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Ava looked to her right and her eyes landed on Raine, bow drawn and breathing heavily with fury in his eyes. The lively humor usually on his face had been replaced by pure rage. He’d saved her life. And he barely knew her.

“Are you hurt?” he asked.

She shook her head, speechless and still shaking.

The remainder of their forces had arrived with a group of healers and were finishing off the last of the daemon soldiers while the healers tended to the wounded.

“Come on,” Raine said and led her back to where the rest of them were evaluating the aftermath. “Thanks for saving my sister,” he said.

Still in shock, Ava gave him a silent nod and he joined the rest of the soldiers who were cleaning up.

The battle was over, the sounds of weapons and shouts replaced by orders being given and moans of the injured.

Dead daemon soldiers lay everywhere, along with half a dozen tavern customers who hadn’t been able to escape or fight back.

Healers in robes walked through the aftermath, checking on each victim and assessing their wounds.

Ava’s chest tightened as she took in the scene, vision fading in and out.

She tried to take deep breaths, but she couldn’t, as if there was a vice around her lungs and it kept squeezing.

Sweat dripped down her brow as dizziness almost overcame her, causing her to sway on her feet. She was going to pass out.

“You’re having a panic attack,” said Kai, appearing beside her. “Sit down.” He pulled a chair out. “Put your head between your knees and try to slow your breathing.”

She did as he instructed. Voices sounded faintly around her, the murmurs and gasps of citizens reacting to the battle.

Someone was giving orders on securing the city and disposing of the daemons’ bodies.

But she couldn’t hear it clearly, like she was in a tunnel as she continued to try and take deep breaths.

They knew where she was and had sent creatures and soldiers after her. She thought she was safe in this city, but she was wrong. She wasn’t safe anywhere. And now her presence put their lives in danger as well.

Minutes later, breathing under control she sat up, wiping away her tears. Kai was squatting beside her with a cup of tea and handed it to her.

“Here. This will calm your nerves. ”

“Thanks,” she said, her voice quiet as she took the tea with still shaking hands.

The bodies were being dragged off by soldiers and Thorne was speaking in hushed tones to Casimir, Quinn and Jorrar. She took a sip of tea and watched the group.

Thorne walked up to her, covered in black blood. “Are you alright?”

“I—I think so.” She looked up at him. “Are you?”

“I’m fine. None of us are injured.”

She sighed with relief.

“We’re meeting in the morning,” he reminded her.

“I know.”

“No more secrets, Ava,” he said, voice stern. “You must tell us everything.”

“I will,” she promised, looking at him.

“Casimir will escort you back to the castle. Get some rest.” He left and joined the others.

She wanted to apologize. To beg for forgiveness for putting this whole city in danger.

For bringing back their enemies and re-opening this war.

Though she’d only been with the fae over a week and in Mosshaven a couple of days, she was already falling in love with its people.

With the way they accepted her without question, with how they cared for their city and each other.

She wanted to say she was sorry, but her shame was too great, and the words wouldn’t come.

Casimir walked over to her. “Let’s go.”

She rose and followed him through the pub into the street, the others not acknowledging her departure as they busied themselves with cleaning up the mess. They walked silently next to each other, Casimir on alert for any more potential danger.

She shivered and crossed her arms over herself as they walked, the night breeze blowing hair loose from her long braid. Casimir’s boots echoed, and a small waterfall trickled in the distance. The streets were almost empty, most of the citizens holed up safely in their houses.

Casimir glanced at her several times before breaking the silence. “Are you okay?”

“Not really,” she responded, looking ahead.

He hummed in acknowledgment but didn’t speak further as they reached the castle at last. She thought she could feel anger coming from him and knew he was likely furious the daemons were able to infiltrate the city under his watch. What she wasn’t expecting was anger directed at her.

They entered the suite and Casimir immediately ordered her to sit. She plopped on the couch and looked at him, hands in her lap as he paced in front of her.

He stopped and turned to her. “How long have you known?”

“Known what?”

“That you were fae.”

“Not long. I had suspicions but confirmed it when I was at the camp.”

“So…” He rubbed the back of his neck. “When we found you, you knew?”

“Yes.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?” he asked, voice sharp.

She laughed. “You’re joking, right?”

He narrowed his eyes as he stepped closer to her. “I don’t joke.”

“Ha,” she scoffed. “Sure. Whatever. You never would have believed me.”

He was silent.

She slowly stood and faced him. “See? You wouldn’t have.”

“I don’t like secrets,” he said, towering over her.

She held his stare, willing herself not to look away. “I don’t plan on keeping any more. I’m going to tell all of you everything in the morning.”

“You have to, Ava. Lives are at stake,” he said, furious. “What happened just now at the tavern. That is just a taste of what this war will bring.”

“I know,” she whispered.

“But you don’t know,” he continued. “You have no idea because you’ve never been in a war. You know nothing.”

She tried to keep her face neutral as Casimir chastised her. She knew he was likely reacting to the horrors they had just escaped and was taking it out on her.

“I’m sorry, Casimir. I?—”

“Get some sleep,” he interrupted as he turned and disappeared into his room.

Ava ran her hand over her face as she slumped onto the couch and tried to comprehend the reality of what transpired that night. How quickly the evening had gone from laughter around the table to screams and death.

Casimir was right. She knew nothing of the horrors of war.