Realms of the Goblin King (The Realm Trilogy Book 3)

by Lisa Manifold

  Listening to his mother, Brennan actually felt pity for her. The emotion in her voice was real. In that moment, he could understand why she could not bear the thought of seeing brother put down. She had never gotten over the loss of him. She’d never allowed herself to mourn, and was not able to let him go now that she thought she might have him back.

  His heart hardened, as he thought of what brother had in store for all of them. He would just have to deal with the anger of his mother. It might take centuries, but as long as he had father, and Drake, and his Iris, he would be all right, eventually, mother would see that there is no other choice. He edged along the wall, attempting to come around and get closer to brother, without anyone noticing.

  As he watched the scene in front of him, he could tell the Drake and seen him. He didn’t think that anyone would’ve noticed the slight start the Drake gave. No one else had fought with Drake like he had.

  “Then why did you not search high and low for your son when you thought he had died?” Crazy lady asked. “Were it not for my father and I, he would have died.”

  Nerida was taking no nonsense from anyone, not even crazy lady. Not even while facing down a magic that Brennan didn’t even understand. “I searched this entire realm, and all the other realms. Why did you and your father hide my son!” She took a few steps closer to brother and crazy lady in the magic that lay between them.

  “Because my father knew, he knew! He knew what your plans were, and he didn’t want to see the true heir to the throne put down!”

  “Why, you little —“ Nerida took a few more steps, and without warning, brother directed the magic at her.

  Whatever the magic was, it jumped from where it had been hovering in front of brother, and struck Nerida. She fell backwards, and quick as lightning, Mistry lady ran to her.

  Drake and father had made a move as Nerida fell, but when they saw that Mistry lady had gone to her they turned back towards brother. Swords went higher, and Brennan could see that mage and Iris advance closer. Both headstones in their hands.

  It would be long. He still wasn’t close enough. Even if he was, he did have a stone. He would need to do this with sword alone. While he didn’t want to admit it, he wasn’t sure he was going to be able to defeat brother.

  But he could not leave him here with his family. Even if he had to die, he had to take brother with him. Everyone else could take care of crazy lady. He had to kill brother.

  Brother laughed as Nerida fell. “At long last, mother,” he sneered, putting special emphasis on the word mother, “you pay the price for your sin, for your mistake.”

  Sin?” Asked father. “What is the sin morning a lost child?”

  “There was no morning,” said brother. “Only lies! Lies, always lies! All you ever did was lie to me! Why would you tell the truth to the rest of the Realm! If you couldn’t even tell your own son the truth!”

  “So you admit, you are my son?” Asked father. “” New line “I admits that at one point, I was your son,” said brother. His voice sounded dead, flat. “I am your son no longer. However, I will be when I should have always been. After tonight, I will be the faking. There’s nothing you can do to stop it.” The flat tone in which he delivered those last words struck Brennan.

  Iris and mage advanced a few steps to where they were almost directly behind Drake and father. Brennan could feel the home of the energy as they both began to work their spells. Just a little more time, he thought just need a little more time.

  Iris

  I could see Brennan creeping along the far wall, trying to be quiet, trying to stay as close to invisible as he could. Brother was so busy proving his point, he didn’t even bother to look around. He could do some pretty crazy magic, but he wasn’t much of a warrior. In just a short time that had to listen to him blather on, I could tell that in some ways, he never grown up. He was still that little boy, so angry, so offended, so sure that the entire world had done him wrong. How old was he now? He must be over 700, but he was going on about all this old crap?

  And there was crazy lady, staring at him as though he were the second coming. What she saw in him, I didn’t know. Maybe crazy was attracted to crazy. Every now and again, she would look over and when her eyes met mine, they shot hate daggers. I knew that I would have to be ready. She was going to come straight for me. Not just because I broken her nose. And I was pretty sure I broke. Even if magic had made it better. But because she was still angry with Brennan. Which was weird, she didn’t want him anyway.

  Guess there’s no greater evil than a woman scorned. Even when that woman doesn’t give two shifts about you anyway.

  I looked over to see Mistry lady working over Nerida. Thankfully, Nerida seem to be moving on her own, although not fully. At least she wasn’t dead. I wondered if this would finally opened her eyes to what her precious baby boy had become.

  A movement from mage next to me brought my attention back to crazy lady brother. Whatever was going to happen, it was going to be soon. I could see — I could feel — the magic ramping up. It was almost like, electricity was gathering in the room. Stones of the room almost felt as though they were shivering and shuttering under the force of all the magic that was contained within this room. There was a breeze, even though none of the windows were open. And I knew it was from all the magic. Not only whatever crazy business brother was doing, but from mage and myself. I was pretty certain that Drake and father had something going on as well, but I couldn’t be sure.

  It felt as though they were the humming of 1000 bees in my ear, and that’s how I could tell. It was going to happen soon.

  Brother opened his mouth, but whatever he was going to say was cut off by the glowing reading of a portal over to the left of us.

  It felt as though time stopped in that moment, as we all turned and watched the portal. Small at first, slightly pink he blew in nature, and then it grew and grew until it was the size of a person. It was very bright, and while I could see what looks like someone on the other side of the portal couldn’t be sure. I had to squint a little, as the light was so bright.

  Then she stepped through. Tall, regal, call. In the simple dart down, her sleeves hanging down next to the gown itself. Her hands barely visible, as she clasped them across her stomach.

  Oh my God. First wife had shown up.

  Crazy lady reacted first. “What are you doing here?” She shrieked at first wife.

  “I could ask you the same thing, crazy lady,” first wife said. “What are you doing here? And why are you with my husband?”

  Crazy lady laughed. And it really had the tone of a cackle at that point. “Your husband? First wife, all you ever were the smoke screen.”

  I’d seen first wife and how she thought of brother. I knew that she was pregnant. I braced myself, waiting for her to explode. But she didn’t. First wife looked at crazy lady, and then smiled. Even to my young inexperienced love triangle eyes, I could see that smile held a great deal of pity. First wife cradled her belly, looking down at it with a loving smile, and then looks back at crazy lady.

  “All I ever was was what? You have that wrong, crazy lady. I am his wife, and soon will be the mother of his child.”

  If ever there was a Mike drop moment, this was it. Everyone in the room looked at first wife, but I looked at brother. His mouth fell open and I had to say, you look stupid it was nice to see. For the petty side he was also the first one to find his voice again.

  “You’re going to have a child?” Brother asked quietly.

  First wife smiled. “We’re going to have a child, brother.”

  Crazy lady looked at brother, and then turned and practically leapt towards first wife. Brother grabbed her by the arm and yanked her back down. He pulled on her so hard, she fell straight on her ass. It was glorious.

  “Don’t!” He barked at crazy lady. For the first time since I’d met crazy lady, she looked… Unnerved.

  “Don’t move,” said brother to crazy lady.

  She gave a little no
d, but immediately turned and glared at first wife.

  First wife smiled at brother “thank you, my love.”

  “First wife, stay where you are. This could get dangerous.”

  I wondered if first wife could hear the completely phony tone of his voice. Watching her, watching him I didn’t think so.

  His women settled, I guess, brother turned back to everyone else.

  “Now, father, it’s time for you to make right has been wrong for so long.”

  Oh for God’s sake. He was just going to make this as painful and long as possible? I knew I should be taking this seriously, but all I could think was please shut up.

  “What is it you think I need to make right?” Father asked quietly.

  “You will step down, and Proclaim me the Fae King. You will also bestow upon me the powers of the Goblin King.”

  I looked at Brennan, and then at father. How did Brother know? I didn’t think anyone knew.

  Brother must have seen the surprised look on everyone’s faces. “You think I didn’t know? Nanny and crazy dad told me all about it. I know exactly why you let me go, why you let me die.”

  Okay, he was losing it. They didn’t let him die. This didn’t seem the best time to interject that fact.

  “I can’t give you what is not mine to give,” father said. “The powers of the Goblin King come to the one who is chosen, and I am not one who does the choosing.”

  Before anyone knew what was happening, brother had darted out, grabbed Nerida, and pulled her to him. “You will do as I say, or she dies!”

  “Brother!” Crazy lady cried, from where she sat on the floor.

  “My love, please don’t do this!” First wife added.

  Both of the women saw brother did not. Father’s eyes had darkened, the energy radiating from him made me want to crawl under the table. Somehow, brother didn’t see any of this. He held the stone close to Nerida’s face, his eyes locked on father.

  Perhaps he was stupid as well as crazy.

  I didn’t think this was going to end well.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Brennan

  He had gotten as close as he could, but when Cian grabbed Nerida, he stopped. He saw the look on Jharak’s face.

  He was so busy watching his parents, he didn’t think to watch his wife.

  Everything slowed down, and seemed to move moment by moment. Iris slid her hands into her pockets, and then as she stepped forward around Taranath, and past Jharak, she drew stones from them, thrusting them out in front of her.

  Two more steps brought her next to Jharak. When he realized that Iris was next to him, he held up a hand to stop her, but Iris sidestepped him and kept going.

  Brennan realized too late what she was doing. He could see her mouth moving, and the look of fury on her face was something to behold. As she got closer to Cian, and the spell began to work, he could see that not only did the stones in her hands glow, but Iris herself had a glow all around her. It was almost like watching the opening of a portal.

  Iris reached Cian, and with one elbow, shoved Nerida out of the way. She screamed then, something that Brennan couldn’t understand, because there was a howling in the great hall that sounded like a fierce windstorm.

  The tapestries on the walls flapped, and Iris shoved her glowing hands right into Cian’s face. He shrieked, a horrible, inhuman sound, and dropped to the floor.

  When he fell, Ailla rose, and went for—Brennan couldn’t tell if it was Iris or Cian she was aiming for. He ran for her, meaning to intercept her, but Drake got there first. Drake caught Ailla around the waist and yanked her back.

  Screaming incoherently, Ailla struck at his face.

  Iris, looking up from where she stood over Cian, took three more steps, and shoved her hands in Ailla’s face.

  The woman slid from Drake’s hold into a heap on the floor.

  Brennan looked up to see Dhysara bent over, one hand to her stomach and the other to her mouth.

  “What have you done?” She shrieked. “Fake name! My love!” She held out a hand to where Cian lay on the floor, tears streaming down her face.

  Iris stepped around Drake, and stood in front of Dhysara. “I told you if he was innocent, we would let him live. He was not. He would have killed everyone in this room, including you.”

  “No, no he wouldn’t have! You murderer! You lied to me!” Dhysara wept.

  “I did not. I don’t lie. I have no need to. Cian—”

  “Why do you call him Cian? That’s not his name!” Dhysara shouted.

  “It is. He was the eldest son of the Fae King, thought to have died in a fire. But he didn’t die. Eilor took him in, and raised him, and let him go mad. Then he married him off to you, all while letting his daughter fall in love with that nutter as well. You’re better off, Dhysara, whether you realize it or not.”

  When had Iris learned all this? When had she become so wise? Brennan was so proud of her that he felt as though he might burst. Let others question his choice of wife. He knew the truth.

  Nerida, with the help of Jharak, finally got up. “My poor son,” she said softly, looking down at Cian.

  Iris whirled on her. “Your poor son? Are you kidding me? He was going to kill you, and all of us, and you’re still moaning on about him? We—” she gestured to everyone in the room, “Saved your ungrateful life! And this is how you thank us? Your son died years ago. He was twisted and turned because you didn’t teach him that not everything was his for the taking. And he grew up with that one’s,” She pointed at the lifeless Ailla, “Father. He didn’t have a chance. But you knew that way back when, didn’t you? You have never, ever stood up for your other sons. You know, the ones who didn’t try to kill you?”

  Nerida opened her mouth, but Iris cut her off.

  “Unless you are going to apologize to your sons, to your husband, you probably should just be quiet.” Her eyes blazed with fury.

  Nerida looked to Jharak, who looked back at her without saying anything. She looked around the room. No one knew what to say, Brennan could tell. He understood. It wasn’t often that one witnessed the queen of the Fae being given what for.

  Iris broke the awkward silence. She rushed to him, wrapping her arms around him. “What are you doing out of bed? You’re not ready for this!”

  He cradled her to him, realizing how much he’d missed her. “I woke to find you gone. I knew something was wrong. I couldn’t stay away. You know that.”

  “I know,” she said into his should. “But I have to say it anyway. I love you.” He could feel a dampness and knew that she was crying.

  A shout behind Iris made him thrust her behind him.

  Cian had risen, and the look of madness on him made Brennan concerned for them all.

  A burst of light hit Cian in the midsection, and he fell once more. He searched for the source—and saw Taranath, arms outstretched, frozen.

  Drake, who had hit the ground when someone—Brennan didn’t know who— shouted, got up and nudged at Cian. He looked around, meeting Brennan’s eyes. “He’s gone.”

  Nerida slid against Jharak, onto the floor. She covered her face with her hands. Brennan had to avert his eyes. While harsh, everything Iris had said was true. It was difficult to look at his mother with anything other than anger for the moment.

  He realized that Cian was very like her. Determined to see what they wanted to see until the end.

  Another flash of light burst out, this time going towards Drake. A small, dark figure hit Drake, knocking him to the floor.

  “Damn you, Aine! What are you doing?” Screamed Ailla. “You are going to—” she stopped in the middle of her words, and the most extraordinary expression came over her face. “What?” she asked softly, and then fell to the floor.

  Brennan felt fairly sure that this time, she, like Cian was no more.

  Dhysara walked over, staring down at Ailla. “He was mine. You always did want everything for yourself. But he was mine. Even to the end.” Then she stepped over Ailla, a
nd went to Cian.

  She knelt down, caressing his cheek. “My love. We could have been happy. But you let them turn you.” She bent over, and kissed him tenderly.

  Brennan wasn’t sure, but he thought his mother might be crying.

  Dhysara rose. She walked to Taranath. He crossed his arms, looking wary as she approached.

  “Mage, can you make me forget?”

  “I beg your pardon, my lady?”

  “Can you make me forget? I do not wish to remember any of this. Take it away. I want to only remember fake name, and the life I thought we had.” Her voice, although low, rang out through the hall.

  “Are you sure, my lady?” Taranath asked respectfully.

  She nodded. “I am. This is nothing I want to remember. I would like to raise my child in peace, and in health.”

  Nerida spoke then. “That is our—” She stopped as Jharak cut her off.

  “We would be happy to help you.”

  “Thank you, your Majesty. As I told your daughter-in-law, I no longer wish to concern myself with the quarrels of the past. I only want to look to the future.”

  Jharak nodded to Taranath. “Would you take the Lady Dhysara with you, and prepare her for what she asks? I shall join you shortly.”

  Taranath offered Dhysara his arm, which she took. She did not look at anyone, not even Cian, as she walked to the door of the hall, and then out.

  There was a moment of silence, and then Nerida burst out, “That is our grandchild, Jharak! She can’t—”

  Brennan stepped forward then. “He can, and he will, Mother. It is time for this to end. You will need to manage your mourning in private, and you will never speak of this again.”