Queen of the Fae (Dragon's Gift The Dark Fae #3) - Linsey Hall Page 0,59

realm. They were the most likely places for the queen to try to break through. When she did, reinforcements would flow toward her and the other Unseelie.

“I’m going to go with them,” Aeri said.

I gave her a hard hug. “Be careful. If it gets too dicey, leave.” I looked at the FireSouls. “Same goes for you.”

“Sure.” Aeri said, and I didn’t believe a word of it.

The FireSouls nodded their heads yes, but their eyes said no.

They’d stay, no matter how iffy it got.

The group all turned and retreated, heading toward their post. A monster truck drove up alongside them, three women leaning out. Two brunettes and a blonde—the DragonGods from the Undercover Protectorate in Scotland. More friends, who I hadn’t seen in ages. Here to help. They waved at us as they picked up the FireSouls and my sister, then zoomed off toward the east, the big truck eating up the ground.

I turned to look at Tarron.

“You have a lot of friends,” he said.

I nodded, my throat a bit tight. Was that what you called people who risked their lives for you?

It seemed like there should be a better word, though I couldn’t think of it.

“Let’s get going.” I looked up. “Will we wait up there?”

He nodded. “It’s equidistant from all the entrances, so when she arrives, we’re most likely to get to her quickly.”

I drew in a deep breath and called upon my wings, eying the dagger sheathed at Tarron’s thigh as I rose high into the air. He flew alongside, graceful and powerful on the air.

We landed on the edge of the platform, and guilt swelled inside of me at the sight of all the scared faces. The Fae—old, young, and sick—all sat on mats and cushions, waiting.

This had to be what the Tube tunnels had looked like in London during the Blitz.

Barbaric.

I made my life out of violence—chasing demon hunters and pretty much bathing in their blood daily.

But that was small scale, and it was my choice.

This garbage…

War.

“It’s bullshit,” I muttered.

Tarron squeezed my hand, and I had a feeling he knew what I meant by it.

I turned from the faces, needing to center myself. I couldn’t be freaking out when the queen showed up—that was a recipe for losing. And this was one fight—the one fight—I couldn’t afford to lose.

The entire perimeter of the platform was populated by warrior Fae, wings at the ready. Armor gleamed in the sun, and weapons glinted menacingly. The land-bound enforcements were situated on the ground, whereas those who could fly would attack from the air, launching off of this platform.

Tarron made the rounds, speaking to the soldiers. Bolstering them. Their shoulders straightened after a few words from him, and it was clear what kind of king he was.

The best.

The kind who would die for his people, all while letting them believe he’d usurped the throne from his brother so he could protect the legacy of his loved one.

Finally, he joined me, and we stood, staring out at his kingdom.

Wind blew my hair back from my face, and I shivered.

It truly was beautiful. The entire place looked like a fairy tale—but then, that’s where the term probably came from.

Tension tightened my skin as we waited. I had no idea how long it could be.

“In all honesty, she could wait days,” I said.

“She could.”

“I don’t think she will. I don’t think she can wait.”

“Agreed.” Tarron squeezed my hand, and I wondered if this would be the last time we’d touch each other.

Was our fated mate bond meant to end like this? Short, volatile, passionate—and then one meant to kill the other?

It was too horrible to even contemplate.

I shook my head, driving away the fear.

There was no way I’d let fear take me now.

“She just has to heal, then she’ll be here.” If I went to her, would she stop this?

No.

And she’d cause far more damage than this. With me as her weapon, the whole world was at risk.

I’d no sooner thought it than it felt like the world itself exploded. From the east, a massive blast thundered through the air, knocking back our fighters.

“It is time,” Tarron bellowed.

Instinct overrode my terror of what was to come, and I was grateful. I’d spent very little of my adult life being afraid—I was entirely unused to it.

Tarron turned to me and gave me one last kiss on the lips. Hard, fast, full of feeling.

Then over.

He pulled away and launched himself into the sky. I took to the air, my wings flaring wide and carrying me