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Chapter 3

Tahlia

L ija grumbled and the sound vibrated through Tahlia’s legs.

“What’s wrong?” Fara asked, her voice shaky.

“The Eelsmen aren’t here. None of these are theirs,” Tahlia said.

Fara took a nervous, uneven breath. “Are we still going after them?”

I doubt the commander will order it, Lija said. We have to focus on the Eelsmen, as per our order from the king. We can only take them down if their presence directly affects the Eelsmen or if we witness them harming the local communities. Ragewing tells me we are going to land on the farthest island, out of sight of these pirates.

Tahlia relayed the information to Fara, who thanked her with a weepy voice.

“It’s so much worse than I remember,” Fara whispered.

Fara had ridden with them during the days of fighting Ophelia and Katk.

“Why do you think that is?” Tahlia asked.

“Probably because I’ve been studying serious injuries. Now, I am fully aware of what happens when we fall off.”

Reins held lightly in one hand, Tahlia laughed and gripped one of Fara’s arms—the arm laced so tightly around her middle that she worried Fara was going to break a rib.

All the dragons increased their speed and dropped to lower altitudes. Fara whimpered and Tahlia patted her arm.

The wind was warm on Tahlia’s cheeks as they flew, and for the hundredth time, she marveled at the strip of land and sea that received such pleasant autumn weather this far north. It had to do with the air over the ocean to the west or something like that, and it only grew cold here during the last month of the calendar year. She didn’t understand what Marius had tried to explain on this front, but regardless, she was happy to feel good in her sleeveless tunic and leather vest.

Marius and Ragewing led the order to a sandy landing spot surrounded by trees that looked like pines. Instead of green needles, these had orange and red pin-like leaves.

From Ragewing’s back, Marius lifted a hand. “The dragons may water themselves at the river that flows through those trees there.”

Tahlia knew he was only giving such detailed directions because she hadn’t been here before. The rest of the knights were well acquainted with the spot.

“Knights, please remove their tack and take time to clean your weapons as needed. After this short respite, we will send a few volunteers into the closest village to see if anyone knows anything about the Eelsmen’s location and who is leading them now.”

“I volunteer,” Tahlia said as she slid off Lija’s lowered shoulder.

Lija purred with approval at Tahlia’s courage. Tahlia rubbed her neck, then started unbuckling the saddle’s girth strap.

“I will go myself as well. Anyone else?” Marius asked. He already had Ragewing’s saddle off and was working on the reins.

“I’m up for it, Commander,” Titus said.

Maiwenn and Fara lifted their hands.

“I’d like to go,” Maiwenn said.

Marius nodded assent. “We’ll have to strip off these vests at the least and don our cloaks as well.”

Thankfully, they’d brought extra tunic tops and summer-weight cloaks that wouldn’t be too out of place.

These island villages are used to travelers, so you won’t be as noticeable as you might think, Lija said.

“Well, this is incredibly convenient,” a deep voice said from the colorful pines’ shadows.

Marius withdrew his whip, ready to strike. The knights had their short swords out or bows drawn in an instant. Tahlia held her blade and stood in front of Fara. The dragons lifted themselves up, and fire crackled in their bellies and throats. Black smoke plumed from every dragon’s nostrils and out of some of their mouths too.

Stay close, rider, Lija said, her voice tight.

A tall male with gray skin, and short, messy black hair strode into the sandy clearing. His fingers ended in long claws.

Fear shot through Tahlia like a crossbow bolt. An Unseelie?

“Who is he?” Fara asked in a whisper.

Marius swore, and Tahlia rebuckled Lija’s girth. Then with her free hand, she pushed Fara to remount.

Why in the world was there a full-blooded Unseelie in his high Fae form here? A buzzing sounded in Tahlia’s ears. This was bad. Very bad.