Innocent Darkness

by Suzanne Lazear

  “These aren’t child’s pranks. This could lead to our deaths. You know how the high queen is. The sacrifice is under her dominion, if Noli is … ”

  “I don’t understand why you’re so sure it’s Noli, why you’re so afraid, so desperate. But you’re my brother so I’ll go and help the best I can. Besides,” James grinned devilishly. “If you leave me behind, I’ll tell father.”

  James would do nothing of the sort, but it made him laugh. “Well, if you put it that way … ”

  Kevighn paced the kitchen in frustration. The magic still hadn’t bound Noli, who hounded him constantly for information. The queen knew he’d gone missing with the chosen girl. It was only a matter of time before she came here. She’d sent hunters out for more girls, but so far they were unsuccessful. He’d continued to search for another girl, part out of duty, part out of selfishness.

  Never had they gotten this close to it being time without a sacrifice. This morning he’d gone to light the hearth and needed to try over and over like a small child. Soon the wood faeries would sicken and die. Ones in the mortal realm already were. Gates closed themselves off. One of the smaller realms had disappeared completely along with everyone in it.

  Once again, it was his fault. Yet, he didn’t care. The problem didn’t lay in Noli’s stubbornness to give in to the magic. The binding would stabilize the magic and keep things from deteriorating, but only her death would completely reverse the damage.

  No, the real problem lay in that he’d fallen in love with the very girl he had to kill. He wasn’t in lust, as with the other girls, merely or attracted, like with Annabelle. No. If he professed his love to her, as he had to so many others, he’d speak the truth.

  At first he’d thought Noli drew him because she reminded him of his sister. But he’d been ensnared by her spunk, her spirit, her gifts, the fact she’d made his cabin a home again. He could easily imagine a quiet life here with her …

  That couldn’t be. Unless he managed to find someone else before the magic bound her, Noli must die. He played a dangerous game and with every moment passing he became surer that he needed to take Noli to the palace, entrust her to the queen, and be done with it. He wasn’t going to find another—it had been hard enough finding her.

  No rule said he must be the one to amuse and seduce the sacrifice and he’d let others do the job before. Yet the thought of anyone else touching her made his blood boil.

  He wanted to kiss her, love her. That could make the magic set—it had worked before. It would be easy. She often woke up … frustrated, as girls that age often did. He’d walked by her open bedroom door more than once to see her cradling her pillow as if it were a man while she slept.

  As good as it would be for the land, for his people, for the magic to set, irreversibly binding her as the sacrifice, it would be bad for him.

  Out of the all the girls, all the times, why this girl, why now?

  A familiar sensation rippled up the back of his spine. Someone had arrived at his private gate—the doorway into his domain. This wasn’t the one he’d brought Noli through, a little-used public one. Someone wasn’t “knocking” at his door. Rather, they’d come through the proverbial back door, using his personal gateway. Only three people besides himself possessed access to that gate.

  Creideamh was dead. The other would never use it unless necessary.

  The high queen herself had decided to visit.

  Surely, nothing good would come of this.

  Eighteen

  Where’s Noli?

  “This place looks dreadful,” James whispered as the two of them approached the imposing, yellow house.

  “It’s a reform school, not a resort.” But Steven concurred. The soulless house seemed to watch them sinisterly, like dark court spies.

  “What’s your plan? Walk through the gate, knock on the door, and ask to see Noli?”

  Steven’s eyebrows rose as he pushed open the tall, ominous gate. Hopefully they looked respectable enough. “Do you have a better one?”

  James shrugged, top hat askew. “No.”

  As they walked down the cobblestone path to the front door, Steven looked around. This entire place made an uneasy feeling settle over him.

  After ringing the bell, he straightened his coat. Please let Noli be here.

  A rather bland blonde answered the door. “May I help you?”

  “Good afternoon,” he tipped his hat. “We’re here to see Magnolia Braddock.” All he needed was to see the girl’s expression to know the answer.

  “Let me get Miss Gregory.” In a flustered flurry of skirts and petticoats, she left, leaving them standing on the front porch.

  A few moments later, a spindly woman in all black came to the door and looked down her nose at them as if they were beggars looking for scraps. “I’m Miss Gregory, I run this establishment. You are?”

  He bowed, trying to be every inch the gentleman. “I’m Steven Darrow and this is my brother James. We’ve traveled from Los Angeles to see Magnolia Braddock.”

  Unlike the blonde girl, the headmistress’ face remained stone cold and blank. “I’m sorry, but our girls aren’t permitted visitors.”

  “Please,” James wheedled, turning on the charm. “We’ve traveled a long way. All we are asking for is a few moments, chaperoned, of course. We’ll even stand on the porch.” He flashed her an ice-melting smile.

  For a moment Steven caught a glimmer of something in her eyes. Fear.

  “She’s not permitted visitors. Her mother is aware of this and should have told you. If I allow you, I’d have to allow everyone. Good day.” She slammed the door in their faces.

  “What a dragon-lady,” James whispered.

  “I think real dragons would be offended by that,” he replied.

  He grinned. “I think you’re right.”

  Steven looked through the windows to see if anyone watched—he didn’t see anyone. He made his way down the porch steps, but instead of heading straight out the gate, he followed along the side of the house.

  “What are you doing?” James jogged to keep up.

  “I need to check something.” He could feel the buzz of magic under his skin, pulling him like a lodestone.

  A side door opened, startling them. As the soft, blonde girl in a blue dress with a white apron stepped outside. When she saw him her eyes widened. “Oh!”

  His finger went to his lips. Quinn would not appreciate Miss Gregory calling the authorities. Neither would his father.

  “We aren’t here to harm you or to cause mischief. Do you know Noli Braddock?” he whispered.

  Blue eyes wide, she nodded, a basket on one arm. She lowered her voice. “She isn’t here anymore. It’s a dreadful scandal. But we’re not supposed to speak of it.”

  “Is it now?” His heart sank.

  “Who are you, her brother, Jeff, or her best friend, V?” She smiled shyly. “Magnolia was my friend. Well, I considered her my friend.”

  Noli spoke of him? His heart jumped. “I’m V and this is my brother, James.”

  She bobbed a curtsey. “I’m Claire. Charlotte and Noli were close. When Charlotte’s uncle took her back to Georgia, Noli became upset and they locked her away in isolation. When they took her out she simply … vanished.” She bit her lip and looked around again nervously. “She and Charlotte planned on running away. I think she might have carried out the plan, perhaps gone to Charlotte’s.”

  Charlotte. Claire. The letters mentioned the both of them. Run away? He didn’t blame her. This place made his skin crawl.

  “Do you have Charlotte’s address?” He doubted Noli ran away—or if she did she’d gotten all the way to Charlotte’s. Certainly she hadn’t run back to Los Angeles. Maybe she’d gone to Jeff. Still, he just couldn’t see her abandoning her mother with no word.

  Claire looked startled. She seemed to startle easily. She also shone ever so slightly with the Spark. “Oh, silly me, I forgot my shears. It’s hard to cut herbs without shears. It should take me time to
find them, at least ten minutes. Excuse me.” She went back inside and shut the door.

  “Odd.” James blinked in puzzlement.

  “Come on, we have ten minutes.” Steven dragged his brother towards the back gardens, which looked rather extensive. Had they ever let Noli out, or did they keep her inside? The thought of being kept inside made him shudder.

  “What do you mean, ten minutes?” James scratched his chin, frowning.

  “Are you daft? She’s going to try to get the address and come back in ten minutes.” They crept past the kitchen garden filled with vegetables and fragrant herbs.

  “Oh, that’s what the babble meant?”

  Steven shook his head and continued to follow the magic like a bloodhound on a trail until they came to a brick wall, overgrown with ivy.

  James’ eyes widened. “There’s something on the other side of the wall.”

  “I think there is.” He walked along the length, looking for the door. Perhaps Noli simply scaled the wall? “Ah, there we are.” With a push, the vine-covered door opened.

  “Flying figs, what is this place?” James stood at his shoulder.

  “Language, James,” he teased, taking it in. “It’s a garden, of course.” A secret faery garden. This place, a tangle of roses, vines, and other blooms, would draw her like the proverbial moth to a flame. Little wood faeries flit about, playing tag. In the center of it all stood a faerie tree, inhabited and radiating power.

  He made his way to the tree, laying a hand on its gnarled trunk. “Flying figs.”

  “Language, Steven.” James grinned. The faeries flew around them, one landed on James’ shoulder. “Is that … is that a wild gate?” His voice hushed.

  “It is.” What luck that Noli would end up in a school with a faery tree that was not only inhabited, but was a wild gate. He’d love to one day learn why this place existed.

  Using his gift, he tried to “speak” to the tree—to see when the gate was last used. He got the sense of a sad girl with the Spark and of a male Fae. Finally, he got the impression of a burst of power and the faint tang of midsummer.

  He looked over at James who spoke with a wood faery. “James, this was last used at midsummer; two people went through, a male of our kind and a sad mortal girl with the Spark.”

  “It could be anyone. We should get proof,” James replied.

  “Proof, you?” He didn’t hide his surprise. “Someone took Quinn’s lecture to heart.”

  James glanced at the faery in his hand. “She says a girl fitting Noli’s description came here a lot and disappeared from the tree at midsummer. The girl often brought a redheaded friend here, who shone nearly as brightly.”

  Steven nodded. “That sounds like proof to me.”

  “I’ll go check with this Charlotte and with Jeff, to see if Noli went to either of them,” James offered. “Father and Quinn won’t let us charge into the Otherworld without solid proof.”

  “You as the voice of reason is humorous. Next, you’ll be the mushy one.” He snorted. “If you’re checking on them, what will I do?”

  The wood faery flew off. A grin spread across James’ face so broadly it went all the way to his ears. “Why, charge into the Otherworld without proof and find Noli, of course.”

  For a moment he paused. Would James be safe? Yes, he could take care of himself. After all, it was only the mortal realm.

  He returned his brother’s grin. “Now, that’s more like it.”

  James took off his hat and mock bowed. “I’m here to serve.”

  “Let’s see if the kitchen-girl has the address. Are you sure you want to find Charlotte and Jeff on your own?” He didn’t really want to go with James. The sense of urgency to find Noli, protect her, continue to build inside him like a maelstrom. They both knew Noli didn’t dwell anyplace here. But James was right, they needed proof she wasn’t in the mortal realm.

  “Yes—but don’t think I won’t join you in the Otherworld as soon as I’m done. I am the better swordsman, you know,” James replied as they left the faery garden.

  “Hurry up, or you’ll miss all the fun.”

  James’ eyes flashed in the afternoon sunlight. “Never.”

  Kevighn didn’t go looking for the queen. She’d invaded his home. Noli worked in the grove, making window boxes for the tree house. As long as she stayed there she’d be safe. Now wasn’t the time for them to meet.

  As soon as he sensed the queen nearby, he began to make tea. Turning when she appeared in the kitchen doorway, he bowed low. “Would you like some tea, your majesty?”

  “And here many think you have no manners.” Her cool voice cut through the cozy kitchen like a winter wind. “You may rise. Please. After having to look for you, I deserve to take advantage of your hospitality.”

  He busied himself to hide his nervousness. No fear, no weakness, could be shown in front of her or she’d exploit it. “What brings you here, you majesty? My apologies for making you look for me; I’ve been here the whole time.”

  “With false trails and safeguards. Whatever are you doing? In all regards. I’ve actually had to send out other hunters—not that anyone has found anything.”

  In some ways he felt relief—a testament to his skill. The thought also sadden him. “With all due respect, I need more time, your majesty.”

  “For what? Where is she? Why hasn’t the magic bound her? Why ever did you bring her here and not to the palace … as charming as this place is?” Looking around the simple kitchen, she raised a pale blonde eyebrow in distaste.

  This queen talked far more than the last one. Even though no one would ever say out loud that this queen killed the previous one, everyone knew she did. No one knew how. Perhaps she talked her sister to death.

  “I don’t know why the magic has yet to bind her; she shines like no other in my memory. She’s smart, curious, and not like the usual girls. That’s why I brought her here. She’s a wary one, not entranced by gems and gowns.” He set two steaming cups of tea on the table, trying to keep his face and voice neutral. The queen would blame him no matter what he said, but he didn’t need to give her ammunition.

  “You should still have brought her to me, like the others.” The queen frowned. Beautiful, her regal features looked carved out of alabaster. Blonde hair sat the top of her head, parts cascading down in ringlets. Jeweled mechanical flowers that opened and closed before his eyes decorated her coif. She also wore a tiara made of tiny spires.

  “I always spend a little time with them before bringing them to the palace. I simply happened to bring her here.” He toyed with his cup. The last thing he’d counted on was him feeling the way he did. Bright Lady bless, Noli was only a mortal.

  “Why is it taking so long?” She took a sip, the sleeves of her heavily embroidered plum-colored dress rustling with her every movement. “It has never taken this long.”

  “I don’t know.” That, too, galled him. After all, he was the best.

  “Meanwhile, my kingdom is falling apart. My subjects are frightened. And you—” Her blue eyes flashed with rage as she pounded her fist on the table, nearly upsetting her teacup.

  Uh oh. He steeled himself against her wrath.

  “You have taken your sweet time, then when you found her, you’ve hidden her away and haven’t made any progress. Time has run out. Either make the magic bind her immediately, or I’ll do it for you.” Her cheeks flushed.

  A frightening prospect. “What about another? I think the school might have one.”

  “There is no time for another. I hope you pray to the Bright Lady that this mortal has enough power to repair all the damage you’ve personally caused.” Her voice rose in pitch.

  For a moment he thought she might pop the laces on the black leather corset she wore over her dress. Kevighn flinched at the accusation, but didn’t say a word. He had caused it.

  “I’m going hold you accountable for everything that does not return to normal—and you’ll pay dearly for it with your hide.” With an eerie laugh, he
r eyes held a look of macabre delight as she took a sip of tea, pinky up.

  “Of course, your majesty. I have brought her here, plied her with gifts, and shown her wondrous things. I rescued her from peril. What else can I do?” He allowed a little of his frustrations to leak into his voice. But only a little. This queen didn’t make idle threats. She might seem silly and shallow, spending all her time collecting mechanical toys and impractical inventions, but this woman forfeited her own family in order to be queen.

  “I don’t care what you do.” She set her cup down with such force it spilled onto the table. “Lie to her. Trick her. Seduce her. Whatever it takes. If you can’t do it—I will.”

  Her chilly voice held veiled threats. It was within her right to end his life if she pleased. After all, she was the law of the land—outside of the land itself.

  “You think you can succeed where I cannot, your majesty?” A dangerous question. He’d done everything except seduce Noli. Perhaps that would work.

  Could he mix lies with truth, telling Noli how much he wanted her, wanted to care for her, while feeding her falsehoods? There didn’t seem to be much choice. He must please his queen even if he had no taste for it.

  Even if it cost him what he wanted.

  “You used to be such a good huntsman, too,” she sneered as she stood, brushing at her purple skirts with a pale hand. “You have two days or I will employ drastic measures. Remember what’s at stake.” Her voice became a hiss and her eyes narrowed.

  “Yes, your majesty.” The intensity of her words nearly bowed him over. He needed to work quickly, though he didn’t want to.

  “Good.” Turning on her heels, Queen Tiana marched out of the room.

  As soon as he felt the queen leave, the back door opened. Noli walked in, an angry expression on her face. Before he could open his mouth, her open palm struck his cheek.

  Nineteen

  Confrontations

  “You liar.” Anger at both at Kevighn and herself welled inside Noli. How could she have been so stupid? “I can explain.” Those words dripped so easily off his lips. Clearly, he’d said it before. To how many girls?