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Moira patted his chest. “Exactly. On that note, let’s take Liam’s advice and go to Pompelia’s. We’ll figure out how to proceed once we’re all rested. As long as we’re safe for the time being, we’d best take advantage of it.” She leaned away from Shaye and gazed over the rocky battlefield. “If she’s not dead among her kin, then she’s hiding. Let’s celebrate small victories. Besides, I want to see our boys.”

“Where are they?”

“Same place as Killeny and Aspen, and the rest of the children.”

Rihanna allowed Liam to lift Bryce away from her when Horano led his steed to them. He dismounted and aided Liam in getting Bryce into the saddle before climbing behind heranam cara. Thierry pulled his horse beside Horano’s, hawk still perched proudly on his shoulder, lifted his pinkies to his mouth, and released a sharp whistle. The hawk squawked, flapping its wings, but didn’t take flight.

A few seconds later, Rihanna twisted to face the sound of hoofbeats clip-clopping across the debris. Epona and Nott trotted steadily over the rubble, slowing as they approached.

“No horse fell victim to Daeanna’s attack, nor did anywildlife,” Thierry said. Rihanna grinned. Thierry nodded, then guided his horse toward the forest line.

Shaye had Moira on Nott’s bare back by the time she reached Epona. Her white mare lowered to her fore knees, allowing Rihanna an easy mount. As she rose off the rock, Rihanna caught Bryce’s sharp green gaze. She brought her mare to her beloved and captured his hand.

“I’ve told you once, I’ll tell you again. You’re not losing me this time, little bird.” He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “I’m here to stay.”

“I’ll be sure to hold you to that, my love.”

Nott approach with a snort and a harsh shake of his massive black head. Shaye held Moira about the waist, securing her to him for their ride into the village.

“I’ll meet you there,” Liam said. “I wish to scour the area for Grison and Cecir.”

“Even if they survived, they have no hope in any confrontation. If you’re searching through the deceased, keep a lookout for Thaddeus as well.”

“Thierry shot him twice from the cliff. His aim sang true. Two in the chest.” Horano lifted his chin. “His arrows were specially fitted with iron cores, but unlike the Tuatha dé Danann’s arrows, the shafts were fashioned with pores for a more effective hit and quicker absorption of the poison. He wouldn’t have survived.”

“When I see a body, I’ll be convinced,” Shaye said. “Shall we?”

Fifteen minutes later, they trotted through the eerily silent streets of the village. ’Twas like an abandoned town, no music, no vendors, no life. A dark tension stirred in the air. Rihanna kept a close lookout for any remaining Tuatha dé in hiding, waiting for the perfect time to ambush.

As Pompelia’s bakery came into view, the front door of her shop opened.

Daeanna stepped out of the darkened building. Her face was dirt-smudged. Her leather gown torn and the seams of her armor frayed.

Her golden eyes cut through the distance between them with malice, as did the slow smile that grew over her mouth.

“’Twas a surprise to see your human arrive on the field. Alone. Having abandonedyourson. Worry not, I made sure to send him and the others to a very safe place,” she taunted.

The horses pawed and danced restlessly. Epona’s ears stood straight up, recognizing the threat before them.

“Daeanna, if you dared to—”

“Ah!” The exiled Fae princess whipped up her hand to silence Shaye. “They’re safe. For now. But that could always change. I’m willing to make an exchange. I’ll return the children”—she cast Rihanna a purely evil glance—“all the children, if you agree to one last eve with me. One eve, Shaye, and I shall return all five children and leave you be. No more games.”

“Why you—”

Shaye clamped a hand over Moira’s mouth and snarled at Daeanna. “Show me the children.”

Daeanna gathered an orb of white smoke. Within the orb, Rihanna watched with them all as figures begin to form and four frightened children huddled on a chaise came into view.

Katherine perched on one end of the chaise, cradling a swaddled bundle.

Terrek.

“See? Safe.” Daeanna cut that cold smile toward Bryce. “With your pitiful human.” Daeanna crushed the orb in her fist and glanced up into the storm-struck sky. “You have until midnight to make your decision. Should you agree to theseterms, then I’ll see you in my throne room. Should you choose not to accept these terms, then”—she shrugged—“the fate of those children shall weigh heavily on your conscience.”

Daeanna vanished.

Shaye jumped off Nott, bringing Moira with him. Rihanna dismounted Epona and followed them at a dead run into Pompelia’s shop.