Aodhan consulted the map he’d taken from his father. “I think we’re close. Why don’t we ask the wood faeries? In a place like this there’s bound to be wood faeries.”
“That’s a great idea. Do you wish to call them, or should I?” Elise stayed close to him. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. There was so much … space.
“I can call them, if you’d like.” Aodhan gave her a bashful smile.
“Please?”
Aodhan closed his eyes and sent out a silent call to the wood faeries.
Something hit her. “Ow.” Elise looked around as she rubbed her midsection. “Did you feel that?”
Aodhan nodded, frowning. “I … I think something happened to the magic?”
“The magic?” Her nose scrunched at the odd idea. “How can anyone feel magic?”
“I do … and apparently so you do. Not everyone does. But the magic is alive, so why wouldn’t we be able to feel it?” He shrugged as if it were a perfectly ordinary explanation.
“How can magic be alive?” That sounded so … strange.
His expression crumpled. “How can you say that?”
“I … I don’t understand.” That face he made hurt more than being hit by a rock.
Slowly, he nodded. “Maybe it’s because you lived in the mortal realm. Don’t worry,” Aodhan squeezed her hand. “I’ll tell you all about our world.”
“I’d like that.” Perhaps he could explain all the things no one would ever tell her about.
Little balls of light flitted around them—pink, blue, purple, yellow, green.
“We’re lost,” she told the fluttering faeries. “We’re looking for my home, the House of Oak. Are we nearby?”
The faeries said that they were.
“Good, could you take us there? Please? I’m hungry,” Aodhan replied.
“Are Noli and my brothers there?” she added. “Oh, they just left? We can wait for them.” She looked at Aodhan. “Is that all right?”
He nodded. “As long as there’s food.”
The faeries guided them to a little garden. Elise saw a beautiful tree, ideal for climbing. On the other side of the garden was a big picture window with a seat perfect for curling up with a book. There was also a glass door.
Elise walked up to the door and peered inside. It was a library, filled with books. On the low table sat a tray with tea, fruit, rolls, and empty bowls.
Aodhan opened the door. “Let’s go inside.”
“Should we?” No one was in the library and it felt …
wrong.
“It’s your home.” He walked right in.
“True.” She followed, ignoring the feeling that she was doing something naughty.
Making himself at home, he plopped down on the settee and eyed the food on the table. “The tea is cold. It looks like the remains of someone’s breakfast. Should we go find the cook and have her make us something?”
Elise had no idea where to find … anything. “I’ll warm the tea for you.” Taking the porcelain teapot in both hands, she focused on warming the tea inside until tiny puffs of steam escaped from the spout. She poured him a cup and handed it to him. “How’s that?”
Aodhan took a sip and made a face. “It needs sugar, but it’s hot enough. I appreciate you doing that. It’s a handy trick.”
“It is, isn’t it?” She handed him the sugar bowl then poured herself a cup.
They stuffed themselves with leftover food.
“Should we explore a little?” Aodhan patted his stomach contentedly. “Will you show me your room? Do you have one?”
Elise nodded slowly. If only she could remember. “I must. We should look for it.”
They walked down the hall, opening doors and peeking inside.
“That room’s messy.” Aodhan made a face as they looked in a room with weapons on the walls and clothes on the bed and floor. A dressing screen stood in the corner.
“I think this is James’ room.” Elise’s eyes fell on the girlish trinkets on the dresser and she frowned. James didn’t like girls much. “Perhaps it’s Steven’s room … though he’s rather tidy.”
They went to the next room, which was impeccable. A stack of books and some pens sat on the desk.
“This room is very clean,” Aodhan replied.
“This must be Steven’s room.” Then who did the girl’s things in James’ room belong to? Perhaps Noli was using his room and he slept elsewhere.
Aodhan opened another door and peered inside. “This room is quite girly. Do you think it was yours?”
Elise took in the butterflies painted on the walls, the ruffled curtains and bedclothes. She ran her fingers down the length of the dresser and opened the wardrobe, which held two sizes of dresses—too small and too large.
“This … this is my room.” She touched the butterflies. “James painted these for me. Noli must be staying here.” They looked like Noli’s dresses—and that was her valise.
“Why does your room have an extra bedroom?” Aodhan peeked through a door.
“For my nursemaid, of course.” If she scrunched her eyes tight she could almost see her, hear her voice.
“What should we do now? I’m bored.” Aodhan shoved his hands in his pockets.
“Should we explore?” Elise took his hand and they walked down the hallway and right into a large man.
“And who might you two be? What are you doing here?” He eyed them in a way that made her skin crawl.
“I’m Elise Darrow; it’s nice to meet you.” She bobbed a curtsey. “I’m looking for my brothers Steven and James. Have you seen them?”
He grabbed them roughly. “You two shouldn’t be here. Come with me.”
“Let go.” Aodhan yelled, thrashing against his grasp. “Elise lives here.”
“No little girls live here. Just big ones.” He tried to drag them down the hall.
Aodhan squirmed out of his grip, then grabbed Elise’s hand and pulled her out of the man’s clutches. The children tore down the hall, trying to get away from him.
“Get back here, you little intruders,” the man bellowed, chasing them.
They raced into the library, out the garden door, and across the grounds until their chests heaved and hearts raced.
Outside, Aodhan looked around, panting, no one in sight. “I think we lost him.”
Elise nodded as she tried to catch her breath. She could use a drink of water. “I agree. I’d still like to wait for my brothers, but I don’t think we should stay inside.”
“I agree. Let’s explore outside,” Aodhan said.
Hand in hand, they wandered through gardens filled with fragrant flowers and giant trees. They found themselves on a path lined by giant hedges as tall as they could see. Everywhere they turned were more hedges.
A dead end faced them. Aodhan frowned. “How do we get out of this place?”
Elise grinned. “I suppose we could walk through the hedge instead of doubling back.”
“How?” Aodhan eyed the thick wall of green shrubbery.
“We ask them nicely, of course, silly,” Elise teased. She put her hand on the wall of green. Will you let us through? She frowned at the hedge’s reply. What do you mean it would be cheating? What’s a hedge maze? Please let us through.
The hedge parted, making a hole large enough for her and Aodhan to climb through.
“How did you do that?” Aodhan asked.
“Magic. I can talk to trees. It’s how I made the passage between our rooms, remember?” she told him. Once again, they were on another hedge-lined path, though there were no dead ends in sight.
“You can also heat tea,” he added.
Her cheeks warmed. “Shhh, that’s a secret. No one’s supposed to know I can do things not earth magic.”
“Oh, I won’t tell. My father has fire ma
gic, so does Uncle Kevighn.”
“Do you?” She wasn’t exactly sure how it worked, though everyone in her family had earth magic.
He scuffed the dirt path with his boots. “I’m not supposed to talk about it either.”
“Oh. I won’t tell.” She crossed her heart.
Aodhan looked around, voice hushed. “I can do lots of things, including earth magic. I don’t think you’re supposed to be able to use more than one element.”
He was like her? Excitement bubbled inside her. “I know. My tutor never wants me to use my other types of magic, beyond earth magic, except when I’m learning to control them. We’re the same, then—we both can use lots of elements?”
What a great secret to share!
“I … I guess so.” Aodhan beamed and squeezed her hand.
“You don’t look like your father, with his dark hair and tanned skin. You have your uncle’s eyes. Was your mother pale?” It was so blond it was near-white, like Quinn’s. She missed her tutor. Perhaps he was here someplace, too.
He shook his head. “I think she looked like Uncle Kevighn. Another secret? My father’s not my real father. I don’t remember my parents. My mother was Uncle Kevighn’s sister.”
“Oh.” Elise squeezed his hand. “I don’t remember my mother much, either.”
They continued to wind their way through the maze until they came to a giant oak tree. Gnarled and crooked, filled with knotholes, the branches stretched far and wide, its roots a visible tangle at its base.
“What a grand tree,” Elise breathed. A faery tree if she ever saw one.
“Let’s play a game,” Aodhan suggested.
“What would you like to play?” Little balls of light climbed out of the knothole and watched them. She waved. One of them waved back.
Aodhan tapped her shoulder and took off running. “Tag.”
“I’m going to catch you, Aodhan,” she yelled as she chased him around the tree. Every time her fingers brushed his shirt, he escaped from her grasp. “You’re so fast.”
“Catch me if you can.” Aodhan’s foot caught on something and he tumbled. “OW!”
“Aodhan.” Elise took off running. She peered into the strange, long hole. Aodhan huddled at the bottom, cradling his right leg. “Are you all right?”
He looked up at her with wide, yellow eyes. “My leg hurts.”
Elise looked around; there were two strange, long holes in the ground. There was also a mound, about the same size and shape, next to them, covered in rocks. A wilted pink flower sat on the top of it.
“What are these?” She also noticed a tiny one near the tree.
“I don’t know. Can you get me out of this hole? My leg hurts so much.” Aodhan sniffed.
The hole in the ground was deep, and if his leg was hurt he probably couldn’t climb out. If she got him out, they still couldn’t walk back to the big house.
“I … I don’t know.” A little ball of green light sat on her shoulder. “Aodhan’s hurt,” she told him. “Can you please find Steven, James, or Noli and bring them here? We need help.” The little faery agreed and flew off.
Elise walked over to the hole and frowned. “Perhaps I can pull you out?” She lay on the ground, not caring if she dirtied her dress. Her arms stretched until their fingers brushed.
As hard as she tried, she just couldn’t do it.
“Can you stand at all?” she asked.
He shook his head, lower lip quivering, but he didn’t cry.
“All right then.” Elise carefully climbed into the hole and sat down next to him.
“What are you doing? Perhaps you should return to the house and find help.” He didn’t sound too keen on her leaving.
She shook her head, remembering the large man. “No, I’m not leaving you alone. Besides, one of my brothers will be here soon.”
Aodhan nodded, resting his head on her shoulder. “I hope so.”
Elise stroked his hair. That’s what Steven did when Noli was upset. “Don’t worry. They’ll find us.”
Fourteen
Aftermath
Noli felt sick to her stomach as she took in the imposing room. “I thought we were meeting Tiana in your father’s study,” she whispered, afraid to speak loudly in such a place.
“This is Father’s study.” V squeezed her hand, his father’s crown resting on his tousled locks. “It’s not actually meant for studying. That’s what his private library is for. This room is meant for one thing.”
“Intimidation?” She gazed at the vaulted ceilings, the rich furnishings, the fact that there were only two chairs—one very nice chair on one side of the table and one not-so-comfortable one on the other.
“Exactly. You sit here.” Steven took her to the large, green chair and pulled it out for her.
“Me? Where will you sit? Should we call for another chair?” Noli took the offered seat.
He shook his head. “You’re the queen. You took the kingdom. I’ll stand right here next to you. I won’t leave your side unless you ask. I promise.”
“Good. I … I’m nervous.” Having him by her side would be a small comfort. She was so unsure about everything. About meeting Tiana, about meeting her subjects.
Subjects. She had subjects. Just the thought boggled her mind.
“Take that, Missy,” she muttered. Missy Sassafras would never have subjects. “Tiana will sit there?” She eyed the small chair on the other side of the ornate wooden table, not looking forward to facing the high queen. At least V was with her. She always felt, with him, as if she could accomplish nearly everything—though this was much more daunting than mastering Latin or fixing a flying car.
“Yes. We won’t offer refreshments. This isn’t a social call. This is where we draw the lines. Remember what we discussed.” He squeezed her hand.
With her free hand she rubbed her temples. “All this intrigue makes my head hurt. I didn’t understand half that meeting. I’m just glad we have allies. We can trust them?”
“I trust Elric. I’ve known him all my life.” V’s smile put her at ease.
“I got that idea when he saw you, hugged you, and told you it was about time you took back the kingdom,” Noli replied.
“Him, Bran, Padraig—we’re going to need them. I’m so glad they remained loyal to my father. They were some of his most trusted advisors. They’ll help us weed out those who might cause us trouble.” He rubbed his chin. “We should give James a job. Something important, but not so important he won’t want it because he thinks it will be too difficult.”
“I’ll think about that. V?” She looked up at him. “There’s something that’s been bothering me. How did Brogan take the kingdom without killing your father? Was it because of his exile?”
“Brogan had succession right, because of my age. When you have succession right, it is possible to take the kingdom without killing someone. For example, my father could have voluntarily passed the crown to Brogan, had he wished to follow Tiana. However, I knew I’d have to take it from Uncle Brogan because he’d never give it to me willingly. Father was exiled by Tiana first, so Uncle Brogan could take it by succession right without killing him.”
She blinked, trying to process everything. “Otherworld politics are complicated.”
He grimaced. “You have no idea.”
“I’m glad I have you.” Otherwise she’d be completely and totally lost. She still felt bad about Dinessa. Perhaps that was one reason why V hadn’t been too eager to kill Brogan.
V leaned over and gave her a kiss. “I’m glad I have you.”
Footsteps echoed down the hall. They straightened, letting go of each other’s hands.
The herald came to the door, dressed in green and gold livery. He cleared his throat. “Your Grace? Her Royal Majesty, High Queen Tiana, is here to see you.”
Noli took a deep
breath in an attempt to quell her nerves. “Please, show her in.”
Tiana strode in, wearing a pink and purple gown as diaphanous as the one Noli had worn to the museum ball. More. Only the entire dress was covered in beads, the under-bust corset pink. Pink and purple roses opened and closed as they festooned her blond hair. As usual, the centerpiece of her coif was her crown of clock hands with the five-circled crest of the high court in the center.
“Your Majesty.” Noli stood. “Please have a seat.” She gestured to the uncomfortable chair, trying to channel her mother, who excelled at being gracious to people she didn’t like.
Tiana looked around the room and sniffed in distaste. “I never did like this room. Let’s meet in the green parlor instead.” She glanced at the empty table. “There’s not even tea. Why are you playing dress up? I thought I said that you could no longer be together.”
Steven nodded as if indicating for Noli to reply.
“This is a business meeting, not a social call, Your Majesty.” Noli tried not to grit her teeth as she gestured to the empty chair. “Please, have a seat.”
“Fine, I’ll indulge your little charade.” She sat. “Stiofán, you’re in so much trouble. Taking the kingdom without permission.” Tiana clucked her tongue. “What will your father say?”
Noli took her seat, anger at Tiana’s words rippling through her. “He’s dead. Brogan killed him. That’s why I killed Brogan. That’s right, I killed him, not V. Me. I killed Brogan and took the kingdom as an act of my love and devotion to V.”
All the blood drained out of Tiana’s face. That wasn’t how they were supposed to do things. Oh well. By her expression it was clear that the queen hadn’t known of Mr. Darrow’s demise, which offered some relief. But only some.
“Lies.” The queen’s face contorted. “All lies.”
“No. They’re not.” V stood beside Noli, shoulders squared. “Uncle Brogan sent earth court guards to kill my father. Believe what you will—it doesn’t actually matter to me.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Is that any way to speak to your mother?”
Fragile Destiny (The Aether Chronicles) Page 16