Page 51 of Raven Rebel (Sablewood #1)

Brenna

B renna flung her chair back and leapt to her feet as her sister transformed in a flurry of shining, black feathers and a wickedly sharp beak.

The huge raven burst into flight, careening from the room and out of sight.

She ran to the balcony and watched the dark avian circle the field and turn southward.

Ayala joined her, gripping the railing as she leaned forward to catch a glimpse of the raven. “What the fuck was that?” she asked.

“I have no idea,” Brenna said. “I’m not sure she knew she could do that.”

“And she just up and flew away,” Ayala said, throwing her hand out in a sweeping gesture. “How am I going to explain this to Cerne? His precious pet is quite literally a bird now. As if we needed another emotional shifter in the court.”

Brenna gasped in a deep breath, her mind stuttering as she fought to reconcile Meara’s transformation. “What do we do?”

“What can we do?” Ayala said, storming back into the dining hall and taking her seat again.

Brenna blinked after her. Her thoughts clumped together like mud as she looked over the fields and across the clouds.

Birds of ivory and brown flitted to and fro, but she could no longer see the gleaming black bird that was her sister.

Pressing her palm to her forehead, she tried to sort out a plan - anything she could do that would help the situation. She needed help. Her feet stumbled into motion, and she crossed the dining room, muttering apologies.

She jogged down the corridor and out the front doors of the estate, darting towards the guard assembled down the path. Cerne’s antlers caught the light, a head’s height above the soldiers. She ran for him, but arms closed around her middle, snagging her, and she fell against a strong frame.

“Brenna,” Emrys breathed, “what is wrong?”

Peace crashed over her, almost sickening in its relief after her panic. “Meara is gone!”

“Gone?” Emrys repeated, gathering her up in his arms. She leaned against his chest and tried to match her frantic breathing to the slow and steady rise of his chest. “Tell me what happened.”

Wiping at her eyes, Brenna tried to order her words. “We were at breakfast with the Summer Lady, and she was being quite terrible, and Meara got upset, and she turned into a raven and flew out the door.”

“What’s happened?” Cerne asked, jogging toward them. Brenna filled her lungs with Emrys’ scent, trying to find the strength to tell Cerne what Meara did.

Emrys saved her from having to repeat the words. “Meara shifted into a bird and flew away.”

“A bird?” Cerne repeated dumbly.

“A raven,” Brenna said, nodding.

Cerne crossed his arms, his forearms flexing as tension coiled in his muscles. “Well, that is unexpected.”

“Is there a problem? It’s time to move out.” Luce strode toward them.

Cerne faced Luce, his lip curling. “Meara’s magic, that you helped her access, overwhelmed her and she shifted into a raven and flew away to goodness knows where.”

Luce paled and his jaw clenched. Brenna looked between the three dominant males. The tension between them stifled her.

“You can decide where to place blame later. Right now, Brenna is distressed at her sister’s disappearance,” Emrys growled.

He lifted Brenna, one arm under her knees and the other against her shoulders, and cradled her against his chest as he stalked away from the bickering faerie leaders.

She closed her eyes, allowing him to protect her.

Without releasing her, he swung up onto his horse and settled her against him.

“What are you doing?” she asked, twisting to meet his warm eyes.

Emrys exhaled and leaned forward, directing his horse to walk forward. “I’m taking you with me to Court Tara. It’s possible Meara will go there. It’s not far.”

“What if she goes to the Autumn Court?”

“I will send guards to look for her and bring her to safety.”

Brenna fell silent, her thoughts consumed with worry over her sister and where she would go. Was Meara even in control?

Emrys bent to kiss her hair. “I won’t tell you to stop worrying, because I know this was upsetting for you. But I’m going to take care of it.”

Sniffling, she arched in her seat and tipped her face up until she could kiss him.

Their lips met, her tears wetting their kiss.

Tenderly, he kissed her lips, her cheek, and her forehead.

It centered her and her heart rate finally slowed.

“Thank you, Emrys. I don’t know what I would do without you. ”

“Anything for you,” he murmured. He tucked her against his chest and waved his other arm to signal his guard. They moved out, heading back toward Court Tara and whatever conflict awaited them.

The ride went quickly, as Brenna’s anxious thoughts built up again, spiraling out of control. After a ways, Emrys leaned down to kiss the crook of her shoulder. “I can hear your worries, they are so loud.”

“I’m sorry,” she said automatically.

“Don’t apologize,” he said, and she could hear the frown in his voice. “I am concerned for you. You have done nothing wrong. You’ve had to face so much in the last few days.”

She let out a weak laugh. “Not enough so that I turned into a bird. I am still shocked she did that. It was the last thing I expected.” Frowning, she wound the horse’s mane through her fingers. “Is it possible I can do that too?”

“Faeries who shift into animals are not common, but I suppose it’s always possible if your sister can. But you would not be a raven.”

“Oh, really? What would I be?” He brought a smile to her face and she leaned against him gratefully, feeling her strain ease.

“Perhaps a phoenix,” he said.

“A firebird? How would that be possible?”

He laughed. “You already produce flames. Is that so far a stretch?”

“True,” she said. Sighing, she placed her hand over his. He turned it, threading their fingers together and squeezing. It felt as if he was squeezing her heart.

He kissed the top of her head. “You would be a magnificent firebird.” His horse climbed the next hill and they were rewarded with a view of Court Tara.

Emrys tightened his hold on her while he signaled to his team.

“What are you-?” Brenna began to ask when he leaned forward in the seat, pressing into her, and the horse broke into a canter.

Brenna squealed, grabbing for the horse's mane, and not finding purchase, she reached back and grabbed at Emrys' sleeve. He chuckled and adjusted his hold on her. “Relax, my light.”

With another shift of his weight, the horse increased his speed into a full gallop.

Brenna sucked in a breath, opening her mouth to scream, but it fell away as they broke from the trees and rode through a meadow full of golden wildflowers that rose up to brush her toes.

They whipped past in a haze. Their motion tore petals from their stalks, sending them fluttering through the air, trailing behind them.

She felt free and light, as if her worries were behind them in the dirt stirred up by the horse's hooves. She grinned as her hair whipped against Emrys' chest. She was safe in his arms for this wild ride. The horse leapt over a fallen tree and her heart jumped into her throat.

Her heart was racing again by the time they neared the river and the horse slowed to a trot.

They crossed the river in the shallows and rode into the white city, circling upwards to the king’s palace.

The faces of the resident fae were pinched and drawn, and Brenna could feel the stress of the current conflict weighing upon them.

Her fears crawled back in - war and ravens.

At the entrance to the palace, Emrys slid from his horse and reached up, gripping her hips and lifting her off.

Her thighs ached as she straightened her skirts.

He took her hand and began shouting orders for the stables to prepare for the incoming troops.

Messengers were sent off to the barracks.

She admired his confident stance and broad chest as he instructed those around him.

Satisfied, he led her into the glittering white stone palace.

“Is Meara here?” she asked, glancing around as if her sister would leap out from beyond the soaring arches.

Emrys slowed. “I will find out. Are you tired?”

“A bit hungry. I didn’t eat much breakfast before Meara’s outburst.”

“Of course.”

She followed him to an alcove where ivory sofas formed a circle. A bay of tall windows framed the seating area, filled with intricate stained glass showing the river in shades of blue and ivory.

Emrys urged her to sit. “Give me a few minutes to make arrangements.” Her eyes tracked his retreat, until she was left alone. The quiet settled over her.

Emrys returned with a steward in tow. The huldra bowed, her furry ears flattening with the movement. “My lady, we have rooms prepared for you and a meal will be delivered.”

“Thank you,” Brenna said, her hands gripping her skirts anxiously. “I appreciate that, but I don’t want to be any trouble.”

Emrys kissed her hair. “I have work to attend to. I will come to you later. If you need anything, just ask. I’ve instructed the staff to attend to whatever you desire. ”

“Really, I don’t need much,” she protested, but Emrys was already striding away.

The huldra bowed again before leading her down a hall. They walked past the public rooms she remembered from their visit and into areas that were quiet and private. Her skin prickled with the feeling she should not be here.

“My lady,” the steward said, holding a door open for her. She noted the flowers carved into its pale wood, hoping she would recognize it again. The last thing she wanted was to get lost in the private wing of the palace.