Caelen scowled, conflicted. "They are needed to revitalize the court. If we can convince Fionna to allow them their freedom, the vegetation will then recover and the harvest will soon be bountiful. Demi-fey produce a unique magic that heals the land." I'd seen it in my own backyard.
"They've managed to grow a large garden beneath the trees," Farrell added.
"How are the fae at court surviving if they don't have enough magic to conjure proper food?" I asked.
Caelen looked grim as he faced the road ahead. "We'll find out soon enough."
We started off again, picking up our pace.
We approached the entranceway, an arch similar to the one Liam and Keara had revealed outside Cascade the first time I'd visited. It was etched with incredible symbols and figures, some still shimmering with color, other sections dark. The flowering vines that had once covered it had withered and dried to look like clutching fingers. I shuddered, feeling a cold twinge I couldn't explain in the warm afternoon.
There were eight fae guards on our side of the arch. Three of them were curled on the ground, sleeping. Sleeping? I was in shock. Brina, outraged that a fae would sleep while on duty, moved forward as if to wake them, but Aedus held her back with an arm on her shoulder.
The five that were awake nodded with respect to Caelen. One spoke and Aedus translated for me. "Lord. The queen awaits you and your group in the throne room."
Lord Caelen surprised the male by placing a hand on his shoulder. "Your comrades are unwell. What has happened here, Stren?"
"The queen prepares for the war against the Demon Realm. She requires our magic. We give it freely."
Pain colored Lord Caelen's features. "I see." He pointed toward Stren's right side. "You are injured." There was a gash across that side of his tunic, some red stains had darkened the edges.
Stren straightened, although it was plain he was in pain. "A simple training injury. I do not choose to heal myself."
Caelen shook his head in confusion. "Why?"
"We must conserve."
"And how fares your mate, Lady Loryll?"
"My lady is...is well, lord." Stren looked away.
Caelen squeezed the guard's shoulder. "We were friends once. You can speak honestly to me."
He met Caelen's gaze, but spoke softly. "You chose to abdicate."
"You did not wish to join me in Cascade. All were welcome."
"This is our home. It was your home once. Faerie would not be suffering if you had stayed."
The words hung in the air like sharpened daggers. Caelen was distressed. "Come to Cascade, Stren. Bring Loryll."
"We do not run like cowards from our home." Caelen's eyes widened in shock. I noticed Aedus placing a hand on his sword. Stren noticed it too, immediately looking at the ground and kneeling on one knee. "Forgive me, lord. I spoke out of turn."
Aedus sent to me, "He is accustomed to the violent ways of the queen. As the former king, my father could have Stren and his family imprisoned or worse. But they were children together, the best of friends. Father has not forgotten those days."
Caelen helped Stren stand. "You spoke only the truth. I've made mistakes. I intend to do all that I can to restore our people to health. If I call upon your service, will you advise me, Stren?"
The male smiled for the first time. "I would be honored to help you, Caelen."
"You were always the smarter one." Caelen winked, encouraging the other guards to relax, including the three sleepers who'd risen and were listening intently.
I sent to Caelen, "Shall I heal his injury?" My healer magic was strong today, perhaps the lingering result of taking Aymis' blood.
"All here would soon know of your generosity. It might encourage the court fae to trust us. I'll need their trust." He turned to his friend. "Stren, Jacqueline is a healer and has offered to see to your injury. It would not require you to use your magic and she will not enter your mind. I promise this."
Stren seemed unsure at first, but as soon as I touched him he sighed in relief. Two of the other guards had injuries that they could not spare the magic to heal, so I healed them as well. They nodded to me with hands on hearts and I nodded back, glad to have been able to help in a small way, at least.
Stren took my hands in his, his dark eyes gleaming with health once more. "Jacqueline, I thank you and ask The Balance for you mate's swift return."
A tear leaked down my right cheek, then another down my left. "Thank you, Stren. I hope that Faerie is returned to health soon." I'd answered in Seelie and the guards looked pleased by my attempt to show them respect.
After leaving them with food, we continued on, passing dead orchards and foul-smelling streams. Ragged fae labored in the gardens that would have normally been seen to by demi-fey, as several well-fed overseers stood nearby holding whips.
"Half-bloods," Aedus whispered. I couldn't believe that this sad terrain was the seat of Faerie. In this decrepit state, Naberia could walk in and take over easily, spilling very little blood in the process.
A set of double doors loomed ahead, crafted in a blend of rich woods and threaded with platinum and gemstones. Over twenty feet tall, the doors were hand-carved and golden in color, depicting scenes of lush gardens peopled by elegant fae. A tall male and female seemed to hover above the rest, their magic too powerful for the others in the carved masterpiece to ignore. Each head was bowed in respect or submission.
We passed into an enormous entrance room, then along a wide hallway, leading toward a set of double doors at the end. The furnishings we passed, as well as the wall mosaics and sculptures, were lovely but slightly dulled, as if some of the magic they required had been withdrawn.
After being admitted to the throne room by two guards, we lined up facing the still empty thrones. As per our plan, first in line on the left was Aedus, then Brina (as Charlie), Caelen, me, and on my right, Farrell. Farrell had requested the duty of guarding me and Caelen had agreed.
The seating for spectators was only half full, the fae occupying the worn chairs looking healthier than Stren's group but far weaker than Caelen's Cascade fae. They were dressed in fancy tunics and gowns, their necks, heads and wrists, adorned with precious jewels. These must be Fionna's sycophants, those who were allowed at least some of their magic. Stren had described to us how the queen allowed her favorites to keep a good portion of their magic while she drained the rest of most of theirs. Some of them whispered to themselves, pointing at Caelen and Aedus and Charlie/Brina, but most seemed bored by our arrival.
The five of us had discussed beforehand that we would acknowledge Fionna with only the usual respectful nod. Theoretically, this should not be taken by the queen as a sign of disrespect, although her behavior was pretty tough to predict. My comrades were blood relatives of the queen, heirs to the throne, and since I was representing an altogether different species, I shouldn't be expected to treat her as my sovereign.
A small honor guard arrived and announced the queen's consort, Tillion. When he entered, only a handful of fae nodded in his direction. He was a plain-featured male, with thick brown hair and small violet eyes. He had a nervous habit of clutching at his fancy tunic sleeves and pulling at the cuffs as if they were riding up his rather scrawny arms. His features were birdlike and his movements as quick as the darting tongue of a snake. He gave me the creeps.
After I was introduced, he addressed me directly, speaking quickly in Seelie. "You could have saved your mate quite a bit of pain if you had sent word sooner that you intended to bring the boy. His health is tenuous. He may not survive the journey home."
Aedus sent the translation to me alone, as he would the entire evening, then added, "A weakling himself, he attacks whom he assumes to be the weakest in our party. See how he stands before us and does not seat himself in the chair beside Fionna's throne, the consort's traditional position. This means he is not favored, so you need not respond. Pretend you do not understand."
I smiled at Tillion and shrugged.
He spoke rapidly to
Caelen next, obviously annoyed. "You must translate what I say to her," he barked.
My mouth dropped open when Caelen spoke in English."There is nothing I must do for you, Tillion. You have no power and very little courtesy. We have been forced to walk several miles and are disheartened by what we have seen. You should offer us refreshment and a comfortable chair in which to rest while we await our audience with the queen."
As if Caelen's words were their cue, a line of ten fae warriors entered through a door behind the thrones, all of them bearing weapons, looking strong and healthy. Of course Fionna would allow her personal guards their magic. How else could they protect her? One of them stepped forward, giving Tillion a slight tilt of his head. "The queen wishes for you to sit. There." Tillion glared at the guard, but moved to a chair behind Fionna's throne and sat, his ego deflating at the speed of sound.
The guard faced us and spoke. "Her Glorious Majesty, Queen Fionna, daughter of Queen Aine and King Finvarra, Anointed Sovereign to all of Faerie, Seelie and Unseelie. Accompanying the queen is Her Grace, Princess Zerian, Heir to the Throne of all Faerie, Seelie and Unseelie." All of the courtiers stood and faced the large doorway to the right of the dais. As soon as the queen passed through the archway, everyone knelt, everyone except for our little group.
The dimmer fae light suddenly shimmered and brightened as she entered, giving her skin a rosy pink glow. Because of her overwhelming beauty and the golden luster of her aura, Fionna's aspect was spectacular. Beneath the stunning crown, bejeweled and enchanted, her blonde waves fell about her head, tumbling down to her waist. A shining rainbow-hued dress that shifted into a different shade every time she moved, hugged her perfect curves. Her large eyes and lovely mouth were exquisite, but her expression was far from welcoming.
Thanks to Simon and Elizabeth, my shields were strong enough to resist her magnetic pull without any effort on my part. When she surveyed our little group, I clenched my fists. Oh to wrap my hands around her throat and squeeze until she turned a lovely shade of blue. Aedus gave me a mental nudge and I nodded along with the others.
"Calm yourself, stubborn cheetah. We must survive the day."
The queen returned our nod then met Caelen's gaze, speaking in Seelie. "What a shame that it required such drastic measures for you to attend me. The vampire has suffered." She gave me a little smirk.
My knees wobbled, but Farrell grasped my arm at the elbow, steadying me with a firm hand and a reassuring glance. I nodded in thanks.
Caelen responded to his sister with a wry smile. "Fionna. Your treatment of Garrett has broken the agreement made between us almost thirteen hundred years ago. You have also broken the promise you recorded in the note you sent to Cascade after Garrett's illegal kidnapping. If you release him immediately, I will not take action against you."
A few of the spectators gasped. The queen's consort jumped up and stepped forward. "How dare you speak with such disrespect? Kneel before your queen." The courtiers had not yet risen from their kneeling position, apparently waiting for some sign from the queen. Tillion stood behind her and to her right, the same position I took when I was working for Isaiah during a meeting. It seemed like he was more her guy Friday than her partner.
Caelen's eyes flashed gold. "Who are you, Tillion, to speak so to me? I am your queen's brother, your former king." He'd used his most patronizing tone. And believe me when I say, Caelen has patronizing down to a science.
"This is my latest consort." Fionna gave a bored flick of her hand in his direction. If your only duty was to please the queen, it kinda made you expendable if you weren't that good at it.
Tillion was determined to be an even bigger asshole, because he strode down the three steps and stood in front of Aedus, who towered over him. "I said to bow before your queen."
Aedus smiled a dangerous smile. Every warrior had one. His was particularly creepy. "I come before the queen, my aunt Fionna, as an official representative of the Cascade Sidhe. I show her no disrespect." Aedus took the consort by the neck of his tunic and raised him up so that he was barely on his tiptoes. "I do not, however, take orders from males of no consequence."
The idiot must have tried a magical attack, because Aedus and Caelen both laughed, while Tillion turned purple with effort. Finally, in an even more insane move, he drew his dagger on Aedus. "Put me down, or I shall end you," he sputtered, squirming to get away.
This time Aedus' smile made the hair stand up on my arms. A moment later, the consort was splayed on the stairs, whimpering, the flesh of the hand that had held his dagger, charred and smelling rather disgusting.
Aedus nodded toward Fionna. "Forgive me, Your Highness, for damaging your property. He threatened me and I reacted as I've been trained to do."
Fionna groaned in agitation, then motioned toward one of the ten guards standing behind her. "Get this idiot out of here. Throw him in with number four."
"No, Fionna. You cannot!" Tillion was wailing in terror. Being sent to number four must be worse than it sounded.
"You have not pleased me for weeks. I do not know why I have kept you." A guard stepped up and took the poor guy away. Man, it sucked to be her boyfriend. I couldn't imagine that she had many males lined up for the job.
Caelen cleared his throat. "These power games are not necessary. Where is Garrett?"
"Patience." She strode forward. "Charles." She looked Brina over, not seeming to notice the disguise. "I am pleased to see that you resemble your true father."
Brina smiled and knelt, playing along with Fionna's megalomaniacal bent. "Your Highness, it is a pleasure to meet you at last. I trust that my foster father, Garrett, is well?"
Brina looked and sounded so much like my son that I couldn't stop myself from constantly glancing in her direction. Her choice of words weren't really "American teen" but Fionna wouldn't know that. I forced my face into neutral and searched the room once more for either Kennet or Garrett. No luck.
Fionna reached for Brina's hand, but Brina stood and took a step back. "Your Highness, although he is not my true father, I am fond of Garrett. May I greet him before we are separated?"
The queen scowled and gestured toward a large fae near the door behind her.
The sound of chains should have alerted me to the shape of my mate. He was covered in blood, shirtless, much of his skin flayed away from a recent beating. Two large fae guards dragged him in then threw him to the floor. Kennet followed behind, then moved to Fionna's left, his gaze raking over my body. He was limping, although he tried to hide it.
Gasping, I took a few quick steps toward Garrett. Farrell stopped me by reaching for my hand, squeezing it and shaking his head, reminding me to stay strong.
"May I go to him?" I asked the queen, at the same time attempting to pull away from Farrell.
Garrett, heard my voice and struggled to lift his head. He wasn't healing which made it clear that he hadn't fed today. I needed to give him my blood so he could recover. When he saw me he managed to smile, but when his gaze took in who he thought was his son, his expression changed to horror. I tried to send him a mental message, but his magic was blocked.
"Leave now. Both of you, " Garrett pleaded, his voice a dried croak.
"Too late, vampire. The young fae is mine." Fionna took hold of Brina's hand and led her over to the steps in front of the throne. "Sit down. Your foster father will be leaving very soon and then you can get reacquainted with your true father." Kennet moved behind who he thought was his son with a self-satisfied expression. Brina's eyes were glittering with excitement as she lowered herself onto the top step.
Garrett forced himself to stand, the heavy chains difficult for him to manage in his weakened state. "Fionna, don't start a war over my son. The fae need to band together before Naberia arrives with her army."
The bitch queen ignored him, her gaze now on Caelen. "Brother, you can gather up the vampire and leave, although I insist that Aedus stay. Your son is the perfect match for his cousin, the princess. Why you allowed him to bin
d with the Cascade whore I'll never understand."
Aedus stepped forward, then knelt. "I will not dishonor my chosen mate. We have a child."
"And you'll have another with Zerian. That child will be the future ruler of Faerie. I may still allow you to visit the other female and child on occasion."
Caelen saw it now, as we all did. The queen was past redemption. "You are forsworn." Caelen drew his sword as did Farrell and Aedus. Then Brina, still holding on to her glamour, stood, backing down the stairs and drawing hers. I pulled out my Arcane dagger and took in a slow breath. Kennet only smirked, knowing that we were in a shaky position and hardly likely to win against Fionna on her own turf.
The queen fisted her hands. "You are at court where I have full power and many who support me." She indicated the listless group of spectators behind us along with the guards behind her. Somehow I didn't think all of them were going to be drawing their swords in support of this bitch, but there would still be too many. She'd blocked my group's ability to take the lines home. However, since my powers were not fae, they were still online. If I could somehow get to Garrett, we could make it home.
My group and I had already discussed this scenario, and it was decided that I should take the opportunity if it presented itself. As much as I hated leaving my friends behind, they were much more capable of surviving Fionna than Garrett or I.
Fionna was pacing. "Charles and Aedus will stay or I will destroy your entire Sidhe, beginning with your females."
Caelen took a step forward. "Your pet slaugh is dead."
"I have several more, all being fed by unseelie or half-blood flesh. They are strong and able. Not many of your warriors have Kaera's skills. I fear Lady Erin or even Lady Silvus would not survive their first attack."
Aedus placed a hand on his father's arm, his face had grown pale. Their gazes met. "Protect Philly and Linn." He bowed his head in Fionna's direction. "If you swear to leave the fae of Cascade in peace, I will do as you ask."
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