“While you’re off hunting for Shade, we’ll continue our search for Yerghan. With luck, we’ll be able to find and dispatch him sooner than later. At least he’s not a sorcerer, and can’t try to gate Shadow Wing over here.” Camille rubbed her head. “I have a massive headache tonight.”
“I’m sure the guys won’t be happy to hear that,” I said, joking.
She shot me a dirty look, but smiled. “Ha-ha, funny woman. Oh, tomorrow I’ll send a contingent of workers out here to assess the damage and see what needs to be done to rebuild the house. Smoky and I can take care of the costs. There’s no problem with that.”
At that, I decided to take a look in the kitchen before we left. As I pushed aside the tarp covering the entrance to the kitchen, my heart fell. We had spent so many meals in here, so many nights gathered around the kitchen table planning how to find the daemon generals that Shadow Wing had sent against us. We had planned celebrations, eating dinner amidst a cacophony of laughter and conversation.
Now, the room was a skeleton of itself, filled with smoke and soot. The back porch and back wall had burned away, leaving only charcoal studs and piles of ashes in their wake. It tore my heart, and I began to cry as I realized that everything in this world that I held dear was breaking apart. Shade was trapped in a distant realm, his body locked into a coma. The house that had become our sanctuary was now wounded, and regardless of how we built it up again, it would never be quite the same. I wrapped my arms around my stomach, weeping softly. A moment later, Menolly and Camille joined me.
As I stood there crying, Camille wrapped her arm around my shoulders.
“Sometimes I wish we had never come Earthside. Sometimes I wish we had stayed in Otherworld,” I choked out, too exhausted to hide my feelings.
Menolly reached up, brushing my hair out of my eyes. “You don’t really mean that. I know it feels like life would have been simpler, but you never would have met Shade. Camille would never have Smoky or Morio, and Trillian might not have come back in the picture. And I wouldn’t have Nerissa.”
“That’s right,” Camille said. “We would never have met Iris, or our cousins Daniel and Hester. So many wonderful things would never have happened. Maggie would be dead, for one thing. I know this is difficult, but don’t wish away all the joy just because there are problems. I guarantee you, if we had stayed in Otherworld, we still would have faced danger. Telazhar would have still killed our father, and for all we know, we might have died in that storm.”
I knew she was right. Everything she said was spot-on, but I couldn’t stop crying.
“I think you need to sleep. Let’s go back to the Barrow and you can rest. It’s been a rough day and you need your strength.” Camille turned me away from the kitchen. “This house will be as beautiful as it was, and it will be sturdier. The foundation is strong. It can withstand a little damage. And I’ll come out to help with the warding. This will always be our safe haven, and we’ll reclaim it from any damage done.”
As we all shuffled out to the cars, the guards carrying Shade, I took one last look at the house over my shoulder. I knew I’d be returning, but it wouldn’t be the same. Camille was right—we could strengthen it and make it stronger and more beautiful than before, but there was a little part of my heart that didn’t want it to change. That didn’t want anything to change. And yet, there was no way to hold back the future. It had already stepped in and taken over our lives. The floodgates were open, and there was no way to shut them.
Chapter 6
TALAMH LONRACH OLL was situated on thirty-five hundred acres, and the Triple Threat—as Camille had dubbed the three Fae queens before she took her place among them—were in the process of expanding the sovereign Fae nation again. They would be at their limit of five thousand acres then, and they were lobbying the government to increase that.
About half an hour from Seattle, to the northeast, the sovereign nation welcomed visitors of all backgrounds, but only Fae were allowed to live there unless they were connected to the community in some way. If someone married in from the outside, they were required to obtain a royal dispensation allowing them to move to the land, and that required background checks and a pledge to uphold Talamh Lonrach Oll above their former place of residence or affiliation.
The gardeners had worked overtime for several years now, using all of their magic to turn the woodland into a veritable fairyland. The trees had gone wild, shooting up faster than they had ever grown, and the foliage tumbled out in massive plumes and shoots and tendrils, creating a lush and opulent woodland. The plants of this land were awake, alert and ever watchful. They were used as guardians, working hand-in-hand with the Fae who made their homes here, and stray visitors did well not to disturb the plants or flowers, or try to harvest anything without permission.
The entrance to Talamh Lonrach Oll was guarded by a stone fence, with silver gates ten feet high that closed off the opening. Guards stood to either side when the gates were open, and at night, they guarded them from in front of the closed gates, when entrance was by permission only. There were ten guards, armed with bows, swords, and other weapons that we couldn’t see. They were expert marksmen, and very few could stand up against them.
Camille’s limousine entered first, the guards immediately forming straight lines, saluting as her car drove past. She must have told them we were with her, because they allowed the rest of us in without question.
We parked in the expansive parking lot as a string of carriages drove up, pulled by Friesians. The statuesque black horses were proud and haughty, with jeweled beads braided into their manes. The feathers on their hooves and heels were silky, combed and trimmed neatly, and they were the epitome of regal steeds. The carriages waited as we exited our cars, and the guards escorted us to them, where the footmen helped us in. They loaded Shade’s body into a carriage of his own, where a healer waited to ride with him. Camille’s carriage started off, and we followed.
As we clattered along the cobbled roadway, the foliage grew thick on either side, with ferns and huckleberry, brambles and blackberries, all spreading out. The berries were long gone, though, and the leaves were starting to shift color. Cedar, fir, and just about every other tree endemic to the Pacific Northwest lined the spacious paths. As we drew deeper into Talamh Lonrach Oll, I could feel the shift. For one thing, here in the sovereign Fae nation, electricity was off limits. Instead, they powered their nation via magic, and it made a drastic difference in the way the energy felt.
A hush fell around us. Oh, the hustle and bustle of a community was still intact, even during the night hours, but the feel was different without the buzz of power lines or the sounds of traffic. Everything felt a little more wild, a little less human, and as the eye catchers glittered to the sides of the road—shimmering orbs of light to guide the way—I realized that it felt like it did back in Otherworld.
We reached Camille’s Barrow in about twenty minutes. The relatively slow pace of the horses combined with the cool night and the quiet serenity of Talamh Lonrach Oll served to calm my spirits, and by the time we pulled up in front of the palace, I realized I was breathing easier. I also realized I was absolutely exhausted. Camille was right. I didn’t dare start the search for Shade tonight. I was too tired and I’d make mistakes that could be deadly.
Camille ordered the drivers to take us around through a back entrance, to avoid any crowds. As we wove through the labyrinth of the Barrow, Camille led us to a conference room. Servants were waiting, and they had assembled a light meal—a large terrine of a consommé, along with soft rolls fresh from the oven, and creamy golden cheese. They also brought fruit and pastries, none of it heavy, and we spent the next half hour eating and warming ourselves by the fireplace.
I was about to fall asleep in my chair when the door opened and Aeval and Titania entered, their expressions grave.
“The guards told us a little of what happened. Are you all right, Camille?”
Amongst the family, Aeval a
nd Titania used casual names. They never required us to call them Queen, although in public we always did, to show our respect.
Camille nodded. “Yeah, luckily we didn’t take heavy damage, except for Shade. And the house.” She ran down what had happened, finishing with, “I want to send a group of contractors out there tomorrow to begin fixing the house, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course we don’t mind,” Aeval said. “This is your family, and therefore they’re aligned with the court. If you weren’t dedicated elsewhere, we would ask all of you to come live here.” Her gaze fell on Maggie, who was snuggled in Hanna’s arms. It occurred to me that the Triple Threat had never really seen Maggie—we had kept her hidden from them for reasons that even we didn’t understand. “Is that a woodland gargoyle?”
Camille shrugged. “I guess we’ve never told you about Maggie. I saved her life. She was doomed to be a harpy’s lunch and I managed to snatch her away from the creature. We’ve been caring for her ever since. This was quite a while ago—at least four years.”
Aeval glanced at Titania, who gave her a soft shake of the head. Turning back to Camille, Aeval asked, “Just how much do you know about woodland gargoyles?”
“Well, we found a book on their care and feeding. We don’t know much except that it will be decades before she grows up, and we figured out what to feed her. Why?”
“It’s just… They’re extremely rare. It’s a good thing you kept her under wraps and didn’t tell anybody back in Otherworld because woodland gargoyles are prized for their pelts. I know it’s barbaric, but you know how people can be. If I were you, I’d make sure that nobody in Otherworld ever knows you have her. What are you planning to do with her once Delilah and Shade marry?”
“Shade and I thought we would keep her with us. I don’t know how viable that is, because I’m not sure yet what the Autumn Lord has in store for me.”
“Well, she’s always welcome here and shall always be protected. It would be dangerous for you to return her to the wild, in case you were thinking of that.” Aeval glanced over at the food. “Is there anything else you need? I know that you can order it yourself, but you and your family must be exhausted.”
Camille shook her head. “I think we’re okay. I wanted to ask, although I already know the answer. If I wanted to go with Delilah into the Land of Wandering Souls—”
“No. Absolutely out of the question. Bluntly put, we will not allow you to go. You are the Queen of Dusk and Twilight, and while we accept your battle against the Demonkin and will help if we are able, this is not a journey that Titania and I can allow you to make. As the youngest Fae Queen here, you are subject to our decree, if only for your own safety.”
Camille stared at Aeval, and I couldn’t imagine what she was thinking. I knew my sister was used to taking orders from the Moon Mother, but that was her goddess. After a moment’s silence, Camille stood.
“I gave my pledge to serve this Barrow as long as it did not interfere with the fight against Shadow Wing or with my pledge to the Moon Mother. I accept my duties.” While she was calm and collected, she didn’t look pleased.
Aeval gave her a gracious sweep of the head, then motioned to Titania. “Then we will take our leave. But anything that you or your family needs in the search for the soul of the shadow dragon, you have only to ask. We will do everything we can to help.” And with that, she and Titania withdrew, followed by their guards.
“I begin to think that over the next thousand years I’m going to have days where it feels like I should never have accepted this crown.” She turned to me. “If I could go with you…”
“I know you would. I knew back at the house that you wouldn’t be allowed to go with me. We’ve already discussed this. Don’t feel guilty about it. I have a feeling there will come a time when I have to do things that I don’t want to do. And Menolly as well. This is what growing up means.” I yawned, unable to help myself.
“I’ll instruct the guards to take you to your rooms. You’ll be safe—all of you. Sleep well, and we’ll meet here for breakfast.” Camille motioned to Jal, who quickly gathered several other guards to lead us to our chambers.
I wanted to sleep in the same room as Shade. I didn’t want to sleep alone, and so the healers allowed me to stretch out on a bed next to his. They were monitoring him with some sort of equipment, although I knew it wasn’t of human make, and I anxiously asked them how he was doing.
Perri, the head medic on the night shift, placed her hand on my shoulder. “He’s functioning quite well, actually. We have the report of what happened from the FH-CSI. I wish there was a way we could help actually retrieve his soul, but we can provide backup. We’re researching now what we can do to help you with the ritual you’re performing tomorrow. We’ll be watching over the four of you as you journey out to find him.” She consulted a chart, looking slightly confused.
I nodded. “Just to clarify, his soul is trapped in the Land of Wandering Souls. I’m a Death Maiden, and I’m going to journey there to find him. Three of my friends will be coming with me—a Svartan, a werepuma, and an incubus. I don’t know if there’s any special preparation you have to make given their species. Like my sister, I’m half human, half Fae. I am also a two-faced Were.”
“I’m not certain, so I’ll research it tonight. But this is all good information to have. It will allow us to know exactly how you’re doing for your particular species. If I might ask, how did his soul get lost? I haven’t had more than a chance to look over his chart yet.” She motioned for me to sit on the bed, and handed me a nightgown. “I don’t know if you came prepared for the night, but here’s a bed gown in case you didn’t bring anything of your own.”
The gown was softer than my own, and felt warm and comfortable, so as I talked to Perri, I changed into it.
“He was stabbed by a soul-stealer sword.” It was hard to keep the tears out of my throat, but I was so tired that I couldn’t even cry at this point.
Perri must have noticed, because she handed me a small glass with a liquid in it that smelled like elderberry wine.
“This will calm your nerves and allow you to sleep deeply. It won’t give you a hangover or cause any complications. We’ll be guarding over you and your beloved during the night, so don’t worry.” She stood, closing the chart and hanging it at the bottom of Shade’s bed. “I’ll let you sleep now. We’ll check in on both of you in a couple hours, but I don’t expect anything to happen. Delilah,” she added, pausing, “we love our Queen. We’ll do everything we can for her, and her family. Please know that.”
Reassured, I watched as she left the room, closing the door softly behind her. After I washed up in the bathroom and returned to my bed, I glanced over at Shade. He was so still that for a moment I was afraid he wasn’t breathing. But then I saw the gentle rise and fall of his chest, and relief flooded through me. I kissed his lips. They were cool and unresponsive, but I could feel his breath as it slipped between them. I kissed his forehead.
“Tomorrow I’m coming to find you, my love. Please, hear me. Know that we’re coming to find you, and bring you back home to your body. I love you. I’ve never loved anyone this way. You’re my heart, Shade. Somehow, the Autumn Lord knew exactly who I needed in my life. Please come back.”
Wiping my eyes, I crawled into the bed next to his, and pulled the covers up. I swallowed the drink the healer had given me, and within moments, I drifted off to sleep, my body relaxing as I fell into an uneasy haze of shadowy dreams, but nothing was clear, except the loss that I felt in my heart.
THE NEXT MORNING, I woke as she had promised, clearheaded and feeling rested. Perri told me that Shade was doing the same as he had been the night before, and she checked my vital signs before letting me head over to breakfast.
We all gathered in the conference room again, to a buffet of scrambled eggs, hard-boiled eggs, bacon, sliced ham, toast, pancakes, muffins and scones, fresh fruit and cheeses of all sorts, and plenty of coffee, which I had
a feeling was a new addition to the meal offerings here.
Camille hadn’t arrived yet, so I sat beside Menolly, who was drinking a bottle of flavored blood that Morio had made up for her.
“How are you doing this morning, Kitten?”
I shrugged. “Okay. Better than last night. Why aren’t you in bed yet?”
“It’s barely five in the morning. I’m surprised to see you so bright eyed this morning. I’ll be heading off as soon as I’m done with breakfast here. I spent the night researching the Land of Wandering Souls, but there isn’t much written about it. One thing I can tell you, though: Be careful about giving energy to your fears. It makes them real there.”
I nodded, pouring maple syrup over my pancakes and bacon. “Yes, I know. The Autumn Lord warned me about that. I’m not sure how it all works, and the thought of leaving my body is a little frightening, but I’ll do anything it takes to find Shade.” I paused, then added, “Do you think Camille’s happy?” I kept my voice low, not wanting the guards to hear me.
“I think she’s as happy as can be,” Menolly whispered back. “I think a lot of the stress will vanish once we take care of Shadow Wing. We’re all tense. Hell, I’m not thrilled about having to live with Roman, even though there’s absolutely nothing wrong there. I’m just grateful that Nerissa is with me.”
“Do you ever wish you hadn’t met him?”
She thought for a moment, then shook her head. “No, not really. I mean, sometimes I fantasize about running away from it all. Grabbing Nerissa, and you and Shade, and Camille and her husbands and Maggie, and running back to Otherworld. But it’s just a fantasy and I know it. These are just growing pains that we’re all feeling. Every new situation requires some sort of adjustment. I just wish that the adjustments didn’t all seem to show up at the same time.”