Fires of War (War and Deceit #4) - Erin O'Kane Page 0,142

the queen has inflicted upon her own people is mind-boggling. Tears sting my eyes as I watch the city being destroyed by the wall of water and bodies being dragged into the angry, churning river before being pulled out to sea.

The kelpie jerks her head back, pulling at my awareness. This is where we part, beloved. Her creepy voice echoes in my mind, projecting an image of a bridge, and I realise what she wants me to do. Looking up, I see the bridge just ahead of us. It’s somehow miraculously survived the initial wave, the swollen river just barely passing beneath it.

Pulling my knees up onto the creature’s back, I cling onto her mane as I desperately try to maintain my balance before pushing up onto my feet. In this crouched position, I can just barely hold on, but as soon as I stand, I’ll have to rely on my balance alone, so I have to time this perfectly. Taking a deep breath to calm my nerves, I focus on the rapidly approaching bridge and slowly push to standing, extending my arms for balance. The kelpie beneath me swims smoothly, but the water is choppy and the wind blows fiercely. Just as we reach the shadow of the bridge, I push from the creature’s back with all my might, my fae strength helping me to leap up onto the bridge. I stumble as I land, falling to my knees, but I ignore the sting of the pain, too busy watching as the first wave hits the palace.

The water slams into it like a wall, running up the front of it and over the top to the sea on the other side. The sound is unlike anything I’ve ever heard before, the ground rumbling with the force of the liquid. The east wing of the palace is instantly demolished, the huge chunks of white stone being washed away with the wave.

A piercing neigh pulls me from my desolation. Pushing up from where I fell, I run to the other side of the bridge and see the kelpie’s glowing amber eyes squinting up at me, reminding me I still have a job to do. I jerk my head in a nod, and she just snorts and dives into the water, only to jump out farther down and drag an unsuspecting forsaken, who happens to be too close to the river, into the water.

Looking at the destruction around me, I feel overwhelmed, and I have no idea where to start. My body feels exhausted and shaky, but I know I’ve still got a long way to go yet. Reaching for my bonds, I take strength from the stability of my mates and their passionate love. Find the others, I tell myself. Get to them, find the queen.

I pull the dagger from the small holster at my waist. I can’t wait until I meet with the others and can get my staff. I hadn’t planned to be separated from Vaeril or to ride into the city on the back of a kelpie, so I feel woefully unprepared. I just have to hope the army is quick and that most of the forsaken were taken out by the wave.

Scanning around me, I hurry across the bridge and into the city. It’s eerily quiet, other than the sound of the river. In fact, it’s too quiet. Following the tug in my chest, I sprint past the damaged buildings, not seeing a soul until I slam into a hard chest. I’m instantly enveloped in Vaeril’s scent and a sense of calm settles over me. He nuzzles his face into my hair as I press myself against him and listen to his pounding heart.

“I was terrified,” he whispers into my hair before pulling back and capturing my face between his hands. “When I saw my mate, my strong, powerful mate, riding on the back of a kelpie…” He trails off, a mix of lust and fear crossing his features as he relives the moment. Grinning, I lean up and pull him in for a kiss, showing him exactly what he means to me.

“You found me,” I whisper against his lips.

“Always.” He’s smiling now, the smile I love so much that he reserves just for me.

I hate to break the mood, but with a sigh, I pull back and glance around. Seeing no one, I frown. We just stormed an enemy city, and they knew we were coming. Sure, we washed many of them away, but they should