Page 109 of A Courage of the Chosen

“From what we can tell, their deaths were quick,” Callahan says softly.

“Quick or not. They’re still dead.”

His jaw works back and forth.

“Fuck,” I curse.

The same ache in my heart is reflected on Callahan’s face. “It’s your call, Elsie. Do you want to go after them?”

My gaze bounces between his eyes, indecision rendering me completely speechless.

“What would you do?” The question is pitiful, but Callahan doesn’t judge me. He never has.

“It seems to be a small number. It’s a threat, but not an actual waging of war against the human world. If it were, he’d have sent more through, killed more humans. I think he’s trying to lure you out. He knows too much about you, that making a move like this would likely spur you into action.”

Something inside me sinks at his answer. I’d silently come to the same conclusion, but a very large part of me shudders to think of what they could be doing, and who else they could be hurting.

“It doesn’t feel right, leaving them there,” I sigh.

“I know. These kinds of decisions never get easier.”

For whatever reason, the Dorche aren’t bound by the normal rules of Seelie magic. They can wield on that side of the barrier. I’ve seen it in Tavish’s memories, when he killed my mom and took Granny. What he’s done is a threat to me personally. A message that he’s watching and waiting.

“He’s right about one thing, though,” I say eventually.

Callahan lets me step out of his hold, and the heat of his gaze bores into my back as I unsaddle Mabel and run a hand down her neck.

“What do you mean?” Callahan replies, taking her tack from my hands to hang it outside her stall.

“It is my turn to make a move.”

Callahan cocks his head and waits for me to continue.

I lift my chin as I face him. “We’re going to Ruival.”

Chapter 31

Elsie

The council have little to say when I gather them an hour after my declaration in the stables.

I tell them I’m going to Ruival, and make it clear that it’s not up for debate. We’ve sat around debating this war for long enough, and Granny said the answers we need are in the hard to reach mountain village. I’ve palleted doing nothing, and now Tavish has sent Dorche into the human world, killed innocent people, and will be inflicting who-knows-what with the soldiers he’s left there.

It’s the final straw, and I need to get out the palace before the walls fully close in on me.

We agree Reyne will remain behind to lead the council in my absence. As my advisor, that falls to her. It has me contemplating what that could mean if the dark magic living and breathing in my core becomes too powerful. Reyne would make a wonderful queen. Maybe an even better one than I could ever be.

We also agree that Callahan, Brodie, and Rach will be the ones to accompany me on this trip, along with ten guards.

Apparently, being a queen means I’m not at liberty to just gallop off into the forests of my own damn land without some kind of protection.

“That’s not necessary,” I object. Traveling with such a large party would undoubtedly attract attention. Not to mention we need to be able to move at speed.

“With respect, Your Majesty,” Lord Garside begins. “You are our queen, and while we cannot stop you from going, you need to be sufficiently protected on the journey.”

I look around the faces of my council, and not a single one of them is disagreeing with what Lord Garside is saying. Not even Brodie or Callahan.

Freya had the strongest opinion. Even with protection, she maintained it was too dangerous, and I suspect it came from a place of worry, after what happened the last time we set out on this journey. Especially as it’s both of her children putting themselves at risk.