Page 26 of Where Broken Wings Fly

Killian waved her off. “First, we need to spread the word. Notify the other kingdoms of what we have seen. With the allegiances that we form, perhaps we have a chance at containing the Rachainn before they regroup and rally as one.”

Raegan had finally stopped his pacing, pausing at the shoulders of Rìoghail, still whispering in his stallion's ear.

“So the King has sent his son to do the job?”

“King Ronan cannot enter Cluaineach. It has to be Raegan.”

“Cluaineach… That’s where we are going?”

“She catches on quick.” Shea rolled her eyes, earning her a hearty shove from Niamh.

Killian dropped his voice down low, leaning even closer to me. “I hate to admit it, but I think you’re going to love it there.”

“Even more than Choilltean?”

Niamh frowned at Killian. “Don’t you dare–”

Grinning, he swiped an absent hand at her. “Yes, even more than Choilltean.”

“The King would have your tongue for that.”

To make his point, Killian poked his tongue out at Niamh. “Let him have it, then.”

Raegan’s sudden, brisk movement towards the settling waves snatched all of our heads, the two females leaping to their feet. Killian followed shortly after, offering me a hand and dragging me upright as I swiped at the far-too-big grains on my pants.

The pixie Prince took another step towards the sea, letting the first few inches of his legs be devoured by the fury of the ocean. He waited there for a moment, until he crouched down, pressing one hand into the water. Mumbling something beneath his breath, he did not move until the blanket of blue before him parted, a tunnel crafted of water where a figure emerged.

Whereas the pixies I had seen so far resembled creatures of the forest, this female did not. Her hair, permanently wet and heavy where it swung around her waist, was a rich sapphire that somehow was capable of glistening as it continued to soak. She took quiet, simple steps towards Raegan, her body wrapped in lengths of seaweed that tugged at her figure as she moved.

“Prince Raegan Righ’Fiodh’Rugadh,” she offered a small bow towards Raegan, who dipped his chin in response. Tight, up-turned eyes ran over his body, the pastel hue to them brightening when she returned her gaze to his face. “To what do we owe the pleasure?”

“We seek passage,” Raegan responded, his voice far different than any he had used in our midst. It was regal and poised, sharp and intentional as the strength of it reached the waves. “Our flight above Uisge should take less than a few hours.”

“The Queen would require an offering for such a service.”

I could feel the tension ripple through the four of us, still standing and watching the conversation.

“I offer her my deepest gratitude, of course.” Raegan grinned. It was obvious to me, even having known him less than a day, that the grin was anything but a genuine gesture. It was laced with threat and dripping with venom as he watched her drink it all in. As she did, she tucked some of her vibrant hair behind her ear, only to reveal the elongated tips of them. Instead of being bent downwards like those of Choilltean, this pixie had tips that curved upwards, looking far too similar to the stretched appearance of wings.

Killian brushed against me. “Notice the ears?”

I nodded.

“She is from Uisge.”

No shit.

“Would that please Queen Tonn?”

All charm melted from the pixie’s face. “It will have to, won’t it?”

My head snapped back at the abrupt change to her tone, and just as she finished her sentence, the sea settled against the land once more and she was gone.

“Pixie politics,” Killian chortled as he began to lead us back towards the pegasus’, who had been watching everything with little intrigue.

I stretched a hand towards Gaoth’s muzzle as we approached, the stallion snapping to alert as he tossed his nose around. As Killian moved for his side, I lingered at his head for a moment longer, pressing closer to his ear. “Thank you for keeping me safe, Gaoth,” I muttered, letting my hand drag along his cheek, his neck, and his shoulders as I made to move around his stretched wings. Gaoth snorted in response, stomping his hoof as he shook some of his forelock free.

“He says he struggles to believe you are human.” Killian smiled as he offered me his hand, launching me up and onto Gaoth’s withers within a heartbeat.