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Twenty-One
Havana
Doing as Leon’s mother instructed, I grabbed the horse and rode off down the path, slapping the reins and urging the mare to race on. My heart pounded in my chest, a mixture of fear, worry, anger, and everything else transpiring.
Moonlight guided my way, and I could only pray I would make it in time. Alone, I sped around the island, staying on the path like I had been told, searching for a sprawling estate.
Ahead, three figures on horseback rode and approached. Instead of going around me, I waved at them, forcing them to slow down. They pulled on the reins, and we all stopped.
“Azalea,” I sighed in relief.
“What are you doing out here alone?” Lark positioned his horse between me and Azalea.
“I need help.” I jumped off my mount. “Leon’s mother sent me here. She said you would be able to help me and that she was calling in a favor.”
The two male fae glanced at Azalea and she frowned. “Of course. I owe Nelia a life debt.” Azalea didn’t sound angry. She sounded sad. “What do you need?”
Not even arguing that she wouldn’t help, relief filled my chest, and I held up my wrists. “She said you could take these off.”
Azalea slid off her horse, followed by Lark, and Acaden who took the reins of her mount.
“Let me see.” Azalea held out a hand.
I gave her my arm and she turned my wrist over, dragging her fingers across the runes on the dampeners. “The magi made these. Why are they on you? Who are you?”
Normally, I wouldn’t give away my heritage so easily, but this was not the time to lie or meander about. “I’m the daughter of King Tarsios.”
“Who put you in these chains?” she asked.
“My father.”
“We shouldn’t get involved in this,” Lark muttered.
“Lark.” Azalea placed a hand on his arm. “If Havana was sent here by Nelia then we help her.”
Azalea looked at me, taking my arms in her hands.
“Yes,” she finally said. “I can remove them, but it will be very painful, and you’ll likely be scarred. Are you sure you want to go through with this?”
“I have to. There’s a creature at the docks. I think it’s here because of me. I can’t fight if I can’t use my magic.”
“And what kind of magic is that?” Acaden asked.
“I’m a light bearer.”
Azalea’s eyes widened, and she smiled. “It’s not often I’m around someone as powerful as me.”
“Are you a light bearer too?”
She nodded. “Yes. I don’t have time to teach you how to get out of these yourself. So for now, I will do it. It’s going to be painful.”
“Acaden,” she said to the fae on her right. “Bring the horses over there so they don’t get spooked. Lark, you know what to do.”
He stepped behind me and wrapped one arm around my waist, then another across my chest, locking my arms in place.
“What are you doing?” I said, suddenly panicking that he was holding me so tightly.
“When she starts,” he said, “it’s going to hurt and you’re going to ask her to stop, but you can’t. I’m going to hold you until she’s done.”
