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I ducked my head and climbed into the carriage. Perched on the edge of the seat because I couldn't sit back with my hands tied behind me.
Zared grudgingly climbed in and perched beside me.
Hawk-nose and the other two guards climbed in after us. The carriage started a brisk roll through the cobbled streets. It bumped and jostled us as we went, but at least now no one could stare. No one except our captors.
One looked wary, especially of Zared. The other seemed more interested in looking at my breasts. Hawk-nose seemed to have his attention on us, but also everywhere else at once. His body tensed with alertness.
Was he anticipating my pack trying to rescue us, or something else? Maybe he thought I was more proficient with my magic than I was, and was quietly preparing to freeze his brain. I'd totally do that if one of the others wouldn't kill Zared immediately after that.
I was thinking about whether or not I could freeze all three of their brains at once when we rattled through a set of gates. I caught a glimpse of them and a handful more guards, through the window. Even if I could kill all three of them, I'd still end up dead, killed by one of at least a dozen more.
The carriage rolled to a stop.
"Out," Hawk-nose ordered.
The other two, whom I assumed by now were his subordinates, scrambled out and stood to either side of the door, swords still raised. They were joined by several others. An armed escort of tall, elegant enemies.
Zared stood and stepped out first, keeping himself between me and the swords. He stood on the paved ground, his back straight, the message clear. They'd have to go through him to get to me.
I sighed and climbed out, careful not to fall on my face. The situation was shitty enough without breaking my nose in front of all these Fae.
"This way." Hawk-nose led us away from the carriage and in through a doorway that led into the palace.
I felt for my pack through the bond. Ryze was close. Tavian and Vayne were closer still.
It was Tavian who sent a sense of surprise back to me. Surprise and confusion with a layer of reassurance that things would be all right. Of course he sensed my fear on his end of the bond.
I glanced at Zared, wishing he could feel that same reassurance. If I got the chance, I'd have to ask Ryze or one of the others whether Zared and Tavian could possibly form a bond if they wanted to. Hells, I didn't even know if Ryze and Tavian had one. I was so wrapped up in myself and my sisters, I hadn't even thought to ask. There were a lot of things I never thought to ask. I sent a quick plea to the gods that I'd get a chance to.
"Lord Harel, we have the woman." Hawk-nose addressed a red haired Fae with small eyes and an expression like he hated the world.
Harel? Wasn't that the High Lord of Autumn? He stood to the side of the room talking to a woman I recognised. Dalyth, the Fae who led the attack on the caravan of Silent Maidens.
I saw from the look on Zared's face he was thinking the same thing. That confirmed what Wornar said about him working with Cavan.
"So I see." Harel's response was brisk. He stepped towards me and looked me up and down like he was appraising a cow for market.
Dalyth followed a few steps behind. She smiled at me. The same smile she gave me back in the Temple. The one that suggested she knew me better than I knew myself. She knew I'd end up here one way or another.
I turned away from her and looked back at Harel steadily. "I thought it was Cavan who wanted to see us."
He ignored me. Stepped over to Zared and gave him the same scrutiny.
"We don't need the human," he said shortly.
A hard flutter of fear passed through me. "If you kill him, I won't cooperate."
"Neither of us are going to cooperate," Zared said. "I won't let you touch her." He stepped toward Harel, eyes blazing.
Harel ignored him and looked back at me. "You'll cooperate if I assure you no harm will come to him?"
I didn't want anything to do with him, but I didn't want Zared to die. Whatever I had to do to make sure that didn’t happen, I’d do. I had no choice.
I nodded. "If you can promise me—"
"Khala! No." Zared was frantic. He jerked against the ropes, trying to break free.
"Take hold of him," Harel ordered.
