by Jocelyn Fox
“Well, what’s your solution?” Ross snapped, glaring first at her and then at Duke. She stood from the table, the legs of her chair protesting against the hardwood floor. “She killed people. I saw it. The least I can do now is find their loved ones and give them closure. I couldn’t do anything else.” She shook off Duke’s hand as he touched her arm and stalked away, headed toward her bedroom.
Vivian turned guiltily back to the microwave and punched in thirty more seconds. She heard Tess sigh.
“There are no easy answers,” the Bearer said, touching the hilt of the Sword over her shoulder as though for council or comfort.
“And Mab has lost her Vaelanbrigh once again, just as before with Finnead,” Luca said thoughtfully.
“It’s a bid to weaken her,” said Tess. She looked at the big man sitting beside her. “You think we should put a watch on the Gate on this side?”
He considered and then shook his head. “I think we will know when she is approaching. We will feel it.”
“I don’t like waiting,” muttered Tess.
The microwave beeped and Vivian carefully pulled out the steaming glass bowl, remembering at the last second to use oven mitts. She was pretty certain that being a Paladin didn’t protect her from everyday forgetfulness. After carefully laying the clean flannel cloth into the steaming water, she opened the packets of herbs and added them.
“What are you using?” Tess asked.
Vivian realized that the Bearer was addressing her. “Just arnica and chamomile. We’ve tested both of those and their effects on Sidhe are same as in humans.”
Tess nodded in approval. “Could you make a list of anything else you’ve tested? I’d like to start compiling some manuals for travel between the worlds.”
“I think,” Vivian said, feeling daring, “that would be a task for a Paladin.” She dared a smile as she looked at Tess. “Don’t you?”
Tess raised her eyebrows in surprise, but after a moment of consideration she said, “Yes, if you’d like to take it on.”
“I would,” said Vivian, quiet satisfaction welling up in her chest. She poked at the hot compress with one finger, grabbed an oven mitt for transport and swept up the other clean cloth. “I’d welcome any input, of course.”
Tess smiled. “It sounds like a good collaboration.”
Vivian managed to open the door to the bedroom without dropping the hot bowl or any of the other items. Tyr sat in the same position as before, but he’d changed from trousers into the loose black athletic shorts that Duke had found for him after he’d been wounded in the thigh. Every part of his body was covered in that strangely beautiful pattern of silver, white and pink scars. The angry red line of his healing wound cut across his thigh. Vivian knew that it stretched nearly to his hipbone, the deepest part bisecting his leg and then ending near the inside of his knee.
Without a word, she shut the door behind her and walked over to him, kneeling beside him and setting the bowl down. The fragrant steam from the compress wrapped them both in the soothing aroma of chamomile, underlined by the sharper scent of arnica. Tyr opened his eyes and Vivian suddenly felt very clumsy. Just his gaze reduced her to a bumbling idiot. She grimaced internally.
You are not a…bumbling idiot, Tyr said gently into her mind. He sighed. I am sorry for shutting you out.
“And I’m sorry for killing Corsica, if you wanted to do it,” replied Vivian quietly. She tugged at the edges of the damp, hot cloth, lining up the corners and folding it into a long rectangle. “Ready?”
He nodded. She delicately placed the compress onto the angry red scar. He sucked in a sharp breath and tensed for a long moment, slowly relaxing into the sensation of the heat permeating his aching leg. She caught an impression of his pain before he drew it back into himself. She sat back on her heels.
“You don’t have to do that, you know.”
He looked at her inquiringly.
“Keep all your pain to yourself. I’m…here. And I’m not as old as you, but I’m strong.”
It is not your pain to bear, he said, sounding perplexed. Why would you make this offer?
Vivian paused, feeling like she stood at the edge of a cliff. She looked down at her hands, swirling the bit of water left in the bottom of the cooling bowl. “Because I care about you,” she said, needing to say the words aloud. “That’s what people do for each other. People who care about one another.”
People who care about one another, repeated Tyr.
“People who care about one another,” whispered Vivian, finally daring to look up at him. She felt him at the other end of their bond, but he was holding everything back.
You truly want to know what I am feeling? Tyr asked.
It was a gentle question, a way for her to back away without any shame. She knew it, but she couldn’t take the out. She’d come this far. She nodded, and with a sigh of something like relief, Tyr opened their bond fully.
Vivian shuddered at the layers of emotions that flooded through her. Ghosts of what she’d felt before from him swirled atop a deeper current: anger, failure, regret, sadness. But sweeping them all away in this moment was a deep, aching need, a want that tugged at something deep within her.
“What…what is it that you want?” she asked in a voice hoarse from wading through the depths of sensation flowing through their bond.
Tyr leaned toward her. She felt herself drawn by an inexorable force, one that she recognized faintly but still seemed completely foreign and new in the moment. Just before their lips touched, as she felt his desire surging, tangling with her own, Tyr laid one word gently into her mind, like an offering.
You.
He brushed her mouth with the lightest of kisses, as though he was afraid a firmer touch would break her. She wanted more but held herself back, awed at the response of her body and his own, amplified by the echo-chamber of their bond. It was nothing like she’d ever felt before. His emotions stoked her own, like twin fires burning higher and higher. The world fell away and all was sensation and light.
He drew away with a sigh, his eyes bright. Neither of them needed to say a word. They could both feel exactly how much they wanted one another. Vivian sat back on her heels and forced herself to use this new openness to check the extent of Tyr’s injuries. He smiled as he felt her probing, leaning his head back against the wall again.
Just the leg and a few fractured ribs. Nothing that will not heal, he said silently.
She wished he didn’t have such ironclad self-control. She didn’t trust her voice so she replied, That’s…good. She took a breath. I’m going to…go to sleep. She said the words dazedly, not sure how she was going to settle her mind after that tantalizing kiss.
You should, agreed Tyr.
I’m going to train tonight with Niall, she continued as she stood.
That is good as well.
Do you…She paused and held up her forearm. Do you need some? Before I sleep.
His eyes gleamed. Now is not a good time for that. It may lead to other things.
Vivian snorted as she climbed onto her bed. Are you sure you haven’t seen any of the new vampire series on TV? Or read the books at least.
Tyr chuckled. Who is to say that I did not inspire some of that?
Well, isn’t someone full of himself, Vivian teased as she pulled off her socks and tossed them aside. She glanced over at Tyr.
I will be here while you sleep, he said. He motioned to his leg. Thank you.
As she lay back on her pillow, Vivian did find that she was tired. Exhausted, in fact. It was like someone took the key out of the ignition as soon as she climbed into bed. Faintly, just before she fell asleep, she heard Tyr say something else.
You did well today, my Paladin.
She felt the silly smile spread across her lips and she didn’t care as she slipped into sleep, knowing that Tyr watched over her.
Chapter 46
Tess shifted in her chair as Vivian retrieved the hot bowl from the microwave and retreated to her bed
room. She stood and paced into the small living room. Luca remained at the table, watching her. The black and brown dog sat at his feet, leaning her back against his leg.
Duke was the first to break the silence. “Well, that didn’t go well.”
Tess hooked a finger through Gwyneth’s pendant and wished that she could speak to the last Bearer. Had she ever had to make a decision like this? Had she ever had to choose between trying to save a friend and trying to save the Fae world from another war? Would Faeortalam still slide into chaos even without Molly?
“Tell me what you are thinking,” Luca suggested, one of his big hands moving to scratch Mayhem behind her ears. The dog’s tongue lolled over her white teeth in bliss.
“I’m just trying to sort through everything,” Tess said, still pacing. Movement helped allay the restlessness rising within her. She paused and looked at Duke. “Have you heard from Jess? You said he was off going to go see his daughters?”
“He wasn’t sure if he was gonna see both or just one. Tryin’ to figure out what to do with this mess now that we’re supposed to be dead,” drawled Duke.
“Does he know about any of this? It might be worth giving him a call and letting him know.”
“I told him to keep an eye out, which he does anyway, but I can give him more details,” said Duke with a nod. He stood and stretched, retrieving his phone from the kitchen counter. “I’ll be outside on the porch.”
“You’re not going to stay with Ross?” Tess raised her eyebrows.
“She doesn’t want anyone near her right now. In a few hours she’ll be all right,” he replied as he tugged on his boots by the front door. “And don’t worry, I’ll be ready to dive back through these voodoo markings at a whistle.”
Surprisingly, Mayhem decided to join Duke rather than sit with Luca. She paused to sniff Tess’s hand, giving her a lick of approval before trotting jauntily after the wiry man. Tess sighed and laced her fingers together behind her head, stretching as she resumed her pacing.
“Anganhjarta, worrying is not a solution,” said Luca firmly. “We must come up with a plan of action. That is what will set your mind at ease.”
“I know that,” she said with a bit of irritation in her voice. “But it’s not easy. Molly was my best friend. I’d hoped things were going to be different, after I saw her last. She was…herself again.” Guilt cut deeply into her as she thought of their last conversation. “We promised to get beer and ice cream when I came back,” she said miserably, crossing her arms over her chest. “I just don’t understand why.” She shook her head. “She seemed…almost happy, when we left. How could so much have changed in a few weeks?”
“Sometimes those who seem happy on the outside are far from it,” said Luca. He’d asked her to braid his hair after his shower, and those few moments had been a welcome distraction from the chaos of this plan that had fallen apart. She eyed her work critically. He put a hand to his head and smiled. “Thinking of ways to improve?”
She had to smile a little. “You know me too well sometimes.”
He grunted. “I doubt that. You are still very much your own woman, and for that I am grateful. We do not need a Bearer who will submit to one of the Queens.”
“Not even Vell?”
“Not even Vell,” replied Luca gravely.
Tess took a deep breath. “Regardless of how this all happened…you’re right. We have to come up with a plan.” The Caedbranr stirred in its sheath, little vibrations shivering across her skin. She took that as approval.
“We cannot let the bone sorcerer continue to kill,” said Luca. One of his hands drifted toward the axe at his belt. Vivian and Ross hadn’t asked them to leave all their weapons at the door this time.
“That’s a given,” agreed Tess.
“I wish to be the one to exact justice for the slaughter of my people,” he continued, a savage light kindling in his ice-blue eyes. It was one of those moments in which Tess glimpsed the fierce warrior that was one facet of her beloved ulfdrengr.
“Also fair,” she said quietly. She drew back her shoulders. “I feel like Molly is my responsibility. I haven’t seen her. Maybe I could talk to her.”
Luca shook his head. She blinked in surprise and waited for him to explain. After a long moment, he said, “She has traveled down a road from which there is no return.”
“Do you really believe that?” retorted Tess. “Vell seemed to think that Andraste could be saved, even after centuries of being under Malravenar’s control. How is this different?”
“Tess,” said Luca in mild rebuke. “Do not let your emotions cloud your thinking.”
“I’m human,” she replied. “That’s what emotions do.” But nonetheless she took another deep breath and forced herself to take a mental step back from the situation. “All right. If this were anyone else but Molly, I’d see a mortal that took an apprenticeship with the bone sorcerer. I’d see someone who willingly paid whatever price he exacted in order to gain power.” A knot twisted her stomach as she followed the logic to its conclusion. “I would view that person as an enemy. Someone willing to serve evil to gain power.”
“And what would you do to that person?” Luca said.
“I’d kill them,” Tess said flatly. Then the dam in her chest broke and she let out a shuddering breath. “But this isn’t a stranger, Luca. This is Molly.”
“What would you do if it was someone else you knew?” Luca watched her intently. “Let’s say…Guinna or Trillian. Someone you knew but who was not a close friend.”
Tess opened her mouth to say that she did consider Guinna a close friend, but then she pressed her lips together and decided to follow along with Luca’s exercise. “If Trillian or Guinna had defected to the bone sorcerer and signed on as his apprentice…”
“And killed the Unseelie Vaelanbrigh to forge a Dark blade,” added Luca.
“And tried to kill a Paladin and two other Sidhe,” Tess continued grimly. “As well as killing at least three innocents to feed the bone sorcerer and themselves…” She shook her head. “I keep coming back to the same end. She has to be stopped.”
“And what is the only way to stop someone who has willingly given themselves to Dark purposes?”
Tess growled in frustration. “I know what I have to do, Luca. I know it, up here.” She tapped her head. “But what happens when that’s different than what I’m feeling here?” She pressed the same hand to her chest.
“There is another way.”
Tess turned as Niall emerged from the hallway, walking toward them with cat-quiet grace. He moved gingerly, but he looked sleek and immaculate with his white-blonde hair tied at the nape of his neck in a neat tail, wearing a simple green t-shirt and black pants that were slightly too short.
“What’s the other option?” Tess asked.
“Allow Molly through the Gate,” Niall said, his eyes glittering like chips of ice.
“Is that what Titania wants?” she said finally. The Caedbranr and Gwyneth’s pendant remained silent.
“It is the simplest solution to the greatest threat facing Faeortalam,” replied the Seelie Vaelanseld.
“You know,” Tess said, “there was a time when I thought that the Seelie weren’t as bloodthirsty as the Unseelie.”
Niall smiled, but it was a humorless expression that only emphasized the Fae spark in his eyes. “I think we are just much better at pretending to be civilized.”
“I’m not saying you aren’t civilized,” said Tess with a sigh.
“I know,” he replied.
“So, you would advocate letting Molly through the Gate to face off with Mab.”
“Yes.”
“It is not a bad idea,” said Luca slowly, nodding.
“Of course it’s a bad idea,” Tess retorted, looking between both of them. “You just want to set Molly and the bone sorcerer loose on Faeortalam? I think that’s the definition of a bad idea. The healing wards aren’t empty from the battle against Malravenar!”
“The healing
wards are not empty from Mab’s attack on the Vyldgard,” Luca reminded her mercilessly.
“Mab is the greatest threat to our world now,” Niall said.
As much as she hated to admit it, they did have a point, and their plan made a crazy sort of sense. “Okay. We have Molly, who apprenticed with the bone sorcerer and Corsica and is now the one in charge, according to Ross. You’re both saying that we should let her go through the Gate into the White City.”
“We should let her go through the Gate into the White City to fight Mab,” clarified Niall.
“And how exactly do you propose that we make sure that’s exactly what she does?”
“We will go back through the Gate to protect our own Courts,” said Niall.
“Meaning we just leave the Unseelie as cannon fodder?” Even the words tasted sour in Tess’s mouth.
“Tess, either way, some of the Unseelie will die,” said Luca. “They will die at the hand of their own Queen, or they will die in the battle between the bone sorcerer’s apprentice and the mad queen.”
“What if Molly fails? What if she doesn’t take down Mab?”
“Then perhaps the High Queen will intervene,” said Niall.
“It sounds like you’re both willing to let Molly be the sacrificial pawn in this play,” Tess said. She could hear the accusatory note in her own voice, and she didn’t care. “You know, when I first came into Faeortalam, when I was at Darkhill, they told me that Mab meant to send Molly into battle with the Sword. Molly is half Fae, so that would have killed her.” She shook her head. “I wasn’t willing to let Molly die then, and I’m not willing to do it now.”
“I do not think it is a matter of you letting her do anything,” said Niall with calm logic, his voice almost gentle. “She apprenticed herself to this Dark sorcerer with the intention of exacting revenge upon Mab. She is not being used as a weapon against her will. No one is forcing her to do anything.”
Tess felt her throat tightening and a hot prickle behind her eyes. “This is a mess,” she muttered.
“No,” said Niall inexorably. “It is simply beyond your control. Molly has chosen her own fate.”