“I know you can, Princess,” I whisper. Reaching out, I squeeze her hand. “Believe me, I know that better than anyone.”
A glimmer sparkles in her eyes, and she softens slightly.Good.
The king’s voice is laced with violence as it echoes through the empty square. “Ready?”
I nod.
“Okay.” He presses a hand against his ear, listening to someone spout an update. His mouth hardens in a firm line as his wings flap behind him. “Reports are coming in that two groups are attacking the city.” Aidoneus steps forward, placing a hand on Helena’s shoulder and drawing her gaze. “The two of you will go to the docks. Phaedra and I will head to the interior of the city.”
Helena nods, squeezing my hand.
“Yes, sir,” I reply for both of us.
“Good. Stay safe,” he says, his eyes darkening.
“I swear to you, I will do everything I can to keep Helena safe. I love her,” I say firmly.
A ghost of a smile flickers on the King’s face. He nods before gesturing to us. “Hold on tight to each other,” he says, gathering Phaedra into his arms before waving his hand.
Before I can do little more than wrap my arm around Helena’s waist, the cobblestone streets disappear from view.
* * *
“Dammit!”I yell as my feet land on the rickety wood of the docks. I grab onto a wooden railing, steadying my wobbly legs as I take in our surroundings. The King has sent us to the port. Thick, gray fog swirls all around us. I can’t even tell where the dock ends and the water begins.
The square, which is usually full of people, is completely deserted. Paper blows across the cobblestones like a tumbleweed in the desert. A thought crosses my mind that the people must have gone somewhere. Maybe the King had Transposed them away like he brought us here? Exactly how powerful is Helena’s uncle?
Wiping my hand across my forehead, I blow out a deep breath. “He did it again. Gods, I have never met anyone who can do that. It’s a sickening way to get around.”
Suddenly, I’m aware that Helena is moving. I tilt my head, pursing my lips as I realize her shoulders are shaking with silent laughter. She meets my gaze, squeezing my hand as her eyes twinkle.How else did you think we’d get here?
“I don’t know, Princess,” I snarl through clenched teeth as I work to get my stomach under control. “But Transposing is officially at the bottom of my ‘favorite ways to travel’ list.”
Six dark gray shapes materialize from the fog as the last word leaves my lips. The members of the Elite are moving towards us, their expressions grim as they take us in. The six warriors speak themselves with sign language, their hands waving as they split into two groups.
“Helena,” I say urgently, drawing the sword from my back and grabbing the largest gun with my free hand. The weapons are heavy, a reminder of their lethality. “No matter what happens, I need you to know I love you. I will always love you. And if I die today, I will leave this world a better man for having known you.”
The only answer is the sound of sliding metal as Helena arms herself. I can’t help the awe that floods me as I study her one last time.
If her uncle is the personification of death, Helena embodies fierceness. She draws herself up, her legs spread apart as she cracks her neck. I feel a stirring deep within myself as I watch her take a step forward, then two.
This incredible female ismine.
I love her. And I will fight for her every second that breath remains in my lungs.
She glances over her shoulder at me before tilting her head towards the Elite.Let’s show these bastards who they’re dealing with.
“You don’t need to tell me twice, Princess.”
As if we have done this hundreds of times before, we move as one. The Elite surround us in a circle, and we instinctively stand with our backs to each other.
The mermen stare at us, their eyes narrowed as they take in our weapons. They, too, are armed, although we clearly have the advantage regarding weaponry. They are wearing black armor plates, leaving very little of their gray skin visible to the eye.
Not only that, but they have us outnumbered three to one.
A second passes, then two, where nothing happens. Then, my fierce warrior lunges forward.
Helena swings her sword through the air just as the members of the Elite surge towards us. They draw their own weapons, meeting us in the middle. Sweat begins pouring down my body as I move, losing myself in the fray.