Page 62 of Heart of the Raven Prince

“Get changed, Oisín,” I cut her off, turning and storming off. “Pick something you can move in, something you can run in.”

“Where are we going?” she calls after me.

“We’re going to fight a demon.”

“Out of the question,” Caden snaps over his shoulder as he rifles through one of the two bags he carried in.

“I wasn’t asking,” I say, crossing my arms as I glare at the back of his head. His wings puff up, as they seem to do whenever he’s annoyed, and I hear him whisper something in a language I don’t understand. I assume he’s swearing at me.

“Exactly which part of me saying ‘out of the question’ did you not understand?” he bites out, throwing the flap of the bag closed and furiously buckling the straps.

He’s changed out of the formal attire he wore to court, exchanging his finely tailored jacket for a well-worn leather coat, leggings, and a pair of boots, accompanied by those three daggers strapped to his thigh. I found a near identical set of clothing resting on my bed when I entered my room to change, though my outfit appears brand new, and there is a distinct lack of weapons. When I appeared before him in the study, he took one look at the ruby earring in my ear and wordlessly pulled it out.

“If we’re partners then start treating me like one,” I say, my jaw clenched.

Yanking the strap of the bag far more aggressively than necessary, he finally looks up. “That’s where you’re wrong. We are not partners. I am your commander, now be a good little soldier, do as I say, and put this fucking pack on. We need to be going.”

He’s been pissy since our last encounter. Guilt twists in my stomach when I think of the pain that flashed across his face when I shot those pointed words at him. I hadn’t meant to say them, I was just rattled from my time in the queen’s presence.

He’s my enemy, what do I care if I hurt his feelings?

My lip twitches, trying to curl into a grimace as anger vibrates through me. Turning swiftly on my feet I ignore the bag outstretched in his hand and march straight to the hallway.

“Where the fuck are you going?” he shouts, stomping after me. I pick up my pace, hurrying to the front door.

“I told you; I’m not leaving until I see my people.” I reach for the doorknob, but before I can grab it Caden has appeared in front of me. He grabs my wrist, tugging it up and away from the door.

“And I told you that it was out of the fucking question.” He is unrelenting as I try in vain to get my wrist free from his grip. “We have days at best before you are thrown into a challenge we are completely blind to. I’m not risking spending another second doing anything but training.”

“Well enjoy training alone, because I’m not going anywhere until I see that my people are safe. Gods and fucking demons, let me go.” I didn’t intend to shout the last part, and somehow, I end up sounding more like a petulant child. In response, he holds my wrist up higher, tugging me closer to him as he continues to block the door.

“Allow me to assist. You want to know if they’re safe? They’re not. No one is safe in this realm or yours, Oisín—”

“Stop calling me that!” I yell, using my free hand to try and pry his fingers off my wrist.

“Gods-dammit, listen to me you irritating fucking woman.” Grabbing my chin, he forces me to meet his black gaze. “The only way to ensure your people, my people, and every single human in the mortal realm are ever safe again depends entirely on your ability to use a power you have no understanding of.”

I’m breathing heavily, anger rattling my bones as I glare at him. The heat cools from his voice, and his scowl of annoyance turns to a dissatisfied frown.

“Believe me, Oisín, I know exactly what it is like to want to do everything in your power to keep those you love safe. But right now, the best way you can do that is by forgetting about them—” I open my mouth to protest, and he raises his voice as he continues, “—for now. Forget about them for now. Push them to the back of your mind and focus on the task at hand. Their current safety means very little if you cannot survive the first trial.”

Finally, he releases my wrist, but it takes him a moment more before he lets go of my chin. I don’t move, staying exactly where I am, refusing to back down. “One hour.”

A groan pulls slowly out of him as he closes his eyes and leans his head back against the door behind him, beating it against it. “Why must you be so obstinate?”

“One hour,” I repeat, choosing to ignore him.

He inhales deeply, scrubbing his hands over his face before he says, “We do not have an hour to spare, Oisín.” Before I can even open my mouth to protest, he says, “But there is time to write a note. I know someone who can deliver it for you.” Without giving me a chance to argue anymore, he grabs my hand and begins walking down the hall, tugging me after him.

“Don’t trust me to not run off?” I grumble, trying to pull out of his grip.

His hand tightens around mine as he mutters, “Exactly.”

I roll my eyes, but stop resisting. He’s going to drag me after him anyways. Eventually he leads us into a study and deposits me in a plush leather chair situated behind a large oak desk. Shoving a stack of papers next to me, he slams a pen on top of the stack and says, “I trust I don’t have to remind you to keep your words guarded. No names, no indication of who you are.”

“So, then I’m safe to fill it with a detailed plan on how we intend to kill the queen? I’ll just be sure to cross our names out.” I smile demurely at him, batting my lashes. He growls at me, and I smirk at the tiny victory before the smile slides off my face and I deadpan, “Believe it or not, I don’t have a death wish.”

“You’re doing an excellent job of pretending that you do,” he says before pushing off the desk and stalking to the door. “Five minutes, Oisín, then we are leaving one way or the other. Even if I have to tie you up and throw you over my shoulder.”