Page 131 of Fallen Nocturne

The floor rushes toward me, but Shade catches me before I strike it. One arm circles my waist while the other braces my shoulder.

“Easy,” he says.

He guides me toward the dark throne chair beside the strategy table. Arescaine moves at the same instant, appearing before me so quickly that his body seems to form from the shadows.

Shade lowers me into the chair. The throne is carved from black wood and crowned with twisting horns, more suited to a conquering king than an elven queen. I think Garrett made it. I don’t know why even a chair can leave an ache in the empty places of my memory.

Another wave of agony pulses through the bond. I clutch my chest.

Landon.

They are hurting him.

Shade’s wolf companion barks, sharp and worried. He presses against my knee.

I lower a trembling hand to his head, stroking the fur between his ears.

“I’m all right,” I whisper.

The doors burst open and Cedwyn hurries into the room, his face pale. Several members of Landon’s legion raise their heads when Cedwyn enters.

“Your Highness,” Cedwyn says. “We’ve confirmed the report. Landon is being held beneath the Palace of Bones.”

Alys makes a broken sound and covers her mouth. Around her, Landon’s warriors lower their heads. Theo turns away, his shoulders trembling.

“The information reached us too easily. Whoever sent it wanted us to know exactly where he is,” Cedwyn says, looking from me to the others. “The enchantress wants something.”

“Me,” I whisper, the pieces clicking together with horrible clarity. “She wants me.”

“What could she possibly want from you?” Garrett asks, confused.

I don’t have an answer, but I’m certain that whatever it is, it’s nothing good.

“Your Highness.” Darstan’s voice pulls me back. “With your permission, I’d like to say something.”

He steps forward. Darstan looks around the room, meeting each person’s eyes in turn, before his gaze settles on me.

“Your Highness, you should go save Landon,” he finally says.

A murmur passes through the room.

“What?” Rainer’s voice rises above the others.

I stare at my oldest knight, my heart pounding. “Darstan, I can’t abandon the kingdom.”

“You’re not abandoning anything,” he says. I see the desperation in his eyes now, the fear he usually keeps buried so deep. “Your Highness, I have a son. His name is Aldric.”

Little Aldric.

Darstan looks at Siofra, and the hardness in his face softens. “He has his mother’s eyes and my stubborn temperament. I think about him every time I put on this armor.”

I feel tears burning in my own eyes.

“I wonder whether he will grow up in a safe world or spend his life running from the horrors the Fae King will unleash if we lose,” Darstan continues.

He turns back to me. “I realized something. Winning one battle will not end this war. The only people who may be able to stop it are you and the Fae King.”

Siofra’s hands move. “Aldric is safe right now in the temple of Anastarros. I will fight here for his future.”