Page 40 of Ink Sworn (Greatdrakes #3 | The Fae Universe #24)

Y elena held onto Valentine's hand and the combined magic that pulsed between them. Their bindings covered Midir's mouth, and he was red-faced with fury.

"You have lost. Release the compulsion on your warriors," Valentine demanded.

When Midir tried to resist, the chains squeezed until he obeyed. The fighting died down in an instant. Midir's warriors dropped their weapons and sat on the floor of the hall, disoriented and dazed.

Yelena bit down on her fury. Midir didn't have a single being in his kingdom that was not under his thrall. She had known he was powerful, but she hadn’t known just how mad he was.

Taranis and his knights, the princes, Arawan, and Imogen, came through the ranks to where they were standing.

"You, big trouble," Taranis said, pointing at Valentine.

Valentine only gestured at the bound king. "You're welcome."

"What should we do with him? I kind of feel like cutting a few things off," Avallach said, looking Midir over with a murderous expression that Yelena had never seen on the amiable knight before.

"Seems like it's too good for him or these fucking traitors. Bring them forward," Taranis said and gestured at Emyr, Vidar, and Owain. They dragged the three lords forward and shoved them to their knees next to Midir.

"Don't worry, Uncle. I have a better idea on how to punish them." Valentine stared down at Afon for a long moment, and Yelena thought he was about to take his head. Instead, Valentine spat on him and turned to Imogen. "You know what to do, Ironwood."

"And what would that be, darling?" Arawan asked, his tone colder than the darkest winter.

Imogen batted her eyelashes at him before pressing a finger to his lips. "Hush, baby. Your wife is working."

Yelena wanted to laugh but didn't dare. Imogen was the only being in all the worlds that could sass the Lord of Annwn and get away with it, unpunished.

"Okay, it's not a waning moon, but let's see if this works." Imogen wiped the blood off her face and made a jazz hand gesture before her eyes darkened, and death power filled the air.

Yelena's hand tightened on Valentine, but he didn't seem to notice the darkness and dread Imogen was gathering around her.

"Gwyn ap Nudd, Lord of the Wild Hunt, I summon thee to Brí Léith.

Gwyn ap Nudd, Lord of the Wild Hunt, I summon thee to Brí Léith.

Gwyn ap Nudd, Lord of the Wild Hunt, I summon thee to Brí Léith."

The world hushed, and Yelena drew closer to Valentine. "Is she fucking insane?" she whispered to him. "There are some names people have the sense not to say aloud, especially in the remains of a battle."

Valentine grinned. "It's okay. Imogen is no more insane than the rest of us."

"You have got to be kidding me," Arawan snarled.

Imogen blew him a kiss. "I love you the most, but this was Val's idea, not mine."

"Was it?" Arawan's depthless black eyes on Valentine. Yelena hissed at him in warning before she could think. That just made Arawan's lips twitch in an almost smile.

The halls shook, and reality tore. A dark portal appeared, and a rider came through it, tall and terrifying on a white horse. His silver and black hair was tied back in braids with bones and crow feathers studded through them.

"Imogen Ironwood, have you changed your mind about becoming my consort?" the rider asked in a deep voice.

Yelena swallowed down the fear and terror that was climbing up her gullet.

"Yeah, no. Sorry, Gwyn, I haven't changed my mind on that front," Imogen said and shot Arawan a wink. "But I do have other gifts for you."

Valentine shoved Midir down with the other three bound lords. "All the worst traitors and war mongering idiots."

Gwyn glanced from Imogen back to the prisoners. "Well, well, Midir. I always wondered what your downfall would be. Looks as if a human finally got you. How embarrassing for you."

Midir thrashed against his bonds, and Gwyn only laughed. Black ropes appeared in his hand, and they wrapped around the four males. All their red-faced fury disappeared, and they went pale with terror.

Yelena pulled their chains off Midir, the touch of Gwyn's power making her recoil. Valentine's magic separated from hers and curled back inside of him.

"A favor I do for you, Lady of Annwn, so a favor I would ask in return," Gwyn said.

Arawan's voice was merciless as death. "Be careful with your tongue, Lord of the Hunt."

"Calm yourself. Her hand has clearly been won," Gwyn replied, an amused twitch to his lips. "I would ask only that she assist me with learning the courting rituals she mentioned at our previous meeting. I need to understand the people of this time so that I might win a consort for myself."

"You want dating advice?" Imogen asked with a bark of laughter. "Sure, Gwyn, I can help you with that."

"Excellent. We have an agreement. If that is all, we will be leaving," Gwyn said, with a nod of his head.

"Actually, I would like one more moment," Taranis interrupted, striding over to where Afon stood, a black rope around his neck.

"My king, I..."Afon began before Taranis's fist smashed into his face.

"That is for selling out Yelena and Avallach," Taranis snarled before hitting the lord again, smashing bones and teeth. "And that is for insulting my queen when you thought I didn't notice."

"Midir called you old and Quinn fat and common if you need an excuse to hit him, too," Valentine said with a slow smile.

Taranis whirled on the king, but Gwyn held up a hand.

"Enough. We will be here all day," he said before nodding to Taranis. "Don't worry, dragon. They will pay for their crimes. The Hunt will make sure of it."

Gwyn flicked the reins, and his horse turned toward the portal, dragging an unconscious Afon and three terrified prisoners back through it. The portal closed with a snap, and every soul left in the wreckage of the barrow kingdom finally exhaled in relief .

All except for Arawan, who was glaring at Imogen. "You are in so much trouble. The kind you won't enjoy."

Imogen pouted. "You sure?"

Yelena could only shake her head. Taranis came toward them, the look of anger gone from his face.

Valentine cleared his throat. "Before you yell at me..."

"Shut up, Valentine," Taranis snapped and pulled him into a hug. "Cosimo will do the yelling for me. As an uncle, I'm furious that you risked yourself on this gamble. As a king, I'm grateful."

Valentine hugged him back, relief on his face. "It was the only way."

"I know, but Cosimo is furious."

Valentine let him go. "He's back in Mag Argatnél with my brothers?"

"Safe and sound. This wasn't a fight I could risk the young in," Taranis replied, and raised a brow. "Why?"

Yelena took Valentine's hand again. "You can handle all of this without us?" She gestured at the shattered and bloody mess around them.

"Again, why?" Taranis asked, his hands going to his hips.

Valentine grinned. "I'm going to sneak out with Yelena through the portal back into Ireland. Keep Dad and the others busy for as long as you can. I want the Greatdrakes mansion free while I claim my mate."

"Unbelievable." Taranis rolled his eyes but gathered them both back into another hug. "Congratulations. I'm giving you a week, and then there will be a party."

"I don't want a party..." Valentine began.

"Yelena is my ward, and you are my chosen kin. There will be a party ," Taranis growled, and they both nodded dutifully. "Now, get out of here before I change my mind. Tell Kenna and her hunters to stand down. We won't need them. "

Valentine put an arm around Yelena and guided her back out of the way as Taranis started to give orders.

"Hold tight to me, Val," she said and drew up a glamor around them. She didn't want to be stopped by every celebrating warrior.

Valentine kissed her bloody forehead. "Good thinking, love."

They wove their way through the warriors and out through the portal to Ireland. Yelena dropped their glamor, and they both breathed in the cold, fresh air. It was a relief after the sweaty and bloody fug of the hall.

"It's nice to be home," Valentine said and was about to kiss her when Kenna Ironwood shone a light on them.

"Hey, Greatdrakes! What the fuck is happening?" she demanded.

Valentine shielded his eyes until the light dropped away. "It's over. We won, and the others are cleaning up the mess. Nothing is coming back through this portal tonight that's hostile."

"Good news," Kenna said, looking at their bloody and battered state. "How about a ride home for the heroes of the day?"

Yelena laughed softly and wrapped an arm around Valentine. "That would be wonderful."