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.