Fragile Destiny (The Aether Chronicles)

by Suzanne Lazear

  Keep it together. Taking a deep breath, he pushed everything out of his mind and continued running as he called for Mr. Braddock.

  No one answered.

  He passed through a veil and found himself in a tiny grove—whether it was natural, part of the wild lands, or a figment of the chaos, or even from his own imagination, he was uncertain.

  Grass lay under his feet, and at the center of the grove stood a shady tree. Under it, sat two men and a woman, all in sensible but well-made mortal clothing, having a picnic.

  “Henry, try these sandwiches.” The woman offered a man a plate. Her mousy hair was up in a dowdy style, her glasses doing nothing to accentuate her face.

  “Of course, Etta.” The man smiled as he took a sandwich.

  Kevighn froze. That was Magnolia’s smile. Not to mention the man looked like an older version of Jeff, right down to the cleft in his chin.

  “Excuse me, are you Mr. Braddock?” Kevighn prayed this wasn’t his imagination. But the spell … the spell pulled him right toward the man in the suit, sitting on the blanket, briefcase and top hat next to him as if he was on a lunch break.

  The man looked up. “Why, yes, I am. Am I supposed to be meeting with you? I’m afraid my pocket watch has stopped working.”

  “It’s still lunchtime,” the other man—blond, assured—said with a wave of his hand.

  “I’m not your meeting, but I’m Kevighn Silver and I’ve been looking for you.” Lunchtime? A picnic? But time ran differently, and the magic here was so wild that perhaps even a mortal could control it.

  Oh. There was so much Spark in this little group. But then, Magnolia had gotten it from someplace. Perhaps their collective thoughts had formed this place and they thought they were back in San Francisco, eating lunch, not lost in a void of wild magic in another realm.

  “You’re looking for me? Are we acquainted?” Surprise danced in Henry’s eyes.

  “No, but I’m acquainted with your daughter—she’s sent me to get you. I need you to come with me. Though you’re all welcome. This is your team, Mr. Braddock?” Kevighn could hardly leave people here. Magnolia had told him that her father’s entire team of engineers had disappeared along with him.

  “Noli? But she’s just a girl, and you’re a man grown … ” Mr. Braddock’s expression contorted. “What treachery is this?”

  How did he explain this? Frowning, Kevighn tried to figure out a way to get Mr. Braddock to come with him. He felt an odd tugging sensation—not from the tracking spell, but from someplace else. Oh well, he had other things to think about.

  “Is that my toolbox?” Mr. Braddock frowned.

  Kevighn held it up. “Yes, it is. I used it to find you. Do you … do you believe in aether? You and your team were in San Francisco to help rebuild the city. While there, you fell into a pocket of aether released by the earthquake. Your family misses you, Mr. Braddock—and I’m sure your families miss you as well,” he told the other man and woman. “Please come with me, and I’ll make sure you’re reunited with your loved ones.”

  It was close to the truth, since to the mortals, magic was aether. However, they’d actually fallen through a tiny tear between the two worlds, which opened up when an earthquake devastated San Francisco. An earthquake that had originated in the Otherworld—when Annabelle took her own life to prevent being sacrificed.

  Something that was partially his fault.

  A look of horror crossed Etta’s plain face as she studied him. “You came from out there, didn’t you?” She pointed at the nothingness behind him. “If we leave this place, we’ll get lost and never return, like Daniel.” Her voice went quiet and she gave a little sniff.

  Ah, so they were aware something was amiss. Who was Daniel?

  “How do we know you’re not some creature who will lure us away and eat us … ” Etta took out a handkerchief and blew her nose.

  The tugging grew stronger. What was that?

  Kevighn turned to Mr. Braddock. “Aether is odd. Time passes differently. Magnolia isn’t a girl any more. She’s a lovely young woman who fixes flying cars and isn’t afraid of anything. Jeff flies an airship. He even has a girlfriend. Please, we don’t have much time. Come with me. I’ll return you to your family. They miss you.”

  Henry Braddock gazed at him with wide, soulful eyes, a look that reminded him very much of Magnolia. “You’re not a figment of my imagination?”

  “No. And your wife … she’s still waiting for you to come home.” What was that tugging? There was a jerk and he found himself taking a step backward from the force. What? He looked down and saw the rope around his waist …

  Was someone tugging on the rope?

  “Eady?” Henry’s face brightened.

  “We won’t get lost in the void.” Kevighn pointed to the rope around his waist. “That’s what this is for. I’ll explain everything, but we don’t have time. Let’s go. Please.” Kevighn held out his hand as the tugging increased. “I promise not to harm you.”

  Henry Braddock stood.

  Etta’s eyes pleaded. “Henry, don’t go … ”

  Henry shook his head. “Noli. Jeff. Eady … I … I miss them so much.” Henry offered her his hand. “It’ll be fine.” His attention turned to the other man. “Ned, are you coming?”

  Ned took a deep breath then turned to Kevighn, eyes narrowing. “You will take us home?”

  “We have a stop or two on the way, but I will, I promise. No tricks,” Kevighn assured him, nearly stumbling backward as the rope pulled. “Please, I … I think our time is up.”

  The three mortals gazed at him.

  “Stay very close to me. In fact, we should hold hands.” Not that he wanted to, but a sense of urgency filled. “I won’t chase after anyone who wanders off.”

  “But what about Daniel?” Etta’s lower lip quivered.

  Henry patted her shoulder. “It’s time to go, Etta.”

  A burning sensation filled Kevighn’s chest. He looked down and saw his sigil glowing. “By the Bright Lady, Ciarán,” he muttered. Yes, time to go indeed. “Let’s go!” he said to the group. “And we should run.”

  They held hands, and Kevighn gave a few tugs on the rope, hoping it would send a signal to Ciarán—or whoever was on the other side.

  The rope responded in turn, half dragging him as they ran, trying to keep up.

  “Can we slow down?” Etta huffed and puffed.

  “My briefcase.” Henry stopped. “I should get it. My wife gave it to me.”

  The tugging didn’t stop.

  “I’m sure your wife will get you another.” Kevighn herded them through the chaos, hoping that their quickness would keep any apparitions from appearing. The last thing he wanted was to hear his sister’s pitiful cries.

  Etta stopped. “Daniel, Daniel … ” She turned and looked at them. “Don’t you hear him calling?”

  Kevighn stopped short, the rope nearly cutting him off in the middle. “No, I hear nothing. Do you?”

  The gentlemen shook their heads.

  “Let’s get him.” Etta let go.

  “No.” Kevighn grabbed her wrist. “It’s not him. We’re in a pocket of pure aether. It will deceive you. We need to get going, we’re almost out.” He hoped. The rope tugged again, winding him. Kevighn tugged back.

  Etta struggled against his grip. “Let me go. Let me go.”

  Henry put a hand on her shoulder. “Daniel’s gone, Etta. Please … .”

  “No,” she shrieked like a banshee, fighting him. “No.”

  “Etta. Stop.” Ned wrapped his arms around her. “Come on.”

  “Daniel.” Tears flooded her eyes as she sobbed.

  Kevighn couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. He hated to see a woman cry. “Here.” He shoved a handkerchief at her. “I’m sorry, but we need to go.” The rope pulled him forward. “The faster we go,
the easier it will be.”

  “It’ll be all right.” Ned put arm around her waist.

  They took off at a run, the rope continuing to pull him in. Finally the mist gave way to the wild lands.

  Ciarán stood there, hood down, a rope in his hands. Relief flooded his face. “Bright Lady bless, I thought you’d never come out.”

  Kevighn’s heart skipped a beat. “How long have I been gone?”

  For Ciarán to look like that … it made his heart hurt.

  “I’ve been tugging on this damn rope all day. I waited four days before coming.” Pain flashed in his eyes.

  He’d been gone five days? It felt like moments.

  Henry looked around at the wild forest surrounding them. “Where are we? This isn’t San Francisco.”

  “No, it’s not. I’m Kyran. Have you ever wondered where aether comes from?” Ciarán gestured around him. “It’s here.”

  “Aether is naught but children’s stories,” Ned scoffed, still holding the sobbing Etta.

  Kevighn shook his head. “Believe what you will.” They’d probably have to alter everyone’s memories before returning them to the mortal realm anyhow. “We’ll return you to your homes soon, I promise. Mr. Braddock, Magnolia will be so happy to see you. So will your son and wife.”

  “So this is him.” Ciarán appraised him thoughtfully. “And who are these people?”

  “Ah, please forgive my manners.” Henry smiled. “I’m Henry Braddock. I’m an engineer. And this is my team …

  well, what’s left of it.” His voice went soft. “I trust you’ll help me figure this out? I know I shouldn’t just go with you, but … I … I know something’s not right, and I miss my

  family.”

  “I’m going to take you all to my tavern. You’ll be my guests, and you’ll be quite safe. Now, please, let’s go. I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry.” Ciarán nodded and began to walk, his guards following.

  Ned spoke softly to Etta, who still sobbed.

  “Daniel … was he part of your team?” Kevighn asked Henry.

  “No.” He shook his head, a mournful look on his face. “It was so strange. One moment we were examining a bridge, the next moment we were … well, in a place like this.” Henry gestured to the wild lands. “The first to go was Adam. There was a beautiful woman who called to him, and then … ” He cringed. “It was like something from a nightmare.”

  A baobhan sith probably. “She killed him?”

  “Yes.” Henry exhaled sharply.

  “You’re lucky all of you didn’t die,” Kevighn told him. These mortals, dripping with the Spark, would make someone a very tasty snack.

  “Yes. Mark was next. We wandered into that … .that strange purple mass. He saw a monster, one we didn’t. He ran and we … we never saw him again.” Henry bowed his head. “We all saw Daniel, though, standing there, talking to us. Daniel was Etta’s husband. We knew him very well. Only he died of cholera last winter. That was when I truly realized that we were someplace strange. I heard people calling to me—my wife and Noli. It was enough to make a lesser man mad. When we happened upon that … that place … it was far easier to pretend we were back in San Francisco, on a lunch break, than face … well … everything.”

  “I understand.” Kevighn gave him a little nod. Yes, forget-spells for everyone. It would be better that way. He went over to Ciarán and put a hand on his shoulder. “Where’s Aodhan? Is he all right?”

  “He misses us.” Ciarán’s look went far away. “Her Grace even had a letter delivered from him. I’ve never met a monarch quite like her.”

  “She’s different … trusting, innocent.” Kevighn kept his voice soft.

  “Her intentions are pure. I believe she’ll make a good ally.” Ciarán looked at the mortals. “What a bounty.”

  “What do we tell them?” His gaze fell on the weeping Etta.

  “What we need to. Then, I suppose, we’ll make them forget. Except for her father. We should ask her what she wants.”

  That was unexpected.

  “Do you really think we can be allies with the earth court ?” Kevighn asked. Considering that he and Ciarán were originally fire court, it was a lot to swallow.

  “I think we can be allies with Her Grace. Do you know that she wants to arrange visits between Elise and Aodhan?” An incredulous look spread over Ciarán’s face. “Next thing you know, she’ll ask us to teach Elise fire magic.”

  “Someone needs to teach the girl. It’s not as if they can simply bring in tutors without advertising Elise has those gifts. I have a feeling they’ll want to keep her abilities a secret from Tiana,” Kevighn replied. “We have people who can use all elements among the dark court … ”

  Ciarán’s eyebrows rose. “Someone will notice her going back and forth. Perhaps … ” He shook his head. “If it were another time, I’d entrust her to Mathias.”

  “Mathias is a traitor,” Kevighn snapped. After all, he, too, had assured him that his sister would be safe with Quinn. Then the bastard ran off and hid like a coward.

  “Like Quinn, Mathias was never part of our court.” Ciarán shrugged. “We knew they were trouble the moment they entered the tavern.”

  Quinn had come into the Thirsty Pooka for research, looking for odd bits of knowledge. His half-brother had tagged along for amusement. Ciarán had never liked Quinn, though he’d liked Mathias well enough. Kevighn couldn’t stand that pompous ass.

  “I’m sure Magnolia has ideas,” Kevighn muttered. Even sending the little girl to live with air pirates would be better than her living with Mathias. “This could be our chance to get the jewel.”

  Ciarán shook his head. “It’s safe with Her Grace. We need her help. I … I used my gift on her without her knowledge at the coronation—let’s just say you were correct.”

  Kevighn blinked. “What?”

  He laughed. “Things are about to get very interesting. Especially when we reassemble the staff. It’s a good thing that you detest being bored.”

  “I do.” Kevighn glanced over at the three mortals, who huddled together, speaking softly. “Now, let’s get Aodhan back.”

  Noli put her sword around herself, then smoothed her hair. It was time to take Aodhan home. Having the boy write a letter had done the trick.

  “Ready?” She turned to V, who was sitting on their bed.

  “I don’t like this.” V frowned, pulling on his boots. “We should meet someplace neutral. What is he exchanging Aodhan for? I can’t help but feel as if we’re walking into a trap.”

  “I don’t think it’s a trap.” Noli shook her head. “Aodhan should be back with his family.” All the missive had said was that they’d make an exchange. She hoped it was for the pieces of the staff.

  “But if he’s really Quinn’s son … ” V shook his head. “Quinn and my father were cousins. I looked it up. They were so close because Quinn was raised here at the palace. Sort of the poor relation foisted off with people who didn’t want him. Apparently my father was the only one who really accepted him, which was also why Quinn worked so hard at his studies, so that he could be accepted in his own right as a scholar.”

  All the pieces fit together. “That makes sense, but I thought he was a prince.”

  “Technically, he is—though not from the direct line, like my father.” V’s forehead furrowed. “Their grandfathers were brothers? Or was it great-grandfathers? Anyway, there are a lot of lesser princes and princesses, though few hardly ever use the title. It was different for Quinn because he grew up here and my father brought him in as a brother. At least that’s what I found. Also, he was … ” V’s cheeks pinked. “An indiscretion, apparently.”

  “Oh.” So even with magic to prevent children, there were still accidents.

  The bedroom door burst open. “I don’t want Aodhan to leave.” Elise stood there with an enormous pout on
her face, hands on her hips. “Why can’t I go with you?”

  “Because you need to stay here,” V retorted.

  “That’s not fair,” she wailed, face turning pink.

  “I know.” Noli walked over and comforted her, feeling bad for the little girl. “I know it’s not fair. But I’ll bring back your valise. Why don’t you and Caít go and decorate the tree house for me? Could you do that?”

  “Me?” Elise’s face lit up. “Could we have a tea party there when you return?”

  “What a grand idea. Miri can have the kitchen make those green cakes I like.” Noli needed a break so badly that she’d even play tea party, as long as there was tea and cake. The work had been nonstop. Meetings and meetings and meetings and so much work. Her head threatened to explode from too much information. She hadn’t even had time to try out her workshop—and she still couldn’t find her father’s toolbox.

  Even V was grumpier from lack of sleep.

  “I don’t want him to leave,” Elise sniffed.

  “I know you’ll miss Aodhan, but he needs to go home.” Not that Noli wanted him to leave either. She, too, had grown used to having him around. However, he wasn’t theirs to keep, even if he made Elise happy.

  “I know.” Elise’s voice went glum as she looked at her shoes. “But I’m lonely.”

  “You have Caít, a magic tutor, and Miri, not to mention Breena and Nissa will gladly play with you whenever you wish.” Though Noli didn’t really like Tiana’s handmaidens spending much time with Elise.

  Just yesterday Tiana had asked them all to come to tea very soon—and bring Elise. She’d also sent Elise a mechanical pony. They hadn’t given it to Elise yet. Noli and V needed to discuss how to handle everything, including whether or not to tell Elise the truth about Tiana, before Tiana told it to her. In some ways it was surprising the queen had waited so long, but then this was Tiana, and rationality never seemed to factor into the situation.

  “Let’s say goodbye to Aodhan.” Noli took Elise’s hand and they found Aodhan in the sitting room playing with Urco. He was fully healed and quite ready to go home.