The Wicked

by Cheyenne McCray

  Rhiannon’s words gave Keir some pause. For centuries he had never forgiven his father, stepmother, or brother for his treatment. Was it far beyond time for him to “get over it?”

  He ground his teeth. “What did you do once your aunt forced you to leave home?”

  “There was a nice elderly couple who I always called my stepparents.” Rhiannon gave a little smile. “They let me live on their houseboat for a time until Silver took me in and hired me to work in the D’Anu Coven’s metaphysical store.”

  Rhiannon continued, “I guess I do have to thank Aunt Aga for teaching me the ways of the D’Anu and allowing me to serve as an apprentice. She died not too long after she kicked me out.”

  “Do you remember anything about your mother and father?” he asked.

  “Not really.” Rhiannon paused. “I always wondered about my parents. Why they left me like they did.”

  She cleared her throat. “Anyway”—she sounded as if she was trying to make her voice brighter—“I’ve had a good life since I moved in with Silver and since progressing from apprenticeship to full D’Anu witch. “

  Her smile seemed genuine as she added, “When all this is over with and we get rid of Ceithlenn and the Fomorii,” she said, “I want to open my own shop. I’ve saved up a lot of money over the years, invested it well, and pulled out of the stock market before it crashed. Since then I’ve been a little more conservative, but I’ll be able to do it.”

  “I am certain you will do anything you wish to,” Keir said. And with all his heart and soul he prayed to the gods that one of those things would be to stay with him.

  * * *

  After a filling lunch in the tavern of baked beans, cornbread, and roast beef, Keir escorted Rhiannon back to the Council Chambers.

  Rhiannon’s heart beat faster as they ascended the stairs and worked their way to the big Council room itself.

  The Chieftains were waiting for them when they arrived. The High Chieftain, Chaela, was so beautiful. Rhiannon had expected a bunch of old farts, but she should have realized in Otherworld people didn’t age like they did in her world. Hell, maybe she and her friends needed to move here.

  “Keir.” Chaela nodded to him after he gave a short bow then turned to Rhiannon. “D’Anu witch.”

  Keir remained silent with his hands behind his back, his stance wide. Rhiannon didn’t know what to do with her hands, so she clasped them in front of her.

  “We have determined,” Chaela said very slowly and clearly, “no more D’Danann will be sent to the San Francisco Otherworld.”

  Rhiannon’s ears began to ring.

  Chaela finished with, “We have lent enough of our warriors to this cause and will provide no more.”

  “You can’t be serious.” Rhiannon couldn’t believe what she’d just heard. Everything felt surreal, as if she were standing outside herself watching these people make a decision that could cost them everything. “Millions of lives are at stake.”

  “How can the Council turn its back on the very world we once lived upon?” Keir’s hands were at his sides now, clenched into fists. “For the gods’ sakes, we were born in that world, made in that world. That was where we fought the Fomorii nearly two millennia ago. We once destroyed the threat to mankind. We must do it again.”

  Every Chieftain remained stone-faced. “We have made our decision.” Chaela motioned to the door guards. “You have our well wishes in defeating the Fomorii and Ceithlenn with what forces you have at your disposal.”

  Rhiannon wanted to scream, cry, rage. But all she could do was stand there and shake, heat flooding her face as these thirteen people determined the fate of everyone in her home world.

  Keir pivoted, took Rhiannon by the hand, turning her around, and marched ahead of the guards. His stride was so long he practically dragged her through the doorway and out of the Council Chambers. They went into the bright afternoon sunshine that caused the burn of anger beneath her skin to feel hotter.

  “How could they?” Rhiannon was close to tears as she doubled her steps to keep up with him. He was heading in the direction of his cabin.

  “The Chieftains are fools,” he said under his breath once they were out of the village. “They have grown complacent and indifferent to the needs of Otherworlds.”

  A tear made its way down her cheek and Keir brought them both to an abrupt stop when he glanced at her. He moved one of his hands to her face and rubbed the tear away with his thumb in a gentle movement.

  “We will not fail.” Determination filled his tone. “Whatever we must do, we will do. But we will find a way.”

  21

  After Rhiannon and Keir grabbed their duffel bags, they stepped outside the cabin door. As Keir closed the door behind them, Rhiannon came to a stop.

  A lavender-winged Faerie flew up to them, lavender dust spilling from her wings. Like all the Faeries Rhiannon had seen, this one had a perfect body and features, and was absolutely beautiful. She had long black hair and lavender eyes. The difference between her and other Faeries was that she had such a regal look about her that she had to be some kind of royalty.

  “Keir, D’Danann,” the Faerie said, then looked at Rhiannon. “You are the D’Anu and Elvin witch.”

  Keir gave a slight bow. “Queen Riona.”

  Rhiannon studied the Faerie, not surprised she was a queen. “I’m Rhiannon,” she said. “Nice to meet you, Queen Riona.”

  “Of course you are,” the queen said, “and it is my pleasure to meet you as well.”

  Keir hitched his leather pack higher on his shoulder. “What brings you to us?”

  “The Great Guardian.” She looked from Rhiannon to Keir. “You have been summoned.”

  Keir raised his eyebrows, obviously surprised. Apparently Cassia hadn’t shared that part of their trip with him.

  “It would be my pleasure to see the Guardian,” he finally said.

  The fact that it was a Faerie, and a queen at that, relaying the message from an Elvin woman surprised Rhiannon.

  “Do you know the way to the transference stone?” Riona asked.

  “Aye.”

  “I will accompany you as I need to return to my own Sidhe.” The queen flew up to Keir and settled on his shoulder. She crossed her legs at her knees and began swinging one foot. “I have had business here of my own.”

  Keir linked his fingers with Rhiannon’s as they trudged through the forest. Handfuls of sunlight spilled through the leaves and pine needles.

  A knot formed in Rhiannon’s belly. What would it be like to meet such an esteemed being, a powerful Elvin woman of Otherworld? Rhiannon had heard of her from Copper, but never expected to meet the Guardian.

  They finally reached a small meadow where the sunshine was bright enough to make Rhiannon squint and she felt more of a burn on her skin.

  At the center of the meadow was a circular platform made of stone that looked like gray marble, but different. Around the circumference of the platform, strange symbols had been carved into the stone and she wondered what they were. Runes, perhaps?

  A narrow footbridge spanned a small stream. The sound of running water trickling over stones and the breeze through the ancient trees made her shiver as if spirits had caressed her skin.

  She gripped Keir’s hand tighter and looked up at him. “What do we do now?”

  His face was all seriousness as he shook his head. “I do not know.”

  Riona fluttered from Keir’s shoulder. “I have more business to attend to. I will see you again, D’Danann warrior and D’Anu witch,” she said before she darted into the forest, leaving a trail of lavender dust in her wake.

  A glow brightened the small meadow and Rhiannon turned her attention toward it. The glow intensified until it was almost too bright to see.

  When the light settled into a pale glow, Rhiannon’s eyes widened as she stared at the most stunning woman she’d ever seen.

  The Elvin woman was much taller than she, almost as tall as Keir. Her white-blonde hair hung stra
ight and glossy all the way to her bare feet. Her skin was smooth, perfect. Her pointed ears peeked through strands of her hair and the long fingers of her delicate hands were laced together in front of her.

  Rhiannon caught her breath at the ancient wisdom in the woman’s eyes—yet she appeared so young.

  Without thought Rhiannon knelt with Keir, as if she and the D’Danann warrior were one. She hadn’t noticed Keir unsheathe it, but his sword lay on the stone in front of him, the metal glittering not only from the sunlight, but also from the glow that came from the Elvin woman.

  In her heart Rhiannon felt she should lower her eyes, so she did. “My lady,” she said as if it was the most natural thing to do.

  The Elvin woman gave a sweet laugh. “Rise, Rhiannon D’Anu and Elvin, and Keir D’Danann and Mystwalker.”

  Keir gripped Rhiannon’s hand and together they stood to face the woman. Rhiannon’s gaze met the Elvin woman’s eyes. Eyes so blue and clear and beautiful. Eyes that reminded her of someone from another place, another time. But she couldn’t quite grasp who it might be.

  To be part Elvin meant she was related somehow to this beautiful being, and it made her warm inside.

  “You really are the Great Guardian,” Rhiannon said, a sense of awe filling her to the brim, bubbling over and making her almost giddy.

  The incredible power of the being flowed over Rhiannon, yet a feeling of utter safety as well. And Keir—he seemed completely trusting of the Guardian. She never expected him to lay down his weapon for anyone.

  “It is good to see you again, Rhiannon,” the Elvin woman said as she extended one of her hands. “Come to me.”

  “We’ve met before?” Rhiannon released her grip on Keir’s fingers as a wave of confusion washed through her. “I’m sure I would have remembered it.”

  “You were but a small child.” The Guardian kept her hand extended and motioned for Rhiannon to approach.

  She trembled as she moved closer to the Great Guardian. They had met when Rhiannon was small? The Guardian must have known her parents.

  The Elvin woman clasped Rhiannon’s hand in her own.

  Warmth rushed through her like never before, an electrical feeling that zinged to every part of her body.

  The fine hair rose on her arms and her scalp prickled. Her heart beat faster, lodging in her throat as her gaze locked with the Great Guardian’s. The Elvin woman’s scent of wildflowers, fresh breezes, of all that was good and pure, swept over Rhiannon.

  “You wish to know more of your family,” the Guardian said in a voice so light and fair it was like the caress of the wind over Rhiannon’s skin. The Guardian took Rhiannon’s other hand in hers. She had never felt so much power and strength as she did through that connection.

  Rhiannon barely knew how to talk, being so close to this beautiful Elvin woman. Behind her she was aware of Keir in an amazingly intense way. As if he were a part of her and connected through this woman.

  The Guardian looked into Rhiannon’s eyes, causing her to feel like she’d been found after being lost for a very long time.

  Before she could stop herself, the words burst from Rhiannon as if from a dam. “Why was I here as a child? Why did my father send me away? Why did they both leave me?”

  The last question came out in a painful cry and Keir moved closer to her in support though he didn’t touch her. “I hate them for leaving me the way they did!”

  The Guardian studied Rhiannon. “I believe you have the ability within you to forgive your parents if you understand why you were sent away from your father.” The Guardian’s face was a mask, an expression that told Rhiannon nothing. “Your father is fully Elvin,” she said.

  “Is?” Rhiannon stared at the Guardian. “Does that mean he’s still alive?”

  “In darkness and shadow.” A sad look crept across the Guardian’s face. “He is Drow, one of those unable to walk in the light, forever banished to the underground.”

  Rhiannon’s eyes widened. Her mouth opened then shut.

  The Guardian reached out her hand and cupped the side of Rhiannon’s face. “You are the daughter of a king. A Drow king who took a D’Anu witch bride of the light. He loved her so much that he helped her to travel freely between worlds so that she could still feel the sun on her face, the warmth on her body. He wanted her to have what he could not have for himself.”

  Rhiannon couldn’t breathe as the Guardian spoke. She was the daughter of a king? The daughter of the king of the Dark Elves?

  The Guardian smiled at Rhiannon. “One day you will see him. One day soon. And he will explain all.”

  A mixture of emotions whirled through Rhiannon and she stared off into space. Did she even want to meet this king of the Dark Elves?

  “You inherited some things from your father,” the Great Guardian said, snapping Rhiannon’s attention back to her.

  Rhiannon blinked. “I—what?”

  The Great Guardian clasped her hands in front of her. “Your skin—does it not feel sensitive to the sun?”

  As if in response to her words, Rhiannon’s skin tingled and felt hot from sunlight shining on the meadow. Rhiannon swallowed and nodded.

  The Elvin woman had a spark in her eyes—amusement, maybe? “Your temper, definitely from your father.”

  Rhiannon felt additional heat rush to her face. “Well, I guess we can’t all be perfect.”

  The Guardian let out a soft laugh then sobered. “And the Shadows, dear Rhiannon. Those Shadows within you, that you fight so hard to keep inside, are Drow powers.”

  Rhiannon’s lips parted and she took a step back. She felt a little dizzy, as if she might drop right there in front of Keir and the Elvin woman.

  “So what’s inside me is evil.” Tears bit the backs of Rhiannon’s eyes and she looked away from the Guardian. “I’m part of an evil race with terrible powers. That makes me evil.”

  “No, sweetling.” The Guardian took Rhiannon’s chin in her hand and forced their gazes to meet. “Your father is not evil, nor are the Drow, and especially not you.”

  Rhiannon narrowed her brows. “The Dark Elves are evil.”

  The Great Guardian released Rhiannon’s chin and slowly turned her head from side to side. “The Drow use powers that are unacceptable in our world. They manipulate and use magic against beings who do not wish it. But that does not make them evil.”

  “I don’t believe it.” Rhiannon also couldn’t believe she was arguing with this powerful Elvin woman. “The Shadows inside me are evil. They tried to choke Keir to death, for the goddess’s sake! Not to mention my Aunt Aga.”

  The woman remained so blessed serene-looking that Rhiannon wanted to rage and scream. She no longer felt at peace. She felt as if she were being torn inside out.

  “Too long have the Shadows been held captive within you,” the Guardian went on. “If you stop fighting them, they will help you. You need to trust yourself, and in turn the Shadows will answer to you.”

  The Guardian’s features were perhaps more stern now. “When the Shadows attacked Keir, they were reacting only to Ceithlenn taking control of them through your mind. The Shadows can and will fight for purposes that serve the greater good so long as you believe in them.”

  Rhiannon folded her arms across her chest and stepped back. “I don’t know if I can believe that.”

  “Make peace within yourself.” The Guardian’s gaze never wavered. “Take time to consider the possibilities, Rhiannon D’Anu and Drow.”

  Rhiannon felt like she’d been slapped at being called Drow. How could this woman believe the Dark Elves were not evil? Weren’t they banished to live underground because of that very reason?

  The Great Guardian turned her gaze on Keir.

  Keir’s gut clenched as the Guardian moved her intense blue eyes to meet his. “What question of the heart would you have answered, Keir D’Danann?”

  He slid his arm around Rhiannon’s waist, needing her closeness. He looked down at her before returning his gaze to the Guardian’s. “
I have none.”

  The Great Guardian folded her hands. “What of your birth mother?”

  “What is there to say? I was left a bastard to be raised by my father and stepmother.” Keir scowled and couldn’t hold back his words from coming out as a low growl.

  “My mother is a Mystwalker. My father made it clear she made the choice to leave me with him so that she might return to the Shanai.”

  Rhiannon looked from Keir to the Guardian. “What’s a Mystwalker? Or a Shanai?”

  “Mystwalkers are beings of mist,” the Guardian said, her gaze now resting on Rhiannon. “They take human form when they wish, but must stay away from saltwater as much as possible. If they are touched by it, they cannot hold their mist forms without being cleansed in fresh water.”

  Keir ground his teeth. “Mystwalkers are little more than slaves to the Shanai.” A sudden wash of anger slammed him with the force of a tidal wave. His mother a slave. And willingly so.

  Again the Guardian smiled. “There is a great faction who are not ‘protected’ by the Shanai. Your mother is one of these rebels.”

  Keir’s muscles tightened and his thoughts whirled. His mother a rebel? Not a slave?

  Rhiannon said, “You haven’t told me what Shanai are.”

  “They are shape-shifters who live near our Otherworld ocean, far from here,” the Guardian said. “Many years ago they offered the Mystwalkers a trade. Protection from evil forces for the Mystwalker talent at lovemaking.”

  Keir’s mind still reeled even as Rhiannon looked at him and raised one eyebrow, the corner of her mouth quirking. “Lovemaking talent?”

  The Guardian gave a slow nod. “An agreement the Mystwalkers entered into willingly.”

  Keir found his voice. “They are banded so that they cannot take their mist form. That makes them naught more than slaves.”

  The Great Guardian continued as if Keir had not spoken so roughly. “Your mother would have taken you with her if you had inherited her gifts, but you were born with only the traits of a D’Danann warrior.

  “Your father forbade her to see you, ever,” the Guardian went on. “However, she lives close and has watched over you all these many years. She has cried countless tears about the way you were raised, but she had no say. Mystwalkers cannot stay long from freshwater, as you well know.”