She followed his gaze west down the Sand Road. White forms swayed in the distance. “Travelers,” she grumbled. “What could they want?” She hadn’t forgotten what Eywen had told her, that someplace far back in her ancestry she might have Faie or Traveler blood.
“The Ceàrdaman have achieved their ultimate goal,” Keiren stated. “Only time will tell what they will do now that they have been reconnected with the magic of their homeland.”
Anna turned to balk at her. “You would have us believe they came from the in-between?”
Keiren’s eyes remained on the distant forms. “Believe it, or do not, it does not matter now.”
“Well if this is what they wanted,” Kai interrupted, “perhaps they know where Finn and Ealasaid have gone.”
Something moved behind them. Anna whipped around, then groaned.
One of the Trow blinked back at her. “What has happened to our queen?”
She heard the gasps of her companions as they all turned to face the Trow. A Pixie flitted overhead, then a Bucca scrambled near before quickly darting back behind the Trow.
“Get back,” Keiren demanded, herding Anna away a moment before a golden haired man stepped out of the forest.
Anna knew instantly he was Cavari, though now instead of shapeless robes he wore leather breeches, a silken blue tunic, and a golden breastplate. Behind him appeared others dressed in a similar fashion, though she did not see Móirne among them.
“Your queen will return soon,” the man explained to the Trow. “Until she does, I, as the leader of her tribe, will guide you.”
“What are you doing here?” Anna asked.
At the same time, Keiren growled, “This was what you wanted all along, wasn’t it? You did want her to break the barrier.”
The man snorted. “Hardly. I did not think her capable without the shroud, but I will take advantage as I see fit. I feel my bindings unraveling. With this new magic, we are no longer dependent on Finnur to sustain us. We are free to do as we please. I could never have planned such a perfect fate as this.”
Kai stepped around Anna, looking between Keiren and the golden-haired man. “What in the name of the gods is going on?” he demanded.
Keiren’s glare remained on the golden haired man. “This man’s name is Sugn. He is the leader of the Cavari, who have been restored to their full power.”
Anna’s body tensed as she took a closer look at the Cavari. They did appear more solid, more real. They were terrifying to begin with. What sort of power might they wield now?
“Finnur’s magics are unraveling,” Sugn explained. “All magic is unraveling. All curses. All long-standing treaties. It will be interesting to see who will come to lead in this new world.”
Sugn lifted his gaze past them, inciting Anna to glance over her shoulder. The Travelers neared, and An Fiach had resumed their senses enough to be aware of them.
Anna could sense in her bones that what Sugn said was true. Magic was unraveling, the bounds of reality were shifting. With a start, she realized something else. Her magic had changed. She could feel in-between magic pulsing around her.
Sugn quirked an eyebrow at her. “One of Clan Liath?” he questioned with a laugh. He glanced at the magic flowing around them, as if he could actually see it, and not just feel it. He turned his gaze back to Anna. “Welcome home, I suppose.”
Iseult struggled within his prison. He should have seen this coming. Finn was willing to sacrifice her life, and knew he would die with her if she tried. He’d almost given up, then something had changed. The roots around him grew brittle and weak . . . though they still trapped him entirely.
He shifted his shoulders, barely able to move. Though the roots did not continue to constrict, they had little give. There were so many of them he was left in utter darkness.
Suddenly, the unyielding roots shifted. Iseult froze, focusing his senses on his surroundings. He sensed magic, but not Faie.
The shift happened again, almost as if someone, or something, was pushing against the roots.
Light shot through his prison, stinging his eyes. The bonds around him began to loosen, creaking as they gave way. One by one, the roots snapped. When he could move, he climbed the rest of the way out, then hopped to the forest floor, short sword in hand.
Facing him was Loinnir, her glittering horn shining with magic. Had she nullified Finn’s magic, or had it been something else?
The unicorn stepped toward him, then bent its front knees.
Not questioning the invitation, Iseult climbed atop the unicorn’s back, hoping the beast’s presence meant he was not too late.
Finn exhaled as her feet touched down on solid ground. They were back. Niamh. She was truly gone now, and she had to let her go.
Her hand still resting atop Naoki’s head, she peered past Oighear, Ealasaid, and Branwen, her entire body tense to learn what had transpired while they were away.
Some distance off, the ranks of An Fiach had edged past the burgh, almost as if retreating? She saw the Aos Sí, waiting where Oighear had left them.
“Look,” Ealasaid said.
Finn turned.
Behind them, the Ceàrdaman approached. More of them than she’d ever seen. She recalled Druantia’s words, that the Ceàrdaman had been reconnected with their magic. The only question was, what did they plan to do with it?
Oighear inhaled sharply at her side, turning Finn’s gaze southeast. Sugn. She knew he’d be waiting when she returned. It was time to find out what he truly wanted.
He approached her confidently, not once glancing at the hoard of Ceàrdaman. Behind him were more of the Cavari, more than she’d seen gathered together in a long while, all wearing fine silks and leather.
She glanced at Oighear as she backed away.
“Do not leave us quite yet, Snow Queen,” Sugn called out. “We must thank you for undoing Finnur’s magic and returning our full power.”
“No,” Oighear gasped, pure terror in her voice.
“And you as well, Queen of Wands,” Sugn said, nodding to Ealasaid as he neared.
“I wasn’t planning on going anywhere,” Ealasaid said boldly.
Naoki let out a low growl, but held fast at Finn’s side.
Finn stepped forward, ready to protect Ealasaid, and even Oighear. “Was this your plan all along? You hoped we’d break the barrier?”
He smirked. “Truly, I had other plans entirely. I’d never hoped to be entirely free of you, but in breaking the barrier, you cut our long standing ties. We no longer need your magic. All I’d hoped to do was drive you mad again with grief, just like before. Of course, you turning into a tree was not the end I’d expected.”
“Not what you’d expected?” she questioned. “How could you have expected anything at all? You could not have predicted our daughter’s death, the reason I turned into such a monster.”
His eyes widened, then he quickly schooled his expression to cover his gaffe.
It was a vain effort. She should have suspected this sooner. Her daughter’s death had given Sugn what he’d wanted, a strong queen, willing to decimate entire clans. She took another step forward, rage thrumming through her. She no longer cared that she broken the barrier, that she had freed the Cavari.
She took another staggering step. “Did you know our daughter would die?” she snarled.
The women behind her stood silent, as did the other Cavari, though they did not appear surprised. They had known too. They all had known. She focused on Sugn, willing away all else.
He sighed, then met her gaze.
Her entire world came crashing down with the subtle affirmation. She’d hated Sugn. He’d never deserved the title of father, but he couldn’t have . . . she shook her head. He didn’t just know that her daughter would die. He had—
“Sugn,” she began, her voice trembling. “Did you kill my child? Did you kill her and blame the sailors of Uí Néid?”
He sighed again. “I hadn’t wanted you to find out this way, but I suppose it doesn’t matter now. N
ow that our full power has been returned, we will not let you take it from us again.”
It was all she could do to not fall to her knees. “How could you!” she growled, charging toward him.
He lifted his hand, flicking his wrist toward her feet.
The earth rumbled beneath her. She was airborne for a moment, then landed hard on her side, groaning in pain.
Sucking in an agonizing breath, she called her magic. Roots shot up around Sugn, but the Cavari standing near him lifted their hands, forcing them back into the earth.
With a scream of rage, she forced herself to her feet, slipping on the loose earth below her. She reached for the power of her ring, then nearly screamed again when she realized it was gone. She’d had it while in the in-between, but it must not have traveled back with her.
She summoned her power in spite of her weaknesses, knowing that with mortal blood running through her veins, it might not be enough. She didn’t care. She didn’t need to beat him, she only needed to take him down with her.
She was about to throw everything she had at Sugn and the other Cavari, then someone took her hand. She felt Ealasaid’s magic coursing through her to join with her own.
Someone took her other hand. Cool, icy magic crept up her arm. She turned wide eyes to Oighear.
“Do not think this a truce,” the Snow Queen growled, “but they will put me back to sleep again, and my people will cease to exist. I will not allow it.”
Finn turned her attention back toward Sugn.
A new emotion had entered his eyes, something she’d never seen there before. Fear. He might have planned her downfall time and again, but he could have never expected this. He never could have expected the three fated queens to band together against him.
Drawing on the power coursing into her from either side, Finn focused on Sugn and the Cavari, forcing every bit of magic she could summon at them. She thought of the earth from which they came, and what they were meant to be. They were not meant to use nature’s power, but to simply coexist with it. Cursed they once were, and cursed they must be again.
“Don’t you dare!” Sugn snarled. The Cavari backed away behind him.
Finn smiled. Her smile would be the last thing Sugn would experience.
Everything became bright, blinding light. Finn lost her grip on the two women’s hands as she was propelled backward, landing hard on her back.
Pain sang through her, leaving her unable to move for several seconds.
When she finally sat up, before her stood a gathering of saplings. The Cavari were gone, and in their place were young trees. She knew deep down that this new curse had affected all Cavari, not just those standing in front of her, including her mother.
Ealasaid approached her side, then helped her to her feet. “Should we cut them down?” she asked, staring at the small trees.
Finn shook her head, then wiped tears from her eyes. It had been Sugn all along. She’d cursed Iseult’s people for no reason. They’d likely never been able to figure out who among them had killed her child, because none of them had.
She heard hoofbeats galloping up behind her. She turned, but was too late. Oighear held a gleaming dagger, and now it sped toward Finn’s heart.
A flash of white, and Finn fell aside. Loinnir stood above her, and Ealasaid at her back, but she could not see what had happened. She frantically scrambled to her feet, bracing herself against the unicorn.
She peered around the beast, and there stood Iseult, his back to her. His sword gleamed crimson with fresh blood.
She rushed past him, falling to Oighear’s side. Blood soaked through the chest of her white gown, and onto the shroud around her waist.
Miraculously, Oighear sat up. She coughed, spewing more blood down her chest. She lifted her hand, dabbing at the blood then raising it to her eyeline. Her hand dropped. “This will not kill me,” she rasped. “What will you do? Will you prove to be just like your people?”
Finn stared at her. She could sense Iseult and Ealasaid at her back, allowing her the final decision. She’d thought she’d killed Oighear once, but she had indeed survived a mortal wound. She would likely survive.
“Why?” Finn asked. “Why attack me now?”
Oighear glared at her. “You are the only person left with the power to seal me away.”
Finn shook her head. Oighear would never trust her, and the feeling was mutual. She leaned forward and tugged the blood-stained shroud from Oighear’s waist.
Oighear did not fight her, she simply stared at Finn with accusing eyes.
“The leader of my people murdered my daughter,” Finn breathed. “I will not be like them. There has been enough death already.” She stood. “But know this, if you seek to harm anyone again, I will end you.”
Oighear laughed, sputtering up more blood. “You are no queen to be making such threats. You’ve turned your most powerful allies into trees, not that I mind that part.”
Clutching the shroud, Finn retreated to Iseult’s side. “No,” she replied, “I am not a queen, nor are you any longer. I do not know what type of world we have created, but it is likely a world with greater powers than you or I. We do not matter. Perhaps we never did.”
“The prophecy?” Ealasaid questioned.
Finn glanced at her. She’d nearly forgotten she was there. “I don’t think the prophecy matters any longer.” She turned her gaze to the Ceàrdaman, who’d stopped not far away to wait patiently. Spotting Niklas at the forefront, she raised her voice to ask, “Does it?”
Niklas smiled and walked toward them. “It never really did. Just as you gave power to the curse you cast, so too did your focus on the prophecy.” He stopped beside Oighear and glanced down at her. “Some perhaps gave it more power than others.”
Finn opened her mouth to ask more, then Keiren appeared, huffing as if she’d greatly exerted herself in getting there. “Where is my mother?” she demanded, glancing between Niklas and Finn. “The barrier is broken, so where is she?”
Niklas’ smile faltered. “Your mother moved on long ago, child. You have made others your pawns for decades. Could you not realize when the same was done to you?”
Even after all Keiren had done, Finn’s heart went out to her. Unfortunately, there was little time for consoling her. The distant soldiers of An Fiach watched them, and Oighear’s Aos Sí had closed in, likely intent on rescuing their queen.
Finn watched as Òengus left their ranks and hurried toward Oighear. He knelt and cradled her in his arms, almost . . . lovingly?
She raised her eyes to the Aos Sí, then gasped as the soldier standing front and center raised the faceplate of his helmet. “Eywen?” she questioned. “Have you betrayed me?”
Eywen, once again dressed in the unusual armor of his people, stepped forward from his ranks. “No, my queen. I have brought you an army, as promised.” He gestured to the Aos Sí behind him.
“Traitors!” Oighear hissed, still cradled in Óengus’ arms.
“Perhaps,” Eywen replied, tilting his head, “but I will not suffer my people to live in darkness out of loyalty to a tyrant. Not anymore.”
“You will all die without me!” Oighear growled.
Eywen shook his head. “Do you not feel the magic in the land?” He raised his hands to his sides, as if capturing raindrops. “We no longer require your magic to sustain us.” His eyes met Finn’s. “Nor yours, my queen.”
“How curious,” Niklas commented. “I had thought the Ceàrdaman to be the only victors in this new land.” He smiled up at the sky. “It feels as if we’ve been returned home.”
Finn sensed Keiren’s magic at her side a moment before the sorceress raged forward. “You lying, snake-tongued, sharp toothed coward!” she shouted. “Where is my mother!” A dagger appeared in her hand as if by magic as she rushed forward.
“Yer mother didnae die of a curse!” a voice shouted behind them.
Finn’s shoulders slumped in relief to see Àed hobbling toward them from the direction of the woods b
ordering the burgh. Bedelia kept pace at his side.
Keiren turned toward him, her ire-filled expression frozen. Seeming to recover, she lowered her dagger and stepped away from Niklas. “Do not lie to me, father. I’ve had enough lies.”
She glared at Niklas, who didn’t seem the least bit frightened of her dagger.
“Yer mother died a normal, mortal death,” Àed sighed, halting a few paces from Keiren. “Ye couldnae accept that me magic couldnae save her, nor could yers, but that doesn’t change the fact that she was never cursed, even though you couldnae let her go.”
Keiren’s lip trembled. She shook her head, tossing her fiery hair from side to side. “You’re wrong,” she breathed, but there was no fight in her words.
More movement behind them signaled the arrival of the rest of Finn’s friends. She nearly collapsed in relief at the sight of Kai, Anna, and Maarav, the latter muttering about Keiren trapping them in place while she ran off. Finn smiled at them, but Anna’s eyes were all for Eywen, and Maarav’s for Ealasaid.
Only Kai looked Finn’s way, an apologetic smile on his lips. She nodded to him, accepting the unsaid apology for leaving.
She turned her attention back to Niklas. “Why did you come here? The barrier is broken, what else do you want?”
Niklas bowed his bald head, and the cloaked Travelers behind him did the same. “We came to give thanks, Oaken Queen. Though the prophecy means nothing, if a time would have come where we had to choose a queen, it would be you.”
Though she mostly hated the Travelers, she couldn’t help but smile. The war was far from over, but this seeming peace between races was a start.
A throat cleared.
Finn turned to see Óengus, now standing with Oighear in his arms. Two more beings she rather detested, but hatred was no reason to punish.
“If you do not mind, we will take our leave of you,” Óengus announced.
Oighear clung to him, a willing captive.
Finn almost laughed, the sight was so ridiculous. Instead she asked, “Where will you go?”
Óengus smirked. “I’ve finally been granted what I was searching for. We will go somewhere far from fiery sorceresses and naive little tree girls, I assure you.”
The Oaken Throne Page 22