Beyond the Mountain (Fae's Captive #4) - Lily Archer Page 0,8

fur from his shoulders. “Plan?”

“Get her back.” My hands curl into fists as a million worries trample through my mind. Is she injured? Terrified? Mistreated? Worse?

“Any idea where she was taken? The Gray Mountains are wide. So many peaks and valleys, places to hide.”

“I realize that,” I snap.

He nods. Gray has never been one to get his feelings hurt. Tough and resilient, he’s the perfect soldier.

“Ravella can locate her. Surely.” He scratches his red beard. “Only a matter of time before we go on the hunt.”

“Who died?” Gareth’s weak voice barely rises past the crackling fire.

The smallest bit of hope blooms in my chest as I turn to him. “About time.”

Beth exhales, and her chin drops to her chest.

“Are you hurt?” Gareth tries to reach for her.

“I’m fine.” She looks up, her eyes glistening. “I’m fine now.”

“Worried for me, were you?”

Her impish smile returns, though subdued. “Worried you were going to die before admitting how much you like me.”

“Good to see your false confidence is still high.” He sighs but doesn’t let go of her hand, the two of them sharing a moment that’s shocking and tender all at once.

“Taylor.” He turns to me, his eyes stark. “We must find her.”

“Be still. You took a sword through the back.”

He grimaces. “I told you we couldn’t trust Para.”

“You never trust anyone.” I clasp his forearm, relief filtering down through the veil of grief that shades my soul.

“I know. That’s the way to avoid a blade in the back.” His breath catches on a cough.

I pour him a cup of water and lift his head. He drinks, then settles back down.

“Cenet took her.” His hands curl into fists. “Bastard stole right out of the woods and took her. Killed Para—no loss there. But Taylor. Have you found her?” He looks at me with hopeful eyes, but he’s a warrior too. Just like me, he knows that things are never simple. Never easy.

“Ravella is scrying for her through the vale.” I resume pacing. “Did you see anything else? Any clue where she’s gone?”

He shakes his head slightly. “Para took me out. That shame rests squarely on my shoulders. I didn’t protect my queen. I have failed her.” He meets my gaze, his dark eyes giving way to sadness. “Just as I have failed you.”

“Your oath is still good, old friend.” I stop beside him. “We are going to take her back. We have to.”

“Ravella can find her, right?” Beth chews her lower lip.

“I don’t know.” I hate the answer. “She’s been able to scry before, but not in the Gray Mountains.” Saying it out loud is a fresh dagger through me. Where is my Taylor? “She’s tried to find the missing lesser fae and changelings, but her vision stops at the edge of those lands. Nothing passes through there, not even her spectral form.”

“Maybe this time—”

“No.” Ravella leans back against the cabin wall, her face wan, her eyes back to normal. “I followed the trail as far as I could, but I couldn’t see past the mountains. The trail leads to those damnable peaks, but I can go no farther.”

I can’t stop the roar that rips from me, the sound shaking the timbers of the cabin and sending puffs of dust down from the rafters.

“Me too.” Beth taps her heart. “But in here.”

Ravella wipes the sweat from her brow.

Gray rises and pours her some water.

“Thanks.” She drains it. “But I did see someone in the vale. Someone who could possibly help us.” Her expression darkens even further. “But it will be costly.”

“I’ll pay any price to find her.” No hesitation.

“I was afraid you’d say that.” She drains another cup, then crosses her legs again. “I’ll bring her. Brace yourselves.” Her eyes turn white, and she’s gone into the vale again.

Gray opens one of the provisions bags and starts setting out a meal. “We need to eat. Keep our strength in case the summer realm gets suicidal again.”

I wave the food away. I can’t eat, can barely function. What I need is Taylor. Everything inside me clamors for my mate, and the feral howls with longing. I won’t sit idle. I must follow her, even if my path takes me to the darkest Spire.

“Gray’s right,” Gareth chides. “Eat while you can. When we set off for the Gray Mountains, there may not be food for—”

“We?” I arch a brow. “You aren’t going anywhere.”

“I damn well am.” He sputters. “I watch your back, remember?”

“Might need to keep a better eye on your own.” Gray snorts.

“You’ll