By Blood and Magic

by Jamie A. Waters

  “You didn’t,” she whispered and then her eyes widened. “Oh, gods. I attacked you. When I was hallucinating, I attacked both you and Blossom. Where is she? Are you both okay?”

  She ran her hands down his chest, searching him up and down. He grasped her hands and kissed her fingertips. “I’m fine. We’re both okay. We were both worried about you, but we know you weren’t in the right frame of mind. Blossom managed to find the antidote in time.”

  “Sabine?” Blossom asked, appearing suddenly beside them. “I heard what you said. Your father’s a really bad man. Want me to send Barley to dust him?”

  Malek grimaced. “That’s a pretty nasty punishment, but if anyone deserves it…”

  Sabine laughed and wiped away her tears. She held out her hand so Blossom could land on it. “You’re very sweet, but I wouldn’t want anything to happen to Barley.”

  “Okay. But if you change your mind, let me know.”

  Sabine smiled. “I’m sorry for trying to hurt you, Blossom. Can you ever forgive me?”

  Blossom hugged Sabine’s thumb. “I heard what you said. You didn’t know it was me.” She bit her lip and cocked her head. “Would you really have attacked someone for hurting me? Even though I’m just a pixie?”

  “You’re one of my most treasured friends, Blossom. Fae or lesser Fae, it doesn’t matter. I will always try to protect you, just like you do for me.”

  Blossom gave her a shy smile. “You were only a little scary.”

  Sabine laughed and gave the pixie a warm smile. “It would seem I owe you a debt for finding the antidote. How can I repay you?”

  “Make me big!”

  Sabine’s smile deepened, and she nodded. “Very well. Do you want to be big now? Or wait until we’re back on the ship when you can show Bane?”

  Blossom’s eyes widened. “On the ship! On the ship!”

  She laughed again. “All right. We’ll make it happen.”

  “I’m going to go find more of the antidote in case we run into any more of those bugs,” Blossom announced and flew into the darkness.

  Malek arched his brow. “Should we worry about her?”

  Sabine shook her head. “No. She’s resourceful. She can meet us back at the camp when she’s finished.”

  Malek grimaced. “Uh, about that… We may not be welcome there anymore.”

  Sabine paused. “Oh?”

  Malek sighed and scrubbed his hands over his face. “I panicked when Blossom said you were in trouble. I shifted into a dragon not far from the troupe. I was trying to get to you as quickly as possible.”

  Sabine bit her lip and then her shoulders started shaking.

  Malek frowned and leaned back to study her, worried she might be crying again. His eyes narrowed as suspicion filled him. “Are… are you laughing at me?”

  Sabine burst into laughter and didn’t answer. Malek arched his brow, watching as she covered her mouth with her hand. She was still giggling hysterically. Despite himself, he chuckled and shook his head. “If I were a lesser dragon, I might take offense to you laughing at me.”

  Her eyes danced with amusement. “I was just imagining everyone’s reactions when you shifted. I almost fell off the roof the first time I saw you, and that was after I knew what you were.”

  “I suppose it’ll give them something to talk about,” he replied with a grin. “I saw the wagons starting to pull away while I was searching for you. At least the belongings I left there will compensate the troupe for any inconvenience. I doubt the villagers would have welcomed them after that.”

  “Mmhmm,” Sabine agreed and reached up to cup his face. “How can I ever repay you for saving me again? Blossom wants to be big, but what do you want?”

  He swallowed as he gazed down at her. “You. Like this. Right now. Just having you look at me like you are and trusting me is payment enough.”

  Her eyes softened, and she smiled. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were trying to make me fall in love with you.”

  “It would be nice if I wasn’t the only one,” he said, tucking a lock of her silvery hair behind her ear.

  Sabine stilled, and her eyes filled with panic. “Don’t say that. Don’t ever say that again.”

  Without waiting for a response, she turned and headed toward the troupe’s wagons. Malek frowned. If she thought he’d allow her to simply walk away after everything they’d shared, he intended to prove her wrong.

  Sabine wrapped her arms around herself, needing to put some distance between them. Gods. She’d known this conversation was inevitable, but she still wasn’t prepared to deal with her emotions for him. This could ruin everything.

  He took her arm and turned her around to face him. “I think you owe me an explanation. Why does the idea scare you?”

  She swallowed, her throat going dry at the intensity in his gaze. Trying to navigate these waters and keep her feelings in check was going to be impossible. “Don’t do this right now, Malek.”

  He frowned. “I’ve tried not to push you, but I won’t allow you to put distance between us. Not now. Not after everything we’ve been through together. Talk to me, Sabine. Why are you so scared?”

  She squeezed her eyes shut and started to turn away, but he took her chin in his hand and tilted her head back. She looked up into his blue eyes, taken aback by the tenderness in his gaze.

  He smiled at her and said, “Sabine, I’ve been falling in love with you since almost the first moment we met. Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t.”

  She inhaled sharply, her resistance melting at his words. Pressing her hand against his chest, she could feel his heart pounding under her fingertips. She took a steadying breath and whispered, “Nothing can come of it, Malek. You’re a dragon, and I’m Fae. One day, I have to return to Faerie. My people need me.”

  He arched his brow. “Do they? They abandoned you, Sabine. They chased you out of Faerie and forced you into hiding simply to survive. They don’t deserve you or your loyalty.”

  Sabine pulled away from him, needing some space. When he was that close, it only made things even more confusing. What he was suggesting wasn’t simply a physical relationship like she’d been expecting. It sounded like he was proposing something more long term. This was what she and Bane had feared might happen. It would break her heart to walk away from Malek, but she didn’t have another choice. The Wild Hunt had only granted her a brief reprieve.

  Even now, her family probably knew she was still alive. It would take a bit more time before they could make another sacrifice large enough to call the Wild Hunt, but it was inevitable. She wasn’t sure the Huntsman would be able to exploit another loophole to save her life. No one was lucky enough to dodge the Wild Hunt forever.

  Malek’s arms wrapped around her, and she tensed. He drew her against his chest and murmured, “Don’t push me away, sweetheart. I know you feel it too.”

  “It’s not that,” she said, turning back around to face him. “I do feel it. Too much. Gods, I can’t even think when you’re this close. But I have a duty to my people and an obligation to take my rightful place as the queen of the Unseelie. I can’t be with you in that way, Malek.”

  “Is that truly what you want?” he asked, placing his hands on her hips. The thin material of her dress made his touch even more intimate. “Forget duty. Forget obligation. Tell me what you really want, Sabine.”

  She squeezed her eyes shut. For the first time in her life, she wished she could lie. If she could only form the words and tell him she didn’t want him, he would walk out of her life and find his happiness elsewhere. It was the safest course of action, but the thought of sending him away broke something inside her.

  She opened her eyes and whispered the painful truth. “You, Malek. I’ll likely damn us both for this, but I want you.”

  His eyes filled with a victorious light and he lowered his head, claiming her with his kiss. She melted against him and wound her arms around his neck, needing and wanting everything he offered. For so lon
g, everything she’d done was to further her efforts at claiming her throne. But just this once, she wanted something for purely selfish reasons. Malek had a way of touching her that transcended everything and reached the most intimate places within her. He might be Faerie’s most fearsome enemy, but only she was in danger of losing her heart to this dragon.

  “Sabine! Come quick!”

  Sabine broke their kiss and turned to see Blossom flying toward them. “What is it?”

  “Aberforth is over at the second set of rocks where you dropped your bag. He saw through my glamour, Sabine!” Blossom scowled and crossed her arms over her chest. “He told me to fetch you, like I’m a servant or something.”

  Sabine narrowed her eyes, a suspicion creeping into her mind. “What were you doing when he saw you?”

  Blossom frowned. “I was putting another pod by your bag in case more bugs bit you.”

  Malek looked down at her. “What are you thinking?”

  “I’m thinking Aberforth is not only one of the Merfolk, but he also arranged for that insect to bite me,” Sabine said, her hands curling into fists. “He specifically sent me to that rock formation, and no one has the ability to see through pixie glamour unless they’re Fae and have a blood bond with their clan.”

  Blossom’s wings fluttered furiously, the tips tinged with red. “He must have stolen your blood when his insect bit you! He’s not Fae. He used a spell, Sabine!”

  Malek’s jaw clenched. “I’ll kill him for putting you in harm’s way. Where is this rock formation?”

  She put her hand against Malek’s arm. “Wait, Malek. I’m of the same mind as you, but I think we need to find out exactly what game he’s playing before we do anything. If he knows something about Pearl, this could be our one chance to save Esme and Levin.”

  Malek hesitated and then gave her a curt nod. “Very well, but the minute we find out what he knows, he’s mine.”

  Sabine’s mouth curved upward. “Then let’s go find out what he knows.”

  They walked together toward the rock formation. She’d run farther than she’d thought before the paralytic effects of the venom had taken effect.

  Blossom landed on her shoulder and pouted. “I should dust him for trying to steal me. I’m yours, Sabine. Not his.”

  “I don’t think he was trying to steal you, but we will deal with him,” she said quietly as they reached the top of a sand dune. Aberforth was leaning against the rock formation, his image illuminated by the moonlight. He was still gripping his walking stick, but Sabine didn’t buy the old-man routine for a second.

  Straightening her shoulders, she walked down the hill toward him. Any sign of weakness could be used against her, and she needed to ensure he was kept off guard. Dammit. She still had quite a bit of magic, but she’d feel better about dealing with Aberforth if she was at full power. The minute she had the opportunity, she planned on eating another of the fruits to help restore her strength.

  When she was a short distance away, she stopped and said, “Explain yourself. Now.”

  Aberforth gave her a mock bow and grinned as though enjoying a good joke. “A Faerie Royal. Not quite what I was expecting when I brought you to these stones, Your Highness.” The last was said almost mockingly.

  Sabine narrowed her eyes. It was tempting to lash out with her power to remind him who he was dealing with, but it would only escalate the situation. She needed him cooperative if she was going to learn anything about Pearl. Calling upon her earliest training exercises, she sought out a calm oasis in her mind and embraced it.

  Blossom patted her neck and whispered, “Let me know if you want me to dust him. I’ll make sure it gets everywhere, especially all the places you don’t want itching.”

  Sabine forced her expression to remain neutral, deciding it would be best to bury her appreciation for Blossom’s suggestion. It wouldn’t be wise to encourage the pixie, but it was tempting.

  Aberforth turned toward Malek, and his grin deepened. “A dragon, eh? My, my. What interesting company the Fae are keeping these days.” When Malek didn’t reply either, Aberforth arched his brow and chuckled. “Nothing to say, dragon? Are you a Fae pet then?”

  Malek crossed his arms over his chest and looked bored. “I’m waiting until you’re done talking so I can tear your head off your body. Or I could always burn you alive where you’re standing.” Malek shrugged. “Your choice.”

  Aberforth’s eyes widened slightly, and his knuckles whitened from how hard he was gripping his walking stick. They were the only indication he was actually frightened of them. Sabine considered him for a long time, speculating his performance was simply false bravado. It was time to force him to talk.

  “Enough with the games,” Sabine demanded, infusing her voice with enough power to reinforce her words. “Not only did you send your minion to attack me, but then you try to provoke me and my allies? Are the True Folk so secure in their position they are willing to challenge the Fae? You are on land, not the sea. This is my dominion.”

  Aberforth blanched. “I—I did not know who you were. I suspected you were part Fae, but I never dreamed you were one of the first of their line.”

  “You’d better start explaining yourself,” Malek replied and gestured at Sabine. “She just knocked a dragon out of the sky. What do you think she’ll do to you if you keep dancing around?”

  Sabine stilled. It appeared Malek was going to play up her power level. She suspected his magic was low, which was why he was leaving this in her hands. It was a good gamble. If he pretended to defer to her, Aberforth would hesitate before challenging her. She just hoped the ruse worked and they could obtain some information.

  “My apologies if I have offended,” Aberforth said, his gaze darting back and forth between them. “Unlike the humans who encroach on our territory, you were never in any danger from the entangler. It was simply a mechanism to try to remove your glamour. I needed to know what you were hiding and whether you were a threat to our home. Like your Beastpeople and pixies, the entanglers are one of our defenses and able to adapt to both land and sea.”

  Sabine didn’t reply right away. If he was one of the True Folk, he wouldn’t have the ability to lie. There was no way he could have known how he’d endangered her with his actions. Her use of magic without being shielded had announced to her family she was still alive. She still didn’t trust Aberforth, but she’d hold off on killing him until she learned more.

  Aberforth cleared his throat. “With your permission, I will take you to our city as a guest of honor. It’s our hope you might be of some help with a rather… delicate situation.”

  Sabine arched her brow. “You insult me and then ask for my help?”

  Aberforth winced. “A grievous mistake. I will do what I can to make amends. My city is a short walk from here. Will you allow me to offer you safe passage?”

  Malek placed his hand against her lower back and murmured, “We have no way of knowing what we’ll face if we go with him or even if our magic will work. I should still be able to shift, but we’ll be taking a risk. Are you sure you want to do this?”

  She wasn’t, but if Pearl was in their city, they needed to find her. As long as they remained on land, she’d have access to her magic. With the troupe departing the area, traveling with Aberforth was their best option in finding her. She found it hard to believe Pearl could have been waylaid by the human desert tribes.

  She nodded at Malek and then turned toward Aberforth. “Very well. We’ll accompany you, provided you assure us of safe passage both to and from your city. I assume the True Folk still acknowledge guesting rites?”

  Aberforth inclined his head. “You have my word. No harm will come to you, provided you also adhere to guesting rites.”

  “Then lead the way,” she said, picking up the bag containing the fruit she’d collected.

  Aberforth gripped his walking stick and headed away from the desert tribe’s encampment and the oasis. Blossom huddled against Sabine’s neck and whispered, “H
ow can I snoop if he can see through my glamour?”

  “He can’t,” Sabine murmured in a voice too low for Aberforth to overhear. “You were carrying the pod, right?”

  “Yeah.”

  “It’s not a native land plant. If it’s the antidote to the entangler venom, it’s one of the True Folk’s creations. By carrying it, you weren’t able to mask it with your glamour. He probably didn’t see you, but he saw the pod.”

  “That sneaky so-and-so,” Blossom muttered, vibrating against her neck. “I’m definitely going to dust him.”

  Sabine smiled, knowing Blossom hated the idea of anyone seeing through her glamour. Pixies were among the lesser Fae, so they didn’t have the same magical ability as the true Fae. Discreetly, Sabine pricked her finger and held it up to Blossom. “Drink.”

  Malek arched his brow. “What are you doing?”

  “Giving Blossom’s magic a boost,” Sabine whispered as Blossom accepted her offering. “Aberforth can’t break my glamour without trickery, and this will allow Blossom to move throughout their city undetected. She’ll be able to give us a warning if anything untoward is happening.”

  Blossom hiccupped and patted her neck. “I bet I could glamour the whole world now.”

  “Conserve your strength. I may not be able to fortify you again for a while,” Sabine reminded her.

  “What are guesting rites?” Malek asked quietly as they continued to walk.

  “As long as we don’t break any of their laws or endanger any of their people, Aberforth is assuring our safety.”

  Malek frowned. “So we just need to be on our best behavior and wait for some form of trickery.”

  Sabine nodded. “You have the right of things. Safety doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t try coercion or deceit. Don’t eat or drink anything while we’re there unless I can verify it’s safe. Aberforth wants something from me very badly. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have invited us.”