Page 85 of A Fate of Ice and Lies (Fated #1)

A small crowd of humans formed around us, and I recognized most of the worried faces.

“They mean to take us to an enclosed compound,” a woman I’d gone to high school said, cradling her baby to her chest. “But how are we gonna survive without the fae? Y’all have made sure we had something to eat and made our town livable.”

I clutched a hand to my chest.

“We already have a plan in place,” the soldier said.

“Then tell us what your plan is.” The way she insisted made me believe it wasn’t the first time she’d brought up her concerns.

The soldier remained quiet.

“Anyone who wants to go to my realm will have a home there,” Elias told the growing crowd. “Two of our cities are in ruins, but others are taking in citizens while we rebuild. ”

My heart filled at his offer. After everything the humans had done to him, he still offered them safety.

“None of these people are going anywhere with you,” the soldier bit out.

Elias hummed. “Anyone who wants to go to my realm is welcome there,” he repeated louder.

I stepped forward, my fingers touching the back of his hand, and without looking at me, he clasped my fingers.

The soldier’s eyes heated, and he scratched his chin as he assessed us.

“Whoever wants to go, goes,” the soldier said. “But know that this tear will be heavily guarded, and you won’t be able to return home. Ever.”

I turned to Ryenne, Donnie, and Nate, whose eyes were wide and their faces pale. Turned to Javier and the girls. It was Javier who spoke first.

“Can we go back with you?” he asked me, his tone nervous.

Biting on my lower lip, I nodded. “Of course. Y’all will always have a home with me.”

With George and Everly in the front, hundreds of fae walked behind them.

As they drew closer, I noticed a thick collar around their necks, coupled with a chain that connected to shackles binding their wrists.

I wasn’t sure how the military had been able to subdue them when the fae were so much stronger than us.

Unless they’d figured out how iron was deadly to them.

My stomach tightened at the thought. Elias squeezed my hand before he left to stalk toward his people, his long legs devouring the space between us and the fae.

Before he reached them, he incinerated the shackles.

He picked up a chain he hadn’t destroyed and when he came to stand in front of the soldier again, he threw it at him.

“What idiot told you steel could restrain us?” he growled.

A few of the fae snickered. I would’ve snickered too if my heart wasn’t pounding so hard.

But Eiran’s words crashed back into me. How humans were testing different metals to see what hurt fae.

What could restrain them, possibly kill them.

Which meant they didn’t know yet that iron was deadly to them.

I only hoped all the fae returned to their realm before humans found out.

It was the soldier’s turn to grow pale. So pale his lips were white.

“You’re lucky my people are loyal to me and understand all I want is peace,” Elias said, his voice dangerously low.

“If it weren’t for that, not a single one of you would be alive.

I will get the rest of my people from the other regions.

” Elias thumped a hand to his chest. “If I see anyone who means to harm us lay a single finger on my people, I will rip their hand off and feed it to my dragon.”

Hearing him talk about Nalari brought on a fresh, new wave of pain. It wasn’t just that I missed her, but that I felt abandoned by her. I knew Elias felt the same. And by the way Victoria looked for her in the sky, I knew she felt it too.

“How do you plan on getting them all?” the soldier asked, but his confidence was gone, and he stumbled over his words.

In reply, Elias bent space to stand beside the soldier. He then did it again, so he stood by his people before returning to where he’d started.

The soldier’s throat bobbed.

As George ushered the fae through the tear, Elias spoke to the crowd again.

“Anyone who wishes to come may do so,” he reminded them. He then drew his attention back to the soldier. “Remember, when your people die, all I wanted was to help them.” Then, to Donnie, he quietly said, “Check every gun and extra ammunition before any human passes.”

Understanding, Donnie nodded, and as the fae walked through the tear, he called the humans who wanted to pass forward.

Several went to him. With Nate’s help, they checked each gun before handing it back to its owner.

They went as far as patting everyone down.

Once they were cleared, everyone stepped through the tear, alone or with their families.

When the last human went through the tear, I turned to Ryenne, Donnie, and Nate, scared Donnie’s sense of responsibility would make him stay. Scared Ryenne and Nate would follow his lead.

Ryenne moved to me and smoothed the bridge of my nose. “Stop looking so worried,” she said, quirking her lips up in a smile. “You don’t want premature wrinkles.”

I snorted out a laugh.

“For your sake, I hope you figure out how to get coffee in your realm,” Donnie told Elias.

“I’m more interested in figuring how to get Google,” Brenton replied.

With Elias, I stayed behind to watch our friends pass through the veil.

“I’m going to my realm to help everyone get settled.

We’ll get the rest of my people when I return with other fae.

You will live to regret it if any of them are in cages.

” Elias released enough of his raw magic to make the soldiers step back.

“I’ll keep sentries on our side of the tear,” he continued.

“Should you change your mind and want our help, send someone through the tear without any weapons and ask for me.”

My heart hurt as I turned from the only home I’d ever known. Hurt for the people who would be left here to suffer through an endless winter without the fae’s magic to help them.

“If others want to come from other regions, can they?” I asked, peering up at Elias.

“Yes,” he said. He stole a glance at the soldiers. “Let everyone know if they wish to live in my realm, they are welcome.”

With that, Elias kissed my temple and put his arms around my shoulders. He drew me closer to him, and while it saddened me to leave Colina, I was hopeful I’d find a new home in Niev with my mate.

Together, we’d rebuild what had been destroyed. The strength I’d found these past four months had given me a courage I knew would guide me into this new chapter of my life.

Preorder Book 2: A Fate of Blood and Magic