When it finally cleared, Maeve saw Lir bounding over to them, his curved swords swinging through the air. He drew up short, chest heaving, a line marring his stern brow. “What in the seven hells was that?”
Merrick snorted, rolling his head from side to side. “These two decided to get married.”
Lir’s scowl deepened. “And I wasn’t invited?”
“We’ll celebrate another time, commander.” Tiernan clapped him on the back. “First, we have to save our Court.”
He was right, of course. Even though Maeve had somehow closed that damned portal, thousands of dark fae continued to wreak havoc on all that remained of the three legions.
With Tiernan by her side, Maeve prepared to cross the Rainbow River. The grassy knoll of its bank was slick with rainwater and blood. Her boots slid at its edge, and she grappled for purchase. Tiernan caught hold of her arm, keeping her steady. The water flowing through it was a murky gray color, its beauty long since diminished. Its current was swift, and if she recalled correctly, its riverbed was incredibly deep. Gods, shehatedthe water. At least water where she couldn’t see the bottom, or when it moved with enough speed to drown her. Many of the Summer warriors would have to swim, as the nearest bridges were to the northwest and southeast. She could fly, but she refused to leave Tiernan behind.
“Ready?” he asked, lacing his fingers with hers, preparing to jump.
Maeve loosed a breath.
For Faeven, she reminded herself, refusing to think of the angry ocean.
She reared back, preparing to make the leap, when a loud rushing noise filled her ears. The tides parted, sweeping up and cleaving the river in half, revealing its sandy, pebbled bottom. Giant walls of dark water formed, so high Maeve thought they might cave in at any second.
Tiernan dragged her back a step, and then she saw a pair of black, fathomless eyes that never blinked. Shimmery scales appeared, and long, inky hair fanned out to reveal a crown of seashells and crushed pearls. Two hands with webbed fingers dug into the wet banks, and the merrow queen heaved herself into an upright position, her gaze locking onto Maeve.
“Queen Marella!” She hadn’t seen the merrow queen since the Ether, and she’d assumed the merrows chose to remain neutral in the war.
“Dawnbringer.” Queen Marella inclined her head in greeting. “Your reinforcements have arrived.”
An almost feral-sounding battle cry echoed across the Spring Court.
Maeve sucked in a breath as hundreds, if not thousands, of druids stormed the western front. Their ships must’ve landed along Suvarese’s shores, and they moved with exceptional speed, assailing every remaining dark fae in their path. They donned armor of twisted vines, multi-colored leaves, and gilded leather. All of them, males and females alike, had long hair woven into intricate braids. Moss or flowers decorated the striking antlers protruding from their heads. Some carried staffs, summoning the magic of the earth. Others wielded spears and battle-axes. White, brown, and green paint marked their faces with runes and whorls. They charged forward like an unstoppable force.
“Wenfyre.” Disbelief shaded Tiernan’s tone.
An ear-splitting shriek reverberated through the skies.
Maeve looked to the heavens, where broad shadows massed, circling like a tempest.
Her heart skipped.
Rowan.
But it wasn’t the Nightweaver. It was…
“Dragons,” she breathed.
“Sun and sky.” Ceridwen’s voice floated from somewhere behind her.
Riders sat atop their backs, steering them through the gloom and haze. They dove through the thick clouds, their outstretched wings cutting through the mountains like blades of obsidian, scarlet, and moonstone. The beasts roared, streaks of fireemitting from their vicious jaws, scorching the hordes of dark fae threatening to end the Autumn and Winter legions.
The stench of tainted magic and charred flesh filled the air.
Maeve tried not to retch.
“Ciara was right.” Merrick stepped up to her other side, his cerulean gaze focused on the dragon-riders. “The Prince of Brackroth came in our most dire of moments.”
The prince was easy to spot. His dragon was the largest beast she’d ever seen, with claws rippling down its back and wings, and a tail capable of destroying castles. More interesting, however, was the way he seemed to move with the shadows.
But there would be time to admire the impressive dragons later. Right now, Maeve was going to kill Parisa.
“Let’s go!” she cried, vaulting off the grassy bank and across the muddy riverbed while Queen Marella held the walls of water.
