She turned away from him then, ignoring the cacophony of feminine voices echoing from the corridor. More names she didn’t know, more faces she couldn’t recall. All of them calling out to her.
But right now, she would waste no more time.
Without another word, Maeve darted upward, following the tug on her wrist, the pain of her soulmate. She flew through the clouds, heading toward the silvery mist shrouding the west. She soared through the sky, passing over a lush green forest just north of the Summer Court. Between the fluttering of jade leaves and the stretch of long branches, she caught the glimpse of a faerie pool. A glistening waterfall rushed over the edge of a small mountain, causing the surface of the pool to ripple, reflecting dozens of tiny rainbows. There was a smooth bank where the soft blades of grass sprouted like a cushiony blanket, ready to offer a reprieve from the sun beneath the shade of towering trees. A tiny prickle tingled along the back of Maeve’s neck. She’d been there before, she was sure of it. But she would worry about her lost memories later.
Right now, there was only one thing she wanted to do.
Destroy the ones responsible for harming those she loved.
With her sword in hand, she barreled toward the majestic twin mountain peaks, cutting through the space between them like a blazing, bursting star.
Her gaze scanned the base of the mountains where she’d seen Tiernan and Merrick through the bond of witch thread. A path curved off to her left, a pass cloaked in shade from the risingmountains looming over it. Sparse trees with pale green leaves dotted the mountain pass, leading to a space where the veil of heavy mist shifted, creating a narrow opening to whatever lay beyond.
The scent hit her first.
The metallic tang of blood. The curdling stench of sullied magic. The reek of cold iron.
She spied them a second later. Merrick was still on his side, struggling to sit up. Tiernan bared his teeth like a feral beast ready to attack.
Maeve tucked in her wings, plummeting toward the ring of trooping fae surrounding them. Her boots slammed into the ground so hard the earth shuddered and the mountains trembled beneath her power.
Slowly, she raised her head.
Her braid fell over one shoulder and she flicked her wrist, twirling her sword.
The trooping fae scattered. Some of them ran to seek refuge behind the cover of trees, but five of them gathered their weapons, preparing to fight. The dubious leader stood among them, his arms far longer than was natural, and a freakishly wide grin plastered on his gaunt face.
Maeve lifted her sword and pointed it directly at him.
“You stole something of mine.” Fire erupted around her in currents of incendiary waves. They swirled, licking the sky and singeing the earth. She nodded to where Tiernan and Merrick were held captive. “Release them…and I’ll spare your life.”
She almost smiled.
Part of her wanted the wretched male to defy her, to refuse to heed her warning. She would gladly show him and his companions no mercy for the suffering they inflicted. Her blood thrummed with malice, silently daring him to challenge her.
The gangly fae sneered, taking a single step closer. “And if I don’t?”
This time, Maeve smirked.
“Then I’ll kill you.” Her magic pulsed through her, ready to break free. “And anyone who stands in my way.”
He cackled. A hoarse, grating sound.
From her right, one of the trooping fae spat, his face twisted in disgust. “We’re not afraid of you.”
“You should be.” It was another male who spoke. His tone was light, amused even, but there was an underlying bite of sarcasm. One she nearly recognized.
Her gaze slid to the far left, and Merrick’s cerulean eyes found hers. They were filled with knowing vengeance. His lips were upturned in a bloody smile, his dimples winking.
Maeve didn’t dare look at the male who was next to him. She couldn’t…not yet.
The leader of the trooping fae hoisted his weapon and called out, “Teach this fae bitch a lesson.”
As though they didn’t have minds of their own, the fools advanced on her. That was their first mistake.
Four of them circled her, their swords at the ready. Moving as one unit, they attacked from all sides. She ducked low, avoiding the swipe of an angry blade as it cut through the air across her head. Leaning back, Maeve braced herself on her left hand and kicked her leg out, hooking it around the fae standing in front of her. She took his legs out from under him, then arced her sword of sunlight high into the air, slicing down the fae who came at her on the right. His agonizing scream pierced the air but she paid him no mind.
His death would not seek refuge in her conscience.
