Smolder (Crown of Fae #3) - Sharon Ashwood Page 0,17

elemental power, but not with any great success.”

“Juradoc is definitely hungry. I felt it during the dance. He would have sucked us dry if he could have.”

The cat’s ears flattened with anger. “Perhaps Juradoc was testing his method of feeding. It would make sense to start small. If he intends to taste the Flame at its source, he’ll need to practice.”

“Whatever the reason, he won’t test his theories on Elodie again. Riya had lost one parent already. I won’t allow her to lose another.”

Leena fell silent for a long moment. Kifi put a paw on her arm. “There is more you aren’t telling me.”

Leena let out a breath that might have been a sob. “Fionn. He has attracted the general’s attention and earned a place in his guard. He’s on the road to Tymeera, too.”

Kifi’s yellow eyes grew sharp. “Has he sickened? The rot is usually how the enemy shows preference.”

Leena met the cat’s gaze. Her chin trembled, but she stiffened it against oncoming tears. “Do the cats know how to save him?”

Kifi rubbed her chin against Leena’s hand in a gesture of sympathy. “Only extraordinary magic will work.”

“Like Morran’s?”

Kifi sagged despondently. “Maybe once upon a time.”

Leena’s throat squeezed. She had to save Fionn somehow.

“If the Shades are expecting a dancer,” Leena began, “we can give them a dancer.”

Kifi hissed in dismay. “You would go in Elodie’s place?”

“Yes.” The more Leena thought about it, the more sense it made. She could keep an eye on Fionn. She could save Elodie. Plus, she could find out what power Morran actually had—hopefully before the Mother’s prophecy of death came to pass.

That assumed Morran could be reasoned with. She’d seen the madness in his eyes as he’d destroyed Lord Dorth’s feast hall, tossing guards across the room like napkins. She might be risking her life for nothing.

Leena bent and scooped Kifi into her arms, kissing the cat on the nose. “Thank you for everything. I’m going to miss you terribly.”

“I will miss you, Leena of the Temple.” Kifi regarded her with large eyes. “I will give your farewells to the Mother.”

A sudden ache lodged in Leena’s throat. “Please understand that I’m desperate.”

“The army is camped at the east gate,” Kifi said quickly, as if afraid to prolong the goodbye. “They will leave at first light, so you need to hurry.”

With that, the cat leaped free, bounded to the windowsill, and vanished.

Leena swallowed hard. The task she’d set herself was simple. All she had to do was leave everything she had ever known to walk into impossible danger—and beg a doomed prince for his help.

There was every chance this would be a one-way trip.

6

Dawn lit the horizon as Leena reached the east gate. At this hour, it was unlikely she’d meet anyone she knew, but there was still a risk of recognition and questions would slow her down. Accordingly, Leena wore her long cloak and used both the hood and a scarf to veil her features. She carried her few belongings bundled in her shawl beneath the cloak.

A stone’s throw beyond the gate, a row of spears was thrust butt-first into the dirt. This marked the camp’s outskirts. She had arrived just in time, judging by the bustle of soldiers. Tents collapsed one by one in a flutter of silks, reminding her of landing birds. Horses stood patiently as waggoners fastened their jingling harness. From somewhere to the right, she caught the scent of wood smoke and frying meat. All at once, she felt her long night and empty stomach.

A guard stepped in her path before she’d crossed the space to the army’s domain. He was a tall, rangy earth fae with skin the color of an old oak.

“State your business,” he said. The accent was from Kyleen.

“I was summoned from the temple to dance for the general and his guest, Prince Morran.”

“Your name?”

“Elodie, daughter of Vira and dancer of the Flame.” She gave a demure curtsey as she said it. Her height and build were nothing like her friend’s, but the guard wouldn’t know that.

“Right you are, miss,” he said, standing a little straighter and giving her a broad smile. “I was told you would be coming. Follow me.”

Leena exhaled in relief. Apparently, news of the Mother’s refusal to send Elodie hadn’t made it back to the camp—or at least not to the patrol at the gate. So far, everything was falling into place.

The guard shouted at another soldier to relieve him. Then he led Leena across the camp. The dry ground had