“Do the other ones ever come out?” sheasked.
“Not into populated areas like this one, orat least not until something draws them out, like a battle andblood. But in some of the more remote areas, they venture forth,and the few fae who live there have to deal with them. They don’tcome out of the forest either”—Niall waved his hand at the woods ahalf a mile away from them—“but if we enter it, we’re fairgame.”
And she would bet many had lost thatgame.
While the rebellion was taking place, she’dopened the wrong doors to discover the forest and eyes on the otherside. The palace tore the door away and slammed it shut, but shebelieved it gave her a glimpse of those eyes as a warning.
Whether that warning had been to stay awayfrom the rebellion or the forest, she didn’t know. But she couldn’tstay away from the battle; Cole had needed her. However, she hadnointention of ever entering those woods.
She glanced over at where Cole stood with atall, thin man pointing at the top of the house they were currentlybuilding. Cole nodded at something the man said and replied, butLexi couldn’t hear them.
When she glanced up at the sun, a tiny voicein the back of her mind whispered, “Don’t forget the shield.”
The reminder gave her a jolt when sherealized it had been a while since she last thought of the shield.It was holding up, but she’d intended to be vigilant about it, andshe’d failed at it.
Shifting her attention to her shield, shereinforced its protective barrier. She didn’t sense any weakening,which gave her comfort, but she wouldn’t let her guard downagain.
With her stomach rumbling, Lexi bent andpicked up another board. She wouldn’t leave this place until theothers declared it a day. She had a home to return to; many heredidn’t.
CHAPTER 34
The sun was setting when the daytime laborerscalled it a day and trudged back toward the palace. Lexi sat in thesaddle before Cole as he rode Torigon through the open sidedoor.
As they passed through, she glanced up at thespike where the dragon head once resided. She was glad to see itgone, and not just because of what she was, but also because it hadbeen hideous.
Cole pulled Torigon to a stop near the stepsof the palace. A stable boy ran out and took the reins from him. Hedismounted and removed his sword from where he’d hooked it over thesaddle.
He settled the sword on his back beforegrasping Lexi by the waist and lifting her from the saddle. The boyled Torigon away as they climbed the steps. The palace doors openedto reveal Brokk on the other side, before they reached the top.
He’d opted out of coming to the Gloaming withthem this morning. Instead, he’d made some excuse about visitingold friends, which Lexi took to mean women. Hewaspart darkfae, after all.
And judging by the vitality radiating fromhim, and the healthy glow of his face, she’d been right.
“You decided to join us,” Cole said as theyarrived at Brokk’s side.
“I came to help, but it seems I’m toolate.”
“You can always return to work tonight.”
“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that andcome back tomorrow,” Brokk said with a smile; Cole laughed, andLexi shook her head.
“How did things go here?” Brokk asked.
“Great!” Lexi told him. “I helped build ahouse.”
“I can tell.”
Lexi glanced down at her filthy clothes andshrugged. She’d opted for fae wear since she was in their realm,and her yellow tunic was now mostly brown from dirt and sawdust. Ithung limply off her and had sweat stains in some unflatteringplaces, but she didn’t care.
“It was fun,” she told him.
“You’re so weird.”
Lexi gave him a playful push as Niall walkedup the steps and entered the palace behind them. She hadn’t trustedNiall when she first met him, but now she was extremely glad he wasCole’s friend and protector.
The four of them were almost to the greathall entrance when a loud knock sounded on the palace doors. Theyall slowed before turning toward the doors as the echo of the knockfaded away.
Lexi waited for the palace to open the doorsand reveal whoever was on the other side. When they remained shut,an uneasy feeling ran down her spine.
