“Should we do this later?”
Arlyn sighed. “No, we might as—”
“Keep going,” Eri called from just ahead. “You’ll feel better in the fairy circle.”
With a soft laugh, Arlyn picked up her pace. “See? Uncanny.”
Only a moment later, they reached the pond. Eri stood at the edge of the clearing, and Arlyn and Meli stopped beside the child, one on each side. Meli had no reason to feel nervous, but the mist creeping in slow tendrils over the water had her heart pounding. She’d never met fairies, as the Ljósálfar of old had considered them too inferior to allow into Alfheim. An easy distinction to attain, she was coming to find. So when the small, winged form darted up and hovered over the rolling fog, Meli jumped.
“This time you are welcome, every one.”
As the voice rang around them, the figure grew until she was a bit larger than Eri. Blue and gold wings flapped incessantly, holding the fairy above the water. Blue hair flowed down like water to tangle with a gauzy dress. Meli stared, her mouth falling open. No one, not even Eri, spoke.
“Come on, then,” the fairy said.
The voice broke their group free from the moment’s enchantment. Together, they walked up to the edge of the pond and stopped again. The fairy’s face held no discernable expression as she tracked their movements, making Meli shiver. Had coming here been a mistake? Surely, Lyr wouldn’t send his daughter and young Eri so casually into possible danger.
From the corner of her eye, Meli saw Arlyn incline her head. “We thank you for your welcome.”
“Perhaps now.” The fairy gave an inscrutable smile. “A seer and a pair of blood-souls. Strange grouping to seek me this day.”
Meli and Arlyn exchanged puzzled glances. “Blood-souls?”
“You’ll figure it out when you need,” the fairy answered.
Though Meli wanted to know more, her stomach pitched at the coldness in the fairy’s expression. She certainly wasn’t going to ask for details.
The fairy’s blue eyes focused on Arlyn. “I know what brings you, but will you state it?”
“Dark, poisoned energy spreads to the realms most connected to Earth,” Arlyn answered. “Even Alfheim has been affected.”
“Alfheim?” The fairy chuckled, and the leaves on the trees rippled with the liquid sound. “I care as much for them as they do us. You’ll not find a fairy willing to do aught on their behalf.”
Arlyn’s mouth hardened into a line. “But you said you know why we’re here. You told me to come back when we had need.”
“So I did,” she snapped.
Water rippled beneath the fairy’s feet, expanding in circles around her until little waves lapped onto the shore of the pond. A cool tendril of water flowed up to soak into Meli’s soft shoes. By Freyr, the fairy had every right to dislike the Ljósálfar, considering the ancients had barred her kind from Alfheim. But Meli had to try.
Bracing herself, Meli stepped forward and let the cold water wrap around her feet. “I can only beg forgiveness on behalf of my ancestors for their inexcusable rudeness.”
“There you speak truth. Inexcusable.” The fairy drifted closer, a spark of anger lighting her eyes. “Do you know what the humans wanted to do to us before we left? No, for your ancestors closed us out with no hope. If not for the Myern of this estate, we would be worse than dead. For Moranaia we will move, and only that.”
“I am my father’s heir,” Arlyn said. “He is the one who sent us.”
The fairy waved a hand in dismissal. “For diplomacy. We go not for diplomacy but for heart. By blood we are bound and by blood we offer aid.”
Meli’s chest tightened. Did the fairy want a blood connection to Alfheim? If she meant a marriage between the fairies and the Ljósálfar, it was a doomed request. The king would never agree. “Please forgive us for bothering you. I regret that we have brought bad memories to mind this day.”
Resigned, Meli motioned for their group to leave. Arlyn caught Eri’s hand, but the child only smiled and refused to move.
Then the fairy alighted on the bank, and thick grass sprinkled with flowers rose beneath her feet where there had been mud. Blue-gold eyes caught Meli’s gaze. “Do not despair. You hold the answer in your soul.”
“Mine?” Meli’s breath caught. “Even though I’m from Alfheim?”
“Are you, really?” The fairy’s slow smile made her face glow. “I am Niesanelalli, Nia to your kind. Return again when you know.”
With another laugh, Nia seemed to shrink into herself until she had returned to her original size. She waved in farewell and then disappeared into the mists as suddenly as she’d appeared. Meli stared at the spot with wide eyes.
Eri grasped Meli’s hand. “Aren’t you glad I brought you?”
Meli exchanged another glance with Arlyn as the child pulled them away. Gladness was certainly not the emotion at the forefront of her mind. Nia’s riddles caught at something within her, a part she didn’t want to acknowledge. Was her allegiance, her heart, still with Alfheim? Had they ever been? She loved her family, but she’d never really belonged with them. Maybe she could make a place here.
The fairy’s question played through her mind over and over with each step.
Are you, really?
Chapter 21
Lyr leaned against the window frame and stared into the garden, waiting to catch sight of the group Kera was escorting from the tower. Getting rid of the ambassador would be one of the few highlights of the day, if only Meli and Arlyn would return in time for the meeting he’d scheduled. He glanced at the water clock. What was taking so long?
Movement caught Lyr’s eye, and he ducked back as Kera came into view. With the midday sun casting dappled light against the windows, the ambassador’s group wouldn’t see him spying if he kept back. His lips curved up. A fine advantage, considering the uneasy looks he spied the ambassador giving the forest around her. Her two female retainers trailed her with heads bent close in conversation, narrowed eyes on their leader’s back.
Only Pol appeared at ease, but that was nothing new.
As Kera led the group out of sight, Lyr took his place in front of his desk and sent a quick call to Arlyn. “Are you still with the fairies?”
“We’re almost back.” She paused, and a hint of annoyance flowed through. “Not that the trip did any good.”
His brow creased. “They wouldn’t see you?”
“One fairy did. You weren’t joking about them being weird.”
“I’m guessing they aren’t sending an earth-healer.” Lyr let out a curse. “Well, you can tell me more later. I’m meeting with the ambassador soon. Could you bring Meli to my study?”
“Ohhh, are you finally going to tell the ambassador off?” Arlyn asked, interest slipping into her mental tone.
Lyr leaned against his desk, arms crossed. “Tell off?”
“Scold? Yell at? Rebuke?” Arlyn clarified. “If so, I’ll move faster. I’d love to hear it.”
As he sent an amused assent, a knock sounded on the door. Lyr dropped his arms to his sides and settled a neutral expression on his face before beckoning Kera to enter. She smiled as she led them in, but the humor faded as she took her place by the windows to act as guard. Ignoring Kera, the ambassador halted with a scowl in the center of the room.
“Thank you for your prompt arrival,” Lyr said.
The lady’s annoyed expression never wavered. “Have you news, milord?”
“None that concerns you,” he answered calmly.
“I…” Her brow creased. “I am afraid I do not understand.”
“Indeed?” Lyr stared into Lady Teronver’s eyes until she dropped her gaze. “I regret to inform you that I must refuse your services as ambassador. You will be sent back to Alfheim tomorrow morning.”
The color washed from her face, and true fear entered her eyes. “You cannot. Please.”
His brows rose. “What did you expect? You have insulted me and our land at every meeting, and any cooperation
has been grudging at best. I find it difficult to believe that you are Alfheim’s finest.”
“I am.” The lady seemed to sway on her feet before straightening her spine. “Or was. My last few tasks did not go well. You send me back to failure and doom. I cannot shame my family again.”
Lyr wanted to laugh. This was how she behaved when facing such a threat? “Yet you seem to have done your best to ruin this chance.”
Lady Teronver’s eyes sparked with temper once more. “The king himself brought me dishonor when he assigned Ameliar Liosevore to my group. The Liosevore family should be thrown from Alfheim for shielding her from her final test.”
He began to understand a little then. “I take it your families don’t get along?”
“One does not get along with such as those.” She glanced around the room, her nostrils flaring. “Where is the useless girl? I’ve no doubt she has filled your mind with her tales.”
“You would do well not to speak ill of Lady Ameliar.” He narrowed his eyes on the woman’s face. “In any case, she did not force your behavior. You acted foolishly of your own accord.”
The ambassador’s chin lifted. “Perhaps it is indeed best that we depart, as you will not listen to reason. We will seek aid from a superior people, and the girl will have her punishment upon our return. The king, if not Freyr himself, will know of how she has twisted these negotiations.”
A cough from the doorway caught the attention of all. As Meli and Arlyn entered, Lyr’s heart jumped at the conflicted feelings inside him—hope versus reason. He knew Meli did not feel prepared to take the ambassador’s place, and he had no idea how she might react to the lady’s dismissal. But when she halted next to Lady Teronver, Meli appeared calm.
Her voice rang out clearly in the silence. “I will not be returning to Alfheim.”
Everything within Lyr froze at her words. Had she decided to stay on Moranaia? Go to another world entirely? As she spun to face Lady Teronver, Meli’s face pinched in anger. No hint that it has anything to do with me. His toes curled against the urge to step forward and demand answers. Cursed protocol. But he had to dismiss Teronver properly. There could be no doubts about that.
The ambassador’s face reddened as she turned on Meli. “This journey is mine to command, and I will take you back with me to face your fate. Perhaps the king will finally accept the truth about the Liosevore family.”
“You may command the mission, but you have no dominion over me.” Meli finally glanced at Lyr, and the spark of uncertainty that drifted along their fragile bond stole his breath. “My talents, even untrained, have found acceptance here, as have I. If the Myern will allow, I would like to stay on Moranaia. I have no home on Alfheim.”
All the reactions he had to repress burned in his gut, but Lyr would never let Lady Teronver see how important this was to him. “Moranaia welcomes one of your unique power. It is a long-standing tradition to accept those among the fae races who wish to depart their ancestral homes.”
She inclined her head. “Then I thank you.”
The ambassador sneered, all attempt at diplomacy gone. “Alfheim will not treat with one who harbors the dishonored.”
“As you’ll soon find,” Pol called from behind her.
Lyr expected Lady Teronver to rage at the man, but her mouth snapped closed. If he had thought her pale before, he’d been wrong. Curious. He peered at Pol, who only grinned. Definitely not a mere attendant.
“If your king wants our help, he may work through Lady Ameliar,” Lyr said. “Or perhaps with me directly. When my guide takes you through, he can attune a mirror for communication.”
For a moment, the ambassador only stared. “Directly? That…that is possible?”
“Oh, yes.” Lyr smiled in satisfaction. “Something your people would have long enjoyed if not for your arrogance.”
There was little else Lady Teronver could say after that. Though the spell to connect mirrors with Alfheim would cost more energy than Lyr wanted to use, it was the best option if he wished to clear up any possible misunderstandings. And if they refused to believe? Alfheim would just have to fend for itself.
By the time he led his now-expanded group through the portal once more, Kai was weary and sick to his soul. Out of the thousands who had remained on Neor after the others had retreated, they carried thirty-two survivors, nineteen of them children. Shivering children with hollow, haunted eyes. Yet their only injuries were small scrapes and bruises earned during the search for food and shelter.
The same could not be said of the adults. Of those thirteen, only three could walk. The rest were carried on improvised litters—doors, boards, sometimes only sheets. The four Moranaian healers moved between the ill as quickly as possible, fighting to keep one stable before returning to work again on the next. Lial and his apprentices would have their hands full for certain.
Muscles trembling with fatigue, Kai leaned against a tree to catch his breath. It had been no small feat, bringing such a large group so quickly through the Veil. But worth it. He watched the strain leave the Neorans’ faces as they drew in the clean Moranaian energy, and the youngest of the children let out little squeals. Even the unconscious seemed to relax into their litters, their breathing steadier. Almost as though the magic here counteracted the poison.
His mind flashed back to when Ralan and Eri had returned from Earth. The energy there had sickened Eri particularly, and Ralan had worn himself down trying to purify enough for her to stay alive. As soon as they had stepped through, both had filled with vitality. The girl had gone from near death to running through gardens within a day.
The poison seeping into other realms was clearly no accident. But although the Veil became more turbulent and dark each day, nothing touched the energy of Moranaia. If Kien was to blame, he hadn’t directed his magic to his birth world. A curious omission. Neor, Alfheim, the Seelie courts, Earth—none of those should have been a target for an exile seeking revenge. There had to be something else Kien wanted with Moranaia, and Kai had the sinking feeling that the dark prince planned to return.
Shoving aside that thought as he pushed away from the tree, Kai strode to the center of the group. After a quick discussion with the healers, he led them along a path in the opposite direction from the estate. Lyr had been concerned that the survivors might bring back contaminated injury, so Selia had helped shield a small camp nearby where they could be checked without risk to others. His steps were leaden with the weight of all he’d done and seen, and though he craved sleep, he wanted a shower even more.
He was smeared with more dirt, blood, and…other things than he really wanted to consider.
One of the sonal with a longer mental range had called ahead to Braelyn, and Lial waited inside the camp with six apprentice healers and several volunteers from Lyr’s household staff. Kai stepped back as Lial took command, directing the most gravely injured to pallets circled together in the center of the clearing. Two of Lial’s apprentices rushed to the supply tent on the right as the healer called out orders.
A male and a female that Kai didn’t recognize gathered the older children into a small group to feed them bread and fruit while others held the three babies too young for solid food. More volunteers rushed to supply bottles to the infants and set a line of pallets to the left, away from those being healed of serious injury.
Kai shared a smile with the boy he’d saved before glancing back at the healer. But Lial merely shook his head and pointed toward the estate. “Go. Report to Lyr.”
Recounting the horrors he’d seen was a task he would rather avoid, but Kai set out for home. Gods, was it only midday here? He’d been on Neor for more marks than he wanted to consider. Thank Arneen it wasn’t too far of a walk back to Braelyn. He would give his report. After that, he could shower. Then find Arlyn and hold her until he could finally sleep.
After the request for aid sent by one of his other sonal, Lyr had already guessed that Kai’s report wasn’t going to be good. But the sight of his friend t
old more than any words. Of the two of them, Kai was usually the most cheerful, but today his face was more grim than after he’d beheaded Allafon, the man he’d thought his father. Blood coated his clothes and even speckled his face. At least none of it seemed to be his.
“Do you have the book?” Kai asked as he strode across the room.
Taken aback by the abrupt question, Lyr raised a brow. “The one where I keep reports?”
“Yes.” Kai stopped in front of his desk. “I want to get this out while I can. Please.”
Lyr snapped his mouth closed around the retort he usually would have given at his friend’s rudeness. Kai’s eyes were haunted with a dull horror Lyr had never seen there before. With a quick nod, he opened the small, leather-bound book and activated the spell that recorded everything said.
“Taysonal, what news do you bring to the stewards of Moranaia?”
Kai took a breath at the traditional question. “Neor has fallen. Completely, and not at the hands of its own people. Most of the ones remaining were massacred.”
“Massacred?” Lyr leaned forward in his seat at the unexpected words. “They were fighting amongst themselves the first time you went there. Are you saying someone else was to blame?”
“An army went through. Very quickly. Some of the Neorans had built hasty barricades, but many were cut down by blade or mage fire while running or hiding. It was a systematic slaughter.” Kai’s hands shook as he gestured, and the color seeped from his face. “Bodies torn open, parts flung…you don’t need that record.”
“Gods of Arneen,” Lyr whispered.
Kai glanced at the floor for a long moment before speaking again. “But beyond all I saw, there were survivors. Thirty-two, nineteen among them children.”
Lyr’s chest tightened. So few left out of thousands. “Children? Why were there children?”
“A couple of them were ill, but most were hidden by their parents. Their eyes…”
Lyr wanted to take pity on his friend and save the rest for later, but he had to know. “Could you tell who was responsible? Did the survivors know?”
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