Page 29

Lonan

K ai and I did indeed fuck all night. But it was frantic, fragile, overwhelmed. When we finally had had our fill, we had clung to each other in bed, both of us missing the body of our mate between us, but neither willing to speak on it.

When we arrive, Korben in tow, to the dining hall for brunch, the entire Larkstead family is there and Ordained Eliska is standing at the head of the table. We sit, as everyone else is already settled. Several of the sons are looking as if they had been sucking on lemons.

The door opens and Finnick and Oleander enter, her arm tucked carefully against his body in the crook of his arm. His hair is braided intricately and a vision of Ollie carefully tending his hair hits me and I almost groan with jealousy.

He leads her to the Ordained and they stand in front of her.

“Oleander Stonesthrow, do you swear before the Lord and Lady that you and your betrothed consummated your bond last night?”

“I do so swear,” she answers.

“Finnick Larkstead, do you swear before the Lord and Lady that you and your betrothed consummated your bond last night?”

He pauses but firmly says, “I do so swear.”

“Truth. The Lord and Lady are pleased,” Ordained Eliska says, a smile on her face.

They move to sit, Finnick joining Ollie on this side of the table.

“So, my son,” Lord Larkstead starts loudly, “You’ll be expected to speak for the betterment and advancement of your family despite your marriage bonds.”

Finnick raises an eyebrow but doesn’t bother answering.

I dig into my meal, ready to finish up a few meetings today and leave on the morrow, back to Thistle Grove.

I hear the Larkstead sons arguing softly as Ordained Eliska inquires politely on our plans with Ollie.

“Now, pumpkin, you’ll have to send for me as soon as you have the seat of power at RedWater and we can plan your wedding!” Lady Larkstead says excitedly.

“Well,” starts Lord Larkstead, “You know, you could both stay here. Leave the fighting to your Gener—”

“No.” Ollie says it firmly. “I am a part of this. I will not sit on the sidelines while Fae sworn to our cause battle and die. I am not like Alder.”

Pride swells for my little mate. Who am I to judge her for taking this alliance? She is using her body as barter for fuck’s sake. I feel a prickly sensation and as I shovel eggs into my mouth, I realize it’s shame. Fuck .

A servant comes hurrying across the room and stops behind me. I turn, surprised.

“A message my lord,” he says quietly, holding out a rolled up note, surely sent by crow.

I take it and unfurl it, feeling as if I cannot wait if it was marked urgent enough to interrupt family meal time.

My eyes scan it quickly. Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck. I hand it to Kai silently as I process our next move. I feel him tense as he reads it. Oleander’s eyes are locked upon us, her body upright and stiff. She can read us, can tell this is bad.

I wipe my face and push to my feet. “Lord and Lady Larkstead. Thank you for your hospitality. Thank you for your kindness and your alliance. We shall not forget it.” I take a deep breath.

“But right now, we need that flight of griffons.”

OLLIE TRAILS ME DOWN the hallway. Finnick is surely there as well.

“We need to counter,” I say to Kai, hushed, as I lengthen my strides.

“The problem is that he’s gotten dug in. They’ve surely created fortifications and have found spies inside—”

“Enough!” Ollie cries, loudly.

Kai and I spin. She’s standing with her fists at her waist.

“I’m not sure if you’re not explaining things because we’re not exactly in friendly territory, or because Finn is here, or because you’re still mad at me, but knock it the fuck off .”

I glare at her and Kai steps back, grabs her upper arm and takes off at a quick pace.

Finnick tries , I’ll give him that.

“Stop! Unhand her. That is my betrothed!” He stomps along behind us but we quickly reach my rooms. I open the door and Kai drags Ollie in. Korben follows and I place my hand on a protesting Finnick’s back. “In ya go, m’ lord,” I smirk.

I slam the door behind. I stride around Finnick as he rushes to Ollie. I manage not to snort but Kai doesn’t. I start throwing things in my pack.

Kai grumbles, “Does he know?”

Ollie shakes her head and I see tears standing in her eyes. “I was going to tell him today. I didn’t think... we’d have a godsdamn emergency during breakfast.”

“Tell me what, beloved?” He asks as he takes her hand.

Kai snorts again, but I toss his pack at him. He catches it as it hits his chest and turns away.

“Go,” I growl at Korben, “Pack up, pack for Ollie too.”

He nods and trots out.

Kai and I are striding around, shoving our things at random into our leather bags. I know he’s thinking strategy as much as I am, but nothing can be done until we’re there.

Ollie starts, “Finn, I was going to tell you. You see...” She trails off and I catch a glimpse of them, standing still and calm in the center of our chaos, holding both hands together. “You see... I am spirit bound to both Lonan and Kai. They are my mates. They will... remain as such. But I still very much wish to... get to know you. To be your wife.”

I hear Kai make a pained sound at that and I cough loudly, trying to cover it. But it stabs deep into my heart too.

Finnick flounders. “I... I...” his head shakes. “I don’t know what to say, Ollie.”

“Say you’ll get your shit packed,” I grumble. “And quickly. Meet us at the stables in twenty minutes.”

His head turns towards me, a low-simmering anger in his gaze. He turns back to Ollie and pulls her in gently for a chaste kiss.

“Twenty minutes, beloved,” he says softly and spins and strides out.

I have lots of things to say to my little mate but I cannot at this moment. She hurries over to the closet and grabs the gowns of hers that are there and heads to the door.

Korben tugs it open and she stops as he tosses her her pack. She puts it down and rolls the dresses into a ball, shoving them in.

“Tell me,” her command clear, as she strips her skirt off to pull on her underlayer and breeches. She leaves her corset on and pulls her sweater over it.

“Alder attacked Squall’s End over night.”

“Fuck. Are Cas and Tazi alright?” Ollie asks, looking up, face pale.

“Yes, they sent the message. They need back-up. They sent a message to our contingent at Centerhedge as well.”

“But that could take a couple days!”

“Probably longer,” I wince, “With that many.”

“We could eend word to Centerhedge to have any air shifters to leave and meet us on the way,” Ollie suggests.

“Let’s go,” orders Kai.

We head out and up the curved stairwell, following Korben, who learned his way around the castle better than the rest of us.

Another flight of stairs and we come up to the top of a huge turret. It’s a big open room, with hay on the floor and broad, open windows. Heavy timber beams cross the circlular space, and currently three griffons are roosting on one. A large nest is built onto a ledge.

Ollie looks around before delightedly calling “Feather!”

The griffon with the pale back end swoops down, landing in front of her and butting her chest with its head.

“Extraordinary,” Finnick says quietly behind us, “They don’t normally like anyone.”

I snort. “Everyone likes Ollie. Even Lilac, and that’s a feat.”

Korben chuckles.

Ollie coos to the giant beast that could tear her apart and I hear Kai shift. He crosses to Finnick and says, low enough that Ollie won’t hear it, “Let’s get one thing straight, pretty boy. That’s my mate. My girl. And you’re only still breathing after touching her because I’m allowing it. Do you understand?”

Finnick nods tightly, eyes narrowed.

Ollie turns, eyebrows raised. “He didn’t fuck me. I did enjoy his cock in my mouth though.”

“What? How did you get the soothsayer to...” I trail off.

Kai looks shocked, but I'm not sure about which part.

Ollie raises her chin. “Since you’re being rude as fuck, Kai, so will I. Quit being a prick. We’re all a family now. Get over it.”

Kai crosses to Ollie, dipping his head as he whispers to her. She shakes her head defiantly, anger flashing in her eyes as she whispers back.

I turn to Finnick. “Listen, we’re not usually such assholes.” I run a hand through my hair. “Sorry.”

It galls me a bit, but Ollie’s right.

His amber eyes land on me. Finally he says, “It’s alright. I imagine this is... hard for you both.”

Ollie snorts and I realize that Finnick might have just cracked a joke. It makes me like him more.

He whistles loudly. “The other two will be back momentarily.”

“We only get five?” I ask, outraged.

Finnick shakes his head, “No, a flight is twenty. We’ll get the rest from the lower stables on the way by.”

Twenty. I start considering our best archers. Finnick hollers for a groom to come up and help him saddle the griffons.

“No, Kai!” Ollie’s voice is louder. “I am not riding with you.”

I remember how frozen she was after our flight here and frown. She should ride with him.

“You are. End of discussion. Keep arguing and I’m gonna spank your ass right here, right now.”

Finnick straightens. “You will not touch her in anger.” His voice is firm and I’m surprised by his balls. Kai’s a scary Fae.

Kai spins and levels a glare at him. “If you think I won’t put you over my knee and paddle your bare ass as well, you’re mistaken.”

Finnick sputters and my eyebrows are in my hairline. What in the world is going on with Kai? Just out of sorts with having to share Ollie? I’ll have to find time with him soon. Or maybe he just needs to hold Ollie down and take her ass again. I rearrange my dick. Now is not the time for these thoughts.

A griffon swoops in and circles on open wings to the floor. It looks at me and walks over. I think it’s the one I rode here. I offer it my hand which it rubs its beak against.

Finn helps Ollie saddle Feather as the groom helps me with my griffon.

There’s a ruffle of feathers and Kai yells, “Princess! Fuck!”

I look up just as Ollie’s laughter dances down. She flies through the open window out into the clear sky. I bite back a grin. “It’s a shorter flight, Kai, she’ll be alright.”

“She’ll be alright until I tan her hide.”

I hear Finnick snort and I turn, giving him a conspiratorial look. He cracks a small smile at me and tosses himself on a griffon with a pure-white back end and launches into the air without waiting for Kai and I to follow.

The flight south is only about two hours, given that we had the wind at our backs. A low, dark blanket of clouds rolls in. I use the time flying to get my head on straight. I cannot be fucked up about decisions that have already been made. I gotta roll with them. There’s decades of planning on the line, we cannot change course now.

We land well out of eyesight of the town, to the northeast. Finnick swings down easily and I spare a moment to wonder what his skills are. We’ll have to talk after this particular fire is put out.

He goes to Ollie and gently pulls her out of the saddle. Even though jealousy flares, part of me is glad to see the tenderness on his face as he looks at her. Kai hops off his griffon just as the rest of the flock land. He immediately picks Ollie up and tucks her face to his chest, making as much body contact as possible as he warms her. Korben and I pace over.

“What’s the battle plan?” Finnick asks.

Kai frowns, obviously not ready to share details yet but I answer. “I don’t have a good one, to be honest. I was hoping I could fly in alone and get the lay of Alder’s men. And what manner and stage of attack they are using.”

“One griffon could probably go unnoticed, even so much as to get over the city walls. But the flight of them?” He shakes his head.

Ollie says, without moving from Kai’s arms, “Korben could you fly closer on your griffon and go spore?”

Kai shakes his head even as Korben answers, “It’s too cold. If I spore out here I won’t reform until spring. Sorry, Ollie.”

“Stop, don’t apologize!” She insists quickly. She chews her lip a moment then asks, “How long has Alder had Fae camped outside the town?”

“A month, give or take.”

“So, he’d have to be bringing in food and water?”

I shrug. “Food yes. He probably has brought in a herd of cattle and is butchering them as needed. As for water, he may have water wagons, but this part of the realm has a high water table. He likely has had wells dug.”

Ollie wiggles, pushing off Kai and he reluctantly sets her down. A slow grin grows on her face. “Think you can get me into the camp?”

“What? No! Why?” I blurt, just as Kai and Finnick both sputter denials.

Korben grins. “Whatcha thinking, Ollie?”

She shrugs. “I poison their wells.”

We all stare in silence for a moment, shocked by this flat statement from our little mate.

“‘S a good plan,” Korben says, still grinning. “How do you do that, exactly, Ollie?”

Kai and I exchange glances.

“I just need to get to them, I can put my hand in and let my magic seep out of my pores.”

“No,” Kai says flatly. “Can I take some of your poison in and I’ll do it?”

I see Ollie’s jaw harden. “Only if you take a piece of my flesh.”

I stare at her for several heartbeats.

Kai gasps, then yells, “That’s what the scars on your thighs are...fuck. Fuck Alder, I’m going to turn him inside out one organ at a fucking time!”

I growl and Finnick steps towards Ollie but she’s fighting tears and she won’t want to be touched right now. Sure enough, she holds out a hand to stop him. To his credit, he freezes and doesn’t look pissy about it.

“If I poison them, less of the Fae fighting for us will suffer and die,” she says stridently.

Korben nods, “I can get her in.”

“Are you crazy?” Kai growls, “She needs someone good with a blade, since she’s more like to stab herself if she needs to pull one.”

“Hey now,” she says.

I interrupt this line of arguing. “Finnick, will the griffons attack with no riders on them? Could we send them to harry Alder’s men?”

“Somewhat,” he answers quickly. “We’ve not trained any of them for battle specifically. I’m sure it could be done but these ones have been taught from hatchlings to be... well, as friendly as griffons get. So we could probably get one good swoop out of them, but no sustained attack.”

“Someone needs to take the extra griffons to Centerhedge. They can get riders and any air shifters and head back here for an attack wave,” Kai says firmly.

Oleander interrupts my thoughts, “Yes, fine, good. Korben does that. Lonan flies around the city to the south to attempt to enter to speak with Caspian and Tazi and the city leaders. And Finnick, Kai and I go southwest to sneak into their encampments.”

“‘S a good plan,” Korben says again.

I frown. I don’t like the danger to Ollie but I need to suck it up. She’s tough as fucking nails and I need to remember that.

“Finnick, do you have skill with a blade? Or offensive magic?” I ask.

Kai purses his lips.

“Yes,” he replies, “I have sword training, though I have never been in a battle. And my magic can be offensive.”

A snort. “Might as well say you’ve seen toilet paper before but never wiped your own ass.”

I sigh and meet Kai’s eyes. “It’s the best we’ve got. It’s multi-pronged and well conceived.” I turn to Korben, “Go, when you arrive, land south, and send a message in with a flyer.” He nods and Finnick turns to order the griffons.

“I’ll take my griffon to—”

Ollie interrupts, “Her name is Tawny, Lo.”

I pause a second, looking at my mate. “...I’ll take Tawny to the south and see if we can sneak past the defenses into the city. Assuming we can, we’ll wait for first light tomorrow to attack. That will give you time to attempt your part of the attack, and for the griffons to arrive.”

I turn to Kai and Finnick, beckoning them closer. Kai, I give merely a passing glance, but Finnick I glare at. “If anything happens to Oleander, you’d be better off killing yourself than returning to me without her, do you understand?”

They both nod.

“Good.” I nod, opening my arms to Ollie, and she hurries into them. I kiss the top of her head. “Do not take unneeded risks. No one in this realm is more important to me than you.”

She makes a tiny annoyed noise but nods into my body as I hold her close.

“Fine. Good, my little Queen. I’ll see you on the other side of this, then.”