it gave him indigestion.
Oh, who was she kidding? She totally hoped it gave him incontinence.
The little shit deserved it.
“We must go.” Cashure looked at her like he smelled something foul.
The feeling is mutual, buddy.
“I’m going with her.” Caedmon stepped forward, coming to stand next to her before she could cross the wards. “She is officially allowed a guide of her choosing to help her navigate Faerie.”
