Page 143 of Fallen Nocturne

“Enemy soldiers only,” I remind her.

She gives a disappointed click. I do hope there are enough of them.

I watch Blaire, Darstan, and Siofra lead eighteen ancient fae toward the front line. Fear coils tightly inside me as the creatures spread among our soldiers and prepare to meet the Fae King’s army.

I have to leave them here.

I hope the creatures of Astefar honor their bargains, and Blaire can maintain the illusion. I hope Darstan and Siofra can hold our army together.

Most of all, I hope I see them again.

I change quickly into the lightweight battle armor Arescaine made for me. The dark plates fit close to my body without restricting my movement, and the leather beneath them is soft enough for a long journey. I fasten my sword at my hip, pull on my cloak, and leave the tent.

My rescue party waits for me in the war camp.

I am halfway across the camp when someone calls my name.

Alys hurries toward me. Her dark hair is loose around her shoulders, and tears streak her face. She stops in front of me, struggling to catch her breath.

“Thank you,” she says. Her voice breaks. “Thank you for not abandoning him.”

I take her hands. “Of course I am going after Landon. I will bring him home, Alys. You do not need to cry.”

She wipes her face with the back of one hand, but more tears follow. “I thought everyone would leave him there after what happened. I thought they would decide he had betrayed them and let him die.”

“I would never leave him,” I say.

Alys nods quickly. “Thank you.”

I glance toward the fae warriors gathering around the camp. “You should take the legion and leave before the battle begins. The Fae King will consider all of you traitors now. If he captures you, he will not show mercy. Tell the others and get as far from the Great Plateau as you can.”

This is not their war. Landon brought them here because he wanted them safe.

Alys stares at me for a moment before throwing her arms around me.

“Please bring him back safely,” she whispers.

I hold her tightly. “I will.”

She releases me reluctantly and steps aside, wiping the last of her tears as I continue toward the others.

Arescaine stands nearest the shadows, his black cloak almost merging with them. Shade, Rainer, and Cedwyn wait beside him, all dressed in dark clothing that makes them difficult to see in the fading night. Garrett adjusts the straps of his travel pack, his face set with determination.

The wolf stands several paces away, staring at Garrett. His gaze follows every movement the knight makes, from the tightening of a buckle to the way Garrett checks the sword at his hip.

Garrett finally looks up. “Is something wrong, boy?”

The wolf glares its sapphire eyes and bares its teeth.

A nervous chitter rises from behind me.

I turn just as Coral pushes through the gathered soldiers and runs toward me, her wing braces gleaming in the twilight.

She nearly knocks me back when she reaches me, pressing her snout hard against my chest.

Coral chitters nervously. She knows I’m leaving.

“I can’t take you,” I tell her, stroking her snout. “You need to stay here. Stay safe.”