“Serena,” Frazer called, tugging on the bond.
He reeled me in as though I were a fish caught on a line. Blue-silver eyes found mine, calming me, drowning me in water. Fire quenched, a rush of tiredness followed.
“Care to explain what that was?” Adrianna stared at me, her back ramrod straight.
“Not now,” Frazer replied for me.
Adrianna’s jaw ticked, but she said nothing.
Cai served up a distraction. “Morgan might not have light magic like Lynx, but she’s still the most powerful fae-witch in, well … ever.” Burning with the dark court’s fire, his eyes held mine. “A witch who’s breached the human realm and leashed a fae like the Dark Prince—”
Frazer made a sound of disapproval. “Don’t call him that.”
Cai didn’t break stride. “The point is we’d need a legion to bring her down.”
“We’d need more than that,” Adrianna huffed ruefully.
I shot her a cutting glance. “I wasn’t suggesting we take her on single-handedly.”
“Good. Because we wouldn’t survive long if we did,” Adrianna replied.
Not bothering to respond, I turned to Liora. “But she isn’t invincible. Hunter told me that she was worried about neighboring fae realms. You might find sanctuary there?”
Cai looked to Liora. “We’ve considered fleeing to Asitar or Mokara, but the crossing …”
“Can be fatal,” Liora finished, her eyes creasing with worry.
“It’s suicidal,” Adrianna cut in. “What d’you know of our eastern brethren?” Her focus snapped to me, her mouth a hard line.
I scrabbled to remember all that Hunter had revealed. Slowly, his words trickled to the forefront of my mind. “Only that it used to be your homeland, but there was a conflict with the other fae, so you fled and came here. And Morgan thinks war might be coming.”
Frazer shifted a bit while Adrianna tensed and said, “All true, except the last part. Morgan might say war is imminent, but we only have her word for it.”
“Oh?” I voiced carefully.
Frazer quickly, quietly informed me, “The Aldarian fae and the Eastern Alliance signed a truce after three hundred years of war. Both sides suffered untold losses. We were broke, bleeding, and tired, so our people agreed to exile on conditions.” The line of his jaw tightened.
Adrianna pushed out a dry huff of laughter.
Frazer quirked his head. “The treaty stopped foreign fae setting foot on our soil, but we could travel to their lands. It made trade complicated, but possible—”
“That was before Morgan’s reign of paranoia and authoritarianism.” Adrianna spoke passionately. “She banned all trade and crossings to those countries.” Her voice tempered as she looked to Liora. “Even if you could get past the triggers and the border force, once you got to Asitar or Mokara, then what? There’s not a human alive who isn’t in a collar.”
Liora’s eyes traveled to Cai, who was staring—frowning—at Adrianna. He didn’t look convinced. “All we’re left with is rumors now, partially inspired by Morgan’s ravings. Things might’ve changed.”
Liora was the one to add, “But they might not have. I won’t risk you being thrown in chains, Cai.”
“And I won’t stand aside and watch you die,” he fired back.
Liora’s expression crumpled as her brother’s expression turned ferocious.
No one spoke.
The only sounds now were the hissing, cracking of the fire and Adrianna pulling out an apple from her bag. This spurned Frazer to reach into his pack beside him. You should eat something too. You were out cold when everyone else had their evening rations.
Fine, but I’m not eating your food.
Frazer didn’t listen and pulled out a few thick slices of wrapped fruit loaf. When I didn’t take the wrappings, he sighed through his nose. You can give me some of your food tomorrow if you think it’s necessary.
I do.
He gave me a little smile. Deal.
I scarfed down the loaf slices in three mouthfuls, but it didn’t take the edge off my hunger. Frazer simply handed me more of his rations. I cursed myself as a greedy, selfish wretch but took the pouch of dried fruit anyway.
Adrianna tossed an apple core over her shoulder and peered over at me. “You said a male named Hunter told you about the other fae realms?”
I nodded at her.
“There aren’t any recruits by that name,” she said, her mouth puckering slightly.
“It was a male from the Hunt. The one who captured her.” Liora was smiling at me.
“River and sky protect us,” Adrianna muttered, her eyes rolling. “What is it with you? You seem to induce every male fae you meet to fawn over you.”
A croaking laugh burst out of me. “Hardly.”
“I hope that barb wasn’t directed at me,” Frazer snarled.
“You, in particular,” Adrianna said, giving him a twisted smile.
Frazer’s hackles lifted and shook with a grumpy growl.
Hardly concealing the exasperation in my voice, I retorted, “Adi, Frazer’s like my brother.” Her eyebrows knotted together. “As for Hunter, I’ve thought about it since, and I think he was nice to me because he wanted—maybe needed—a human to ease his guilt.”
It wasn’t a lie. Sadly.
Liora caught my eye. “I think it was more than that,” she said gently.
Adrianna clucked her tongue. “First, a member of the twisted Wild Hunt and then a legendary fae Warrior.”
My mouth dried. “What are you talking about?”
Adrianna didn’t blink. “I’ve seen the way you stare at each other.”
My cheeks burned.
Cai cocked an all-too-amused eyebrow in my direction. Questioning. Liora hadn’t told him then.
Frazer tossed his head to the velvety pitch sky and said, “Maybe we should get some sleep.”
Cai grinned wide. “Nice distraction.”
Frazer flashed his teeth in answer.
I sighed and tucked the pouch of fruit back in Frazer’s pack. “I’m not sure I could sleep.”
“Then don’t,” Adrianna said evenly. “Act as our lookout. The southern parts of the Riverlands is home to fewer dangers than the north, but we have to remain vigilant. Especially with Tysion’s pack on the hunt.” She jerked her chin into the forest and then looked back to me. “We’ll take it in turns to keep watch. You’ll need some sleep. We’ve got a long march ahead tomorrow, and maybe you’ve all forgotten amidst talk of starting rebellions and conquering queens, but we still need to finish these damned trials.”
Cai motioned to his sister haphazardly. “And what, I’m just supposed to ignore what’s happening to my little sister?”
I thought I spotted Liora’s eyes shining just a touch too bright. She looked crushed.
Adrianna pulled a bedroll from her pack. Shaking it out, she continued. “Well, you could go and take your chances elsewhere, but the way I see it, your best chance for helping your sister is right here with us.”
“Why d’you say that?” Liora stared at Adrianna as if she already suspected the answer.
Adrianna moved to sit on her sleeping bag. She crossed her legs and said, “Any warrior fae knows that a pack that sticks together is the stronger for it.”
“What are you saying?” Cai said with a delighted, playful expression.
“I’ve already said it—we trust in our pack, we guard each other’s backs. And maybe, somewhere along the way we’ll be able to help one another. But to do that, we need to complete this trial. We need to survive tomorrow and whatever else they throw at us.”
“You’ll help us? You’ll stand with us when the time comes?” Cai asked. As if he were desperate to know.
Adrianna cut him a blazing gaze. “I’m part of this pack, aren’t I?”
“Yes,” he admitted. “But we’ve all been banished from our homelands or are running from something. All of us, except you. That doesn’t make us the best allies or the best company to keep. So why ally with us? What d’you get out of this?”