by Grant, Donna
Eoghan fisted his hand, wanting to do violence. “You say an awful lot without ever really stating anything.”
“Usaeil is my aunt,” Xaneth said after a hesitation. “She took the throne from her grandfather after convincing one of the King’s Guard that he was turning Dark. The guard killed the King, and Usaeil took the throne.”
Eoghan took a step back in shock as Cael walked up beside him. Eoghan gave a shake of his head. “That can’t be correct. The Fae would’ve heard something.”
Xaneth snorted loudly. “Where did Usaeil’s family go? Her parents, brothers, sisters, and extended family?”
Eoghan shared a looked with Cael before sliding his gaze back to Xaneth. “You’re saying Usaeil killed everyone?”
“She never laid a hand on any of us. In the dead of night, she threw us out of the castle and proclaimed herself queen. She told the Fae we were banished and never allowed to return. She convinced others to kill anyone of her blood for her, and then later, she put together a small group of Fae she dubbed Trackers to find and kill the rest of us. It wasn’t that long ago that I left my little sister to find some food and carry out a job. I returned in time to see the Trackers kill her. She was only a child.”
Torin’s face twisted in anguish. “It takes a sick fek to kill a child.”
“Aye,” Cael murmured.
Eoghan shook his head, his gut churning with dread. “This is unfathomable.”
“My other aunt, Usaeil’s sister, warned me that she could never be trusted. Usaeil had no idea I was alive until I told her because I wanted to return to the Light and resume my place among them. I don’t want the throne. I’m just tired of hiding,” Xaneth said.
“She didn’t kill Thea when she was born,” Rordan pointed out.
A small kernel of hope sprang to life within Eoghan.
Xaneth rubbed the back of his neck as he glanced at the floor. “In my time as Seeker, when I moved freely between the Light and Dark, I heard whispers of Usaeil destroying her babies while still in the womb.”
“Now I’m going to be sick,” Aisling said, her face ashen.
Xaneth dropped the glamour to reveal bright silver eyes and short, black hair. “This is who I really am.”
Eoghan ran a hand down his face. “What does Usaeil want with Thea now?”
“She didn’t share that with me,” Xaneth replied. “But the queen leaves no blood relative alive who has a claim to the throne.”
Eoghan immediately thought of the Warrior, Phelan. His head snapped to Cael.
“I was thinking the same thing. I just contacted Daire, and he’s going to find Rhi,” Cael said.
Now, Eoghan knew why Rhi went to such lengths to keep the Warrior’s Fae blood a secret. “If Rhi knew any of this, she’d kill Usaeil herself.”
“She doesn’t know,” Xaneth said.
Cathal crossed his arms over his chest. “How do you know that?”
“I might be banished, but I have connections in both the Light and Dark. There are those who say Usaeil is afraid of Rhi’s power, which is why the queen befriended Rhi and kept her close,” Xaneth explained.
Eoghan sliced his hand through the air. “As interesting as all of this is, I need to find Thea.”
“Then you need me,” Xaneth said with a cocky grin.
The last thing Eoghan wanted was to bring the arrogant Fae anywhere with them, but he would do whatever it took to get Thea back.
“It’ll take all of us,” Cael said.
Eoghan turned to his friend and shook his head. “Go help Rhi.”
“Daire and Fintan can do that. I’ll be with you, old friend.”
Eoghan smiled, grateful for the friendship. He looked out at this team. “Usaeil could be anywhere. We’ve no id—”
His words halted as he heard his name whispered in his mind. It was faint. So very soft, he nearly missed it. But he recognized Thea’s voice.
“Eoghan?” Dubhan called.
He was about to reply when he heard the music. It wasn’t a violin, but it was Thea’s song. He recalled the same melody she’d played at the pyramids.
“I hear her,” Eoghan told the others. “Her music guides me once more.”
“Thea’s violin is here,” Torin said.
Eoghan smiled. “She’s a Halfling who has learned to play without an instrument.”
“Where is she?” Cael asked. “You lead. We’ll follow.”
Eoghan pointed at Xaneth. “Aisling, stay with him and keep him close.”
Without another word, Eoghan teleported toward the music. He made several stops before he realized that Thea was being held in the Light Castle. He relayed the information to the others when the music suddenly halted.
He immediately teleported to the castle, stopping in an empty corridor to get his bearings and determine where Thea might be. Before he could teleport again, Xaneth tackled him to the ground. Eoghan rolled the Fae onto his back and reared back his hand to punch him.
“Veil yourself,” Cael said in a harsh whisper.
Eoghan looked up, recalling they were in the castle. His gaze lowered to Xaneth, who raised a brow and waited. Eoghan blew out a breath and veiled himself as he got to his feet.
Aisling stalked to Xaneth and yanked him to his feet, her veil enveloping him once they touched.
“The music stopped,” Eoghan said.
Xaneth asked, “What direction was it coming from?”
Eoghan closed his eyes and tried to remember. A few seconds later, he pointed to the left.
“Usaeil must have taken Thea to her part of the castle,” Xaneth said.
Aisling pulled a knife from her sleeve and put it to Xaneth’s throat. “Take us there.”
“Why?” he demanded. “What are you going to do? You’ve basically admitted that you can’t kill Usaeil without Death’s judgment. How do you think you’re going to get Thea away from her?”
Eoghan still struggled with the fact that the music had stopped so suddenly. Thea’s music. He had to find her. As long as Usaeil hadn’t harmed her, then he would leave Thea with her mother—if that was what Thea wanted.
He looked around at his Reapers. Erith had been correct in saying they would be a great team. In the little time he’d been with them, Eoghan saw how they’d come together to fight as a cohesive unit.
His gaze turned to Cael. The two of them had seen much together in the eons they had been friends and brothers. They stood side by side against Bran—and after.
“I won’t talk you out of it,” Cael said.
Rordan raised his brows. “Wait. What?” His head swung to Eoghan. “You know where you go, we follow.”
“Not this time,” Eoghan told them.
Aisley pulled Xaneth after her as she walked to Eoghan. “Rordan’s right. You’re our leader. We follow you.”
Eoghan briefly closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. “I don’t know what awaits me, but if I have to battle Usaeil, I’ll do it alone. I won’t take the rest of you down with me.”
“You assume you’ll fail,” Dubhan said.
Eoghan turned to Cael. “There’s a reason Death judges kings, queens, and other leaders differently. We’ve taken them down before, so it can be done.”
“He’s right,” Cael said. “I’d also like to point out that there’s a reason Death hasn’t judged Usaeil yet. We don’t know what that is.”
Torin swiped his hand over his chin. “I’d like to know the reason.”
“We’re not discussing this now,” Eoghan said. “We’re veiled, but anyone could hear us speaking. You all need to leave.”
Cathal spread his legs and simply said, “I go where my commander goes. I’m not leaving you, Eoghan.”
“Same for me,” Aisling stated.
One by one, Rordan, Bradach, Dubhan, and Torin agreed.
“Don’t bother trying to change their minds,” Cael said. “They’re yours now. You’ve earned their loyalty. Now, they’re showing you.”
Eoghan looked to Xaneth. “I g
ave you my word that I’d speak to Death on your behalf. If I die, one of the others will do it in my stead.”
Xaneth frowned. “I thought I was coming with you.”
“You’re not a Reaper,” Bradach said.
Xaneth smiled and said, “Ah, but you could use another fighter. And I’ve shown you my power. Besides, I’ve waited for this opportunity my entire life.”
Aisling shrugged as she looked at Eoghan. “He did give us the information, and if all he said is true, then if anyone deserves to try and take out Usaeil, it’s him.”
“And if he dies, then none of us have to try and convince Death he should live,” Rordan said.
Xaneth turned to Rordan, his gaze shooting daggers. “I love you, too.”
“Enough,” Eoghan said to get everyone’s attention. “Everyone is going in veiled except me. Xaneth, I suppose there’s a back way into the queen’s chambers?”
“Oh, yeah.”
“Good. Aisling . . .” Eoghan began.
She gave a nod. “I’ll see Xaneth brought there before I join the rest of you.”
Eoghan then looked to Cael.
Cael shook his head. “Don’t you dare tell me to leave.”
“I know if the positions were reversed, that I’d stand beside you through anything. I just wanted to say thank you in case I’m not able to later.”
Cael clapped him on the shoulder and squeezed. “We still have Bran to take down. I need you and your team for that, so don’t even think of letting Usaeil win.”
“I just want to find Thea. Alive.”
Cathal withdrew his sword. “Then what are we waiting for?”
Eoghan gave a nod as everyone teleported to his or her place. He hesitated with his mind full of Thea. He held onto the hope that she was alive. Because if she weren’t. . . .
Chapter Twenty-two
“No matter what, remain calm.”
Cael’s words rang in Eoghan’s head seconds before he appeared in the massive room that made his stomach clench with dread.
The first thing Eoghan saw was Usaeil looking out the window. His gaze quickly scanned the chamber for Thea. When he saw her sprawled on the floor unmoving, he felt a bellow rise up within him.
The frenzied rage that grew quickly turned to ice as he turned to the cause of his beloved’s demise. His calmness startled him, but he welcomed it.
Later, he’d allow himself to mourn what could have been.
He dropped his veil and glared at Usaeil’s back for a long minute until her head jerked to the side when she realized she wasn’t alone. Then, she slowly faced him.
“Who are you?” she demanded. “No one can teleport within my castle. And especially not my rooms.”
He drew in a breath. “Does it frighten you to know you’re not all-powerful? That someone can get through your defenses?”
She regarded him with shrewd eyes. “I’m always informed of Fae who have your kind of power.”
“I doubt they have my power.”
“I like your confidence,” she said with a smile. “Are you here to woo me?”
He drew back, repulsed by her words. “I’d rather slit my own throat than even consider taking you to my bed.”
Usaeil quickly formed a large bubble of magic and threw it at him. Eoghan didn’t move. He never took his eyes off her as he waited for the orb to reach him before diverting it across the room.
The queen’s eyes widened as she saw her magic slam into a wall and burn through it. She jerked her gaze to him. “You shouldn’t have been able to do that.”
“What kind of monarch kills her own children?” he inquired. “I believe it’s the insane kind, the kind who have no business being in a seat of power.”
She looked at the ceiling and shrugged while grinning. “A few have dared to try and take my throne. It didn’t work out well for them. And while you do have considerably more power than they did, you’ll still die.”
“Will you kill me as you did Thea? Or will you send Trackers to do it for you?”
A door to Eoghan’s right opened. Xaneth grinned as he walked through it, his silver eyes filled with vengeance. “By the surprise on your face, aunt, you didn’t expect to see me again.”
“You can’t be here,” she said in a shocked tone. “You’re banished.”
Xaneth wrinkled his nose. “If you only knew how many times I’ve walked these halls and brushed past your shoulders. Your Trackers should’ve done a better job of killing all of us. All I wanted was to be back among my people. I’d have been content with that. I didn’t want the throne, which, by the way, was never meant to be yours.”
“You will die this day, Xaneth,” Usaeil declared.
He laughed and spread his arms. “Come and get me. But think for just a second how I could’ve gotten into the castle. How we could’ve gotten into your castle and into your private wing without anyone seeing us.”
The Reapers and Cael were stationed in a semi-circle behind Eoghan but remained veiled. They would only reveal themselves if they were needed.
While Eoghan didn’t exactly appreciate Xaneth all but telling the queen they were special, Eoghan did like the fear he saw in her eyes.
Usaeil swung her gaze back to him. “Who are you?”
“A hunter, of sorts,” he answered.
She backed up a step, her hands visibly shaking as she reached for the window behind her. “Reaper.”
Eoghan neither confirmed nor denied it, which only made things worse for the queen. She shook her head, looking between him and Xaneth.
“No,” she whispered.
Eoghan raised a brow. “No?”
“You won’t take me.”
He smiled then. “Is that a dare?”
She nervously licked her lips. “I won’t fight you.”
“Afraid?” Eoghan asked as he walked toward her.
Usaeil shrank against the wall. “I’ve done nothing to warrant your visit.”
“Look what you’ve done to my cousin!” Xaneth shouted and pointed to Thea. “What about my great-grandfather? What about the rest of my family? My baby sister!”
Eoghan held out a hand and stopped Xaneth before he could get to Usaeil.
The queen’s face was pale, but she pushed away from the wall and stood tall. “The Light are a great race because of me. I joined forces with the Dragon Kings to end the Fae Wars. I’ve been benevolent and giving.”
“You’re worse than the King of the Dark,” Eoghan replied.
She shot him a taciturn smile. “You want me, you’ll have to catch me first.”
Eoghan went to follow Usaeil after she’d teleported away, but another form appeared before him. He looked into the lavender eyes of Erith and stopped short.
“Let the queen go,” Death ordered. “Her time is coming, but it isn’t now.”
“You’ve got to be kidding,” Xaneth stated, fury dripping from his words.
The Reapers dropped their veils, and Aisling hastily yanked Xaneth behind her.
But Erith’s attention was already on him. “I never joke, Xaneth. I know all that Usaeil has done to your family and to you. I know how many of her own children she’s murdered before they could even be born. I know what she has done to Rhi, Balladyn, and countless other Fae. Believe me when I say the price she’ll pay will match her crimes.”
Xaneth frowned as he glanced at the others. “Who are you?”
“Death.”
The Fae put his hands up, his expression instantly contrite. “I meant no disrespect.”
“Yes, you did,” Erith interrupted him. “I’m allowing you to live only because you helped my Reapers. And because you’ve known of them for months and didn’t tell anyone. If, however, you had joined Bran, this conversation would’ve been vastly different.”
Eoghan turned to Thea. Rordan and Cathal stood on either side of her like guards. Eoghan wanted to go to her, to hold her. But if he felt her lifeless body, then he’d have to accept that she was gone—and he couldn’t do that.
He’d come back from losing his son with Thea’s help. Who would aid him now?
Erith came to stand beside him. “She is Usaeil’s child.”
Eoghan turned his head to Death. “Why do you tell me this?”
“Despite Usaeil’s crimes, her magic is vast and powerful.”
When he frowned, Death jerked her chin to Thea. His heart missed a beat at her implication. He rushed to Thea, sliding onto his knees to stop before her.
He moved a lock of her now pale brown hair from her face and touched her cheek. Her skin was warm. When he put his finger beneath her nose, he felt her breath.
“Music is her gift,” Erith said. “Whether she recognized it or not, by giving into the melody within her as Usaeil choked her, the music saved her. Just as it led you out of the other realm, Eoghan, and brought you to her when Xaneth kidnapped her, it is what prevented her death.”
Eoghan gently lifted Thea in his arms and began to hum the tune he’d heard earlier that led him to the castle. The more he hummed, the more color he saw fill her skin and the more her breathing become stronger.
He wanted to shout with joy when her eyes opened, and she looked up at him.
“Hello, beautiful,” he said.
She smiled and cupped his cheek. “I heard you singing.”
“I thought I lost you.”
Her smile melted away. “Usaeil has done horrible things.”
“I know,” he stopped her. “But she’s gone and won’t bother you again. She believes you dead.”
Thea turned her head to see the others. Eoghan helped her to her feet as she went to each of them to thank them for coming for her.
Thea stopped before Cael and held out her hand. “I’m Thea.”
“I’m pleased to meet you. I’m Cael,” he said and bowed his head as he took her hand.
Her eyes widened in surprise. “I’ve heard much about you. I’m delighted to meet you. Your friendship means a great deal to Eoghan.”
Eoghan clasped his hands behind his back, grinning like a fool as Cael looked his way.