Changeling: An Appalachian Magic Novel Book 2 (Appalachian Magic Series)

by Debbie Herbert

  He nodded and she returned with the guard to the fairy circle. Queen Corrigan didn’t look quite so regal and haughty now. Like all her subjects, she cast uneasy glances skyward.

  Tiny drops of ash floated downwards.

  Skye watched, mystified, as it lightly coated the ground like grey snow.

  “Hurry!” The Queen motioned Skye toward the celestial crystal. “We don’t have much time.”

  Skye willingly—gladly—approached. Again, her hand automatically lifted, desperate to touch its brilliant surface. She was born for this. She knew it.

  Wait. There was something she was supposed to do first. Oh, yes, the boon. Skye turned her gaze from the crystal and faced Queen Corrigan. “Aren’t you supposed to ask me something first?” she reminded her.

  The ash fell ever quicker, ever thicker. The Queen’s silvery hair and gown were covered with it. “Who brings ye to our realm?” she said, impatient to be done with it.

  “I brought myself and demand my boon.”

  “Anything ye wish. Just do it—now!” The Queen’s voice had lost its musical charm. It was shrill and desperate as she looked upward.

  Darkness gathered like a midday eclipse and a loud screeching infiltrated fairyland.

  The sluagh had arrived.

  The falling ashes heated, became tiny embers that singed all it touched.

  “I must have your word my request be granted.” Skye spoke firmly, held her ground against the fiery, volcanic onslaught.

  Annwynn came between the two. “Ye have the word of the Queen, with all of Faery as a witness. The hour of midnight approaches. It is time.”

  Satisfied, Skye brought her attention back to the crystal. Its aqua and teal glow cast a brilliant light in the unnatural darkness. She raised both hands until she was within inches of the crystal that had fallen from the skies when Faery was first born.

  A piece of heaven.

  Skye gazed unblinking at its glow even as the falling embers singed the tiny hairs on her arms and face. The words burst forth, unrehearsed.

  “By all universal powers that be Human, fairy, fire and sea—”

  A foul odor descended and Skye fought a churning nausea.

  “Ignite this crystal, unveil its power

  For the Seelie Court’s holy hour.”

  A strong breeze lifted her hair from the flapping of thousands of wings swooping down. She continued staring only into the light.

  “The Dark Fae’s evil now recede

  As I will so mote it be.”

  Skye plunged her hands onto the crystal’s surface. Her fingers transformed to an aqua blue as energy rippled up over her arms and spread. Power crackled through every cell in her body. The celestial crystal cracked like ice plunged in boiling water, leaving jagged fissures of white laced through the solid mass.

  One last, loud roar of anger from the invading sluaghs and then they were gone.

  She opened her eyes and saw her hands and body had returned to its normal color of mortal flesh. She searched for Kheelan in the hushed silence.

  He stood alone.

  Skye waved for him to come to her but he shook his head. No.

  Fine flakes of soot scattered from his hair.

  “Well-done, Halfling,” Queen Corrigan cried. “The Unseelies will now gradually lose their strength until they are no more.”

  A shout of hurrahs rang out. The Queen rose, her back to Skye, as she ordered preparations for a victory celebration.

  “Wait,” Skye said. “What about my boon?”

  “First, we celebrate,” said Queen Corrigan. Her face was flushed with victory, but Skye still noticed the tiniest flash of irritation in her eyes. She remembered Kheelan’s warning. Never eat or drink food from the fairies. If you do, you are at their mercy.

  Skye took a deep breath, willing her voice to stay calm. “I’d rather do it now, if you don’t mind.”

  Everything was quiet again as all listened to the exchange.

  “Very well,” the Queen agreed, though plainly aggravated at the interruption. She snatched at her long gown and sat on the pearl throne. “Come forward.”

  “You too, Kheelan,” Skye called out.

  They stood together before the throne.

  “Don’t be stupid,” Kheelan whispered in her ear. “Request to leave at once.”

  “In front of these witnesses I did pledge to honor ye a boon.

  What do ye want?”

  “Release Kheelan from his bondage. Let him live freely among his own kind.”

  “No.” Kheelan jerked her arm.

  “What a ridiculous—” Queen Corrigan sputtered.

  Skye spoke louder. “You said I could have a boon, anything I wanted.”

  Kheelan raised his voice. “Queen Corrigan, she spoke unthinkingly. Let her change this request.”

  “If she chooses to waste her boon, that’s her decision.” The Queen raised a jeweled wand. “By the power of the Seelie Court fairies, Skye’s boon is granted. Kheelan, ye are free.”

  Skye smiled in triumph. She did it. She had activated the crystal, helped the good Fae, and released Kheelan from his bonds.

  Kheelan was not smiling.

  “Aren’t you happy?” she asked.

  He glared at her. “Why? I told you to save yourself.”

  “I did what I had to do,” she told him simply.

  “Not too smart. You’re trapped here forever now.”

  Her own temper arose. “There’s gratitude for you. You got your heart’s desire so stop glaring at me and calling me stupid.”

  “My heart’s desire,” he repeated, his voice softening. “You really are dense sometimes, you know. I wouldn’t sacrifice my freedom for just anybody.”

  The enormity of Kheelan being willing to give up his dream astonished Skye. “Now who’s the idiot?” She smiled and traced his lips with her fingers.

  He groaned and pulled her to him. “Maybe we can figure something out. Throw ourselves on their mercy.”

  She could tell he held no hope. “I was the one who saved them from their worst enemy. I think they’ll grant me one more teensy request.”

  “Don’t bet your wings on it.” He tried to smile, but it came out more like a grimace.

  Unease about her future quelled Skye’s pride. “Let’s find out right now.” She pulled at his arm, dragging them in the direction of the Queen who was ordering music and food for the celebration.

  “Excuse me,” Skye said as they walked up. The fairies ignored her, and continued their excited twittering. “Excuse me,” she tried again, her voice louder. One fairy spotted her and pulled on his companion’s shirt sleeve. One-by-one they ceased talking and stared at her. Queen Corrigan turned to see what caused the silence.

  “Ye again. Did ye come to thank me for the changeling’s freedom?” The Queen didn’t spare a glance at Kheelan.

  “Um, yes. Thank you.” This wasn’t going to be as easy as she thought. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to leave now. It’s been, like, a really long day for me.”

  “I couldn’t possibly let you leave before we all toasted The One who saved us.” Corrigan’s upturned lips did nothing to soften the angry slit to her eyes.

  “No need to thank me,” Skye said quickly. “If you could have Annwynn take us back—”

  “Kheelan may go.”

  “What about Skye?” Kheelan shouted, his worry for her evident. “After all she’s done for you—”

  A knife appeared at his throat. A handsome, jewel-coated knife, but still lethal.

  “Silence, mortal one. How dare ye speak to our Queen in such a vulgar manner?” It was one of the ever-present royal guards.

  “He meant no harm.” Annwynn’s calm voice interrupted the fray.

  The Queen nodded at the guard and he withdrew the knife.

  Skye turned beseeching eyes on Annwynn. “I was only asking the Queen if we could return now.”

  “I’m sure there’s no problem considering what ye have done for us,” Annwynn said
pointedly. “All of us are forever in yer debt for what ye did tonight. The sluaghs were as close as they’ve ever been to our inner sanctuary in Faery.”

  Hefeydd and Ealdun ran to them, as if awaiting a cue. “All hail The One,” they yelled together. A resounding cry from all the fairies answered their shout.

  Queen Corrigan’s face reddened and her back stiffened. She had been out-maneuvered and it didn’t sit well with her royal vanity. When the shouts subsided, she aimed a wintry smile at Skye. “If ye choose to leave, there is no returning. Ye must sacrifice yer wings and no longer be any part of us.”

  Skye didn’t hesitate. “Deal,” she agreed.

  Annwynn immediately hustled them away before Queen Corrigan could change her mind. They went past the celestial crystal, away from its heavenly luster. Skye would have liked to touch it one last time, but the urge to return home was stronger. The three joined hands as they descended through a hidden portal, back through the twisted labyrinth until they stood again on human ground, at the other end of the fairy mound.

  Skye blinked at the gray, overcast panorama. “I can’t tell when it’s day or night anymore.”

  “It’s Samhain day,” said Annwynn.

  “It may have felt like ye were only in Faery a few minutes, but ye were gone for hours.” Kheelan held his right hand cradled with his left.

  “What is it?” Skye asked in alarm.

  “Not sure.” His breath was jagged. “My hand burns.”

  He held it out. Annwynn and Skye stared as the tattoo came to life, the design twitching under the skin’s surface.

  A single feather broke free from his flesh, along with a miniature wreath of green leaves entwined in a circle. The feather and leaves swirled upwards in a spiral eddy until they disappeared.

  Kheelan’s tattoo was gone.

  He touched his unmarked right hand where the tattoo had once branded flesh. Only the faintest etching of a white scar remained.

  It was really over. He was free. He had pulled it off, as if his immense desire and determination had finally been rewarded.

  Justice, of sorts.

  A warm hand covered the scar, while a glacial one touched his left hand for an instant, and then withdrew. No, he hadn’t done it alone. Without Skye and Annwynn, he would still be enslaved by the fairies. He met Skye’s warm, green eyes and Annwynn’s calm, violet ones. “I—” his throat closed up. Kheelan tilted his face skyward, tried to compose himself.

  Annwynn spoke first. “I must return to Faery. The Queen expects me to join in tonight’s celebration festivities.”

  Skye entwined her fingers in his. “Will we ever see you again?” she asked.

  Annwynn shook her head. “I think not. It’s best this way. Ye are both free now to live as mortals with no interference from us.”

  Kheelan found his voice. “So, this is . . . goodbye?”

  Annwynn inclined her head slightly.

  “You didn’t have to help us. I wasn’t sure that you would.” Had she really cared something for him after all? He stared at those beautiful, other-worldly eyes. So human and yet so unreadable. His former Guardian was a fairy after all, a creature from an alien realm.

  The old bitterness arose. She had lied to him, kept him from his family. Still, Kheelan remembered small acts of kindness growing up: brewing warm apricot nectar at bedtime, running interference when the other fairies teased him too much, putting aloe balm on his mortal scrapes and cuts.

  Skye squeezed his hand, reminding him of his manners. There was much to be grateful for in the end. Annwynn had come to his rescue three times in the past couple of weeks—providing the poison antidote to the elf shot, halting Finvorra’s attack, and convincing Queen Corrigan to let them out of Faery.

  Annwynn leaned forward. “My sweet,” she whispered in his ear. Her breath was as chilly and soft as a cascade of snowflakes. She began to fade, melting into another time, another dimension. The last part of her that was visible, her raspberry wings, started to dull.

  “Thank you, he called out. “Thanks for everything.”

  Annwynn was no more.

  “Do you think she heard me?” he asked Skye.

  “She heard. I knew she had affection for you. She came through when it mattered.”

  “Yes.” Another doubt formed, a lifetime habit from dealing with the Fae. “Annwynn will take full credit with the Seelie Court for defeating the Unseelies. She came out of this looking like a hero. Your work will forever ensure her royal standing and prestige in Faery. Hardly fair.”

  Skye laughed. “That sounds like Annwynn. But I don’t care what she does once she returns. She didn’t have to help us with Queen Corrigan. Try to remember that.”

  Skye clasped her hand over her mouth. “I just thought of something. The Queen might be angry with her for defending us. Annwynn pretty much forced her to let us go.”

  “Nah, no need to worry. Annwynn’s been a wise counselor and supporter of the Queen for too long. It’s in both of their best interests to put this behind them. Besides, they each got what they wanted.”

  Skye grinned. “And so did we.”

  Kheelan’s smile slipped. “You gave up a lot. I hope you won’t regret it one day.”

  She opened her mouth to speak, but Kheelan raised a hand to silence her. “Annwynn’s not the only one I need to thank.” He shook his head. “Thank you sounds so lame.” He faltered, unsure what to say. “Look, I’m no good at this mushy stuff.”

  “You don’t have to say anything.” She ran her fingers lightly across his cheek. “When we were in Faery and you tried to get me to use the boon for myself—I knew then how much you cared for me. The only thing you’ve ever wanted was your freedom and you were willing to give up your dream for me.”

  Kheelan crushed Skye to him, held on to her warm, human body like an anchor in a storm. Freedom wasn’t near as sweet or important as this mortal girl. He kissed her, trying to put all the words he couldn’t say into the kiss.

  If Skye had stayed in Faery, the Fae would have loved and adored her forever. But all their worship of her couldn’t match his own deep feelings. Let the fairies laugh all they wanted about impossible Mortal Tales of true, everlasting love.

  He knew better.

  23

  Tarot Party

  Mama D laid out all her specialties, brownies, scones and pecan pie, on the countertop by the kitchen. Even with the slab of barbeque ribs from Dreamland, nobody would think of skipping out on her deserts. After tonight, everyone was scattering for the Christmas holidays and The Green Fairy would close for a week.

  Tanner hobbled over to the card table, weaving a path of destruction as his crutches knocked against the furniture, sending books and magazines scattering to the floor. Glenna and Katie rushed to his side, murmuring sympathy and picking up his mess. Even Mama D hovered close by carrying his drink and a plate full of carbs and sugar.

  “Look at him,” Michael complained to Skye, “even limping around with a banged-up knee he gets all the girls.”

  Her brother shook his head in disgust.

  Skye glanced up from the tarot spread and laughed at the two girls trying to outdo each other for Tanner’s attention. Good thing she was so over him. “You don’t care. Emily’s waiting for you back home.”

  Michael grinned and kicked back in his chair, hands over his bloated stomach. “And next semester she’ll transfer up here. But . . . does it bother you?” He jerked his head at Tanner.

  Heavens to Venus. Tanner must have told him she’d made a fool of herself one night. Skye rolled her eyes. “Get real.”

  What a difference the last couple of months had made. Skye snuck a glance at Kheelan who stood alone by a dark window. He studied Kyle and his biological sister Katie when he thought no one else was paying him any attention.

  Tanner plopped down by Skye, stretching out his leg with the bum knee.

  She pointed her fork at his plate. “You keep eating like that while you’re getting over surgery, and you’ll ga
in a hundred pounds before spring practice.”

  “My football days are over.” Tanner glanced ruefully at the brace. “Blew out my knee in my first real chance to play. Of all the rotten luck.”

  Kyle set a steaming cup in front of Tanner. “Valerian tea. Help sleep.”

  Skye smiled at Kyle, and he touched a purple streak in her hair.

  “Pretty.”

  “Thanks, buddy.” Tanner took a sip of the tea. “Between that and the pain killers I’ll be out like a light soon as Michael and I get back to the dorm. And Skye—you might want to lighten up on the hair dye thing. It’s getting a little out of hand.”

  “Let me read your future before you go,” said Glenna, grabbing the cards from Skye.

  “Don’t let her, Tanner,” Skye warned. “She can’t seem to pull anything but tragic cards.”

  “That’s only in readings for myself,” Glenna said, shoving her dyed black hair behind one ear. “And it came true, ya know. Mickey broke up with me.”

  She gave a pointed, coy look at Tanner. Letting him know she was available. Ugh. Glenna pulled the Death card from the deck, first pick.

  Some people never changed.

  Katie elbowed her way closer to Tanner. “I can’t wait to learn how to do this stuff. It’s so much fun working here.”

  Skye smiled at her enthusiasm. Katie was direct and uncomplicated. Kyle had told Mama D his sister needed a job. As the new owner, Mama D needed another hand to fill the absence left by Claribel.

  Skye glanced at the darkened room of the main shop. She could picture Claribel there, setting out honey for the pixies. She missed the pretend Claribel.

  A hand settled on her shoulder. “She chose her own fate,” Kheelan said in a low voice only she could hear. He knew her so well it was scary. But mostly wonderful.

  “Ace of Cups.” Glenna slapped down the cards theatrically. “Five of Cups and Five of Swords.”

  “What do they mean?’ Katie asked. “I can’t remember all the tarot symbolism.”

  “Tanner will be moving to a new place and may have new beginnings in love,” said Glenna. “He’ll face problems and troubles and also struggle with his fear of commitment.”