How to Save a Fae (Heir of Dragons Book 2)

worthwhile alliance.
But where was Kaleb now? She imagined him pacing about the inside of that gorgeous mountain fortress in the Talon Range, or soaring in the skies toward far-off glades. Kaleb said a lot of things, but you haven't heard a thing from him in weeks. Maybe he changed his mind. She gulped. Or maybe... he never meant a word of it.
“Here come a few more!” declared one of the archers, pointing out a throng of Wuffs armed with spears and swords.
Minx shoved her thoughts aside and raised her bow.
Taking aim, she watched the enemy approach the gate and prepared, once again, to do what she was best at.

Chapter 2
Her shift ended just before sundown. A new troop of archers took their place atop the wall and Minx was allowed to return home. She and Mau strolled through the Trading Center and passed into the forest, walking by old Winterlimb on their way into Pan. The trees were alive as the canopy settled into the hues of dusk, with numerous Fae chattering on their tree-side decks or from their tree-top windows. Some called out to Minx, asking about how many marauders had visited the territory that day, how many she had executed during her shift. She'd always been well-respected for her skill in battle, but recently she'd become something of a star.
Minx ignored them all, striding on with her head low.
Ah, you should talk to them! It would do you some good! This brooding isn't healthy, Minx. Your people are proud of you. The least you can do is stop and chat, nagged Mau as they walked along.
I guess you couldn't tell, but I'm not exactly in a talking mood, countered the Fae huntress, letting her long, dark hair down and starting up the steps to her home. The pair ascended up the side of the tree and slipped silently into the house. Minx hurriedly lit a number of lanterns throughout the abode and then settled onto the edge of her bed, removing her armor. Setting it in the corner, along with her bow and quiver, she stretched and started barefoot into the next room, in search of something to eat. This whole thing has been exhausting, she confided, rummaging through her stores of food and putting together a simple meal. How much longer will this go on? How many more could be out there? Will it ever end?
Of course it will. There can't be many left. The dragons took out loads of them during the battle. The ones we're seeing now are just gangs of marauders who got separated from the larger force during the retreat. Within a few days they'll stop coming by altogether. Just you watch. The Faelyr helped herself to a bit of water and then curled up next to the bed, purring. Try and relax. You know what helps me when I feel too high strung? A nap.
Minx flinched, dropping the handful of nuts she'd funneled into her palm. Must be nice.
The Fae huntress felt capable of just about anything in that moment.
She felt as though she could travel to the Talon Range on foot to see Kaleb.
She felt as though she could kill another dozen, another hundred invaders, if that was what duty called her to do.
But the one thing she couldn't envision herself doing under the circumstances was to “relax”.
She took a seat near her window and tried to eat, but the food was flavorless to her. Her heart ached as she considered the state of her life. She missed Kaleb, certainly, but her sadness ran far deeper than that. In the fray, her mother had died—had been murdered by Valry and her men—and she still hadn't found the time to properly mourn her. The breakneck pace of the daily sorties had prevented her from focusing on that loss, and every time she remembered that her mother had passed, it proved a rude shock.
She turned from the window, her appetite depleted despite the physical toll of the day's work, and buried her head in her hands. Mau, noting her partner's despondence, started toward her. Hey, things are hard now, but they'll get better. The dark army has been defeated and you're a hero among the Fae. I know that things aren't perfect, but don't lose heart. You've done wonderfully up to this point. The Faelyr rubbed up against her leg in an attempt to soothe her.
Minx grit her teeth to keep the tears at bay. My mother is gone, Mau. I let her down. And every day that I refuse to deliver a dragon's hide to the Elders, I'm letting my people down, too. It doesn't matter that they celebrate or respect me. If they knew the truth, they'd cast me out of here. Father hasn't been handling mother's passing very well, but he's been so wrapped up in all of this that he hasn't had time to mourn, either. And then the dragons... and Kaleb...
There was no stopping it. The tears ran down her cheeks and she lowered her head against the table. Mau's pep talks sometimes did the job, but today she couldn't find any bright side to speak of. There was only dread, both of the present and of the future. What could she possibly look forward to each day, struggling against the relentless warriors that sought to destroy the territory? No matter how she looked at things, she couldn't envision her life getting better. There would be no bringing back her mother or any of the others that had died. She would continue to watch her fellow Fae warriors get struck down—and might even lose her own life if she wasn't careful. Mau was always at her side, and she took comfort in the Faelyr's presence, but even this close companion couldn't fill the gap in her heart completely.
There was no getting around the feeling that she had failed at everything. There was a great irony in her being celebrated as a heroine,