‘Do you know where the lady Fiana is?’
He swallows hard and then frowns a little.
‘Her private rooms are behind her throne, master.’
I don’t correct him again, just give him a nod.
‘My thanks,’ I tell him, glad I’m going in the right direction.
The male’s eyes widen at my words, probably never hearing a polite word in his direction in his life before. He stares after me in shock, but I continue on my way. It’s time to find Locke and let him know what’s happening, that the Underhill has finally decided to move against the fae queen. It’s time to end this.
'Jak,' a familiar voice calls to me, and I see Lia just inside the corridor ahead, looking out at the fighting.
‘Are you all right?’ I ask. ‘Do you need a healing potion? I still have a few.’
She shakes her head. ‘No, but have you seen Locke?’
I echo the motion. ‘I haven’t found him yet. Morgan?’
‘Yes. He got Bryn out of the dungeon. They helped the rest of the village escape through the Ring not long ago. They’re all backin Halsford now, bar the ones that were lost going through the hall.’
My heart sinks, imagining the worst. ‘Who? Do you know?’
‘Four of Tavish’s men, I think.’ She gives me a wink.
‘Four? Of Tavish’s men?’ I raise a brow. ‘Did Morgan have something to do with that?’
Lia grins. ‘I’m sure he’d never harm anyone from Halsford.’
I snort. ‘Never.’
‘Did Bryn go back to the village as well?’ I ask.
‘Morgan tried, but she wouldn’t go. Of course she wouldn’t. She cares for the three of you.’
I smile a little at her words.
‘A few enemy soldiers are coming this way,’ I mutter, noticing ten or so advancing on us slowly from the main hall with their eyes on us.
Lia sighs. ‘At least the Harbinger is having a good time,’ she mutters as all ten fall down dead in an instant, like puppets whose strings were just cut.
‘I’d have thought you’d kill all our enemies at once,’ I remark. ‘Wouldn’t that be quicker?’
‘Aye, it would, but most of Fiana’s court have a conjure on them that protects them from my power. It’s only the lowest soldiers who don’t.’
‘Like Varrik and his Elites did,’ I say quietly, and she nods.
‘Is that why you’re hiding here?’
Lia scoffs. ‘I’m not hiding.’
I raise a brow at her, and she lets out an annoyed sound. ‘Gods, Jak. Fine! I’m with child. It’s early. I haven’t told Dane, Kal, or Grey yet. If I had, they wouldn’t have allowed me here. I won’t even be able to travel the Breach after today until the babe is born.’
‘Congratulations, Lia,’ I murmur with a true smile, clasping her hand.
She gives me a small one in return. ‘It will be nice for Ath to have a little brother or sister.’
She points out at the hall. ‘There. I saw Bryn and Morgan. They’re making their way across toward the dais. Go. Meet them there. Fiana hasn’t shown her face, so she must be with Locke. I had her private rooms checked, but no one was there. I’ll get Dane and the others if I can find them, and I’ll meet you there. We have to locate her. She’s slippery.’
