I wasn’t sure how to react to her story, but I turned to her and asked, “So, the dress was that bad, then?”
Her grin grew wide, her vibrant green lips peeling back to reveal her teeth, and she laughed. When her laughter died down, she said, “Thankfully, that monstrosity had been torn off me because the threads had burst when my body had increased in size. Guess that was my silver lining.”
“I bet your mother had a fit.”
Jade adjusted her hold on her mace. “She turned into a troll, and suddenly getting her unruly daughter to wear a frilly dress was the last thing on her mind.”
I returned Jade’s grin, already liking the orc though we hardly knew each other.
“So what was yours?” she asked. “It can’t have been easy. Remaining human for so long.”
“My silver lining?”
She nodded. “Perene and the council make it seem like all the newbloods are grateful to become part of our world, but I wasn’t born without a brain. You must have had a family and friends where you came from, and this curse always takes before it gives something in return. So what’s the thing that’s helped to keep you sane?”
My gaze slid to where my monsters were pretending they weren’t eavesdropping on our conversation. My silver lining wasthem.That I could be with my monsters without them having to worry they might hurt me. Because I was a monster just like they were. My lining was that I could be a weapon in the fight against Warrick and his outliers instead of being a liability. And maybe, just one day, if we survived the fight, I’d be able to find my sister. But I didn’t tell Jade any of that. Instead, I said simply, “Flying.”
“Flying?”
“Yeah,” I said with a soft smile, not really realizing how much I meant it until the word had come out of my mouth. “It’s incredible being above the world and having the wind buffeting my wings. Up there it’s like I could go anywhere.”
Jade whistled low. “Well, that’s better than my answer.”
“Oh, I don’t know. That dress of yours sounded pretty bad.”
Her lips twisted to the side. “You’re a lot of fun, dragon. We need to have a drink when this shit is over.” Her expression darkened then, and I followed her gaze to King Adrien’s tomb and Warrick’s limp form.
“Think the fae will accept them?” I asked, honestly curious as to how the orc felt about the whole situation.
She adjusted the mace again on her shoulder, and I had the distinct thought that I wouldn’t want to be opposing her when she wielded that weapon. After a moment, she replied, “They’d better.”
CHAPTER 28
~ Darian ~
“We’re getting close. Everyone keep your senses peeled for any fae scum,” Borren said with a sneer as we neared the edge of the forest, trekking toward the mountains in the distance.
“There could be fae scouts watching us as you speak,” I commented from where I was walking beside Raine at the head of our group. “I suggest you keep any insults to yourself for the next while.” That I even had to remind the demon alpha of this fact was ridiculous.
“And sheath your weapons,” Kade growled. “We don’t want them thinking we’re here for a fight.”
Grumbling, all of the monsters except Borren put their weapons away. I stared pointedly at the demon alpha until he cursed and finally sheathed his sword. Devils if I knew why the demon alpha was allowed to volunteer.
There were only small patches of trees and boulders scattered around us now, so finding cover was becoming an impossible task. When we reached the end of the tree line and stepped out into open land, I moved closer to Raine, not liking our precarious situation.
None of us spoke the closer we got to the fae camp, and soon all I could focus on was the buzzing of insects and the warm night air that made my skin prickle with sweat.It was too quiet for my liking.
“Ow, you little bastard!” Asher cursed, shattering the silence as he reached around with his free hand and slapped his shoulder.
We all turned to him, and he looked up with an unapologetic expression. “What? It’s not my fault mosquitos fuckin’ love me.”
I shook my head and followed Raine to move closer to Ash.
It wasn’t until we’d passed the first mountains that Locke said in a low voice, “Remember we’re here for peace. No one is to draw their weapons unless the fae attack first. This is our one chance, so don’t fuck it up.”
Not that we needed the reminder. We all knew full well what was at stake.
Kade stopped abruptly as his ears twitched, and he growled low.
