Sliding into the chair behind my desk, I booted up the computer. There were class schedules to work out and applicants to sort through. I would finish my work and spend each evening with Korwyn until Charles or Jacqueline returned. I had no choice but to continue on my path as I always had, to decide on my actions as opportunities presented themselves.
* * *
One of our students ran into the office, her face flushed with excitement. “The queen has arrived!”
“We have no queen.”
“The former queen.”
“Which one?” But she was already gone. Had she meant Fionna or Aine?
I raced to the field where we held our festivals only to find it crowded with fae. Four stood on the central platform. Father, looking stern and unhappy, Fionna, once more shining with power. Lord Caelen knelt at his mother’s feet, his face tipped up to meet her gaze. Queen Aine, a female as beautiful and compelling as any who’d come after, smiled at her son. Except for Father’s rather sick expression it would have made a fine portrait of the most powerful family in the three realms.
Caelen introduced his mate, Lady Silvus, his son, Aedus, and his son’s mate, Philladre. Finally, their child, Linn, stepped up to kneel before her great-grandmother.
“You have a lovely family, son. Who is your mother, Philladre?”
“Lady Dinestri, my queen.”
“I see.”
Aine surveyed the crowd and I stepped back into the shadows, searching the area for Korwyn and my niece. We could not under any circumstances allow Aine to see us.
The three remaining council members of Cascade were not as circumspect. They bowed and knelt, and when they rose, Aine spoke.
“You three and Caelen’s son Aedus are the council of four who rule in this sidhe?”
Lady Dinestri stepped forward. “Yes, your grace.”
Aine nodded. “Where are your mates and children? Will they not show me the courtesy of attending?”
“My daughters are in the human realm,” Argon answered. He didn’t know Brina was cavorting with Charles and Isaiah in the Demon Realm.
“As are my children.” Lady Jorrenn’s voice wavered slightly. Farrell and Kellaine had purchased homes in Crescent City. I glanced up at the platform once more. Liam’s human mother was not in attendance. I wondered if Caelen would try to keep Lady Erin and Liam a secret. It was well known that Aine hated humans.
“I insist they return. They have until sunset.” She glanced at the sky. “Two hours. I will meet with every one of my mate’s extended brood.” Nothing in Aine’s smile spoke of acceptance or forgiveness. She turned to the king who’d stood silently watching up until now. “There was one other.”
“Dead.”
“And the children?”
Fionna stepped forward. “Disappeared, my queen.”
She was protecting me. I didn’t think Fionna carried an ounce of loyalty in her veins, yet she was protecting me. Korwyn and my niece as well. I glanced around but no one stepped forward to tell the queen that Korwyn yet lived.
“So this is everyone?” Aine asked.
Fin’s eyes met mine despite the fact I was hidden from view. “Yes,” he told Aine. To me he sent, “Leave as quickly as you can. Take Korwyn, Shannon and her family.”
“Only one place…”
“Remember your pledge to protect. Go to Jacqueline in Crescent City. Guard the Cuvier clan and any of my grandchildren who abide there with your life. Do you understand? You are not protected from my anger even in the Mortal Realm.”
“I understand.”
“You and I shall speak now.” Aine hooked her arm in Finvarra’s, not having heard our conversation.
Father nodded and they disappeared.
I raced to the small home Korwyn had created in a picturesque glen where the trees changed color with the seasons at her whim. She only knew me as Winter, a male who had befriended her. A neighbor she shared quiet meals with. My niece, Shannon, also lived nearby.
Thank the gods Korwyn was there and not in the ceremonial field. “We must leave Faerie.”
“What?”
“Queen Aine has returned and she’s calling back all the descendants of Finvarra and his consorts. I fear the queen will kill or imprison each of them. Pack a few things and send out a call to Shannon to do the same and meet us here.”
“But Shannon and I should present ourselves.”
“Fionna told Aine our family has disappeared.”
“Our family? What do you mean our family? You and I are not related.”
“You must do as I say.”
“But what has this to do with you?”
There was no way to make this easy. “Haven’t you wondered about what happened to your brother?”
“Of course. I think of him daily.”
“Look at me, sister.”
“Si… Sister?”
I made the long explanation quick and to the point.
“You say all this time you’ve masqueraded as Winter?”
“And will continue to do so. If I am discovered to be Kennet in the human realm, they will most certainly kill me. Fionna took the name Autumn after her transformation, but the queen has returned Fionna to her true self.”
“How can I believe any of this?”
I spouted a few facts only I would know, but she still didn’t believe me. I dug through more memories. “When you were small, I called you Winnie. You fell in the lake and I pulled you out, but you were angry with me because you hoped the magic of the lake would turn you into a kelpie.”
At last Korwyn smiled. She touched my face. My hands. She squeezed them hard. “Kennet. Oh gods. I thought you were dead.”
It had been so long since anyone touched me gently. Maybe since childhood. “I should be dead. I deserve to be dead.”
“I have never felt that way. Who else knows?”
“Fin and Fionna. Maybe Aine, now. That’s all.”
Her eyes widened. “But you work with…”
“Yes. With Jacqueline.”
She smiled. “You were always clever.” Her smiled turned down. “You don’t mean to hurt Jacqueline, do you?”
“I find I want her happy more than I want her for myself. Odd, but the transformation has changed more than my appearance. I worked in the fields. Saw buds sprout from the soil where I’d planted the seeds. Ate the food I’d urged to grow with long days of hard work. Lord Rey did not want us wasting our magic on things we could accomplish with our own efforts. It gave me time to think outside my own desires.”
“I can’t imagine the great Lord Kennet working to grow crops like a demi fey.”
“Lord Kennet no longer exists.” I raked thick fingers through my short locks. “Contact Shannon and pack only what you can carry. We are going to Crescent City tonight. You must never call me Kennet again, do you understand?”
“I’m used to calling you Winter, so it will not be a problem. But you wish us to travel to the Human Realm? How is this possible?”
“There is a way. I’ll return after the assembly and we will leave immediately.”
“Where are you going?”
“I need information with which to barter.”
Despite Queen Aine’s threats, none of the children ordered to return appeared on time to show their loyalty. Watching the faces of the council members it was clear they had not called them back. They were safer out of the clutches of the mad queen. I would have done the same.
Queen Aine sent Lady Jorrenn and Lord Argon, and their mates to the Faerie Court, to be held until their children arrived to kneel before their queen. Philladre and Ashlyn, Lady Dinestri’s children, kneeled but were still being held, although in nicer quarters. After prostrating herself before the queen, Linn was spared completely. She wept in the arms of her father, Lord Aedus, as Lady Philladre was led away.
After two hours of talking to servants and hiding in shadows during key conversations, I was able to gather enough information to become a valuable asset to Charles a
nd Jacqueline. They would not send us away.
18
Charlie
Khent stormed off and left us hanging around without any clue as to what was going on. The servants brought food, the guards growled at us any time we made a move toward the exit or tried to get through the door Khent had used.
Isaiah conjured comfy furniture, a few large rugs with cushions and even a working fireplace. “No reason to stand around while we wait.”
Jay curled up on a large cushion near the fireplace, snoring away in no time at all. Brina pulled a book out of her leather traveling bag and stretched out on the couch. Isaiah positioned himself on a cushioned window ledge. All three seemed content to wait.
Vantor spouted steam as he paced back and forth. No joke.
I approached him with caution even though I was pretty sure he wasn’t pissed at me. “Why don’t you try to relax?” I realized my mistake when Brina and Isaiah groaned in unison.
“Relax? The goblin has insulted our kind. Wyn would not put up with this treatment and I am his representative. I will eat Khent and his guards, then deposit their remains in piles along their pathways.”
“Deposit their…?” Oh, gods.
His pacing grew more determined, his footfalls heavy, his strides longer than mine.
I tried again. “Anything I can help with?”
“Why do you need this male and his goblins? Goblins are not warriors. Neither are most species who live in this land. Goblins will run into the forest, dig holes in the dirt and cover their small bodies. You will have dragons at your back. You do not need the crude, uncivil unseelie male who falsely calls himself king.” His irises glowed golden.
He deserved an answer, so I put some healing energy into my tone. “I have good reasons which I promise to discuss with you when we are done here. Meanwhile, I’ll see what I can do about wrapping this up.”
I winked, then strode toward one of the guards, painting on a concerned expression. I spoke in Rux so he’d understand. “That large male standing near the enormous portrait of your king is a dragon shifter.”
“They do not exist.”
“They do in fact exist. I thought I should warn you and your sire.”
“Warn us?”
“If Khent doesn’t come back, he’s gonna blow his top.”
To prove the point, Vantor shot out a straw-sized blast of fire at the rectangular portrait, cutting a path around the painting along the inside of the frame. He stepped aside with a satisfied expression just as the painting dropped face down onto the floor with a loud bang, leaving the frame still hanging. Smoke smelling of chemicals rose at the edges.
The guards spoke a dozen words I didn’t understand in rapid fire, then ignored me. Goblins had their own language which I’d never learned. Not that I could have pronounced it. I could barely form words in Rux.
“Whatever he has in mind won’t be as bad as what King Khent will do to us if we let you leave.” Isaiah translated without being asked.
I scratched my jaw. A shave was in order, but who had time? “He’s probably trying to digest what we’ve told him about his people suffering under Naberia.”
The dragon grunted. “No. He cares not for his people. He is sulking because we were truthful and called him a coward.”
Khent appeared suddenly beside his fallen portrait, having taken the lines. Vantor crossed his arms and Khent’s shoulders slumped. “I owe you all an apology.”
“About time.” Isaiah stretched and stood. He pointed at the downed painting. “Good likeness.” He kicked Jay gently in the hip and Jay was instantly on his feet, running both hands back and forth over his face then straightening his clothing.
“I’m good. I’m good.”
Khent dismissed his guards. “I have not treated you as a host should treat his guests. Yes, you were abrupt and unexpected, yet I am not a barbarian, despite what some species believe.” He tipped his head toward Vantor but continued to smile at me. “You are welcome in my kingdom and I look forward to a more in-depth discussion on the topic of my accompanying you to your realm.”
Vantor and Isaiah were about to butt in so I raised my hand and they shut their mouths. “I thank you, your highness, but there is no time for long discussions. You must come now. Even if you cannot bring your entire army, you must come now with as many as are ready.”
“I have no army.”
I forced my hands to stay by my sides. Grabbing the goblin by the collar and choking him into submission sounded too satisfying.
“Impossible,” Isaiah said. “He’s joking.”
“He is not. This is as I expected.” Vantor moved behind me.
Brina stood to my right. “Explain.” Her tone dipped an octave.
“My people enjoy a peaceful existence. Yes, the odd unseelie eats the other odd unseelie, but mostly we are content with life in our realm. I have no need to assemble an army and have them march about without an enemy to aim them towards.”
“Naberia is the enemy and you promised me an army.”
“According to my spies she is still amassing her army.”
“The bargain with the fae will be withdrawn as I am not there. Naberia will attack any day now. How long would it take to gather your army?”
“I’d have to send out notices for volunteers. It will take time to outfit them based on their individual physical and mental needs. We have species here who are not shaped as we are. Arming and clothing them will be quite challenging, I fear.”
“Just use your goblins. They’re more or less uniform,” Brina said.
“I’m afraid this is simply impossible. The loss of life will be too great. All to satisfy creatures from other realms who crave the excitement of bloody battles.”
“No one wants war but Naberia.”
“You think so?”
“You don’t?”
“Who might benefit if fae and demons blew each other to bits?”
Ice crawled up my spine. “Someone like you.” He didn’t respond. “You attended the meeting at the Carmel villa. You supported my leadership.”
“Many might see it as logical for a king to encourage an inexperienced child to lead a war between two of his enemies.”
I moved forward, fury burning a hole in my gut. Somehow, I managed to keep my voice calm. “If you do not support us against Naberia, you dishonor yourself and your people.”
He smiled at me with a gleam in his eyes. “My people care more about survival than honor.”
“You’re afraid. Admit it,” Brina said.
“I do admit it. I am the ruler of a people without strong magic, without the advantages the demon and fae races were born with. We live in a too-crowded realm where many struggle to survive simply because there isn’t enough land for crops or livestock. When the war ends, unseelie will have a chance to reclaim territory stolen from us. Perhaps even claim new territory as well.”
Vantor pushed me aside and I stumbled into Isaiah. He probably thought he was being gentle about it, but then dragons didn’t seem to have much finesse. “You are a coward and we do not need you. Dragons will be fighting beneath, above and beside this courageous young male. No demons in the three realms will be able to defeat us.
“Hide under a rock like a lizard if you wish but hear my words. If your people arrive to fight against us, know that our vengeance will be swift and bloody.” Vantor rose to his full height, making the Goblin King look like a child. “It will take my clan mere minutes to defeat your thousands.”
No one did arrogant warrior better than dragons. They even beat out Aedus for nose in the air attitude, but this bickering wasn’t helping.
Khent was breathing hard, looking as determined as Vantor. “I will not send an untrained army into a battle they have no chance to survive.”
I stepped around the angry dragon and placed my hand on the hilt of my ancient dagger, one of the nine most powerful magical weapons ever created. “Naberia will snatch your subjects up and send them to their slaughter.” I sig
hed and leaned down so we were closer in height. “You should give them a choice.”
“To die under your command or your great grandmother’s.” Khent shrugged.
“I would do everything possible to place them where they have the best chance at survival. They would not act as my vanguard.” Frustrated, I paced away and back. “If you will not come, then find a way to make your realm’s shields strong enough to keep the archdemon out, or at least to delay her. With a war to fight, she won’t waste too much energy trying to get inside.”
Khent sheathed his dagger. “I have a not so secret weapon I believe you are acquainted with.”
In a flash, Zerian appeared. A dark-haired beauty with eyes as bright as her father’s but whose other features and form resembled her mother’s. She reached for me. “Charles. How wonderful to see you after hearing news of your deeds. You’ve grown into a proper warrior.” I laughed as I squeezed her hands, then released them as she turned to Brina. “Lady Brina. Welcome. Still guarding I see.” Brina snaked an arm around my waist and Zerian’s smile turned mischievous. “A good choice for both of you.”
I quickly introduced everyone else.
Zerian was the child of Khent and the former queen of Faerie, Fionna. Her High Seelie Fae and unseelie blood was a powerful mixture, but I wasn’t convinced she’d be able to create the kind of shield necessary to keep out the archdemon.
“I see concern in your features, but I am back to my full strength, thanks to you and King Finvarra. I will protect my realm when father leaves.”
“Leaves?” Was he really going to run away and hide somewhere?
My body tensed as Khent moved toward me, but when he bowed and rose again with a smile, I almost had to conjure a chair for my wobbly knees. “I will fight beside you, Charles. Only, I will come alone. I will not sacrifice my people for the greed of others.”
“You’ll come?” Had I heard him correctly?
“Yes, I’ll join your company. Your…team.” He gave Isaiah a smug smile. “I’ve had my travel bag and weapons packed for some time now.”
“So why the argument?” I asked.
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