by Patti Larsen
“I don't understand.” I glanced at Thalion and then back to Gram. “You look like... me? You?” Did we really look that much alike? It made sense. I looked like Mom. Where did I think my mother got her looks from? But it was uncanny, really.
“Lady Rionach isn't my equal,” Gram shrugged, a delicate roll of her shoulders. “So I look like me. Or how I used to appear, I suppose.” She frowned, long, thin brows pulling together. “I still don't understand the full gist, but it happened this way last time, too.”
“So, because Shaylee is my equal...”
My Sidhe princess finished it for me. Yes, she sent. And, because Mother wishes it so, we look like me here.
Okay then. I found myself grinning at Gram who grinned right back.
Seeing her like this almost made the whole mess worth it.
“Your Highness,” Thalion interrupted with his soft voice. “My Lady.” He bowed to both of us. “Companions.” I was surprised to find he addressed the others, too. Maybe there was something to this jumping through hoops thing. “If you would follow me. Her Majesty awaits.”
***
Chapter Twenty
Thalion sent his horse on alone with a soft whisper and a pat to its neck. “Dubhlainn will alert Her Majesty we are on foot.”
I suppressed a grumble at having to walk, only because Shaylee seemed to think grumbling would be rude. If I was going to have to watch everything I said and did because she didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings, this whole trip was going to be a colossal waste of time.
It triggered an understanding in me, though, as we strode along the stone path, Thalion beside me, his hand brushing mine from time to time. On purpose, I was sure. Every time I'd come in contact with the people of one of my egos, I'd always felt connected to them, as if I fit in without effort. I'd always chalked it up to being in danger or running for my life, the fact it took little for me to adjust. I was so used to conflict, I fell easily into the role.
But with Shaylee, I realized that wasn't the case. When I traveled to Demonicon, I remembered feeling angrier, more aggressive. And when I'd faced down the vampire Queens, there had been a powerful attraction to Sebastian, the impulse to stand my ground, a bloodthirstiness to my nature.
Shaylee made me want to sink to the grass and sigh as I listened to Thalion compose bad poetry.
I was seriously going to have to shake her.
At least I finally realized what was happening to me. And it made total sense. Next time I found myself in a position like this one, I had to be more assertive. Case in point. Thalion's hip softly bumped mine, drawing a smile from Shaylee, despite her loyalty to Gwynn.
With a firm frown and a deliberate side step, I put Charlotte between me and the amorous prince. Shaylee didn't complain, but seemed embarrassed while my demon chuckled and my vampire just sighed.
Time to get a grip. Mommy Fey was used to dealing with her soft and kindly daughter. Wait until she got a load of me.
Though the hills looked distant, it seemed like we'd barely walked a quarter mile before we crested them, looking down over a narrow valley with a winding, shining river below cutting a massive forest in two. The deep, rich tones of greens and browns making up the trees morphed as they swayed in the breeze. Pale blue sky, still covered in cloud, hung over the vale. I shivered as Shaylee whispered, Home.
“Where is the sun?” I turned to Thalion.
“We left it behind,” he said. “When our people came here.”
Weird. A whip of wind wound its way over the grass, sending more shivers up my spine and raising goosebumps. I looked to the right, scanning the low bank of heavy, black clouds hunkered close to the horizon, catching the odd flash of lightning, though it was too distant for the thunderclaps to reach us.
“Storm coming,” I said, hugging my—Shaylee's—body.
Thalion's gaze lifted as I looked back, his own green eyes locking on the cloud front, a narrow frown on his flawless face. “So it would seem.”
Sydlynn, Shaylee sent, a spike of fear in our heart. The sky is wrong.
Gram's voice cut in. Tell me about it.
What, they never get rain? I started walking again, eyes locked on the storm.
Of course, Shaylee sent. But by the will of the Queen. Such an event can only bode ill.
Unless this is her idea? I hated to think badly of Shaylee's mother, but she didn't have the best reputation.
Possible. Shaylee fell silent a moment. But unlikely. This must be Ameline's doing.
An unbalance in the magic of the Sidhe. Gram's blue eyes didn't blink. So freaky, still, seeing her look like me. Could be Ameline. Or something worse.
What was worse than Ameline?
Hopefully Aoilainn will listen to reason, I sent to them. She'll have to know something's wrong.
Shaylee's optimism seemed to stop with her mother. We can hope, she sent.
Great.
I followed Thalion, now a stride ahead of me, one of my hands resting in Charlotte's fur as we descended into the valley. Massive oak and maple trees beckoned, the sparkling waters of the river singing as they tripped over polished white stones in the riverbed. A deep inhale filled me with the sweet scent of earth, reminding me so much of Liam I almost wept.
Shaylee was going to ruin me.
Incredibly green grass and a carpet of multi-hued flowers lined the path as we turned in a slow bend to the right, heading for the river. A tall, elaborately curved bridge, spiraling white and gold metal with a base of polished stone, connected the two banks. I half expected a herd of unicorns to trot by and snorted at the idea.
Then again, I'd met dragons, hadn't I? Best not to laugh when I didn't know what to expect.
Anxiety gripped my stomach as I set foot on the bridge, tears rising while my throat tightened. I jerked to a halt, closing my eyes, diving inside to hug Shaylee as my demon and vampire, family magic swirling, joined me.
Listen, I sent. I can't do this if you're going to be a wreck every five minutes.
I know. She wrung her mental hands. I'm sorry, all of you. Forgive me.
Nothing to forgive. The last thing I needed was her crying for feeling guilty while she cried about coming home. I realize this has to be hard for you. But we have a job to do, Shaylee.
We do. She snuffled in my head. I can do this, Sydlynn.
I promise, I sent, when this is over, we'll find a way to come back and spend some time when there isn't a disaster waiting to happen. Was only fair, after all. My demon was able to go home to Demonicon, though she was born on my plane.
Shaylee seemed to perk at that. Yes, she sent, that would be lovely. One last sniffle and she settled. I'll be fine. I promise.
I opened my eyes to find everyone staring at me, including Thalion, who stood in the middle of the bridge, a quiet but thoughtful look on his face.
“Sorry,” I said, “just needed to chat.”
“All sorted?” Gram reached for my hand.
“Ready when you are.” I just hoped Shaylee could be good to her word and hold it together.
I had a feeling I was going to need all the help I could get.
We crossed the bridge without incident, the gushing waters dancing happily beneath our feet. When I touched down on the other side, I looked up at the climbing arch, much like the design of the bridge, just visible inside the tree line.
The entry began to glow as I approached, flocks of tweeting birds flittering around me, a rush of butterflies in purples and golds swooping to settle on my shoulders and my hair. Thalion smiled at me, still cool but with a hint of the feelings he had for Shaylee showing through as he paused on the white stone walk and motioned toward the glowing archway leading deeper into the trees.
“Your Highness,” he said, “your realm welcomes you home at last.”
***
Chapter Twenty One
I stepped inside the forest, the cool air embracing me, even more earthy and full of delicious scents than the meadow, as the birds settled on branches above,
butterflies scattering. I'd thought the path in the trees dark at first, until white globes of glowing light slowly appeared, growing in brightness as I followed the trail, leading the others this time.
I knew this path, the walk to home, recognized each ageless tree, smiled at the antics of the excited songbirds and the curious peekings of rabbits and the occasional doe and her fawn. This was home, the most I'd ever felt at home anywhere, the air itself, the ground beneath my feet, the very trees calling my name, singing their joy at my return.
Heady stuff. I could understand why Shaylee missed it, loved it so. Being embraced by nature itself had a loving quality mere people could never mimic. It was as though the very plane's heart adored me and wanted me to be happy. I'd felt this level of joy in the core of the Node back on Demonicon, but this was entirely different.
Addictive.
I shook free of it while Shaylee fought me, only keeping from shouting at her thanks to my vampire.
Gently, my undead ego sent.
Just keep an eye on me, would you? I shuddered as I realized just how easy it would be to get lost. You and my demon will have to make sure she doesn't lose it.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Shaylee was weeping again. Really?
Perhaps a change in attitude, my vampire sent. Some traditional Sydlynn attitude.
Damned straight. Now she was talking. I purposely tapped into my demon with a smirk.
Shaylee's way is going to get us into trouble, I sent to her as she purred and writhed, amber magic heating the Sidhe's coldness and driving it away. Feel like making our own brand of badness?
She roared her approval before shoving her Fey sister aside and hitting me with a blast of demon power.
Syd. Gram's mind met mine. I now felt the chill of her Sidhe side, though I knew Gram well enough she remained in control. What are you doing?
I can't rely on Shaylee right now, I sent. So I'm going to go bulldog and see what happens.
Gram grunted in my head, but didn't argue. Just don't blow anything up, she sent. Laughed. Without warning me first. Because I want in.
I loved my grandmother so much.
No time for pleasantries. With Shaylee safely compartmentalized, I put on speed, stalking my way through the forest while Charlotte chuffed beside me. Quaid's mind tried to catch mine, but I shoved him away, knowing from the concern echoing from him he would just give me a hard time.
Too late to stop me, anyway.
I stomped over white stones, past glowing light orbs, scared off the birds and shooed the butterflies. Maybe Queen Aoilainn had a longer memory lane in mind while I allowed my Sidhe side control. She must have known something changed because it took mere moments for the path before me to shift from happy welcome to dark and foreboding before I clomped my way over a footbridge crossing a rushing stream and into a wide clearing surrounded by towering trees.
Spires vaulted above the forest in the background, shining buildings with flashing windows of stained glass, the palace of the Seelie Court reaching for the sky in spun white and gold. I ignored the beauty of it, forcing myself to focus on the close-cut lawn of green before me. And the gathered Sidhe who waited.
I didn't bother with the lines of Fey men and women in their flowing robes and elegant jewelry, hair cascading around their slender bodies. Or the white columns of twisted marble, draped with flowing white gauze hanging between them. Garlands of flowers in every color possible, more birds, more butterflies. Or the sparkling golden stones leading from the path across the lawn to the small pavilion of more white fabric, as thin and delicate as a dandelion’s fluff.
I only had eyes for the tall, blonde woman on the carved, white throne, her green eyes gleaming, face a cold mask as frozen as her seat, white dress a match to mine clinging to her willowy form. I ignored the lovely Fey woman in the deep green gown standing beside the throne in favor of studying Queen Aoilainn. Her long-fingered hands dangled over the arms of her throne as she sat, back straight, crown gleaming on the silk of her hair, waiting for me to come to her.
Mother, Shaylee whispered.
Got that much.
The pressure of her magic was subtle, but insidious, and Shaylee wasn't immune. I guess I wasn't either. Good thing my demon and vampire were unimpressed.
It was their strength keeping me level as I came to a halt at the base of the Queen's throne, my eyes flickering once to the matching one beside her, home to an equally perfect blonde Fey.
Father, my Sidhe princess prompted with a sigh.
Prince Padraic, Gram sent.
He didn't matter. Only the Queen.
She raised one hand, a slow and deliberate gesture, languid. “Welcome home, my daughter,” she said in a voice like a long-forgotten melody. “Our court is joyful to greet you, Shaylee.”
Yeah, nipping that crap in the bud. “My name is Sydlynn Hayle,” I said to the soft gasps of the gathered court. Part of me smirked. I seemed to have that effect on a lot of ruling classes.
The only Fey who didn't respond negatively was the green-gowned woman beside the Queen who flashed a tiny smile, which she covered with her hand.
A possible ally? And with the queen's ear, it looked like.
Aoilainn didn't argue the correction. She just chose to ignore it. “All hail Her Royal Highness, Princess Shaylee of the Seelie.” Aoilainn swept to her feet, descending her two steps to take my hands and kiss me coldly on both cheeks. You are my daughter, she sent, so powerfully my knees almost buckled. And I am truly happy to have you home.
You might change your mind about that, I sent, pushing back with all the power I had at my disposal. Her eyes widened a fraction. I knew no one else saw it. I only caught it because she was so close to me. When you hear what I have to tell you.
Never. She stepped back, still holding my hand, her magic sliding around me, looking for a way in. This wasn't the first time I ended up supremely grateful I'd spent years building my personal shields. No way was I letting her inside. Not with Shaylee all blubbery like she was. I could hear her in the background, begging me to be kind to her mother.
Whatever. Shaylee was clearly delusional. The coldness behind Aoilainn's eyes matched the chill of her skin, heart deep, I had no doubt.
The queen immediately switched tactics, dropping my hand to turn to Thalion.
“You've brought us a great prize,” she said. Fixed her gaze on Venner. “And an even greater foe. Well done, my prince.”
Thalion bowed while I scowled. “Venemeth is with me,” I said. “I'm only here to warn you about an intruder. And then I'm leaving.” To hunt down Ameline. I was beginning to think I should have just done that in the first place and the queen be damned.
Aoilainn's perfect brows twitched. “So quickly?” She clapped her hands, the gathering immediately springing to life. “We have as yet to feast.”
Like I had time to eat. “This is important,” I snapped. “In case you hadn't noticed, Your Majesty,” I ground out the honorific, “there's a storm coming.”
Sidhe magic didn't fool around. A table appeared as if from nowhere, food flashing into existence to settle on the white surface. A host of chairs with high backs and deep cushions lined the length of the great slab while the court stepped forward once again to slide into their seats. Only the green-gowned Fey waited, hovering by the queen's chair at the end of the table, her pale emerald eyes locked on me.
“Indeed,” Aoilainn said. “You will tell me all of it. While we feast.”
What was it with monarchs and food? Seriously. The first feast to which I'd been invited wound up with a battle for my demon magic and me and my little sister, Meira, trapped on Demonicon. The second? I almost died, drained by a vampire Queen now resting as a husk of empty in my basement.
This one better have a happier ending.
I sat rather ungraciously across from Quaid. He met my eyes with a warning in his, but didn’t comment, not even trying to reach for me anymore. Learned his lesson, I could only guess. Gram took the seat next to me befo
re anyone else could take it. Namely, Thalion. He instead circled around as the queen assumed her place on my right at the head of the table. Quaid was probably less than thrilled to have the Seelie prince beside him, but I felt happier having Gram with me. A glance over my shoulder showed me Galleytrot and Charlotte sitting on their haunches not far away. Four Fey guards stood over Venner, sprawled in the grass.
She won't listen to you, the Unseelie lordling sent. Watch yourself.
Like I needed his warning. All of my witchy senses were on high alert, thanks.
Food appeared on my plate as silent servants doled out delicious smelling appetizers, something involving mushrooms and cream. I turned my nose up, leaning in to the queen, noting the green-gowned Sidhe behind her didn't join us to eat.
Bronagh, Shaylee sent. My mother's first adviser. And a dear friend.
I still doubted Shaylee's judgment when it came to her own people, but Bronagh seemed welcoming enough, unlike the other Sidhe who stared with blank, cold faces. Will she help us? I met Bronagh's bright eyes, found my lips curving to smile in answer to hers.
Possibly, Shaylee sent. If she believes the queen is in danger, she will do anything to convince Mother to act in her own best interest.
Then I'd better fill the queen in, hadn't I? But the moment I tried to speak, Aoilainn gestured at my plate.
“Eat first, my dear,” she said. “Then we talk.”
Gram sampled the food without hesitation, so I shrugged. I seemed to recall stories about normals being trapped by Sidhe food, bound to the realm if they sampled from a Fey plate. But clearly, that wasn't the case for me. I relented and took a bite.
Holy. I thought Demoniconian dishes were delish. This was like something came alive in my mouth and tap-danced across my taste buds. I cleared the delectable serving quickly, trying to formulate what to tell the queen to convince her Ameline was a real threat.
