“One for word to reach the outlying camps. One for them to form a plan. One to implement it. If they do not strike by then, they will not bother. At which point, and only then, will you be allowed free rein.”
Her eyes narrowed on me and I decided to nip the rest of my fairy problems in the bud.
I turned to Grey. “Until the fourth day, she will be Steed’s charge.” He looked like I’d slapped him. “You put us all at risk last night, but none more than Ruby. Had you stepped in to protect her, she would have no power under the sign of the guard.
“When we return,” I continued, “Grey will lead a scouting mission for information on the boy. Someone will have seen him or his silver.” And I would need to find the wolves.
Mention of the assassin had brought a stillness to the room. I struggled for a way to express my thanks to this group that meant so much to me. They had brought me back from nothing, had risked their lives for this. Everything seemed inadequate, but the silence was growing too loud.
“You have done us proud.”
Grey and Rhys were mounted and waiting at the gate when I reached the stable. Chevelle stood outside, holding the reins of both horses. It seemed like people were always waiting on me. I picked up my pace.
Chevelle handed my reins over with a wry smile. “Your Steed.”
I bit my cheek and swung up into the saddle as quick as he. Side by side, I replied in a hushed tone, “I am surprised you’ve let me keep him.”
The smile dropped from his face. “Yes. Well, I considered replacing him. But, in truth, he is one of the nicest mounts in the land.” He winced at his own words and kicked his horse up to gallop.
I swallowed a giggle and joined him.
We were quiet as we made our way from the castle. When we’d cleared any foot traffic, Grey and Rhys rode ahead as sentry.
I still felt guilty about berating Grey so publicly.
Chevelle saw me watching. “You wounded his honor.”
“It was right.”
He eyed me knowingly before returning his gaze to the mountain. “I heard what Dagan said.”
I flinched. “That doesn’t mean I wasn’t wrong.”
He didn’t respond.
Leave it to Chevelle to stand up for him. It was hardly the same thing.
It was my first outing since our return from Asher’s lair. Any of the guard could have made this showing, but I’d wanted to see the mountain myself. The dark rock had been my home, these pathways my playground. I wanted to see what had changed, what had been lost. I needed to know how I would be received by the all, not just the clan leaders.
After the massacre, there had been no one in control. It had been known Asher had lived and though he had been in hiding, I supposed fear of his return had been heavy in the minds of those who might take advantage. I, as his second, would have been regent if not in a sort of hiding of my own. As it was, neither of us ruling but neither confirmed dead, the goings-on continued day by day. The staff cared for the castle, the grounds, completed their tasks as usual. It was not as if anyone wanted to lose their positions or honor, let alone their lives if Asher were to reappear.
He might have been a harsh ruler, leading by fear and control, but he was Lord. He was respected. He was obeyed. Now that he was gone, his half-breed granddaughter who had never wanted to rule didn’t quite strike fear into the hearts of her people. And there was only one thing they hated more than fairies. Humans.
Over the last few weeks, I’d realized it was fortunate the way things had worked out. We could have died a thousand ways by now, Chevelle and I, as we went for revenge in the grasp of rage. Nothing short of losing every memory I had could have kept me from settling scores. And nothing short of recovering me could have kept him from doing the same. I had taken care of Asher. Chevelle had seen me returned. Now one objective remained. And I would stay alive long enough to see it through if it was the last thing I did.
“You look like you’re trying to memorize something,” Chevelle said.
“You look like a member of the royal guard,” I retorted.
His eyes narrowed on me.
I shrugged.
And suddenly, we were flying through the air. For half a second, I thought Chevelle had retaliated, but there was nothing playful about the hit I’d taken. I hadn’t even seen him come off his horse, but he’d slammed into me at full speed. We came to an abrupt stop as we smashed into the rock beside the path. Chevelle rolled smoothly into a crouch as I lay there, staring at the sky. The impact had knocked the wind out of me. A screaming pain in my side accompanied the return of my breath, but instinct kicked in and I was on my feet again, crouched beside Chevelle.
Our horses were gone, the clatter of their hooves shifting rock fading as I listened. Rhys and Grey were across the path, a few lengths ahead, eyes scanning the mountain. I had a feeling I’d missed something, and it didn’t look good. Beside me, Chevelle was searching as well. I sank to my knees and closed my eyes.