Unseelie Ties

by Patti Larsen

  The ground rumbled, erupted, vines twining from the upturned earth, sprouting into a tall shape quickly formed to a woman's body.

  I was about to protest Shaylee wouldn't be able to stay without a form to inhabit.

  Looked like the queen thought of that, too.

  “You would imprison your daughter in a fake form just to get your way?” I shook from the intensity of Shaylee's rejection as well as my own. “Selfish queen. Time to grow the hell up.”

  My Sidhe princess sent her own disdain in a rush of rejecting energy.

  Aoilainn's beautiful face twisted, lips thinned, eyes wide in fury. “Then none of you will ever leave.” She raised her arms above her head, the ground rumbling again. I spun toward my friends, reaching for Gram just as the earth gaped open and swallowed her up. Fergus, Charlotte, Galleytrot, and yes, Quaid, all drawn into the ground that resealed behind them.

  My magic dove after them, but they were already gone.

  The bitch.

  I turned on her with a snarl, maji magic poised. “I can strip the glamour from this place,” I said. “Turn your realm into the ordinary, crumbling truth it is. Return them now.”

  Aoilainn trembled, but refused to relent. “Try,” she said.

  Can I do it? I reached for my vampire who sighed.

  You and your big threats, she sent. Perhaps if you were full maji. You can possibly affect some things directly, but there is too much magic here for you to destroy all at once.

  Crap. Bluff called. I stared at Aoilainn in frustration, hands clenched but unable to do anything but see past the lies she created around her.

  Not much good to me.

  “I didn't think so.” Aoilainn's gentle tremors stilled as she smiled, confidence returning as she gracefully retook her seat. “You will give up my daughter's soul,” she said, “or I will kill your precious friends one at a time.”

  She'll kill them anyway, my vampire sent.

  Shaylee choked on a sob, but agreed.

  No deal. “If you touch one of them,” I said, empty threat burning in my throat, “I'll kill you myself.”

  Aoilainn didn't look all that worried. “You have only a short time to change your attitude. I will have the first body brought to you shortly.” She clapped her hands, a lazy motion as though she'd grown bored of our conversation. “Take her away.”

  A dozen Sidhe soldiers surrounded me. I could have taken them out, easy. But I had to find the others first. Damn it.

  Damn it.

  Bronagh’s green eyes watched as I was taken away and I wondered if I could still count on her to help. At least the queen hadn’t seemed angry about her advisor’s latest choice in allies. I’d hate to think I was the cause for her suffering after she’d tried to do what was right.

  A short walk while I seethed, through sighing trees and down white-stoned paths and I found myself being shoved into a small opening at the base of a tree. The large oak shuddered as its roots formed bars over the doorway, trapping me just below ground with a clear view across from me.

  As the silver-booted feet of my guards marched away, I ground my teeth at the sight of Venner smiling and waving from his own prison directly opposite.

  ***

  Chapter Twenty Six

  “I see negotiations with Her Majesty are going well.” Venner's chuckle made my temper bubble. I briefly considered something nasty, but shoved it away.

  No time for pettiness. Not while I had my friends to save. Not to mention catching Ameline.

  I turned my back on Venner, leaning against the clay wall, arms crossed over my chest as I drew some deep breaths to quiet my temper.

  Can we find the others? I directed my question at Shaylee.

  She didn't feel hopeful. It's possible I could locate one of them, she sent.

  My demon growled. Yeah, bad idea. No doubt Aoilainn would just strike at someone else while I tried to do a singular rescue. And I was kind of attached to all of them, thanks.

  What about my maji magic? I reached for it again, felt it humming softly in my heart.

  It allows you to see past illusions, my vampire sent. So if we were able to locate the others, I'm sure you'd have no trouble rescuing them. But again, you'd be doing so one at a time.

  Mother will be careful, now that she understands how powerful you are. Shaylee hugged me gently. I'm so sorry, Sydlynn. This is all my fault.

  No, I sent. It's Ameline's. And Aoilainn's. Shaylee, will Bronagh try to help us again?

  She may, as long as Mother doesn’t punish her. My princess shuddered. She took such a great risk, I hope she’s all right.

  Right. Who knew what Aoilainn had planned for the Fey woman now that we were in the bag? So, options? I need options, y'all.

  There is only one I can see, my vampire sent, ever so softly.

  And it was unacceptable. I'm not giving you up, Shaylee.

  She didn't comment.

  Didn't have to.

  How much did this suck?

  “You know,” Venner's voice penetrated my private conversation with myself. “If we could reach my court, it's likely we could convince His Majesty to assist us in finding and stopping Ameline.”

  Yeah, right. “Nice try, Venner.”

  He may be right, my vampire sent. Even I was aware, back when I was created, great animosity existed between the two Sidhe courts. If the King of the Unseelie can see some personal benefit in helping us, we might be able to convince him to assist.

  No, Shaylee sent. It won't work. They've had the same agreement for centuries. Neither crosses over into each other's territories. On threat of war.

  Just what we needed. Another mess.

  Quick footfalls approached, turning me around. A green gown swished before Bronagh crouched to look down into my prison, her emerald eyes shining as she glanced over her shoulder.

  “Are you well?” She clutched the roots with both hands. “I worried she might harm you after all.”

  “We’re fine,” I said. “Can you find the others?”

  Bronagh shook her head, face falling. “I’m sorry,” she said. “The queen no longer trusts me.”

  “Thanks for the help,” I said, hopes dashed she might be able to find a way to rescue my friends and grandmother.

  “I hate to suggest it,” Bronagh said, “but knowing my queen’s convictions, unless you want the deaths of those you love on your hands, you might have to do as she asks.”

  My whole body twitched in rejection. “Absolutely not.”

  Bronagh sagged to the grass, tears welling in her eyes. “I know what I’m asking of you,” she said. “How terrible this is. But Sydlynn, we both also know the threat coming. And the importance of readying our realms for their assault.”

  “You know about the Brotherhood.” Damn it. I hated she was right.

  “I do,” she said. “Some of us are aware. Are paying attention.”

  “Then you also know I can’t give up Shaylee,” I said. “I won’t be maji anymore. And my role will change.” I refused to say I would be useless. But that was how I felt.

  Bronagh chewed her lower lip a moment before nodding quickly. “I have an idea,” she said. “But you have to trust me.”

  Big leap, even for someone who’d helped me already.

  She is trustworthy, I swear it, Shaylee sent. Bronagh has always been my most powerful supporter against Mother.

  “Let’s hear it,” I ground out while my jaw ached from clenching my teeth.

  “You release Her Highness,” Bronagh said. “Allow her to inhabit the form Aoilainn has created. Let the queen become happy, complacent. And, when the time is right and she allows Shaylee more and more freedom, I will bring her personally to the Gate and you can be reunited.”

  Shaylee gasped in my head, spoke through my lips. “She will kill you for such a betrayal.”

  Bronagh’s face darkened. “My queen is not the person I’ve served all these centuries,” she said. “The Aoilainn I adored would have been the first to demand all S
idhe pay attention to the threat of the sorcerers.”

  I sank against the dirt, heart pounding, not wanting to even consider this plan, but deep down, knowing it was our best option.

  There is only one solution here, Sydlynn. Shaylee's sadness increased as she stretched herself inside me, pushing the boundaries of our connection. I have to go to Mother. And trust Bronagh’s plan will work.

  I didn't care about the whole maji thing, at the moment, though it hovered in the back of my mind. I'm not losing you.

  It's the only way to save everyone, she sent.

  I thought you said she'd probably kill us all anyway? There, that should fix it.

  I will personally ensure your safety, she sent. If Mother betrays you, I will leave the form she's made for me and never reincarnate again.

  Why did she have to sound so logical? And so right?

  What about this form she's made you? There had to be a good reason to keep her with me. Desperation tore at my insides while she began to pull away. My demon grasped for her while the family magic pooled deep inside, thrumming with grief. It can't survive like a real body.

  It's been done before, Shaylee sent. Though at great personal cost to the soul inhabiting it. Mother is creating a prison for me. I will be forced to use most of my magic just to keep it alive.

  Wow. And I thought my mom was a bitch sometimes.

  I can't let you go. My hands shook as I stood there, head down, tears welling in my eyes, ignoring Bronagh who hovered and watched. Not to that kind of non-life. I drew a shaking breath. I love you, Shaylee. And I need you. How can I just let you leave? There has to be something else we can do.

  Shaylee wept even as she pulled even further from us. It's my decision, she sent. And I choose to stay. She hesitated before stammering, I'm tired of all the fighting, Sydlynn. I'm just not strong enough. You see that, don't you? She shook inside me, a trembling, fragile leaf on a brisk wind. I've been nothing but a hindrance to you since I woke. Doing what Mother wants will free me from all that is to come while allowing you to escape.

  You don't mean that. My vision blurred as tears trickled down my cheeks. What would I be without her? I'd endured being cut off from my power many times, but to have her leave, of her own free will.

  And never come back.

  No. Just. No.

  Bronagh hissed at me. “I must go. Do as you decide. But make your choice quickly. Before it’s too late.” And then, she was gone.

  Shaylee took over while I was still distracted, leaning out the roots of the tree prison. “Guards!”

  Silver-booted feet appeared at eye level through the roots. “Princess.”

  “I agree to my mother's terms,” Shaylee said through my lips. “Take me to her at once.”

  The roots parted immediately, the ground rising to lift me out of the hole. Shaylee stepped us out onto the grass, even as my eyes fell on Venner.

  “He is to come as well.” I pulled back control from Shaylee and pointed at the Unseelie lordling. “Or there's no deal.” Okay, I was reaching for tiny threads of hope. From the glitter in Venner's eyes, he knew it.

  After a very brief whispered conversation with two of his companions, the soldier nodded.

  “Very well.” The root system of Venner's tree parted, his tall, thin body soon standing next to me. “Come.”

  Another dozen guards, another trek over white stones, through swaying trees to the happy sound of birds and bubbling water. Except this time, I didn't hear or see any of it. Not while my heart broke over and over with each step.

  Despite my desperate brain wracking to the contrary, by the time I was led, head down, before the queen again, hating the sight of her ugly pavilion, her hideous throne, her smiling face, I had nothing new to try.

  No last-minute plan. No Syd to save the day.

  Nada. Zipperino.

  I was about to lose Shaylee and there was nothing I could do about it.

  “You've decided?” Aoilainn leaned forward in her throne, eager, a silken spider weaving threads of lies and falsehood around her. There was a time I thought the vampire Queens evil.

  They had nothing on the false beauty and deceit of the Seelie Queen.

  Sydlynn, Shaylee sent when I hesitated. Please, you must let me go.

  I won't, I sent. But you're welcome to leave. I won't stop you. But I won't help you, either.

  She sighed, hugged me again. So be it, she sent.

  I looked up, met Aoilainn's eyes, caught a flicker of movement as Bronagh slid onto the dais behind her queen, green gown floating around her. “One condition,” I said. “When you have Shaylee in the nasty little trap you've made for your own daughter,” let her choke on that one, “I take all of my friends and Venner here with me.” I jerked a thumb at the Unseelie lordling.

  Aoilainn nodded with her same smile. “Of course.”

  “Mother.” Shaylee spoke for me. “You have proven yourself deceitful. And I tell you now, if you do not let them pass, leave this realm, if anything happens to Sydlynn or her companions before they exit the Gate, I will leave this form you've made me and never again be reborn.” Her voice, our voice, shook with her conviction.

  Aoilainn's face fell. She'd clearly planned something diabolical. But faced with her daughter's rebellion, I hoped she had no recourse. Although, I also knew, as the mistress of falsehood, she might be able to trick Shaylee into thinking we were safe when we weren't. But was Aoilainn's revenge worth losing the prize she'd fought for so hard?

  The queen finally settled back in her throne with a pout. “Very well,” she said. “You have my word of honor, and that of the Sidhe.”

  Shaylee? I had to know.

  She will honor the agreement. She sounded relieved.

  There was that much, at least.

  “Thalion.” Aoilainn waved toward the waiting prince who watched me with his still and quiet eyes. “Retrieve my daughter and return her to us. At last.”

  Shaylee whispered to me just as Thalion's power touched me. I love you, too, she sent. All of you. Thank you for teaching me to what it means to be strong and brave. I wish things had turned out differently. And if there is a way to do as Bronagh plans, I will try, I swear it. But please, don’t risk anything else for me.

  True to my word, I didn't help, but I also didn't hinder. My demon whimpered, huddling inside me while my vampire turned into a coil of sadness and slunk low. The family magic did try to reach for Shaylee, but I held it back as she sent out a wave of love just before she slid free of me.

  Of us.

  ***

  Chapter Twenty Seven

  Green Sidhe magic flowed from me, a mist of pulsating energy, coming to hover beside me, still connected to my fingertips by the barest touch. It was so strange to feel Shaylee on the outside while I continued to experience our connection.

  The mist thickened, turned opaque, the barest features forming in the face, arms and flowing hair, the hem of a dress all undulating as though a strong wind could blow her soul away.

  I didn't care who saw my tears as Shaylee lifted her free hand to wave at me, a smile forming on her face, crystal points of light sliding down her soul's cheeks as she, too, wept. I forced myself to watch, even though I just wanted to turn away. She turned and touched the construct her mother created for her, the magic of her essence sliding over the twisted vines and into them.

  I held the feeling of her for as long as I could, and it seemed she did the same, not losing the last of our contact until absolutely necessary. I found myself, unknowing I'd moved, standing right next to the created form, my hand holding the writhing wood as the final thread of magic keeping us together snapped with a finality I'd borne only once before.

  The night I lost my demon.

  At least this time, I had support. My vampire and my demon, the family magic, all of it, there to hold me up, comforting me as I comforted them. My fingers tingled as the vines turned to cool, smooth skin, Shaylee's new flesh squeezing mine before she dropped her hand away. The rest
of the construct flowed with life, transforming from a roughly Sidhe shaped woman's form to the body and face I knew so well.

  I staggered away from her, suddenly heavy, my earth magic reaching for the ground below us as it seemed the whole of the Sidhe realm settled on my shoulders. My body ached, muscles screaming unhappily, most likely from the fight with Quaid. I figured I’d pay for that one way or another. Thankfully, my vampire’s spirit magic soothed my pain enough I could focus.

  I looked down at my scruffy sneakers, jeans with the knees covered in dirt, my long, dark hair falling forward over my t-shirt. Softly pink hands with chewed nails resembled nothing even close to the perfection standing in front of me.

  I wasn't Shaylee anymore. And she wasn't me.

  Worse, the maji magic I'd been in close contact with over the last little while sighed and retreated, no longer answering me when I called to it.

  This was very, very bad.

  I just couldn't bring myself to worry about the rest of the planes. Not while a gaping hole inside me reminded me with every painful heartbeat, I was no longer whole.

  Shaylee's mind reached out and touched mine. It felt wrong to not know her thoughts, not feel what she felt as she spoke in my head.

  Let us part with love, she sent. Always, Sydlynn.

  Always. Even my mental voice choked on the goodbye.

  Shaylee turned and, shoulders back and head high, crossed in her flowing stride to join her mother. I watched with growing despair as she turned and stood at Aoilainn's side, one hand on the arm of her mother's throne, Bronagh’s emerald gaze locked on the princess, an odd hunger on her face that flashed out to calm after only a moment.

  I couldn’t muster interest in the advisor’s expression.

  It was really over.

  I snuffled, wiping at my cheeks with the shoulder of my t-shirt, feeling suddenly awkward and uncomfortable in my own body, the last tingle of the ache hanging around to remind me I’d won a fight but lost the battle.