Page 88 of The Blood Queen

She sighs. “I know. I didn’t mean it that way. I’m grateful for everything you’ve—”

“No.” I kiss her again, silencing her. “That’s not what I meant either. I mean, you haven’t been alone this whole time. You have to know how many people and creatures alike would lay down their lives for you.”

She blinks, looking honestly perplexed. “What are you talking about?”

She really doesn’t know? Doesn’t realize the trail of adoration she’s left in her wake?

I smile softly.

Because now I know how we’ll cause a distraction, long enough for her to break any spells that keep us out of the Seelie Court.

She’s gonna hate this. And honestly, it’s a damn fool’s errand on my part too.

“We’re going on a little trip tomorrow before we head to the portal,” I say.

Alyth frowns. “We don’t have time for anything extra.”

“We have time for this. We’re gonna get us some allies.”

She blanches. “I’m not asking anyone to lay down their lives for me.”

My grip on her tightens. “And they’re not asking you to lay down your life for them. This danger isn’t your doing, and it’s everyone’s future at stake. So they all deserve the chance to fight for it.”

She still looks unconvinced. “Who are you even talking about?”

“We’re going back to Stirling Castle,” I say.

Last time I was at Stirling, I was in shackles from stabbing Alyth. I’d been outed as a Red Cap or at least tied up in Darnley’s murderous plot.

Going back there’ll mean more problems for me. But it’ll mean allies for her.

There isn’t even a choice.

She frowns, thinking, doubting.

“Alyth.” I brush her hair back from her face. “Trust me. Yeah?”

She wants to push more. Wants to fight. Even worn thin, she’s still fire and fury.

But she nods.

I gather her back against me and stroke my fingers through her hair, softening my breathing, hoping she matches me. After a few moments, I feel the tension ease out of her shoulders, feel her breathing slow.

The fire spits embers at our feet, and I stay awake long after she’s asleep. Holding her. Planning.

Imagining what she’ll look like when she doesn’t have to fight every moment of every day.

She’s gonna be transcendent.

22 Alyth

Tears spring to my eyes when, through the mist, Stirling Castle gleams, golden from the rising sun.

The stags slow, but they don’t stop until they leap over the stone wall, veering to the stables. There are guards patrolling—more than usual, which is to be expected. Not only because of the Red Cap attack but also because the king consort has recently been murdered. However, none of them seem aware of us as we gallop toward the stables. A bit of Beira’s magic aiding us, I suspect.

“What is it?” Samson asks, noticing my emotion as we dismount.

As soon as our feet touch the hay-strewn ground covered in frost, the stags turn and bound away, disappearing in moments.