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Chapter20
The next moments were a whirlwind as Noah forcefully grabbed me and ran through the town, back to the city hall, rallying the police chief to lock down the city.
I shivered in the night though it was balmy, as one by one residents were escorted to their homes, and a curfew was enacted at once.
Instead of gathering the town in one place for an announcement, the entire police force and many men and women were spreading the word like wildfire as Noah made sure every person on the way to the tavern heard the news.
When we went in to the ground floor, it was just Roberto and one bartender left.
“You’re both safe here?” Noah asked.
Roberto nodded. The smile that had been plastered on his face was now gone. He gave us a nod, closing his eyes, and in my gut, I had another feeling that he was telling us thanks. But why didn’t these people ask for help or say anything to let us know what was lying only a mile away from the city?
Ryzel and Charlie had stayed behind only minutes to search the tents, and when they returned to the inn, they told us everything was empty.
“Nothing?” Noah asked, surprised. “Why leave every tent there and empty it of belongings?”
“Could it be a glamour?” I asked. I had no idea how that worked, but the fact that the fae were suffering from having less magic all these years since war had plagued them, and someone was still able to glamour the entire castle of Unseelie, left me wondering if maybe the fae were simply out of practice versus weak.
Noah rubbed his face. “It’d be strong magic. Stronger than I’d given them credit for, which would be extremely concerning.”
So either they were more powerful than assumed or had hundreds of soldiers traveling through Unseelie lands. Neither was comforting.
We all drank one more mead together. Everyone was in their own thoughts, it would seem, because there was no conversation.
“I think it’s safe if we’re out in pairs, Your Majesty,” Vara commented once she set her ale on the edge of the table. “With the curfew, it may be easier to see if anyone inside the city is involved in anything. Perhaps find out why the residents are so hesitant to let us help.”
Noah finished his own ale and looked at each of the warriors in front of him. “This was supposed to be a scouting mission. And I know that we planned for a potential ambush, but we’re dangerously close to being outnumbered by a Seelie army. What I’m asking—"
Charlie tapped the table with his knuckles. “You’re not asking, Your Majesty,” he said. “Pardon the interruption, but we are the only ones here. And that means we’re all Dukesburg has. We are Unseelie. And we will not let our borders fall to Seelie scum. Whether you request it of us or not.”
Noah looked down at the table for a minute. My eyes filled with tears, once again in awe of the loyalty of these men. The loyalty Noah, Captain Coltrain, and the others who’d had a hand in this had built in their army.
“It’s an honor to be here with each of you,” Noah said. “I’ve sent word with a Dukesburg messenger to our nearest army encampment. Thankfully, after the king and queen were attacked, we built up the warriors who are stationed there. Hopefully the messenger reaches them soon and they can arrive quickly.”
Ryzel cleared his throat. “We pair up tonight. Tomorrow the four of us can scan the nearby woods, see if they simply moved close by and are near.”
Noah nodded. “Make your shifts with enough time to rest. We’ve done little of that and we need our senses to be prepared for anything. Ask Roberto if there are any willing feeders nearby if you need strength.”
Noah’s throat bobbed when he spoke, and knowing how he wasn’t a fan of feeding, I knew that was hard for him to say. Which meant the situation was tense.
Our companions left us, making their way upstairs where they’d discuss the specifics away from all listening ears. Roberto didn’t seem bad, but now we needed to be more careful than ever.
One look at Noah’s tense stance and the way he paced and I knew I had to finish my own ale and get upstairs. I took one more sip, not able to finish it like the other warriors had.
“I’m done,” I said, met with a quick movement from Noah ushering me upstairs.
We moved through the creaky hallway together, and Noah shut the door behind us, locking it and glancing around. He moved to the window, ensuring it was latched closed as well.
I stood and watched, the silence growing.
Finally, when it seemed like he was comfortable enough and reassured that we were locked in safely, he collapsed onto the bed.
It was awkward feeling out of place with someone whom I had trusted wholeheartedly such a short time ago.
“I owe you an apology,” Noah said, leaning up on his forearm. “For many things, but specifically for fighting with you and for doubting your gut in any way. You were right about trusting yourself. And I’m incredibly proud that you questioned me and stood your ground.”
“I didn’t mean to undermine you in front of your men, I tried to be respectful, even though they’ve heard our bickering.”
