Into the Fire (The Unseelie Court Book 4) by Gwen Rivers (free ebooks romance novels .TXT) 📗

the restraints allow. She’s safe and they have Gretchen. The Veil is intact.

“It matters not. Drive on,” Underhill drums her long, bloodred nails on the door of the carriage. “By the time Loki is free, nowhere in the nine worlds will be out of our reach.”

“You did it.” I move forward and put a hand on Addison’s shoulder.

She doesn’t even appear winded. “Can we go home now? I promised Tate that I’d give him a rematch in blackjack.”

A smile flits across my face and I cup her cheek. “Addison,” I say.

Her green eyes are wary. She has my instinct for trouble. “What is it?”

I swallow. “I need to leave.”

Her blonde brows pull together. “Leave?”

“I’m going to rescue your father.”

Addison’s lips part. “I want to help.”

As I knew she would. “The best thing you can do, baby, is to stay here.”

She shakes her head. “No. Mom, I want to come with you. I’m the same age you were when you first went over there.”

“I know you do. But this…this is my fight. Go home with Uncle Liam.”

She shakes her head, her eyes sad. “You’re not coming back.”

I don’t know how she knows this for a fact. She could have overheard me speaking to Sophie or Gretchen. Hell, for all I know her ghosts have been spying on me. “I will if I can, baby. If you don’t believe anything else, believe that.”

Liam has shifted to human form and pulled on his jeans and boots. He catches my gaze. “Nic, granted I don’t know much about it, having only been over there once. But weren’t you waiting for her to come of age so she could take the thrones?”

I shake my head. “No, I was waiting for her to be strong enough to protect herself. This is my fight, Liam. Addison Sophia Jager, I want nothing more than for you to have a beautiful, normal life. Fuck fate. Make your own godsdamned destiny.”

Addison’s green eyes shimmer with tears. “Mama. I don’t want you to go.”

I pull her into a tight embrace and press my deadly lips against her neck. “And I don’t want to leave you. But I have to and you need to stay here and be safe. I know what I’m asking you. Nothing is the most difficult thing you can do.”

Her shoulders shake. So easy with demonstrations of emotion, my beautiful daughter.

I look to the Alpha. “Liam, I am trusting you to keep her safe.”

He puts one hand over his heart. “The pack will defend her to the death.”

“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. Both of you, go now. I’ll send word if I’m successful.”

Liam’s two-toned eyes glow but he wraps an arm around my daughter’s shoulders. “Send word if you want us to back you up.”

“I will.” The lie falls easily from my lips.

I watch as the truck drives off. I imagine them going back to the farm. Chloe and Sophie, Laufey and Harmony will all be pissed that I left without saying goodbye. But I can’t bring any of them with me. I refuse to risk any of them.

There is nothing they can do. I will be imprisoned or I will die. And I’ve always hated long goodbyes.

The Final Crossing

I check my watch. Twenty minutes until midnight. The grass has gone dormant for the season and leaves fall steadily from the trees. Midnight on Samhain. The night the Wild Hunt should take to the skies to bring in the end of harvest and the beginning of winter. This has always been, will always be my season.

“My queen,” a familiar sibilant voice hisses.

I glance up into the face of the dead Valkyrie. “Long time no see, Nightweaver.”

She stares at me impassively.

“Is Underhill expecting me?” I ask.

The spirit nods.

“You betrayed me.” My tone is mild, almost indifferent. “I saw it.”

“You don’t know what you saw.”

Her answer pisses me off. “You’ve been spying for Underhill.”

Her head bobs easily. “As Nahini ordered.”

My lips part. “Nahini ordered you to spy on me for Underhill?”

She drifts closer. “Your mother trusts me now. I know where the cave is, where she plans to bring your wolf. And I know that the Underground Palace is mostly unguarded.”

I swallow. “Why should I believe you?”

“You shouldn’t,” the Valkyrie responds. “I hope you don’t. Your death means I will be free to join the Veil.”

At least she didn’t lie. I consider her for an endless moment. “You said the Underground palace is unguarded? Does that include the prisoners?”

She drifts up. “Yes. And if you cross here, you’ll appear in the Unseelie catacombs.”

Dare I trust her after I’ve witnessed her actions? Though it galls me to admit, Nightweaver is right. If she is following Nahini’s orders, I might have help.

I check my watch. One minute until midnight. Time to choose.

I just hope I won’t regret it.

Through the Man’s Eyes

Underhill jerks up in her seat. “Stop the coach.”

Aiden breathes in her scent at the same moment. Nic. She’s crossed the Veil. Her scent is that winter apple fragrance he loves.

Alone. No hint of the wildness, the otherness.

The pup. His wolf is frantic but held by Gleipnir, there is nothing he can do.

“My lady?” Rodrick leans forward.

“She’s here,” Underhill mutters. “She’s in the catacombs. Do you have any soldiers there?”

Rodrick’s eyes ice over as the Spriggan connects with the few birds and beasts that still live. “No, my lady.”

Cursing, Underhill rolls up her sleeve. “Give me your dagger.”

The general hands his weapon over to her. “Be careful, the blade is poison—”

Underhill slashes down into the pale white flesh of her arm.

Rodrick’s eyes widen at the sight, but Pharaildis isn’t affected at all. She dips the tip into the bleeding gash and then writes in the air above her face. The letters formed in blood create angular carvings. Runes.

“What are you doing?” Aiden asks.

“Sending a welcoming committee.”

Though he knows it is useless, Aiden struggles to free himself. “You can’t kill her. She’s your daughter.”

“She’s a traitor who will kill me. You said so yourself.” Underhill