Serus knows I’m right, I’ve told him of my other dreams. In each, I’m in the ether, wandering in the darkness before a Shade seeks me out. I know it isn’t the same one each time, they have little, insignificant differences between them. Not even Serus knows how many there are. But I know he’s afraid of them. And that frightens me.
Thal leans forward in his saddle. “Here they come.”
I straighten nervously, stomach fluttering with butterflies. It’s been a week since I saw Altair and convinced Thal to come with me to the pass to the wastelands. I’ve craved his touch every night, his arrogant smiles. Now that I can see him once again, I feel as if it means so much more.
I hear them before I see them. Horses neigh and I hear the wheels of a wagon. And then he crests the hill. Framed by sunlight, Altair surveys the pass on his midnight-black mount. My heart surges with happiness and doubt at the sight of him. The others are like shadows in comparison to him, even Erzur is meaningless. I clutch my reins tighter as they approach. In the shadows of the mountain, I can make them out better.
Moritz dips his head in acknowledgement, and I wonder if I see a flicker of amusement in his eyes. Erzur sniffs, looking down her nose at us and Thal shifts beside me. I can practically feel the anger radiating off of him. When my eyes fall on my mother, I look away quickly. I can’t face her right now, and worse, I don’t want to. The wagon is nothing more than a cage on wheels, and inside sits Sadal. He looks greasy and thin, but I don’t feel any sympathy for him.
“What are you doing here?” Altair asks, his voice laced with surprise.
“We want to go with you,” I say, lifting my chin and daring him to turn me down. “You’ll need us.”
“You’ll need her,” Thal corrects, looking pointedly at me. “And you could always use another sword in a place like the wastelands.”
“Need you?” Erzur quips, tossing her curly locks over her shoulder. “Why?”
“I’ve seen them,” I say, meeting her gaze stubbornly. I’m stronger now than I was before. I’m not just the mortal. And while Thal has been training my physical body, Serus has helped me improve my magic. I straighten my shoulders.
“You’ve seen them?” Altair cocks a brow. “How?”
“I dream,” I say softly.
Erzur snorts. “The dreams of a child.”
Thal shoots her a glare. “The dreams of a Bloodbane witch.”
She purses her lips. Altair cuts his eyes towards her and lays a hand on her forearm, as if to soothe her. I hide a grimace and push away my pain, deep into my chest where I’ll hide it forever. Altair finally meets my eyes. “You can’t come.”
“But you said – ” I start, hurt lashing through me.
“I know what I said,” he barks. “I was wrong. It’s too dangerous.”
Altair swings off his saddle and starts undoing the coupling holding Sadal’s prison to the horse. Moritz and the soldier join him, separating the two and unlocking Sadal’s cage. I watch, thinking of more arguments to make, as they release Sadal. He stands shakily, but gives me a wry smile, as if we’re the best of friends sharing a secret. I scowl.
“Altair,” Thal says, drawing his attention. “We won’t take no for an answer. You might forbid us from joining your party, but we’ll trail along behind you anyway.”
Altair sighs at Thal’s grin. His eyes dart towards me. “You’re certain?”
I feel Serus pounce onto my shoulder and I nod. “I’m certain.”
“Then I suppose I have no choice.” Altair grins softly, a secret smile for us.
Erzur scoffs. “You can’t be serious.”
“I believe,” Moritz cuts in, “That your fiancé has spoken.”
Erzur purses her lips and glowers at Moritz but the other King doesn’t back down. I balk, realizing for the first time the powerful company I keep. I catch Sadal’s eye and he dips his chin towards Serus on my shoulder. A wide smile slips across his face.
“Not many witches keep familiars anymore,” he says lightly, almost like a compliment. “It’s very old, powerful magic. It takes a strong witch to bind one to her.”
“Don’t speak to her,” Altair barks, glaring at Sadal.
I press my lips into a thin line, discomfort and suspicion roiling in my gut. Serus’s amber eyes are locked on Sadal and I feel him rumble angrily, warningly. “He chose me,” I say, eyeing Altair so he knows I’m alright.
Sadal’s smile broadens. “They only choose the strong ones. Imagine what a powerful couple we could have been. If only you had let me fuck you when you had the chance. I could have made you an empress.”
His words feel like a bucket of ice water has been poured over my head. There’s a blur of black and suddenly Sadal goes flying. He grunts as Altair straddles him. My Fae King drives his fists into Sadal’s face, blood arcing through the air and coating his knuckles already. Sadal laughs between each blow, which only seems to fuel Altair’s anger. I swing off my horse, pain in my chest at the sight of so much anger.
Moritz leans forward in the saddle, watching the one-sided fight with piercing eyes. I run to Altair, panic in my gut. Erzur only laughs, clapping her hands as Altair swings again. I hear bone crunch, and Sadal’s laughter begins to fade.
My hand closes around Altair’s shoulder and I tug at him, trying to pull him away from Sadal. “Stop,” I pant. “It isn’t worth it.”
I tug once more and Altair grunts, trying to wrench his arm out of my grasp. His elbow flies back and I feel a flood of pain as it connects with my nose. I yelp, stumbling backwards as my hands go to my nose. Blood pours freely between my fingers and I taste it in my mouth. Altair freezes at the sound of my pain and whirls
