a wall. I’d even survived the Court of Frost. I needed to believe I would survive this as well, so I closed my eyes and conjured the happiest memories I could. It wasn’t any surprise to me that they all revolved around three stubborn Fae—one masked in darkness, one in fire, and one in ice.
Yes, even Sorrell. My cold hands reached up and touched my lips—recalling the kiss we’d shared in my bed in the Court of Frost. I knew what I wanted the rest of my life to look like, and it didn't involve me dying or us fighting a never ending war because Tyr wanted to burn it all down.
I had to believe that there was more to my existence than being used for another’s gain. I would not let myself be a pawn. Be that as it may, though, the second I saw the guys again, they were going to know the meaning of pain. I was going to kick the absolute shit out of their shins. Just because I trusted those assholes didn’t mean they had to leave my rescue to the last minute like this.
I settled into my cot and curled my knees up against my chest. Even with my irritation making me grumble to myself about stupid Princes and their need for perfection and leaving me in a crummy tower like this, I hoped … more than anything that even if I did die tomorrow, I’d at least be able to see them one last time.
Chapter Ten
Roan
The darkness of night encroached. Muted sounds echoed from the forest at my back as I stared up at the massive structure that was the capital castle of Amnestia. Cress was there just beyond our reach. After tomorrow, though, she would be back where she belonged. With me—with us.
"Roan." Sorrell's quiet voice called to me from the campfire side.
I didn't respond for a moment, choosing instead to let my eyes rest upon the outside of the castle a moment longer. My eyes slid shut and an image of Cress's face came to mind. Her beautiful smile—dangerously deceptive. If she never opened her mouth, she could've masqueraded as a high born lady of any Court. It was her personality that separated her from the others. Her laughter—loud and boisterous. She was so unapologetic in her excitement and adventurous nature. Knowing she was locked away in the darkness left a pang in my heart. Her kind of light should never have to suffer this kind of atrocity, and after tomorrow, I would ensure she never would again.
"Roan." Sorrell's voice grew nearer until I could sense him standing alongside me. I opened my eyes. "Come. You need to eat and then sleep. I'll take the first watch."
I nodded and as the two of us turned back to the fires, Orion stepped out of the darkness of the trees and into our little clearing. We lifted our heads to look at him. "The Court is secured," he announced before striding forward and lowering himself into a cross-legged position next to the fire.
Fatigue pulled at my bones. I knew they could feel it too. It had been exhausting to move the castle, not only from Alfheim to the human realm but to do so once more. The three of us were drained and I knew the only surefire way to increase our energy and replenish our magic was to fuck. Too bad none of us seemed all that interested in doing so unless it was with one golden-haired, smart-mouthed Changeling.
Orion withdrew a flint stone and one of his blades, then began sharpening the end. A battle was coming and on the break of morning, it would arrive. I could feel the clinging vines of bloodshed already weaving through my body. My blood boiled. My senses—though drained—were still as sharp as ever. We were so close to her. I wanted to feel her in my arms. I wanted to press her beneath me and pound my cock into her.
"Do you think the illusion will hold?" Sorrell inquired, directing his question to Orion.
Orion's hands paused their consistent up and down movements against the blade. "Groffet has everything under control," he said. "Ash will be helping, and for our purposes, the illusion will hold for as long as it needs to."
I knew what that meant. There was no way humans wouldn't see a Fae castle so close to the human King's and not attack it. We'd had to leave it several miles behind, but that also