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“What was that!” Eadaoin had to be helped up. A long, vicious gash split her cheek. “The Taken have never attacked in such large numbers before. We’ve only ever dealt with stragglers and opportunists. That was an ambush!”
“Not... only.” I made to stand and promptly tipped over. Alisdair was there in a blink. Catching me under the arms, he held me up and steady. “They ambushed our carriage when I first arrived in Lumenfell. I’m starting to think they’ve taken a particular dislike to me.” I forced a laugh, no one joined in.
Foalan shared a grim look with Alisdair. “They didn’t chase after you, my lord. They stayed behind, tearing and fighting to get Lady Ana.”
Alisdair nodded—curt. “I assumed they would follow me. I was attempting to draw them off, but as you said, they were fixed on another prize.”
“Me?” My voice was barely higher than a squeak. “Why would they want me?”
“I couldn’t begin to guess. They do have some sense of intelligence,” Alisdair admitted. “They always go for the strongest in a group, killing them first and then taking out the rest. But this time, they separated you from help, and focused their bloodthirst. Why not give their attention to the strongest?” He eyed me. “Unless they believe the strongest in our party is you.”
I looked around as though he was talking about someone else. “Me? Obviously not. They must’ve thought I was an easy meal, and then rage took them when that meal was put under glass.”
“Hmm.” Alisdair did not look convinced. “Further your mystery deepens, little bird.”
“There is no mystery. Nothing is— Look out!”
The lone Taken surged out of the dark, proving he hadn’t forgotten his ways after all. He lunged straight at Alisdair’s back.
I didn’t think, I moved. Snatching up the fallen branch, I shot around Alisdair and struck—plunging the jagged wood into his chest. The creature clutched his downfall, and laughed.
Fear flooded me, weakening my knees. It wasn’t their presence that struck fear into the souls of faemen, it was that awful, high-pitched laugh.
“Agh!” Alisdair clamped his face, claws piercing his skull. Fire poured out his palm and into the Taken’s open mouth—burning it from the inside out.
Its charred, mangled corpse fell to the ground—the smile etched on his face.
“Ana.” Alisdair spun me around and kissed me so hard, my toes curled. I broke away flushed and panting. “Your boundless mystery is only outpaced by your bravery.”
“I—uh—”
Alisdair walked off, my time of praise over. “The flowers,” he barked. “Destroy them. Every one.”
I kept a look out as little fires erupted all over the path, turning his one weakness into ash.
“Let’s go,” Alisdair said when they were done. “We’ve been here too long. And from now on, Lady Ana travels with a full guard.”
“I’ll protect her.” Eadaoin moved to my side and took my hand, staining it with blood. “I’ll never leave her side again.”
“Thank you,” I said simply, seeing no need for argument.
I glanced down as we walked off, my fingers curling around the delicate, purple flower.
Go ahead and fall for the woman who jammed her soul down my throat, you obstinate bastard. Nothing will stop me from getting home to my mother and sisters.
I tried every method there was, now it was time for the one that works. As Alisdair said, a general doesn’t go to war without a plan B.
Chapter Eleven
That evening, the palace court gathered around the dining table—devouring everything in sight.
“What about siblings?” I threw in Alisdair’s direction. “Did you have any? Do you have any?”
He responded by snatching the turkey leg off my plate and tearing off a bite. I used the distraction to drop my addition in his ale.
I peered around, but no one was sounding the alarm. No one even looked in my direction. So in the end, that’s how easy it was to fell the great Alisdair Shadowsoul. All it took was a little flower—
Alisdair downed the ale in one messy gulp.
