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I twisted toward Father, confused. “Go where?”

Father didn’t say a word as Ty hauled two bursting leather packs out from behind the counter and tossed them over the side. I stared down at them, taking a step back as if they were coiled snakes ready to strike. The truth clicked into place, why Father had been so insistent I come here with him, why he’d been acting so cagey, and why Ty had said they had to go.

“You can’t,” I whispered, my hands trembling. “Father, please.”

Ty sighed. “You shouldn’t have told her about this, Nash. She’s not going to understand, and she’ll tell people all about it.”

I ignored him, turning to Father. “You can’t go out into the mists. You’ll die out there.”

“Ah, Tessa.” His hollow eyes stared into me as he cupped my cheek. “I’ll die if I stay here. I have to go, for the good of everyone.”

“But I need you.” I clasped his hand, rough and strong. “Please don’t leave me in this place. If you have to go, then take me with you.”

He pulled out of my grip. “I can’t. Not right now. But I’ll come back for you, I promise.”

“Why are you doing this?” My whole body trembled as I watched him cross the room and haul the pack onto his shoulder. “You said you had things you wanted to tell me, things you needed to show me, but all I’ve seen is that you’re leaving me here with a monstrous king!”

Realizing I’d shouted those words, I clamped my hands over my mouth and stumbled away from the door. If anyone had heard that, if fae soldiers were on patrol…

Father took my arms and pulled me to his chest. The scent of leather and ale filled my head. My chest ached as though a part of me was being carved out and taken away, never to be seen again. I had meant every word I’d said to him. I needed him here. I couldn’t stand the thought of living in this place without him.

My father’s voice rumbled against me. “I’m doing this for you. You and Nellie. We’re going out there to find a way to end King Oberon’s reign.”

“What?” I pulled back, certain I’d heard him wrong. No one ever spoke of such things. No one even dared. We were mortals. Even if we wanted to revolt, we’d lose, especially against an elite fae as powerful as Oberon. The magic of the sun ran through his veins.

“Nash is right,” Ty said from behind us. “He can be killed. We’re going out there to find out how.”

I shook my head, not understanding. “But the only things out there other than mist are monsters that will rip you apart.”

“And the Mist King,” Ty said with a grunt.

My blood ran cold.

“I’ll do anything to keep you safe, my love. I’ll even take on a fae king.” Father ruffled my hair.

“We need to go, Nash,” Ty said. “The fae soldiers will be on patrol soon. We can’t be here when they come.”

Father clutched me against him one more time and then moved to the door without saying goodbye. He called over his shoulder, “I’ll be back for you soon. Protect your sister. Keep her safe.”

I fell to my knees when he left me in that pub, and I wept.

It was the last time I ever saw him alive.

Twenty

Kalen

As soon as Tessa succumbed to sleep, I rolled the boulder aside and stepped out into the mists. Breathing in the scent of fresh snow, I found no hint of pookas on the air. It concerned me that such a large group had cornered us in the cave. They usually traveled in pairs. Three at most. Eight—nine, counting the one Niamh had fought outside—was unheard of.

Jaw clenched, I tipped back my head, gazing up at the sky through the heavy shadows. A waxing gibbous moon dipped low behind the clouds, illuminating the vast valleys beyond the ancient border. Those were the lands that had once belonged to the Kingdom of Light. They were mine now.

But if it were up to me, I would never again step foot off these mountains. My people, my kingdom, my home. This was where I wanted to be, but my endless battle with Oberon would never cease until he was dead.

Him or me.

A sob drifted out of the cave. Frowning, I turned back, hand sliding to the hilt of my sword. If the travelers had somehow backtracked and gotten behind my warriors…

But Tessa was still curled up beside the fire, her long golden hair drifting into her face like ribbons. I rolled back the boulder, and just as the rock slid into place, another sob burst from her sleeping form.