“Arlyn?” Kai sent, his mental voice hesitant. “What’s wrong?”
Heat rushed into her face and down her neck. For once, she was thankful for the lack of light. “Nothing. No big deal. Did you remember something?”
Another pause. “Those Sidhe. They blasted me with something. And hard.”
“I can tell.” They must have been rougher on him, for the ache that had woken Arlyn was nothing like the agony she sensed from Kai. “They were here earlier. The red-haired one had little flames around him. Just enough light to see that we’re screwed.”
“I know spells to release almost any cuff but iron.”
“I don’t think this one is in your repertoire,” she answered with a wry twist of her lips. “They’ve wrapped our arms and legs in stone. We’re held in the wall.”
Kai cursed in ways that tested her Moranaian vocabulary. Her father certainly hadn’t combined words in quite that way. “Did they say what they want?”
“They think we’re Kien’s followers,” Arlyn answered.
“So they implied before.” She heard Kai’s fingers scraping against the rock. “Any ideas?”
“Nothing but convincing them we’re innocent. I’m growing weak again.”
Concern and fear leapt along the bond. “The energy here is clean. Whatever their intentions, the Sidhe haven’t cut us off from that, though it’s slow in coming. You should be getting better.”
“At first, I was. But I can’t hold on to what flows through.”
Could there have been something in the counter spell? Arlyn closed her eyes and tried to search within herself, but she was still learning that skill. A hint of darkness, maybe? She tried to reach it, but before she could, a burst of light shattered her concentration. Her eyes shot open to see two figures illuminated by the light of an open door. Soon that faded, too, replaced by the tiny flames that swirled around—Caolte? Was that his name?
The one she thought was Naomh strode over to Kai, a larger light preceding him. Arlyn could see her bonded, then, and gasped to observe how gaunt and bruised he appeared. The side of his face closest to her was mottled purple. His eyes met her concerned ones across the space. “I might have resisted a bit.”
Quite a bit, by the look of it.
Kai turned back to the Sidhe. “Let us down.”
Naomh’s soft laugh rumbled around them. “I think not. It seems your female has lied to us.”
“What?” Arlyn shifted in her stone prison. “I did not. I have been nothing but honest.”
Caolte came forward, bringing more light. “Kien came looking for his servants.”
Her heart seized. Kien was here? If he found them now, they were dead. He must have discovered that they’d broken the spell. “You have to let us go. He’ll kill us.”
“So you admit it now?” Naomh sneered at them as he pulled a long knife from his belt. “Perhaps I’ll return you a bit more…damaged.”
“No!” Arlyn cried as the Sidhe approached Kai.
Energy began to gather in Kai’s hands, though she couldn’t imagine what he would do with it. “He’ll kill us because we took down his spell,” her bonded protested. “We are delegates of Callian Myern i Lyrnis Dianore nai Braelyn. Harm us, and there will be war.”
Scowling, the Sidhe paused. “Lyrnis Dianore, who has broken off negotiations with my brother instead of offering aid?”
“He refuses to work with butchers,” Kai said, his voice shaking with fury. “I’ve seen the work of your kind all too recently. Sending an army of Seelie and Unseelie against your own colony. Killing the ill without thought or mercy.”
Naomh’s hand tightened on the hilt of his knife. “I will—”
“Stay your hand.” Caolte gripped Naomh’s shoulder. “He speaks the truth.”
“What?” Naomh shouted, rounding on his brother.
The flames around Caolte’s head flickered. “You were angry enough that Meren had lost the Moranaians’ aid. I wasn’t sure how to tell you the full extent of his treachery. He cleared out the Neorans. Any who were left.”
For a moment, nothing could be heard but the dripping of water.
“Look,” Kai grumbled. “I understand your doubts. Could you at least bind us in chains and give us some food while you debate this? My bonded is not well.”
Both Sidhe spun, studying her. Naomh’s brow furrowed. “We did not block energy from reaching you,” he said.
The concern in their eyes had Arlyn swallowing hard. She must have looked even worse than she felt. “I can’t hold on to it.”
The brothers exchanged a glance—and likely mental words, as well. Finally, Naomh slipped his blade back into its sheath. “Very well. But you will remain chained until we decide what is to be done. I’ve a need to speak with Caolte. Alone.”
“Perhaps it is best if I slip through alone,” Lyr said, pitching his voice so it could not be heard beyond the rocks.
“No,” Ralan answered. “I have seen that we must all go. There will be trouble. That cloak will only take you so far.”
Lyr rolled his eyes. “If you know what to do, why are we even bothering to plan?”
“There are many future branchings from this point. Sometimes, there is a clear way forward. Something obvious that must be done.” Ralan huffed out a breath. “This is not one of those times. It is going to change—and change fast—based on the decisions made at any given time. I can’t tell you which future is most likely to prevail.”
“Clechtan,” Lyr muttered. He hadn’t considered that possibility, as his friend was usually so self-assured. Lyr had always known seers had limitations, but he’d never had to deal with them. “Very well. What if I scout around the area leading up to the main house? I’ll find the clearest route for us to follow.”
“Hmm…” Ralan paused, his eyes glazing for a moment. Then he nodded. “Just resist the urge to go in alone.”
“Fine.” Lyr turned to Meli. “You’re sure you are free of the runes?”
“I’m certain.” Her clear gaze met his, and he could sense the truth along their bond as easily as he felt her worry. “Be safe.”
He leaned in for a quick kiss and then pulled the hood of the cloak over his head. Since Selia had never been to this place, she couldn’t have keyed the cloak to slip through any magical defenses. But surprisingly, Lyr detected no overt shielding. Were the Sidhe here that confident, or did they simply do things differently? He could only hope the spell hiding his energy from detection would be enough to get him close without being sensed by any Sidhe he neared.
Lyr slipped from tree to tree, searching with his senses for any sign of life. He avoided the main path and angled in from another side. At first, he detected only birds and the rare deer, captive here beneath the earth. Eventually, he was forced to skirt the occasional cottage or wandering Sidhe, until he reached a fairly clear path near the back.
He spent several moments watching the large estate at the center of the cavern. A bored-looking guard shuffled his feet by the door. Servants came and went, most headed toward the large garden at the back corner. Too bad they didn’t have time to wait until dark. It would be tricky to find an inconspicuous place to enter.
After studying the area a little longer, Lyr retraced his steps until he reached the stone wall that marked the boundaries of the underhill. Creeping carefully around the perimeter, he returned to the stack of stones where the others hid. After a quick, soft whistle to warn of his presence, he ducked behind the boulders.
“I found the best way,” Lyr announced. “But even that is risky. I saw plenty of movement around the house itself.”
“A fight is inevitable once we are inside, I know that much,” Ralan said, his hand going to the hilt of his sword. “Kai and Arlyn are being held below. They must be pleasant Sidhe, having a basement dungeon.”
Lyr held back a growl and stepped close to Meli. “Can you fight?”
“Maybe?” She bit her lower lip. “Not well enough to train as a warrior, but I can defend m
yself if you give me a knife.”
His gut clenched, but he untied the scabbard to one of his blades and secured it around her belt. “I wish there was a safe place for you.”
Her chin rose. “I could say the same.”
Lyr grinned at his bonded, timid except when she wasn’t. “Come on, then.”
He led them around the perimeter, Meli behind him and the three princes ranged around her. Lyr only needed to guide them around one wandering Sidhe before their group crouched in sight of the manor. It was smaller than the palaces preferred by many Sidhe lords, but part of that might have been its construction. The entire structure appeared to be one solid piece formed from the rock beneath their feet. Everything was stone, from the open terrace that wrapped around the bottom floor to the balcony of the level above.
His eyes narrowed on the railing circling the top. Should they climb? It might be easier to avoid detection entering the building from an upper room, less likely to be occupied at this time of day. Then he glanced at Meli’s long robe and decided to take their chances on a bottom entry. She would struggle with the climb, and the longer it took, the more risk of discovery.
There were few doors he hadn’t seen anyone go through in his previous mission or while watching now. Perhaps it didn’t matter, since Ralan had said a fight was inevitable. With a raised brow, he looked to the prince, who pursed his lips for a moment before gesturing to the door across from them. The sun above them had angled so that the terrace here was cast in shadow. It was as good as they were likely to get.
Even with the assurance that there would be a fight, Lyr took care not to be noticed. He would not invite a battle himself. Their group darted quickly but silently onto the terrace and flattened against the wall next to the door. He tested the handle. Not surprisingly, it turned smoothly, and the door opened without a sound.
With a quick gesture, he led the others inside.
Chapter 32
Kai had been in worse situations—just a month ago, in fact—but not many. His entire body sang with the pain of his earlier struggle with the two Sidhe, and he was fairly certain a rib was broken. But at least he was no longer suspended in rock. With an easy wave of his hand, the blond one had removed it, a smile of satisfaction crossing his face when Kai and Arlyn fell hard upon the ground. The one called Caolte had dragged them over to a set of chains and shackled them, unresisting, once more.
Wonderful place they had here.
He’d been careful not to give them too much trouble, hoping they’d think him weakened. Not that the truth was far from that assumption. After the Sidhe left, Kai slumped against the wall and soaked in as much energy as he could. And waited. It wasn’t long before Caolte returned with two small trays of food and then departed once more. Interesting that he hadn’t sent a servant.
Kai’s worried gaze darted between his food and Arlyn. Her weakness was increasing, her hands shaking as she tried to lift the bread to her mouth. He set down his plate and shifted over to help her. She drooped against the wall, her eyelids going heavy, and chewed each bite he brought to her mouth.
After Arlyn finished, he scarfed the rest of his own meal. Then he leaned back again, focusing within. With his meager healing gift, he knit the crack in his rib and eased some of the ache in his muscles. He didn’t bother with the bruising on his face, for he wanted to waste no energy on that. He could deal with the pain talking caused.
Then Kai turned his attention to the shackles, and a chuckle slipped free. They were made of peresten, a metal mined and forged on Moranaia. Trapped by their own trade goods. Unlike iron, this metal caused no disruption to magic, so it was no surprise to find them spelled against tampering. Fortunately, Kai had spent some years learning counters to such spells.
A sonal couldn’t be too careful.
He worked through the first spells easily. They were fairly common for containment, the counters not difficult to find if you knew the right mages. Then he reached one of pure Sidhe magic. Kai cursed, another favorite that had Arlyn quirking a brow, and carefully probed the spell with his own energy. It felt…familiar somehow. If he could just attune…
The snick of the shackle opening caught him by surprise. He stared down at the metal cuffs open in his lap. Why had the spell resonated with his own energy? Had they tried to use his own power against him? Kai didn’t have time to consider it, turning to Arlyn’s shackles to repeat the process. He expected difficulty when he reached the Sidhe portion, thinking it would be attuned to her, but no. As with his own, the cuffs fell away when he linked his own energy with the Sidhe magic. Curious.
They both rubbed their wrists, though the shackles hadn’t had time to chafe. Kai met his bonded’s eyes. “Think you can walk?”
“Not well.” But Arlyn heaved herself to her feet. Swaying, she rested her hand against the wall. “I don’t have much choice.”
Kai supported her as best he could as they crossed the heavy stone floor. Dread filled him at her slow pace, for it would be difficult to escape at such a speed. Kai fed her more energy, and she straightened a little beside him. This time, she didn’t argue about the energy he gave.
“You should have told me,” Naomh said, staring at this brother through a red haze of fury.
“Naomh—” Caolte began.
He slammed a fist into the wall beside his brother’s head. “I am not a child to be protected.”
Caolte’s eyes narrowed. “I gave my word to Father that I would guard you, and so I have. For centuries, I have followed your lead. I haven’t treated you like a child.”
“Then why did you withhold information?” Naomh’s entire body trembled with rage. His brother had said only that Meren had broken his promise to negotiate with the Moranaians. But a massacre? “It was no small thing.”
“You have gone through enough,” Caolte answered, voice suddenly soft.
Naomh turned away to pace the length of the room. “What if we captured those two in error? Delegates of Moranaia. Even if I speak with Lord Lyrnis to denounce Meren’s actions, he will not work with us now. I’ve heard the queen herself speak of returning to the surface. Everything is ruined.”
“Hardly that.” Caolte tossed his head. “Ransom these two for their aid.”
Naomh’s brow lifted. “I have not lost all sense. This estate could hardly stand against the Moranaian army if we wrong them. Besides, there’s something about the male. He seems familiar. I like none of this.”
“We will find a—”
His brother’s words cut off abruptly as the room shook around them. The estate shields. Naomh unsheathed his knife and pulled power to himself as they rushed for the door. He detected a small party, only five. Not the army he’d feared, then. Kien with his minions? Naomh hadn’t sensed a third flare of the portal. Had Kien set up a trap?
He almost hoped so. Perhaps the prince’s death would ease his own frustration.
For several heartbeats after they entered through the unlocked door, the building rumbled, though Lyr saw no movement down the long hallway before them. The Sidhe lord’s defenses? Swords hissed from sheaths as Lyr and the others prepared for a swift reprisal to their invasion.
Quickly, he cast his mind out, searching for Arlyn and Kai. He sagged in relief when he connected with his daughter. “Arlyn, are you well?”
“I’m…alive,” she whispered into his mind. “We’re working our way out. From below, I think. This place is a maze of levels. How did you—”
“Later. We’ll find you.”
Lyr wasted no more time, letting his combat magic sweep through his body. His senses expanded, searching for attackers, until…there. Four guards rounded the corner at the distant end of the wide hall.
Teyark slipped to Lyr’s right and Ralan to his left. As the guards raced toward them, Lyr lifted his sword, more than ready to make someone pay. His gaze flicked to the windows lining one side of the corridor. The terrace. If other Sidhe sought to approach from there, his magic would uncover them.
Lyr
glowered at the guard in front. “We are only here to reclaim our kin. Return them, and no battle need be fought.”
They slowed, the three in the back looking toward their leader, who stopped a few body-lengths away. The Sidhe’s brow scrunched in confusion. “Reclaim? No one is held captive here. For your trespass, no quarter shall be granted. Our lord’s rule in this is clear.”
“You invite war with Moranaia.”
The guard took a step forward. “You invite war by your presence.”
“Very well, then,” Lyr said, lifting his sword. “Come forward for your death.”
The four rushed them, and Lyr bared his teeth in a terrible smile. Finally, he could act. He met the blade of the leader without hesitation, swirling into the dance of battle. The Sidhe was good, but Lyr was better. He held back, testing the other’s skill, before taking the offensive. The Sidhe’s face went slack with shock as Lyr advanced in a flurry of attacks. Metal rang as the guard’s blade clattered on the ground, Lyr’s sword at the other’s throat.
With narrowed eyes, the guard lifted his hands. Lyr sensed the energy building and prepared his own shields for the attack. He shifted the knife in his left hand, ready to strike. Despite his earlier words, he had no desire to kill the Sidhe for doing his job, especially since he seemed unaware of Kai’s and Arlyn’s abduction. But the gathering spell might leave Lyr no choice.
“Stop.”
Ralan’s voice broke through the haze of combat, and Lyr realized that the hall had grown quiet. He glanced over his shoulder to see the other three guards standing silently, weapons sheathed. “What’s going on?”
The guard shifted beneath Lyr’s sword, drawing his attention, and his blade dug into the Sidhe’s neck. A line of blood bloomed, but the man’s low cry of pain cut off abruptly, the spell he’d attempted to gather winking out. Lyr’s brows rose. The Sidhe’s face contorted with some inner battle before his entire body went limp.
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