by Skye Horn
“Thea.” The Goddess smiled, but it was the smile of a predator stalking its prey as she dismounted from her horse. Thea could feel the others behind her, taking up ranks of protection by her side, but this was her fight. It always had been. “And Kieran.”
The Goddess’ eyes drifted to Thea’s right, and Kieran’s head lowered.
“Come here.”
The command in her tone was enough to stir even Thea, and Kieran took a step toward the Goddess, but Thea’s hand extended to the side, blocking him from going any farther.
“No,” Thea said, recalling the way Kieran had told her he’d wished she’d fought for him. Perhaps if she had done that, he wouldn’t have suffered like this, wouldn’t have needed the moonflower nectar to get him through his grief or become the puppet Ainé had forged him to be. Thea wouldn’t make that mistake again. He’d fought at her side, regardless of what was in their past. She wouldn’t let him return to Ainé now.
The Goddess smirked. “How sweet that you still think you can save him.”
“Morrigan.” Thea heard Adrian breathe from beside her, and although she didn’t follow his gaze, she knew the Goddess of Death had entered the battle. The echo of metal armor clamoring against itself beneath the steady hum of marching reached Thea’s ears just as Ainé’s eyes flickered past her. The mare beside her shifted uneasily, letting out a startled whinny as Ainé nudged her away toward her soldiers care.
Thea fought the urge to roll her eyes at the Goddess’ behavior. It appeared she was willing to sacrifice innocent lives but cared for her horse’s safety.
The soldiers who were still standing around the Goddess shifted uncomfortably, glancing at one another with looks so apprehensive that Thea wondered how Ainé had ever convinced them to fight in the first place.
A chill crept up Thea’s spine as Ainé said, “Sister, have you come to collect your pet? It appears she’s broken out of her cage.”
There was a shuffle of feet behind Thea, probably the others trying to protect her back, but they were trapped between the two Goddesses now. Thea’s heart pounded fiercely against her chest, and her eyes darted in the two directions. Ainé was the bigger threat, she thought, but that didn’t mean the Goddess of Death was any better to have standing behind her. She clenched her hands tighter in frustration, trying to figure out how any of them were going to get out of this alive.
“It appears that way, doesn’t it?” Morrigan’s voice sounded magnified across the open space. Obviously she was angry, but Thea was more frightened of Ainé at the moment. “What are you doing here, Thea? I thought I made it clear that I would be back in a few days.”
Think, Thea. Think. She tried, but her mind was a swirl of ideas that could never work, plans that would end in at least one of them being left behind. That wasn’t an option she was willing to take.
“You hurt Kieran,” Thea finally said, eyes darting to Morrigan, but the Goddess made no sign that she had any idea what Thea was talking about. The raven perched upon her shoulder let out a wicked caw that sent a shiver up Thea’s spine.
“He looks perfectly fine to me, although I do not know why you gave him a sword.” Morrigan eyed Kieran suspiciously, and Thea’s head spun. There was no way Morrigan didn’t know Kieran had been left for dead. She could pretend all she wanted that this hadn’t happened, but Thea wouldn’t be fooled again.
“Enough chit-chat,” Ainé said, sounding bored. “I’m growing tired of this game, sister. It is time Thea paid for her treason, and you know as well as I do what she is here for. She knows of the weapon!”
Thea stilled, and Morrigan repeated herself, ignoring her sister. “What are you doing here, Thea?” Her voice was closer now, but Thea didn’t dare look away from Ainé.
The magic she’d had so little control over was already draining her, and each passing second wore her down even further. Her vision was already beginning to blur, but she tried not to let the weakness she felt show in her stance.
“I’m here to protect my friends,” Thea said. She needed both Goddesses to believe they were right about the weapon; that was what Declan had said. That was what all of this was for. “I won’t let you hurt Declan.”
“See! She plots to kill us both!” Ainé cried out.
Thea kept her eyes on Ainé as the tension grew between them all, and the soldiers moved in closer. Sorlas shot fire from the sky toward Ainé but with the wave of the Goddess’ hand, it was ricocheted back at the dragon.
Adrian screamed, but Sorlas dodged the attack with a roar of fury.
“You want to punish me?” Thea said, glaring at Ainé. There were low growls of warning around her, but she didn’t even flinch. Instead, Thea took a step toward the Goddess and smiled. “Then come and deliver it,” she challenged.
The Goddess’ face flickered with rage, but she did not make a move toward Thea. Instead, she raised her other hand into the air and then waved it forward. All at once, Ainé’s army reacted. A group of three Fae charged at Haven, who easily parried their attacks.
Another group took on Adrian and Caden. Thea only had a second to register that the soldiers hadn’t charged her when she heard Morrigan scream, “No!”
Pain seared through Thea’s left wing, causing Thea to cry out. An arrow had shot at blinding speed from the woods. Thea wasn’t sure where it had come from, but its sharpened point sliced through her wing, pinning it to the ground. Before Thea had time to react, another arrow soared toward her and she howled in pain as her right wing was secured to the ground. Her body instinctively jerked at the hold.
Red spots clouded her vision as she cried out, falling to her knees.
She could hear the others trying to get to her, but Morrigan’s soldiers were on them now. None came toward Thea, but her friends were preoccupied and she was stuck.
“Thea!” Adrian screamed, seeming farther away now. Her body burned with anger and pain. Her breath quickened as she struggled against the ache, but her eyes never left Ainé as the Goddess smirked, holding her hand into the air again.
“It’s a pity your son will never live to see the beautiful world I intend to create,” Ainé said, and for a split second Thea thought her eyes looked sad.
Thea’s breath caught at the word son, and her hands moved to rest on her stomach. She’d thought the child was a girl, but apparently, it was a boy. Wide emerald eyes flashed through her thoughts—the same color as the hills of Ireland—Kieran’s eyes but younger. She blinked back the sting of fresh tears, refusing to break further in front of Ainé, but her heart felt as if it had already been ripped from her chest as she imagined those beautiful green eyes fading away.
Thea had never feared death before, but now that fear overwhelmed her senses. Her heart raced against her chest as her mind swirled around the possibilities of escape, but there were none. She had lost, and another innocent life would be taken because of her. In the short time she’d known she was a mother, she had already failed her son. She wanted to curl in on herself to protect him from the death sentence she’d brought on them both, but that would not save him.
“Please spare him…” she begged, voice trembling as she leaned forward toward the Goddess. Tears streaked her cheeks as the membranes of her wings ripped against the arrows pinning her to the ground. Dignity be damned, she’d beg on her knees for eternity if it would save her son.
“Sister, don’t!” Morrigan yelled, but Thea could no longer see her. The world was a blur of shadows and fire, but Ainé’s eyes shone with malice from beyond the veil.
And Thea knew no one would be spared. Not herself, not her child, nor any of the people who had fought by her side. There would be no peace, only bloodshed.
For the briefest moment, Thea wondered if Morrigan truly cared if she were about to die. Surely the Goddess could have stopped the ruthless bloodbath if she wanted to, couldn’t she?
Only seconds passed before Ainé waved her hand forward, signaling a final arrow for Thea’s heart.
I’m sorry, baby b
oy… Thea thought and closed her eyes, anticipating death.
Adrian fought to get to her but too many soldiers stood in his way. The archer was perched in a tree at the edge of the woods. None of them had seen him there. Sorlas had been too distracted, protecting their circle, to watch the outskirts, and Adrian had failed. He should have known this would happen, and yet, he hadn’t seen it coming.
He thrust his sword against one enemy after another, sweat dripping from his brow, but each blow sent him farther away from Thea. Blood dripped from her wings into the snow, and as he heard the Goddess speak, he knew Thea’s life would end. Despite Morrigan’s plea for Thea’s life, Adrian saw her slipping away, backing out of the battle. He wanted to scream. She was leaving Thea to die, using Ainé’s distraction as an opportunity to get to the weapon first.
Adrian wanted to go after her, but she was too far away and protected by an entire army. The most he could do was hope that Declan had had enough time to get away, that he would get the weapon safely to Gimmerwich. But what of Thea? He turned his attention back toward her, fighting his way through another line of Ainé’s soldiers, and gasped as the knee of one soldier collided with his gut, sending him doubling over.
There was nothing any of them could do to stop Thea’s death. No matter how hard they fought, Adrian knew they wouldn’t reach her in time.
Except Kieran.
Somehow, he’d kept himself close enough to Thea to make a difference. As Adrian saw her accept her fate, closing her eyes as her magic failed to protect her, he also saw Kieran lunge forward and surprise register on the Goddess’ face as he left himself open to the enemy to get to Thea.
At first, he cried out in pain when a sword sliced through his upper leg, sending him stumbling forward, but he did not stop. Even as another sword came down on his right arm, sending his weapon flying into the snow beside him as blood splattered his face, he did not stop. He had split seconds to get to Thea, and through his pain, he did it. He threw himself in front of her, placing one hand on her shoulder to steady himself as the arrow from the tree line penetrated the left side of his chest. Adrian couldn’t hear his gasp of pain, but his lips fell into an “o” as blood trickled from their corners, and Thea’s eyes flew open.
“No!” she screamed, and that was all it took to knock Adrian free of his own shock. He lurched forward again, using the precious moments that Kieran had bought them to fight his way to Thea’s side. Haven was doing the same.
“Sorlas!” Adrian screamed so loudly that he felt as if his throat was on fire. He knelt beside Thea as her hands cupped Kieran’s face. He had one hand on her stomach, as if reaching for their child.
She was whimpering, but no longer from her physical pain. She didn’t even flinch when Adrian pulled the first arrow from her wing. Caden was at her other side while Haven fought to protect their backs from the battalion of soldiers closing in. Sorlas returned, landing on the ground beside them so heavily that many of the soldiers fell to their knees. Ainé was stalking toward them, looking furious.
“Idiot boy!” she screeched, heading for Kieran, but his eyes were dimming and Adrian knew it was too late.
“How could you?” Thea asked, stroking Kieran’s hair away from his bloodied face as Caden pulled the second arrow free. Kieran’s forehead pressed against hers, his breathing too heavy.
“Go!” Adrian heard him say, but Thea was already shaking her head. Kieran’s eyes shifted to meet his gaze. Soldier to soldier, he saw the decision Kieran had already made. “Keep them safe.”
Adrian didn’t need to ask whom Kieran was referring to. He’d come here to protect his child, but he still had an oath to keep, and although Adrian had doubted him initially, that doubt was gone now. Kieran kissed Thea’s forehead before he pushed himself to his feet, arrow sticking out of his chest, and stood in front of her. His injured leg shook and his arm dripped blood into the snow, but his chin was held high. He was ready to die for someone he’d once loved and the miracle they’d created, even if he couldn’t remember how to love them now.
Thea was shaking her head, reaching for him, but without a second thought, Adrian grabbed her around the waist and pulled her back. “We have to get out of here,” he whispered in her ear.
Her body stilled as she jerked her head to look at him in horror. “I’m not leaving him!”
“Help me with her,” Adrian told Caden, who looked hesitantly at his cousin. “Now! Or we are all dead!”
Adrian saw the sweat and blood dripping from Caden’s head. His friend had taken a beating in this fight, but he was still alive, still standing.
For now.
“Thea, please forgive me,” Caden said, grabbing her by her feet. He barely dodged the kick she aimed at his chest before wrapping his arms around her legs as tightly as possible. Adrian hooked his hands under her arms, dragging her back toward Sorlas. Haven looked at them, clearly unsure of how to proceed as her eyes drifted back to Kieran, but seeming to make a decision to follow, she pressed her fist to her heart in salute to him and then turned to run toward Sorlas too.
“No! Let me go! Let me go!” Thea screamed and screamed as Haven pulled her bow from her back and began firing arrows at the enemies who approached. Adrian fought to hold onto her as they pushed her up onto Sorlas’ back.
“Haven!” he called out and she immediately flew to the top of Sorlas, grabbing Thea by the arms and holding her tightly.
He could see her whispering against Thea’s hair, but there was no comfort in whatever words she spoke. Thea’s eyes blazed angrily as she looked past Adrian to where Kieran was. He’d fallen to his knees now as Ainé reached him, and they all watched in horror as she pushed the arrow deeper into his chest. He let out a howl of agony, trying to hold himself up, but didn’t look back at them. He had chosen his fate, and now they needed to make sure they still had a future.
Adrian pushed Caden back onto Sorlas’ back as the dragon’s jaw opened and red and orange flames danced passed Adrian, burning the hairs on his arms as they went for the enemies behind him. He pulled himself up last and cast one final look at Kieran’s crumpling body.
“Go!” he commanded, clinging to Sorlas for his life as she lifted into the air faster than he’d ever seen her take off before. Arrows flew past them as they soared into the sky, but none were able to penetrate her scales.
She’ll never forgive you, Sorlas said sadly as they flew through the cloud cover and away from the fight below. He hoped that their fight hadn’t been for nothing. He hoped that Declan had gotten far enough away to outrun the Goddess and her army, but that was up to him now.
At least she’ll be alive, he thought and tried to block out the sound of Thea’s agonized sobs behind him.
Chapter 31
Eventually, Thea had to tell the others where they were going, but all she could do was think about Kieran’s bloody kiss to her forehead as he turned to face his fate. She knew Adrian had made the right decision, and yet, she couldn’t bring herself to look at him. Every time she did, she saw Kieran fall all over again. Instead, she stayed curled up against Haven, keeping her eyes closed and her hands cradled over the small bump.
There was the tiniest movement against her hand, and Thea’s heart swelled.
I’ll keep you safe, she promised, even though she had no idea how. She caressed her stomach, wishing beyond anything else in the world that she knew what to do next.
Eventually, Sorlas brought them to the ground to rest for the night. Haven had insisted they not go straight to Lake Wysteria, just in case they were being followed, so they would camp for a few nights before heading anywhere near their destination. Everyone was exhausted anyway, including Sorlas, and still in shock about the news Thea had dropped on them about the weapon.
As soon as Thea had her bedroll laid out, she removed her bloodied armor and curled up on her side as close to Sorlas as she could. She had refused to let anyone heal or patch her wings, choosing instead to suffer through the pain. The dragon swept her neck arou
nd Thea’s body in protection and rested her head beside her stomach, breathing warmly against her chilled skin. The rest of her companions went to the other side of Sorlas, trying to give Thea space. They’d decided not to light a fire tonight, hoping to keep their location concealed, but that meant the dragon’s body would be their only source of warmth. It was going to be a long night, but Thea didn’t care. She felt numb to the cold, as if her body had already sunk to whatever temperature threatened her.
As the darkness settled behind her eyelids, she knew that death would haunt her dreams. She saw the eyes of the men she’d killed today, staring open and lifeless at her with accusation. She pictured their families grieving their deaths the way she’d grieved her own losses. Adrian had cleaned her sword of their blood, but it didn’t erase their faces from her memory. And then the worst of the visions came—Kieran’s striking green eyes looking at her with a saddened smile. His gentle hand resting on her stomach as a last goodbye to their child. His endless strength as he stood to protect them from certain death.
Her anger was gone, replaced by endless sorrow. Silent tears streaked her cheeks as her body trembled beneath her grief. She saw his body fall and heard her own screams, but nothing could have been done any differently, no matter how many scenarios played out in her head. The results never changed. Kieran had accepted his fate. Now she needed to make her own count for something.
Thea’s tears eventually slowed as exhaustion won over sadness. She pulled her legs to her chest, pressing her face against Sorlas’ belly, and breathed in the scent of the dragon’s scales, letting the steady beat of her heart lull her to sleep.
However, it wasn’t long before the nightmares came, and with them the Goddess of Death herself.