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Zylah gazed out at the children again. “Fine. What do I do first?”
Saoirse faced her. “Widen your stance and bend your knees.” Zylah hesitated then obeyed. “Good, now instead of coming at me from the front, I want you to pivot to the side.”
“Why?”
“Because your enemy will underestimate you and I plan to help you take full advantage of it.”
Chapter Eight-four
Talon
Talon wasn’t sure which of the two sisters was more stubborn, the eldest or the youngest. It had taken all of them to convince Arianna to station herself in the town below and function as their healer rather than endanger herself by entering the royal city.
They were on a mission and if Niall intercepted them before they got the half-breeds out, there would be more than a few casualties. Their queen didn’t need to be one of them.
None knew whether they were going to war or not, though most agreed that a fight was sure to break out. Talon just hoped a large portion of Ruadhán’s warriors would follow their queen instead of the tyrant who sat on her throne. If they didn’t, well, he supposed they’d cross that bridge when they got there.
Talon strolled through the woods, past the eyes of the watchful Fae guards and the tiny creatures he knew lingered somewhere among the trees until he found Raevina.
She was alone and seated on the lower thick branch of a tree, her back pressed against the trunk. One hand held a blade while the other ran a whetstone along its length.
The shrill sound pierced the otherwise peaceful woods, leaving everything deafeningly silent between the long strokes.
At least the rain had stopped.
Talon paused beside a tree and watched her methodic movement. She drew the stone across the blade again and again, staring at the edge as if she knew exactly how long it would take to reach perfection.
They were leaving in two days. If things went awry, they’d meet back here before fleeing to Levea. All were welcome, according to Avalon, and Saoirse claimed Brónach would send warriors to their aid should Niall launch a full scale attack.
If Arianna didn’t get her throne back, they’d make a new one for her in her home country.
Raevina hadn’t said anything, leaving Talon to wonder if the female would continue serving her queen or return to Fiadh.
Everything resided on too many what ifs and maybes. Talon hated it. Rion did too; he could tell from the way the male’s shoulders had tensed. But this was what Arianna wanted. She didn’t want to risk their lives if they were outnumbered, nor did she want to leave Niall on the throne if he could be easily removed.
If removing a nine hundred-year-old male who could warp their reality could be called easy. Hopefully Gavin’s training would pay off.
The young male had started early that morning and had recruited everyone else from Pádraigín. They had a simple goal: teach the warriors from the other three nations how to recognize a glamour. Even if they couldn’t break it, the recognition would prevent unnecessary casualties. Talon couldn’t help but remember the gruesome image of Rion’s mouth covered in Arianna’s blood. No, they definitely didn’t need events to repeat themselves.
The whetstone continued and Talon studied Raevina.
They’d had a moment together, but every encounter since had been strained and uneasy. Maybe that was his fault alone. If so, he wanted to address it and set their future relationship straight, no matter what kind she wanted.
Raevina was beautiful beneath the dim light. Her long dark braids cascaded down her shoulders and her skin almost seemed to glimmer as if flecks of gold were woven into her flesh. He wondered what her animal shift might be. Certainly a predator. He knew no opponent would ever stand a chance if caught in her claws. She’d already captured him and he’d lost the fight before it had even begun.
Talon steeled himself, took a deep breath, and prowled forward on silent steps.
It was good timing, he reasoned. For once, Raevina wasn’t surrounded by her warriors. They were a fearsome group that chilled his bones with a single menacing look. All were lethal and graceful and trusted the others without restraint.
Talon envied them, if only because of the time they’d spent fighting at one another’s sides. He’d get there eventually. He hoped. So long as the gods didn’t see fit to tear him from the world.
Talon stopped. Maybe he shouldn’t be here at all. Raevina had already told him to come back with more experience. Perhaps she hadn’t just meant it as an insult. Talon was incredibly young compared to her and her companions.
He faltered and stepped on a twig, then cursed to himself. Raevina didn’t bother to look up.
“I don’t like being disturbed before a battle,” she said simply.
“I was hoping we could talk.”
