Page 33 of The Edge of Darkness

“Niall . . .” The concern in her voice had me rising and going to her side as well. I followed her stare to the ancient steps that led up to The Keep.

The first High Lord that ruled this territory carved out The Keep from the mountainside with a far more ominous touch. Its façade was said to be threatening. Unapproachable. Far different from what stood today. The stairway was built along with it as a safeguard. Everyone who wished to gain access to The Keep suffered the long climb. Back then, the ruling family didn’t allow any porting within a half mile of this place.

That had changed when Evander came into power.

Now, the stairs served as a rite of passage for those seeking a seat on my council, and it provided a way to access The Keep for those that were unable to port to it—having never been here. To me, they were a stark reminder of our history and a good defense strategy. They allowed me to see who was coming long before they arrived, something I would have praised the founding High Lord for implementing, if I could.

Remic and I stared as Silas steadily climbed the steps, carrying Fallon’s limp body.

“Help them!” Auren cried out.

I glanced at Remic. I knew my brother well, and I could tell when he was uncomfortable. He wouldn’t be porting Silas up here. Not a chance.

Dionachs had a strange dynamic amongst their kind. At first glance, one might call it jealousy. Whether it was a seniority thing, or a status thing, I didn’t know. But I had a feeling Remic’s hesitation had a lot to do with both. Not to mention that he had already begun forming some sort of bond with Auren. That much was clear when I saw how the two of them regarded each other in my prison cell.

Which meant it was up to me to port the damn bastard up here myself.

Silas had called my mate “his” back in Benmoor, and that was enough to set me on edge, despite where his allegiances may lie.

Auren looked seconds away from porting down there to retrieve Silas and Fallon herself, so I finally relented, and vanished.

When I materialized a few steps above Silas, he startled, nearly losing his footing as he stumbled backward. I snagged him by the collar of his shirt as his wings flared to steady himself. He opened his mouth, most likely to thank me, but I cut him off.

“Not a word,” I said as I shifted my grip to his elbow and tugged him through space.

We appeared on the patio, and Auren was instantly there, wearing a look of serious concern.

Silas passed Fallon to Remic, who carried him into The Keep. Morah hurried after them while Maeson took up Morah’s vacated spot next to Roirdan and assessed his wound, tracing her fingertips up the black veins.

“This isn’t good,” she said worriedly.

Remic returned and knelt to pick Roirdan up. “They will be with the healers,” he informed us.

“Gently,” Maeson instructed. She trotted along at Remic’s side, sifting through her satchel as she moved, until they disappeared behind the doors.

Silence fell upon the patio where Silas, Auren, and I now stood.

“I’m sure you have a lot of questions,” Silas said quietly. He turned to address me directly. “My name is⁠—”

“I know who you are,” I said, cutting him off once again. I vaguely gestured to his wings that he kept loosely open behind him.

Silas blinked. “I’m afraid you don’t.”

Remic ported back to Auren’s side, wings tucked in tightly as he stared Silas down. Yes, my brother had certainly chosen Auren as his to protect—which didn’t bother me in the slightest, because I knew Remic, and I trusted him.

I also knew that his choice to protect her was not the same as him trying to claim her like this other male was. She was my mate, and I would be the only one doing the claiming.

I raised a brow at the newest Dionach.

His expression remained unchanged. “Auren is⁠—”

“If you say she’s yours again, you can kiss your pretty little wings goodbye and watch them turn to ash on the wind.” I twirled a piece of Auren’s hair around my finger as the threat slid off my tongue. Then, I hiked a brow, awaiting Silas’s next choice of words.

“You must be her mate, then,” Silas stated, finally recognizing where my tone was coming from.

I nodded firmly.

Good. He’s a fast learner.