by R. A. Rock
“Whoa,” Tess said, shocked by this information.
“This will help but you’ll also need a magical advantage.”
“Yes,” Tess said.
“Too bad you can't use the blades.”
Finn shook his head. “You know we can't get them out of the sheaths. They're off the table."
“And we shouldn’t discount Nyall and Runa,” Tess added. “I’d expect more trouble from them than the King and Dark Queen. I bet they both want the crown pretty badly, probably because they think it’s the way back into their monarch’s favor.”
“You’ve been thinking about this,” Izzie said and Tess gave a nod.
“That’s all right then, but you should maybe—”
The sound of the Herald’s trumpets interrupted his sentence, the clear notes resounding throughout the marketplace. Occasionally at the Hundred Years Ball, the King or the Dark Queen wished to make an announcement to everyone. They would send the Herald to announce at each gathering place whatever it was they wanted people to know and word would spread to everyone else from there.
The Herald was standing on a dais that was in the middle of the marketplace, expressly for that purpose.
“May I have your attention? May I have your attention? May I have your attention?” The Herald always said that three times before announcing the message. “I regret to inform you that there has been a tragedy.”
The marketplace went completely still. The Herald’s voice echoed to all four corners of the area.
“Fifteen of the Queen’s guard have been killed.”
There were shocked gasps. Whispering and muttering started up all over the hall. The Herald ignored them and went on with his announcement.
“They were in the wyrm tunnels, chasing down a criminal.”
Izzie snorted at this obvious lie. The guards had been in the tunnels to find the crown for the queen. The three of them knew that. Tess and Finn had heard her give the order.
“There is a rule about not going into the tunnels. There are some mild warding spells to deter Fae who might wander down there by accident. But for those of you who are going there on purpose for whatever reason, know this. You are risking your very life.”
The quiet talking stopped again.
“The wyrm is a beast like any other. Like a horse, a wolf, or what have you. It was not particularly dangerous to Fae when it was alive. But in case some of you don’t know, this wyrm is not alive. It is a ghost. And if it passes through your body, it will consume your Starlight. That is how it survives. And that is how you will die.”
Finn and Tess exchanged tense looks.
“There is no reason good enough for you to go down into the tunnels. Therefore, both the King and the Queen have forbidden anyone from entering the wyrm tunnels for any reason for the rest of the Hundred Years Ball.”
Tess looked at Finn and then Izzie in consternation.
“I repeat. All Fae are forbidden from entering the wyrm tunnels. If you go in and are caught, there will be grave repercussions.”
The Herald was finished and got down from the dais, walking away as people swarmed around him. There was a swell of noise as everyone began talking again.
“Come to my quarters,” Izzie said in a quiet voice. “We can speak freely there.”
They followed him quickly back to his rooms and, once the door was closed, Tess spun around and began to speak.
“Forbidden?” Tess spat. “They’ve never forbidden anyone from going down there before. And both of them are making the proclamation? They’re working together on this? It’s unheard of. Never since Starfall has such a thing happened.”
“It certainly is unheard of,” Izzie agreed in a low voice. “Your stunt with the Scroll has them worried, Tessa. They must be concerned you may get the crown as well.”
“This is bad.”
Both men nodded in agreement.
“Looks like the King and Dark Queen don’t want the Severance to end,” Finn said, his eyes troubled. “That can’t be good for those who are trying to end it, Tess.”
“What?” she said, wondering if she had heard right.
“I just mean, it could be extremely dangerous.”
“It is,” added Isadore.
“So, what are you saying?”
“I don’t know. Maybe we should wait? Maybe we don’t need the crown after all? We can find some other way to translate the Scroll.”
“You’re backing out?” Tess said, her face outraged. “Just because her stupid replacement Captain of the Guard was too cocky and got his entire squadron killed? We know now that they weren’t even looking in the right part of the tunnels. Obviously, they were all Shadow-cursed idiots.”
“I never said I was backing out,” Finn said sharply. “It’s just that the wyrm can kill us. And now both the King and the Dark Queen have forbidden anyone from going down there, which means that there will be soldiers guarding all the entrances. That changes things.”
“I can’t believe this,” Tess said, unable to understand how the Finn she knew could be so afraid. “I never took you for a coward.
“I am not a coward,” Finn said in a loud voice. “I’m smart. That’s why I’m still alive.”
“He has a point,” Isadore said, a grave expression on his face. “The wyrm can kill you. Even if you use the ghost rings, I'm not sure how the wyrm's magic and the magic of the rings will interact. I wouldn't chance it if I were you. And the guards will make it far more difficult to get into the tunnels. Though you can use the ghost rings to get past the guards, so maybe not. But that isn’t the worst of it, Tessa.”
“What are you talking about, Izzie?” Finn said, clearly upset about this turn of events. He turned to face the old man where he sat on his couch.
“There’s a rumor about the crown. That it’s guarded.”
“A guardian?” Tess said, with a scowl. “You didn’t mention that before.”
“I didn’t have time or maybe I didn’t remember? It doesn’t matter. I’m telling you now.” He pulled out a large white handkerchief and mopped his brow, shaking it and tucking it back in his pocket. “I have heard tales that there is a warrior who guards the crown.”
“I am a warrior, the best in Ahlenerra,” Tessa stated.
Finn nodded. “That’s true.”
“I’ll defeat this guardian.”
“You may,” Izzie said. “But there is more.”
“More?” Tess made a face. “What else?”
“It’s said that there are many dangerous booby traps on the chest that contains the crown. The King hid the chest full of the queen’s jewelry and the Crown of Visions because he didn’t want to be reminded of her. But he didn’t want anyone else to have the magical objects either.”
“That doesn’t sound good, Tess,” Finn said, studying her.
“Of course, it doesn’t,” Tess said, barely containing her anger. “And do I want to go risk my life to get the crown? Of course, I don’t. But you don’t always get a choice. Sometimes, you have to do things. Things you don’t want to do. Because it’s the right thing to do, Finn.”
He stared at the floor, thinking.
“You’re right, Tessa,” Isadore said. “But this? This is too dangerous. The King is a highly intelligent man with almost unlimited powers. And Ransetta is nearly his equal. You cannot go up against them and win. It’s a suicide mission.”
Tess breathed out loudly and shook her head.
“I can’t believe this,” she repeated, vibrating with fury. “Everyone is a damn Shadow-cursed coward. You, Isadore. But I already knew that. And every Fae that has gone before me. And every Fae that lives now. And you, Finn.”
“Tessa—”
“No. Every single person had a choice. Every single person could have done this. Could have tried. But no one has. Everyone’s satisfied with the status quo, even though it means that our land is ripped apart and our people divided. And the Dark Queen can kill and destroy as much as she wants with nobody to st
op her. And no one, not one person had the guts to just try. And now you two think you’re going to dissuade me? Everyone keeps telling me it can’t be done.”
She stamped her foot, so angry she felt she might explode.
“I. Will. Do this. No one will stop me. Not the King. Not the Dark Queen. Not you, Isadore. And certainly not you, Finn.”
She sent a scathing look his way and spun on her heel, wrenching the door open and slamming it behind her.
“That didn’t go quite as well as we might have hoped,” Izzie said in the silence that followed her leaving.
“Shadows take me,” Finn swore, going after her. She was already at the end of the hall and turning down another corridor when he left the room. He ran after her.
“I’m not a coward,” he said to himself. “I’m smart.”
But he couldn’t help think that her assessment might have been a little bit true. That was why it stung so much. Sure, he was good in a battle. He wouldn’t run away from a fight. And he was brave when it was necessary.
But put himself out there?
Take a stand?
That wasn’t really his thing.
He considered his relationship with Tessa. He was completely and hopelessly in love with the woman and he hadn’t even told her yet. Not really. The admission in the tunnels when they had thought they were going to die didn’t count. And neither did what they had said when they were drunk.
If he couldn’t even tell one small faerie that he loved her, how was he going to do something as big and difficult as ending the Severance?
Finn had no idea. And he knew that Tessa didn’t know either. But she was going to try anyway.
He spotted her ahead and ran faster till he reached her.
“Tessa, wait,” he said, out of breath from his sprint.
She entered the secret passageways and headed for the Keeper’s quarters.
“I’m not going to wait,” she said, continuing to stride forward and then going up the stairs, her words sharp and cutting. “For a coward.”
“I’m not a coward,” he said, hurt. “Stop calling me that.”
They reached the room and Tess turned to face him. Finn felt his heart aching.
Was that really what she thought of him?
How could she hurt him this much with just one word? It didn’t seem fair. At this moment, he wasn’t sure how she felt about him at all. Though he was quite certain that she wouldn’t care if he called her the same thing because she knew she wasn’t one. And it wouldn’t bother her.
“Finn?” she said, her anger dying away. “Are you…”
“Hurt by your cruel words? No. Of course not. I’m a man. With no heart. Why would what you’re saying hurt me?”
He shrugged, not sure how to handle the feeling of being metaphorically stabbed in the guts by the woman he loved.
“Finn—” She tried again to speak but he interrupted her.
“Nah, I’m good. Don’t worry about it. In fact, call me that again. I like bleeding.”
“Finn, please.” Her face held regret but he didn’t care.
He turned his back to her, clenching his hands into fists.
“I’m sorry,” she said softly. “I was angry. I didn’t mean it.”
“Doesn’t matter,” he said, his tone curt. “I don’t care.”
She slipped in between him and the wall and looked up at him. He stared at the floor. Then she took his chin in her hand and made him look at her.
“I don’t think you’re a coward,” she said, again holding his gaze. “You’re the bravest man I’ve ever met.”
“You’re just saying that.”
“I don’t just say things,” she said, truth in her eyes.
“Then why would you say I’m a coward? Three times.”
He held up three fingers between them to emphasize his point.
“I guess…” She was the one looking away now. “I guess maybe I was scared to try and do it without you.”
She swallowed audibly and turned her head away.
Tess? Afraid?
“You?” he said, his hurt and anger at her melting away at this admission. “Afraid?”
“Yes. It’s me, the one who’s afraid, and I took it out on you.” She gazed up at him with her eyes filled with tears. “The whole thing is so crazy and so stupid. And so dangerous. And I will try and do it without you. But I honestly don’t know if I’ll succeed.”
Finn was shocked. He hadn’t had any idea that she was so worried about the whole thing. She always seemed so strong.
“And I’m so sorry for what I said, Finn.” Her eyes filled with tears. “Please forgive me.”
“Shadows take me, Tess,” he said, and she frowned. Finn’s blood pounded in his veins as he suddenly knew what he had to do. “I swear—”
Finn shook his head. Talk wasn’t enough. He roughly grabbed her wrists, pressing his hands to hers against the wall so that they were palm to palm.
“Tessa Callahan,” he said, shaking a little inside at what he was about to do. “I swear that I will help you end the Severance or die trying.”
She blinked in surprise at his words and one tear rolled down her cheek. He let go of one hand and wiped the drop away with his thumb.
“Why would you do that?” Tess said and another tear slipped down her cheek. “Why would you make a palm vow like that, Finn? As if you don’t have enough trouble with those?”
“Because I want you to know I’m serious and that I mean what I say. I am no coward. And I’m with you on this till the end.”
“Finn.”
“We’re going to get the crown,” he said with a certainty he had never known before. “We’re going to translate the Scroll. And we are going to end the Severance. I know it, Tess.”
And strangely enough, for the first time, he truly believed what he was saying.
Chapter 17
It was hard for a Fae not to get distracted from her mission when she was at a week-long party where everyone else was having a good time. Tess felt like they weren’t doing what they should be. But she couldn’t help the things they kept getting distracted by. Like she couldn’t not do those things.
For instance, because of a whim of Perdira's the map wouldn't appear until after The Grand Revel, which meant they couldn't go after the Crown until then. Which meant that she had to attend The Grand Revel when all she wanted to do was to find the Crown. It was ridiculous.
When Tess and Nat arrived at the Courtyard, the Grand Revel was already getting going. Non-Fae were allowed to come if they had duties to attend to. So, since Nat was an elf that worked as a servant for the Dark Court, she was allowed to participate in the Hundred Years Ball and the Grand Revel, of course.
People were beginning to assemble. Tess gazed upward. The sun was beginning to go down and soon the purple-blue sky would be filled with stars. Here and there, people were setting up. Children played among the trees. The kids came to the first part of the Grand Revel and then they were put to bed. A battalion of older Fae usually volunteered to watch over the children, while the younger faeries reveled.
“Pretty empty right now,” Finn said, his head swiveling this way and that. Tess glanced around, too. Evening was creeping in and everywhere she looked there were bonfires. Fae were all dressed in their ancient costumes and had painted faces.
She and Nat were both wearing short skirts made of pieces of green material that looked like leaves woven together. On top, they had short shirts that held their breasts tightly in place for the dancing. Their flat midriffs were bare. Both of them had leather boots that went to the knee. All of the garments were courtesy of the magic wardrobe in the Keeper’s quarters, though Tess hadn’t told Nat that. The elf thought that they had come from the market.
Nat had painted her own face like a flame, since her element was fire. But she had painted Tessa’s like a star. Nat had accented her own brown eyes until they looked like dark pools. She had braided Tessa’s hair back tightly against her head and Nat
’s hair was done the same. They both knew it would come out but, at least for the first few hours, it would be away from their faces.
If it was anything but a Revel, Tess would have felt self-conscious wearing an outfit like this. But everyone was dressed the same. When she caught sight of Finn approaching, her mouth went dry.
Like all the Fae men, he was only wearing baggy pants that were cinched tight at the waist and ankles. The men had completely bare chests. Their faces were painted, too. Finn’s looked like a dog or a wolf maybe.
He waved to them when he saw them.
“Come on,” he called. “Izzie’s got a bonfire going already. Over here.”
They followed him through the crowds of Fae. When they got to Isadore’s bonfire, Tess saw that the older man was wearing a mask instead of painting his face, which was quite common. He wasn’t wearing a shirt either and his belly wobbled as he walked over to greet them. They each held up a forearm and crossed with his.
“Good to see you, Tessa,” Izzie said and Tess gave him a polite nod. “And who’s this?”
“This is my friend, Nataliana,” Tess said.
The elf curtsied. “You can call me Nat.”
“An elf?” Izzie said, examining Nat. “And a fire elf, at that. May the Stars shine their light upon you.”
“And also on you, Isadore,” Nat responded.
“No doubt the Stars are dancing at the sight of such a pretty elf,” Finn said, winking at Nataliana.
Tess watched all this with a tiny flare of something that strangely resembled jealousy.
What in the Chasm?
Finn was just complimenting her in a perfectly friendly way. But she couldn’t help the tendril of jealousy that curled out of her belly and up toward her heart. It was there. And she didn’t like it. She had no reason to be jealous. No real claim on Finn.
They had not made a Joining vow or anything like that, so she shouldn’t be feeling like this.
And yet she was.
Tess was torn from her thoughts by Izzie, who was already offering metal goblets of Elixir. She took it and drank, feeling the Starlight fill her veins.
Then one giant drumbeat sounded from the middle of the Courtyard. Tess kicked off her boots and moved toward the fire. She had been to revels before, just not the Grand Revel. She knew how the ritual started.
