“But your highness—” I began, my heart skipping a beat as I peered at the other soldiers who were grievously wounded, many who wouldn’t make it past the next few hours without my help.
“Flynn, escort her to her tent,” King Chalir snapped at my guard, though his gaze stayed on my face. From the glint in his eyes, I knew the king was admiring the colored gems that lined the bottom of my jaw. Gems that all appeared after I’d healed him on numerous occasions. Rage began to course through me, and I tried to focus on the azure-colored gem under my right eye that had appeared when I’d saved the fae prince.
Prince Azaren had been near death when they’d brought me to him days ago. The guards said monsters had tried to assassinate him, but I recognized the poison in his veins. No, it was a Forgotten fae who tried to claim his life, and the thought made my heart ache.
The kind prince had been my only friend in the palace, even if we were only able to speak briefly. Sometimes we would encounter one another in the library and escape into one of the rooms where we could speak without having to worry about those listening in. He was a better fae than his father, always passionately speaking about the importance of education in the pursuit of peace, and he would make a great king. I could have used a friendly face right then, but the prince remained in Zalei, seeing to the kingdom in King Chalir’s absence.
Perhaps it would be better if I let the king die on the battlefield?
“This way, lady,” Flynn said, coming up beside me, and I blinked, my heart pounding as I reminded myself that even thinking about the king’s death in that way was heresy.
“My king,” I said curtly and turned, following my guard.
CHAPTER 30
~ Raine ~
IleanedagainstDarian’schest, breathing in his scent and letting it ground me. Kade and Asher stood by my sides, and Locke was a couple steps in front of us. My vampire paced angrily, his claws extended, and wings folded behind his back. My blood still pounded in my ears from our wild dash through the forest, and scales sprouted on my arms before I pushed back the change.
Darian brushed my hair away from my neck and kissed beneath my jaw. “Easy, lovely.”
I tried to focus on the smooth tones of his voice and not the fact that the fae were likely preparing for battle as we stood there. The great hall of the hideout had been nearly empty when we’d burst in, but monsters were now filling the space.
“We’re not ready,” protested a goblin in the middle of the hall.
Locke stopped pacing. “The fight is here, whether we’re ready or not.”
“And how did this happen, anyway?” one of the alphas shouted. “Where did the syringe come from?”
“We searched Warrick’s clothes when we first brought him here and didn’t find anything,” Locke defended.
“Sounds to me like someone fucked up,” shouted one of the shifters.
“How it happened doesn’t matter,” Lyr interjected.
“I still think we should let Warrick and his army take care of the fae,” Kasey spoke up.
“We don’t know how long Warrick was awake,” Kade replied. “He could know the location of our camp. And even if he doesn’t, it’s only a matter of time. He’ll head straight for us after he defeats the fae. Our best option is to fight on the battlefield and hope the fae come to their senses and join with us after they see the monsters Warrick has created.”
Kasey frowned. “And if they don’t?”
“We can’t hide from this,” Kade growled. “If we want any hope of reclaiming Katakin and having a life without Warrick or the fae controlling us, we need to fight.”
There were grumbles around the room.
“We don’t have time for this,” Lyr said. “We need to prepare ourselves.”
The goblin from earlier held up the swords bundled in his arms. “Many still don’t have adequate armor or weaponry!”
“Then we make do. We are monsters are we not?” Lyr replied, standing tall.
Kenric took a step forward. “If it’s true what you’re saying and Warrick can turn any of us into one of his outliers, then this battle is lost before it has even begun.”
There were murmurs of agreement and defeated expressions around the room, but Lyr shook her head. “We don’t know if Warrick has any more of the serum he used on King Adrien. It’s possible he hasn’t had the time or resources to formulate more.”
Nic folded his arms across his broad chest. “I don’t know about you, but I’d rather die fighting than wait for Warrick to turn me into one of his puppets.”
At that, it grew silent around the hall.
