Page 9 of Ruin of Revenants

“Wait,” I interrupted, keeping my tone carefully level so Father couldn’t hear my desperation. “I’d like to have him questioned.”

Father scoffed. “If Mossgrove even houses phoenixes, they aren’t a problem to us anymore. He has nothing of value to share.”

I shot him a look. “You never know. There are too many in Rainsong still. I think there may be a way they’ve been sneaking in. If he knows anything, I want to hear about it.”

“Fine, take him to the dungeons.”

“Wait! My daughter!” the male begged as his crying child clung to him.

Briar tilted her head. “Maybe I could dress her up; she’s pretty enough. Feed her and show her a good time in our court.”

“She’s a child; not a pet.” I stood, straightening my jacket. “I’ll handle them both. Don’t waste your time.”

Sauntering off the dais casually, I pretended like my heart wasn’t pounding against my ribcage so painfully it hurt. Sweat was gathering at the back of my neck, and my hands were growing cold and clammy. Along with the sorrow and hopelessness, I’d started having episodes of pure terror too, ones where it was hard to breathe, hard to think, hard to move. Ones where I thought my heart would burst out of my chest. I couldn’t afford to have one overtake me now.

“Very well. Find out what you need and then dispose of them so they trouble us no more,” Father said carelessly.

Calling on my magic, I turned to the male and his daughter. “Follow me to my quarters and we’ll talk,” I said pleasantly, like they were guests.

Two pairs of eyes glazed over as I wove my magic through my words, influencing them to want to obey me, to spend time with me. Convincing them they were safe. They calmed, instantly obeying as I led them out of the throne room and through the winding halls toward my quarters. No one thought anything of it, for I’d used my magic plenty of times to interrogate suspected and known phoenix shifters, determined to get to the bottom of the revenant problem.

And yet, I wasn’t fully at ease until we were all safely enclosed in my rooms, seated in the plush armchairs scattered throughout my personal library. The energy it took to use my magic was taxing, but not nearly as much as the knowledge that when I released them, Mortius’ curse would set in with a vengeance.

With a sigh, I released my grip on my magic and let the wave of despair rush over me. Heaviness settled in my bones, my chest caving in on itself. Every breath was an effort, and suddenly, I questioned the wisdom of trying to save these two. Better to find a drink and lose myself in it.

I scowled, shaking off the thoughts that only grew darker as time passed. Maybe Mortius hoped the despair would become so great, I’d eventually give in and he’d have another soul to add to his collection in the afterlife.

“What—why did you bring us here?” the male demanded, blinking away the haze from his eyes as my magic dissipated. Seated in his lap, his daughter whimpered and clung to him.

I held up a hand, forcing a smile. “I’m going to help you escape.”

“We’re smuggling them out of Rainsong?” Lily demanded.

I raised my eyebrows at her. “Do you have a better plan?”

“This isn’t a plan,” Owen interjected. “This is madness.”

Lily nodded, her expression pinched. “I don’t want them to suffer any more than you, but even if you get them out of the castle—and your father never reads our minds to discover how Owen and I helped you—where do we take them after that? Where do you plan to hide them in the capital?”

Pacing across my library, I paused to pat Onyx, where he lay purring on my desk. “No, I’ve thought this through…somewhat.” I offered them a lopsided smirk, but Owen continued to frown and Lily still looked worried. “Tonight, we leave via the secret tunnels and Cliff will drive us. No one will stop and question a royal carriage.”

“Cross the barrier? And then we…what? Deliver them back to the village that’s about to be destroyed?” Lily’s voice cracked. “You said the child is four? Five?” Her eyes shone with unshed tears.

“No,” I said, my voice low. “We fight.”

Owen scowled, crossing his arms. “Archer, I worry about Emberglade as much as you, but now I really think you’ve lost your mind.”

Lily shared a significant glance with him before turning to me, clearing her throat. “We’ve been worried about you. The way you’ve been hiding in your rooms, drinking after your father’s parties, sleeping away the days.” She hesitated. “I saw some of the cuts on your arm the other day. I know you want to help these people, but running off to sacrifice yourself in battle won’t save Emberglade.”

My stomach twisted. I didn’t want to share how I’d bargained with Mortius, but I also didn’t like that they believed I was harming myself out of hopelessness and despair. With my frequent bouts of despair and melancholy, it wasn’t far-fetched of them to worry about my physical well-being too.

“I’m not trying to make this a suicide mission. Trust me, I’d never ask either of you to accompany me if I thought anything would happen to you.” I raked a hand through my hair. “You both have exceptionally powerful magic, along with being highly trained. The general’s daughter and the captain of the guard? You can help Mossgrove more than anyone else I know. The revenant numbers aren’t large, but for a town of untrained fae, they would be deadly enough. We could make a difference. Keep them organized in battle. Give them leaders. Most of all, we can offer them hope. If they know they haven’t been abandoned, we’ll help morale so they can keep defending themselves.”

Lily stared out the window thoughtfully before walking over to join me near Onyx. She picked him up, nuzzling his face. “You want to make a show of letting the people know they don’t fight alone. That the crown—or the crown prince, anyway—fights with them.”

I nodded.

“And when word gets back to your father?” Owen arched a brow, his arms still crossed.