Chapter 23

**Allister POV**

I patiently stood there and waited for Alex and Ryder to leave when finally I saw their dragons rise into the air and fly away. Looking down at the rock and the tree, the hidden passage into the Dark Fae world, I was filled with rage because my Queen was so close but still out of reach to me. I knew I needed an item or a Fae to be able to enter.
I knew where I needed to go and what needed to be done for me to be able to pass through. Determined to complete my task and save Nerissa, I walked away from the secret Dark Fae entrance and passed by the two warriors that Alex left behind as I walked closer to my warriors, and ordered, “You both stay here with these two, and inform me immediately of any changes. I am going to get what is needed, but first, I have to get Warit.” I began to plan what I must do next. They both nodded before I walked away, using my powers to open a portal to search for Warit. The moment the portal appeared before me, I walked through it and found myself right behind Warit.
“Warit…” I called his name, making him turn around quickly. He looked surprised to see me, then looked behind me, searching for Nerissa, “Nerissa has been taken down to the Dark Fae world.”
Gasps sounded the second after I informed them all about the situation. Emily rushed towards me, and asked worriedly, “Who took her?”
“I never saw him, but Ryder said it was Reynard, Alex’s brother,” I answered coolly, seeing Emily flinch at the sound of their names.
The realization suddenly dawned on me as I looked closer at Emily. “Emily, are they the ones that held you and Nerissa captive?”
She swallowed thickly as she gave me a slow nod, confirming my suspicions. Growling at the realization, my nose flared in anger before I turned towards Warit and said, “We are leaving right now.”
He was gazing over at Emily with a strange look on his face. I was ignoring it as I had no time nor the will to wonder about what was going on between them. I summoned another portal as I waited for Warit to snap out of his lost state so we could leave.
Finally, Warit tore his eyes away from Emily to look over at the guards, and spoke firmly.“Take her back home and do not take your eyes off of her. Protect her and keep her safe, got it?” The warriors nodded their heads as they got closer to Emily, who sniffled as she took Warit’s hand in hers, staring at him worriedly.
“Be careful,” she whispered to him.
I was surprised to see my cousin acting so grown up and serious. At the same time, I was proud of him. I watched their exchange silently, my heart aching, wishing Nerissa was with me.
Warit grabbed her hand in his and brought it to his lips, kissing the back of it and never taking his eyes off of Emily. “I will see you again soon.” He released her hand and walked towards me, his head held high as he stood tall and asked, “So where are we going?”
Opening up the portal fully, I answered him calmly, “We, my cousin, are going to visit one of your dear friends.”
Warit looked at me confused. “My dear friend? Which one?”
Chuckling at him, I nudged him to walk ahead of me, not giving him a chance to walk away as I said, “Rhea Crowe.”