Queen of Wands (The Tree of Ages Series Book 4)

by Sara C. Roethle

  “You should rest too,” she grumbled, though the bedroll did look rather inviting. Perhaps she’d even be able to reach the in-between in her dreams without Iseult’s knowledge.

  Before she could make a decision, Naoki came crashing in, pounced on the bedroll, and curled up at the bottom.

  Iseult crossed his arms and waited.

  Finn rolled her eyes. “I don’t see what reason you have to be angry with me. I’m not the one bossing people around.”

  “I am not angry,” he replied, then turned away. “I will scout the area.”

  “Iseult,” she said before he could take another step. He stopped, his back yet to her. Suddenly she flashed on their argument. She could practically feel the closeness of their bodies as he’d leaned in toward her.

  She hesitated, wondering if she should just try to rest and reach the in-between rather than smooth things over between them. No, she could deal with this treatment no longer. She approached him despite the apprehension in her gut. Reaching him, she placed a hand on his arm, turning him to face her.

  He peered down at her from beneath his furrowed brow.

  Pushing away her fears, she laid her hands on his shoulders, then stood on tip toe. She gently placed a kiss right beside his mouth, then lowered herself. “Thank you for wanting to protect me,” she said softly. “I don’t know what I would have done if I had never met you.”

  His shoulders tensed beneath her grip. Had she further agitated him?

  His look softened. His hands slid around her waist, pulling her against him.

  “Iseult?” she questioned weakly, her heart fluttering like a trapped bird.

  He shook his head, then lowered his face to hers. She closed her eyes as their lips touched, just the barest hint of a kiss. She let out a sigh, then his lips pressed down on hers.

  A thrill ran through her body, and her fingers reflexively raised to the base of his scalp, pushing up through his hair.

  His lips left hers, while holding her in a loose embrace. Looking deep into her eyes, he lifted a hand to her face, then trailed his fingers lightly down the curve of her jaw. He stepped back, letting his fingertips slowly drop, then turned and stalked off into the darkness.

  Finn watched him go, her fingers on her lips, utterly stunned. Loinnir started snuffling at her shoulder. She lifted a hand to her snout to still her, still staring in the direction Iseult had gone. Hadn’t he told her he had nothing to offer her, that he would do no more than his duty to her? Such a passionate kiss was surely more than his duty, so what did it mean?

  Anna and Eywen sat side by side, peering into the darkness. They’d forgone a fire despite the chilly temperature. While a fire might serve to keep normal predators away, it could very well draw in hostile Aos Sí, or more of the Dearg Due. Anna’s stomach growled despite the small portion of food she’d eaten. It had been a long day.

  They’d followed hoof prints up along the stream until it ran dry, then they’d turned north, roughly in the direction of Sormyr. They both suspected the tracks they followed belonged to at least one of their companions, just judging by the direction and the remote area. While Eywen and Anna could both sense Finn, at the moment they could only tell that she was alive, and somewhere to the northwest.

  “You should get some rest,” Eywen suggested. “I will keep watch.”

  She shook her head, gathering her cloak more tightly around herself. “You’re injured, and you were up the entirety of last night saving me from the Dearg Due. You must rest first.”

  They both glanced at the lone bedroll, still attached to the saddle lying forlornly near Eywen’s feet. Their horse’s head drooped close to the ground, the only member of the small group willing to rest.

  “I will be fine,” he muttered. “I mean no offense, but my senses are more keen than yours. I will sense danger long before it is upon us.”

  “I sensed those hostile Aos Sí before you did,” she pointed out.

  He turned to smirk at her, half his face in shadow. “I was distracted by our conversation. It will not happen again.”

  She rolled her eyes then glanced once more at the bedroll. The extra warmth did sound nice, especially since there was no fire. Still, she felt bad resting when Eywen needed to nurse his wounds. “I could try to venture into the in-between,” she offered. “If Finn is still there, we could plan a meeting place for when she awakens.”

  He raised a dark eyebrow at her. “I thought you wanted nothing to do with the Gray Place, nor with your magic.”

  “I don’t,” she replied, suddenly uncomfortable. She always felt this way when admitting she had magic. “But I would be a fool to neglect a useful tool when the lives of my friends may be in danger. Whether I like it or not, Finn is powerful. If Kai or any of the others are in danger, she will be our best chance of saving them.”

  “And she will save them?” he questioned. “Should her priority not be to her queenship? To rousing an army to protect herself? Surely that is what Oighear is doing.”

  Anna shook her head. “That’s not the type of person Finn is. She’s a bit of a fool really, with no idea what she truly wants, but she’s kind hearted. Kind hearted enough to treat me like a friend, even after I kidnapped her,” she snorted, “twice.”

  “Twice?” he asked, astonished. “And you did not feel the wrath of her power?”

  She opened her mouth to explain how Finn had lost her memories, and hadn’t even known about her power initially, then shut it. Though she’d formed a tentative trust with Eywen, he was still Faie, and there was no definitive proof that he wasn’t still working for Oighear in some way. She would be wise not to relinquish any more information than she already had.

  Seeming to sense the shift in her attitude, Eywen cleared his throat and stood, then knelt to unstrap the bedroll. He unfurled it just a few paces away, then turned to her. “Rest, or venture through the Gray Place. Either way, you need to lie down and warm yourself. I will wake you if something seems amiss.”

  She stared up at him for a moment, then nodded. She supposed after he’d saved her life, she needn’t worry about him killing her in her sleep. He could kill her right then and there if he so chose. She was not too prideful to admit that her combat skills were no match for his inhuman speed.

  She stood, then walked toward Eywen and the awaiting bedroll.

  Instead of stepping aside like she’d expected, he titled his head, observing her. “You know,” he began, “Oighear once said that those of Clan Liath were perhaps the most powerful mages of all. You see what others cannot. It was once even believed that you could see right through into a person’s heart. Is that true?”

  She frowned, wondering what he was getting at. She might be skilled at sensing the intentions of others, but that was simply intuition, not magic. “Don’t worry,” she said after a moment. “Your secrets are safe from me.”

  He nodded, then stepped away, resuming his previous seat.

  Not looking back, Anna crawled into the bedroll, pulling it up over her head to catch the warmth of her breath.

  Eywen did not speak again, and eventually she drifted off into a fitful sleep.

  Finn woke early the next morning, her mind in total fog. She sat up, glancing around until her eyes found Iseult, already saddling Loinnir.

  “The Faie were lurking around us all night,” he explained with his back turned toward her. “Not the Dearg Due or anything quite so dangerous, but I sensed them in great number. I’d like to leave this place before they decide to act.”

  “The Faie?” she questioned, rubbing her eyes.

  Finished with the saddle, he turned toward her and nodded. “I could sense them, though they did not reveal themselves.”

  She reluctantly wiggled out of the bedroll and stood, feeling guilty for sleeping the entire night while Iseult kept watch. “Do you want to sleep some before we move on?” she questioned.

  He shook his head.

  She frowned. Was he acting even colder than usual? Did he regret their
kiss? Did she? Pushing away her thoughts, she wandered away to take care of her morning duties. She was painfully aware of Iseult watching her back as she retreated, but she did not have the courage to turn and see his expression.

  She wandered onward, a little farther than necessary, feeling the need for some space. Eventually she stopped in an area where she would be shielded by dense shrubs.

  After a few minutes she was ready to return to Iseult, and reluctantly started back, mired in her thoughts. Distracted, she almost didn’t notice when a tree in front of her moved. Then another shifted, and she was sure her eyes weren’t playing tricks on her.

  She stopped walking and focused on one of the moving trees. “There’s no need to hide from me,” she announced.

  A whisper caught her ear, but she could not quite make out what it said. She listened intently, then jumped as Iseult silently appeared at her side, leading Loinnir.

  “Who are you speaking to?” he muttered, his voice barely audible.

  She glanced at him, then returned her gaze to the trees. “I think there are Trow here,” she whispered.

  “Perhaps we should leave them be,” he replied.

  Finn shook her head. The Trow had helped her in the past, and if she ever truly needed help, now was the time.

  “Please show yourselves,” she called out. “Perhaps we can help each other.”

  One of the largest nearby trees shivered, then its roots pulled free from the earth, first one side, then the other. Its bark seemed to ripple, slowly forming a large face with leaf-green eyes. The Trow twitched its knobby nose, then peered down at Finn.

  “Greetings, Dair,” it muttered in a voice that sounded like twigs snapping.

  She stepped forward. “Greetings, my name is Finn. I’ve met several of your kin. They helped me in the past.”

  The Trow glanced back and forth warily. “These are not safe times to be speaking with one of the Dair. The Faie Queen is on the hunt. She will not rest until she finds every one of you, especially you.”

  Finn tilted her head. He had to mean Oighear. “How do you know that?”

  The Trow rustled its branches in what seemed like a shrug. “The roots speak, my lady. The Trow will hide through these troubled times, and hope that we are not once again trapped in eternal slumber.”

  Loinnir stomped one of her front hooves against the ground, pawing up dirt. Finn turned to her, then gasped. Her glittering spiral horn had reappeared.

  “One of the Aonbheannach?” the Trow gasped, observing Loinnir. His green eyes wide, he turned back to Finn. “It must be true what the others are saying. They watch you. They say you are not just any Dair.”

  She glanced at Iseult, then shook her head. “No, I suppose I am not.”

  The Trow wiggled a few of its branches. “Evrial?” he called out. “Show yourself.”

  Something blue and glittering fluttered up from one of the Trows branches, then floated down, hovering near Finn’s face. She recognized the blue wings and gauzy clothing, though this was not one of the Pixies she’d met previously.

  Evrial’s small, feminine face scrunched up like she smelled something foul, then slowly, her jaw went slack. She tilted her head, observing Finn. “The Aonbheannach claims you are the Queen of the Dair.”

  Finn glanced at Iseult again, his expression suddenly wary.

  “The unicorn spoke to you?” he asked the Pixie.

  Evrial glared at him. “They have words for those willing to listen, human!” she screeched. She turned back to Finn. “Will you be going to war with the Faie Queen then? Will you put an end to the snow and ice? Freeze my wings off, it does.”

  Finn flicked her eyes to the Trow, waiting patiently. Perhaps this was some sort of test. “Yes,” she replied. “That is my intent.”

  Evrial placed one tiny hand on her chin, her wings fluttering incessantly to keep her aloft. “And will you deny the Faie your magic, just as the Dair did in the past? Will we be forced to slumber again?”

  She wasn’t sure what the Pixie was talking about, but decided perhaps it was best to pretend she knew what she was doing. “The Trow and Pixies have both proven themselves my friends. I would not see them trapped in slumber if I can prevent it.”

  Evrial glanced back at the Trow. Its branches bowed forward in what seemed to be a nod. She nodded in reply, then turned back to Finn. “In that case, we are prepared to swear fealty to your cause. The Snow Queen has sent Dark Faie across the land to herd us in, yet her army has no place for tiny Pixies or lumbering Trow. If the Oak Queen will grant us her magic, we will fight for her in return.”

  Oak Queen, she repeated in her mind, liking the sound of the title, as it separated her from her people.

  “Finn,” Iseult warned. “The Faie cannot be trusted.”

  Evrial hissed at him. “And the humans can?” She turned back to Finn. “Make your decision, Oak Queen.”

  Finn bit her lip. The Trow could see all throughout the forest, and so could the Pixies. They could find their missing companions, and serve as messengers. She couldn’t help but feel that she was already losing the war to come, and she needed an army to protect those she cared about. The Dearg Due had proven that.

  “I accept your terms,” she announced.

  Suddenly the forest around them erupted in a cacophony of rustling and snapping branches. Countless Pixies took to the sky, while most of the surrounding trees transformed into Trow.

  “We were attacked by the Dearg Due,” Finn called out to her newly acquired allies. “I bid you to seek these creatures out. Discover why they attacked my companions.”

  Several of the Pixies buzzed around her head, then darted off into the sky. The largest Trow nodded his upper branches toward her. “It shall be done, Oak Queen.”

  Iseult remained bravely at Finn’s side, though she could sense his discomfort. He may not like being around the Faie, but truth be told, she was likely more Faie than human. If he wanted to remain by her side, he would have to relinquish just a bit of his pride.

  Another day, another cave, Kai thought bitterly, but at least he no longer felt on the verge of death. The blood of the Dearg Due had started to heal the wound on his neck. He hoped that was all it would do.

  The creatures in question rested within the confines of the cave, blocking both the entrance, and the small caverns deeper within. Kai wondered what they did for shelter in regions where caves were less common, but perhaps they simply kept to known routes where they knew they’d have shielding from the sun.

  He glanced at the distant cave opening, illuminated by bright sunlight, then to the Dearg Due. While most rested, some were awake, softly conversing in their strange language. He would stand little chance of making it out into the sunlight before one caught him.

  He moved his gaze to find one of the Dearg Due watching him, recognizing her as the one who’d given him blood. Small consolation, however, as it was her bite that made him weak in the first place.

  “You should rest,” she hissed, “weak Dair.”

  “Finding it a bit difficult at the moment,” he muttered. “Why is it that we must remain sheltered all day?”

  The Dearg Due narrowed her reflective gaze at him. “The sun hurts the eyes, dulls the senses, but will not kill us, if that is your intent.”

  He sighed, then repositioned himself against the hard stone wall. “Oh, I’d never dream of shoving you into the sunlight,” he grumbled sarcastically.

  The Dearg Due smirked. “As if you could overpower me, weak Dair.”

  He turned his gaze away from her and pretended to go to sleep. She was right, he’d never overpower her, but perhaps he could outsmart her.

  He wasn’t sure how he’d do that now, but he had all blasted day to think about it.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “I can’t believe you actually did it,” Ouve mused, standing beside Ealasaid and looking out across the courtyard.

  She nodded, unable to quite believe it herself. So many magic users had come, many of who
m only recently realized they had magic to begin with. A large group was gathered in the courtyard, learning additional combat skills from the assassins. Those with weaker magic were glad for the lessons. They would be persecuted for their magic like the stronger mages, but would have no real way to protect themselves, and they needed protection.

  Many had come with word of An Fiach. The group was still active, to Ealasaid’s disdain, rounding up magic users and blaming them for the increasing Faie activity.

  They were all utter fools, as far as Ealasaid was concerned, and she could not wait to face them with her newly formed army. There were now more magic users in and around the estate than there had been at the battle up North. The soldiers of An Fiach truly did not understand what powerful enemies they had made. Alone, a mage was easily dispatched, but banded together, they would be near unstoppable.

  “That one is particularly strong,” Ouve commented, pointing to a young man in a blue tunic and tan breeches. His short black hair left his tan neck bare. His name was Sage, a simple farmer, just like she’d been.

  As she watched, the young man arced a practice sword toward Tavish, who deftly spun out of the way, not even bothering to block the clumsy blow.

  “Not powerful with a sword,” Ealasaid smirked.

  Ouve laughed. “No, but neither am I.” He turned his gaze back toward the black haired young man. “He wields fire magic,” he explained, “more powerful than any magic I’ve seen,” he flicked his gaze down to Ealasaid, “besides yours.”

  She stroked her chin in thought. “Should we make him, hmm, what should we call them . . . a general?”

  “General is as good a term as any,” Ouve replied, “though perhaps we should speak with him first, make sure he isn’t some power-hungry mage out to steal your army from you.”

  They both turned their gazes as Maarav entered the courtyard from the main estate.