Page 40 of Chorus of Ashes

Terra stoodby the fire with Bianca and Seamus while Callahan patrolled the encampment. Though Rian had tried his hardest with his magickal skills to keep her locked in the cottage, it seemed he still forgot just who she was.

She was Terra, leader of the Earth Fae, and eminently powerful in her own right. She would no longer wait for her man to come to his senses, when she’d done all she could to show him that he could choose a different path for himself if he wanted. It was time for her to put her needs aside and focus on what was best for her people. Which, in this moment, meant she needed to protect her amulet so she could deliver it back to the Earth Fae to give them enough time to choose a new leader.

If Rian didn’t claim her back, that is. Terra dearly hoped her gamble would pay off, otherwise she’d just put a time limit on her life. Unrequited claims from a fated mate resulted in a sickness that would eventually claim the life of the claimant. Another tricky Fae rule that was implemented in order to make sure Fae only made one claim in their lives.

She had planned to tell Rian this morning that she had claimed him the night before. Terra sensed that Rian needed to know that someone had chosen to stand by him, but he’d awoken at an inopportune moment.

The amulet hummed happily at her side, and she patted it lightly, feeling complete now that it had returned. Terra wasn’t entirely clear if Rian had believed her when she’d said she’d not meant to take it from him without asking, but she hadn’t lied to him. She would have taken it from him without asking if he hadn’t given it to her, not at that moment, but if Rian hadn’t come around to his senses, Terra would have gone back for the knife at some point that day. She’d only been determining its location. It was a subtle difference, and maybe she was walking in the gray area of truth, but at the exact moment when Rian had caught her, she had not planned to take the knife. It didn’t sit well with her, this game they were playing, but until Rian could stand in his own truth and accept their future together, Terra still had to protect her people.

“There he is,” Callahan nodded to where Rian stormed across the field, ignoring the army of Domnua that stood at the far edge of the meadow. They’d hovered there all morning, in a weird type of stasis, as though they would only be brought to life if Goddess Domnu switched them on. It was creepy, albeit fascinating, to observe an entire body of people just standing rigidly straight, barely swayed by the wind.

“He sure likes to storm about, doesn’t he?” Bianca asked, and, despite the grave severity of the situation they found themselves in, a smile quirked at Terra’s lips.

“It’s his patented move,” Callahan agreed. He crossed his arms over his chest as his eyes tracked Rian’s movements. Terra suspected he missed little, though he pretended a casual nonchalance to their current state of affairs. “Storming, stomping, and an occasional shouted curse. It’s very effective, though I think he only uses it to convince himself he’s a bad guy.”

“It’s not a show for others then?” Terra couldn’t keep her eyes off of Rian. There was a certain grace to the way he carried himself, like a panther prowling the meadow, and though she should be intimidated by the cold expression on his face, her heart was just happy that he was close. She supposed that was the way of the fated mate bond—much like the knife that hummed in contentment at her side — so too would she be content when Rian was close.

“It is at that. But the man has to convince himself as well, doesn’t he?” Callahan nodded as Rian skidded to a halt in front of them. “How’d you get on with herself, then?”

“Not great,” Rian admitted, and Callahan chuckled.

“Sure and that’s to be expected, isn’t it? She’s a nasty beastie that one.”

“I’ve come to a decision,” Rian said, refusing to look at Terra. Her heart twisted, and nerves made her reach for the hilt of the knife.

“Well, get on with it then. Let’s hear what you’ve decided for all of us.” Callahan rocked back on his heels and laughed once more when Rian glowered at him. “Don’t give me that look, boyo. It’s the way of it, isn’t it? You’re trying to play high and mighty with our futures, promising something you can’t deliver, and we’re just meant to fall in line?”

“That’s not…” Rian pinched his nose and sighed, before tossing a glance over his shoulder.

“What decision have you made with the Goddess Domnu?” Terra’s voice was steady, and finally Rian looked at her. Oh, his eyes. Terra’s heart fell. His eyes were those of a man who had lost all hope. It killed her to see him this way, and instinctively she stepped forward. Only when he raised a hand in the air, as though to throw up an invisible wall between them, did she stop.Still he refused her comfort. Stubborn to the bitter end, this one.

“I’ve promised her that I will deliver you all and the amulet over to her.” At Seamus’s curse, Rian flicked his gaze over the group, keeping his voice steady. “I shall break this promise.”

“Wait … what? You’re not going to turn us over?” Bianca asked, pitching her voice low in case any magicks were about.

“No.” Rian said, his voice clipped. “I’m not.”

“You’re breaking your word?” Terra asked, surprised that he would do so. It was the right decision, if looking at the side of good and evil, but nevertheless she hadn’t been certain which way he would fall.

“I am. And I need you all to listen carefully.” Rian threw his arm in the air violently, as though he was yelling at them, and they all took a surprised step back. “I’m going to act very angry at you. You will pretend you are scared or angry back.”

“Screw you!” Bianca shouted, throwing her hands in the air, immediately jumping into action. “You can’t take us!”

“That’s the ticket,” Rian said, flailing his arms about a bit. “I’ve released the wards on the island. You need to transport off. Immediately. There’s no time for discussion.” Rian turned, his face deadly serious as he met Terra’s questioning look. “You must go, Terra. Take the amulet with you. I’m freeing you to return safely to your people.”

“But what about you?” Seamus shouted, causing Terra to start. She’d been lost in Rian’s haunted look and had forgotten they were supposed to be acting. Forcing herself to push aside her innate instinct to go to Rian and wrap her arms around him, she pasted a glaring look on her face.

“I will stay,” Rian shouted back, his face angry, “or she’ll come after you.”

Oh, Rian.No.

Terra’s glare became real, as she now understood what Rian was doing. He was sacrificing himself for their safety, becoming a distraction so they could disappear safely with the amulet. It was a heroic and bold move and told her exactly what she’d thought about Rian all along.

Beneath that jagged and angry exterior lay a heart of gold.

“You will not do so,” Terra walked forward, not having to pretend her anger now. She jabbed a finger into his chest, and he stumbled back a step, surprised at her forcefulness. “You don’t get to throw yourself to the Dark Fae like some sacrificial lamb.”

“Who do you think is in charge here, darling?” Rian raised an eyebrow at her. He swept his arms out to encompass the field. “In case you’ve forgotten, you’re my captives. I abducted you. You have no say.”