Turning to Ailill and Cal, I squared my shoulders. “I will go to Avalon,” I announced decisively. “We will remove the Black Knights and I will honor my word to bring my brother home.” Glancing back at Samantha, I smiled, hoping the fear at having agreed to do these things didn’t show on my face. “Ye are my driving force, love. I know it will be dangerous, but I hope to have ye at my side through it.”
Stepping forward, she kissed me in response. “I will follow you to the end of the earth.”
The words—the same words I’d spoken to her on the night I declared my love for her—brought the biggest smile I’d worn in a long time to my face.
“Ailill.” Glancing at the general, I nodded. “Have yer ships set a course for Avalon. We leave as soon as we are able.”
I’d only sailed as part of a fleet under the command of William MacDonald, when we sailed home from the Caribbean. It felt much different now, being at the head of a group heading toward danger instead of sailing away from vanquished foes. Even more unnerving, the quiet of the misty Otherworld ocean made my skin crawl. Perhaps, if I could see or hear the things around me, I’d have felt more comfortable with our plan. Instead, I often found myself at the bow of the ship, anxiously staring off into nothing.
“I will be sad to say goodbye to the Adelina again,” Sam muttered beside me, her attention focused on the ship instead of the horizon. “There are so many good memories here.” Nudging my arm, she grinned, her hand resting on her stomach. “Do you remember all of the things that happened?”
Smiling slightly, I pulled her close, wrapping her in my embrace and inhaling the comforting scent of her for a beat. She was trying to distract me from my nerves, and I didn’t feel inclined to resist her attempts. Allowing myself to think back, I let the past wash over me. “I kissed ye under those very stairs, desperately wishing to get hold of more than just yer lips for a change.” Murmuring the words as I kissed her temple, I grinned, the images of the start of our relationship coming easily. “Ye used to sit on the deck, there, and watch the waves. If I’m not mistaken, that bucket is the one ye lost yer stomach into during a storm.”
Giggling, she wrapped her fingers in my shirt, holding me tightly. “You did the same, if I recall.”
Chuckling, I nodded. “Aye, that I did. It was a rough night, all around.”
“One of my favorites aboard this ship,” she corrected me, meeting my gaze.
“One?” I teased. “What other nights could have bested the two of us being sick together?” I knew exactly what she spoke of though. She’d blushed exactly as she was now on our wedding night, which we’d spent together in the captain’s quarters. There had been other nights of togetherness that occurred here, as well. In truth, we fell in love on these decks. The Adelina was as much a part of our romance as anything else. I, too, would be sad to part from it for that reason. This was also my ship, the first—and last—I’d captained. When I’d commanded this vessel, my life was the best it ever had been. When I’d lost it, I’d taken a downward turn I hadn’t seemed to escape from yet.
Frowning, I glanced back at the horizon, my feelings of anxiousness and worry returning in an instant. I’d no idea what awaited us in Avalon, or how to attempt to force our way into the city. Ailill was no help, insisted there was no way to breech the walls.
I squeezed Sam tightly, the nerves inside my body refusing to be calmed by her presence and my constant reassurance we were doing the right thing. “Stay away from Randall during the fight,” I warned her quietly. “I can’t promise he won’t escape and I won’t stand guard over him when I have people who need me to lead them.”
“We will be fine,” she proclaimed, her tone strong and confident. “I’ve fought in other battles and can handle myself. You will be there with me.” She placed her palm over mine, pressing it into her abdomen. “We aren’t going to lose this baby. Not when we have each other to look after. Nothing is going to happen to any of us.”
Smiling lightly, I nodded, somewhat comforted by her insistence. “When this is finished, Lord willing, ye will never have to fight another battle in yer life. It will be just ye, me, and the babe. Together in our own little world.”
“And I’ll be the wee one’s uncle, aye?” Cal’s voice broke the tension between us and I laughed, turning to look at him as he joined us.
“Ye are my brother, are ye not?” I asked, amused. The change in conversation was heartening, lifting the gloomy sense of dread clinging to me. Staring at my adopted sibling, I felt those worries drift farther away. “I suppose that would make ye an uncle.”
Chuckling, Cal nodded, folding his arms as he studied the two of us. “Very good. I shall begin practicing my drunken family displays as soon as we are finished with this place. Though, I do have a lot to live up to, what with Uncle Lachlan’s antics from our childhood.”
“The man kissed a horse clean on the teeth once,” I recalled, snickering at the memory. “Almost lost his own lips when the thing snapped back at him.”
“Don’t expect me to go that far.” Cal’s eyes sparkled as he continued to stare us down, happiness radiating from him. “I am both honored and thrilled to be a part of a family once more. Especially yer’s, brother.” After a beat, he cleared his throat, obviously embarrassed by the unexpected show of emotion, and motioned to the ship behind us. “The fae claim we weren’t far from Avalon. We should be nearly at her gates.”
As if they were simply waiting for one of us to notice, a shout sounded from one of the fairy ships, calling attention to the great barrier suddenly sitting right in front of us. It was too high to climb without aid from the top and surrounded by sharp rocks, bathed in crashing waves that beat against the base without mercy. If I hadn’t known any better, I’d have assumed we returned to some godforsaken part of the Dark Isles. The only thing assuring me otherwise was the view above the enclosed space. It shone with the brightness of the sun, blue skies dotted with white clouds, exactly the same as the heavens in the mortal realm.
Along the shore, trebuchets rested, barrels of fire lit between each of them. Small figures raced the beach, shouting commands to archers, organizing the Black Knights for battle. In the water ahead of them, between us and the citadel, an armada of ships waited. They, too, were packed with soldiers, the men stoically awaiting orders to attack.
“They aren’t behind the wall?” Cal question, surprised. “Why? They could have rode us out for months if they wanted.”
“They believe they can beat us outright,” I replied, studying the scene. “Why take on a siege, if ye can squash the bugs before they attempt to enter?”
The realization that my fight for the city had just become a battle on the water eased my worries considerably. I didn’t know about the fae army, but this was where I was most comfortable. I knew how to move on water, how to direct a ship in the pursuit and demise of another. The Black Knights may have thought they were making a smart decision, coming out to meet me. By day’s end, though, they’d learn what a terrible mistake it had been.
For the first time, I felt the mantle of the High King settle on my shoulders and I didn’t shy away from it. Instead, grasping the pommel of Excalibur, I pulled the sword free and hoisted it into the air, the glow of the blade seeming to encompass the ships and land in sight.
The responding cry was near deafening.
The fairies beat their fists on their breastplates, shouting as I strode to the helm of the Adelina.
“Your Majesty,” Ailill conceded, stepping to the side and allowing me command of the ship. “What are your orders?”
“Split them down the middle,” I ordered. “We’ll ram the flagship and board her. The faster we sink them, the better. Tell yer men to watch for the catapults—if they burn us before we get there, it will all be for naught.”
Ailill saluted, relaying the directions to his lieutenants with a commanding shout. Several fairies boarded my vessel, standing at attention with their spears and knives. The rest fell into place on their ow
n ships, taking up positions with ease that came to only those highly trained. Before my very eyes, the fleet began to split, plowing forward and engaging the nearest enemy ships.
“Man the guns!” I bellowed, grinning at the familiar tingle of authority.
The Adelina was soon bustling with activity, my orders carried out as we faced the horde and began our attack on them. Blasts fired from below, aimed at the nearest targets. No sooner did we unleash the cannons, did the Black Knights light their trebuchets.
Steering us straight toward the largest Black Knight ship, I did my best to avoid getting hit. A fireball whizzed past us, crashing into the water with a sizzle. To my left, another struck the main mast of a fae boat, crumbling their sails into a blazing inferno.
For the first time since I’d entered the Otherworld, there were waves at sea. The number of ships on the water created whitecaps, a wind picking up as the two sides collided with one another. Icy spray soared onto the deck, stinging my face as I continued to steer, my eyes locked on the Black Knight flagship—the Victory. Another projectile narrowly missed us, guns from the flagship fired in our direction. Finally, we managed to hit it with one of the smaller ammunitions, cracking the main mast and rendering one of her sails useless.
Stranded, the boat halted in the water, its other sheets incapable of pulling her fast enough to get away.
“Make ready!” I called.
Breathing in, I counted to five, and then rammed the Victory with everything I had.
The hull buckled, speared onto our bow and clinging for dear life. The men on board shouted, firing pistols, eager for the close combat to begin.
The fae flooded onto their ship, slicing and spinning with ease, almost as if they were dancing, rather than fighting. The Black Knights fell before them like flies, screaming.
Another of the enemy ships pulled up beside us, throwing out hooks and pulling the Adelina closer. Within seconds, they had boarded us, the real fight for survival beginning.
Drawing Excalibur once more, I leapt from the helm, engaging the closest traitor. He parried my first blow, returning with a thrust that almost caught me in the hip.
Chuckling, I shook my head, sliding to the right and landing a blow against his thigh. He went down quickly, groaning as he attempted to hold the flesh together.
“Over here, Dog!” The bloodthirsty brute who called to me stood on the railing, tossing his blade between hands, daring me to come closer. He already sported a cut on his chest and a bruised face, but his gaze was murderous, his appetite for fighting not yet fulfilled.
I reached him in two steps, shoving him into the water without so much as breaking a sweat. The next opponent passed almost as fast, tumbling between the ships before saying a single word.
Fire rained from the heavens, the forces on the shore working quickly to load and fire their weapons. Several of the fae ships collapsed under their aim, the water filled with bodies from both sides. Those who were still able fought in the liquid, never giving up their positions unless death claimed them first.
Climbing over the bannister, a man appeared before me, soaked and growling, an eye patch covering half his face. The long sword in his hand glinted dangerously in the blaze as he met my stare, his lip curling. I could tell from looking at him he was more experienced than the young men I’d faced previously, his skin scared from years of swordplay.
I barely managed to get my own blade up before he was on top of me, hacking and chopping like I were a tree he meant to fell. I did my best to stay clear of his crazy swinging, but managed to be cut across the shoulder.
Slipping, I fell to the floor and scooted away from him, trying to shield myself as another thrust aimed for my stomach. The point of his blade dug into the wooden planks beneath me, splintering them.
He yanked the weapon free, laughing as I struggled to right myself on the slippery deck. The rocking of the ship in the waves made it difficult, though, and I soon found myself laid out once more, defending myself from the compromised position.
Raising his sword high, the man laughed, ready to impale me on it. Suddenly, he grunted, jerking, and fell to the ground. Behind him, Thomas Randall stood, an axe in his hand and murder in his eyes.
Cursing under my breath, I rolled away just in time, watching as he slammed the head into the ground. It stuck hard, not moving, no matter how hard he pulled.
Shrieking in frustration, he abandoned the thing. Then, his eyes fixed on the city.
Running, he flung himself from the boat, disappearing into the fray below.
Pushing to my feet, I ran after him, dread filling me.
He’d escaped. After all this time, he’d walked away without any issue.
Like he’d planned the entire thing.
Of course. It only made sense—he’d done this kind of thing every time we faced each other. We had played right into his plans from the very start. Somehow, he had known we would all end up here, at the one place he couldn’t get to without my help. From the moment he’d appeared in our home in Paris, probably even before that, he had been planning this. The madness was all an act, meant to distract us from his plotting. Once again, he was one step ahead and I was the fool that tumbled into his trap of lies and deceit.
As I glanced around, realizing I had no one else to fight, I saw the Victory fall from our bow, crashing the rest of the way into the sea. Beyond her, the beach was swarmed by golden armor, the catapults disabled, and the Black Knight armada in ruins.
We’d taken the city.
And Randall was about to claim whatever was inside for himself.
“Ailill,” I shouted. “To me!” Panic filled me at the mere thought of what might be happening right this very second.
The general appeared by my side, bleeding from a cut on his arm. His entire attention was focused on me, though, as if war did not rage on around us. “Your Majesty?”
Grimacing, I didn’t stop to telling him to quit calling me as such. There was only one thing I could think of that Randall would want in Avalon, and Ailill was the only one I knew who could tell me if it was there. “Do ye know anything of a Silver Hand?”
The fae general stiffened, staring at me with a look that was best described as worried. “Why do you ask?”
“Is it here, in the city?” It was all I could do to keep from throwing myself into the ocean and rushing the gates myself.
“The Silver Hand of Nuada.” He nodded, clearing his throat. “It once belonged to the leader of my people, crafted for him after he lost his own in battle. Eventually, he was given a new one of flesh and bone. The Silver Hand was locked away.”
“In Avalon,” I breathed, my fears confirmed. “Why was it put away?”
Cal came up beside me, panting, worry on his face. He didn’t interrupt, peering between us as he invaded the conversation.
Ailill hesitated, clearly not wanting to share the details with him. After a beat, he seemed to get control of himself, his lips pressing into a thin line as he spoke. “The object is imperfect, Your Majesty. Nuada suffered great pains because of it. It drove him down an unsavory path, stealing the life from him. There is darkness in it. More than even the Fomorii possess. It is a dangerous relic. You should not entertain taking it from the vault.”
“I’m not,” I replied roughly. “But Randall is. The gods told us themselves they wanted it. E heard them.”
The red and purple feathers that made up the fae’s hair twitched, his fangs showing as he hissed slightly. “No man can wear the Silver Hand. It would kill him in an instant.”
“Randall is no normal man, is he?” Cal frowned, worry creasing his brow. “I’m guessing those voices inside his head will keep him from being destroyed by whatever magic this thing possesses.”
Ailill rounded on him, grabbing Cal’s shirt and pulling him forward. “Should Randall wear the hand, those voices inside him will grow.” His tone lowered dangerously, eyes narrowing as he continued to direct his anger toward my brother. “They will consume all
that crosses their path. You will see firsthand the destruction such a device can enact. It is an unholy thing, so strong it could snap the neck of a horse without so much as a twitch of its fingers. Nuada begged the gods to make him a replacement for years, because he was unable to keep at bay the evil inside the Silver Hand. If a man so filled with goodness can succumb to the horrors within the object, what do you think Randall will do with the thing?”
My stomach dropped. I knew exactly what Randall would do with it. He had been on a destructive, murderous path for years. With the added strength of the Silver Hand, he’d slaughter anyone who stood in his way. The world as we knew it would be destroyed.
Just like he’d always wanted it to be.
“We need to get inside the city. Now.” Facing the remains of the fleet, I quickly made a plan of action. “Ailill, ye have command of the sea. Finish what we’ve started and round up any prisoners on the beach. Callaghan will take them from there.”
“I will?” Surprised, Cal looked at me quizzically.
“Aye. Ye, along with a few soldiers Ailill grants to ye, will contain them until the castle’s dungeon is swept and deemed ours.
“Samantha—”
Calling to my wife, I watched as she abandoned the man she’d been bandaging, looking to me with worry. When I motioned toward the city, opening my mouth, she interrupted me.
“I’m coming with you.”
Pausing, I smiled. “That ye are, love.”
I’d never seen such carnage. Staring at the streets of Avalon, I couldn’t even fathom how Randall had done it. Blood spattered the cobblestones, bodies with bites out of them laying every few feet. It was as if he’d somehow flown right through the pathways, ripping into every person that got in his way.
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