Page 195 of Fallen Nocturne

“Let me worry about that,” Rhianelle says softly. “Can you get him to meet with me, please?”

Landon looks helpless and lost. He turns to me, his eyes pleading.

Help me, his expression says. Talk sense into her. Make her see this is fucking suicide.

But I offer him no rescue. I trust Rhianelle. I remember the realm of the dead and the absolute determination in her eyes. When she has decided something, neither Death himself nor an entire army is going to change her mind.

I meet Landon’s eyes and say nothing. Whatever she’s planning, I’m with her.

Landon looks between us for a long moment. His face falls as he lets out a sigh. A deep, defeated sound. “I could probably get his attention and call him to parley. But there’s no reasoning with him now. Not after his father vanished and with the blood already spilled. I don’t think he will listen.”

Rhianelle smiles. It’s small. “Thank you,” she says.

“Don’t thank me yet,” Landon mutters. “We’ll meet with Finn. When he tries to kill you, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

I close my eyes and reach for the power inside me. I wonder if they’re still with me.

My beasts.

Coinneach. Cyntefin. Fenrir. Wendy. All the others. They’re still here and still part of me.

We’re here for the girl.

Of course they are. I smile.

I open my hand, and shadows spill across the broken floor. They gather beneath Garrett, Shade, Bas, and Rainer, forming a dark circle around them.

“I can send you directly to the healing house in Völundr,” I tell Rainer. “The healers there will know how to draw out the poison.”

“No.” Rainer forces himself upright despite the gray pallor of his skin. “Take me to the war camp.”

Rhianelle turns on him. “Uncle, you need proper healers.”

“You may need me.” His voice is weak, but the refusal in it is not. “Send the others to the capital. But I’m going to the camp.”

Rhianelle stiffens. She looks at Rainer and doesn’t move toward the door.

“I’ll take care of him,” Bas says quietly. He lowers himself beside Rainer and places a steady hand against his shoulder. “Go. Do what you need to do.”

Shadows rise from the ground, wrapping gently around them. In seconds, they’re gone and transported across space.

It’s just us now. Me, Rhianelle, and Landon.

We move toward the exit of the throne room, or what’s left of it. The Palace of Bones is barely standing. Cracks spiderweb across the walls and chunks of ceiling have fallen. The floor is littered with debris from the remnants of our battle. Landon leads the way, moving stiffly. Each step clearly costs him, but he doesn’t complain or slow down.

“You don’t understand, Rhianelle. Finnbheara isn’t like his father,” Landon says again as we walk.

“Isn’t that a good thing?” she asks.

“He doesn’t play political games and he doesn’t negotiate.” Landon’s jaw tightens. “When he’s angry, and he will be angry, he’s a force of nature.”

“I understand,” Rhianelle says calmly.

Landon stops and turns to face her. “I’ve known Finn for centuries. Fought beside him and bled with him. I’ve never seen him show mercy to someone he considers an enemy.”

“I need to at least try, Landon,” she says simply. “For my people. For his people. For everyone dying in that field.”

“Rhianelle, please listen to me. I’m trying to save your life,” Landon insists. “Finnbheara will not show mercy, not when his honor is on the line. If you meet with him, you die.”