Page 34

M cColl

The morning mist clings to the mountain path as we make our way down toward the valley, each step bringing us closer to my home. My stomach churns, the fruit and nuts from breakfast sitting like stones in my belly.

We round a sharp corner in the path, and Kian stops so suddenly I nearly collide with his back.

“By the gods.” His voice is filled with wonder.

Our valley spreads out below us like something from a dream. Where everything else in the realm has rotted or died under Snow’s curse, this area still thrives. My home.

I feel a pang of longing. Despite everything, I missed it.

I missed its rolling hills of emerald grass that stretch toward the horizon, dotted with groves of fruit trees heavy with blossoms. I missed the gardens that burst with vegetables and herbs, their leaves so green they almost hurt to look at.

There is a crystal-clear stream that winds through the center of it all, its water sparkling in the sunlight.

I remember playing in that stream as a child. I remember so much…both good and bad.

“When you said you used magic to maintain this part of the realm, I knew it would be better than out there, but I didn’t expect this,” Kian says.

“It takes the combined power of many in our coven, working in shifts day and night, but we’ve managed to keep the land sickness and blocking haze at bay.

” I say it like I’ve played any kind of a role in this, but I haven’t.

Since Kian will be leaving soon, I will never get to take part in keeping it healthy or protecting my people.

There is nothing I can do about it.

I can still be useful.

Kian’s eyes are wide as he takes it all in. “It’s like stepping into another world.” He points toward the mountainside, where smoke curls up from the homesteads hidden among the trees. There are more dwellings that go all the way up the slope. I think that there are more than when I left.

“We’re not the barbaric species you thought we were.”

“I never thought that.” He gives me a look.

“If you say so.” I smile, and he smiles back.

That familiar warmth blossoms in my chest.

“We’re nearly there.” His voice is steady, calm even, and I marvel at his composure. He’s walking into almost certain death, and he might as well be discussing the weather.

“We also have wards and runes in place protecting this section of the mountains from prying eyes…from her. Just like within the caves. You might find that you can use your magic without alerting her, but I don’t think we should risk it.

You’ve become very powerful; the wards and runes might not be enough to keep her from finding you. ”

“Understood. I will only use my power in the case of an extreme emergency,” Kian says.

“Otherwise, we stick to the plan.”

“Agreed,” he says.

I feel sick and put a hand to my belly. The only consolation is that I will have my magic as long as we are together. I can protect him. I will protect him.

I nod, not trusting my voice. Each step down the winding path makes me feel more and more like turning around and running back the way we came. My hands shake as I adjust my pack straps, and my breathing grows shallow and quick.

“Stop fidgeting.” Kian’s gentle voice cuts through my spiraling panic. He stops walking and turns to face me, his green eyes steady and reassuring. “I know you’re nervous, but it’s going to be fine.”

His words are like a lifeline in the storm of my fears. I take a shaky breath and nod. “You’re right. I’m more worried about facing my mother than anything else. Can you believe it?”

And about losing you.

“Of course I do. You might be surprised at how much you’ve grown since you left,” he says softly; his words send more warmth spreading through my chest.

“And how would you know that? You didn’t know me from before,” I tease.

“The outside world will do that to a person. You were sheltered when you lived here. You will have learned and grown from all you experienced. Some things can’t be learned in the pages of a book.”

“That is true, but right here and right now, I feel like a little girl again.” Everywhere I look are memories of when I was small or growing up.

“Trust me…you’re no girl.” His gaze rakes over me, but he quickly meets my eyes.

I feel that look between my thighs. Right at the heart of me. It makes my blood quicken. It makes me want things I can’t have.

“We’d better keep going,” I tell him.

We continue on, my anxiety growing with each step. The familiar sights and sounds of home should comfort me, but instead, they feel foreign. Will they know it is me? Will my mother have me locked up once she’s dealt with Kian?

I falter in my step, wanting to beg him to leave now while he still can, but I know he won’t listen. He is a fae king on a mission. I admire him even more, my respect for him growing.

I’m so lost in my spiraling thoughts that I almost miss the subtle shift in the forest around us. It’s Kian who notices first, his hand going to my elbow. He squeezes gently in warning.

Before I can respond, they emerge from the trees like shadows given form. Six figures in the dark green cloaks of the Children of the Veil, their faces hidden beneath deep hoods, weapons drawn, and magic crackling around their hands.

This is what I was afraid of.

For a second, I am frozen, but then I remember that I am powerful, too.

My shield is already up, but I fortify it now that we are about to be under attack. The barrier of silver light that encases both Kian and me shimmers as the first bolt of magic strikes. The impact sends vibrations through the spell, but it holds firm.

“Stay close,” I call to Kian as more attacks rain down on us. Fire, ice, binding spells – they throw everything they have at my barrier, testing its strength from every angle. Hoping to get through.

“We come in peace!” Kian shouts as a particularly big bolt hits the shield right in front of my head.

It’s just as I thought. They’re attacking without bothering to see who we are first. Anyone stupid enough to wander into these parts without an invitation is as good as dead. It won’t be long before more arrive.

“I’m desperate to draw my sword,” Kian says.

“Don’t do it,” I tell him, keeping my hands held high.

I’m having to work hard. Their combined force is strong, getting ever stronger as another barrage strikes.

“We have to stick to the plan,” I grit out.

The paltry plan we devised over breakfast.

“Let them exhaust themselves against your magic,” he says. “And don’t give them any reason to think we’re a threat,” he adds, not sounding too optimistic.

The warriors spread out around us, their attacks becoming more coordinated, more vicious. I feel sweat bead on my forehead from the effort of maintaining the shield against their combined assault.

“Stop!” I call out, my voice echoing strangely through the magical barrier. “I’m McColl of the Ravencrest clan! It’s me. Daughter of Lilith, head of The Circle. Head of this coven.”

The attacks pause for a moment, uncertainty rippling through their ranks. Then one of the figures steps forward.

“Lies!” she growls. I recognize the voice but can’t quite place who it is.

“It’s me, I swear.”

“McColl of the Ravencrest clan has very little magic to speak of,” she says, her voice ringing out. I am able to place a face along with it. She lifts her hands, preparing to strike.

“Is that you, Lydia Thornwick?” I ask, keeping my shield firmly in place.

Her hands drop back to her sides. “McColl? Is that really you?” she asks, lowering her hood to reveal a face I know all too well.

She was two years ahead of me at the academy, and she made my life miserable every chance she got.

Her dark hair is longer now, braided with silver threads that mark her rank among the Children of the Veil, but her cold blue eyes and cruel smile are exactly the same.

“Well, well,” she says, her voice dripping with mock surprise.

“Little McColl Ravencrest. I almost didn't recognize you.” Her gaze travels over me, scrutinizing me. “Dare I say that you’ve grown up since leaving. You’ve changed.

And more importantly,” her eyes narrow as she studies the shield still shimmering around us, “how, by all that is holy, are you wielding magic like that? If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed it. ”

I lift my chin, trying to project a confidence I don't feel. “I’ve had time to practice.”

Lydia’s laugh is sharp and humorless. “That, I believe. You were always good at practicing and then never really any good at doing.” She laughs, and the others laugh, too.

I think I might recognize one or two of the other voices.

“The girl who could barely create a flame. You had a hard time lighting a candle.” Her gaze shifts to Kian, taking in his pointed ears and the sword at his side.

“I have a feeling that he has something to do with it. Am I getting warm?”

I ignore the question. It has nothing to do with her.

“And what exactly are you doing traveling with a fae? Have you lost your mind completely?” she sneers.

“I don’t answer to you, Lydia. I’m here to see my mother,” I say, still refusing to answer her questions. “Take us to her.”

“Oh, I don’t think so.” Lydia’s smile turns predatory. “Not until you drop that little shield of yours and we can deal with your…companion properly. Fae are not welcome here. You should know that.”

“The fae stays protected,” I say firmly.

“He is here as my guest. We go together, or we don’t go at all.

My mother might get angry if she finds out you turned her only daughter away.

Especially now that I have finally come into my powers.

” It’s not exactly true, but it’s a card I’m willing to play, nonetheless.

“Is that what you’re calling him?” She looks at Kian appraisingly. “Your guest?” She sniggers. “I suppose they are pretty, these fae.”

“Yes, Lydia, he is my guest. Can you take me to my mother now, please,” I insist.

Lydia’s expression hardens. “You always were too stupid for your own good, McColl. Trusting a fae? Befriending the enemy?” She snorts. “You’ve become a traitor to your own kind.”

I have to fight not to roll my eyes at her accusations. “Just take us to my mother,” I repeat.

Lydia exchanges glances with the other warriors, who have formed a tight circle around us. Then she throws back her head and laughs. “Oh, my dear sweet, little, gullible McColl.”

I want to tell her that I’m not little anymore, that I can’t be bullied anymore but I don’t. It isn’t worth it.

“If you liked your fae plaything so much, you shouldn’t have brought him here to be broken,” she says.

“You have no idea what you’re walking into, do you?

Your mother is going to love your little gift to her.

My only question to you is, are you going to be able to watch him die?

” Her smile turns vicious. “She’s going to break that pathetic shield of yours like it’s made of spun glass, and then she’s going to kill your fae friend slowly.

The only good fae, after all, is a dead fae.

You should know that as one of us. Then again, you were never one of us.

Not really. Certainly not a daughter of a Ravencrest. You might have a bit of magic, but you’re still pathetic.

Are you sure you shouldn’t run while you still have a chance?

” She lifts her brows. “I’m giving you one chance to leave. It’s now or never.”

Kian shifts his weight. I can practically feel him bristling. His jaw is tight. I don’t think he’s worried about death. I don’t think it has anything to do with his tension.

Ice flows through my veins at her words.

I’m not sure why since this is exactly what I was afraid of.

My mother is the most powerful witch in our coven.

I’m not sure I can stand against her and win.

I’m not sure I ever want to be in that position.

She may not have been the nicest person to me over the years, but she is still my mother.

“I don’t want to run. My mother is indeed a powerful witch, but then I am her daughter. I think we’d better get moving,” I say, my voice steadier than I feel. “I wouldn’t want to keep her waiting.”

Lydia’s smile falters slightly at my unexpected calm, but she gestures for her warriors to form an escort around us. As we begin the final descent toward the heart of the coven, I can only pray that when the time comes, I’ll be strong enough to protect the man I’ve come to care for.

It’s too late to back out now.