Elf-Shot Book 6 in The Twilight Court Series

by Amy Sumida

Ryvel's eyes went wide, and he looked to the elven host for help, “You're just going to stand there?”

  “We must each face the weight of what we've done,” Dagur said. His face was healing and his words rang out clear. “The elves followed Danu, not Moire, and we have fulfilled the enterprise asked of us. We now stand with Twilight and Unseelie.”

  “What?!” I swung my head around to face Dagur. “You have got to be fucking kidding me!”

  And I wasn't the only one shocked. Every non-elf there stared at the elves with their mouths agape. Cat was surprisingly calm.

  “What the fuck?” Ryvel screeched. “You fought beside me! We're on the same side!”

  “Only because Danu wished it,” Dagur said. “She needed this result, and we have provided it for her.” Dagur turned to me and bowed, “Forgive me, Princess Seren, but Danu said this was the only way, and I always believe in our goddess. King Raza,” he faced Raza, “I meant you no harm or disloyalty. We elves simply want to live together as a clan. Dark and Light. Danu has promised that we shall have this.”

  “And you shall,” Keir declared abruptly. “In Twilight. The elves are welcome to make their home in neutral territory. Together.”

  The elves cheered, a surprised sound with ragged undertones to it. Dagur smiled briefly, then hung his head and wept tears of joy. The other elves closed in around him, rejoicing together.

  “Thank you, Your Majesty,” Dagur said brokenly, then he turned and hugged a man beside him. “She has been true. It was worth it, Brother.”

  Keir nodded with satisfaction, then continued on to Ryvel. The hunter realized he was alone, facing a fairy king, and made an about face. Ryvel ran into the castle like the Sluagh was chasing him. My father growled and started to give chase.

  “Your Majesty,” Tiernan called, “we shall attend you.”

  “Let's finish this shit,” Killian snarled and rushed after my father.

  I looked to Raza and he looked to me. We began to smile. Cat growled, her hackles rising. Together, we followed the men into the night-shrouded Seelie Castle. It was indeed time to finish this shit.

  Chapter Forty-Seven

  The halls of Castle Seelie were as pristine as ever. The fight must have been confined to the courtyard and the entrance hall, and it must have been brief. There were a few more seelie bodies near the obliterated main doors, Commander Anson's included, but that was it.

  Ryvel's fleeing form led us through the maze of corridors, lined with walls of living plants. The scent of orange blossoms was a strange accompaniment for our chase, and the foliage muffled the clang of armor. Still, my father's sword glinted grimly in the golden gleam of fairy lights, promising a violent end in this beautiful place.

  We finally emerged into the throne room. I'd been there once before, for a ball. It was the same beautiful space of gleaming, marble floors veined with gold, and citrine columns rising up to an arched ceiling, dominated by a golden sun. The night sky could be seen through the crystal, sun-crested dome, filtering moonlight into a room that was too brightly lit to appreciate it. How unfortunate. Moonlight would have been more appropriate for the scene.

  Queen Isabel, my grandmother, was lying dead in the middle of the floor, right beneath that citrine sun, in the arms of her weeping husband. Their son, my Uncle Shane, was nowhere to be seen. It was a heart-wrenching sight which I was suddenly grateful my father couldn't see. Keir had cast a psychic death on his mother awhile back. It didn't kill her, but it destroyed his connection to her, making her invisible to him, and protecting him from her enchantments. So all Keir saw was King Marcan holding empty space. Still, it was enough for Dad to understand what had happened.

  Keir went forward, looking as if he were going to comfort his step-father. But halfway to King Marcan, he switched direction abruptly and swung his sword. Ryvel's head went flying. It bounced across the white marble floor, leaving blood smears in its wake, and rolled to a stop before the cowering Seelie Court.

  Moire started to laugh.

  She was seated on the Seelie throne, the golden crown already upon her pale brow. Bress stood behind his mother, clad in chains, and a man unfamiliar to me sat in the king's throne beside Moire. My father went towards them, stopping briefly beside Marcan to whisper in his ear and squeeze Marcan's shoulder gently. Marcan looked up at Keir as if he'd only just seen him, then nodded, gathered his wife in his arms, and hurried into the group of seelie fey on the right side of the room. The rest of the room was filled with elves. Moire had no other warriors on her side, a fact which made me smile. She didn't know how fucked she was... yet.

  Raza took my hand, and we followed my father to the end of the room. Cat padded along beside me. Killian, Tiernan, and Kader formed an honor guard behind us, though I saw Tiernan scanning the seelie distractedly. Most likely for his father. Raza and I settled into place beside Keir and faced my evil, insane aunt. It was a bit disturbing just how many of my relatives were evil and insane.

  “Get your filthy ass off that throne, Moire,” my father said calmly. “And release my nephew at once.”

  Moire screeched. I chortled. Raza bared his teeth. Cat growled.

  “I am Queen of the Seelie now, Brother,” Moire spat.

  “Impossible,” I huffed.

  “Seren,” Raza shook his head.

  “What?” I scowled at him. “She's unseelie. It's impossible for her to claim the seelie throne.”

  “Unless I happened to be married to a seelie,” Moire smirked. “Then I have the right to challenge the Seelie Queen to a duel. Which I did... and won. May I introduce you to my husband? This is King Conn.”

  “King Kong is your husband?” I asked.

  Killian burst into laughter. Tiernan shook his head and groaned. Raza, Kader, and Keir just stared at me in confusion.

  “Conn,” Moire glared at me. “His name is Conn Dealan, father to my son.”

  I gaped at her. Then I gaped at Conn. He was a nice enough looking man, with ultramarine hair, gray eyes, and pale skin. He didn't look crazy enough to marry Moire... after she had raped him. But then, Moire had a way with twisting people, screwing with their heads until they became loyal to her. It was her super villain power.

  “Lord Conn, what have you done?” Keir whispered.

  “It's King Conn now,” Moire growled.

  I couldn't help it, it sounded too close. I snickered.

  “What is so damn funny?” Moire screeched.

  “King Kong is a giant ape,” Killian swaggered forward to explain. “A monster from a human movie. The name is really similar.”

  “My name is Conn,” the King finally spoke.

  “Another traitor,” Raza growled. “You have a talent for attracting them, Moire.”

  “It's Queen Moire!” Moire screeched as she stood. “And I have had enough of this insolence. Take them!”

  Nothing happened. In fact, the elves repositioned themselves behind us.

  “What are you doing?” Moire shouted. “I command you to kill these fairies. We are still at war.”

  “No, we're not,” Raza said, “but that is moot. Your troops have abandoned you. The elves are now twilight fey.”

  “What?” Moire looked to the elven host, and they stared back at her steadily. “Then I command my new seelie knights to seize these intruders!”

  The knights, who were currently being restrained by the elves, looked to Moire as if she'd lost her damn mind.

  “You have no supporters, Moire,” my father pointed out. “You are a queen without a court. Step down before things get truly horrible for you.”

  “No,” Moire said smugly. “You said we are not at war, which means that this crown protects me, court or no. So... what is it the humans say? Oh yes, go fuck yourself, Keir.”

  “Marry me,” Tiernan said to me.

  I turned to him in shock, “Tiernan, what the hell? This so isn't the time.”

  “Yes, it is. You can challenge Moire for the throne if you marry me,” Tiernan's jaw was clenched, his ey
es flashing silver.

  “He's right,” Raza ground the words out.

  “You want me to marry Tiernan now?” I was horrified. “Just to kill Moire?”

  “Oh, it seems we have some drama,” Moire smirked.

  “Shut the fuck up, Mother,” Bress growled, surprising us all.

  Moire stood, repositioned the golden seelie crown on her head, and then slapped her son across his face. Bress shook it off and bared his teeth at her.

  “You will come around, Bress,” Moire said calmly. “You will love me once more.”

  “You replaced my love with insanity a long time ago,” Bress said. “But now my mind is clear. You will not hold me as you do my father.”

  “You!” I said suddenly to Conn. “I know you, your aura. You were the one we chased in San Francisco.”

  “He abducted me,” Bress nodded. “My own father lured me away so that my mother's men could grab me. My parents have both betrayed me.”

  “Oh do stop being so melodramatic,” Moire rolled her eyes.

  “You have other family, Cousin,” I called to Bress. “You are loved and wanted in Twilight. We will never betray you.”

  Bress smiled softly, “Thank you, Cousin.”

  “I can perform the ceremony if you wish it,” Keir said to me and Tiernan, bringing us back to my floundering reality.

  “What? No!” I huffed. “I'm marrying Raza.”

  “There is no law preventing you from marrying them both,” Keir started to smile, and then chuckle. “Ah, now I see, Danu. Now I understand.”

  “Understand what?” I gaped at him.

  “Three kings, one queen,” Keir said reverently. “Fairy united.”

  “Dad, what the hell are you talking about?”

  “I've been so blind,” Raza whispered. “Danu, forgive me. I should have listened to her sooner.”

  “Three kings,” Tiernan blinked, then transferred his stare to Killian.

  “Do you know what they're talking about, Twilight?” Killian asked me. “Cause I'm fucking lost, and I may be freaking out just a little bit.”

  “Danu is not with you!” Moire screamed. “She stands with me! She spoke to me! She commanded the elves to side with me! Danu gave me Ryvel. A man strong enough to murder his own hunter team so we could pass into Seelie. Danu is with me!”

  The whole room stared at Moire in horror. The weight of the evil she had done to take the seelie throne hung heavy in the room, like a cloud of poisonous gas.

  “I believe that Danu intends for you to marry all three of these men,” Keir laid a palm to my cheek. “Raza is King of Unseelie, Tiernan will rule Seelie, and you may eventually claim Twilight... with your twilight husband beside you.”

  “Twilight husband?” Killian's jaw dropped. “I could marry her?”

  “And be made Prince,” Keir nodded. “Though Seren would remain my heir. If I should ever die, the two of you would take the throne. But even without my death, by marrying the Kings of Seelie and Unseelie, Seren will unite our world.”

  “Holy hags,” I whispered. “Wait, this is a little faster than I'd anticipated.”

  “We will still be married,” Raza took me by the upper arms. “You shall just marry Tiernan first.”

  “And that doesn't upset you?”

  “I believe that our relationship will be better with your other lovers in separate kingdoms,” Raza smirked. “When you are in Unseelie, you will be mine entirely. That pleases me greatly.”

  “Easier than having to deal with a consort underfoot?” I asked.

  “Or under-” Killian started, but cut it short when Raza glared at him. “Sorry. Go on, Dragon King.”

  “Is no one listening?” Moire was still throwing her temper tantrum. “You cannot do this! I am Queen! I will rule Seelie, and Bress shall have Twilight! We will make war against you fools until it is so. I don't care if I have to kill every twilight fairy there is-”

  “I'll do it,” I cut her off. I'd be damned if I let that bitch threaten my people. “Go ahead, Dad. Perform the ceremony.”

  “Really?” Tiernan asked. “Do you truly want to marry me?”

  “Now you're asking if it's what I want?” I huffed. “Isn't it a little late for that?”

  “I love you, Seren,” Tiernan said seriously. “I want to spend eternity with you. But I won't force you into a commitment. If this isn't what you want, we'll find another way.”

  “Tiernan,” I sighed and took his hand. “I love you too. Let's get married.”

  “You're certain?”

  “I'm certain.”

  “Your Majesty,” Tiernan looked to my father, “we're ready.”

  “It is my honor to-”

  “You shall not!” Moire's hands started to glow with magic.

  “No, my love!” Conn grabbed at her. “We are no longer at war, remember? You will call the Sluagh down upon you!”

  Moire paled even more than her already milky tone. She curdled. The fight seemed to fade from her, and she fell back into her throne. She'd been outmaneuvered by the best manipulator there was; Danu herself.

  “Oh, damn it all,” Keir swore. “We'll have a proper ceremony later. Tiernan, do you swear to be true to my daughter? To love her and protect her?”

  “I so swear,” Tiernan said immediately.

  “Seren, do you swear to be true to Tiernan?” Keir asked me. “To love him and protect him?”

  “I...” I looked from Tiernan to Raza, to Killian, and back. “I so swear.”

  “Then Tiernan, do you take Seren Firethorn to be your wife?”

  “With all my heart,” Tiernan said.

  “And Seren, do you take Tiernan Shadowcall to be your husband?”

  “I do,” I said simply.

  The entire room cheered.

  “Silence!” Moire shouted. “Congratulations, Niece. You have wedded a seelie, and given yourself the right to challenge me. So go ahead, make the challenge. Put your head into my noose. I relish the opportunity to kill you.”

  “Oh, this is a long time coming, Aunt,” I smiled viciously. “I challenge you, Moire Thorn, for the right to rule Seelie.”

  “So be it,” Moire stepped down the dais daintily.

  Everyone backed away, including my new husband. Everyone except Killian that is. He took up a stance beside me, pulled his balaclava up over the lower part of his face, and crossed his arms. I chuckled and he gave me a wink.

  “Killian,” Raza hissed. “You cannot help her.”

  “The fuck I can't,” Killian remained beside me.

  “You help her, and her claim is null,” Tiernan added. “Get over here before you make this all pointless.”

  “Fuck,” Killian hissed. Scales shifted over his skin, and a horrible grating sound filled the air.

  “Killian, I'll be okay,” I turned to him, pulled down his skull mask, and kissed him.

  The scales settled back into his skin.

  Killian pulled me in tight to his chest, “I love you, Twilight. You die, I die, remember? So don't die, okay?”

  “Okay,” I agreed, and Killian stepped back with the others.

  I set my stare on Moire and settled into a fighting stance. No, I wouldn't be the one dying. Not today.

  Chapter Forty-Eight

  Moire barely waited for Killian to get clear before she blasted me with her magic. Slick, ebony thorns shot through my skin, from the inside out, over my entire body. I screamed in agony, dropping to my knees. Thorns broke off wherever I hit, amping up the pain. Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Raza and Tiernan restraining Killian, who was beginning to shift into his snake form. Raza was trying to talk him down. Keir, who stood calmly beside this chaos, nodded to me, giving me a confident look. It occurred to me that I'd seen Keir fight Uisdean before, and Moire's mór magic was nearly identical to Uisdean's. I knew exactly what to do to counter it.

  I surged to my feet, brushing off the thorns with a wave of air magic. Another blast stopped the bleeding. The elves shouted their encourageme
nt. Moire hissed at them, and I used her distraction to throw my own mór magic at her. Thorny vines wrapped around Moire and then burst into flame. She screamed, dropping, and then rolling on the slowly blackening floor as the vines constricted around her like an anaconda. The smell of burning meat and hair wafted over to me. As Moire writhed, I pulled my iron sword.

  This was going to be over faster than I'd expected.

  But then a blast of frigid air burst out from Moire, encasing the thorns in ice. The vines continued to burn, steaming through the frigid attack, but Moire had weakened them enough to shatter them and break free. She stood, skin charred and hair burned away. Her clothes were in tatters and hung from her like they'd rotted off her corpse. She looked like a Walking Dead reject.

  I lifted my hand to attack Moire again, but she launched herself at me, forgoing magic for brute strength. If you had previously told me that Moire had any brute strength whatsoever, I would have laughed in your face. She was thin to the point of emaciation and looked so fragile that walking too aggressively might break her bones. But Moire was fey, and looks could be deceiving.

  She was damn strong and tenacious to boot. Her fingernails dug into my throat as she tried to strangle me. I dropped my sword as I was forced to defend myself using more barbaric techniques. In other words, I headbutted her. Moire reeled back, but her hands stayed tight around my throat, like a falling man clutching to the ledge of a building. I was gasping for air, little spots appearing before my vision as blood poured down my neck. I clawed at her, punched her, but nothing swayed that vicious bitch. Finally, I rolled, setting myself above her. I glared down into her cruel eyes and smiled. There was more than one way to skin a fairy.

  I released my grip on one of her hands, and Moire grinned, thinking I was losing strength. I eased back a little, to add to this deception, while I called to my magic subtly. I felt it gathering in my fingers, and when it was ready, I lifted my free hand and flung lavender dust into her eyes. My mór magic was strong and unique, but there were other magics I had available to me. Magics I had inherited from my father, which only we could cast. Like star-crossing. I was one of two fairies alive who could fairy-strike another fairy. It may not be as showy as burning vines, but it was effective.