Pixie-Led (Book 2 in the Twilight Court Series)

by Amy Sumida

  “You're not more or less important than anyone here, Conri,” I said instantly and several of the unseelie knights inhaled sharply. It seemed that elitism was even harder to move past than racism. Or maybe they were just shocked that I, a princess, had included myself in that statement. “These aren't just my words,” I turned back to the unseelie. “They are the words of Danu. The night she gave her blessing to Conri, she told the entire Court of Twilight that there are no lessers in her eyes. We are all fey and all equally precious to her.”

  The unseelie muttered among themselves and I gave them a few moments to digest Danu's words.

  “Princess Seren,” the unseelie knight who had spoken to me on the barge came forward. “It's been a long time since we've felt the goddess among us but even though it seemed as if she'd forgotten us, we have never forgotten her. We've simply been waiting for a sign of her return and I think you may be exactly what we've been waiting for.”

  “Well as long as it's not the bargest,” one of the other unseelie joked.

  “You're not the only ones shocked by a bargest knight,” Ainsley stepped forward. “It took some adjusting to but I must admit, Sir Conri is a good addition to the Star's Guard. He's loyal and fearless and damn good with a sword. If only he didn't snore like a tursa.”

  “Hey now,” Conri growled.

  “It's a really weird snoring too,” Iain added. “Like he's trying to eat a chicken whole. Snarffle-snarffle-snarf-chomp-chomp-chomp-smackety-smack,” he mimicked the sound and the whole clearing erupted in laughter.

  “I don't eat in bed,” Conri shouted over the laughter. “At least not food.”

  And just like that, the tension disappeared and the line between the races faded away. I looked around at all the smiling faces and could barely believe that it had worked. Yeah, maybe it was just a small group of fairies but it was a start. Added to the group that Aodh was amassing, I'd say it was a really good start.

  “I guess Danu did give you something to help make peace,” Conri smirked as he sidled up. “Me.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  I have one word to describe Alaska in August; wet. It was raining when we stepped out of the fairy mound. Pouring icy cold drops of water that instantly soaked the T-shirt and jeans I was wearing. I looked over and saw that Tiernan was abysmally drenched as well. He actually looked kind of pathetic and I smiled to finally see him not looking his best. Though admittedly, the jeans may have looked even better on him wet.

  “What are you grinning at?” He lifted a dripping brow and glanced at my Cake or Death T-shirt. “Can I have tea with my cake?”

  “Oh definitely,” I groaned. “I'd kill for a cup.”

  “No; your shirt says you only get one or the other, cake or death,” a man said, startling us both.

  We jerked around to find a pretty normal looking guy holding a big umbrella. He was Asian, Chinese I think; with dark hair, exotic eyes, a yellow undertone to his skin, and a sleekly muscled build. He was kind of tall for an Asian man, over six feet, and there was something predatory in his eyes. I squinted and saw the glow of magic surrounding him. I tried to look past the enchantment but it was too strong. That alone was damn impressive. What/who was he and what was he doing there?

  “Relax,” he held up his hands. “I'm the Portal Guardian, Lord of the Rath,” he waved a hand to the mound we'd just exited. “We can't leave these things just lying about unattended, you know.”

  “Oh, right,” I sighed. “I'm Princess-”

  “Seren Firethorn,” the guy nodded. “King Uisdean scried me earlier and told me all about you and the Mission of Bheur.”

  “Mission of brrrr, no kidding,” I shivered.

  “No, Bheur, as in Cailleach,” he blinked and then laughed. “Oh, that was a joke. Sorry bout that. Come with me, Princess. We'll get you dried off and warmed up. My house is right around this bend.”

  “Um, who are you?” I asked as he led us through the trees. “I mean, besides the Lord of the Rath?” I intoned the last bit ominously.

  “Oh, yes, sorry bout that too,” he chuckled and glanced back over his shoulder. “I don't get to say that a lot. I'm under cover, you realize?”

  “Yes,” Tiernan slid a smile my way, “we've realized.”

  “Name's Chad,” he led us up some wood stairs to the second story of a three story house, painted baby blue on the top two stories and a deep turquoise on its bottom level.

  “Chad?” I asked in surprise.

  “Well, it's actually Chiwen but here they call me Chad,” he shrugged and opened the front door.

  I followed him into a cozy, warm home. There was a large rock fireplace against one wall and the heat from it beckoned. I shucked off my shoes and placed them neatly on the welcome mat before I padded across the wood floor in just my socks, heading straight to the fireplace. I stood there and rubbed my hands over my arms as I defrosted and dried.

  “Oh, you lovely lady,” Chad crooned as he folded up his umbrella and put it in a tall vase by the door. “You're the first person to remove your shoes!”

  “I picked up the habit in Hawaii,” I grinned at him. “It's the Asian influence. Plus, I didn't want to track mud all over your floor.”

  “You are most welcome in my home, Princess Seren,” Chad bowed and that was when I realized that Tiernan was still standing in the doorway, staring at Chad in horrified fascination as rain poured down behind him.

  “What's the problem, Tiernan?” I frowned at him and started to tense. Had I missed something? Had I just walked into a trap? Surely Tiernan wouldn't have allowed me to walk in if he'd sensed a trap?

  “Chiwen,” Tiernan stepped forward onto the mat. “As in Lord Chiwen, Son of the Dragon?”

  “Yes,” Chad preened and puffed out his chest. “How kind of you to know the name. Oh, this is a fantastic day! I rarely get visitors and to have two such as yourselves is truly a blessing. Come in, Lord Tiernan, please, you are most welcome.”

  “And take off your boots,” I called to him before saying to Chad, “I actually just met a dragon djinn. Are you guys related?”

  “Oh, not at all,” Chad shook his head. “Those are dragons of earth and sky. My lot come from the sea.”

  “Oh, I sea,” I joked and Chad chuckled.

  Tiernan took his boots off in a daze, placing them beside my wet Converse, and then stood there staring at Chad again.

  “I'll get some towels,” Chad hurried off down a hallway beside the fireplace.

  “Don't be a ninny!” I snapped at Tiernan while Chad was gone. “What is it with you and dragons? Come in here and get warm.”

  Chad returned and handed me a towel, then headed towards Tiernan.

  “Uh,” Tiernan blinked and then suddenly bowed. “It's an honor to meet you, Your Majesty.”

  “Your Majesty? But you called him a lord,” I frowned at Tiernan, completely confused.

  “A Dragon Lord,” Tiernan glanced at me. “It's a different title entirely.”

  “Oh,” I looked towards Chad. “You're a dragon and a king?”

  “Well, it's complicated,” Chad the Dragon Lord/King shrugged and handed a towel to Tiernan. “The dragons have their own courts. And thank you for the courtesy by the way, Lord Tiernan,” Chad headed into the kitchen, which was partitioned off from the living room by a long counter.

  The whole place was rustic chic, with very masculine brown leather furniture and Native American art on the creamy white walls. There were Chinese touches interspersed to make things interesting; little jade carvings on a side table and silk-clad puppets hanging in a corner, but mainly, it had a log cabin feel. A row of antlers hung on a wall in the kitchen, holding pots and pans. I lifted a brow at that.

  “So you aren't a king?” I wandered over to the counter and took a seat, making sure to cover it with my towel first. Tiernan came up and sat beside me.

  “Oh, I am but the Dragon Courts are a different kind of kingdom,” Chad smiled. “Coffee or tea?”

  “Tea,” Tie
rnan and I said together.

  “Wonderful,” Chad smiled and set a kettle on the stove. He started gathering teacups and dishes. “Are you hungry?”

  “Got any cake?” I slid Tiernan a grin.

  “Cake?” Chad laughed. “Actually, I think I do but wouldn't you rather have a bowl of tomato bisque?”

  “Oh Goddess, yes!” I declared.

  “Soup it is,” Chad nodded. “And grilled cheese sandwiches of course.”

  “A dragon king is making me soup and a grilled cheese sandwich,” Tiernan whispered with wonderment.

  “Oh, I've learned a lot of human ways,” Chad took down a frying pan and threw a pat of butter in it. “I like it here; it's peaceful and my brothers don't bother me. I can write my poetry and look out at the ocean. I even go for a swim on occasion. It's lovely.”

  “It sounds lovely,” I agreed. “Did your brothers give you a lot of grief?”

  “Oh, they're dragons,” Chad cast a smirk over his shoulder. “They're born to give grief. They can't help it. I, however, was born to consume evil.”

  “The Sentinel,” Tiernan said in hushed awe. I swear, he was turning into a fanboy.

  “I haven't been called that in a long time,” Chad mused. “But yes, I am the Sentinel. It's been bred into me to watch over things. So when the position to guard the portal opened up... hehe, portal... opened up.”

  I laughed and Tiernan gave me a weird look. “What? It's funny. Cause portals open.”

  “Thank you for tolerating my strange humor,” Chad gave me a quick bow.

  “Oh, she has one of her own, in case you didn't notice,” Tiernan rolled his eyes and I smacked him in the chest. It hurt my hand a little.

  “Anyway,” Chad continued. “When the position opened up, I applied and here I am. Life is sweet, if a bit drier.”

  “Not by much,” I waved at my damp clothes.

  “Point taken,” Chad gave a chuffing sort of laugh as the teapot whistled. He removed it from the stove and poured hot water into the waiting china teapot to steep.

  “So tell me more about these Dragon Courts,” I urged. “I'm still learning about Fairy.”

  “Yes, that's right,” Chad shot me a kind look. “I've heard that you're the new princess. Half human, are you not?”

  “That's right,” I nodded.

  “Well, the dragons rule the sea,” Chad was piling sandwiches on plates. “Our courts are in the Fairy Ocean.”

  “So you're not considered unseelie then?” I asked.

  “No,” he shrugged. “Just dragon. A special exception was made for me to work with the unseelie. It wasn't such a big deal since Alaska is connected to my court anyway. This is more our territory than it is the unseelie's.”

  “Dangerous territory,” I whispered. “The unseelie were wary of traveling over the water back in Fairy. Was that because of your court?”

  “Dragons can be very territorial,” Chad gave me an embarrassed smile. “They're not always reasonable either but they're usually okay with people visiting the rath, as long as you don't stay too long.”

  “Why didn't you tell me we were leaving the Star's Guard and Cat on Dragon Island?” I smacked Tiernan's shoulder this time. It still stung.

  “I didn't want to worry you,” he sighed. “They'll be fine, Seren. You heard Chad,;the dragons don't mind short visits.”

  “Oh yes, your friends and your cat will be perfectly safe,” Chad nodded. “Dragons prefer the sea anyway, they don't like to venture out of it. As long as your people don't make a lot of noise, I doubt they'll disturb my court.”

  “Oh, Cat is a puka,” I explained. “Her full name is Catriona.”

  “Ah,” Chad chuckled. “A lovely name. I apologize for the confusion.”

  “It's okay, totally understandable.” I watched him ladle out three bowls of soup from a pot on the stove. “How many dragon courts are there?”

  “Two,” Chad said. “The Court of the Dragon Kings and The Court of the Nine Sons. I am from the later. That's why I'm called a Dragon Lord, it just differentiates us from the Court of the Kings.”

  “It sounds as if both courts have multiple rulers,” I accepted the first bowl of soup gleefully and dipped into it with the sandwich Chad placed beside it.

  “That's why it's complicated,” Chad put a plate down in front of Tiernan and then went to get his bowl from the stove. “Our courts mainly consist of ocean fey but if you're born a dragon, you're royal. All royals are equal, we don't have titles like prince or duke. We are all kings or queens. Our egos won't allow for any dragon to be considered more important than another. So we have many rulers, which means that every decision must be put to a vote.”

  “Sounds more like democracy,” I observed.

  “I wish,” Chad rolled his eyes. “It's a headache is what it is. A big pain in my scaled ass. Every dragon thinks their opinion is the right one and getting them all to agree can take years. I couldn't live around the constant bickering and machinations. A court needs one ruler to cut through all that nonsense but dragons aren't like other creatures. We can't allow one alpha to establish dominance and then just let him rule. No, dragons will sooner tear each other apart than bow to anyone. We are all alphas and so it was decided that we would all rule, rather than go extinct.”

  “Oh. I think I would have left too,” I grimaced.

  “Yes, I'm much happier here,” Chad brought his soup to the counter and joined us for the meal. “The simple life suits me. I do miss the mermaids though.”

  “Who wouldn't?” Tiernan gave a wide grin.

  “Mermaids?” I asked as I shot Tiernan a nasty look. “Aren't they part of the Seelie Court?”

  “They are welcome among the seelie, as the kelpies are welcome among the unseelie,” Chad explained. “But they are mainly ocean dwellers and as such, are a part of the Dragon Courts. We, unlike the land fey, don't divide our fairies by race. The individual fairy is left to decide which court, if any, they want to align themselves with.”

  “So there are those that choose neither court?” I was surprised the dragons were so open-minded.

  “Yes,” Chad shrugged. “We don't bother with those who don't wish to bother with us. Thus, I was able to leave without issue.”

  “How nice that you could just walk away from all that,” I sighed.

  “You would go insane if you had to sit still and guard a portal,” Tiernan observed.

  “Yeah, maybe you're right,” I shrugged. “Still sounds nice.”

  “There's no use in wishing for things you can't have and wouldn't even want if you did get them,” Tiernan offered.

  “Oh, I think wishing for impossible things is rather fun,” Chad said. “It's not about getting what you wish for, it's about figuring out what you want.”

  “Thank you, Chad,” I shot Tiernan a smug look.

  “At your service, Princess,” Chad gave a deep head bow.

  “I can't believe there are two more fairy courts the Extinguishers know nothing about,” I mused.

  “We are a lot like Twilight in regards to our privacy,” Chad explained. “We used to venture into the Human Realm a lot but quite a few of our fairies can't take human form and they caused a lot of mischief, I'm afraid.”

  “The Loch Ness Monster,” Tiernan added.

  “Among others,” Chad nodded. “So we decreed that our fey shall remain in Fairy.”

  “But you said that some sea fey don't align themselves with the Dragon Courts,” I pointed out.

  “Yes, very perceptive,” Chad beamed. “Which is why some still come through but not enough to cause significant damage or warrant the attention of the Extinguishers. Even though the ocean dwellers don't consider themselves bound by the truce between fey and humans, they still see the wisdom in the laws and most abide by them.”

  “They don't consider themselves a part of the truce?” I gaped in horror.

  “No, we are separate courts, as I explained,” Chad frowned. “We never warred with the humans and so we wer
en't included in the truce.”

  “That's kind of terrifying,” I whispered.

  “Seren, you're not listening,” Tiernan chided. “He just said that they abide by the truce anyway. You have nothing to worry about with the ocean fey. They don't want to bring attention to themselves.”

  “But he said the lone fey, without court affiliation, still venture into the Human Realm,” I huffed. “This is something the Extinguishers should know about.”

  “No, it's not,” Tiernan laid a hand over mine as he shot a placating look at the suddenly wide-eyed Chad. “You would only panic the humans and cause them to divert attention away from the areas that do need to be watched. Think about it; when was the last time you'd heard about a sea monster attack?”

  “Never,” I whispered.

  “Exactly,” Tiernan sighed. “They like to be left alone. These are fairies who stayed out of the Great War, why would they now suddenly start to attack humans?”

  “Okay, I guess I may have overreacted,” I admitted.

  “So you're not going to tell the humans about us?” Chad asked anxiously.

  “No, I won't,” I agreed. “Tiernan's right, it wouldn't be worth it.”

  “Oh good,” Chad sighed in relief. “I'd hate to have to kill you.”

  I blinked at Chad in shock and when I looked over to Tiernan, he nodded to me with serious eyes and tense lips; like he'd known exactly what had been going through Chad's mind. I remembered then what Tiernan had called Chad; The Sentinel. Even though he was a Guardian of the Rath now, he'd still protect the Dragon Courts. And I had sat there and basically threatened the safety of the ocean fairies. Dumb, dumb move.

  “So, you're here to find Cailleach,” Chad said in between bites of gooey sandwich, perfectly happy once more. “I know where she lives. I can drive you there after we finish our soup.”

  “Wonderful,” I gave Chad a shaky smile, still getting over the fact that I'd almost got myself into a dragon fight. “Maybe this won't be so bad after all.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  “Why did I say that?” I groaned. “Never say something isn't going to be so bad. Never.”