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“He left the castle shortly after you sent Moira and Bryce into hiding,” Aspen said. “If I were to guess, he’s gathering his forces in the forest.”

Thierry’s forces. The creatures of the forest.

His friend suspected an attack would occur, just as Shaye had. While Shaye rode into the village to warn his people of the impending danger, his friend began his own preparations with the fearsome creatures he held influence over, just as he was gifted with animal speak.

“Goddess have mercy,” Shaye whispered under his breath. “I need to get my cousins and the children somewhere safe. This is no place for them if she should come.”

“Where would we go?” Aspen asked, twisting around as the rain began pouring down. A thin layer of steam covered their magical shield. “Naught will be able to withstand this.”

“Pompelia has a secure basement. ’Tis an option,” Rihanna suggested. “I’m not strong enough to sift and provide enough protection once we’re in the village.”

“I know not if Daeanna’s restricting our ability to moveabout this land freely, but I could not sift back here from the village. ’Twas like I hit a wall when I tried,” Shaye admitted.

One of the High Fae moved closer. “I’ll bring them if your sister is willing to come with me and show me the direction to this woman’s residence.” His form began to fade but regenerated a second later. “There is naught blocking me from sifting.”

He turned to Rihanna, who nodded defiantly.

“I’ll come, certainly.”

“Let’s be on our way.”

The High Fae gathered Shaye’s huddling family close, connecting them through touch, and vanished. The relief of knowing his family would find safety within the village, away from Daeanna’s prime target, put him at ease. Moira and his sons were safe. Bryce and Horano were safe. That golden cord continued to throb in his chest, a reminder to keep focused, keep fighting, and never back down.

The force he and the High Fae faced far surpassed what he had imagined.

With Dagda missing, Daeanna had no boundaries. There was no telling what she’d do.

At first, he barely noticed the tremor in the ground. ’Twas so faint and his power so strong as he held the shield in place. A minute quiver. A tremble.

He missed the warning.

Missed the chance to readjust his defenses before the rubble beneath his feet exploded.

Magic failed. The burning rain rushed over them as they were thrown in every direction. Shouts and barks, howls and yelps mixed with the sizzle of skin and hiss of burning flesh.

Shaye managed to shoot out a thin cushion of magic from his palms before he hit the jagged rocks, softening the fallthat tore the breath from his lungs. As he rolled onto his back, a shadow crossed over his head, and the rain slowed.

He opened his eyes slowly.

Daeanna smiled down at him, her golden eyes as fierce and wild as the sun.

“Hello, darling. Oh, how I’ve missed you.”

37

Kate paced the small sitting area of the bedroom assigned to her. That bitch placed two guards at her door. Not surprising, considering how demented the Fae woman showed herself to be.

A few hours ago, Kate learned the extent of the woman’s madness. Regret tried to edge into her mind, regret over having fallen for the woman’s ploy. She’d been played, she was sure. Played like a fucking heartbroken fool. Daeanna used her vulnerability, her weakness, at the most opportune time and lured her with promises.

Empty promises, if Kate drew an accurate conclusion after what she had witnessed only a short time ago.

“Do not move a prettylittle muscle, do you hear?” Di—Daeanna—instructed, her smile coy and cold as ice. How could she? The witch froze her where she stood, two feet behind and to her left. Behind her like a fucking dog, frozen like a plaything.

Two Fae men entered the chamber, immediately taking to a knee and bowing deeply.

“Princess. ’Tis wonderful to see you well again,” one of the men said, his voice hypnotic and soothing, to Kate’s dismay. When he lifted his head, deep amber eyes filled with repugnance pierced her before focusing on Daeanna. His grin widened. “I admire your strategy. You are far more keen in battle than I initially believed.”

Daeanna flicked her fingers, indicating the two men should rise. She sauntered up to the one who’d spoken and drew a nail along his jaw. “My dearest Grison. You doubt my ability to wage war?”