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"Again?" I tested.
"Again," he agreed and hopped out of bed, swinging me over his shoulder.
"Where are we going?" I squealed.
"Shower. I don't think you've fully learned your lesson yet."
I swatted at his behind. "I don't think you've learned your lesson, either."
"I didn't have to, Little Bird. You're chained to me forever, with or without the bond."
Oddly satisfied with his response, I didn't say another word. Well, not until he had me screaming his name again against the shower wall.
Chapter 33
Raven
“You know,” Phalen blithely mused, “I’m almost proud of the little guy. I mean,” his arm swept out, “look at all he's accomplished.”
“Bloody hell,” Father muttered, taking in the view of Ansley Keep.
Five of us were gathered under the trees, behind a concealment spell atop Saboteur's Hill. It wasn't the official name, of course. It was the name Brokk Ulrik had given one of hundreds of locations he made Kol and I memorize so we could speak in code.
Standing there, I almost couldn't believe what I was witnessing. The castle was under siege. Common fae, Seelie and Unseelie alike, were taking down royal guards left and right.
"I still don't understand how he managed it," Casmir stated. "He's a toddler."
"He's twelve," Phalen rolled his eyes. "And Brokk told us exactly how he did it. I thought you read the letter?"
"I did,” my mate retorted. “It was vague as hell."
As we waited for Henderson, Nik, and Cash, the Shadow scout who'd unexpectedly volunteered, to return from recon, I thought of the missive Casimir had placed in my hand shortly after we'd cemented our bond.
Always suspicious, Father penned his correspondence in riddle-like sentences. This one was more obvious to me than normal, but I supposed a random fae wouldn't understand it.
Unlike Phalen's assertion, we didn't know exactly how Kol had been able to unite the towns and villages that the crown had been robbing blind. It wasn't like he had freedom to roam the Faelands.
However he got their attention, persuading them likely wasn't too difficult. Not when considering the level of frustration over the irrational taxation. Which, of course, wasn't as appalling as the pockets of fae disappearing from their villages. Whatever Sersha was up to, many fae were fed up.
At this point, sadly, it was immaterial.
Father turned to Phalen. "Are you sure you want to get involved?"
"Friend, we're already involved. Though Draven and Lyric aren't here, you have their full support."
"And ours," Kree stepped forward. "Draven isn't forcing us to be here. We volunteered."
Neither Casimir nor Draven had been crazy about the sweet-tempered female joining the mission, but her ability to create portals and heal injuries were invaluable. We wanted to get in and out and she was key to that plan.
It also helped that Kree threatened to castrate anyone who continued to treat her like she was a helpless youngling. Lyric actually got choked up that her older sister was finally making meaningful threats. It helped allay her frustration over her inability to participate.
"Also," Kree continued, "this is a search and rescue mission. We're not launching a full-scale invasion."
A loud explosion shook the ground, quickly followed by screams and shouts.
"Someone needs to tell that to my son," Father responded drolly.
Phalen laughed then jerked his head to the left. "Finally."
