Page 41 of Raven Rebel (Sablewood #1)

Brenna

B renna and Meara followed Emrys and Seda into the manor house and to the meeting room they passed earlier in the morning. Cerne looked up, his eyes flashing. “Emrys,” he said, his voice carefully neutral.

Seda stepped to the side, tucking her arms behind her. Her jaw tensed and her words were sharp. “What has happened?”

“The human kingdoms have officially declared war. Liosliath troops have moved into Dornadan, preparing to move on our lands.”

“Shit,” Cerne said. He turned away from them, his back flexing as he clenched his hands into fists. “What is Argyro doing about it?”

“We are mobilizing the high guard and sending summons to each court to provide forces.” Emrys stood against the wall, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jacket.

Cerne looked to Seda and she cleared her throat. “They are ready, all but the newest recruits we discussed. What do you want us to do?”

“Set patrols in place, but have them spend as much time with their families as they can. We will be ready when Court Tara moves.”

Emrys withdrew a letter from his jacket and set it on the table. “Here is Argyro’s direct orders. Let me know your questions.”

“Give me some time,” Cerne said, motioning to Seda. She sat at the table and Cerne pulled out a chair and sank into it, his shoulders tense.

“I have to depart before sunset, my guards will stay.” Emrys straightened, rolling his shoulders.

Without looking up, Cerne replied, “I will update you before you go.”

“Certainly.” Emrys strode from the room.

“Shall we?” Brenna asked Meara quietly, jerking her head to the door.

She shook her head. “In a moment. I’d like to see what the details are,” she muttered. “I’m going to stay a bit.”

Nodding, Brenna slipped from the room. She spun in the hall, looking for Emrys' retreating back, but he wasn’t walking away.

He leaned his shoulder against the wood paneling, his eyes on her.

The dimpled smirk on his face told her that he had been waiting for her to follow.

Her heart leapt into her throat and she felt the familiar buzz of her magic rising as her emotions intensified.

He pushed off the wall and stalked closer. As Emrys leaned into her space, the warm scent of copper and salt washed over her. She wanted to take it into her lungs until it became a part of her. His voice was smooth. “I’d like to take you for a walk. ”

“Yes.” She fought to keep her eyes open, overwhelmed by his close presence. She leaned toward him as he pulled away, leaving her swaying in the space between them. “Lord Emrys, are you influencing my emotions?”

“No, would you like me to?” His hand brushed down her upper arm, leaving sparks in its wake.

“No, thank you. I merely wondered if my emotions were true.” She wrapped her hands around his arm and let him lead the way through the manor house and out the ornate doors. The warmer midday air greeted them, rich with the scent of sharp pine sap and musty, decomposing leaf litter.

“What emotions were you feeling?” Emrys murmured, leading her down the path until the river branched off.

“Unexpected ones,” Brenna said, her cheeks flushing. “I didn’t know if I would see you again, and it was a glad surprise.”

“How could I stay away?” he said softly, causing her stomach to flip. “You look lovely.”

“Thank you,” she said, looking up at him. They wandered along the edge of the hill, the rushing water to their left until it curved further east and the ground leveled out.

He halted, reaching up to brush a curl off her cheek. “Brenna, I am concerned about this conflict. I would like to take you back to Court Tara and away from here.”

“Why? I’m safe here.”

“The Autumn Court borders the human kingdoms, and this is most likely where any battles will take place. If nothing else, the humans will be testing our resolve in these woods. You would be safer at the high king’s palace. ”

“With you?” she asked, her face heating further when she realized how blatant her words had been.

He smiled, and her heart leapt at the sight. “Some of the time. But I am focused on ending this war before it begins, though I am not sure it’s possible at this point.” His expression faded into a frown, and it was her turn to run a hand up his arm comfortingly.

“I am confident you’ll find a peaceful solution.”

“I hope so.” He caught her wrist, turning it over to kiss the inside of her palm. He cradled her hand, holding it against his lips for a moment. Disappointment prickled her as he lowered her hand, though he kept ahold of it, twining their fingers together.

She resisted the urge to glance at the place their hands joined. She had met a powerful faerie, second to the high king, and he was interested in her. Her pulse fluttered, speeding as his dimple reappeared. He cocked his head, studying her. “So will you come back with me?”

Her teeth scraped her bottom lip as her eyes flickered from his mouth to his eyes. “I’d have to talk with my sister.”

“Of course,” he said, looking away from her and breaking the intense connection. “I can stay here for a time, but I must travel north soon.”

“To where?”

“I have been tasked with collecting someone from exile to help with the potential fighting.”

“Someone from exile?” she echoed, her voice pitching higher.

Emrys chuckled, rubbing his thumb over the back of her hand. “Don’t worry. He isn’t dangerous to me. Honestly, I don’t agree with the decision to exile him.” He paused, shrugging. “I understand his reasons for what he did and they aren’t likely to repeat. ”

“Really? What did he do?” She couldn’t help her curiosity.

“He killed another faerie who had killed his children.”

“Is it Cerne’s mentor?” she asked, remembering the story. Every time she thought of the empty forge, she felt a surge of pity for the stranger.

“Daryan?” he asked, raising his eyebrows. “I am surprised he would tell you that story about his friend.”

“You think he was justified?” she asked.

Emrys nodded slowly. “Wouldn’t you kill someone who had killed those you loved?”

“I don’t know,” she admitted. “I can’t imagine killing anyone.”

“You are exquisite,” he murmured, brushing her hair over her shoulder, then skimming his knuckles down the side of her neck and over the skin he had uncovered.

Her breath faltered, and she fought to keep her voice even. “What I don’t understand is why another lord would kill his children. That seems tragic.”

Emrys' dimple indented as he pursed his lips thoughtfully. “There was a prophecy. The seers of the Winter Court often provide prophecies whenever an heir of a court is born, but this one was tricky.”

“What did it say?” she said, her brows furrowing.

“That one of the babies would lead armies of darkness. Or something like that. I don’t remember the details. You’d have to ask the Winter Court.”

“Oh,” she breathed. “So the Summer Lord wanted to eliminate the threat before anything bad could happen. That’s still terrible of him.”

“Yes, and he paid with his life. ”

“The whole story is so sad,” she said, comforted when he looped an arm over her shoulders and pulled her into his chest.

“It is, and it was a terrible decision Elio made, but I understand it. Just as I understand Daryan’s revenge against him.”

Brenna wanted to ask him if he found it abhorrent or if he justified the sacrifice, but she was too afraid of his answer to voice the question. Leaders had to make horrifying decisions.

“Enough talk of tragedies. I would love to see your magic again,” he murmured, his breath on her hair. “If you would be so generous.”

She was reluctant to move away from his warm embrace, but she also wanted to please him. Straightening, she held up a hand and called forth a small flame. “I can do more than this,” she said, augmenting the flame until it was blue at the base and much hotter.

“Impressive,” he said. “Many faeries with fire craft can simply light a candle or kindling.”

Her earlier sadness burned away and she grinned. Biting her lip, she pulled back the heat and increased the luminescence until she held a ball of light so bright it hurt to look at.

“Incredible,” he said, reaching out to touch. His hand glowed red as the light shone through his skin, illuminating blood and bone. She let it extinguish, her chest rising and falling faster.

“Can you tell me more about your magic? You said you could do more with those you have a connection with?”

“Are you asking for a demonstration?” he asked slyly.

Her heart rate sped, nerves gripping her. “Maybe. Is there any risk to me?”

His expression was wholly sincere as he said slowly, “I would never hurt you.” He raised her hand to his lips, placing a kiss on her wrist. She tensed, waiting for the pierce of teeth, but he drew her closer and pressed his lips to the inside of her forearm.

She gasped as he trailed kisses to the crook of her elbow.

She leaned back as he pulled the inside of her arm to his mouth. His dimple appeared as he smirked, his mouth still against her skin. She felt as if her knees would have given out if it wasn’t for his grip on her arm.

The moment heated, her stomach clenching and pulse pounding in her ears, before he closed his lips over the tender skin in the crook of her elbow and bit.

Instinct spurred her to pull away, but his grip on her arm was steel.

He removed one hand and wrapped it around her waist, supporting her as she sagged against him.

The pinching pain of his bite faded, leaving the strange pull of him drinking her blood.

His adam’s apple bobbed and she watched in fascination as he swallowed.

His hold on her arm released suddenly and he pressed his hand into her back, easing her back onto her feet. “I’m sorry,” she muttered, a flush rising up her neck. “That was unexpected.”

“Did you feel pain?” he asked softly. Brenna shook her head.

“Ready to see what else I can do?” He raised one eyebrow, inviting her curiosity.

Gingerly, he turned her arm to show blood running from the punctures.

She swayed on her feet, feeling faint, and his hold on her tightened.

“Stay with me. I can make it better. Watch.”

He wiped his thumb over the marks, cleaning the blood away. The tiny holes were gone, the skin unmarked.

She took a breath and rubbed at the spot. “You can heal.”

Emrys nodded. He sucked the blood off his thumb, grinning at her while he did it. Her lips parted as she watched his movement. She wanted that touch on her mouth.

He had drunk her blood twice, kissed her skin, but had yet to kiss her mouth. She ached for it. The need consumed her until she could hardly think straight. Her breathing grew shallow, caught in his snare. His palm skimmed her upper arm, joining the other at her waist.

“Brenna!” Meara called.

She leapt back from Emrys, her blush deepening as he let out a low chuckle. Ignoring him, she waved at her sister, who strode toward them. Her hair streamed out behind her like a raven cape. Behind her, Cerne transitioned from stag to male in a shimmer of magic.

“What’s wrong?” Brenna asked, taking a step toward her sister.

“There was a raiding party of humans on the south side of Roven,” Cerne said, his words clipped. “It’s not the time to be wandering in the woods.”

With those words, her blood went from hot to chilled. If Cerne was worried, it must be serious. Emrys moved to her side, his hand settling on the small of her back. Protective. Her attention wavered between Meara’s worried expression and Emrys' serious frown.

“We need to go,” Meara snapped, reaching for Brenna’s hand. Giving in to her sister’s demands, Brenna allowed herself to be tugged forward. Cerne led the way and Emrys fell into step behind them. Brenna felt his eyes on her back like a phantom touch.

They rose up the hill, only going a short way before Cerne halted. Brenna bumped into Meara’s back, the hold on her hand squeezing painfully. He looked back, his intense focus settling on Emrys for a split second. Silent communication flashed between them.

“What is happening?” Meara hissed.

“There is someone nearby. It sounds like several people, and they are moving too loudly to be faeries. ”

Meara pulled a familiar blade from her pocket. Brenna felt powerless, but she knew that wasn’t the case. She rolled a small flame between her fingers, reminding herself of all she could do. She could burn the skin off an attacker if they got close enough.

“There,” Emrys said, his voice low and dangerous. Meara tensed beside her, and Brenna took a deep breath, readying herself for whatever came next.