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Sleep stole me away, and dreams of fear, burning, and death plagued me throughout the night, but so did images of love, hope, and resilience.
Come tomorrow, all of the rebellion forces would beat work throughout the continent after the Crimsonale’s factions received their looking glasses.
Which meant that once our magic returned, the time had come to tell the council.
The next day,the guards delivered the looking glasses. Even though Norivun and I had slept over sixteen hours, both of us were still too weak to attempt mistphasing, and his guards had conserved enough of their strength to be able to continue their guarding duties. Consequently, Haxil and Sandus left to meet with Lord Crimsonale and Lady Wormiful while Norivun and I stayed in the inn.
When they returned, they confirmed that the rebellion was firmly in action.
“You need more food.” Nish scowled as he gazed at the tray between my mate and me on the bed. It only contained a thin broth and several slices of forest bread.
Food was growing scarcer on the continent, and this inn was no exception. Even though we’d destroyed the warlock’s veil, and theoremwas thriving again, it would still take time for the crops to grow and fields to be harvested.
“We’ll be all right.” I tried to reassure him, but inside my magic was only a whisper of its potential. We were still far too depleted.
Norivun threaded his fingers through mine and squeezed. His massive frame needed even morenourishment than mine, but he’d still insisted that I take half of everything.
Ryder growled. “Nish is right. You need more sustenance. At this rate, it’ll take a week for you two to fully recover unless you have more food. Come on, Nish. We’re going hunting.”
Before the prince or I could reply, the two departed, leaving Sandus and Haxil to guard us. They both crossed their arms, their wings tucked in tight as they positioned themselves at the exit and entry points of the room.
“Close your eyes again,” Sandus called over his shoulder. “Best to rest until they return. We need you two in top shape if we’re going to take on the king.”
Nish and Ryderhad returned by nightfall with a brommel stag draped over Ryder’s shoulders. I didn’t even want to know how many millees they’d traveled to find it since such a stag could run like the wind. Most fae were never able to catch one, their arrows falling short each time they shot. I figured their warrior affinities were the only reason they’d been able to hunt one.
With the help of the inn’s chef, they butchered the animal and cooked entire platters of meat for the prince and I to consume before giving the rest to the hungry villagers.
The dense meat, along with the bread, finally replenished our stores, and three days later, Norivunand I were finally recovered from the exhausting efforts we’d made on the Cliffs of Sarum.
“All right then?” Nish clapped me on the back as magic vibrated strongly in my gut.
I smiled, my first true smile since we’d left the Cliffs of Sarum. My affinities flowed hotly inside me as my mate bond with the prince billowed and writhed. “Yes, let’s go.”
CHAPTER 20 - NORIVUN
We mistphased back to Solisarium and reappeared in my warded bedroom chambers. The second our bodies materialized, a shriek reached my ears.
“Oh, my prince! You’re back.” Balbus ran toward us, his eyes wide as worry pulsed from him in waves.
I could have sworn he was trying to tell me something without speaking, and then I sensed why he was so fearful at the same time everyone else did.
All four guards reached for their swords, and Ilara’s warrior affinity heated around her.
Wings flexing, I swung around.
A pair of Lochen green eyes gazed at us from the couch near my fireplace.
My eyes flashed wide. After all that had happened, I’d completely forgotten about the other problem we were still dealing with.
And it looked as though that problem had come to us.
“Greetings, Your Highness and Princess,” Drachu said mockingly, his voice a low purr. “I knew you’d all eventually return.”
“How did you get in?” I asked in a deadly cold voice. I inhaled, scenting the room. Tylen wasn’t here. Not yet, at least.
“My prince, I’m sorry. Please forgive me.” Balbus wrung his hands. Wispy hairs on his head fluttered in the breeze billowing through the room from my air element. I was barely controlling my affinities, I was so furious.
“What happened?” I snapped.
