Page 96 of Cursed Fae (Fae War Chronicles 2)
RAFFERTY
“Rafferty.”
I turn, the familiar voice impossible, and yet—Wally stands just behind me, an angry expression on his face. “You’re alive.”
“Clearly.”
“Interesting since the last time I saw you, there was a blade protruding from your chest.” I continue packing up my bedroll before fully facing him. Bleeding myself out this morning did absolutely nothing to curb the darkness. Then again, I doubt anything but seeing Ember again will.
“My kind does not die. We merely get sent back to the Veil.” He cocks his head to the side. “You don’t seem too shocked.”
“I don’t have time for shock.” Though the part about them not dying—that’s fucking problematic. “What the hell do you want?”
He crosses his arms. “I assume you’ve not found Ember yet.”
“You’d assume correctly.”
“Because you’re far too fucking occupied with what—saving your pathetic world?”
“Rescuing Ember is part of saving my pathetic world,” I snap back. “It’s difficult to save a woman you cannot find.”
“I found her.”
My heart stops. “You found her?” I ask. “Do not fuck with me, Ancient. I’m barely clinging to myself as it is.”
“So I can see,” Wally spits back.
Bea and Thorish are at my side a few seconds later. “You found Ember?” Bea questions.
“I did.” Wally’s silver gaze never leaves mine. “She is being held in a house on the other side of Faerie. Within walking distance to the castle.”
Knowing this is a one-two punch to my gut. We were just there. So close and yet so fucking far. “Take me there.” I withdraw my sword and step forward. “Now.”
“Your ex-mate is holding her. As are nearly a dozen ancients who have taken up residence. Which is why I’m here asking for your help.”
“She’s alive?”
“As far as the ancient I tortured for nearly a month in the Veil knows—she is.”
“Then let’s go.”
“I’ll come too,” Thorish offers.
I turn to him and shake my head. “You and Bea need to remain behind. If something happens to me, it’s going to be up to the two of you to kickstart the Rebellion. Continue on course and find Griffin,” I order, mentioning the one fae I truly believe might be able to help us.
“There are a dozen ancients—” Thorish starts.
“Rafferty is correct,” Bea interrupts. “Best leave the rescuing to the two of them. We can handle it,” she tells me. “Bring her back.”
“I will.”
For the first time since I left that tent, hope is not a falsity. If Ember really is there, if she is being held by Ailis, I will have her in my arms within the hour.
Or I will fucking die trying.
Wally grasps my shoulders, and we dematerialize, the sensation of falling nothing new as we reappear in a small forested area overlooking a white stone house. My stomach plummets. “I know this place,” I whisper, stepping forward. “This was my home.” I’d recognize the house I shared with Ailis anywhere, and truthfully, I cannot understand why I wouldn’t have thought to come here first.
Ofcourseshe’d come here.