by Rye Brewer
I knew then that I had been wrong about her. She was just as fragile as anyone when it came to the people she loved. It didn’t matter how old she happened to be—I had no idea and couldn’t imagine she would appreciate my asking—or how powerful a witch she was.
“He’ll come back. Nothing could keep him away from you and Lena.”
I hugged her and hoped that I was telling the truth. Wanting to be there for his family and actually being able to make good on his promises were two different things.
The opening of a portal startled us both, though that was exactly what we’d been waiting for all along.
“They’re coming through!” Sirene beamed, and I couldn’t help but sag a little against her as relief washed over me. Finally. They were coming back.
I hadn’t expected to see Branwen practically carrying Stark through the portal, however, and neither had Sirene.
“What happened?” she gasped when Stark collapsed onto the cobblestones.
Branwen was blood-soaked, just like he was, her face white as a sheet.
“We were attacked. One of them bit him, but he doesn’t seem to be showing signs of illness.” She slid the canvas bag from her shoulder and held it out to me. It bulged with bag after bag. “Blood. As promised.”
Then, she collapsed next to him.
23
Felicity
Avellane. My home.
My former home, I corrected myself as I looked around the place I’d always called home. At least, until I became Allonic’s wife.
ShadesRealm was a lovely place. Truly. I ventured into the forest whenever I had the chance, admiring the natural splendor surrounding me while I gathered berries, barks, and plants. I’d known nothing but Avellane my entire life, naturally, and nothing could change the fact that I felt more at peace while in nature than anywhere else.
Yet for all its loveliness, it hardly held a candle to the wonder that was my home for so many years. The only home I’d ever imagined calling my own before meeting Allonic.
Avellane was just as fresh and pure as I remembered. Even the air felt different. Cleaner, sweeter, with a lushness underneath which spoke of the flowering vines hanging from the trees. Their color was something that could never have been replicated elsewhere, I was certain.
As I looked around in wonder, feasting on the sights and sounds and scents, Allonic hardly seemed as enraptured.
“I do not understand why we ride as we do,” he grumbled.
I found it a bit ridiculous, truth be told, but I understood the importance of keeping up appearances. “They wish to be of service,” I reminded him in a whisper, hoping my words would not reach the ears of the guards pulling our wheeled cart. There were no horses in ShadesRealm, and certainly no vehicles as there were in the human world.
“My feet work perfectly well.”
“As do mine—along with my legs,” I added, struggling to contain a grin but failing horribly.
“I’m glad you find so much amusement in this.”
“I don’t find any of it amusing.” Just like that, the urge to smile dissolved. “I find it quite serious, which is why I agreed to go along with it. Once again, we must keep up appearances. You are a ruler now. You must behave as one does—which means swallowing your infernal pride now and again.”
He rewarded me with a scowl, but clearly thought better of offering further argument. I was right, for one—and we were in public, for another, which was hardly the appropriate place for us to hold this tired conversation yet again.
I told myself to be patient. It would take time for him to cease thinking as he once had, back when his family shunned and criticized him. He possessed a sharp intellect, an innate sense of fairness, a tremendous deal of nobility.
Yet he still had so much to learn.
We approached the City of Trees in our cart, pulled by a pair of the strongest guardsmen. Behind us were a series of other carts, these pulled by shades who wished to personally offer apologies to the king of the fae for the grief caused by Garan.
It would never be enough to replace who we’d lost—no, I corrected myself. Who they lost. I was no longer one of the fae. I was a queen. Queen of the shades.
To my surprise and delight, Gregor greeted me as one. He emerged from the tightly-clustered trees, followed by a group of faces familiar to me as my own. My heart swelled, and I did everything in my power to remain still and sedate when I wanted nothing more than to run to them.
I hadn’t truly understood my loneliness until that moment. I needed more than silent, secluded days spent in our chambers, or on my own in the woods. In Avellane, I’d not only been Gregor’s closest advisor, but also a healer. I’d been in constant contact with my friends—and all had been friends of mine, without exception.
I had no friends in ShadesRealm. No one but Allonic. Would time help me adjust to this, as it would help him adjust to rulership? I slipped my hand into his, feeling greater sympathy than ever.
“There is the happy couple!” Gregor rejoiced. It brought me immeasurable relief to see color in his cheeks, a sparkle in his eyes. I hoped it wasn’t only for our sake.
I climbed down from the cart with his help and accepted a warm hug. “Queen Felicity,” he beamed. “It has a nice ring to it, if I might be so bold.”
“You might,” I laughed. “It still sounds foreign. I only recently stopped looking over my shoulder, looking for this queen everyone keeps referring to.”
He laughed—loud and rich—sounding just as I remembered. It was enough to give me hope.
“King Allonic,” he smiled, taking my husband’s hand. It brought to mind the day he’d united us in marriage. “I’m pleased to welcome you to Avellane, and honored that you would take the time to favor me with this visit.”
It was the way I’d heard him speak to countless rulers and diplomats before, yet it inspired a flash of pride. He was speaking to my husband—and I knew Allonic respected him a great deal, which made it even more meaningful.
“King Gregor,” Allonic announced, “we bring these gifts to you today in the hope that you might grant forgiveness for what has transpired. I want for nothing more than our two realms to exist in peace and harmony. I’m certain there is much I might learn from you.”
This had been rehearsed, naturally, and recited more for the sake of the shades who’d accompanied us and the fae who’d followed Gregor from his chambers when he received word of our approach.
“Thank you.” Gregor clasped his hand again. “I accept this on behalf of my people, in the hope that we might create a brighter future together.”
My heart swelled again. This was the first step toward something better, I was certain. A deeper unity where what had existed in the past was little more than a fragile truce.
“Come,” Gregor beckoned. “I would like to see you both in my chambers. Your escorts are welcome to take refreshment while we have a few minutes together.”
He directed his guard to prepare refreshment, and I advised our escorts to follow. They’d never been to Avellane, it was clear, and the look of wonder on their faces gave me a sense of satisfaction.
They needed to know the fae were nothing to be trifled with.
Only once we were alone in the familiar set of rooms Gregor called his own could the three of us relax. He favored me with another hug. “You make a wonderful queen,” he murmured, squeezing me tight. “As I knew you would.”
Allonic made no pretense of not overhearing this. “She is a wonder. I realize you were unaware of it throughout your time together, but you trained her well. She’s already set me straight on many occasions.”
Gregor laughed, sitting by the fire. “I would imagine so. She set me straight time and again, as well. I needed it.”
“How are you?” I sat across from him, beside my husband, and accepted a cup of wine from what I knew was Gregor’s personal supply. He saved this for only his most esteemed guests—the thought of partaking in it felt rather unreal.
“I’
m doing well—truly,” he insisted upon recognizing my skepticism. “So long as I remain happily busy, I am at my best. You know that very well.”
“I do. What has been keeping you so busy, then?”
“Improvements throughout Avellane, for one. Tightening our security measures—this was one of my immediate efforts, if only to soothe the panic which went up among the fae after the invasion by Garan’s forces.”
“Forces which are mine now, and you need never fear it happening again,” Allonic vowed.
“I believe you. However, my people do not know you as I do. They can only react based upon what they’ve seen thus far, and what they’ve seen up until now has hardly inspired confidence. It is a ruler’s most critical duty to instill confidence in his people. Once they feel secure, they can thrive.”
I could almost hear my husband making mental notes as Gregor shared his years of experience with a much less experienced ruler. I was proud of both of them, sitting and conversing as two kings.
“Were you aware there is to be a meeting of the vampires?” he asked, looking from Allonic to me.
“We haven’t been in contact with Anissa or any of the others,” I explained. “When is the meeting to take place?”
“Within a few days. Jonah will be confirmed the leader of the League. He will no longer be an interim leader. I’m certain of it.”
“I hope you’re right,” Allonic mused, stroking his chin. “While I cannot imagine anything worse than Lucian, I’m certain the possibility exists.”
“The possibility always exists,” Gregor agreed. “The key is knowing that and preparing in case it becomes reality. Only when we grow complacent and secure in our safety are we in true danger.”
“Didn’t Jonah mention the possibility of naming you and Fane as advisors to the League?” I asked.
“I wouldn’t expect you to remember that,” he winked. “That was such an important day for you.”
I blushed. “Yes, well, I have a tendency to recall important bits of information—no matter when they were presented to me. Will you attend the meeting, then?”
“I will.” He shrugged, spreading his hands. “Whether they’ll take to my presence or not is anyone’s guess, but I must try. If I were asked to vote whether to bring someone on as an advisor, I would want to see them in person.”
“Wise,” I nodded.
Allonic surprised me by blurting, “We will attend, too.”
“We will?” I turned to him, eyes wide. “That seems a rather sudden decision.”
“It is, but it makes sense. I want to reach out to the vampires,” he explained. “No better time to do that than when their clan leaders are together, where I might have the chance to speak to everyone at once. Knowing Jonah will be there to lead the meeting gives me added hope that this will turn out for the best.”
He turned to me, taking my hand as he did. “What are your thoughts?”
The fact that he would go so far as to ask robbed me of my voice as tears threatened to choke me up. I swallowed them back before offering a reply. “I believe you’re right. We ought to go, together. I won’t let you do it alone.”
He chuckled, sounding downright indulgent. “I highly doubt I’ll be in any danger there.”
“Just the same, I’ll feel better knowing I’m with you and will be able to look out for your best interests.” I gave him a firm look. “This is how it’s going to be, so you’d better accept it.”
Gregor burst out laughing. “I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t, and I mean no disrespect. But it’s refreshing, really, to see you do that to somebody else. I thought it was only to myself that you were so… no-nonsense.”
Allonic flashed a rueful grin. “Trust me. You aren’t alone. I might need to pull you aside later and find out just how you learned to deal with her.”
“Enough,” I chided them. “Are we decided, then? We’ll attend the meeting, or at the very least make an appearance to instill goodwill and ensure the vampires know we mean what we say.”
“Very well,” Allonic agreed, enjoying his wine at last. It was refreshing, seeing him relax for the first time in what seemed like ages.
“Have you heard from Anissa?” I asked, watching Gregor’s face carefully for signs of anything he might try to withhold.
“Not since the day of your weddings,” he murmured, sounding mournful. “I trust she’s well, though. If she weren’t, she would send word. Someone would send word.”
“I’m sure they would,” I agreed, though I did not entirely believe it. If some catastrophe took place, it would be difficult for her to reach out. If not impossible.
But he needed to hold onto that assertion, and I wouldn’t have taken it from him for anything in the world. It would be the same as kicking an already wounded animal.
While he did everything in his power to conceal his wounds, they were there. Just under the surface, just behind the twinkle in his eye. He kept them to himself, the poor dear, but he could never fool me. We’d been through too much together.
It would take time—nothing less would do. Time to heal, time to move on.
And something to consume his attention, for while there was always something to concern himself with around Avellane, he was an experienced ruler who knew how to delegate. He did not need to be an active participant in nearly any of the realm’s usual business.
An idea came to me.
While Allonic enjoyed his wine and a moment’s rest by the fire, I motioned for Gregor to follow as I went to the balcony overlooking much of the realm. It seemed to go on forever in all directions, the lushness, and greenery, the abundance. I looked out to where the Hermitage gleamed like a jewel in the sunlight, sparkling and inviting me.
I longed for it before reminding myself of how much better I had it now. I’d found love, and purpose, and I had the joy of watching my husband become the king he was born to be.
Gregor reached my side moments later. “What is it?” he whispered. “Something you’re not telling me?”
I held a finger to my lips while shaking my head. “No, no, all is well. I wanted to ask you for a tremendous favor—something which I hope you won’t find presumptuous.”
He scoffed at this. “As if I would ever find you presumptuous. You know you can ask me for anything, and there is nothing I would refuse you. Within reason, naturally,” he added.
“Naturally.” I glanced inside, toward Allonic. He was wise enough to understand I might want a few minutes alone with someone who’d been like a father to me, and discreet enough to at least pretend he couldn’t hear us. “I was hoping you could help him.”
“Allonic?”
“Yes, of course. He needs… if not lessons, at least guidance. He had no one to train him in the art of being a skillful ruler. He has the potential, I know he does, along with a deep desire to better his people. He’s just and fair, but not necessarily skilled when it comes to dealing with expectations.”
Gregor’s eyes narrowed. He nodded in agreement. “I see. Yes, a king cannot simply ascend to the throne without at least being made aware of the various pitfalls which accompany the position.”
“True. While going against everything his cousin and grandfather put in place has served him well thus far, the time will come when he needs to make his own mark as king. I had hoped—”
“Say no more.” Genuine warmth poured from him as he patted my hand. “I will do anything I can to assist him, so long as he allows me to do so. It takes quite a bit of pride to be a king, you know. He might not take kindly to my guidance.”
“He will. I’m sure of it.” I hugged him again, impulsively, and he returned the gesture.
So long as I knew he had something to occupy his mind, I could rest easy—besides, Gregor’s remaining in contact with Allonic would grant me the opportunity to keep tabs on him. I wouldn’t have to wonder any longer how he was faring without Tabitha.
This visit had proven far more beneficial than I could’ve imagined.
24
>
Genevieve
“New York,” I said under my breath as we disembarked from the cargo ship. I’d made a point of bundling up, covering myself nearly from head to toe and keeping my head down as we descended the gangplank which extended to the dock below.
It was a good thing we’d brought the full supply of blood along, for it had been barely been enough to stave off starvation through the week-long journey across the ocean. There was one bag left, one which I kept close to myself at all times. Hoarding it as I would a great treasure.
It was nothing less than a treasure, one which kept me from descending into insanity as hunger overtook good sense. I’d seen it happen before, so many times. The notion of becoming one of those shrieking, begging, writhing, pitiful creatures was never far from the forefront of my mind.
“Dawn will arrive in less than thirty minutes.” Anton walked ahead of me, as if needing to stand guard as he had throughout our journey. “Is there anywhere we could take shelter through the day?”
He made a strong point. I didn’t have the time to course from the port to the high-rise. And then, what if I found out that Jonah wasn’t there. There was always the chance he Jonah wouldn’t be there. We would have nowhere to shelter from the sun if that were the case.
I’d thought about this during the voyage. “There is an apartment near Central Park which I’ve had for decades,” I informed him as we hurried from the ship and past the warehouses along the dock. An apartment I’d kept for when we came into town for League meetings. One I never used, and never told anyone about. It was a secret safe house. For those just in case times. I’d not been there since I leased it. Had never needed to.
I made sure to keep my head down at all times, covering every inch of skin for fear of the sun making a sudden appearance.
Ridiculous, naturally, and I knew it. Yet not nearly enough time had passed since my burning for me to take an easygoing attitude. I wouldn’t suffer like that again if I could help it.
