Heart Of The Goblin King (The Realm Trilogy Book 1)

by Lisa Manifold

  “We were thrown into your world,” Drake interjected. “Amazingly, we had no temper tantrums.”

  Brennan glared at him, and Drake rolled his eyes and moved to the other side of the room near the window. Apparently Drake found her irritating as well. He felt another pang that she was leaving. Why? He wanted nothing more than to be rid of her and get on with the question of who had attacked him.

  Didn’t he?

  He shoved his thoughts about Iris to the side and focused on wiping away her memory. He’d need to have her sleep until he found his missing mage. That in and of itself—an open-ended sleeping spell—gave him cause for concern, but there was nothing to be done. He also didn’t need her banging on doors and shouting down the castle. So her request made his life easier in some respects. She’d stay asleep until he could find his mage, and then get her home.

  “Close your eyes, Iris. Let your mind go blank, and try to relax. Do not speak,” he added as he saw her open her mouth. “I need your cooperation, please.”

  She blew out a breath and glared. He forced himself to maintain a neutral expression, and finally saw her face relax.

  “Oh, all right. Can’t get any worse.”

  “Not with your constant chatter.” Drake spoke quietly. Brennan didn’t think Iris could hear him. He hoped not. Neither of them were being very helpful or cooperative.

  Iris closed her eyes, and Brennan began to speak the words of the sleeping spell. He could see her sink deeper into the couch as unconsciousness took over. He added the words to the memory spell. When she leaned over onto the pillow, he stood.

  “I think that’s done it. Let’s settle her in and go and find the damned mage.” He stepped closer to her, taking her gently by the shoulders and laying her on the pillow. Her hair spread out across the pillow in a manner most fetching.

  Most fetching? Brennan shook his head. What was wrong with him?

  “Drake, ring for staff.”

  For once, Drake complied without commentary. Brennan stood silently, watching Iris sleep. Her lashes were darker than her hair, lying across the top of her cheeks like miniature feathers. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, and her lips parted ever so slightly…he found himself wanting to run his finger across them…

  The door opened and Nezneys, a goblin who had been with him for as long he could remember, came in. Nezneys looked as though she’d rather be anywhere else. It always amazed him how quickly his entire castle knew that he wasn’t in a wonderful frame of mind.

  “Majesty?”

  “Watch the human. She is in a sleep, and I want to make sure she stays well until the mage arrives.”

  Nezneys nodded. “I won’t leave her, Majesty.”

  He nodded, and walked from the room, Drake at his heels.

  “How do you propose to find him?”

  Brennan sighed. “I’ll have to ask Mother.”

  “Oh, no, you don’t want her involved in this!”

  His mother, the Fae Queen Nerida, had what could only be called an imposing manner. If one was being kind.

  “No, I really don’t, but she is the most skilled scryer I know. We’ll need her in order to find the damnable man! Why did he choose now to be gone?” Brennan ran his hands across the top of his head.

  “It’s bad timing to be sure. Are you sure you want to call in Mother?” In spite of the fact Drake had fostered in their home and had been adopted by Brennan’s parents, he maintained a healthy respect for the queen.

  Brennan sighed again. “I really see no other way. She’ll be discreet, as well. I had planned to ask for her assistance anyway, in regards to our scarred friend.”

  Drake grinned. “You mean Scarry McScarface?” He laughed, then his face sobered. “You’re right about calling her. Best get it over with. Let’s use the great hall. She’s less apt to lecture if she thinks there might be an audience.”

  In spite of his worry, Brennan laughed. “How well you know her! Don’t worry, I won’t make you speak. That name, by the way, doesn’t do him justice.”

  “Yes, but it’s funny every time I say it. Don’t build him up, Bren. He’s an interloper, and we will put him down.”

  Brennan didn’t answer. Something about Scarface felt off. More than it should. He felt like he knew him, yet he knew he didn’t. Brennan didn’t like mysteries.

  They walked on towards the hall. Once there, Brennan pulled out the mirror he used to contact his parents. His mother kept a small mirror on her at all times in order to be available to her offspring.

  “Mother,” he spoke to the mirror.

  In a moment, her face appeared. “Brennan! This is a surprise.” Her tone suggested the surprise didn’t please her.

  “Mother, I have need of you. Are you available to travel to my castle?”

  His direct approach merited a lifting of her brows. “I have nothing pressing this afternoon. Will that be soon enough?”

  “The sooner the better, Mother. I thank you for your prompt response.”

  “Such formality! With your own mother. I find myself somewhat concerned, Brennan. Where is Drake?”

  Drake stepped into view of the mirror. “Here, Mother.”

  She peered closely through the mirror at Drake. “I’m not going to get a thing out of you, either,” she said crossly. “Never mind. Ought I to travel immediately?”

  Drake nodded. “It would be best.”

  Nerida looked at the two of them for a moment, not replying. She gave the smallest of sighs. Brennan knew a lecture lay in his future. Hundreds of years old and his mother still lectured.

  “Very well. I shall inform your father and be there directly.” She disappeared from the mirror.

  “You’re in for a stern talking-to, at the very least,” Drake grinned at him.

  “You’re going to be right there with me,” Brennan snapped.

  “Shall we have an ale then, while we wait?”

  They burst out laughing. They’d sat through many of Nerida’s lectures as boys. “No, because then she’ll add drunkard to our list of crimes. I don’t want to give her further weapons.”

  Faster than Brennan thought possible, Nerida appeared through the portal in the great hall. He jumped to his feet to greet her.

  “Mother, you look stunning as—”

  She cut him off. “Enough. What is going on that I needed to be here immediately?”

  “We have need of your scrying.”

  The brows rose again. “Oh?”

  “Let us return to my rooms. I’ve no wish to discuss this here.” The goblins gossiped endlessly. He’d already seen some of them pop their heads into the hall to see Nerida. They all loved her, in spite of her aloof manner. Nerida, for her part, showed them more kindness than Brennan expected. After all, usually the problem child of the fae royal family was sent to the Goblin Realm. They didn’t usually choose it. He had been the problem child, and had duly been named heir to the realm. Even after…he shook off thoughts of the past. Nerida followed him out of the hall. She didn’t speak as they made their way to his rooms. He stopped at his door.

  “Mother, there is…”

  “Oh, stop, Brennan. You’re in some sort of distress. That much is obvious. Whatever it is, I’ll help you.” She pushed her way around him and walked through the door.

  And stopped.

  Nezneys hurried from the room not making eye contact with any of them. She’d been around long enough to know how little Nerida enjoyed surprises. Brennan wished he could hurry from the room, too.

  He walked forward to where Nerida stood still. She whipped her head around. “How did a human female come to be here, asleep in your room?”

  “If you move, I will be happy to explain it all to you. It’s mostly Drake’s fault, so you may save your scolding for him.”

  Drake made a noise of protest as he came in and closed the door. Nerida held up her hand. “Both of you come in, sit down, and tell me exactly what has happened.”

  They sat in chairs across from where Iris lay, still
sleeping. She looked lovely, Brennan noted. Her lips still parted, as though she were a sleeping princess, waiting to be kissed…

  He looked up to see both Nerida and Drake staring at him.

  “I’m waiting,” Nerida said.

  Together, he and Drake told her about being ambushed, and how they ended up bringing Iris back. Nerida didn’t speak once during the recitation, although her lips pursed several times. After they’d finished, she looked out the window, lost in her own thoughts. Finally, she turned back to face them.

  “I am surprised you brought her back.”

  “Drake insisted, and in spite of the problems created since, I agree with him. I needed to be able to get us back here. I would not have been able to do that as well as manage her memory.” Brennan felt worry snake through him. His mother’s calm acceptance did not fall into the behavior he’d come to expect from her. Where was the lecture?

  “We had no idea the mage was not in the castle.” Drake put in.

  “So if you would, please, Mother, scry him, I would appreciate it. There is another matter, as well.”

  “I am indeed fortunate,” Nerida said. “So many surprises in such a short time.”

  “I would like you to see if you can scry the fae sorcerer we saw. He should be distinctive. I’ve never seen another fae with that scar.” Brennan chose to ignore her sarcasm.

  Nerida tapped her lips with a finger. “It’s odd that he would keep it. There must be a reason. I’ll have to ask your father if he recalls any such fae who was so scarred. I’ll look for him, though. After I find your mage. I think that is the most pressing need at this point. Do you agree?” She looked from him to Drake.

  Brennan nodded. “The sooner the girl is away, the better.”

  Nerida didn’t answer. She looked intently at him, and Brennan felt exposed in her gaze. It had always been so. Her ability to see beneath the surface made her exceptionally skilled at scrying.

  “For this, I’d like a basin of spring water.”

  Drake stood, and went for serving staff. Traitor, Brennan thought. He just doesn’t want to be questioned by Mother.

  Nerida walked closer to Iris, peering down at her. “There is something different about your human, Brennan.”

  “She’s not mine, not in any fashion, Mother,” he couldn’t keep the annoyance from his tone.

  She continued as though he’d not spoken. “There is something not human about her. She’s…she’s what the humans would call gifted. Interesting. It’s too bad she must be sent back. I should like to talk with her.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I enjoy learning, Brennan. Even about humans. Do you forget that Drake came to us from the humans? While he is human no longer, were it not for that realm, we would not have him.”

  In spite of his general concern, Brennan smiled. He liked to hear that Nerida thought highly of Drake, even after all this time. “I do not forget. He makes it impossible,” he raised his voice to be sure that Drake heard him in the doorway. “But this human is here at a most inopportune time, and—”

  “And for one so young, she has a biting tongue.” Drake finished, coming to stand beside Brennan. “She yelled at Brennan. While beating on the door when he locked her in here.”

  Nerida smiled. “Did she indeed? It’s a pity she must be returned so quickly. Well, perhaps the mage can come up with something.”

  “No, Mother. Let’s just send her back where she belongs. We have enough to deal with.” Brennan felt a pang again. Yes, it would be better when the girl was gone.

  Nezneys came back in carrying a black basin carefully. Brennan knew it held water from the well in the courtyard, spring water from beneath the castle. Nezneys set it on a table in front of the closest window, apparently remembering that Nerida preferred to be close to sunlight.

  “Thank you, Nezneys. Please see that we are not disturbed.” He gave a ghost of a smile to her, knowing that she worried.

  “Majesties,” she muttered, and with a slight bob, left the room.

  “Quiet,” Nerida said, looking into the basin, sitting down at the chair in front of the table. She placed her fingers at her temples and closed her eyes.

  It seemed an age before she opened her eyes. “He is in the Dwarf Realm.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Brennan got a quelling glare from his mother.

  “I’ll get the mirror for the Dwarf Court,” Drake practically raced out in front of him. Brennan glared at his friend’s fleeing back.

  “Restrain yourself and I’ll see about this fae sorcerer,” Nerida said, closing her eyes again. Suddenly, she opened her eyes and clutched at her forehead. “He’s hiding, whoever he is. Describe him for me, everything you remember, Brennan.”

  Painstakingly, Brennan went through the encounter, stopping only when Nerida held up her hand and closed her eyes again, leaning towards the basin. She paled. Opened her eyes and leaned closer, so close that her nose nearly touched the water.

  Suddenly, she gasped and leaned back so quickly she hit her head on the back of the chair. When she opened her eyes, tears stood in them. “Whoever he is, he is powerful. He felt me, Brennan.”

  Brennan didn’t know what to say.

  “How could he feel you?” He couldn’t believe it.

  “I don’t know, but I felt him turn, and he looked at me as though I stood in front of him. Then I felt as though someone had pushed me on the head.” She sounded shocked. “The only good things is that I was able to see his face. It will help your father and I discover…” She stopped, closing her eyes and breathing deeply, “His identity, and who his family is.” She took a few more breaths. “It can’t be,” she said. Softly, as though she spoke to herself.

  “Are you all right, Mother?” She had not regained her color. And what did her words mean?

  “I will be fine, Brennan. Just taken aback. I can’t remember the last time someone felt me scry and had the ability to respond. He presents an interesting challenge.” She sounded like herself.

  “An interesting challenge? Mother, he did his best to kill me.”

  Nerida turned eyes to him that were dark and serious. “No, I don’t believe he did his best. Had he, you would have been dead. He’s that powerful, Brennan. Please do not take any action until I can speak with your father on this matter. Will you give me your word?” She stood, brushing herself off. He felt the intensity coming off her.

  Brennan stood with her. “Are you leaving?”

  “I must. I need to let your father know about this.” The intensity again. It puzzled him.

  “But what about…” He gestured at the sleeping Iris.

  “Your mage will return. He’ll adjust her memory and send her home.” Nerida stopped to look down at Iris. She let her hand fall gently to Iris’s cheek. “Be well, little one,” she said softly. She looked back to him. “Then you can turn your full attention to this other mage.” She walked to the door.

  Brennan made to follow her.

  “No, stay here.” She held up a hand to stop him. “Drake will return, and then you can contact the Dwarf Realm. And Brennan,” she stopped, halfway out the door.

  “Yes?”

  “It would be nice if you contacted Ailla. I know she enjoys hearing from you.”

  He sighed. “Yes, Mother.”

  “Thank you.” With a brief smile, she left, her skirts whispering behind her.

  Brennan sat back down after the door closed. Ailla. He didn’t want to think about her. She was lovely, somewhat younger than he, and a perfect match. He knew she actually had the approval of Drake, which didn’t happen often. Why did he find himself so reluctant?

  He glanced at Iris. Why did she look so lovely? Not what a distracted fae needed. Fae were drawn to beauty, to the loveliness of all things. Even humans. And Iris was lovely.

  He gladly put all thoughts of Iris aside as Drake entered, carrying the mirror that connected to the Dwarf Realm.

  “Set it up here,” Brennan pointed. “Make sure
that Iris is not visible.”

  “We can go into your study.”

  “No, this will be fine.” He ignored Drake’s eye rolling.

  Swiftly, he contacted the other court. The steward confirmed that his mage was indeed there, and went to fetch him.

  Brennan impatiently tapped his fingers as he waited. Wisely, Drake kept silent.

  The mage’s face appeared. “Your Majesty? Is aught amiss?”

  “Yes, it is, Taranath. I have need of you. You need to return immediately.”

  The mage looked troubled. “I traveled to read some documents in the Dwarf King’s library. I am not quite finished, Your Majesty, but I can hurry and be back within a few days.”

  “No. I need you to return now. Make my excuses to Thadrieck. You may return after you have assisted me in a court matter.”

  “Of course, Your Majesty. At once.” Taranath inclined his head. Brennan could feel his curiosity through the mirror. There hadn’t been pressing court matters in some time.

  “You have my permission to use the portal into my chambers.” He didn’t want the entire castle alerted. If he could get Taranath in and then Iris away, the mage could return to the Dwarf Realm with no one the wiser. Too many people already knew of the human.

  He handed the mirror to Drake, who went to return it to the mirror cabinet in the great hall. All the courts kept mirrors to communicate quickly. Mirrors were the only thing that couldn’t be corrupted by spying spells. It allowed for speed and secrecy, when needed.

  He heard a shuffling from his study. Taranath came through the door. “I am here, Your Majesty. What is amiss?”

  Brennan stood. “This is what is amiss,” he stepped aside to allow the mage to see Iris. “Drake and I were attacked and sent from this realm. We landed in the Human Realm, and this girl witnessed our arrival. I wasn’t able to erase her memory and get us back, so we brought her here for your assistance. As you were not here, I have set the spell of forgetfulness on her and sent her to sleep. Now if you would, I would like to send her back immediately.”

  Taranath walked to Iris, leaning down. He muttered to himself. Brennan waited, albeit rather impatiently. He was extremely gifted, and Brennan had learned to keep quiet and let him work.