“Relax,” she said with a grimace of a smile. “I merely wanted to see the defect in her eye.”
“You don’t need to touch her to look.” I pushed her hand away and pulled Scarlet close.
“It’s a curious mark,” she said lightly. “It reminds me of something, but I can’t recall what. And that patch of colour in her hair… another defect?”
“It’s good luck,” I replied. “You said yourself how lucky she is.”
“She’ll need more than good luck,” Drake commented blithely. “But she’ll learn a lot in the Silver Court.”
Sorcha narrowed her eyes. But more people entered the room, causing enough of a distraction to end the conversation. Bran’s sigh of relief echoed mine. Bekind sharpened her claws on my calf in warning, making my eyes water. Anya came in alone, so I beckoned her over, despite how I was feeling toward her. She glanced at Arlen then trotted my way, but Zoe made it to the seat next to me first. I shrugged at Anya, who chose a seat on the other side of my human friend.
“You still feeling okay?” I asked.
Zoe nodded. “Yep. Mind still fully intact. The Miacha lady checked me over earlier. She’s minding the other kids during dinner.”
Dymphna and Fiadh arrived together and sat next to Sorcha. Conn stood behind Fiadh’s chair. For a dinner amongst so-called friends, there were a lot of security guards.
Brendan was last to arrive. When he sat, it seemed as though fresh air had just been breathed into the room. His red-gold hair was damp, and a half-smile was etched on his face. It was weird, but I kind of associated the kings with seasons. Brendan was summer, all golden and warm and full of life. Drake’s face, with his dour expression and the ice-cold manner he had taken on, spelled out a harsh winter. He and Sorcha looked like the king and queen of death.
Scarlet was laughing at the faces Grim was making for her, and I couldn’t help but smile. She was spring, a new beginning, a fresh start. So that left me with… autumn, the time when everything began to die. The image of the mirror flashed across my mind’s eye, and I clenched the arms of my chair.
A band I hadn’t even noticed began to play music, and Scarlet’s eyes lit up. When the first plate of food arrived, I tried to feed her, but she was too interested in the musicians.
“A child after my own heart,” Brendan said. He stood and picked up Scarlet. “Eat your food before it goes cold,” he told me then carried her to the area in front of the band.
I swallowed a lump in my throat as I watched him dance with her, spinning her around until her giggles grew louder and louder. Her own father was in the room and couldn’t bear to look at her. That wasn’t fair.
Sorcha grumbled something under her breath and rubbed her temples.
I stood. “Okay, don’t get her overexcited, Brendan. It’s her bedtime soon.”
“Bedtime? We have no bedtime in this court,” he teased, raising Scarlet high into the air and eliciting more of her childish laughter.
He returned to the table. I reached out for her, but he ignored me and set her on his knee instead.
Zoe pulled on my arm until I sat down again, then she leaned over and whispered, “That’s too sweet.”
Brendan held out a stick of raw carrot to Scarlet. “Now, this is a carrot.”
As Scarlet reached out with her chubby fingers, Bran had a loud coughing fit right behind me. I stood to pour him a glass of water and accidentally-on-purpose knocked over the jug. The water spilled across the table and into Sorcha’s lap. She leapt to her feet and complained loudly about clumsy humans. I peeked at Brendan to see him staring at Scarlet.
“It’s her bedtime,” I said, taking her before he could protest. “Sorry about the… water.” I strode out of the room, followed by Bran.
Once we were in the hall and out of hearing range of the dinner party, I wrapped my arm around Bran’s waist. “Thanks, Bran. Seriously, I would have—”
“Would have what?” Brendan asked from behind us.
I let go of Bran and took a step back.
Bran answered quickly, “Would have had to endure that entire awkward dinner.”
I turned to look at Brendan. “Yep. Sorry. I know I’m supposed to be diplomatic and stuff, but that was awkward.”
Brendan nodded, leaning against the door. “That’s one word for it. Good night, Cara.”
I couldn’t read his expression, so I just said, “’Night,” and strode away.
Bran clumped along behind me. At the stairs, I chanced a look back. Brendan was still standing there, watching us. I had no idea what he was thinking, and I wasn’t entirely sure I even wanted to know.
“I’m in trouble,” Bran whispered when we reached my room.
“You’ll be fine,” I said. “I’m the one in trouble. Do you think she did something to the carrot?”
He blinked a couple of times. “No, I mean I’m in trouble for the other thing. You know, the hug?”
I burst out laughing. “Let’s hope that’s our biggest concern, kiddo. Now you try to get someone to cover you so you can sleep, okay?”
He nodded, and I left him in the hallway. Scarlet was gnawing on her thumb, but she looked sleepy and contented. I rocked her to sleep, singing an old lullaby I remembered from my own childhood. I made up words to fill in the blanks, but my daughter didn’t seem to care. She gazed at me as I sang, her small hand clutching my shirt for comfort.
Even after she fell asleep, I didn’t stop rocking her because I didn’t want to let her go. When I finally laid her down, I curled up next to her and stroked the silver patch of hair. Defect, my arse.
Zoe returned, but I didn’t feel like talking, so I pretended I was asleep. When I did finally sleep, I dreamed of a large golden mirror that told me things I didn’t want to know.
Chapter Sixteen
Tears welled in my eyes at the sound of Realtín’s keening.
“Don’t go,” she said between sobs. “Stay here where it’s safe.”
“You know I can’t,” I said, trying to hold off her damp kisses. “And you’ll see me again.”
“I won’t. I won’t! You won’t come back. You’ll disappear again.”
I took a deep breath, snatched her out of the air, and held her close to me so I could gaze into her red beady eyes. “If I don’t come back, you’ll visit me. No matter what happens, you’re a free sprite. You can go anywhere you like.”
“You’ll let us come to you?”
I nodded. “I promise you can visit me wherever I go.”
“But what if you die?” she whispered, her body still shaking.
“Then you’ll have to make sure Scarlet is okay. I mean it, Realtín. If I die, you have to swear you’ll look out for her.”
“Of course.” Her lips trembled. “But you mustn’t die. It would be a waste… after everything.”
Brendan stepped into the hallway with Grim.
Realtín flew at her king’s face and beat on his cheeks with her tiny fists. “If you let her die, I’ll… I’ll…”
Brendan gave the sprite an indulgent grin as he pried her away from him. He held her at a distance and looked at me as he said, “Nothing bad will happen to Cara. She’ll be surrounded by soldiers… and friends.”
“But what if—”
“Realtín.” His tone was sterner. “The fae shoved Cara off a cliff, and instead of falling, she flew. Do you really think this was all for nothing? That the gods themselves would let her down now?”
Realtín stilled her wings and fists then shook her head.
“Exactly,” Brendan said, and he even sounded confident. “She’s destined for a long life. After all, she isn’t done changing us yet.”
He handed Realtín to me, patted me on the shoulder, and went on his way. I stared after him in surprise, unable to hide my smile.
“Careful,” Grim said. “On some levels, people never change. You wouldn’t be the first to fall to his charm.”
I grinned. “Didn’t you hear him? I don’t fall; I fly.”
/> “Cara…” he said warningly.
“I know. I know.” I knelt beside Grim, laughing as Realtín tickled the back of my neck. “He wants a plaything, and I’m the safest one around.”
Grim frowned. “I don’t know that he sees you as a plaything anymore. That change might be far more dangerous. I’m worried that tensions between Brendan and Drake will…” He glanced at Realtín. “I’m afraid it will be awkward for you.”
“I’m married to my daughter’s great-grandfather. Life can’t get much more awkward than this, Grim.” I laid my palm against his cheek. “I’ll protect myself.”
He hugged me and whispered in my ear, “You’ll die to protect her. The lore masters found something. I wanted you to know before you left. There was a time, long ago, when a god threatened to destroy the realm.”
“But it didn’t work,” I said. “The realm is still here. That means we can do it twice.”
“You don’t understand. We haven’t tracked down all of the manuscripts yet, but according to the lore masters, it was a long, hard battle. It required the Legendary Treasures and the interference of other gods to make the warring god sleep. You can’t kill something that doesn’t truly live. Sadler’s god could be a newly awoken one. I fear I won’t see you again.”
“Find out the whole story before you start worrying, and I’ll see you soon,” I said firmly, pulling away. “Both of you. If I can stop a war, I will. I’ll do whatever I can to help fix this mess. But I know I’ll see you again. You’re my family. Scarlet needs to know you.”
As if on cue, Zoe turned the corner with my daughter in her arms. Scarlet squirmed to break free.
“Go ahead and let her down,” I said. “She’s going to be sitting down for a long time.”
Zoe lowered Scarlet to the floor, and clutching my friend’s hand to steady herself, Scarlet immediately toddled in Grim’s direction. For a brief instant, a look of terror crossed his face, but Scarlet was relatively gentle for a toddler. She giggled as Realtín hovered before her, the sprite’s arms crossed in mock firmness.
“Now you be good for your mammy,” Realtín said right before Scarlet swatted her out of the air.
“She’s always good for me.” I removed Realtín from Scarlet’s clutches, ignoring the sprite’s indignant protests. “Take care. Don’t let anyone push you two around.”
After the goodbyes, I walked with Scarlet to the front door, where some of my travelling companions were waiting. Zoe, Líle, Bran, and Anya had gathered together and were watching something outside. I peered past them and saw a line of carriages surrounded by soldiers on horseback.
“The kids aren’t going to go hungry, right?” I asked, feeling a little worried with the time to leave finally at hand. “It doesn’t look like we have enough supplies for this many people.”
“Don’t worry,” Drake said from behind me. “We have hunters with us. It won’t be like before.”
I remembered that time, when he had been planning on marrying the hated banshee on his arm even as he told me he loved me. I swallowed hard, trying to drive the memories away, but the more I saw him, the harder it was to hate him and the easier it became to hate myself.
“Are you coming with us?” Líle asked.
I turned to see who she was talking to. Sorcha stood there in a riding outfit. Crap.
“Yes.” Sorcha looked pleased with herself. “After the attack on my husband, I felt it would be remiss of me to stay behind.”
“It was an attack on me,” I murmured.
Sorcha gave me a sharp look. “What was that?”
“Who’s taking care of the Silver Court?” I asked, avoiding her question.
“Your ancestor.” Sorcha gave me a tight smile. “The only one experienced enough to handle an entire court.”
I let out a harsh laugh. “Well, I hope you have a court to come back to.”
Dymphna and Fiadh approached us with their children and Conn.
“How are we doing this?” I asked. “Do you need me to watch over Eithne for you, Dymphna?”
“I’m staying with her,” Dymphna said.
Sorcha gave an exasperated sigh. “Is that really necessary?”
“Of course it is,” Drake said. “It’s important that the children remain protected. We’ll stop frequently at safe points. Small groups of soldiers will constantly scout ahead to watch out for danger.”
“You mean for Darksiders,” I snapped.
His expression turned weary. “This entire journey doesn’t need to be a battle. The group will reach Sadler in safety. That’s all you need to know. Never let the children wander and have all food tasted before it’s given to them, and they’ll be just as safe as they were in the castle.”
Brendan ran up the steps and draped an arm across my shoulders. “The logistics have already been worked out. It’s time to travel.” He drew me ahead of the others.
“You seem cheery,” I said.
“I like to spread my wings.” He glanced at me. “And I missed too much of the last journey our little team took together.”
“Grim and Realtín won’t be with us this time.”
“It’s for the best,” he said, sounding serious for a change. “Grim makes smarter decisions than anyone else in my court, and he’s shown himself to be an unbiased voice. He’s the one I trust in my stead.”
My smile was impossible to hide.
Brendan grinned back. “Are you sufficiently impressed yet?”
“I’ll let you know when you get everyone back safely. Where’s the Miacha?”
“She’s already waiting,” he said. “Don’t expect her to sit inside a carriage the entire time; that’s not in her nature.”
“As long as you don’t expect me inside one the entire time, I don’t care.”
“I would have been disappointed if I saddled up Dubh so nicely for nothing.”
“Really?”
“Of course,” he said. “Trust me, carriage rides will get boring quickly. We have a safety saddle for Scarlet.”
“Um, she’s a baby. She can’t sit on a horse.”
“With you or me, she can. Besides, she’s too young to be afraid. She’ll be perfectly safe. We’re unlikely to have to gallop anywhere dangerous, after all.”
“Only the Darkside,” I said smartly.
He lifted Scarlet out of my arms and held her over his head. She giggled ecstatically.
“See?” he said. “No fear. You would never let her fall. Neither would Dubh. Stop worrying.”
“We’ll see,” I said. As if I could stop worrying. “But it’s carriages first for us.”
“And we’ll see how long that lasts,” he teased.
“Seriously, you’re way too happy about this.”
His face fell. “I’ve been trapped in that castle. This crown is a prison.” He stepped away from me and winked. “At least this will feel a little like some freedom.”
I watched him head over to his troops. He would never grow up.
Zoe and Bran caught up with me. Her eyes were bright with excitement.
“This is like something out of a history book,” Zoe said.
I frowned at the huge carriages. Maybe Brendan was right about prisons. “We should ride on horseback at least some of the time. We’ll need the exercise after sitting in that for a while.”
“Whatever you say.” She spun in a circle. “I’m going to make the most of the royal treatment.”
I turned to Bran. “Where’s Bekind? I haven’t seen her yet.”
“Neither have I,” he said. “You should probably decide who you’re riding with today before someone else does for you.”
I glanced at Sorcha and shuddered. “Good plan.” I eyed the soldiers. “There are a lot more soldiers than I expected.”
“Kings trying to outdo each other, I expect.” Bran blushed and cleared his throat. “Let’s find you a carriage.”
We settled on one of the larger conveyances. When Bran opened the door, Bekind was already curled up on a
seat.
“How the hell do you always know what I’ll do?” I asked her but only received a “meow” in reply.
“I’ll be riding next to the carriage,” Bran said. “So will Arlen. We’re travelling in groups to ensure the horses can be rested fully. We’re one of the last groups. When my horse needs rest, I’ll ride with you, but most of the time, you’ll see me outside your window. If you need anything, let me know. We’re on a schedule, but as we’re not leading, we can make stops as long as we don’t fall too far behind.”
“Whatever you say.” I smiled. “Thanks, Bran.”
“This is my job,” he said proudly. “But I’m glad it is.”
Sorcha and Drake shared a carriage with some of the so-called elite from the Silver Court. Far more people had joined the travelling party than I expected. Dympha, Eithne, Conn, Fiadh, and Setanta shared the largest carriage. I was joined by Zoe, Bekind, Anya, Líle, Grey Eyes, and of course, my daughter. A horn blew, signalling our group to leave.
“Think this will go smoothly?” I asked Líle.
“Let’s hope.” She glanced at Scarlet. “I think we must be in the safest carriage. I believe the Darksiders when they say they won’t hurt her.”
“I wish I could fully believe it,” I whispered, looking out the window. Bran appeared to be on full alert, and Arlen was on the other side of the carriage, doing his very best to ignore us. “Anya, sort things out with Arlen. This is awkward enough.”
“He doesn’t want to talk to me,” she said bitterly. “He barely looks at me.”
“He loves you. He’ll listen if you try hard enough,” Zoe said.
Anya sighed. “Maybe I don’t want to anymore.”
“Ridiculous,” I said. “You were happy with him. You haven’t been happy since you left him.”
“Scarlet makes me happy,” she whispered. “That’s enough for me.”
I bit my tongue and kept my mouth shut. The carriage wheels groaned and rolled along in our part of the convoy.
“Shit,” I said. “This is really happening.”
Usurper (Chaos #4) Page 16
