by Amy Miles
She stopped her rant to catch her breath.
“And I thought I was having a bad day,” I croaked.
She gave me a small smile. “Our world is in utter chaos, Devlin, and I seem to be the only one who can see it. I’ve been trying to talk with the prince because he fights these beasts every day along the wall of Hollow Earth. He knows they are changin’, but we are buttin’ heads on the best way to solve the problem.”
I wanted to help her figure out how to fix it, but to be honest, I wasn’t sure I could comprehend everything that was going on.
She closed her eyes and composed herself. “It’s not your concern to worry over. Your friend is. If we can stop the poison, I’ll get Seamus back to you. I canna give ya more hope than that. It’s just too soon to know.”
“To know if the poison will reach his heart?” I asked, recalling her earlier explanation.
“Aye. I think the herbs we’re using will help, but until he regains his strength, we need to wait.”
“I don’t understand why I can’t see Seamus. Is what he has contagious?”
“No. But if you’re seen in my world, I would be hung for allowing you over. Would you like that?”
“Um. No. I definitely don’t want that.”
She nodded. “I didn’t think so. Now that I’ve committed yet another crime by telling ya about my world, ya have to swear you won’t be tellin’ anyone.”
“No one would believe me anyway.”
“This is serious, Devlin. No one can know about my world. I don’t even know how you can see me. This isn’t supposed to happen. Our kind isn’t supposed to mix.” She brought her hands up to her temples and rubbed them gently. “We’re tempting fate every time we are together. If anyone saw us…” The gentleness of her expression shifted back into her fierce one. “I can’t keep putting our lives on the line. I just needed to let you know that Seamus is being tended to. If I can heal him, I’ll return him to ya.”
She turned to leave then.
“Wait! When will I see you again?” I hoped the need in my voice was evident. I wasn’t ready for her to go. “I mean, when will I hear from you again? To get a report on Seamus.”
“I’ll come back when I have word on your friend.” She looked over her shoulder again. “You should go. The woods are not safe. Keep inside as much as ya can. I’ll find you if I have news. Don’t try to search me. You’ll fail.” I didn’t doubt her there. She turned towards the woods. “Oh, and, Devlin? If you see a Lorcan, don’t try to fight it. Run.”
Without another word, she disappeared back into the woods, all trace of her gone in the blink of an eye. With everything I had seen in the last few days, her being a banshee was the least crazy of the lot. While I had some answers, I was left with even more questions.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
TARYN
I HAD EXPECTED THE announcement of Prince Aed’s decision on a new wife to come quickly after the ball, but the weekend passed with utter silence from the castle. No trumpets. No fanfare. It was almost as if the ball never took place. At first I feared that something had happened at the Wall and kept looking over my shoulder, waiting for an attack that never came.
An air of frustration settled over Eimear and carried on through the long work week and into the following. The people grew restless. My sisters were among them. Hour after agonizing hour of their idle prattle did my head in and I had to escape.
The reaming I got from Ma when I returned home late that night had lasted several hours. She didn’t care about the state of my dress or even that my sisters had to walk home unchaperoned. She was appalled that I brought shame to them by standing up the crown prince. When Da gently mentioned that my actions gave an extra spotlight onto my sisters, where all eyes were on them, her anger slowly abated.
Her anger was far more preferable to her obsessive scheming.
I tried hiding out in my room, but I could hear Ma and my sisters arguing through the thin walls. Tris would have been the same way if she weren’t caring for Seamus. True to his word, Aed had delivered on the herbs to save Seamus’ life but up until now, I had failed to hold up my end of that bargain.
Seamus would return to the human realm when he was fully healed and not a moment before.
Slamming the front door closed behind me, I took to the streets in search of peace and quiet. I didn’t have a destination in mind. Away was enough for me.
As I walked down the hill and headed towards the docks, I thought about Devlin. Our relationship was nothing if not complicated. And yet, I liked it. Maybe it was the fact that simply by being with him I was giving the finger to the royals. Or maybe he was starting to grow on me.
Revealing myself like I did when that Lorcan attacked wasn’t exactly the way I’d planned on telling him the truth, but it was efficient. Stealing Seamus might not have earned a great deal of trust between us, but Devlin, at least, understood I did what I had to do.
The rest he could figure out in time.
I left the docks and their fishy odors to walk through the market in the town centre. People milled about, wandering aimlessly, much like myself. Some stopped on street corners, casting furtive glances up towards the castle walls. Others huddled together.
I wanted no part in the gossip. If it were daylight, I would have fled to the mountains for genuine solitude, but the night trapped me here.
The sound of laughter spilled from the open doors of the pubs. They were overcrowded tonight. At least the men had a place to hide out until all of this was over. Lucky bastards.
As the first stars appeared on the horizon, I walked up one street and down the next until my leg muscles burned. I kicked at the fallen décor littering the street. The party was over. The excitement had waned. Now all that remained was the dwindling hope that some lucky girl would be promoted to royalty someday.
A storm brewed on the horizon but had yet to bring any relief from the stifling heat. The balmy breeze ruffled my skirt. My boots rubbed painfully against my feet, but still, I walked. The alternative was unbearable.
Lamplight flickered overhead as I walked by my home for the third time. I wouldn’t step foot inside until everyone had gone to their beds.
As I glanced up at the castle wall, my stomach clenched at the thought of my conversation with Aed. He was a mystery to me. His men and his duty at the wall obviously meant a great deal to him, but what about those here in Eimear?
Fighting with a sword was one thing, but he had the power to wield a far greater influence if he would only do it.
I bent down and ran my hand over a fallen royal banner. The emblem was finely woven.
“You could save your people,” I whispered. “Ya just have to be willing to risk it all.”
“I assume you’re referring to me,” a voice called from behind.
I hang my head but not before spotting him hiding in the shadows. “I should have known you’d show up where you’re not wanted.”
“And you still have a winning opinion of me, I see.” He emerged but not before checking to make sure the street was clear.
“You’ve given me no reason to change it, have ya?” I countered and rose to my feet.
The dim light made it hard to see his distinct features, but I remembered every one of them. He was handsome, no doubt about that, but I felt a kinship to him as a warrior. Someone who was even more scarred than me.
“Then give me a chance to prove it to you.”
There was a stark difference in his appearance tonight from that of the ball. Gone was the smoothed hair, fancy boots, and stuffy dress uniform. Tonight he had donned a warrior’s vest: black boiled leather held together by beaded strands crisscrossing his bare chest. Multicoloured straps of leather were tied around his bicep. The only thing missing was the double blades at his back.
Even I had to admit it looked good on him.
Crossing my arms over my chest, I eyed him up and down. “I reckon it’s not safe for you on the streets tonight.”
His ha
nd naturally dropped to his sword hilt but when I laughed, he let his hand fall. “You refer to the mob of girls hunting for me.”
“What else could I mean? It’s not as if there’s a Lorcan threat or anything.”
Aed snorted. “Aye. I see what you’re doing. It won’t work.”
“Are ya sure about that?” I stepped near enough to smell his leathers. It was disconcerting how good they smelt to me. “All I need to do is yell and you’ll be runnin’ for your life back to your grand high walls.”
“But you won’t do that, will you?”
“Why wouldn’t I?” I challenged.
Aed smiled and leaned in. “Because you need me.”
I balked and stepped back. “I need nothin’ from the likes of you.”
“Is that so?” He took hold of my hand and started to lead me deeper into the shadows.
“Let go of me!” I beat at his arm, but his grip remained tight. “I’ll scream.”
Aed jerked to a stop. “Are you always this stubborn?”
“Always.”
He shook his head but didn’t let go of my hand. “The things we need to discuss can’t be done out here.”
“What things?” Now he had my attention.
“Illegal things.”
I stared down at my hand. “I’m not a wee child. I can walk on my own.”
“Aye, but will you?”
The temptation to turn and run was strong. He was the last person I wanted to be caught hiding in the shadows with, but what if he had something to offer? What if he’d changed his mind?
Pressing back my shoulders, I nodded. “I’ll follow ya, but only if ya promise it will be worth my time.”
Aed released his grip on my hand. When I rubbed my wrist, I saw a flicker of regret in his eye. “It is worth your time if you want to live.”
Standing in front of me, he felt like an unmovable mountain of muscle. The top of my head came only to his chin, so I had to crane my head back to look him in the eye. Not even Eivin was that impressive. It hurt to think of how great this man could be if only he allowed himself the chance.
“Aye. I reckon that I do.”
“Good.” He held out his hand. “Then follow me.”
Aed drew nearer to my side as we stepped onto a small path made of crushed stone. My arm brushed against his as the walls on either side narrowed. At the far end, I ducked to slip beneath a low hanging ivy plant and came to an abrupt halt at a towering stone wall.
He pulled the ivy back to reveal a hidden iron gate. “You’re not the only one who likes to explore forbidden places.”
Reaching into the pocket of his leather vest, he removed a small golden skeleton key. Its surface was tarnished and the serial numbers stamped on it faded over time. He slipped it into the lock and turned it over. “After you.”
It was impossible not to notice how solid his chest felt in the narrow space as I began to shimmy forward. Aed chuckled as I sucked in a breath to try to pass without touching him and failed.
“I don’t bite,” he whispered.
“Sure ya don’t.”
Once I passed him, I found myself staring into total darkness. I had never known this tunnel existed. Until tonight I thought I’d already discovered all of Eimear’s secrets.
I heard the strike of flint and stone before light flickered to life. Aed stood behind me holding a torch. The light revealed that our exit was already sealed. A wooden door appeared down the passageway.
“Follow me.” He pushed past me and removed a second key.
“Where does that lead?”
“To my world.”
A cool breeze brushed my hair back from my forehead when the door swung open. As I followed Aed down a steady decline, I had to admit I was eager to see where the tunnel led.
“Are we under the castle?” My voice echoed in the dark tunnel.
“Aye. As a boy, I would come here when I didn’t want to be found.” He turned to smile at me. “My mother would send soldiers to look for me, but they never found me. This was my sanctuary when I needed to escape from my life.”
“Escape from your life?” I snorted. “You make it sound like being a prince is hard.”
“My father is not a kind man, as you’ve discovered.”
I fell silent. I had never stopped to consider what living with the king might be like. For the first time, I found myself amazed that Aed had turned out as well as he did. At least I had my da and Eivin.
A cool damp clung to the stone walls as we turned another bend.
“My mother has an extensive network of spies at her command. It infuriated her that a young boy could best them.”
I laughed. “And here ya were calling me stubborn.”
The sound of his laughter echoed around me as a rush of air suddenly rose up to meet me.
“Careful.” Aed reached out to grasp my arm, pulling me back before I tumbled over the edge and down into darkness. “That’s a nasty fall.”
“Now ya tell me.” I shifted to allow him room to pass. Aed held the torch high to light our path. The edge of the trail had crumbled over time, leaving large gaps for us to jump over. After a few minutes, I began to hear dripping. A great gushing of water soon followed it.
“Where are we?” I had to shout to be heard over the roar.
“Have you never wondered where the Durrow River ends?”
To be honest, I never really cared. The murky waters travelled straight from the mortal realm, past the ferryman, and into the heart of town. As it neared the town centre, it turned into hardly more than a glorified sewer canal that vanished beneath the circular cistern.
As Aed lifted the torch, I was stunned to see a deluge of water spilling from a crevice nearly fifty feet over my head and pouring into a dark pool below. The waterfall was powerful and captivating.
“It’s beautiful.”
Aed laughed and turned to face me. “You are quite fond of that word.”
“Only when it’s the truth.” I stepped to the side and craned my head back to stare at the waterfall. I could feel its might trembling in the earth beneath my feet. “I canna believe no one knows this is here.”
“We do,” he said into my ear.
I flinched. His gaze was intense as he searched my face. He was suddenly far too close, so I moved away to put distance between us.
“I can see why you like it here.”
The light wavered behind me and I turned to see Aed propping himself against a rock. “It’s peaceful compared to life in the castle.”
I frowned. “Has your whole life been awful?”
He patted a rock beside him and waited for me to settle. When I came to rest, my leg was dangerously close to his hand, but he appeared not to notice.
“I enjoyed my life once before my father took the throne. We lived in the Riverlands. There were hills to explore and countless animals to hunt.”
Somehow I couldn’t see him as a country boy.
“When my father arranged his coupe, my mother knew of it, but I did not. I was stolen from the only home I’d ever known and thrust into a life of guards, servants, and rules. My every movement was watched. My words were monitored. From the age of twelve, I had someone tasting my food for poison.”
I chewed on my lower lip. I didn’t like that he was opening up to me. It was easier to despise him when I didn’t know him.
“My mother was not always like this,” he continued. “She was kind. I remember her laugh and the way her eyes would light up when I walked into a room.”
A pained smile darkened his eyes as he stared down at the stone floor, damp with a spray from the waterfall.
“I heard theirs was an arranged marriage.”
He rubbed his hands on his leather pant leg. “My mother doesn’t love the king. He loves only himself and power.”
“And you?”
“I was groomed to make my father look good, but I was unimportant. I was the second son. My brother, Alroy, was far more regal than I ever was. The weight of
being the heir fell heavily on his shoulders while I was free.” Aed looked over at me. “I often wonder if that is what drove him to the human world for refuge.”
“I heard he was killed there.”
“Aye.”
The pain in his voice created an image of what Aed must have been like when he heard of his brother’s death. He had been young and stupid. If I had to guess, I would say he rebelled hard against his new duties as rightful heir after he lost his brother.
“You have to understand I was troubled after Alroy’s death. I threw myself into my battle training as a way to release my rage. Someone took my brother from me and I was hell-bent on making them pay. It was all that mattered to me after that.”
As I looked at his clenched fists, I understood that anger. It was soul-changing, something that could poison a soul from the inside out.
“And the women?” I challenged. I trusted him with my deepest secrets back in the garden. It was time for him to show a bit of trust too.
A muscle in his jaw flinched. “I won’t apologize for that. I did what I did.”
I was surprised to hear the regret in his tone, despite his words. “You needed to feel something.”
He looked over at me. “Aye.”
I couldn’t blame him for that.
“Alroy never wanted the throne,” Aed said. “He was a strong man, but his impulsive nature couldn’t be stifled by the stern hand of my father. Even then, the king expected the utmost from his son.”
I was seeing the prince as I had never truly seen him before. He was allowing himself to be completely vulnerable. It didn’t seem like something he would do often.
“Alroy was never allowed to play, not when he had a kingdom to learn to rule. He learned from a young age that he’d never be allowed to marry for love, so when he found it in the human realm, he wasn’t going to let that go.”
I sat up straighter. “He was in love with a human? That means they could see each other!”
“You are not the first to come in contact with a human, Taryn. There have been others. My own mother…” He shook his head, stopping in his tracks.