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I didn’t even make it a dozen steps before large hands grabbed my cloak and sank into my wings. White-hot pain seared through me as his long claws ripped through the cloak and into the bindings to dig into the sensitive, healing flesh. My knees buckled. He took advantage of the disarmament and yanked me closer so that my back was pressed against his chest.

“Pretty fae.” The orc’s rancid breath washed over me, turning my stomach. “I take you back.”

I didn’t know where he planned on taking me, but I definitely didn’t want to go. And yet, I felt powerless to fight this monster.

“Come.” The creature shifted his hand to my armpit and drew me up, only to stop abruptly. A look of annoyance flashed across the monster’s face as he growled and shoved me to the side. I fell but caught myself on a barrel someone had abandoned in the street. I turned to see what had captured his attention.

“My stars!” My hands flew to my mouth.

Roar stood over the orc. The creature now had an arrow straight through the eye, one I assumed Roar had shot, given the quiver full of arrows strapped to his back and the discarded bow laying a few paces away. But the warden wasn’t done yet. He held a sword—though where it had come from, I had no idea—and I watched in awe as he arched it high and brought it down to sever the orc’s head.

The head rolled, staining the snow with fresh blood, and making my stomach revolt. Quickly, I pressed a hand to my mouth.

“Are you alright?” Roar asked, blood spattered across his face like freckles.

“I am.” Slowly, I lowered my hands. “You came so fast. Where did you get the weapons?”

He hadn’t had either a bow and arrows or a sword when we’d left the castle.

“I was in the right place at the right time to acquire a bow and quiver full of arrows. The sword was my knight’s blade.” Pain filled his eyes as he gestured back to his fallen soldier. “I’m sorry I left you alone. The moment I saw the horde, I just had to get to you.”

He sounded so sincere, it made my heart ache a little.

“Well, thank you for saving me. That was terrifying.” I exhaled a long breath.

“I’m not sure they’re gone yet either. But before I join my men, let me get you to the castle so that you’re safe.” He dropped the sword and went to scoop the bow he’d dropped as he ran my way.

“I’ll have to return this once I’m done, or the bowyer will be furious.” He slung his arm through the bow before taking my hand and without asking, swung me into his arms.

I winced, and the warden’s eyes landed on my back. He took in the rips in the cloak.

“He got your wings?”

“Yes,” I admitted.

“Where else are you hurt?”

“Nowhere. And I don’t think the wound is large. But after yesterday, I do worry about my wings.”

“The healer will see to you right away.” He ran to the gates, which opened for him without hesitation. The moment we stood on the other side of the barrier protecting the castle, the warden waved over a soldier. “Get my lady to Healer Althea. I have to continue to assist my people.”

“Of course, my lord.”

The warden set me on the ground. “You’re safe now. I’ll see you soon.”

“Be careful,” I whispered, leaning into the gate for strength.

He had better means of protecting himself than I, but those orcs had murdered a knight. And they were so large and vicious. It seemed like the fae of Guldtown knew how to act, how to flee quickly, when the orcs arrived, but surely some hadn’t been lucky enough to survive. How many had been injured or died?

“I’ll take care.” Warden Roar’s emerald eyes blazed into mine. “I have something to come back to now.”

Chapter 12

Outside my window, the sun rose over the snow-dusted evergreen treetops, and the warden jumped his stallion over a fence. Claps and whistles followed as the horsemaster and stablefae showed their approval of their lord’s prowess. Roar reined in the stallion, dismounted, and patted the creature’s neck before the horsemaster accepted the reins.

I shook my head. Roar had been out there for an hour, training and impressing others. Me included. Yesterday, I’d watched him train with sword, bow, and sharpened staff. Seemed to me that the faerie lord was skilled with basically any weapon one put in his hands, and riding seemed as natural to him as breathing.

A knock came at my door.