Summer of Frost (Forever Fae #3)(15)

“That’ll be fine,” I answered him with faux enthusiasm. “Just give me some time to get settled, and then I’m all yours.”

The smile he gave me was alluring and sexy, and I tried to ignore the hidden meaning behind it. He was going to try and lure himself back into my bed, but I wasn’t falling for it. In a way, I wanted to release my frustration by doing something foolish like that without my heart getting in the way, but I knew it wouldn’t let me. Or at least I hoped it wouldn’t let me do anything foolish.

My wayward thoughts were put on hold when Oren spoke in my mind. “Sorcha, something’s not right.” Instantly, I jerked my head in his direction. I could feel his concern and worry floating across the bond … danger was coming, and it was coming fast.

At that moment, I could see Brayden up front, circling around and headed straight for me. When he approached, he looked dangerous and in full control. His demanding words were directed to me and Sarette. “I want you both to back up and take cover. If we begin to lose ground I want you to run as fast as you can back to the Spring Court and get help. Whatever happens, I don’t want you trying to help. I need you two to run, do you understand?”

“No!” I hissed, reaching for my spear. “I’ve been training for years, and I know how to fight. The dark sorcerer is going to find me no matter what we do. Pretending otherwise is just being na?ve. You can’t make me run, Brayden. I might as well fight my way through it.”

“Me too,” Sarette snapped, pulling out her sword. “If you haven’t noticed, Sorcha and I aren’t little girls anymore. We’re ready to do this!”

I smiled at my friend and she smiled back triumphantly, knowing Brayden wouldn’t want to waste his breath in arguing. Infuriated with me, Brayden snarled and was about to yell at me, but he didn’t get the chance because out of nowhere the evil began to strike. The dark sorcerer’s army was coming straight for us.

“Attack!” Brayden yelled, drawing his sword.

The earth below me trembled with the footsteps of the mighty army coming toward us. We were outnumbered, but it didn’t stop us from fighting. Swords clashed as the army made contact with ours. Magic permeated the air, but I was ready, ready to fight.

“Stay close to me, ai dulin,” Oren growled.

“I will!”

Alston bounded off into the fight, drawing a scream from Sarette who wanted him close to her. I lost sight of him in the fray. Momentarily I was shocked; all I could focus on were the traitors of my land coming for blood with their eyes fixed on me and Sarette. My friend appeared ready and hungry for a fight.

“Get ready, Sarette!”

She gave me an evil grin. “Oh, I am! These idiots will regret the day they messed with the two baddest bitches of the Winter Court!”

We both smiled at each other before taking off screaming, and wielding our weapons at the enemy. I’d never killed anyone, but I’d do anything necessary to protect my people. With my spear in hand, I fought. Using my earth abilities, I trapped the enemy in the earth and impaled them one by one with my spear.

My first kill was an elf, and the moment I thrust my spear through his heart I could’ve sworn I saw a smile pass over his face. He wanted to die. My gut clenched with the thought that some of them might’ve been forced to do this, to turn traitor to their people, but there was nothing I could do about it at that moment except protect my people.

When the army began losing numbers, more would come to take their place. It all seemed endless, and we were clearly losing hope of winning, especially when we heard thunder rumble in the distance behind us. Had they tricked us by trapping us in the middle? When I turned my head to look at our doom, it wasn’t the dark sorcerer’s army trapping us in place, but the shiny gold armor of the Summer Court coming to our rescue.

When Drake approached, his eyes were fixed on me when he yelled, “We have to get you out of here!”

I threw my hands up in the air. “Don’t you think I know that, you idiot!” I screamed back.

Oren came to my side. “We can’t make it all the way back to the Winter Court with them coming after us. We need a plan.”

“You’re right,” Drake replied, looking straight at me. I was furious at him, but the concern in his eyes gave me pause so I decided that for the time being I needed to be cooperative.

Quickly, I asked, “What should we do?”

Instead of responding to me, he turned to Oren and spoke to him. “We need a diversion. The dark sorcerer knows that you’re her guardian. Wherever she is, you’ll be there.”

“And your point?” Oren asked impatiently.

“Sorcha comes with me and Sarette with you. She looks exactly like the princess so it should work. Head back fast to the Spring Court, it’s much closer. Sorcha will come with me to Summer.”

“What! No!” I demanded, cutting him off. “I’m not leaving my people!”

Oren looked torn, but reluctantly nodded at Drake. He turned to me and sighed. “It’s the only way, ai dulin. You have a better chance of getting out of here, and he’ll keep you safe.”

Sarette grabbed my hand and squeezed. “Go! We’ll be fine!”

“Switch weapons,” Drake commanded, interrupting us. “They’ll know your spear. If your friend has it they’ll definitely think she’s you.”