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Chapter 5

Tahlia

T heir captain? Tahlia put a hand on Lija’s warm, scaled leg. Sparks danced around the Seabreak’s snout, her fire barely contained.

It has to be a trick, some ruse to confuse us, Lija said.

Well, it’s working.

“Why are you in this realm?” Marius demanded of the Unseelie, edging closer to Ragewing, who growled low and rumbling.

Tahlia’s Weaver threads shimmered to life, connecting Marius and her, the dragons and their riders, their potential flight… But there was a chaotic vibe to the magic and it was impossible to read.

Why was there a strong connection between the stranger to Lija?

She glanced sideways to study it...

Oh, so the thread didn’t link the male to Lija, but to Fara. A chill crawled down Talia’s back. Did he pose that clear of a threat just to Fara? She couldn’t read its intent, its purpose, its root. Gritting her teeth, she narrowed her eyes and tried to make the magic smooth itself out and show its workings. Why would?—

The Unseelie male cut through her thoughts with his gravelly voice. “That part isn’t any of your business.”

“I believe it is,” Marius said, his voice eerily calm. He was at his most dangerous when he looked and sounded so very, very calm. “I come here by order of Seelie King Lysanael and Queen Revna.”

“It’s not their business either.” A very punchable smirk twisted the Unseelie’s mouth. “I just wanted you to see who you would be up against for this year’s round of fighting. It’s only fair to warn you that the Eelsmen now have a ridiculous slew of magic at their disposal.”

Lija’s body rumbled with a low growl. On my back, rider. We are leaving. Now.

We can’t. Marius hasn’t ordered it.

He could cast a spell and kill us.

Maybe he’s going to kill Fara. Tahlia’s mind whirled as she pondered the threads and what they meant. She gripped her sword and whispered a prayer.

Marius knows that , she said finally to Lija, and he isn’t signaling to take off. Tahlia watched his hand—if he fisted his free hand and shook it slightly, he wanted them to mount up and take off immediately.

What are the rules of Unseelie magic? Are there any limitations?

The runestone magic we use is the same that most Unseelie high Fae can work.

He can do any type of rune magic? Tahlia was having trouble breathing.

Yes, unless his veins are diluted with Seelie Fae or human blood. But he appears fully Unseelie with that gray skin of his and those claws.

Tahlia swallowed. Again. Her face ached from clenching her jaw.