Page 88 of Night Meets the Elf Queen (The Elf Queen #4)

They hurried down the steps, and marched side by side. Shelves of books towered above both their heads. A soft music played from enchanted strings in the musical section. “The only one who might be able to find her is Thane.”

Presco nudged his gold glasses up higher on his nose. “Why is that?”

It was strange to say aloud but, “I think he is her mate. A sun tattoo appeared on her back after they slept together. He might not know it yet but if he accepts the bond, he might be able to communicate with her or at least be led to her.”

With his brows practically hitting his hairline, he said, “I have been out of the loop. I wasn’t aware they were intimate. Are you certain of this?”

“Not certain because Katana didn’t see a mark on Thane.”

“He might have noticed it, don’t you think?”

“Unless it’s somewhere he didn’t see it. Or he didn’t tell anyone.”

Once they set foot out the front doors, one of the soldiers stopped her. “Lady, the king’s Ravens are coming back. They say it was a retreat. What should we do?”

Valeen’s heart skipped a beat, and she peered across the bridge and up the Valley’s hill beyond the castle grounds.

Dragons came into view followed by the first of the Ravens.

She gritted her teeth and the ruler in her came forward.

“Prepare for an attack. All available fighters in the city need to get to the wall and to their stations immediately.”

Standing at the entrance in the city wall, Presco and Valeen watched for Hel and Thane. Elves in Raven armor, many she’d fought beside before, marched past them. Ronan soared above, signaling for his dragons to land inside.

She approached one of the Ravens and held up a hand to stop him. “What happened?”

“Lady Lightbringer.” He bowed his head then lifted his chin, face covered in mud and splatters of dried blood.

“We thought we had victory in our grasp then their reinforcements came. A thousand or more. We had to retreat. There were… things we’ve never fought before.

The High King has been warning us for months, but it was different seeing it.

” He had a far-off look on his face. For having only just learned there were other realms and marching through a portal to get to one, they had a remarkable amount of trust in Thane.

Enough trust and adoration to follow their High King into a battle with pale ones and not against them. They would follow him anywhere.

“Well done soldier,” she said, offering a smile. “It is an honor to have you as a Raven.”

“Will they come here?”

She frowned but nodded. “Where is the High King?”

He twisted around. “He was right behind us….” he faced her once again. “The Ravens are saying the pale ones are all dead. The Black Mage held off the assault while we retreated.”

Another soldier approached. “We recognized the king’s cousin, Hel, was leading the pale ones, and we realized all along he’s been the Black Mage. But he fought with us, not against us.”

“Because of you, Lady Lightbringer.” He smiled at her. “You changed his heart.”

Taken aback, all she could do was stare at him. They understood that she was with the Black Mage and didn’t hate her… or even him.

“Thank you, Lady.” He moved on to rejoin the line filtering into the city.

Presco leaned in. “The elves really are a remarkable people. If war wasn’t thrust upon them, I don’t believe they would seek it.”

“They wouldn’t.” She swallowed hard, holding back tears.

She was still bewildered by their reaction.

The Palenor Scroll had painted her as wicked, they knew her relationship was over with Thane, and now they knew she’d left him for the Black Mage, and they weren’t angry.

They still believed in her. The Ravens never wavered.

She felt for Hel and opened her mind to him. Hel, are you here?

“I’m here.” She whirled and the smoke of his magic slowly dissipated around him and Thane, Phantom, and Starborn.

She threw herself at Hel and he chuckled as he caught her.

“Hello, love.” He spoke softly in her ear.

“I was trying not to worry, but I couldn’t help myself.

” She pressed her palms to the sides of his face, turning it to get a good look.

“Your eyes…” The piercing cerulean blue-green of her memories replaced the maroon they’d been.

They were such a striking color against his dark hair and lashes it was the first thing she noticed.

Did this mean he wouldn’t need her blood anymore?

She twisted a lock of his hair around her finger, it was dirty with blood but there was still a luster to it that hadn’t been there before.

His ivory skin glowed the way all gods did.

Thane only glanced at her briefly and then started looking behind her and Presco.

You’re immortal again. You did it.

He smiled, dimpled his cheek and kissed her hard.

I am. “ But we had to retreat. Eliza joined in and I don’t know who else is coming.

We managed to stop them from coming through the portal, but they’ll be here soon.

” He lifted his eyes skyward. “Good, your wall is up. I was worried. Atlanta demanded Katana during the negotiations.”

Valeen nibbled on her lower lip. The wall hadn’t gone up in time.

“Where is Katana?” Thane looked worried now.

Her throat tightened with emotion. “Thane…”

“Where is she?” he demanded.

“You might be the only one who can find her.”

“What does that mean?” Thane growled, the worried look in his eyes turned to fury.

“Atlanta got in before we could put up the wall and?—”

He snatched her arm, gripping it hard. “How could you let that happen?”

“I tried to stop him, but he threatened to kill her. He had a knife to her throat. I had to let them go.”

Hel peeled his grip from her then shoved him. “Don’t ever grab her like that again. And don’t blame Valeen for what Atlanta did. That is her sister, she cares for her as much or more than you.”

“You don’t know how much I care. I love her.” With his hands curling and uncurling at his sides, Thane’s chest heaved up and down with heavy breaths. He looked like he was about to lose control. “Why did you say I’m the only one who can find her?”

“There is a new mark on her. A sun. She said it wasn’t there before you and her… were together.”

“What does that mean?” His beautiful face started to twist from anger to agony.

“Oh, shit.” Hel’s brows rose. That explains his reaction, Hel said to her mind.

“What is it?” Thane demanded.

“I believe Katana is your soulmate, and,” she had to take a steadying breath, “Atlanta wasn’t alone when he attacked us… Synick escaped.”

He stared at her, fury and agony and terror, warring for dominance. “No,” his voice broke. Those emerald-green eyes watered and he tore his gaze away. “No. She’s terrified of him, she’s… I promised her I wouldn’t let him hurt her again. I swore it.”

Valeen held back tears. “Have you felt her? Can you speak to her?”

His hand ran down his face and he started pacing. “No, I don’t know how. I haven’t seen a mark on me… are you sure?”

“No, I’m not sure, but… it doesn’t matter right now. We can spare some soldiers to go house to house until she is found.”

He curled his hands into fists. “ I will go house to house until she is found,” he snapped. “I will find her and kill both Synick and Atlanta.”

“We are about to be invaded.” Hel crossed his arms. “The High King needs to prepare his people for battle. That is your duty.”

“And that would stop you from finding Valeen?” Thane shook his head and marched inside the city.

Hel smirked, watching him walk away. “Well, she’s definitely his mate. He just chose her over… everyone else.”

“We need to go with him. My walls will hold until we find her.”

Thane stopped and whirled on his heel. “How do you two speak to each other’s minds?”