by K. M. Shea
That meant he was probably going to ask for another match, so I needed to capitalize on my victory time. I did the worst imitation of a disco dance ever and went back to hopping in glee. “I am a dirty cheater, and this would never count in real life, but I don’t care! I wo—ahh!” I screamed when Killian intercepted me.
I thought he’d be upset—I had toed the line of honorable fighting and attacked even though he’d clearly gotten me. So I was pretty surprised when he swept me up in a hug with a deep laugh I could feel through his chest.
“That was brilliant.” His British accent was on full blast, addling me like a vampire falling on my head. “Have you been planning that this whole time?”
Killian spun in a circle, so I grabbed his shoulders for stability. “No way,” I said. “I just realized I could use it.”
A bit of his smile faded. “Then you really are that scared of me?”
“No, not really.”
His expression was unreadable as he held me high enough so we were eye to eye. “But you cringe.”
“Killian.” I rolled my eyes in irritation. “To end the match you routinely put your hand on my throat when I’m running high on adrenaline. Of course I’m going to flinch! No matter who I fight, I’d flinch! That is basic human instinct!” I released my grasp on his shoulders so I could poke the furrowed spot between his eyebrows. “And might I remind you, I’ve only been training with you Drakes for about half a year! It’s going to take a lot more experience to override base instincts. But when I tried to tell you that, did you believe me? Nooo!”
Killian slightly shifted his grasp on my thighs so he could boost me up higher and I didn’t slide down now that I wasn’t clinging to him. “I’m well aware vampires are terrifying.”
“You are,” I agreed. “But I know you. And I know even when you go all out and your eyes are glowing, you’d never hurt me.”
His exhale was deep but ragged. He slipped his arm under my thighs, freeing up a hand that he gently pressed between my shoulder blades, scooping me into a hug.
He leaned the side of his head against mine, his lips brushing the spot just below my cheek, and I felt the last of my reservations fade.
In this moment, I felt more from him than I had when we’d kissed.
He wasn’t hiding behind a smirk or a cold expression, and his relief was so sharp I could almost taste it. He was that happy that I trusted him.
I slung my arms over his tensed shoulder and hugged him. We’d come so far. He still manipulated things, but he was trying. And despite our differences, I knew I trusted him with my life. And yeah, I loved the jerk. Ugh. That was going to be so much fun to sort through once the war was over.
And in that moment, it hit me.
“Killian.” I pushed away from him and scrambled, trying to get him to set me down.
“Is something wrong?” He loosened his hold, and I slid down his front, my hands shaking.
“No, everything’s fine. But I know how we can surprise the fae and rip them a new one.”
He tugged at the massive hole in the center of his shirt. “Really?”
“Yep. And you’re going to hate it.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Hazel
My heart pounded in my throat, and I thought I might throw up.
I attempted to stare impassively at the barren field Celestina had selected for our war with the Night Court, trying to appear nonchalant even though the sight of the Night Court forces scared the magic out of me.
Spread out before us was a massive army, so thick with troops that it looked like a black shadow had fallen over the field.
A silver line near the back of the shadow marked out the Night Court fae nobles in their enchanted armor. Just before them—in black and muted purple tabards—were the bulk of the fae fighting forces, guards and soldiers standing in organized formations.
But spread in front of and wrapping around the sides was a thick band of fae citizens. These fighters made up about half of the Night Court’s forces, and they weren’t all humanoids like the nobles and soldiers. There were trolls, hobgoblins, a few sparks of light that were probably pixies, a hydra, and more.
Given only about twenty wizards from House Medeis were fighting and Killian had decided on roughly sixty Drake vampires for his forces, the fae outnumbered us at a ratio I didn’t want to think of.
Momoko rested a forearm on my shoulder. “Someone has the numbers advantage.”
Felix put his hand on the top of my head. “I think it’s despicable. Almost the entire Night Court is here, including the fae that can’t fight like the pixies and brownies.” His lips pulled back in an almost vampire-like snarl as he used his free hand to point to the short statured brownies, who were visibly shaking on the front lines. “What a coward. Queen Nyte is planning to use her people as fodder. What a vile woman!”
I inhaled deeply, already tasting the floral, rose-bathwater taste fae magic oozed, and I felt a little better.
Momoko and Felix might look terribly casual considering I was their Adept, and the average person might think by their body language they were purposely underlining my shortness. But it was the opposite. Their blazing warmth grounded me. My heart slowed down so I no longer felt like it was going to rip out of my chest as their familiar presence and tangy magic floated around me.
I held out my hands. They both shifted to put theirs in mine, and I squeezed.
Thank you.
They squeezed back.
You’re welcome.
This was what being part of a House meant. Support and love…and standing with each other when it was time to fight.
I was asking my people to risk their lives in this. Most fae magic didn’t affect us, but based on the sword the Night Court had busted out in their attack at the Cloisters, there was a pretty good chance they might have something old and powerful enough to hit us. (If we hadn’t used our shields in the cloisters, the bolt from the sword could have done some damage to us.)
And they had a lot of weapons besides their magic in their arsenal…
I squinted briefly at the sun—it was a deep orange, the first hint of sunset. It cast an anemic light over the field, and it was so cold a few snowflakes dusted the ground.
“We figured she’d do this,” I reminded them. “She’s obviously desperate to take out Killian. I think she blames him for the downward spiral she created in her life since killing her husband and then pettily trying to get Killian back for blabbing. She was willing to drag her entire Court down with her. I don’t think it’s that surprising that she’s willing to waste their lives, too. But that’s why we have our strategy.”
Momoko grinned. “I hope I get to see her face when she realizes what’s going on. It’s going to be rich!”
“I’m just glad we don’t have to be out there, listening to her drone on.” Felix pointed to the spot where Killian and Great Aunt Marraine stood together, talking with Queen Nyte.
Both parties had three guards at their backs—to make sure no one tried anything before the duel started. Officially they were meeting to discuss laws of certamen and the terms of surrender for each side demanded in case of defeat—basically a lot of political-esque talk I was not at all sad to miss.
I smirked. “She looks a little upset.”
Queen Nyte was furious. Her beautiful face was twisted in an ugly roar, and her willowy build looked more skeletal in her rage.
Celestina joined us, her hands tucked behind her back. “The Eminence must have gotten to the part where surrender from the Night Court means she and dear Consort Ira have to abdicate.”
Queen Nyte held a harp that glowed purple with magic, and she started to raise it until the nobleman accompanying her furiously patted her hand and then pointed to the chairs set far back from the field.
There sat Pre-Dominant Harka, the Paragon, and the Elite—today’s witnesses to make sure everyone followed the letter of the law. Behind them, ready to enforce that law, was a band of werewolves, and a
squad of House Bellus wizards. And there was a weird shadowy presence behind the Paragon—almost a black hole, except I could feel how it radiated magic, the same old and ancient flavor I’d come across a few times since Mason’s attempted coup.
If Queen Nyte tried anything dishonorable, they would mete out justice, and they’d make what Killian and I had planned look like a tea party.
I flexed my fingers and flipped up the hood of my white jacket—it was decorated with House Medeis colors of blue and gold, and was made out of the same breathable but sturdy fabric as my special workout clothes Killian had gotten me.
All of House Medeis was outfitted in similar jackets—complete with loose pants made of the same material.
Personally, I thought it was stupid to wear white in a fight—these clothes were going to show every fleck of dirt. But Killian had bought them for us, and I knew from experience that the fancy material made a big difference in keeping the wearer from getting banged up, so I wasn’t going to complain.
“We’ll start when Killian returns, right, Celestina?” I asked.
Celestina slightly bowed her head. “That is correct. I actually came to tell you all Drake forces are ready. We will move into position on your order.”
I glanced at her. “I’m not the Eminence. The Drake Family doesn’t answer to me.”
Celestina dropped the formality long enough to snort and raise one of her sculpted black eyebrows at me in a decent Killian impression. She was no nonsense in her black suit, her hair secured in a tight braid as she scowled at me. “Please. I’m not a seer, but the future is obvious. You—”
“Okay, okay,” I hurriedly interrupted her. “We’ll get into formation.” I spun around to address my wizards—a blob of white at my back. “House Medeis, take up your positions!”
Celestina sighed. “It would figure you are as inventive at getting out of unwanted situations as you are at wielding your magic.”
“You’re the First Knight,” I said. “Your job description is bossing the rest of the Family around.”
She shook her head at me, but raised her voice. “Drake Family, move into your places!”
The vampires glided into their spots, filing in behind the House Medeis wizard they’d been assigned to during our practices.
Celestina, however, was still shaking her head when Josh joined us.
He was definitely the most prepared for the battle. Two swords were strapped to his waist, and I saw at least two visible handguns, but he probably had an armory hidden under his suitcoat.
He stopped at Celestina’s side and respectfully tipped his head. “Should this be the day I leave this mortal world behind, taken by the skeletal hand of death, I wish for it to be known that I have very much enjoyed fighting with you, Adept Medeis, and meeting all of House Medeis. Also, my list that dictates who receives what weapon is under the largest pillow on my bed.”
I shivered. Not from the cold—between nerves and the magic flooding my system I was so hot I was almost sweaty—but because Josh’s words hit a little closer to home than I would have liked.
“We’re going to make it,” I said. “There will be no casualties because this fight will be over fast.”
We’d designed our strategy for swiftness, planning to use all our forces to slice straight through the army to reach Nyte and Ira.
We could do it because of us wizards—with our shields we could forcibly push open a path. But it was gutsy because we couldn’t hold out for long. Once we reached the queen and consort, Killian and I had to end it fast, or it would become a bloodbath.
There was a risk we might run smack into a fae capable of creating a shield, or someone would set off an artifact, but Killian had brought his mints that collapsed wards and killed magic, and had distributed some amongst his people, so we had accounted for that potential hiccup as well.
Felix cracked his knuckles as we watched Great Aunt Marraine and Killian turn around and head back toward us. “As confident as I want to be, I’m a mess of nerves,” he said.
“We’ll win.” Celestina’s eyes glowed with a fierce kind of surety. “With our races united, the fae don’t stand a chance.”
“I agree,” Momoko said. “But I’m still nervous. This is our first real fight.”
“I object.” Josh spared her a glance from the firearm he was inspecting. “You fought brilliantly at the Curia Cloisters.”
“Yeah, but we didn’t expect that. It was…” Momoko shivered.
“You’ve proved yourself,” Josh assured her. “The Drake Family will protect you today.”
“Indeed,” Celestina grimly said. “We will see to it that not one House Medeis wizard is harmed.”
Felix stood straighter. “And we’ll make sure that no Drake vampires are hurt.”
Killian and Great Aunt Marraine were close enough to hear us, so I shouted to them, “How did it go?”
Great Aunt Marraine chuckled. “That queen is angry enough to spit nails! His Eminence got her nice and riled for you.”
“She didn’t, unfortunately, agree to surrender, so the certamen is on.” Killian drew a dagger from his suitcoat. The hilt was a little plain, but the blade had a beautiful edge and almost glowed in the dimming sunlight. “And with our light disappearing, it would be in our best interest to begin the battle as quickly as possible.”
“I’ll go inform the Elite and the others.” Great Aunt Marraine snapped shut the leather-bound folder that contained the terms of surrender. (She was going to sit the fight out and stay with the Elite and the other officials. I wanted her to stay behind at House Medeis, but she insisted otherwise.)
Celestina exchanged glances with Josh. “We will move into position—unless you had new orders, Your Eminence?”
Killian tapped the dagger against this thigh. “No. We stick to our strategy.” His smile was feral, and his eyes glowed as bright as the sun. “We’ll blow them away with our surprise.”
The First and Second Knight saluted Killian, then headed off to join the others.
Momoko then Felix hugged me.
“We’ll be right behind you,” Momoko reminded me.
“And ready whenever you need us,” Felix added.
“Thanks guys.” I tried to smile as my stomach gurgled with nerves. “Be careful.”
“You too!” Felix waved as he and Momoko also drifted into their spots.
Momoko was at the back with Celestina, Julianne and—lucky her—Rupert filing in behind her.
Felix only had Gavino and Josh, but he’d be near the front of our forces—directly before Killian and me when we made the push.
Killian sauntered closer to me and took my hand in his. “Are you ready?”
“I feel like throwing up.”
He tugged on my hand so I leaned into him, thumping against his chest. “I’m sorry. I know this will be hard for you.”
I grabbed the lapels of his suitcoat to give myself an anchor to hold on to. “It’s tougher knowing I’m bringing my House into this. But this is for us, too. After all we’ve done, Queen Nyte won’t let us merrily skip off.”
Killian rested his free hand on my lower back. “We’ll win.”
I snorted. “After what we’ve done? Heck yeah we will!” I tried to swallow, but my metallic-tasting spit refused to go down. “We’re in this together.”
His loose hug tightened for a moment. “Yes.”
That simple reply put more steel in my spine than any pep talk could have.
Killian was with me. With the two of us teaming up, it would take a lot to defeat us.
We would win this fight, and we’d make sure Queen Nyte wouldn’t hurt a Drake vampire or a Medeis wizard ever again.
I took a deep breath and stepped back. “Let’s do this.”
Together—our hands still linked—we took our place behind the front row of wizards and vampires.
Great Aunt Marraine had reached the sidelines by now and was passing over the leather folder to Elite Bellus for inspection.
With the paperwork settled—I know, meta much?—we waited for the signal from the officials.
“Keep to the strategy.” Killian’s usually muted British accent was clear and crisp today. “We push hard and breach the Night Court’s forces all the way to Queen Nyte and Consort Ira. Then Hazel and I will handle it while you keep the fae off us.”
“Sir!” The vampires all saluted Killian in perfect unison, and I felt the weight of their red eyes when they looked expectantly at me, along with the wizards from my House—who were all white-faced with strain.
“Stay safe,” I shouted. “Work together and keep an eye out for one another. No one gets left behind.”
The Drake vampires saluted me, and my wizards let out a few smatterings of applause before their expressions turned grim.
We waited in silence until the Paragon and the Elite stood up together.
Elite Bellus tossed a fireball into the sky, signaling the start.
We moved as a group. The vampires kept to a slow jog as my wizards squared their shoulders and drew on the magic in the air, their black wizard marks surfacing on their jaws and cheeks.
Killian and I ran side by side as our forces arranged themselves around us in an oval shape, keeping us on reserve until we faced Queen Nyte and Consort Ira.
The fae shouted, roared, and yelled as they stormed toward us.
Our people were silent—every fiber of their being concentrated on the battle and their role in it.
I could see Queen Nyte and Consort Ira—not because they particularly stuck out since they were also dressed in silver armor, but because of the giant, dome-like shield that sprouted around them and flickered green like newly awakened grass.
I guess it’s a good thing Killian brought his mints!
“Brace yourself,” Killian shouted, shattering our silence moments before the two sides collided.
Iridescent blue shields sprouted in front of my wizards, stretching high above our heads and sizzling as they locked into place, connecting with the neighboring shield to create a solid wall that enclosed our forces.