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“As long as you survive, I’ll be fine.”

A sound like a strained chuckle broke free. “Told you…not leaving this time.”

“Quiet, Bryce. Let your body heal. If we must move with little warning, the bleeding needs to be controlled. The potion will do the rest,” Liam said firmly.

Potion. He took Fae potion.

Rihanna cast her brother and sister a worried glance. Moira held her head in her hands, skin pale as moonlight. Thestench of burning flesh finally reached her and she cringed at the odor, covering her nose with the back of her hand.

“She shared it with you,” Rihanna murmured.

Her selfless sister.

“Where is she?” Shaye said, his voice sounding like gravel. He swayed as he sat back on his heels. Hair as wild and fierce as the glow of his eyes, he scanned the grounds. “Don’t cower now, Daeanna! Let’s be done with this!”

Shaye leaned to the right, enough to block Moira from any potential attack, but as the seconds passed, all that remained was the strong front of their people on the cliff and more weaving and limping around the fallen Tuatha dé. Geysers of smoke and residual magic spouted from cracks in their destroyed home, obscuring the degree of death that occurred this day.

“What’s going on, little bird?”

“I-I’m not sure.”

“He’ll need a safe place to heal, Rihanna. The severity of his wound will take a few hours to mend because his body continues to adapt to the potion,” Liam said. “Is there a safe place in the village?”

“Aye, if Daeanna’s army hasn’t pillaged it. We can bring him to Pompelia’s,” Rihanna said, resting a hand over the High Fae’s on her shoulder. She eased his hand away and nodded. “Thank you. I’ll be fine now.” She shifted closer to Bryce, lifting his head into her lap, ignoring the dull ache that remained in her shoulder. “Why did you come here?”

“Silly question. Why do you think, little bird?”

Rihanna smoothed the ruffled waves away from his cheek. “Silly man. You should’ve stayed in hiding.”

“And miss the opportunity to see Shaye and Moira kick ass? And save you from this agony?” He sucked in a sharp breath as Liam intensified his healing magic. His painresonated inside her own body, in her back, through her mind. She closed it out as best she could, but their bond thrummed with potency that refused to allow her complete blockage. “Fuck. Trust me, this wasn’t my idea, but it was the only feasible one.”

“Why?” Shaye snapped.

Rihanna shot him a startled look. Her brother had taken Moira, cradling her close to his chest. When Moira lifted her gaze to Rihanna, she appeared dazed.

“How is risking your lives a feasible idea?” Shaye’s lip pulled back in a scowl. “Bryce, brother or not, you and I are having a talk.”

“Stop. He had nothing to do with this,” Moira slurred. She pinched her forehead with her thumb and forefinger. “Ugh, I feel dizzy.”

“You used magic,mo ghra. While in a state of healing, might I add. And strong magic at that. A topic we’ll discuss later, as well.” Shaye’s hawkish gaze never stopped scanning their terrorized land. High Fae used their reserved magic to check the fallen Fae. Thierry and Horano finally broke their line. A few of the Talaenians used their magic to form a descending slope and they all started the trek off the cliff. “Something doesn’t feel right. She’s not here.”

“She lost her army to you. She probably ran off.” Moira sighed and rubbed her eyes with the heels of her palms. “Even if she wanted to do something now, she has nothing that can overpower whatever we created.”

“Don’t underestimate her. You of all people here know that.”

“I also know she’d be an idiot to pursue confrontation with you at this point.”

“I find your bickering amusing, even if it hurts to laugh,” Bryce interrupted.

“Careful,brother. You may reconsider your words when I’m through with our discussion.”

“Shaye, we need to get him to safety where I can continue to heal him and he can rest,” Liam said. “He should sleep a few more hours in order for his body to complete the transformation.”

Shaye raised a brow at hisanam cara. Rihanna bit back a snicker when Moira met his questioning look with one of her own.

“Don’t even think of asking. I plead the fifth.”

“The what?” Shaye asked.