Fragile Destiny (The Aether Chronicles)

by Suzanne Lazear

  “Who and what are you talking about? None of this makes sense.” What did it have to do with all these young girls? Kevighn’s neck practically snapped as a redhead walked by.

  “Stop looking at them. They’re not for you.” Ciarán moved in front of him, blocking his view. “I was speaking of Magnolia. I had no idea she was that clever.”

  “What about Magnolia?” He craned his neck. So many lovelies.

  “Remember when you felt something amiss with the magic?”

  Kevighn rubbed his gut in remembrance. “What of it?”

  “Today Magnolia took the earth court. I knew she kept company with earth court princes who sought the throne, but never would I have seen this coming.” His hooded face filled with awe. “I know taking one of the elemental courts is different from when you helped me take the dark court, but still. She’s a girl. A young girl. I know enough about elemental court politics to know she at least had to kill Brogan with a sword. Brogan’s an excellent swordsman.”

  “Well, that prat was in charge of the king’s guard before he took the throne,” Kevighn replied. Stupid earth court princes and their stupid swords. “Wait. Did you just say Magnolia took the throne? Not that whelp of an earth court prince, but Magnolia?” His little blossom had taken the court? “But that means … ”

  “It means she’s officially out of your league.” The dark king’s look dared.

  “What if I act as intelligence? I could spy on the court for you … ” Could he bring himself to spy on her?

  Ciarán gestured to the waiting girls. “I have people in court, but I want to get someone close to her. Hence, trying to find someone who could pass as a lady’s maid.”

  “Don’t bother; she has no patience for silly girls.” Kevighn shook his head, mind reeling. “She’s queen? In her own right?”

  She was smart, clever, strong, oh, she was strong. But to take a kingdom?

  “Yes. She’s holding court with her subjects right now. The coronation’s in two days.”

  Kevighn blinked. “I never did understand the custom of throwing a party after you take a kingdom. It seems like part taunting, part allowing your enemies to observe you closely.” He couldn’t stop his mind from racing. Magnolia was queen. It would be difficult but maybe …

  “Kevighn, it’s over.” Ciarán put his hands on Kevighn’s shoulders. “She’s marrying that prince. She never was for the likes of you anyway. You know this. You’ve always known this.”

  He took a step backward, something in him crumbling. There was truth to his old friend’s words. Part of it was the hunt, infatuation. Still, he didn’t like to lose.

  “He’s going to end up killing her just like Quinn killed Creideamh,” Kevighn protested.

  “She’s not Creideamh.” Ciarán shook him so hard his head rattled. “What do I have to do to convince you? Stop living in the past. Embrace what you have.” He sighed. “I don’t have time for this. Do you think Magnolia will hurt Aodhan?”

  That question caused him to pause. “No. I don’t think she’ll hurt anyone.”

  Ciarán shrugged. “She killed Brogan.”

  “He deserved it.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “If she’s queen, hurting Aodhan will start a war. That’s probably not how she wishes to begin her reign. Couldn’t you send a missive monarch to monarch and work something out?”

  “She’s not going to give me Aodhan. Even if she will, I’m sure the prince or someone else won’t allow it. Aodhan’s too valuable.” Ciarán shook his head. “She has the jewel, she’s the queen, she has Elise, what could I give her? I’m not ready or willing to give her the pieces of the staff I’ve acquired.”

  Kevighn thought about what he knew of Noli. “The queen did turn her into a sprite … ”

  He waved his hand. “My reports show she’s a sprite no longer. Something happened—something big, though what I’m not sure. Also, would the Bright Lady truly permit a sprite to be queen?”

  “True.” How had she managed that? “Ah! Magnolia’s father got lost in the Otherworld. If you could find him or anything regarding him … ”

  “He’s probably dead. We should just steal Aodhan back in two days. But we’ll send someone on it anyway, who knows when the information might prove useful.”

  “It would make her happy.” Kevighn knew she wanted him back …

  Ciarán smacked him. “Snap out of it.”

  “Ow.” He stepped closer to Ciarán. “Why do you care so much?”

  “Why do you think?”

  Kevighn’s heart caught in his throat; this was all too much. He turned, every part of his body screaming for him to flee.

  A hand grabbed his wrist, but it wasn’t rough. “Don’t run. By the Bright Lady, don’t run again.” Ciarán’s voice went raw, and so many things Kevighn wasn’t ready to see lurked in his amber eyes.

  Ciarán sighed, still holding onto his wrist. “Look, why don’t you help me choose a girl to send to her, then we’ll have a few drinks and figure out how to get Aodhan back.”

  Kevighn closed his eyes and opened them again. That look remained on Ciarán’s face. He still wasn’t quite ready to deal with these old feelings. They weren’t unwelcome, but acknowledging them meant putting this life aside. For good.

  Instead, he nodded. “Yes. Let’s go look at pretty girls and then get very, very drunk.”

  Sixteen

  Elise’s Return

  Steven put his arm around Noli as they walked up the stairs in the private wing of the earth court palace, their audience with the nobles finished.

  Noli rubbed her temples. “That didn’t go too badly. Did it?”

  “It was fine. We have to expect a little chaos, all things considered.” Like Noli not being from a great house. Like only his presence keeping some of the lords from taking her down right there. Like not looking as if he were taking over while simultaneously not revealing Noli’s ignorance of their ways, which proved to be beyond difficult. He had a newfound appreciation for statesmanship.

  If only his father were there to talk to. As Machiavelli would say, “The more sand has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should see through it.”

  His father would have been livid that Noli had managed to take the kingdom, but perhaps the act would have shown him that she was worthy of his respect.

  Two guards stood in front of a double set of doors. One opened the door when they approached.

  Steven led her inside, giving her a kiss. “Welcome home, Your Grace.”

  “Where are we?” Noli looked around the large front parlor.

  “The royal suite. This will be our home when we’re at the palace. For now we’re going to be spending a lot of time here. There’s a lot to do.” The doors closed silently behind them.

  Noli sunk down into a settee. “What did I do, V?” Her voice choked a little as she put her head in her hands, elbows on her knees. “The nobles hate me. I think that big guy is going to murder me in my sleep.”

  “Lord Adair always secretly wanted the throne. It’s going to be difficult. But we can do this together.” Steven sat, putting an arm around her shoulders, trying to comfort her. He didn’t like to see her upset, but at the same time, this was something they’d have to deal with—and succeed at. No matter what.

  “You can have it. I … I don’t know if I can do this.” She closed her eyes.

  He bundled her into his arms. “Noli, I want nothing more than to do all this for you. These are my people; I know them. I understand statecraft. I can do a lot, but I can’t do everything for you.”

  “Why?” Her face was buried in his chest.

  “Because this is your kingdom now. If you relinquish it to me, it makes you look weak, which makes you a target. However, at the same time, using my knowledge and expertise makes you look wise. We’ll have to balance everything carefully
.”

  Already, he’d been approached by three houses besides his own who’d sought assurance that he was the real power behind the throne. Part of him wanted to say yes. He wanted to be the true king, and he knew that Noli would allow it.

  But he also knew that wouldn’t be right.

  In the end, he’d assured the nobles that everything would be fine. This was going to be difficult. However, failing wasn’t an option.

  She sat up. “Can we eat supper now? I’ve barely eaten all day.”

  “I can get you something. What do you want, cake?” Miri, the sprite, emerged from another part of the suite.

  Noli jumped, surprise crossing her face. “What are you doing here?”

  “I’m your handmaiden; I was getting everything set up for you.” She smiled. “I’ll get you some food.”

  “Miri, find a maid and they’ll get the food,” he said gently. Two of them to teach. “Why don’t you have someone send up supper and see if James has returned?”

  She nodded and left.

  “Handmaiden? I now have three sprites as handmaidens?” Noli’s eyebrows rose.

  “We’ll give them plenty to do,” he assured her, sensing her panic. “After supper we need to meet with Bran, Elric, and Padraig.”

  “I don’t want to meet with anyone. I’m hungry, tired, and I want a bath. Oh, all my things are still at the big house. I don’t suppose you sent James to get them? And the piece of the artifact, that should be here with the others. Are you certain the things are safe?” She pulled her knees to her chest and rested her head on them, her back leaning against him.

  “Yes, James retrieved it, and yes, they’re safe. I don’t think he got any of our personal things. Not yet. We’re still in survival mode.” His arm wrapped around her. “We’ve met with the houses, but we have the audience tomorrow for the general subjects, not to mention you need to be prepared to meet with the different court leaders, we have to go over the coronation procedures, and you must be briefed on what’s happening in the earth court and the Otherworld. Tomorrow, in addition to the public audience with your general subjects, you’re meeting with the seneschal to go over protocol—”

  “So many meetings.” Unhappiness dripped from her voice.

  “Yes. There are a lot of meetings. We’ll meet regularly with Bran, Elric, and Padraig—daily in the beginning, perhaps even more. We’ll often meet with the houses, as a group and individually. There will be regular audiences to hear grievances from your subjects. Sometimes you’ll meet with other leaders, other groups, we’ll also throw parties. There’s a bit of a season here, too. Though we have a little time before that starts.”

  “There is?” Her head popped up and she made a face. “I suppose people have to get married somehow.”

  “At least we don’t have to go through it.” He planted a kiss on her temple. “It will be fine.” How would they manage? It had been less than a day and already she was falling apart. There was no time for weakness.

  “Yes, we will, and soon we’ll go to university. I suppose we’ll return every other weekend to take care of things?” She brightened.

  “Noli … ”

  Her face fell at his words. “What?”

  “Never mind.” He didn’t have the heart to tell her that she’d dashed their dreams of going to a mortal university. She’d bound herself to the land. Never again would she return to the mortal realm for more than a visit. Noli belonged to the Otherworld now.

  The door flew open and James walked in—and he wasn’t alone.

  Happiness overwhelmed him.

  “Steven.” Dirt smudged Elise’s face and dress as she flung herself at him.

  Standing, he picked her up and swung her around. “Elise, you’re safe.”

  “Why did you leave me?” Elise looked at Noli with hurt-filled eyes.

  Noli stood and hugged her. “They wouldn’t let me take you, but never mind, you’re here now.”

  Steven looked at James. This was beyond unexpected, but welcome. “How?”

  “They were at the big house. But this one’s hurt.” James set the blond boy on his back in one of the chairs. “This is Aodhan.”

  “He’s my friend,” Elise explained.

  “I’m fine.” Aodhan gazed at them with wide yellow eyes.

  “Except for the fact you can’t walk.” James shook his head. “Steven, will you help me? Oh, I guess you’re just Stio, now?”

  Noli shook her head. “I’m not calling you Stiofán.”

  “Why?” Not that Steven minded, but James had a point. It was time to put their mortal names aside, at least while in this realm.

  “Someone has to keep you honest.” She grinned.

  “Stiofán.” Elise frowned at him. “You only get called that when you’re bad.”

  Ah, yes, this would be difficult.

  “It’s my real name. Just like James is Séamus and you are Ailís.”

  Her eyebrows rose as if she didn’t quite believe him. “What’s Noli’s real name?”

  “Magnolia.” Another thing against her in the eyes of the royals. It was such an obviously mortal name.

  Elise rolled her eyes in a way that reminded him of James. “I know. Her other real name.”

  “That’s all the name she has.” Maybe they should give her one so she’d fit in better.

  Steven turned to Aodhan. “Let’s take a look, shall we?”

  Who was he and where did she find him?

  He watched as James scanned the boy’s leg. As much as James said he wasn’t, he truly was better at this. His time with Charlotte had made him very good at things like scans, minor healing, and taking away pain.

  “I think it’s just a bad sprain,” James told him. “Second opinion?”

  “Show me how.” Noli crouched down next to him.

  Noli’s lack of magical knowledge was something else he’d have to work on.

  “Not now.” Steven brushed it off. The less people knew about her ignorance, the better. How quickly could he turn her into the ideal queen? If she were perfect then people would realize that they should be as honored to have her as a queen as he was to have her for his wife.

  “Oh.” Her face fell.

  “What are you doing?” Elise peered at them, forehead furrowing.

  “Why don’t the two of you go do something,” Steven replied, anxious for Elise to be off. “But don’t go far, Noli, we still have to meet with everyone.”

  “Fine.” Noli took Elise’s hand and marched out of the room without a backward glance.

  “Are you hungry?” Noli led Elise into the next room. It reminded her a little of the queen’s tearoom at the high palace. Oh yes—this would have been Tiana’s sitting room, back when high queen was merely the queen of the earth court.

  Did she get to redecorate?

  Elise nodded. “Yes, and thirsty. So is Aodhan.” She looked around the room. “I don’t remember this place.”

  “Ask your brothers about it.” Noli didn’t know what else to say. She plopped down at the small, round table. “When Miri returns we’ll have her bring supper for everyone. Maybe we can find you a new dress.”

  Elise also sat down at the table. “All my things are at the restaurant. The one Aodhan’s father runs.”

  “Aodhan’s father?” Noli recalled their encounter at the Thirsty Pooka.

  She nodded. “Your friend Kevighn is his uncle.”

  “Kevighn is his uncle, but his father runs a restaurant … ” Noli was trying to make sense off all this. Yes, that was why he looked familiar. This was Ciarán’s son, the one who’d saved her with his bow that night at the Thirsty Pooka.

  “That’s not his real father. Aodhan’s parents are gone,” she added.

  Noli sucked in a breath. Aodhan had Quinn’s coloring and Kevighn’s eyes … was he perhaps Creideamh�
�s child, who for some reason had been hidden away in the dark court?

  The idea boggled the mind. But most importantly, she had possession of a boy who Ciarán called “son” and Kevighn called “nephew.” How many pieces of the staff did the dark king have? Surely the boy would be worth all of them. This had possibilities.

  Elise looked around the sitting room. “Where do I sleep here?”

  Noli’s head, heavy with fatigue, rested in her hand, elbow on the table. “I’m not even sure where I sleep. We’ll ask Miri. Are you all right? Did anyone hurt you?”

  “Of course not. Aodhan’s father is quite nice, and Uncle Kevighn is teaching me to use a bow and arrow.” Elise’s chest puffed with pride.

  Uncle Kevighn? Oh, V would love that.

  “I think I’d like to learn to shoot a bow,” Noli told her.

  The door opened and part of her deflated when Miri walked in, not V.

  “Supper’s on the way.” Miri looked at Elise. “Hello, I’m Miri.”

  “I’m Elise. It’s nice to meet you.” Elise yawned. “Supper sounds splendid.”

  “Miri, can you please tell the kitchens or whomever you asked about supper to send it for five, not two? We found James and Elise.” Noli suppressed a yawn of her own.

  Miri’s honey-colored head bobbed. “Good, perhaps we can play tea party later.”

  “Oh, I’d like that.” Elise stifled a yawn. “Perhaps tomorrow. I’m quite tired.”

  “She’ll need a place to sleep. Also, her friend Aodhan is staying with us a few days. He’ll need a place to sleep as well.” Her belly rumbled. Couldn’t Miri have brought her a snack? Also, she wanted to be far, far away when they played tea party, but the two of them occupying each other would be a good thing, indeed.

  “Her room is the girl’s room, isn’t it?” Miri’s head cocked to one side. “And James’ room is one of the boy rooms? Aodhan can stay in the other boy room since you and V will be staying together in the big room.” She gave a satisfied nod. “Yes, I’ll make sure all the rooms are clean since I think they only fixed up one boy room for James.”

  It took a moment for Miri’s rapid-fire chatter to permeate her brain, which currently had the consistency of cold treacle. Right—this was their family apartment, and James, V, and Elise all had rooms here, just like at the big house.