Page 65 of Winds of Darkness
The hawk finally broke through, gliding above the small body of water in tight circles. Her wings brushed the surface, sending rings rippling to the edges as she screeched another cry.
“I have never seen her apart from Princess Evermorn,” Sawyer said, almost in awe.
“It is rare,” Briar agreed, but something wasn’t right. He could feel it in the way Nasima circled again, her cries almost desperate. Without thinking, he raised an arm. The silver hawk immediately flew to him, taloned feet wrapping around his forearm.
“Briar …” Sawyer trailed off, staring at him. “Tell me again how you haven’t been spending time with the Wind Princess.”
“I haven’t seen her in weeks.”
“That doesn’t erase the past.”
“Nothing has happened,” Briar retorted.
“That doesn’t erase the wish that something had,” Sawyer countered. He said it softly, almost gently.
But this had nothing to do with wants or desires. Something was wrong, and he’d promised Ashtine he would always be there. With her. For her.
It wasn’t even a question when he conjured a water portal, stepping through to the same place he had a few months ago. There was no hesitation this time. No trepidation or overthinking what he was doing as he strode across the bridge and up the Citadel steps. And just like the time before, the door was opened by Sion.
“Prince Drayce. Sawyer,” the Wind General said, his features grim.
It was only then that Briar registered how godsdamn windy it was here. Sure, it was the Wind Court, but these were brutal gusts. He suddenly wondered how he hadn’t been tossed right off the bridge and into the chasm it spanned. The clouds swirled just as violently, and Nasima loosed another cry as she battled against the gales, taking to the sky.
Sion stepped aside, letting them in. Briar hadn’t even thought about Sawyer following him, but he should have expected it.
“This is not a good time,” Sion said, shutting out the raging wind.
“Where is she?” Briar demanded.
“You really need to make appointments for these meetings, Prince,” Sion tried again.
“Noted. Where the fuck is she?”
Sion straightened at the tone, instinctively going into a defensive position. His hand twitched toward a blade strapped to his waist, and his features hardened. “She is not available right now. I can send word when she is feeling better.”
“No. Take me to her. It is not a request, Sion. Take me to Ashtine now,” Briar snapped, the temperature in the foyer dropping dramatically.
“Briar, calm down,” Sawyer murmured, bringing a hand to Briar’s shoulder. A little louder, he added, “Nasima came to fetch him, Sion.”
“What the fuck is going on?” Renly demanded, coming up behind Sion. His glare was enough to make any other Fae shrink back as air swirled at his fingertips. “The princess is unavailable. Surely Sion told you this.”
“He did. I did not care. Take me to her,” Briar answered. “Or I will find her myself.”
“They claim Nasima summoned them here,” Sion cut in, eyeing the Drayce brothers.
“Bullshit,” Renly spat. “I know you are a Fae Prince, but that does not mean you get to come to another Court and make demands. The princess is unavailable. If you take one step more into this Citadel, I will assume you are here to harm her and act accordingly.”
“You cannot be serious,” Briar snarled.
Sawyer’s grip on his shoulder tightened. “Do not start a conflict here, Briar.”
“There will be no conflict as long as I can lay eyes on her,” he bit back. “If not her, then take me to Ermir.”
“He cannot leave her side—” Renly started, but a faint flash of light cut him off.
When it faded, Abrax stood between the Water Fae and Wind Fae. He reared up, Renly and Sion both cursing as they lurched out of the way, but Briar was already moving. His own water magic propelled him up, and he was scarcely astride the spirit animal when the horse bolted forward. Staff cried out and jumped aside as they moved through the Citadel. If he wasn’t so focused on seeing Ashtine, he’d find the scene comical. A horse galloping through the halls of a palace.
Two Fae scrambled to open the doors that led to the grounds behind the Citadel, and Abrax burst through. Briar didn’t question how he knew where to go. He was too busy using his power to stay astride now that he was back out in the swirling winds.