Bite of Winter (Fae's Captive #3) - Lily Archer Page 0,22

didn’t kill Vanara. I … I think I did. I felt something when she died. Like a surge. I don’t know how. I don’t understand.”

“What did—”

“What is going on?” Beth sprints toward us, a row of Vundi soldiers at her back, their weapons drawn.

“Behind me. Now.” I set Taylor down, then draw my sword. It’s close quarters, but I’ll use it to my advantage and cut a way out of this place. The feral clamors in agreement. “Gareth, watch our flank.”

He’s already there, a blade of winter, cold and deadly.

“You slew Vanara and Delantis.” The first soldier advances, his curved blade out to his side.

Ice creeps along the floor toward him. “Vanara betrayed our truce, and Delantis died trying to defend it. Now, you can let us leave, or you can die.” I keep my voice steady, the calm before the storm.

He doesn’t stop, the ire in his eyes showing he’s already made up his mind. “You will pay for your crimes.”

“You choose death.” I send a vicious blast of cold shooting down the corridor.

Charging ahead, I raise my blade to shatter the soldiers as I go.

“Halt!” Keret shouts.

I look up and find him on the ceiling, his lizard-like claws gripping the stone.

He drops down in front of me, his tail sticking out behind him.

“We are leaving.” I don’t back down. I’ll kill him if I have to. Getting Taylor out of here is paramount.

“Wait.” He holds out a hand. “Delantis sent her feral to me as it died. She told me what happened. Vanara turned traitor.”

I advance on him and press my blade to his throat. “Did she? Or was she acting on council orders?”

“No!” He blinks one eye and then the other. “The council is prepared to stand by the agreements we made. The Vundi word is good.” The sizzle of magic reinforces his promise and tells me he didn’t order Vanara to break the Vundi’s oath.

“And what of Delantis?” The feral rides me hard, telling me to kill them all to keep Taylor safe. “There will be no retribution for her life?”

“Not against you or your companions. And I believe Vanara has already paid the price for her mistake.” He yells to the soldiers, “The council demands you all stand down. The winter realm is an ally, and they have done no wrong. Vanara betrayed us. She served the king beyond the mountain, not the Vundi. The winter king’s mate, Taylor, has given us a way forward with the crops, and the king has agreed to help sustain us until such time as we produce enough food to support ourselves. They are not our enemies.”

I wait and allow the winter freeze to retreat inside me, but it’s right on the edge, ready to explode should anyone make a wrong move. “We’re still leaving.” I pull my blade from Keret’s neck.

“The treaty?” he asks.

Movement has me tensing for a fight again, but Cenet appears behind Keret, his hands out, weapons stowed. “I came to help.”

“Your soldiers could have used it,” Gareth says wryly. He hands Taylor the obsidian sword, the blade cleaned of Vanara’s blood.

“I meant that I came to help you.” Cenet glares. “But I see Keret has it handled.”

“The treaty?” Keret presses.

“It is still good as long as we are allowed to leave.” I can’t keep the ice from my tone. “The Vundi shouldn’t suffer because of Vanara’s treachery.”

“You may leave as soon as you wish, and I’m happy to send Cenet with you to make sure you reach the border safely.”

“No, thank you,” Gareth’s voice carries down the hall. “I can see to the king’s security.”

“May we at least send provisions with you?”

“We don’t want to take what you have.” I eye the nearest soldier as the ice falls from him, and he’s able to move.

He steps back. Wise choice.

I hold one hand out behind me, warmth infusing me as Taylor takes it without hesitation. Leading her through the soldiers, I glower at them as they part for us. We return to our rooms, and Gareth guards the door as Beth and Taylor throw clothes and food into bags. I don’t leave Taylor’s side, my instincts attuned to every move she makes.

“Leander.” She pauses as she’s stuffing her hat into the bag and turns to me, her eyes troubled. “When Vanara came for us, it wasn’t Delantis who killed her. That magic, the black veins on her skin—it came from me somehow.”

A wave of foreboding cascades through me. “Are you certain?”

“Yes.” She stares at her