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He smirked from where he sat against a log with Liana between his legs, her head resting against his chest while he stroked her hair. Her eyes were closed, and by the constant drooping and then jolting of her head, I’d say she was doing her best not to fall asleep right there. “If you like,” he said. “I thought I could teach Liana, too.”
My mood soured at his subtle mention of her training. I didn’t want her to fight in this war at all. Every time she trained—got stronger, I had to wonder if It would be enough. Or if I’d lose her in the end, anyway.
If Ricon and his army of Alchemists would slaughter us like they slaughtered my parents at Mt. Ignis. I saw his head cock at the tightening in my jaw, and I turned away, “Yes. She should learn the bow,” I said plainly, skewering the rabbit onto sticks Finn sharpened with his dagger.
Finn poked at the fire, adding another log. “Here,” he said, holding a hand out for the meat, “I’ll do it—you go rest.”
I passed him the skewers and set to washing my hands in the creek close to our campsite. There was a lake nearby—if the old map Finn had was to be trusted. There, we could bathe in the morning to save us from arriving covered in dust from the long road and smelling of horse.
Liana would want to change.
Tiernan gestured to a sleeping Liana when I returned to the camp, the aroma of cooking rabbit’s meat luring me back.
Take her, he mouthed.
I peeled off my vest and brushed off my tunic, sitting down next to him. Rested my back against the rough bark of the fallen tree. He shifted her into my lap and she stirred, her icy blue eyes flying open for a moment before drifting closed again. I wrapped my arms around her and her weight settled against me. Warm and soft. Somehow, she still smelled good after a day’s travel—like soft cotton and tangy marmalade. I breathed in the scent of her, let it calm me.
Tiernan wandered into the woods, likely looking for Arrow—who had caught up to us earlier and then flew off again just after the sun set.
Liana stirred again, and a knife of fear lanced through my chest. Her fear—radiating through my Grace and our bond. She whimpered. I compelled myself to calm and shared the emotion with her. Giving her peace. Her pulse slowed against my chest and her breathing evened out.
I ran my fingers through her wind-tangled hair.
I will protect you. Even from your own dreams.
Her lips parted, and her expression softened into one of utter relaxation.
“That’s it,” I whispered, holding her closer. “Sleep, my queen.”
We stoppedfor a quick cleaning at the lake. The water was cool, but not cold. The sun was warmer there and would continue to grow warmer the closer we drew to the Day Court. I wondered what magic they used to keep winter’s chill from reaching their lands. We passed three sleepy villages, and though we were scrutinized by the Fae dwelling there, none seemed to know who we were—not even Tiernan.
The palace loomed to above us—up a slow-rising hill. It crouched against the earth like a beast made of sand colored stone. The keep was tall in the back with battlements crowning the top and towers on either side. The rest of the palace was walled in and at varying heights, with interconnecting bridges and what looked like a forest growing up through the middle.
Liana gasped as it came into full view, “It’s magnificent, isn’t it?” she said, her eyes alight with excitement.
“It is,” I answered her, “But it’s no rival to the palace of night.”
She scrunched her eyebrows, considering. Shook her head, “No, but it’s a close second.”
Liana tried to spur her mare faster, but the rotund creature whinnied and stomped its hooves. “Ugh,” she groaned, “This godsforsaken horse won’t go any faster!”
I brushed the dark hair and sweat from my forehead, wishing I’d brought lighter clothes. “Take my horse, if you’d like,” I offered her with a challenge in my stare, “But I can’t guarantee he won’t throw you.”
She huffed, rolling her eyes, “Just tell me how to make it go.”
I tried not to laugh at her ire and failed, “Squeeze your thighs,” I told her, “And then thrust your hips forward in the saddle to give her direction—No, don’t pull on the reins like that. That’s telling her to stop. Give her her head and then—”
“I haven’t taken her head—it’s still there isn’t it?”
“No, just—” I started, but she did as I told her, and the mare took off down the winding path towards the palace, the sound of my queen’s squeals trailing behind it.
Finn and Tiernan trotted up beside me. Tiernan whistled low, and Finn sealed his lips tight against a laugh, clearing his throat.
“Should we…” Finn began, gesturing to where Liana bounced in her saddle as the mare broke into a full run.
“Alllllaaaaaaaaarric,” she shouted, her voice wobbling with the movements of the horse.
I sighed, giving Finn and Tiernan a wide-eyed stare and a shrug “I suppose we should.”
