by LJ Rivers
She tilted her head at him, evidently puzzled at what he was saying. “Are you sure, Commander?”
“I am, My Queen.”
Morgana returned her gaze to Jen. “One of my scriveners told me your name, your full name, that is, has the same meaning as the princess’, is that right?”
Jen remained on one knee. “In our world, Jeannine and Guinevere have the same origins. They both stem from the name Gwyn.”
Morgana gave an approving nod. “Indeed, they do. Well, maybe that is why I have taken a shine to you. That, and your fierce heart, of course.”
“Perhaps it’s two sides of the same coin?” Jen asked. “Ruby has quite the fierce heart herself.”
“Commander Taryn has suggested I allow you and your pack to join him and his scouts as they fly to Mynydd Dewin. I am inclined to grant him—and you—that wish.”
“Please, let us go,” said Jack, who, together with Erica, had also dropped to his knee when Jen did. “For Ruby, and for you, Queen Morgana.”
Morgana stood, and Nefari quickly joined her on her left side. “Commander Taryn?”
“Yes, My Queen?”
“Take Jeannine, daughter of Gwyn Tala, and her pack with you. At no point are you to place them in jeopardy. They will assist you with their eyes, ears, and noses, and nothing else. Is that clear?”
“As the queen commands.” Taryn gave the three wolves a quick nod. “Come with me.”
He loosened the clip and pulled his crimson cloak off his neck. With a flourishing move, he spun around, hiding behind his cloak. Seconds later, the dark red fabric lowered, revealing a magnificent eagle. Its eyes were unmistakably Taryn’s. Impressive as his change was, I was still more concerned about my wolf friends.
“Please!” I begged. “Don’t do this.”
Jen gave me a hug, breathing into the groove of my neck. “I have to, Red. You of all people should understand.”
I did, but that still didn’t mean I wanted her to go. She released me and looked in my eyes.
“See you soon.”
“Be careful,” I whispered.
Commander Taryn was already halfway across the square, flying six feet above the cobblestones. Jen, Erica, and Jack ran after him. Before they caught up, they veered right, hiding behind a large stone pillar. When they appeared on the other side a few seconds later, they had shifted into their four-legged counterparts. It might have been the flickering light of the lamps that played tricks on me, but as with Kit, the three wolves seemed bigger than I remembered.
Morgana took my hand. “Taryn’s orders are to locate your grandparents and report back to me. My War Council and I will then decide how best to move forward with a rescue mission. Your friends will not engage in any combat, Princess.”
“And what am I supposed to do while they’re gone?”
She wiggled her eyebrows. “Today, you will relax and spend time with your intended. I will have someone come for you in a while to show you around the castle.” She bent down to her feline companion. “Home, Nefari.”
The guardling made a nodding gesture and ran off.
“Later, I hope you will join me for dinner. I will send for Carolina, too.”
I looked at Brendan, who grinned back at me. “My inten—? Oh, no, we’re not … it’s not like that.”
“He looks like he thinks it is.” Morgana turned on her heel. Before I could say anything to wipe the smirks off either of their faces, the queen unfolded her wings and took off. As she disappeared over the rooftops, and her remaining Crimson guards ran their sandals and hoofs off to catch up with her, her laughter echoed off the stone walls.
“What’s wrong, my intended.” Brendan folded his arms around my waist.
“You’re an eejit,” I said, but allowed him to pick me up and kiss me.
Loud gasps could be heard around the small plaza.
“Put me down,” I whispered.
Brendan obeyed, still grinning like a fool.
“Some of them might know I’m their princess. I have no idea how they’ll react to a Don Hekal kissing me.”
“Sorry.”
I smiled. “Just save the kisses for later, and you’re forgiven.”
He bowed deeply. “As My Princess commands.”
“As I said, you’re an eejit.”
“Princess?” said a voice behind me.
I turned. Valet Anwinar stood straight, holding his spear across his chest. “Is the Don Hekal bothering you?”
“Thank you Anwinar, but he is not. It’s a custom from the Land of Eternal Sand to kiss, and I just explained to him that it might not be one here.”
Anwinar looked puzzled. “That is very much a common thing on Avalon. I was thinking about him lifting you.”
“Oh, right. Well, he’s—” I gave up. “He’s my intended, and I have allowed him to show his affection. I don’t expect Avalonians to understand.”
His eyes widened. “Your intended? I beg the Princess’ pardon a thousand times over, but a Fae cannot—”
Crap! I had to clear up this mess before it became a big thing.
“Enough, Valet Anwinar.”
He clamped his mouth shut.
“It was a private comment from the queen, meant for my ears only. Can I trust you to keep this to yourself?”
Anwinar bent his front knees, his thick mane showering his face as he dipped his head. “My Princess, I will burn thrice in the Nethers before I reveal this secret.”
“Rise, Valet Anwinar.” I was getting good at the whole princess thing. In the corner of my eye, I noticed Brendan struggling hard to retain his composure. When Anwinar straightened, I placed a hand on his hip again. “I trust you to both keep the secret and to take my Don Hekal friend and me back to my room.” I didn’t dare look at Brendan as I emphasised the friend part, knowing I would not be able to stop laughing if I did.
Around us, people were returning to whatever they were doing before the queen arrived. From at least three of the dark openings in the inner wall loud clanks issued, and red sparks flew as the blacksmiths’ hammers pounded the glowing metal.
“Excuse me, soldier,” Brendan said. “Earlier, I spoke to Elwood, the blacksmith on the far end. He said he makes swords for the Crimson guards.”
“He does. There is no one better in this land or any other.”
“If it’s all right with you, Ruby, I would like to have another look.”
“Sure,” I said, joining Brendan as he walked towards the dark opening.
“Elwood?” Brendan called, shielding his eyes from the brightness of the flame.
“Brendan the Don Hekal!” the smith bellowed and dropped his hammer. He peeled off a giant glove and reached for Brendan’s outstretched hand, which completely disappeared in his. Elwood looked past Brendan’s shoulder, an easy task, seeing as he towered at least a full head above my boyfriend.
My intended. I felt all tingly when Morgana’s words echoed in my mind, before mentally slapping myself. Get a grip, Ru!
“So this is the Ruby you spoke of, Brendan.” The man’s voice seemed to have only one setting—earthquake. “A pleasure to the eyes, just as you said.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Pleased to meet you, Elwood. I hear you are the foremost weapon smith in Her Majesty’s service.”
Elwood grinned, showing teeth that could easily belong in a bear’s mouth. I might not be able to see his aura, but this was a bear Shifter, no doubt about it. “You have been misinformed, young Fae.”
“Oh? I thought—”
“I do not only make weapons better than any hammer-wielder south of the Ygrenya Plains. Not to be immodest, but you’ll have trouble finding anyone that can perform the magic of the steel like old Elwood of Pelles.”
I bowed. “Then I am not only pleased but honoured to meet you, Elwood of Pelles. We shouldn’t keep you from your work.”
He roared with amusement, which sounded like a volcano erupting. “Each second away from my anvil is a second I get to stand close to royalty, and that is an honou
r not usually bestowed upon old Elwood. Have no fear, Your Highness, that I’m more than capable of making up for the time spent.”
“So, you know who I am?”
The giant Shifter looked at me as if I had told him his anvil was made of French cheese. “Why, any man and woman within the castle knows, Your Highness. The news that the queen’s blood is no longer lost to the Land of Eternal Sand has travelled faster than wildfire.”
“It still doesn’t mean you should be kept from your work. I presume the queen needs all the weapons she can get from your able hands.” I turned, intending to tell Brendan we should leave, but he had moved further inside and was talking to a young man next to the glowing furnace. “B?”
He waved me over. “You’ve got to see this, Ruby.”
The young man handed him a sword.
I sighed, apologising to Elwood. “I guess boys will be boys, no matter what world they’re in.”
“I have an idea what that means, and I think you’re right, Princess.”
“Look.” Brendan’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “It’s only half the size of the Crimson and Juniper guards’ swords. Feeney says it’s for training, but to me, it looks like something I could do serious damage with.”
Feeney snickered. “That’s funny, Don Hekal.”
“No, I mean it, really. From what I’ve seen so far, all Crimsons and Junipers have big, heavy swords, which are suited for a different kind of swordplay than what I’m used to. Sure, they can chop a man in half with a single blow, but I much prefer this one.” He weighed the blade in his hands. “When will you have the hilt ready, you think?”
“On the next crow of the rooster,” said Feeney, still smiling at what he apparently thought was a jest on Brendan’s part.
“If it’s all right by you,” Brendan said, “and you, Elwood, of course, I would like to come by and maybe test it tomorrow.”
Behind me, Anwinar let out a puff of air through his nose.
“What was that, Valet?” I tried not to sound as annoyed as I was.
“Nothing, Your Highness.”
“No, speak up. Do you have something to say about this sword or my … friend?”
Brendan folded his lips between his teeth, giving me a brief wink.
“The Don Hekal, Brendan, is mistaking a training sword for a battle blade. I meant no disrespect. I will join him in the dark morning to ensure he has all the opportunity he likes to try it. I’ll arrange for a suitable opponent, My Princess.”
“A what?” I gawked. “No, there is no need—”
“That sounds great,” Brendan said. “Thank you, Anwinar. I’ll take you up on your offer.”
I threw my hands up. “See?” I said to Elwood.
He nodded, his smile broadening. “I see what Princess Ruby means. Boys will be boys.”
Chapter Seventeen
Cherise woke me up bright and early the next day. Only not so bright, and I had no clue what awr it might be, but it felt like earlier than the rooster would have been crowing.
I left Brendan snoring in bed and slipped into something a little more comfortable than the gown I had worn yesterday. The tailor had come through on his word, providing me with leather trousers and a form-fitting, matching jacket. Underneath, I wore a long-sleeved, light brown tunic. All in all, I felt much better in tall boots and trousers.
Without explanation, Cherise led me to an open courtyard in the southern part of the castle, a part I hadn’t visited before. As I stepped into the garden, where I assumed there once had been blooming flowers everywhere, a slight breeze tugged at a few loose strands of my hair. I had tried putting it in a ponytail, but Cherise wouldn’t have it, so instead, my hair was braided away from my face with a few loose locks swaying underneath.
Ahead, a midnight-black creature slinked past a statue, sculpted in the image of the queen standing next to it.
“Ruby,” she called, and I closed the distance, waving to Cherise, who disappeared back inside.
“My Queen.”
“I do apologise for the early awr, but I keep a busy schedule, and I wanted to show you something.”
“What?” I asked, falling into step beside her.
“The source of our power.” Her eyes twinkled, but she didn’t elaborate.
Nefari led the way, and Kit appeared from a waning rose bush to strut beside the guardling. While Nefari almost reminded me of a panther in size and demeanour, Kit now looked like one of those large cats that resembled a lynx. Maine Coon, I seemed to recall the breed was called. It was odd how much he had changed since we had arrived in this world, and I unwittingly reached back to touch my shoulder blades.
“I’m afraid you won’t sprout wings any time soon,” Morgana said, eyeing me closely.
“Oh, I didn’t realise I was looking.”
“I’m afraid you missed your chance, but don’t worry, you are an impressive Fae. Wings or no.”
We left the courtyard behind and continued across a bridge set high between a couple of towers. The view was spectacular. Beyond the castle walls to my left, Avalen stretched far and wide. It was bustling with life. Fae flitted through the winding streets, their wings glittering in the lantern lights, all the way down to the harbour. The sea lay like a blanket of dark velvet, boats and immense ships rocking gently on the waves.
“Magnificent,” I breathed.
“You should see it under the warmth of the sun.” Morgana took a deep breath, shaking her head. “The sun’s absence is challenging for our people. And I must admit, I mourn the day its light waned.”
Our people. “What happened?”
We entered the next tower and walked through it and onto another bridge. This time, I hardly saw the city anymore. Instead, the mountain range rose beside us and in front. Above, giant creatures soared, their squawks like a sombre song.
“To tell you the truth, and that is what I like to do, I do not know exactly. There are theories on what really happened at the Fall of Light. What I do know is that it gave our enemies an edge, allowing them to attack Avalon in the cloak of darkness. A Sorcerer fares well in the shadows, as you are aware. The crone once spoke of a hidden power in the darkness, and Merlin told me he could sense it calling him.”
My heart almost burst out of my chest. “He did? What more did he say about it?”
“Not much. Whether Merlin listened or not, I cannot tell. Nor do I know if there truly is some hidden force in the shadows.”
I avoided the shadows stretching out to me all around us, knowing all too well how it felt to have them call out to me.
“What I do know,” Morgana said, “is that Sorcerers have an advantage in the dark, even those who cannot Shadowwander like a Merlin, of whom there are not many left. Their—your—power to conjure fire is an advantage. Combined with darkness, it provided them with an opportunity to strike. Somehow, however, I do not believe they meant for the sun to stay absent, and in their greed, something went wrong.” She raised her chin. “But do not trouble yourself, my dear. What I’m about to show you is meant to brighten your day, not darken it.”
I wanted to ask more, but I could tell she had moved on. After descending a steep stairwell at the back of the castle, we stood at the foot of the mountain. The castle walls still surrounded us on both sides, and I took note of the Junipers standing guard on the battlements above.
“Come.” Morgana took my hand and led me onto a path between the ridges of the mountain. Here, flowers bloomed, and blueish grass softened our steps. The roar of a waterfall sounded ahead, and I raised my eyes. Water splashed down into a vast lake, hugged by the mountain. Waterlilies swerved on the surface, and what looked like hummingbirds flitted back and forth. There were no lanterns here, but the water was a source of light in and of itself. A cascade of turquoise hues glimmered on the mountain walls, flooding the place in luminescent waves.
“I have no words.” My mouth fell agape. I remembered this waterfall. I had seen it once before in a vision. Only then, it spouted rivers o
f blood, and someone had called out Merlin’s name. I fidgeted with my hair. “This is where Merlin died, isn’t it?”
She arched one of her already high eyebrows. “Not quite, though we are nearly there. How did you know?”
“I saw it with my Truesight,” I admitted.
“And now she has Truesight,” Morgana muttered. “When were you going to tell me?”
I felt like a small child, having been reprimanded by my mother. “It wasn’t exactly a power I could show you during the trial, and to be fair, a lot has happened these past few days.”
“I understand. It is good you told me now. Come, and I’ll show you where Merlin fell.”
She yanked me forward, and we walked alongside the lake until we reached the waterfall. The noise drowned out every word, so Morgana only pointed.
I shook my head. Was she serious? It looked as if she wanted me to step into the waterfall.
She gave me a persistent stare, then pulled me with her. I stumbled on the slippery rocks, preparing to get drenched. I never did. We had entered a cave behind the waterfall. Nefari and Kit wandered beside us, and the noise had faded somehow, even though the waterfall was at my back. Still, cave might have been the understatement of understatements. I couldn’t even tell how high the ceiling was. It was as if the outside continued inside, and another lake mirrored the one we had left behind. Only this one was a little different. Power surged in the air and the whole area hummed with magic. The sensation was so intense, I felt my blood simmer in response. So much power. It clamped around me as if attempting to fill me with its essence. It was as if I could drown in its embrace.
We continued at a slow pace on a narrow path, across the rocky ground and onto a blanket of turquoise sand, which rolled into the clear blue water. All the while, magic brushed against my skin.
Six blueish pillars rose from the surface, maybe fifteen feet from where we stood. Vines with crimson flowers climbed the turquoise stone. Similar stone steps emerged in a circle from the foot of the pillars, leading to a fountain, made from the same material as the chalice. I had seen this place as well. When Nimue spoke to me in an aircraft hangar back on Earth.
