The Lethe Stone (The Fae War Chronicles Book 4)

by Jocelyn Fox

  “Hey, Vivian,” said Ross, her voice choked with restrained laughter. “I didn’t know you’d be home this soon.”

  “That’s why I tried to text,” said Vivian, her eyes never leaving Merrick. She blinked and glanced at Ross. “You didn’t tell me you had…guests.” Her eyes flicked back to the two beautiful men.

  “Nice to see you again, too, V,” said Duke dryly. “Not like everyone thought I was dead or anythin’.”

  Vivian straightened and her gaze snapped to Duke, eyes widening. “Oh…oh my God!” Her voice rose high enough in octave that Luca winced. One hand flew to her mouth. “Jesus, Ross, no wonder you weren’t answering!” She grinned puckishly and waggled her eyebrows.

  Ross smiled. “Thanks, V. I knew I could count on you to bring the innuendo.”

  “That’s why we’re such good friends,” Vivian replied brightly. “I bring the innuendo, you bring the…man candy.” She lowered her voice, waggled her eyebrows again and grinned at Merrick, who looked at Duke questioningly for help with the slang. Duke found himself biting his lip along with Ross to keep from laughing.

  Luca stepped forward, axe still in hand but lowered. He directed his question at Ross but kept his gaze on Vivian. “Do you trust this woman?”

  “With her deepest, darkest secrets,” Vivian answered him with a cheeky wink, but Luca waited for Ross to nod. He slid his axe back into his belt yet continued to watch Vivian warily. Ross’s roommate was almost the exact opposite of Ross physically: where Ross was barely five and a half feet tall, Vivian stood as tall as Merrick; Ross’s dark, sleek hair contrasted with Vivian’s shock of bright red curls; and Vivian was so pale she might have been able to pass for Unseelie, rather than the golden-tan of Ross’s varied heritage that placed her closer to Seelie coloring. A smattering of freckles brushed the bridge of her nose, and her long face was interestingly handsome rather than conventionally pretty. Her eyes, too, were interesting: a strange sort of hazel, they were green around the edges of her iris and a golden-brown near her pupil.

  “Are you done inspecting me yet?” Vivian tilted her head to one side and struck a pose, extending one leg with a delicately pointed toe.

  “I do not mean to cause offense,” Luca said. “We’re just…new here.”

  “Yeah, Ross will have to explain that to me. Why haven’t I ever seen these gorgeous boys before?” Vivian cocked her head in the opposite direction, looking questioningly at Ross.

  “This is the first time they’ve been in town,” Ross replied. Vivian didn’t miss the look exchanged between Ross and Duke. For all her bubbly exuberance, she was a sharp observer. But she let them have their secret…for the moment, at least.

  “Well, they’re being good guests and cooking breakfast, I see,” she said, striding forward and flipping her hair over one shoulder, “but, honey, you’re burning the bacon.” She smiled at Merrick, who regarded her like some unknown creature that could attack him at any moment. She cleared her throat and stepped closer to him. Merrick held his ground but raised the spatula as though to ward her off. Ross snorted with swallowed laughter. Vivian glanced at her roommate over Merrick’s shoulder, then delicately slid the spatula from the Vyldgard navigator’s grip and went to work attempting to rescue the bacon, that puckish grin lingering on her lips.

  Chapter 17

  Tess hooked a finger into the pendant at her throat, brushing her thumb over the three small rubies that had once been drops of her blood. She paced again in front of the fire in Vell’s chambers. The Sword thrummed a little on her back. It seemed to be awake more often now that her journey into the mortal world was imminent.

  A little shiver slipped down Tess’s back at the thought, equal parts excitement and foreboding. She had sat with Sage and Robin for a long while, discussing the Exiled in a low voice with them both and trying to offer Sage what comfort she could as he sweated through the gray hours of the early morning. Finally, Sage had drifted into a fitful sleep, and Robin had told her that she’d better go catch a few hours of rest herself. The healers had changed shift by the time she made her way out of the healing wards to catch a few hours of uneasy sleep in her little compartment.

  She woke gasping out of a nightmare – not a nightmare of Malravenar or the battle. It was a new nightmare that disappeared like fog under the morning sun, leaving her only the impression of grasping, clawed hands and a bloodstained mouth. But she pushed it into the back of her mind as she twisted the taebramh lantern into brightness and packed her bag for the journey. Somehow, it felt very different from when they’d been on their journey to Brightvale, across the Deadlands. It felt like she was about to set sail in a ship across an ocean, leaving all she knew behind. Silly, she chided herself, since she’d spent the first twenty years of her life in the mortal world. But somehow those oft-repeated words rang false in her mind. Her life before she’d been carried through the Lesser Gate into Mab’s kingdom had faded like a dream. This was her world now, she was the Bearer.

  Slinging her traveling pack over one shoulder, she looked about her little room and thought that perhaps she’d never see the little table and its lamp again. It was a strangely poignant thought. Her pack was relatively light, bearing only her small book of notes, two changes of clothes, a cloak and two of the more arcane books that contained useful bits about the role of the Bearers in the mortal world, taebramh in the mortal world, and Fae reactions to mortal objects. Tess ran her hands over her assorted weapons: long dagger at her belt, one in each boot top, plain sword at her waist and the Caedbranr in its sheath on her back. She had decided against bringing a bow, thinking that the quiver might prove to be unwieldy. As she pulled aside the curtain and stepped out into the hallway, Haze drew up short, aura sparking at the sudden change in direction.

  “Impeccable timing, Lady Bearer,” he piped brightly, sweeping an elegant bow.

  Despite the anxiety twisting her stomach, she smiled. “The same could be said for you, Haze. I assume that Vell sent you?”

  “The High Queen wishes to meet you in her chambers this morning before the Summoning,” confirmed Haze, taking station above Tess’s right shoulder as she began walking briskly in the direction of the Vyldretning’s quarters. She felt vaguely proud that she’d finally mastered the intricate workings of the ensorcelled pathways but then she wasn’t sure that the pathways didn’t shift themselves for her, sliding her toward her destination by their own magnanimous volition rather than her sense of direction.

  As her feet carried her toward Vell’s quarters, Tess thought about whether she would ask the High Queen about her knowledge of the Exiled. Vell was ulfdrengr and volta, but Finnead had been one of Mab’s Three. Wouldn’t that mean that Vell would have known through her bond with Finnead? Tess still wasn’t sure how deep the bond between Vell and her Three extended. Clearly it was just as deep as the Sidhe Queens and their Named Knights, but did Vell choose to know their hearts and minds in the same way as Mab and Titania, who reached into the very core of their Three?

  After ruminating on how exactly to broach the topic of the Exiled for the time it took to traverse a few corridors, Tess turned her mind to the party traveling with her through the Gate: Calliea, and she hoped Haze; Forin and Farin, as she’d told Haze, though she hadn’t seen hair nor hide of the twins lately. One Vyldgard warrior and three Glasidhe seemed a spare rescue party. Then she almost slapped herself. Of course she had to ask Liam whether Jess or Quinn wanted to come with her. She thought that Quinn would most likely stay here – Niamh had shown slow signs of improvement in the past few days. But she could at least fulfill the promise she’d made to Jess to return him to his family in the mortal world.

  Haze, for his part, remained silent throughout the walk to Vell’s quarters. Deep in her own thoughts, Tess didn’t remark on it until they reached the scarlet tapestry emblazoned with the rune wolf . “I apologize for being so unsociable, Haze,” she said, pausing before the entrance.

  “Make no further mention of it, my lady,” Haze answered g
allantly. “I have been lost in my own musings as well, faced with the prospect of leaving my world for the first time.”

  Tess raised an eyebrow, stifling the smile that tried to creep onto her lips. “Does that mean you’ve accepted my offer to accompany me?”

  “I have received permission from Lady Lumina,” said Haze, “but I also would ask leave of Forin and Farin. They have traveled with you before, and I would not wish to cause them displeasure.”

  Tess let herself smile. “Well, as I said before, I’m sure that they’ll be delighted to be asked to simply scout and fight…though I doubt there will anything ‘simple’ about this journey,” she added.

  “And that is why I could not pass it up,” Haze said in a conspiratorial voice, laughing brightly at Tess’s grin.

  “You’ll probably be able to wrest the title of having met the most mortals from your cousin,” she said. The wolf on the tapestry stood and circled, sitting down again and yawning as if impatient for her to pass through the entrance.

  “Wisp will always hold the title of First Messenger for the Bearer,” replied Haze.

  “That he will,” agreed Tess, touched again by the Glasidhe’s chivalrous hearts. Their fierce loyalty and even fiercer sense of honor and duty expanded the Glasidhe beyond their small statures.

  “I will leave you to your meeting with Queen Vell,” said Haze, “and I will go prepare myself for the journey.” His grin shone even through his aura. “And I am looking forward to this adventure, Lady Tess!”

  “As am I,” she replied with a smile, though she swallowed down a tangle of unease even as she said the words. Haze gave her a little salute and zoomed off down the passageway. Tess turned back to the tapestry and shook her head at the rune-wolf, which flicked its tail at her and settled down on its belly. The Caedbranr only stirred within her chest as she passed through the entryway into Vell’s quarters.

  The circular chamber was empty, but the copper kettle beckoned with fragrant steam on the table. Tess poured herself a cup of hot khal and made a rough sandwich out of a few pieces of bread and cheese from the tray beside the kettle. She forced herself to eat the food despite the nerves souring her stomach. Each mouthful felt like it took an eternity to chew. She didn’t particularly enjoy the food, even though she knew in the back of her mind it was as delicious as any of the Vyldgard’s simple fare. But she did notice that the bread and cheese filled some of the vague hollowness in her body, and the khal at least warmed her pleasurably.

  She set her pack on one of the empty chairs but couldn’t bring herself to sit. The fire danced on the logs in the hearth. Her mind turned again to the Exiled. Robin and Sage hadn’t agreed on whether the Exiled would be hostile to her, the Bearer; they made it sound as though they were most concerned for Merrick, since he was of Unseelie blood. Were the Exiled completely immune to iron at this point, after so long a time unprotected in the mortal world? And if they were…how exactly did one kill a Sidhe who was immune to iron? Tess felt a little sick at the thought. For all her experience in war, she’d never had to kill a Sidhe. She’d driven the Sword through Allene, but she was already possessed by the syivhalla. What would it be like, to watch the life fade from eyes so similar to her own? Perhaps Liam could offer her some advice on the subject. She shook her head and brushed the thought away. Liam’s advice to her during the journey to the Dark Keep had been the closest they’d ever come to discussing his experiences in battle in the mortal world.

  Tess paced in front of the fire, rubbing the cool curve of Gwyneth’s pendant between two fingers. The pendant didn’t respond, but the Sword thrummed softly in its sheath. She drew back her shoulders and addressed the Caedbranr silently. Will you help me, once we’re in the mortal world?

  The Sword vibrated a little. You will not need help.

  Tess blew out a frustrated breath. I feel like I will. I don’t know how anything works in the mortal world as the Bearer.

  Why do you think it will be so different than here? The Caedbranr’s androgynous voice remained carefully neutral.

  Well, for one thing, apparently there are bloodthirsty banished rebels from both Courts who may or may not be insane from their centuries in the mortal world, she replied acidly.

  The Sword’s amusement rippled through her ribs. That is a good line. You should use that in your conversation with the High Queen.

  “Fat lot of good you are,” Tess muttered, turning again to pace down the opposite length of the chamber. She paused as she heard voices in the hallway, and several people emerged through the wall in quick succession. Suddenly the empty chamber was humming with activity: Vell swept in first, followed closely by her Three, and then Calliea and Haze.

  “Good, Tess, you’re here,” Vell said, unclasping her scarlet cloak and tossing it onto the back of an empty chair. “The preliminary workings are done, and we’ve made the objects that you’ll use to Summon the Gate back in the mortal world.” She pulled a black silken pouch from her belt. “I convinced them to make three sets. It’s always good to have extra.”

  “Very practical,” Tess said. Liam grinned as he poured himself a cup of khal.

  Calliea wore her battered breastplate, the robin’s egg blue still marred by scratches and dents. She’d polished the breastplate until it gleamed, but she wore the scars almost proudly. Gray joined Liam at the table, talking to him in a low voice as they both selected their breakfast. Tess envied Liam’s easy camaraderie with the Vyldgard. He fit in so naturally. She stood awkwardly in front of the fire, trying to corral her scattered thoughts.

  “Oh, I had your armor brought for you, I hope you don’t mind,” Vell continued. “It’s just over there.” She motioned with one hand, and then seamlessly accepted the cup of khal offered by Liam. “Thank you.” She took a sip and made a considering face. Liam and Gray watched their Queen closely. “Decent. Whoever made it didn’t burn it, at least.”

  Gray smiled, her eyes flashing brilliantly as she arched an eyebrow and looked at Liam with an expression of triumph. Liam only chuckled and shook his head.

  In contrast to Liam and Gray, Finnead stood silently behind Vell, hands clasped behind his back. His handsome face conveyed dutiful obedience to his Queen, but there was no light in his dark eyes. He looked even more haggard than at the council.

  “We’ll be Summoning the Gate at noon in the pavilion.” Vell glanced at Tess. “Are you alright? You’re awfully quiet.”

  “Just…thinking,” Tess managed. Vell searched her face with her golden gaze for a long moment and then turned back to the table. She emptied the black pouch onto the table with nimble fingers.

  “Three objects, each with one of the Queens’ blood imbued in it,” said the Vyldretning. Tess stepped closer, gazing at the objects that would open the portal again, grouped into neat threes. Each was contained in a small glass orb only a little bigger than a marble. One of the orbs shone brilliantly blue, a tiny white rose curled within; another sparkled like the night sky, dark and mysterious; and in the third orb, snow swirled about a miniature tree. Tess carefully picked up one of the orbs between her thumb and forefinger, marveling at the intricacy.

  “Now, you remember the Summoning that Ailin went over? You have to use them in the right order: Mab, Titania, me. And then once you break the three orbs and say the incantation, seal it with your own blood. Just a drop will do, nothing extravagant.”

  “I remember.” Tess nodded, placing the little orb back on the table. Vell swept them back into the pouch and handed it to her. She opened her belt pouch and nestled the little silk bag next to the river stone containing a piece of Malravenar’s spirit. She might have imagined it but she thought that the stone shuddered a little as the Queens’ orbs settled next to it.

  Vell took another long drink of khal. “We also discussed your traveling companions.”

  At that, Tess raised her eyebrows. “I thought that I’d be choosing my own company.”

  Vell smiled humorlessly. “We already had to drive a bargain with Mab to
secure her cooperation. They each want to send an emissary to ensure the proper handling of the Lethe Stone.”

  “Because I can’t be trusted to handle it properly?” Tess asked, resisting the urge to fold her arms over her chest. The scars on her palms itched.

  “That’s not what I said,” replied Vell, raising her own eyebrow. “It makes a certain kind of sense, Tess, however much we both may dislike it.”

  “So I’ll have to play peacemaker between a Seelie and Unseelie in addition to…everything else?” demanded Tess, almost mentioning the Exiled right then and there. Vell’s eyes narrowed at her hasty correction.

  “That’s part of what I’ll do,” said Calliea. “I don’t mind treating them like children if they act like children.” She grinned. The Valkyrie commander was in much higher spirits now that the day for action had arrived.

  “The Laedrek will be my emissary,” continued Vell.

  Tess sighed. “And whose company do I have to look forward to from Mab’s Court?”

  “I believe you’re on good terms with him,” said Vell. “Ramel.”

  Tess swallowed her sound of surprise. She hadn’t expected Mab to send one of her Knights that had interacted with the Bearer and even been rumored to continue a friendship with her.

  “She also wishes to send the half-blood girl,” Vell said.

  “Molly?” This time, Tess couldn’t hide her shock.

  “She wishes to get rid of her, more like,” muttered Gray. Calliea snorted.

  “Who from the Seelie?” Tess pressed on, trying to regain her footing.

  “Niall. He has the most experience in the mortal world.”

  Tess remembered the Seelie Vaelanseld favorably; she’d met him in the Hall of the Outer Guard, and seen him only peripherally after that during the journey across the Deadlands to the Dark Keep. “I suppose I don’t have much to say about it.”