“First, we need to defeat the false queen,” I said. “Then we’ll deal with that.”
If we could defeat the false queen. And that was a big if.
After our talk, Tarron and I found Brielle, who led us to an empty bird’s nest house. It sat about fifty feet up, nestled in the branches of a huge tree.
She pointed to it. “You can have that one.”
“Thank you.” I smiled at her. “We’ll see you at dawn.”
She nodded, her gaze serious. Brielle hadn’t cracked a smile yet, and I couldn’t blame her. Not with what waited on the horizon for us. Silently, she disappeared back into the forest.
“Let’s go.” I called upon my wings and flew up to the strange little house made of thin reeds that had been woven together. The door swung open easily, revealing a beautiful room that looked nothing like the outside.
It was built entirely of pale wood decorated with intricate carvings, and the enormous bed was covered in blue silk.
Tarron joined me, his gaze going straight to the bed. “Fit for a queen.”
“Oh?” I smiled and turned to him.
Before I could say anything, his strong hands closed around my waist, and he pulled me to him. I gasped, reaching up to grab his shoulders. His mouth crashed down on mine, and I moaned, pressing myself closer to him.
The world disappeared as he kissed me, all of my fears disappearing as the only thing I could focus on became him. He pulled me to him so I could feel every inch of his hard body against mine.
It could be our last night together. The thought tore at my heart, but I forced it away. Gasping, I grappled with his shirt, tearing it off. My shirt got the same treatment, buttons popping as he dragged it from me.
Frantic, I ran my hands over his chest, reveling in the strength of his muscles.
“You’re so beautiful.” Heat burned in his eyes as his gaze swept over me.
I kissed his neck, determined to taste every inch of him.
He groaned and dropped his head back, clutching me to him. His scent filled me, making my mind grow cloudy with lust.
“I’ll never want anything more than I want you,” he rasped.
The truth was, I couldn’t agree more.
The dream hit me, hard and fast.
I stood in the middle of an empty, dark space.
All alone.
Just me, in my human form.
No Fae wings, no nothing.
The false queen surged toward me, her black wings carrying her gracefully on the air. Her voice was cold as she hissed, “You are mine now, daughter.”
I cried out and stumbled backward, clumsily trying to go for my weapons. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t access the ether to get them.
She reached me, going for my throat. Her hands closed around my neck, cutting off the air. I struggled, trying to break her grip, but I was too weak.
“You’re nothing,” she hissed.
I’m not!
I couldn’t even say the words. My dream self didn’t even try. I attempted to call on my wings, but it was no good. I couldn’t even cut my wrist with my nails to try to make new magic.
One last try.
And I couldn’t manage it.
I was helpless.
Every weapon I’d ever had abandoned me.
And now she was here.
And I was dying.
14
I woke on a scream, the dark light of morning a cocoon around me.
“Mari!” Tarron lunged for me and wrapped me in his arms.
Gasping, I tried to get ahold of myself. Tears streaked down my cheeks, and I gripped him close.
“What was it?” he asked. “A dream?”
The last thing I remembered was dying, but I didn’t tell him that. I sucked in a ragged breath and pulled away. “I don’t want to think about it.”
He drew back, his gaze concerned. “You can tell me.”
“I don’t even want to tell myself.” I couldn’t bear to think of it. A therapist would probably tell me I needed to explore it for hidden messages—only a dummy would think that dream hadn’t been loaded with my worst fears—but I just couldn’t face it.
I climbed out of the bed, trying to still my shaking. “Let’s go.”
“You’re afraid.” Tarron frowned. “You’re never afraid.”
I gave a slightly bitter laugh. “Of course I’m afraid. Who wouldn’t be?”
“Only an idiot, I suppose. But this is different.”
I frowned at him, hating that he was right. I’d been afraid many times in my life—I wasn’t a moron. I’d faced down some truly deadly shit, so of course I’d faced fear.
But this…
This was awful.
Because I was afraid of myself. Afraid of my ability—or lack of ability—to get the job done when everything was on the line.
I sucked in a deep breath and shoved the thought away. I just had to do it. There was no other choice. Dwelling on it wouldn’t help.
I reached for Tarron and grabbed his hand, pulling him up from the bed. “Come on. Let’s go.”
He stood, his concerned gaze heavy on my face. I couldn’t bear it. That kind of concern burned like acid. I wanted to be the confident Mordaca I’d once been, and when he looked at me like that, it was all too clear that I wasn’t.
I pressed a hard kiss to his lips, both so I wouldn’t have to see his face and because I wanted to, then I spun and began to dress.
Fear didn’t mean I had to lie down and cry.
Tarron’s magic flared, and he handed me a freshly conjured shirt to replace the one he’d ripped last night.
“Thanks.” I shot him a smile, and though it wasn’t one of my best, it seemed to make him feel a bit better. Or he’d figured out that I didn’t like the concern. I appreciated it, but I didn’t like it.
Soon, we were dressed.
I strode to the door. I was about to pull the door open when he gripped my arm and pulled me to him.
Reluctantly, I met his gaze.
“You may not believe in yourself,” he said. “But I believe in you.”
My throat tightened unbearably, and all I could do was nod, my lips pressed tight together. I turned away, sucking in a deep breath as I pushed the door open.
Crowds of fighters had already gathered in the clearing. I could see them through the trees—hundreds of them, prepared for battle. My gaze went to my sister immediately, somehow able to find her without trouble. I could do that with Tarron, too, I realized.
I shot Tarron a look over my shoulder. “I love you.”
I turned back to the crowd and flew to the ground. They turned to look at me, and I straightened my shoulders. Tarron joined me, and I caught the look he gave me.
Say something.
I drew in a deep breath, shoving the fear down deep. They didn’t need to see that. Slowly, I moved my gaze over the crowd, then spoke so my voice rang out, heavy with the gravity of the situation. “We fight for freedom. Together. Your home has been invaded from the inside by a terrible dictator. But we will defeat her. Together. And when we win, you will have control of your own destiny.”
That was it.
I could say more words, but those were the important ones.
Fortunately, everyone agreed. Cheers rang out, and the Fae raised their weapons, shaking them to the sky.