I take stock of my surroundings, trying to figure out how to get us out of this mess. The rebels have separated me from Fionn and Silene, who now stand huddled together with no less than six iron-dipped swords pointed at them. I can’t see the number of fae behind me, but there are at least four in front besides Krantz. Without Fionn’s or Silene’s support, my entire body throbs with pain, and I can feel the sweat leaking down my face and back as I try to bear the convulsions now wracking my body. I shift my weight to stand on the other leg, but it doesn’t help. Instead of giving into the tempting bliss of unconsciousness, I keep my eyes locked on Laurel forty paces away from me, where she continues to fight off three and four attackers at a time, chest rising and falling with her heavy panting. She’s powerful, but even she cannot keep this up alone, especially not while she’s in a blinding rage and hurling whatever magic she can at her assailants.

Another wave of pure agony washes over me, and I lose my battle to stay upright, dropping to the ground. Krantz uses the slip to advance toward me, and that’s a mistake. I watch as all reason leaves Laurel’s eyes and the only thing that remains is a terrifyingly powerful female whose mate is threatened. With an unholy snarl from Laurel, Krantz and everyone around him freeze, unable to move. Laurel’s magic. She’s stopped the aether from coursing through them, rendering them completely immobile. Fionn’s and Silene’s eyes go wide, unaware of the true depth and nature of her power. But I know, and I also know how much she fears the impact using this much aether will have on the magic of Thayaria. It’s a testament to how lost in the mating bond she is that she’s willing to risk exposure and her kingdom’s magical stability.

She aersteps to me and drops to my side, taking my hand in hers as she helps me stand, eyes completely black with rage once again. She scans every inch of my body, taking in each wound and the scent of my blood. With a deep inhale, her eyes blow out further, and she hisses.

“It’s okay,” I murmur. “Let’s get Fionn and Silene and get out of here.” My words ease the edge of her wrath, bringing a semblance of logic back to her. She nods, thank the aether, and I feel the tingle of magic along my spine that tells me we’re about to aerstep.