Chapter Ten

Who bears the tides of winter?

As if he knew we were coming, Prince Caspien was waiting just on the other side of the portal, standing among a grove of huge trees just like those we had stepped into last time we arrived here. I hurried over to the royal, who was dressed all in black, looking like a very dazzling version of himself. His energy caressed my face like a strong brush of warm air. I could smell the summer scents, flowers, and a sweetness like honey or nectar.

“Prince Caspian, we are well met,” I said, stopping before him. “How did you know we were coming?”

He bowed, rising and flashing me his dazzling smile. “Rowan needs royal permission to open a portal.”

Ahh. “Well, that’s perfect, because we’re here to see Blaine and Bianca, and then you and your father. We didn’t want to speak over the flowers, or through a mirror, because it’s a … sensitive matter.”

He gave a brief nod to Kian and Shelley, before his attention locked on Kade’s staff. Even though it was in its protective case, it still oozed dark energy.

“Is that a dark weapon?” Caspien asked, his ageless face creasing with what looked like concern and trepidation.

I stepped closer to him and lowered my voice, unsure who was listening in these woods. “It is. And we intend to assassinate the Dark Fae Lord with it.”

Prince Caspien’s sharp intake of breath, followed by a tentative grin, told me everything I needed to know. He was worried, but he still approved of our plan.

“Come. We’ll see my father first, because he will leave soon for the war’s front. Right now he’s in his private study, so the timing is perfect. You can see your friends after.” With that, Caspien turned and we followed him through the forest, heading toward what looked like a shining white building in the distance, visible in between the trees.

 

The summer castle was spectacular. I’d likened the winter castle to a dark fairy tale. The summer castle was the opposite. It was the epitome of a five-year-old’s princess castle fantasy. White stone wrapped around shining turrets; golden accents gave the entire building an ethereal glow. And then there were the masses of rose vines, climbing ivy, budding flowers, and fruits that decorated the sides of the stone walls, climbing, spreading their rich, green goodness everywhere.

Unlike the last time we were here, the plants were thick and luscious; they did not crumble under my touch. I found myself wanting to linger in the outer courtyard with its pebbled stone underfoot, and birds chirping as they fluttered about the many tall trees. But there was no time for lingering. No time to lift my face and bathe in the warm, caressing sunbeams.

I must have actually closed my eyes for a beat, because a soft stroke along my cheek had them flying open again. Kade was standing right before me. I tilted my head back to stare up into his eyes.

“Feels like home,” he said.

I nodded. It must have really felt like home to him, being of the Summer Court. To me, being more than half fae, all of the Otherworld felt like home, but especially the icy lands of the Winter Court — as much as I didn’t want to admit it.

“We have to win,” I murmured to Kade. “I’m not ready to give any of this up. I’m not ready to give you up.”

His lips were on mine before I could say another word. When he pulled away, his hand still wrapped across my chin. “We will win, love,” he said with conviction. “There is no timeframe for which I would be ready to give you up. I need forever. I’m going to damn well make sure that is how long we have.”

I felt the same way. My life had changed so much since becoming queen. I had found a true love, learned my parents’ identities — which was not good news, but it helped me understand so much about myself, about my upbringing. It forged me into a blade that was stronger, more resilient. I was better equipped in all ways to be a mate and a queen. So now I just had to make sure it wasn’t ripped away from me.

A low, smooth drawl drifted across the courtyard: “Father is ready to see us now.” Prince Caspien was waiting near the twenty-foot-tall, wooden double front doors that led out into the main castle.

Kade and I pulled apart, turning to follow everyone up the stairs. Inside was as I expected: light stone work, wondrous artwork dotted across the walls, and even more greenery. There were plants, trees, and fruit growing everywhere.

“We need more plants inside back home,” I said to Kade. We were both staring around, trying to take it all in.

He surprised me by cupping my face, and the way he stared down at me, it sucked all breath from my lungs. At the same time, my heart started to beat rapidly. “You’re perfect,” he said, his eyes whirling and alive.

Then, just as quickly, he let me go, turning to stride after the group. Shaking my head to clear it, I hurried after him, my heart still going erratically. There were dozens of floors and halls. I lost track as we followed the prince to his father’s office. It ended up being at the end of a long, wide hallway. There were no guards in attendance at the doors, which I thought was odd, but maybe the king required nothing like that in his own home.

We all stepped inside. King Samson was standing behind a huge white stone-top desk. He looked the same as last time, like a golden ray of sun. The only difference was, he wore casual sort of clothes, and had ditched the cloak.

“Welcome! We are so glad to see you here safe and sound,” he boomed. One by one we gave him a bow or curtsey. Before he could say anything more, I quickly launched into an explanation of what we were doing here.

He eyed the staff, but didn’t comment until I was finished.

“We’ve been holding them at the winter woods,” he said, pacing his study. “Very little movement since the last attack, when they ambushed us and killed Dalia. I haven’t been able to figure out why they’re only engaging in small skirmishes, not moving forward in any sort of decisive way. It’s a standoff.”

Kade and I exchanged a glance. “We know the winter queen has been waiting to align with the Dark Fae Lord,” said Kade. “And we think he may have promised her this dark staff. Luckily, we got it first, and since we're sick of waiting for them to enact whatever they have planned…”

“We’ve decided to end it now,” I finished.

King Samson nodded, eyeing the staff in Kade’s hand for a second, before pausing at his desk and reaching out to pick up what looked like a pencil. One made of bone with symbols etched into the side of it. He twirled it in his fingers as he continued, “I have been worried about what they have been planning. It’s not like Isalinda to show restraint. Usually she uses brute force for everything. But if you can thwart her in the midst of a plan, it just might work.” He focused on me then, dropping the pencil back down. “You will need a guide. Last I heard, the winter queen had left her court and was elsewhere.”

A guide … I didn’t want to be rude, but we had four people already. What was it about a stealth mission that no one understood?

“Your Highness, I appreciate the offer but—” A knock at the door interrupted my polite refusal.

“Enter, Dante,” the king bellowed. The door opened and a huge cloak-clad fae stepped through. As he dropped the hood, bringing his face into view, I blinked a few times.

I … knew that face. It was familiar, but in a vague way. Where had I seen him before?

He turned toward me, and with a slight smile tipping up his full lips he gave me a low bow. As those blue green eyes locked on mine, I recalled exactly where I’d seen this fae before.

“You got out of the Winter Court!” I exclaimed. He looked different. His hair was no longer dirty-blond, it was now a shining mass of gold pulled back at the nape of his neck. His skin was golden too, and he beamed with strength and vitality. When I’d seen him in the winter queen’s dungeon, he’d been proud but hurting. I could see that.

“Thank you for your coat,” I added. “It was more help than you probably know.”

Dante’s grin stretched. “Thanks for the keys. I planned on escaping soon anyway, but the keys made it easier for me to get the other prisoners out.”

His voice was deep and rich; it filled the room. I sensed that Kade, Kian, and Shelley were all very confused by this conversation.

“Dante was in the winter queen’s dungeon when I was there,” I explained. “He gave me his coat, I gave him the keys so he could escape and release as many prisoners as possible.” I turned back to him. “Did you save the children? The little girl who they were hurting to get to me?”

He gave me two short, sharp head nods. “Yes, Your Majesty. I got them all.”

A tension I hadn’t even realized I was carrying seeped out of me. Thank the gods.

King Samson gestured to Dante. “This man is the best assassin we have. He can track anything that walks, and kill anything that breathes.”

Dante’s expression did not change as he said, “Thank you, Your Grace.”

Kade and I met each other’s gaze. One more man wouldn’t hurt. Especially if he is as good as his king boasts, Kade said.

I agreed. “If he’s willing, knowing this is going to be a very dangerous mission, we would love his help.”

Dante, who had no idea what the mission was, looked pensive. But also curious.

Kade quickly filled him in. “We intend to kill the winter queen and the Dark Fae Lord before the war can even begin. I have a weapon which can destroy the darkness.”

Dante’s expression morphed into one of a lethal predator. I wondered what had happened to him while he was at the queen’s mercy. I could see there was no love there for Isalinda. “I can definitely help with that. Give me ten minutes to pack.” There was not an ounce of hesitation in his tone, he just bowed to his king and Prince Caspien before striding from the room.

Over the next ten minutes I took the time to go through our travel bags as the king’s assistants brought us more dried foods and weapons.

“Kian obviously ate fae food while he was here.” I looked at the fae. “Does that mean it is safe for he and Kade to eat it now?”

Shelley cleared her throat. “The winter queen had deliveries of food from Earth, and sold some for high prices at the market. She was very partial to your food. I always made sure Kian ate only from those batches.”

No doubt that was thanks to some sort of trade deal between my parents.

Caspien piped up then. “Yes, I think Shelley and Queen Arianna should be the only ones to eat our food, as we are not sure how it will affect those without fae blood.”

Even though shifters had some fae blood, I understood what he meant. It might be too diluted, and it wasn’t worth taking the risk.

I packed the fae food in my bag, and then Kade and Kian shared a pack with the food from Earth. I also chose a nice lightweight serrated blade and slid it into a sheath at my waist, while the others chose their weapons from the king’s personal stash. Just as we were finished packing, Dante slipped back into the room, a medium-size pack on his back. His clothes were different, black, heavy material.

King Samson moved forward and clasped hands with all of us, one at a time. “Farewell, my friends. We will come if you need aid. Dante will know how to send us a message.”

“Thank you,” I said. It was a relief to know there was backup there if needed. But I was really hoping we would manage this without resorting to more lives lost.

I turned to Prince Caspien. He made a fist over his chest and bowed lightly. “It is a great honor to be allied with you and King Kade.”

His words touched me. The entire Summer Court had been nothing but supportive and helpful since we’d started our relationship. I could barely remember the time I knew next to nothing of the Tuatha, de Danann, and the little I knew had been rife with fear and suspicion. The old me would never have believed I could ally myself with them, let alone be half one. It felt right, though. It all felt right to me now.

“We are well met, Prince Caspien,” I told him.

It was time for us to leave. Just as we were striding toward the door, Caspien pulled Dante aside and whispered something in his ear. The assassin fae nodded once, before rejoining us. He led us out of the castle and into the courtyard. I wasn’t sure what the plan was. We would need to discuss some things before we went any further.

Dante led us deep into the forest that surrounded the summer castle, pausing beside a large oak tree. I was just opening to mouth to ask what he was doing when Dante took to one knee, arms outstretched above his head, and began to whistle an odd tune from between his teeth.

Kade, Kian and I shared a look of confusion, but Shelley’s face brightened into one of understanding.

“You’re blessed with animalas affinity?” she said, prickles of awe in her voice.

Before he could respond, over two-dozen small bright yellow finches flew down from the trees and landed on his outstretched arms. I then noticed the bird seed in his outstretched palms, which all of the finches had a turn at eating.

“Animalas affinity?” I whispered to Shelley.

She was smiling, her expression soft as she watched the birds. “A very rare gift. A fae that can communicate with animals.”

Interesting. Like they were all his familiars. That would be very useful for an assassin. Animals could blend in a way that people couldn’t; they were often overlooked, and came in all different shapes and sizes, with different abilities.

Dante remained silent, I assumed speaking into their minds. They had stopped eating and were all looking at him, heads cocked to the side. Finally, one of them chirped and then the rest echoed their agreement, taking off from his arms and flying to the skies.

The fae assassin stood. “I’ve been able to speak to the minds of animals since I was a young boy. It got me through some very tough times. Animals have always been there for me, in a way that my family never was.”

Just like Finn for me. “So they will track the winter queen and fae lord and report back?”

“Yes, but until then we should make our way towards the Winter Court. Isalinda is never too far from her territory. We need to get closer first, and there is no way to open a portal near their court without the queen knowing. We have to go in the old fashioned way.”

“On foot?” I guessed.

He nodded. “Yes, we will make too much noise with horses. But don’t you worry, I know all the shortcuts. I will have us there in no time.”

“How is it that the king’s top assassin found himself locked in the winter queen’s basement?” Kian asked. He sounded a little suspicious, and I didn’t blame him. We were putting a lot of faith and trust into someone we didn’t know at all. Someone who made a living from killing people.

Dante smiled, or more like bared his teeth. “I was in there to take out one of the guards. A guard who murdered someone close to King Samson. I killed him the first day, but when I saw how many innocents were in the cells, I knew I needed to get them out. I didn’t have the intel or weapons to achieve this, though.”

“So you got yourself locked up on purpose?” I guessed.

Dante nodded. “Yes, I needed more time. I needed to study the inner workings of the dungeon. I would not risk leaving any of the innocents behind.”

An assassin with a conscience. Who would have thought it?

“Guess I came along at the right time,” I joked.

He let out a low laugh. “Yes, Your Majesty. You most certainly did.”

As we started to walk, the general sounds of the summer woods slowly changed. I was starting to hear some clashing, even a few muffled yells. Enough to tell me that we were no longer alone.

I halted, and when Dante turned to me, I said, “We need to stay out of sight. It will not help having our position revealed to the queen before we get there. We don’t want her preparing for this.”

He nodded. “Prince Caspien said you wanted to see your people before you left, the ones who are here training with our army. They’re on the edge of these woods. I was simply leading you closer.”

I had almost forgotten about Blaine and Bianca. Planning to assassinate someone could do that to a girl.

“Just Bianca and Blaine at this stage.” I turned to Kade. “Right? You don’t need your bear guard?”

He shook his head, and I turned back to Dante.

“I will lead those two to you,” he said, asking no more questions.

We hurried along this time, staying close to Dante as he led us through a veritable maze of trees and shrubbery. I couldn’t keep anything straight; it all looked the same, but the noise of battle was definitely getting clearer.

“Wait here,” he told us after about ten minutes of walking.

Using the trees to keep ourselves hidden, the four of us remained in a tense bundle, waiting for the fae to return. I wasn’t sensing betrayal from him, but … we had to remain vigilant. Dante was not someone I knew or trusted, and I would continue to treat him with caution.

Footsteps crunching through undergrowth gave me a few seconds’ notice before a figure darted out from the trees and strong arms wrapped around me, yanking me up into a hard chest.

“Princess! Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”

Blaine pulled back, his eyes raking across me, taking in my no doubt tired face and battle-ready clothing. He grew more serious. “What happened?” He crossed his arms over his chest, his expression formidable.

I marveled at how fit and healthy he looked, his skin golden, kissed by the sun of this court, wearing fae leathers that fit his broad shoulders and slim hips to perfection. I knew Bianca was standing close behind him, but my focus remained on my old friend.

“We are here to assassinate the winter queen and Dark Fae Lord,” I said in a low voice. “I wanted to let you know, because if we are not successful, you need to head back to Earth and prepare our people. There will be a war.”

Blaine continued to stare down at me, his silence unnerving. I knew he was upset; he had the telltale signs, the shaking of his arms, the small flame deep in his eyes. A hand crept up across his shoulder, resting against his biceps. Bianca pressed in close to his side, and he finally tore his gaze from me to stare down at her. Something passed between them, a moment, and that flame dulled somewhat from Blaine’s green eyes.

Happiness burst to life in my chest, and I found myself swallowing the sudden flurry of tears threatening to pour from me. I had loved Blaine forever, but I would never be in love with him. He hadn’t felt the same way, and there had been a lot of rocky times between us since Kade and me. But … there was something with him and Bianca. I saw it. And apparently so had Violet. This had to be the prophesy she spoke of. It all made sense now.

Bianca continued to comfort him; she had tamed my hotheaded friend with one look.

“What else do you need from us?” Bianca asked me, staring straight at me. I had always liked the Boston alpha. She stood by me through the Selene thing, and was strong and respected by her pack. She was a good match for my Blaine.

“Continue what you are doing now and wait for our word,” I said to her, while still flicking glances at Blaine. “One way or another, you should know in the next day or so if we are successful, or if you need to head back to New York to regroup.”

“Prince Caspien will let you know,” Dante added. “Even if things do not go to plan for us, he will get you back to Earth.”

Blaine was shaking his head now, that formidable expression still plastered across his face. “No, Ari, you cannot do this. You cannot sacrifice yourself to try and save everyone.”

Kade let out a little growl of agreement. Of course. I should have expected I would have to have this same argument with the other dominant male in my life. “I am the queen of the shifters,” I said, my tone filled with my annoyance. “This is the sole reason for my existence, to make sure I keep my people safe, that I take the first hit so they don’t have to. A true leader stands on the front line, not behind. You know this.”

“Let me go instead.” Blaine’s voice rippled with a growl, and Kade’s bear was suddenly in our midst, his own rumbles growing in strength. Blaine, with his very annoyed wolf shining from his eyes, just lifted his head and met my mate’s gaze. They had a silent conversation over my head, and must have come to some sort of agreement, because Kade backed off a little.

“You’re not going,” I bit out, hating to pull rank, but we didn’t have time for this. My mate could protect me. I could protect myself. Blaine needed to just let it go.

Blaine’s lips twitched at the corners, before finally he let out a long sigh, rubbing tiredly at his temples. “Why can’t I at least come along to guard you?”

Despite my annoyance, I still wanted to comfort him. Reaching out, I placed my palm flat against his chest, right above his heart. “Because if I fail … and I’m not planning on it, just so you know … but if I do, I need you to lead the army.”

When he exhaled in a loud huff, I knew he had accepted it. He would do as I asked. He didn’t like it, but he would respect my position as queen.

“Just … don’t die, Princess,” he finally said, leaning down to give me a quick hug. “Where you go, I go.”

Violet, Blaine, and I had been saying that to each other since we were kids. Three musketeers. All for one and one for all.

“I’ll be back, you’re not getting rid of me that easily.” The lighthearted tone was missing; my joke fell flat.

Before he could comment again, I turned to Bianca and she bestowed her charming smile on me, not looking at all upset at the interaction between Blaine and me. “Look after him for me. I’m really happy you two found each other.”

She surprised me by reaching out and giving me a hug. “Thank you for choosing me to come to the Otherworld. Not only have we learned a lot working side by side with the fae, but I found…” Her eyes shifted to Blaine. “I found something I didn’t even know I was looking for.”

I thought about my first meeting with Kade. Well, second one really — the first I was way too young for a serious romance. “I know exactly what you mean.”

We shared a girl moment, one I hoped I could expand on in the future.

“We have to go now,” Dante warned. “The longer we linger, the greater the chance the queen hears of your plan.”

Blaine gave me one last look, his eyes speaking volumes, before he spun and strode off into the trees. I knew he was still upset, but he had Bianca. He would be okay.

Kade stepped into me then, and I found myself leaning back against his strength. “You handled that very well,” I murmured, as his arms came around me.

His chest shook as low rumbles of laughter left him. “I’m glad you weren’t paying attention to our bond.”

I tilted my head back for one last kiss, and then it was time to go. This time we walked away from the noise of training and chatter. We walked in companionable silence for over an hour, each of us preparing, in our own way, for the task that lay before us.

Eventually, Dante made a hand motion for us to stop. He got low to the ground and sniffed, looking up at two trees off to the left. They were curved into each other, making an archway.

“This way,” he whispered.

Kade tightened his grasp on his staff. I readjusted my pack so that it was firm against my back, and we followed Dante to the entrance of the tree arch. He was peering into it.

“Damn,” Dante whispered. Shelley broke away from Kian’s side and peered through the archway as well.

“I can help,” she told Dante in hushed tones.

“What is going on?” I asked.

Dante walked back a few feet and we huddled around him. “There is a magical portal here that takes us right into the Fall Court. From there we find the next portal to enter the Winter Court.”

“These portals would have come in handy last time we were here,” I said.

He shook his head and some of my excitement faded away. I prepared myself for the bad news. “This portal is guarded. As soon as we exit the portal, they will alert the winter queen.”

“Winter? You said it was Fall Court?” Kade asked, his keen eyes tracking Dante’s every movement.

Shelley was the one to answer: “The winter queen rules the Fall Court as well. Those fae are actually her guards. I recognize them. But I can confuse them with my magic and make them let us through.”

A flicker of wariness crossed Dante’s golden face. No doubt he wasn’t used to trusting others when he was on a mission. But he simply waved a hand toward the portal.

As Shelley stepped forward, Kian reached out to wrap his hand across her shoulder. “Are you sure it’s safe?”

“I’ll be fine,” she replied.

Kian narrowed his eyes, and I recognized that stubborn look on his face. It was Kade all over. Eventually, Kian released his mate and gave her a nod. Shelley smoothed her coat and unsheathed her sword. “Give me sixty seconds. If I’m not back, come through fighting.”

I pulled out my blade. Kian adjusted the grip on his weapon, and we all moved closer, ready to assist if she needed it.

Shelley’s nerves weren’t obvious as she walked to the archway, but I saw her hand shaking the slightest bit. I kept scanning our surroundings, keeping an eye on the portal. We were in the middle of an Otherworld forest, where anything could attack at any time. Surely these portals had a lot of traffic too. It would not do to be taken from behind.

Shelley was almost there by now, and I blinked a few times as the tree she was approaching started to move, just the slightest tilt toward her. A jolt of an idea slammed into me, and I could feel my pulse pick up as adrenalin surged through my body.

Kade made a noise as I started to follow Shelley’s path. “I’m not going through,” I said to him. “I just need to … check something.”

If Dante had an affinity for communicating with animals, then maybe there was a power associated with the way I could speak to the old fae tree in Kade’s back yard. I inched closer, and when I was standing before the giant brown-barked trunk, I reached out to rest my palm on the tree.

I immediately felt an awareness there, an excitement.

Hello … I’m Queen Arianna, I tried.

An instant reply came back: Hello, Queen Arianna. Winter fae do not usually stop and speak with us. But … I have heard of you from the treeling that is rooted in New York. You are different. It sounded male, with a deep scratchy voice.

I grinned at the knowledge that all of the trees’ consciousnesses must be connected. That was kind of amazing. And hugely useful. Can you do me a favor? My friend has just walked through your arch. Can you tell me if she is okay?

There was nothing for a moment, but then a tingling spread throughout my palm. I can show you.

I closed my eyes and a mini movie screen played in my mind’s eye. There were four guards. Shelley was speaking with them as they surrounded her, weapons drawn.

“My friends and I wish to pass through this arch. You will not harm them. You recognize them as friends of the Winter Court. There is no need for alarm. You will simply let us pass and forget we were ever here.” Shelley’s voice was smooth and deep, with a trancelike quality.

Two of the men nodded, but the other two seemed to be resisting her fae-charms. Shelley stepped closer to the resistors. “You will let us through and tell no one you saw us.” The close proximity must have done the trick. They both nodded, looking slack-jawed.

Shelley bowed deeply and began to back away slowly towards the tree as the projection in my mind faded.

My eyes popped open as Shelley came through the archway and motioned we all follow.

Thank you, kind friend, I said as I straightened.

That warm feeling tickled my palm again. You always have an ally with the treefolk, Queen Arianna.

A burst of warmth followed me as I pulled my hand away. Well … that was interesting. Was there some way for me to use that alliance? To use the wise, ancient strength of these amazing tree-fae hybrids?

“Come, it won’t last long. Two of them were hard to get through to.” Shelley’s voice held a note of impatience.

Dante, a small dagger clutched in his hand, was the first to go into the archway. As I walked through, pressure pushed on my skin, then there was a pop in my ears and I was on the other side. I could see the four guards standing around a fire looking at us. One nodded and another waved. I waved back and walked briskly behind Kade, trying to get away as fast as possible.

We closed ranks around Dante.

“What now?” I asked him. His posture had changed; he was tenser. It was only a subtle change, but I was trained to notice things like that, and it immediately put me more on alert.

“Now we need to be extra vigilant. We’re no longer in friendly territory. Expect conflict at every turn.”

All of us had our weapons out now, except Kade. His staff would not be removed from its case until we were face to face with darkness. We fanned out and walked slowly through the fall woods, which were breathtaking with their yellow and burnt orange trees, frosty snowcapped mountains just visible in the distance, and a brisk chill to the air.

Fall in the city had always been one of my favorite times, especially since I knew winter was just around the corner. Damn genetics. I suppose it wasn’t winter’s fault. Winter had done nothing wrong.

No one spoke a word. After about an hour, Dante paused, crouching. We all followed suit. I sat on my heels, sword held loosely before me. I sensed a disturbance; even the sound of the breeze whistling through the forest had died off.

“Down!” Dante yelled just as a flaming yellow metal disc whizzed between the trees, nearly taking my head off.

I dove to the right and pressed my face into the ground, resting on my cheek in time to see Dante pop up, two sickles in his hands.

My heart was hammering in my chest because I remembered that disc weapon. It was the same weapon the dark fae assassin had used on Staten Island to take Derek’s head off.

Sure enough, as I lifted myself up slightly to see better, a black-clad fae stepped from behind the trees. His face was covered in a mask of some description, but it looked as if his skin was tinged a moss green color. “Well, well, what do we have here?” he said in a gravelly voice.

Giving no response, Dante flung his arm out, releasing a sickle. It soared through the air; the dark fae sidestepped quickly, but it nicked the outside of his arm. Blood spurted out, spraying the trees around him. Looking unperturbed, the evil fae threw another disc, lightning quick. It clipped Kian’s arm, before slicing along Kade’s thigh. Bear roars bellowed from both males, and rage immediately boiled within me.

“Kill him!” I said, not an ounce of remorse. Kian, already healing, took a knee and started firing arrows at the dark assassin. Dante disappeared into the woods, and I was too busy keeping an eye on the dark fae to follow his movements. These dark assassins were super fast and lethal, training and control obvious behind each of their attacks. A few more like this and they could finish us off no worries.

Not on my watch. I built up a large ball of fae magic in my hands. Kade was already at my side, preparing to help me funnel the energy if needed.

“How’s your leg?” I asked him.

His chest rumbled. “It’s fine, just a scratch. It’s already healing.”

Some of the fire in my veins dulled just a little. I was really getting sick of Kade’s body having new cuts, scratches, and holes in it. Time to do something about it.

The assassin was moving again, more of the discs appearing in his hands. I let loose my ball of energy, hoping to hit him while he was on the move, but he dove to the side at the last moment. So freaking fast. He was up again, sprinting toward a huge tree with flaky white bark, scaling it in a second. It was almost as if he didn’t even use his hands to climb. I knew from that vantage point we were going to be sitting ducks, so the four of us sprinted for a small grove of bushy weed-like plants.

“I’m going up into the trees,” I whispered to Kade while dropping my pack to the ground. “Give me some cover.”

I could see he wanted to protest, but he let out a sigh and nodded. “Stay safe,” he warned me, turning and murmuring something to his brother.

Kian immediately lifted his arrow; Kade pulled out some small throwing knives, and the pair launched themselves up and over the bushes, creating noise and distraction.

I started scaling a nearby tree. I didn’t have the same skills as that assassin, so I had to sheath my weapon first, but after that I had no trouble. I was an excellent tree climber. Sure, a few years might have passed since my last adventure, but it was like riding a bike. Right?

My foot slipped and I lost my balance for a second, almost plummeting to the ground. Only my strong grip on a nearby branch broke my fall. With a deep breath, I pulled myself up again, trying my best to ignore the shouts from below. When I made it to the first level of strong, thick branches, I let my senses roam out across the canopy. The fae was in black; he shouldn’t blend in. And yet I sensed he was close, but I couldn’t see him.

Two trees across, a voice whispered in my mind, and I almost fell off the branch.

Not one of ours. Otherwise we would be able to dispel him from the branches. The dark assassins avoid our kind.

Thank you, I replied to the tree that was helping me. I peered two trees to my left, and sure enough the black-clad assassin was hanging onto its uppermost branch, about twenty feet away from me.

I had a crazy idea.

Can you launch me at him? I asked my new friend. If he could sway in the wind, he could move at will, right? Broken bones took a long time to heal, and I would be of no use to this mission if I did indeed break anything, but it was also the quickest way to move. Here was hoping my tree friends kept me from going splat.

Of course. We will extend our branches to keep you from falling. There was something strong and reassuring about the ancient words of the trees.

I silently unsheathed my sword just as the assassin started throwing more discs down into the forest. Now! I yelled, tensing my body, while also loosening my grip on the branches I held.

The tree that held me snapped backward, dipping me low toward the ground, its trunk bowing under the weight. Then it straightened and I was airborne. Simultaneous surges of excitement and fear flushed through me as I catapulted towards the black-clad fae.

He barely had time to look up and register my approach before I came crashing down on him, my sword sliding into his abdomen. Branches from a nearby tree came up to hold me in place, and I wrenched my sword upwards, trying to inflict maximum damage.

The fae’s eyes bulged, but with surprising strength he jerked his head forward, slamming into my nose. Pain exploded across my face and I dropped my hold on the sword, bringing my hands up to catch the blood gushing from my face. My eyes involuntarily watered, temporarily blinding me – pinned in close quarters with an assassin.

An assassin I had just pissed off.

I quickly blinked my eyes to clear them, the fuzzy vision disappearing in time for me to see the assassin’s hand rise, a small dagger clutched in it. He struck out, aiming for my neck, ready to slice into my carotid. My breath hitched as I threw my hands forward to block the blow. Cut hands I could heal, but a sliced throat was another thing.

My first deflection worked, but the fae was already gearing up to slice into me again. Suddenly Dante’s head peeked over the dark fae’s shoulder, his hands wrapping around his neck, before he twisted violently, snapping his spinal cord.

A sigh of relief escaped me. The assassin was dead.

“Thank you,” I said, a little breathlessly.

He nodded, his face remaining expressionless, not an ounce of evidence that he had just killed a guy showing at all.

“You okay?” he asked me.

I nodded, and then winced as the throbbing in my nose and forehead increased, not to mention the cuts on my hands. “Just a broken nose and a few scrapes. I’ll heal.”

I retracted my blade from the fae’s belly and let his body fall through the canopy, to land with a hard thud on the ground below. Leaning over, I could see Kade was waiting at the base of my tree.

“We’re okay!” I called down to him.

Dante immediately started to climb down, but I took a moment to place my hand on the tree branch that was cupping my lower back, keeping me firmly in place.

Thank you, friend.

I was surprised when a more feminine-sounding voice answered. You are most welcome.

Then I yelped a little as the branches began to move and configure themselves into a seat, cupping my butt, bending and lowering me to the ground. As I stepped off, I looked up to see all of my friends staring at me.

I smiled, shrugging. “Guess I have a tree affinity or something.”

Dante looked the most astonished, which was a bit comical considering he spoke to and commanded animals.

After another moment of gawking, Kade gave me that slow smile I was so in love with, and I felt his warmth brush across our bond. Glad you’re okay, my little tree hugger.

I laughed. Out loud. As usual confusing everyone who couldn’t hear our inner conversation. We need more trees in our garden.

You got it, love.

He focused then, turning toward the woods. “You think that dark fae was sent by someone to target us specifically? Or were we just in a ‘wrong place, wrong time’ situation?”

Dante answered, “We’re about thirty yards from the winter realm portal. His kind are a standard security measure since the war.”

That made sense, and I liked that theory a lot more than the one where the winter queen knew we were here. We gathered up our packs again, walking in the direction Dante instructed. Only a few paces in, a quiet little bird’s chirp sounded behind us.

Dante pursed his lips and let the air out through his teeth, creating a similar sound.

His birds had returned. A dozen finches flew down from the trees and landed on Dante’s outstretched hands, all chirping and talking at the same time as Dante’s face creased in concern. He sat there patiently and heard from every bird as we watched, waiting for him to translate. When they ceased their chatter, he pulled some seed from his pocket and they all had a feed.

“The winter queen and Dark Fae Lord are together. Which will help in taking both of them out at the same time,” Dante said, very quietly.

Okay. That was good news. The less time we spent on this mission, the better. I had a world to rebuild back in New York.

“The bad news…?” said Kade, picking up on what Dante wasn’t saying. His hand was resting on the dark staff as he stared with a hard expression at the fae.

Dante shifted his weight slightly, the only thing to betray any unease within him. “They are in the Dark Fae Lord’s realm, surrounded by the vilest creatures in existence.”

I didn’t even have a flicker of surprise within me. I’d expected nothing less. Ever since King Samson mentioned erchos, killians, and whatever else he’d said, I’d been waiting to meet those creatures. No way did the fae lord have such things in his army and not use them.

“Can you get us there?” I asked him, trying not to think of the oil-black ercho that had attacked me in central park.

Dante nodded. “I can.”

Kade stepped forward, his hand almost crushing the handle of the case he held. “How many creatures? What types?”

The birds flew off then, in unison, and Dante stood. “I have no idea how many, but I would guess a lot. Winged beasts, water beasts, and ones that were described that I cannot even put into words.”

We can do this. Kade sounded confident. I wasn’t so sure, but we had come too far to back out now.

“Kade and I are still going, but I understand if any of you want to turn back,” I offered. “We just need you to show us the way, Dante.”

He slammed a closed fist onto his chest. “It would complete my life’s work to aid in the death of the winter queen. I am all in.”

Shelley stepped forward. “You can use my gift to confuse any guards on the perimeter to keep the fight small.”

Tears welled in my eyes. “Thank you.”

Kian placed a hand on Shelley’s shoulder. “You have my sword also. Anything that will keep this war from spilling out onto the Earth and coming for our children.”

His words rang true. This was for Winnie and Nathanial, and all of the innocents.