by Jocelyn Fox
“On the contrary,” said Gray, “I think you should say whatever you please about it.”
Liam nudged Gray – like he nudged Tess when she was being especially difficult. “Don’t be rude.”
“I’m not being rude,” retorted Gray. “I’m just letting the Lady Bearer know that she’s not without a voice on the subject.”
Tess thought for a moment. Ramel was too young to have known about the Exiled, but Niall was the Seelie Vaelanseld. “How long has Niall been with Titania as one of her Three?”
Vell looked at Finnead, her silent command plain.
“He was chosen as her Vaelanseld only shortly after Mab’s Vaelanseld was baptized,” Finnead said.
Tess took a deep breath. “Was that before or after the uprising and the exile of the rebels?”
Vell grinned wolfishly. “And here I thought I was going to have to tell you myself.”
“So you knew?” The Sword hummed quietly to Tess, perhaps advising caution.
“Only within the morning,” replied Vell. “My people had our own stories about the Sidhe who abandoned their Courts to live among the wolf-chosen.”
“I guess it doesn’t really matter who knew what and when,” Tess said, mostly to herself. “But the thought of the Exiled really doesn’t bother you, it seems.”
“Well, I’m not the one journeying into the mortal world,” replied Vell with a raised eyebrow, “but I don’t think you should be particularly afraid. The Sword will be an effective weapon against them.”
The reality of Vell’s statement hit Tess like a slap across the face. She felt stupid that she hadn’t thought of it herself – of course the Sword would be her weapon against the Exiled. But then her thoughts circled back to her musings while she’d paced before the fire. “Unless they’re immune to iron at this point.”
“That’s highly doubtful,” said Finnead, speaking of his own volition for the first time. He shook his head. “There are extensive protections that are laid on each Knight by their Queen before they travel into the mortal world. As the years have passed, the protections have gotten more and more complex. Without any sort of shield against the poison in the mortal world, the rebels will most likely be very weak if not dead.”
“Rebels. Sounds like you approve of their treatment.” Tess let herself cross her arms this time.
Finnead met her eyes, his gaze cold. “They were traitors to their Queens and their people. By all rights, they deserved to die.”
“They deserved to die for wanting their freedom?” she retorted. The room went still.
Finnead didn’t reply, merely raising his eyebrows slightly in a look of dismissive disdain that somehow cut Tess deeper than any stinging words. She pressed her lips together on a nasty comment that rose to her lips – she didn’t let herself think it fully, or else she might have said it, but it had something to do with the princess and the Lethe Stone and what Mab intended to do with it. Instead, she swallowed and turned back to Vell.
“Haze, Forin and Farin are coming with me,” she said in a measured voice. “They’ve all been granted leave by Lumina. And Jess, too, if he’d like.” She directed her last comment to her brother.
Vell nodded. “That’s good.” She looked at Tess for a long moment and then said, “Leave us for a few moments.”
Without a word, all the Vyldgard melted through the wall, even Liam. Vell pressed one hand to her temple as if to ward off a headache.
“I don’t want us to part on bad terms, Tess,” she said, sounding almost weary.
Tess felt a pang of sudden guilt. She hadn’t thought of what it must have cost Vell to play the diplomat and mediate between Mab and Titania. “I’m sorry,” she said, her own voice tired. “It just seems like there are curve balls being thrown at me every waking minute.”
Vell sat down in the chair that Liam had vacated. “You and me both.” She sighed.
“One thing we haven’t discussed this morning,” said Tess, taking the chair opposite Vell. “I’m taking Kianryk with me, aren’t I?”
She nodded. “Yes. It’s the surest way to help Luca.”
“Would it be strange if I said that I’m most nervous about that, and not the Exiled or the Lethe Stone or anything else?” Tess felt a lopsided smile lift her mouth.
Vell chuckled. “Not at all. But the care and feeding of an ulfdrengr wolf is much simpler than you might think.”
“I don’t know how I’ll keep him hidden,” Tess said honestly. “Carrying swords and dressing like this is bound to arouse enough suspicion already. Adding a wolf to the mix will probably set off alarms.”
“I’ll take care of it. He won’t like it, and neither will Luca, but it’s what has to be done.” A hint of sadness touched Vell’s words.
“Nothing permanent, I hope.” Tess frowned at the unhappiness in her friend’s voice.
Vell shook her head. “No. Nothing permanent, thank the White Wolf, though I may never forgive myself.”
Tess pressed her lips together. “That sounds pretty permanent to me.”
The Vyldretning chuckled wearily. “Look at you, trying to make me feel better when it should be the other way around.” She sobered. “We’ll miss you here, Tess. I’m hoping that I can keep the Seelie and Unseelie from starting anything that isn’t easily undone while you’re gone.”
“You really think they’d go to war against each other?”
“I don’t know. I hope not. But even my power could not keep them from each other if they want to fight.”
Tess hummed. “Probably for a little while, at least.”
Vell laughed. “You’re right. But in any case, it’d be best if you’re quick about this mission in the mortal world. I think you’ll have more in the future, but this first one is more important than the rest. Things aren’t settled yet.”
Tess took a deep breath. “Will things ever be settled?”
“With these difficult Queens, probably not,” muttered Vell.
“That was rhetorical.” Tess laughed. It felt good to laugh. Her mind was heavy with the knowledge of what lay ahead, but for the moment she let herself enjoy the company of her good friend, trying not to acknowledge that if she didn’t succeed, it could very well be the last time they sat and laughed before a merrily crackling fire. Her own words came back to haunt her as she remembered her caution to Liam and his teammates – You die here in this world, that’s it. You’re dead. It worked the same for her in the mortal world.
“Why aren’t you sending one of your Three with me?” she asked Vell after a moment of easy silence. “Not that I’m asking you to…but it’s just that…”
“The other two want to outmaneuver each other. It’s not that they don’t trust you – well, maybe for Mab that’s the reason,” Vell amended. “But she distrusts Titania as well. Titania might have started off sending Niall as a goodwill gesture to the Bearer, but Mab takes it that she wants to interfere somehow with the procurement of the Lethe Stone.”
Tess shook her head. “Intrigue upon intrigue.”
“And you thought you’d be leaving all the politics behind when you stepped through the Gate,” said Vell with a grin. “Besides, Calliea is going with you. I’m not sending her – she would stay if I commanded her, but what type of Queen would that make me?” She shrugged, her golden eyes contemplative. “As far as anyone can tell, Merrick helped save Liam’s life. If Merrick hadn’t pulled him away, he’d be in the mortal world, and probably dead at this point from the dagger in his side. So I owe him a debt for that.”
“Merrick was the only one who dove past those iron wards set around the altar,” Tess said. “Apparently no one guessed the strength in our young navigator.”
“I did,” replied Vell simply. “That is why I baptized him the Arrisyn.”
Tess smiled. “I was so proud that day. Of him and Calliea both.”
They let the conversation glide into recollections of their past adventures, taking comfort in the memories. After too short a time, Vell’s Thre
e reappeared. Liam stepped forward, addressing both of them. “It’s almost noon.” He nodded to Tess. “I let Jess know. He’s ready.”
Tess nodded. “Good.” At least she’d be able to fulfill her promise to one of the men. She slid the strap of her pack over her shoulder, wishing suddenly that she’d had the time to say goodbye to Nehalim. She was lost so deeply in her own thoughts that she almost didn’t notice the strange sensation of sliding through the wall into the passageway beyond.
“Hunting a bone sorcerer isn’t difficult,” said Gray, unexpectedly falling into step beside her. “I’ve spoken to my cousin about the particulars.”
“Thank you,” said Tess cautiously, unsure what to make of Gray’s sudden forthrightness.
“Don’t thank me yet,” said the beautiful Vyldgard warrior blithely. “Tracking him isn’t the hard part. It’s killing him.” She tilted her head. “But then again, you’re the Bearer, so that part should be easy for you, too.”
“Reassuring,” Tess said drily. She wasn’t sure how to continue the conversation. To her relief, Liam appeared on her other side and gave Gray a meaningful look; the golden-haired knight serenely moved to take position just behind Vell.
“You forgot your armor,” said Liam with a smile, holding up her breastplate in one hand.
Tess chuckled. “Look at you, still making sure I’m dressed for school even in the Fae world.”
“It’s what big brothers do,” said Liam with mock seriousness. They paused, standing to the side of the passageway, and he quickly helped her don the light breastplate. Tess ran her fingertips over the surface of the armor, feeling the various scratches and dents where the armor had protected her from the fangs and claws of Dark beasts. It felt like greeting an old friend, and she smiled at Liam in thanks as she rearranged the strap of the Caedbranr across her chest. They lengthened their strides to catch up to the rest of the company. Jess seamlessly joined them as they reached the great double doors of the palace. He nodded to Tess, dressed in his camouflage pants, boots and a black shirt.
They didn’t encounter any others in their walk through the streets of the White City to the pavilion.
“It’s like in the old Western movies when everyone disappears before the big showdown,” murmured Tess to her brother, rewarded by his chuckle.
“Let’s hope this doesn’t turn into a showdown,” Liam said quietly in reply. Vell glanced over her shoulder at him, one eyebrow raised slightly. Tess nudged Liam’s shoulder, lips pressed together to quash the grin trying to wriggle its way into existence. To her surprise, Liam colored a little.
“Are you blushing?” Tess demanded in a low voice, letting the grin blossom. “You never blushed before when you were…ahem, involved with other women.”
Liam smiled a little sheepishly. “This is different.”
“Different because you have a mind meld with her, or different because….?” Tess raised her eyebrows. A slight breeze whispered down the deserted path.
“Different because it’s the first time I’ve been with a woman that can kick my ass,” he replied with a little chuckle.
“That in itself isn’t enough to make you blush.” Tess narrowed her eyes. “Are you in love?”
“Yes,” said Liam quietly. “Though I haven’t said so much in words to her.”
“Well, she’s already implied it, and apparently you two get along well in all the ways that count, from what she’s said,” Tess replied with a little smile.
Liam groaned. “Now you’re just twisting the knife. This is why I don’t talk to you about my love life.”
“You had no problem giving me advice about Luca and Finnead,” Tess pointed out.
“Well, that’s different. I’m your older brother,” Liam said with exaggerated sternness.
Tess snorted. She saw Jess glance at her, amusement in his usually serious eyes.
“Doesn’t matter. I think we’re past the age where that’s the trump card,” she retorted.
“We’re never past the age where that’s the trump card, Bug.” Liam smiled as she rolled her eyes.
Then Tess sobered. “No matter what happens, take care of her, Liam. She’s always been there for me, even before I was made the Bearer.”
“I will. But don’t talk like you’re not coming back. I won’t allow it.” Liam put a hand on her shoulder. She leaned into him slightly as they kept walking, and he gave her half a hug.
“So how’ve the visions been?” she asked as they separated.
“Smooth change of subject. And they haven’t been bad since I died.”
She hit him lightly in the arm. “Don’t say it like that.”
“Okay, they haven’t been bad since I died and an ancient deity resurrected me. And by not bad, I mean…non-existent.”
Tess sighed in forbearance. “I’d have appreciated a head’s up on whatever I’m stepping into in the mortal world. It sucks that your mojo is out of whack.”
“I would’ve loved to have given it to you. And it’s not common knowledge that my visions haven’t returned since the deal with Arcana. Finnead and Gray know, of course, but that’s about it.”
“The Sword felt that way for a while too. They’ll probably trickle back.” Tess let her eyes find Finnead, walking with his usual cat-like grace opposite Gray on Vell’s left side. “And…I know that he and I aren’t necessarily on great terms, but keep an eye on Finnead, too? This whole thing with the princess seems like it’s hitting him pretty hard.”
“It is. And I will.” Liam nodded but didn’t elaborate.
“Thanks.” Tess smiled, and then they fell into comfortable silence as they traversed the last few paths to the pavilion. The scarlet curtains still hung between the pillars, the three sigils of the Queens vivid on their banners. Inside the pavilion, the ceiling overhead still held the image of night and day, divided neatly down the center. The large round table was gone. The pavilion was empty save for a small silver bowl in the center of the gleaming floor.
Titania stood with her Three at the eastern entrance of the pavilion. Mab faced her at the western entrance, flanked by her own Knights, though the two Queens did not look directly at each other. Tess glanced up at the ceiling again and picked out three bright glows that she’d mistaken at first glance for stars in the night sky. She had enough time to recognize them as Glasidhe before Farin dove for her, trilling in her bright voice. Forin and Haze followed at a more dignified pace.
Farin had braided her hair, weaving two small red feathers into the white-gold plaits at her temples, and she wore her Glasidhe armor and war paint, cobalt symbols covering all her visible skin. Even her eye-patch had not escaped adornment: she’d painted it a bright blue to match the runes on her skin. Forin wore his war paint as well but Haze had abstained, looking no less war-like in miniature gauntlets with his bow slung over his shoulder.
“You look very fierce,” Tess told Farin as the High Queen’s party came to a halt.
“I am most excited for this foray into the mortal world,” Farin replied, baring her pointed little teeth. “I am eager to hunt this bone sorcerer!”
“I’m grateful you’re coming along,” Tess said honestly.
“We would not miss it for all the gold in the Seelie Court!” the indomitable Glasidhe replied gleefully.
Tess chuckled and then turned her attention back to the Queens. Mab and Titania had not moved. Vell, however, looked to the northern entrance of the pavilion and whistled piercingly. After a few moments, Beryk loped up the steps to the pavilion, looking as large as a small horse. The black wolf flowed sinuously across the floor to Vell. Kianryk followed behind him.
Tess caught her breath at the sight of the tawny wolf. While Beryk seemed to fill the extra space in the pavilion with his presence, Kianryk seemed smaller than usual, his golden fur lank and lusterless, his blue eyes lacking their usual fire. He walked gingerly, as if every step caused him pain, yet he held his head high as he traversed the pavilion and stopped before Vell. The High Queen knelt and
murmured words in the Northern tongue softly. Kianryk whined low in his throat, breaking something in Vell’s demeanor and she threw her arms around the tawny wolf’s neck. Beryk stood grandly at her side, staring at the other two Queens with a challenge in his eyes, as though daring anyone to comment on Vell’s display of emotion.
The Caedbranr stirred with interest. Tess padded cautiously forward, and no one stopped her. Vell released Kianryk; the wolf whined again low in his throat and lowered himself to his belly, laying his great head in her lap. Vell still spoke softly in the Northern tongue as she drew an object from the folds of her cloak: a scarlet collar, runes flowing over its surface. Tess’s chest ached as she saw the pain on Vell’s face. Kianryk heaved a great sigh and closed his eyes in submission. Vell’s hands shook as she fastened the collar about Kianryk’s neck, and wetness gleamed on one of her cheeks as she took the tawny wolf’s face in both her hands and kissed him between his ears, pressing her forehead to his for a long moment. Beryk maintained his steadfast watch on the other Queens, an obsidian guardian at her side.
Finally, Vell pressed another kiss to Kianryk’s head and raised her face, her golden eyes glimmering with hard light. With an effort, Kianryk stood, the scarlet collar stark contrast against the white gold fur at his neck. He didn’t look any different to Tess’s eyes, but perhaps it would only take effect in the mortal world. The wolf stood stoically on Vell’s other side.
The High Queen looked at Titania and then Mab. Her voice rang out through the pavilion. “Let us open the Gate.”
Chapter 18
“So let me get this straight.” Vivian lounged on one of the armchairs in the living room, arranging her lanky body with insouciant grace. She pointed at Duke. “You didn’t die, you were abducted into another world.”
“Followed Liam into another world. But yes,” replied Duke.
“And you two are natives of this other world.” Her long finger switched to Luca and Merrick.