“So.” Daoin stopped in front of me. “My son is the DeathSpeaker.”
“Seems that way,” I said, trying not to sound awkward. Technically, I’d met my father for the first time in my life tonight. And like my brother, the first thing he did was try to kill me.
I hoped I didn’t have any more unknown relatives out there. I was going to end up with a serious complex.
“Well, I’ve waited long enough for this,” Daoin said with a grin.
And he pulled me into an embrace.
I hugged him back, thinking how strange it was that this didn’t feel strange. Because it sure as hell should’ve. I barely knew this Daoin, and from the little I’d seen, he didn’t seem like a hugger. But I felt…accepted.
I felt like family.
He stepped back, and his expression sobered. “Thank you, for what you did for Levoran,” he said. “For all of us. It took great courage for you and your lady friend, and Uriskel, to come to Arcadia.”
I gave a wry smile. “Well, it took being stubborn and kind of stupid, at least on my part,” I said. “I don’t know about the rest of them.”
“Stubborn,” Sadie said. “Definitely stubborn.”
“Speak for yourself. I’d only come along to make sure the two of you did not rush headlong into death.” Uriskel smiled briefly and walked a few feet away. “And on the topic of stubborn brothers, it’s time I got back to mine before he worries himself into doing something foolish,” he said. “Shall we cross the Veil?”
Sadie and Reun murmured emphatic agreement and headed after him.
“Come, Father,” Taeral said. “The others will be pleased to see you’ve recovered. Well, at least some of them,” he added, shaking his head. “Perhaps not Denei.”
“Taeral…” Daoin looked pained. “I cannot return to the human realm.”
He froze. “What?”
“Not yet, at least,” Daoin said quickly. “I’ve not recovered completely. There are still… gaps in my mind, blank spaces that must be filled. And only the magic of Arcadia can accomplish that.” He looked briefly to the sky. “There are also a few things I must attend to, while I’m here. Some unfinished business.”
Taeral’s eyes narrowed. “Not with Moirehna.”
“Gods, no,” he said. “Promise or no, I’ll not set foot in her palace again.” He reached out and clasped Taeral’s shoulder. “I will return, as soon as I can. It should not take long.”
After a long pause, Taeral said, “I understand, Father.”
“Thank you.” He smiled sadly, and then faced me and reached for the pendant. “I’ll give this back to you now, Gideon,” he said.
I waved him off. “No, don’t. It belongs to you,” I said.
He frowned. “Are you certain?”
“Yeah. I’m pretty sure I can’t turn it into a sword,” I said. “Besides, if you’re going to stay in Arcadia, you’ll need it more than me—and I’ve kind of got the hang of this magic stuff now.”
“Magic…stuff.” With a bemused smile, Daoin lowered his hand. “All right, then,” he said. “I thank you for keeping it safe for me all these years.”
“No problem.”
There was something else I had to say, and I didn’t want to. Just thinking about it left me cold. But it was the right thing—because after everything my brother had been through, he deserved to have what he wanted for once. “Taeral,” I said. “You could stay here, too.”
His brow furrowed. “Excuse me?”
“In Arcadia. This is your home,” I said. “I know you hate the human realm, and you haven’t been able to spend time with Daoin in forever. You just got him back.” I tried not to think about how much it would suck, not having Taeral around, and went on. “Your promise is pardoned, so there’s nothing to stop you from staying here.”
“Isn’t there?” Taeral quirked a grin. “Brother, you are truly mad if you believe I’ll abandon you now,” he said. “If I’m not mistaken, we’ve still a cult to defeat, and a world of Others to save. And there is no one in any realm I’d rather stand beside.”
I told myself the tears that pricked my eyes were pure relief. “Same here,” I said roughly.
“Well, it seems I’ve no cause to worry about my sons,” Daoin said, beaming his familiar, sunny smile. “You’ve each other, and that is more than most have.”
Right then, I knew it would always be enough.
We came through the Veil right where we started—in the middle of Cobalt’s living room.
The place was darkened and quiet. Soft light shone beneath a door that I thought was Cobalt and Will’s bedroom, but I couldn’t remember for sure. It felt like we’d been gone for a year. And the magic of Arcadia was already fading—things here seemed drab and distant, like there was a layer of cotton between me and the world.
I figured I’d get used to it again. But I would miss the intensity of the Fae realm.
Sadie stretched her arms over her head and glanced around. “What time is it, anyway?” she said. “Guess I stopped caring about that over there.”
“Late,” Uriskel said. “I would guess perhaps two or three in the morning. And Cobalt should be—”
The faintly lit door burst open, and Cobalt charged out like a bear roused from hibernation.
“Right there,” Uriskel said with a smirk.
It was all he got out before Cobalt embraced him so hard, he almost knocked them both over. “Do not ever do that to me again,” he nearly growled. “You hear me? Try it, and I’ll banish you from Arcadia myself.”
“Good to see you too, brother,” Uriskel said in muffled tones. “Perhaps you’d permit me to breathe now.”
Cobalt relented and stepped back, swiping his eyes. “Yes, I know,” he said. “I’m a great, softhearted dolt.”
“I’ll forgive you this time.”
I knew where he was coming from, but Cobalt seemed a lot more worried than he should’ve been. And suddenly, I suspected why. “Um…how long were we gone?” I said.
“Ten days.” Cobalt’s jaw clenched. “Much longer, and I’d have come after you.”
I shivered slightly. “Ten days?” I said. “How? I mean, it was like two nights there.”
“Time is slower in the Fae realm,” Uriskel said. “If it moved as quickly as here, we’d all go mad. We live for centuries, after all.”
“Aye. Those of us who don’t get our stubborn selves killed, at least.” With a shudder of relief, Cobalt faced the rest of us. “Thank you for bringing him back in once piece,” he said. “It seems you’ve accomplished your mission. I’m pleased to see you again, Taeral. And this is…your father?” he said, looking at Reun.
Taeral almost laughed. “Daoin elected to stay in Arcadia for a time, as he’s unfinished business there. This is our friend, Reun,” he said. “Just as great a fool as the rest, as he’d rushed off to rescue us alone.”
Reun bowed his head in greeting. “It’s true, I’m afraid,” he said. “But in the future, I will attempt to consider my actions more carefully.”
“A wise idea, that certain brothers of mine should heed.”
“Certain brothers?” Uriskel said. “Well, then, you must include Braelan in that. He’s leapt first, and looked after, far more often than I.”
“I’ll blame Braelan later.” Cobalt folded his arms and smiled. “Sadie, and Gideon,” he said. “I trust you’ve found what you sought in Arcadia.”
“And then some,” Sadie said. “But I’m glad to be back.”
“Yeah. It was…something else, over there.” I shrugged and looked at the floor for a minute. “If you could thank Shade for me, though,” I said. “Tell her she was right. Nyantha knew exactly what I needed.”
“I will. She’ll be glad to hear it,” he said.
Uriskel let out a heavy breath. “Well, now that you’re sorted, I’ve a need to get home and let Trystan kill me for leaving him,” he said. “Believe it or not…it’s good to know all of you. I hope we’ll meet again.”
�
��I’m sure we will,” I said. “All of you are welcome at the Castle, any time.”
“And the Grotto welcomes you,” Cobalt said.
“Thanks. We’d better get going, too. Abe probably thinks I’m dead by now, and I’m pretty sure Reun has a death sentence of his own back home.”
“Aye, and I’ll gladly take her fury,” he said. “She’ll forgive me. Eventually.”
Sadie gave him a look. “I’m not so sure about that. You didn’t see how pissed she was.”
Reun coughed into his hand. “Well. Perhaps we could stop on the way and purchase flowers? Or some kind of weapon to defend myself with…perhaps a tank.”
I had a feeling even that wouldn’t be enough. Nuclear was too generous to describe Denei’s level of rage.
But I wouldn’t mention that.
“I don’t know about you guys, but I’ve had enough portals for a while,” I said. “And Abe would’ve moved my van by now. How about we take a cab?”
Everyone got behind that idea.
CHAPTER 41
My van was parked in its usual spot at the Castle.
I had no idea what that meant, but it didn’t seem good. If something happened to Abe while I was gone, if he’d taken the information on Milus Dei and gotten hurt or killed, I’d never forgive myself. Damn it, I should’ve told him two weeks.
I rushed inside first and found Grygg standing behind the front desk. With Denei and Zoba. Denei glared at me and said, “Where is he?”
“Um…”
My pause was long enough for everyone else to come in. And Denei headed straight for them, fists clenched at her sides. “You stupid, lowdown bastard pig,” she snarled. “You were going to die. You went there to die, on purpose!” She reached Reun and raised a hand, preparing to slap him like she’d done at least once before.
He caught her wrist, pulled her forward and kissed her. Hard.
And she melted against him with a sob.
“A’stohr,” he murmured, embracing her gently. “You’ve every right to be angry, and I’ve not the words to apologize. They would not be sufficient.” He pressed her hand to his chest. “But please know that my heart is yours—and it will always return to you.”
She sniffed and looked up at him. “Well, you’d better find some words right quick, Mister Seelie Noble,” she said. “Words that sound like ‘I’ll never leave you again.’”
“Those words, I can find,” he said with a smile. “But perhaps I should demonstrate instead.”
Denei grinned. Without a word, she grabbed his shirt and practically dragged him toward the stairs.
Zoba groaned and trudged after them.
“Well, that was…unexpected,” Sadie said.
“Yeah,” I said absently. I was still worried about the van, and Abe. “Hey, Grygg,” I said. “Did my friend stop by while we were gone?”
Grygg gave a ponderous nod. “He is here.”
“He’s what? Here, like at the Castle?”
“Yes. He has come for three nights,” Grygg said. “He sleeps in the parlor.”
“Jesus, Abe,” I muttered with a relieved smile, and headed that way.
The credits of some movie rolled silently on a new big-screen TV at the back of the room. They must’ve cleaned up and replaced it while we were gone. I found Abe asleep on the big couch, snoring gently.
I almost didn’t want to wake him. But he’d kill me if I didn’t.
I touched his shoulder, and he jerked toward consciousness. “Whazzat?” he said, blinking blearily. “Remote’s on the table.”
“Abe. You were supposed to keep the van.”
He came awake instantly and bolted upright. After a wide-eyed pause, he shuddered all over and pushed to his feet. “Yeah, well you’re supposed to be dead. So I guess you wouldn’t know if I kept your damned van.”
“Surprise. I’m not.”
This time, I hugged him first. And I didn’t let go for a long time.
We stepped away eventually, and Abe shook his head. “One of these days, kid,” he said. “I’m telling you, I’d better die first—because it ain’t gonna be pretty if you go before me.”
“Don’t even think about it,” I said. “You leave me, and I’ll come after your ass.”
He smiled. “Think I’ll stick around for a while. But since you’re back from the dead, I’ll do it in my own bed tonight.” He gave me a firm, one-armed hug and a nod. “Give me a call in the morning, so I can make sure I wasn’t dreaming this.”
“You got it,” I said. “Thanks for not giving up on me.”
“Never.”
I walked Abe to the door, and he handed me my keys before he left. Then I turned to Taeral and Sadie, who’d waited for me in the lobby. “Is it bedtime now?” I said.
Sadie laughed. “Oh, yeah. I can’t wait to sleep on something that’s off the ground.”
“Aye,” Taeral said. “If there’s one thing I appreciate in the human realm, it is a proper bed.”
“Is that all?” Sadie asked.
“No. I can think of many more things to appreciate,” he said huskily.
“Okay. Category of things I don’t want to think about.” I managed a grin. For some reason, I wasn’t as jealous as I would’ve been before—I was kind of happy for them, and hoped they’d be able to have something more than the sort-of relationship that wasn’t enough for either of them. Even if they were both too stubborn to admit it. “Listen, I’m probably going to take a quick nap, but there’s something I have to do before I hit the hay too hard,” I said. “So don’t worry if I’m not here. I won’t be gone long.”
Taeral frowned. “What is it? If you need help, I’ll—”
“No. I have to do this on my own,” I said. “It’s not dangerous. I promise.”
“All right. If you’re certain…”
I waved a hand at them. “Go on. Honestly, I’m fine.”
They walked toward the stairs, and I waited until they were out of sight to slip through the door. I’d grab a nap in my van, for old time’s sake. But not because I had to.
Being home would never scare me again.
I wore my best suit for the occasion.
Okay, it was my only suit. But I felt pretty good in the clothes the mirror mender made for me—like I was something more than what I’d believed myself to be most of my life. Worthless, pointless, human waste who didn’t matter to anyone. Someone who could drop dead at any time, and not one thing in the world would change.
That wasn’t me anymore. I knew what family meant now, and I had one of my own. One I truly belonged to.
That was what this trip was about.
I parked the van by the open gates and went in. It was late enough, or early enough, to have the place to myself. By now I had no problem finding the right spot, and I walked there slowly, my mind whirling with anticipation…and maybe a little concern.
Would she know me? What would she think of me now?
I slowed even more as my destination came into view. I had to force myself the last few steps, and then I sat cross-legged on the ground, just staring at the inscription.
JESSAMYN ROSE HADLEY
“All right,” I murmured aloud. “Stop stalling.”
I closed my eyes and reached down without moving. Felt the sensation of cool earth, then polished wood, rotting material, and finally bone. The unseen rubber band snapped back. My head throbbed, and I focused on the gravestone in front of me until it shifted and became a woman.
She was just as beautiful as I’d imagined.
My throat seized, and I couldn’t say a word. Her face was so smooth, so pure. And her smile was everything.
“Gideon. Oh, my sweet boy. I never imagined I’d be able to see you.”
I smiled as a warm tear tracked down my face. And I finally found my voice.
“Hello…Mom.”
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The DeathSpeaker Codex, Book 4
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About the Author
Sonya Bateman lives in “scenic” Central New York, with its two glorious seasons: winter and road construction. She is the author of the Gavyn Donatti urban fantasy series (Master of None / Master and Apprentice) from Simon & Schuster. Under the pseudonym S.W. Vaughn, she’s the author of the Skin Deep paranormal M/M erotic romance series (Loose Id) and the House Phoenix thriller series.
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Table of Contents
SONYA BATEMAN
PROLOGUE
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
Realm of Mirrors (The DeathSpeaker Codex Book 3) Page 20
