by Amy Sumida
“I don't think that's possible, Tima.”
“It is if you remember that your family wants you to be happy.” I wiped his tears away. “We will be at peace knowing that you're here, living the life you were meant to. Live it well, Darius.”
“I will.” He straightened as if it were an order. Then he grinned. “Children, eh?”
“Yep. More than one. And that's all I'm going to tell you so stop fishing.”
“Fishing. I see what you did there.” He chuckled, then went serious. “Thank you, Tima.”
“You're welcome.”
Then I spent an hour arguing with Roarke over him staying in Faerie and being king instead of moving to the God Realm with us. He wanted to bring all of the Fire Cat-Sidhe with him. It was desperate talk and we both knew it.
“You can do this,” I finally said to him. “You've been practicing on a smaller scale with the Fire Cats for years now. You're a good king, Roarke. You just need to accept that your miscreant, rebellious past is over.”
“You're one of my best friends, V,” Roarke whispered. “Don't go.”
I hugged Roarke tightly and we cried together because we both knew that I had no choice. I had to leave. It was during this emotional and damp hug that the High Prince arrived with his mother, the Goddess Ethniu. Actually, that's not quite accurate. Lugh likely arrived sooner than that but I wasn't aware of his presence until he started having a princely temper tantrum.
“What do you mean, you're leaving?!” Lugh shouted.
The hall went silent. It had already been a hushed affair with the kind of funereal pall that made people murmur or whisper. So, when Lugh broke that reverent quiet, it was jarring and a bit upsetting. Everyone turned to stare at Lugh and Isleen. I stepped out of my hug with Roarke and grimaced. If there was one thing Isleen hated, it was being made the center of attention; Lugh's passionate rage wouldn't do him any favors. And then there was his poor mother. Ethniu stood awkwardly to the side of the arguing couple, her hands clenched together and an expression on her face that only another mother would recognize—she wanted to help her son but didn't know how. So, it was to her that I went first.
“Hey, Ethniu,” I said brightly. “I'm so glad you decided to come to Faerie. Lugh needs his family.”
“Thank you,” she murmured, then glanced at the brewing argument.
“He needs this too,” I said before stepping over to Isleen and Lugh. “Let's move this discussion somewhere more private, shall we?”
“Vervain, how could you?” Lugh snarled at me. “How could you allow her to go with you when you know what she means to me?”
“Lugh, I get it. You're in love and crushed,” I said calmly. “But if you don't leave this room right now, I'm going to drag you out by your ear.”
“Vervain,” Lugh growled.
“Stow it, Lugh!” I hissed. “You are not the only one going through hell today and your inability to see that is making this even more painful for the rest of us.”
Lugh blinked and looked around the room. A flush crept up his neck. “I...” He glanced at his mother.
“May I offer you a drink, Lady Ethniu?” Arach gallantly came to our rescue.
“Thank you, King Arach,” Ethniu murmured. But before she left with him, she spoke to her son, “Your life has been full of war, Lugh. It was all you knew for a very long time. But try to remember that battle doesn't always end with a victor. Sometimes all that's left in the end is blood.” Then she took Arach's arm and let him escort her away.
Isleen had taken the opportunity to leave the hall. When Lugh stopped gaping after his mother and realized this, he ran after her. I let them go; my work with them was done. I'd meddled in their relationship enough over the years; I wasn't about to meddle in the end of it.
“Now, I've had enough of the sad faces,” I declared to the room as a whole. “This is not how I want to spend my last night in Faerie. Instead, let's make one last, wonderful memory together!”
The gathering lifted their glasses and cheered.
Chapter Twenty-Six
That next morning, the Wild Hunt flew across Faerie with a Dragon King leading it for the last time.
We roared and screeched and cackled across the clear sky. Bodies boiling forth, claws reaching for the clouds, and teeth snapping at the air. It was a parade of sorts. A hunt without prey. It felt strange to be out in the daylight but in a way, that made it even more glorious. Nothing hid our ferocity or savage beauty. The Wild Hunt had its purpose and it would continue to hold sway over the Faerie Realm. Even without its leader, it would ride when needed and keep the capricious Fey in line. But this last cavalcade was for Arach—a tribute to the dragon who had led the Wild Hunt for thousands of years.
Arach, our sons, and I flew over the Road of Neutrality in our full dragon forms. A dread of dragons leading the Wild Hunt along the circular path that passed four of the five kingdoms and surrounded the Castle of Eight. It was the first time my boys had been allowed to join and part of me was glad that it would also be the last. As we flew, the grounded part of the Hunt rumbled below us and we became a brutal, roiling mass that covered a space stretching from earth to sky. The vibration of our passage sent the animals of Faerie scurrying but, for the first time, it drew forth the Fey.
Faeries lined the Road of Neutrality. The Earth Fey amid the ancient trees, the Water Fey (those who could come out of the sea) before the waterfall that marked their kingdom's border, the Air Fey hovering within the mist, the faeries serving the House of Spirit ringed the Forgetful Forest, and the Dark Fey stood among them all. As we passed, they silently and reverently bowed.
Arach roared and it echoed over the realm. I didn't add my call to his; this was his moment—his goodbye. And the realm stayed silent as well. Faerie held her breath out of respect for the Dragon King of Fire and only when the last echoes of his roar died out did the rest of the Hunt call out to their leader. From the tiny pixies riding in Red Cap pockets to the massive Hidden Ones, the Wild Hunt gave one last shout as it completed the circle and its leader descended.
My talons dug into the soil before Castle Aithinne for a moment before I shifted into my half form. Arach and our sons did the same and we faced our court for the last time in those powerful bodies—two crimson, one green, and one gold.
“It has been my greatest honor and pleasure to be your king,” Arach said in a booming, draconic voice. “You are the fiercest, bravest, most loyal faeries in this realm and I know you will continue to flourish without me. But I will miss you.” Arach took my hand and added, “We will miss you.”
“Know that wherever we are, you will be with us,” I said. “You are a part of us. We all have the fire inside us and it will bind us forever. Whenever you need us, look to that flame in your heart—you will find us there.”
The House of Fire gave a roaring cheer, then bowed deeply.
Dexter and Deidre waited patiently near a wagon loaded with our luggage and Blossom's small, traveling pot. As I headed toward them, a collection of faeries came scurrying out of the castle. They looked like little, red Ewoks—furry things with claws and wide faces—and they carried bags. The Imps set their luggage down on the Road of Neutrality and faced us as a group. One of them stepped forward.
“We would like to go with you, King and Queen of Fire,” Scotaidh said.
“Are you sure?” I asked in surprise. “You've only had a few years here.”
The Imps had been trapped in the Human Realm the last time Faerie had been closed and they had spent hundreds of years away from their home.
“We are certain, Queen Vervain,” Scotaidh said firmly. “We are happier among the machines. May we go with you and live in your lion palace?”
Arach looked at me and after I nodded, he said, “We would be pleased to have you with us.”
The Imps cheered and ran forward to toss their bags into the wagon. During this flurry, I went to Isleen.
“You can still change your mind,” I whispered to her. “Love is important.”
“Lugh and I were not meant to last,” Isleen said firmly. “I would never have left the Fire Kingdom and he needs a woman who can devote herself to him and the House of Spirit. He is the High Prince—that comes with responsibilities. Lugh has never faced what that meant for us. It's time that he did.”
“Isleen, you don't have to give up everything for your family,” I said softly. “You've served the House of Fire for thousands of years. Take something for yourself for once.”
“I am, Queen Vervain,” she said firmly. “I'm leaving. This is for me. Not for Arach, or you, or the kingdom, and definitely not for Lugh. I choose this for me. Don't forget that I've loved a god before. I will again, I'm sure.”
“Okay,” I whispered.
“King Arach, would you permit me to accompany you to the Great Tree?” a masculine voice came from behind me.
I turned to see Craigor, his moth wings twitching nervously behind him. His black stare shifted to me and he inclined his head.
“Of course, you are welcome to join us,” Arach said with a small smile of confusion.
“Are you leaving too?” I nodded toward Craigor's bag.
“My daughter won't leave the Human Realm,” Craigor said simply.
“But you will have to glamour yourself constantly there,” I warned him. “Are you sure about this?”
“Aradia has a home in the God Realm as well... with her mother.” Craigor lifted his chin. “I have been extended an invitation to live there.”
“You're going to live with Diana?” I asked with even more surprise.
“I am,” he said firmly.
I'd never met the Goddess Diana but I had met Aradia, her daughter with Craigor, and she was a kind, charming woman. It made me think better of Craigor that he loved her enough to abandon his home for her. I hoped he did well with her but living with an ex can be tricky.
“If you have any problems with that living arrangement, you're welcome to live at Pride Palace,” I offered. “Your daughter can reach me through Alaric.”
Craigor gaped at me a second before he responded, “I am most grateful, Queen Vervain.”
“No problem.” I turned toward Arach. “We'd better get going.”
Arach nodded and took Rian's hand. I took Brevyn's and the boys held each other's. The nurials flanked Isleen behind us and we started down the Road of Neutrality. We'd decided to walk this last time. It was a long walk to the End of the Road, but we didn't want to spend our last hours in Faerie cooped up in a carriage.
Behind Isleen and the nurials, the wagon was pulled by Phookas and behind that, the faeries of our court marched in a somber procession. Craigor joined them, walking instead of flying. I held my son's hand and stared out at the beautiful, magical forest around me, trying to memorize every detail—from the breathing trunks to the bowing blades of grass to the clear sky above. I would take as much of Faerie with me as I possibly could. And hopefully, someday I'd be able to remember it without sadness.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
You've done better than I expected, Faerie's voice slipped into my mind as we neared the Great Tree at the End of the Road.
Our procession stopped at the crossroads where the road to the Castle of Eight bisected the Road of Neutrality. To our right, the path ended in a circular space before the massive tracing tree. Waiting in that space were wayfarers and the High Royals of Faerie.
“There you are,” I muttered to Faerie. “I was wondering if you were going to say goodbye.”
I thought you might be mad at me.
“For encouraging King Cian to close the realm?” I asked.
Yes.
“I think I've known you long enough to understand that everything you do is to help or protect this realm and its people. I'm not mad at you.”
Oh.
“I will miss you, Faerie. You've been... well, you've been a pain in my ass but you've also been good to me.”
I love you, Vervain. I hope you know that.
I love you too, I said in my mind. Stay safe, Faerie. Maybe someday, your realm will be open again.
You too, Vervain. Follow the dictates of your heart; it has yet to lead you astray.
“Thanks,” I whispered. Then I looked down at my boys. “Say goodbye to Faerie.”
“Goodbye, Faerie,” they said solemnly.
Goodbye, my beautiful Princes of Fire, Faerie said sadly.
“My King and Queen,” Isleen called to us.
I turned around and saw that she had garments ready for us. My husband, sons, and I went around the wagon and shifted into our human bodies, then quickly dressed. We gathered our belongings from the wagon. Arach took both of our bags and I slipped Blossom into a leather satchel that I slung over my shoulder. Then I took my sons' hands and led them to the Great Tree. Dexter and Deidre followed us with Isleen and the Imps.
Lugh stared at Isleen as if he could will her to change her mind. I didn't look back at her to see her reaction. Frankly, I had enough of my own sadness to carry, those two would have to shoulder theirs alone.
“Waiting on us, eh?” I asked the High King.
“It is time,” he said gravely.
“We'll need to make a couple of trips,” I said as I looked at the nurials. “If you wouldn't mind waiting just a little longer?”
“Of course.” King Cian nodded.
“Isleen, please!” Lugh cried out suddenly. “Don't go. Stay here and marry me.”
Everyone went still. High King Cian bent his head as if he couldn't bear to see his son in so much pain. Everyone else turned to look at Isleen, waiting for her answer.
Isleen set her bag down and stepped up to Lugh. She took his face in her hands and kissed him tenderly. Then she whispered, “Goodbye, my love.”
Lugh made a sound like an injured animal as Isleen walked away. She didn't stop but strode right up to the Great Tree and spoke the tracing chant that took her to Pride Palace.
I turned away from Lugh's pain. Not out of coldness but out of respect. Some things shouldn't be gawked at.
“I'm going to take the nurials over first,” I said to my sons. “I don't want them to get confused when I leave.”
“Okay, Mama,” Rian said softly.
“Hey.” I crouched down before him. “You're going to be okay, baby. Trust me.”
“I do,” he whispered.
“I'll be right back.” I went to the nurials. “I'll need to take one of you at a time.”
“I will take the other,” Arach offered. “The boys will be fine without us for a few minutes.”
I glanced at our sons, standing nearby holding hands. They nodded to me—Brevyn a little more confidently than Rian. But it was enough.
“Okay. I'll take Deidre,” I said as I shifted Blossom so that she hung behind my back. “Come here, little girl.” I crouched and Deidre stepped warily over to me. “This will be very fast. Try to relax.”
I picked Deidre up and her six legs dangled past my knees. She was nearly as large as I was but my beasts gave me strength that made her weight insignificant. Arach picked up Dexter and we went to stand before the tree together. Dex nosed his daughter when she whined, and Deidre went quiet.
“Here we go,” I said to them. “Don't worry, we've got you.”
Then Arach and I leaned against the trunk of the Great Tree and used the chant that would take us through Pride Palace's wards. We were sucked into the Aether, all of us becoming pure thought before we reformed in the tracing room of Pride Palace in the blink of an eye. I was thankful for the door Odin had installed because I could hear Isleen on the other side of it, speaking to my men. The barrier gave us a moment to prepare the nurials. Or rather, prepare the people outside to not frighten the nurials.
“Stay here with them a moment,” I said to Arach as I put Deidre down. I held my hand out to the nurials in the universal “stay put” gesture as I went to the tracing room door, then peaked my head out. “Hey,” I called to those outside.
Not only were my men there
but also my children and several of my lions. All of their faces filled with relief.
“Mommy!” Vero declared. “Where's Brevyn and Rian?”
“They're coming soon,” I said to Vero before addressing everyone. “We've got a few more faeries than we expected. The Imps are moving in with us. Right now, though, I've got two nurials with me and they're very nervous. I need you to back away from the tracing room so they don't feel trapped. And please, speak in quiet tones.”
Everyone but Isleen moved away from the door and went quiet.
“Okay, Dexter and Deidre,” I said as I opened the door, “come out and meet your new family. Go on, give them all a good sniff.”