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“What should we do with Allwyn?” I ask, peering over at our prisoner. With a heavy sigh, I set aside a cup of water and a muffin, then walk through the first layer of his confines. After placing his food on the ground, I back safely out of the way.
Once I’m far enough away, I strengthen the outer barrier and dissolve the inner. Wincing at his arms still being bound, I also dissolve them so he can stretch and move. He curses as he shakes out his arms, but snatches up the provisions without hesitation.
Bowen finally breaks the silence, his planning voice serious. “I say we bring him with us. Maybe one of us can use our magic to bind his. Though I think only Bella would be strong enough for that. Then we proceed as planned. When we return we have an open trial. It will be a good show of power for Bella, and deal with him at the same time,” he suggests.
“Brains and funny… impressive," I joke. He laughs at my response and wiggles his eyebrows suggestively.
“Bowen is our best strategist. Never start a prank war with him," Gerwyn cautions, but of course that just intrigues me. Mental note… talk to Jacob about pranks. We might have to start a little friendly fun when we get back.
“Let’s do this then, I like the plan.” Standing up, I check to see if Allwyn is finished. When I notice he is, I use my magic to create handcuffs that cancel out any magic but mine. I keep pushing more magic out until I feel like the cuffs are secure. Once I dissolve the barrier around him, I waver on my feet. Thankfully Gerwyn is behind me and reaches out to steady me.
“You will pay for this, you have no right to rule this land!” Allwyn yells, starting up his angry tirade again.
“How could you, Allwyn? How could you pretend to care for me, make friends with us all, and then turn on us?” I ask in a monotone voice, forcing a blank expression to hide my hurt.
“I didn’t turn, I was never on your side. I used you to get back at those fucking humans,” he spits out, his eyes flaring with hatred again. It’s such a look of loathing that I feel the pain of it lancing through me for a moment. How could one fae be so angry?
But it helps me to see him. I look at the man who I once found gorgeous and strong. Now I just find him repulsive and sad. Shaking my head, I take the lead. Gerwyn slips his hand into mine and walks beside me, offering silent comfort. It’s exactly what I need, the buzz of magic a calming addition to the contact. The one thing I can’t figure out with my four new protectors, is how they can know me so clearly already. Like the can sense my needs before I do.
“Well you seem to have moved on just fine," Allwyn gives a cocky chuckle. He’s acting like Gerwyn and I are fucking right here in front of him. “Have fun with her, she’s a tease and a prude. Jacob told me she’s never even slept with a man. He let it slip out when he thought I was courting you. I knew that just meant you would be an easy target, eager to hop in bed with any man who looks your way. Pathetic. You are unlike any fae that has ever existed - you are just a human in a fae disguise.” He laughs hysterically at me, though it sounds hollow, like he is putting on a show for us. Despite the fact he meant little to me, I hated that he was exposing my personal business in front of the others.
My cheeks flush and I force myself to look ahead, head held high. Gerwyn squeezes my hand, silently reassuring me yet again. My steps falter as I hear a thump and turn to see Allwyn on the ground clutching his manhood and almost crying like a child.
“Don’t speak about my queen that way," Emrick bellows before yanking him back to his feet and forcing him to walk even as he curls in on himself. “And next time, I’ll cut it off you fucking snake.” Damn, why is that so attractive?
Emrick gestures for us to cont
inue, and we follow his command. But I can barely suppress my laughter. It was such a Jacob move that I can’t wait to tell him about it. I’ve never had anyone punch someone in the dick for me, but it was kind of a great feeling. And just like that, my sadness is gone.
Get you a knight who dick punches your enemies, apparently it’s the cure for all sadness and hurt.
Chapter 16
“How sturdy do you think the rope is?” I ask as we all peer down into the well. We didn’t run into the others, so I assume they either made their way back to the neutral lands, or they’re further into the village. Either way we have a job to do. Though, now it’s a fight to figure out who will go down.
“Not sure, but Emrick and Maddox are out, they’re way too big to fit and would snap that rope in seconds," Bowen says, looking at Gerwyn and sizing him up. I snort at Gerwyn’s uncomfortable look as he takes a step back.
“I have to go. It’s my magic that needs to find it," I remind them. All four narrow their eyes at me and frown before turning back to their discussion. Am I invisible? What the fuck?
“You or I?” Bowen asks Gerwyn, completely ignoring me. They all start arguing amongst themselves and I figure if I want to get it done, I may as well do it myself. I focus my magic on strengthening the rope, the same way I created Allwyn’s bindings. A small string of magic wraps around the thick rope before it absorbs into it. Satisfied, I grab onto it and start my way down. I’m not exactly athletic, so it isn’t the easiest task. But as long as I don’t look down, I should be alright.
“You idiots realize she’s gone, right?” Allwyn’s voice drifts down the well after me, immediately followed by noises of outrage.
“Bella, what the hell are you doing?” Maddox yells down at me. A loud thud lets me know someone, probably Emrick, decided to take his frustration out on the stones.
“You forget that I’m the queen. I do not need permission and I told you this was something the Spirits said I had to do. Me. Not Bowen and Gerwyn," I calmly explain, projecting my voice so they can hear. “Plus, ignoring your queen is rude.” Refusing to listen to them argue, I focus on slowly climbing down the rope. Blisters are already forming along my palms and fingers, the rope rubbing me raw until my hands are flaring in pain. Blood starts to cover them and it makes it even harder to cling on, the fibers slick now.
When I finally hit the bucket at the bottom of the well, I let out a sigh of relief. Until I look down and see that I have about five-feet left to drop. Apparently the well was deeper before the land changed and the water dried up. At least it doesn’t smell disgusting down here, and isn’t filled with water.
Letting go, I try to jump down carefully, but end up falling on my ass like the graceful queen I am. With a groan, I stand up and brush myself off. As soon as I step away to explore, I hear grunts coming from the opening above. I look up to find Bowen making his way down the rope toward me.
“Don’t worry, fair queen, your knight has arrived,” his smooth voice makes it seem so much more suggestive. He curses as he continues climbing down, the rope clearly blistering his hands too.
“What would I have done without you?” I call back to him, using my best southern belle voice. Just as I turn to look around, the rope snaps with a loud crack and Bowen curses as he falls to the ground. He was already most of the way down, but fell at least eight-feet. I rush over and find him groaning on the ground.
“Are you hurt?” My voice is high pitched with anxiety as I run my hands over his legs and arms, checking for injuries.
“Just my ego, darling,” he says in a tight voice. He clearly is hurt, but is trying his best not to show it. He manages to stand and winces as he straightens up all the way.
