by Skye Horn
Everything in her wanted to turn and run after Kieran, but it was too late. The plan was in motion and what came next would depend on what truth Kieran and Amara discovered in the prison realm.
“Come, my queen,” Lord Brennan said, bowing as he held a hand out for Thea to take.
With one last fleeting hope that she’d wake up from this nightmare, Thea let Lord Brennan lead her back to the throne room, trying to ignore the deep look of worry on Miss Elizabeth’s face as she went.
Chapter 31
Thea had little to do with the preparation for the actual wedding. Once Lord Brennan escorted her to the throne room, she was swept back to her bedroom by Ethel and Haven to prepare for the ceremony. This meant stripping out of the beautiful armor Thea had never wanted to remove, taking a bath that nearly seared her skin off after Haven heated it with fire magic for too long, and almost two hours in front of the vanity mirror while Ethel did her hair and makeup expertly. The nerves of what lay ahead of all of them were nearly unbearable by the time Thea was fully dressed in her wedding gown.
Staring at herself in the mirror was like looking at a stranger, the warrior queen who’d made her feel so powerful just a few hours before was long gone. She’d been replaced by a frightened bride who didn’t look old enough to be wearing a wedding dress.
“Tell me the plan again,” she whispered to Haven, not trusting her voice not to tremble at full volume. Ethel was placing some finishing touches to her hair, as well as adjusting the material of the dress around her wings so that none of her feathers would get caught when she moved. The dress felt over-the-top. It sparkled like she was covered in diamonds beneath the candlelight. There was no denying Thea looked like someone playing dress-up as a princess, only now she was a queen—a thought she still wasn’t used to.
“Your crown is going to feel uncomfortable with this hairstyle, but you’re just going to have to deal with it,” Ethel mumbled, standing on the tips of her toes to place the crown atop Thea’s head and ignoring any complaints Thea had about the discomfort.
“The plan is,” Haven started to say, but the bedroom door opened and her mouth snapped shut.
“They’re set to open the portal as soon as the sun is at its highest point in the sky,” Iris said, walking into the room as if she owned the place and shutting the door behind her. Iris had snuck away to make sure Kieran and Amara were prepared for their part in this plan a few hours ago, and it relieved Thea to see her now. Despite being furious with Iris after the council meeting when Thea had inadvertently agreed to marry Declan sooner than planned, Iris was the closest thing to a mother she had left. Thea couldn’t stay mad at her forever—even if she still believed Iris could have done more to stop her.
Haven let out a long breath, realizing she was safe to speak, and continued what she’d been saying as if she hadn’t been interrupted.
“Amara will open the portal with your blood. She and Kieran will then enter the prison realm to find Ainé. Meanwhile, you will be reciting your vows to Declan as slowly as you can possibly manage. He’s been instructed to do the same.”
“And then Amara takes Ainé’s place,” Thea murmured.
“If Morrigan is telling the truth.” Iris sighed, rubbing her temples with her fingertips. Thea knew accepting this plan went against her protective nature. Iris wanted to be the one to take Amara’s place, just as any mother would, but Amara had insisted it needed to be her who remained in the prison world, not her mother. Thea could only imagine how heavily this was weighing upon Iris.
“Right…” Haven continued. “If Morrigan is telling the truth, then Amara will take Ainé’s place, and we will pray to whatever Goddess cares to listen that Ainé isn’t furious Thea wasn’t the one there to let her out.”
“We will also pray my blood ties her to me like it did Morrigan,” Thea murmured, brushing her hands down her dress as if it might make the skirt smaller. Ethel quickly shooed her hands away with a glare that clearly told her not to touch anything.
“Then Kieran brings Ainé back before you or Declan say ‘I do’ and the council agrees that having the Goddess on your side means you don’t need to be forced into marrying someone you don’t love!” Haven blurted out quickly, glaring at all of their interruptions.
Thea exhaled slowly, ribs pressing uncomfortably against her corseted waistline, and said, “So basically, I just have to stand around and hope for the best.”
She didn’t like waiting for someone else to save her. She wanted to go with Kieran and Amara into the prison realm. She wanted to face Ainé and discover the truth. However, none of those wants really mattered or made a difference now. If Kieran and Amara could pull this off, maybe there would be a happily ever after for her after all, and if they couldn’t, well—
Well, they’d deal with that situation when it arrived.
Kieran and Amara stood in a clearing of the forest, close enough to Ivandor’s castle walls for Kieran to get there in time to stop the wedding but far enough away that no one would see what they were doing. Everyone was too busy celebrating to notice them anyway.
“Are you ready for this?” Kieran asked Amara again, glancing over at her where she stood silently reading the spell over once more. The sun was almost directly above them now. They would need to open the portal soon if they were going to accomplish this.
“Would it matter if I was?” Amara responded with a weak smile as she looked up at him.
Despite the brave face Amara was putting on, Kieran knew his cousin was scared. Who wouldn’t be?
“I don’t know if I’ll be able to take you in with me,” she said quietly, but Kieran just looked at her. What did she mean she couldn’t take him in with her? That was the plan. He was supposed to go with her into the prison realm to make sure that they got the truth out of Ainé. “I just want you to be prepared, Kieran. It’s not like we’ve had any way to test this magic.”
Kieran frowned. “Why are you just now bringing up this concern?”
The real question was why had none of them thought of this yet, but he knew the answer. They’d been rushing so much to figure out some way to save Thea that they hadn’t really thought about what Amara would have to do. She was going to enter a realm none of them had any experience with. For all they knew, Malachi could be dead. The trip could kill Amara. They were trusting the word of the Goddess of Death that that was not the case. This entire plan was full of flaws, but they’d been left with no choices. If they didn’t open the portal they’d be left to deal with Morrigan on their own, which could result in an end to the human life in Faerie. If they did open the portal, there was a chance Ainé would be furious with them for lying. The only positive outcome that could occur would be if Morrigan was lying, but Kieran’s gut instinct told him that wasn’t the case. That instinct had never been wrong before.
As the sun rose higher above them, Kieran’s panic began to increase.
What if this didn’t work?
What if by setting Ainé free they made things even worse than they already were?
“I have to start the spell,” Amara said, eyeing the bowl of Thea’s blood that Kieran still clutched tightly in his hands. He swallowed back his concerns and handed the bowl to her, staying as close as possible for what he hoped would be a journey they’d both take into the portal.
There was no going back on this plan now. Thea was about to marry Declan. Morrigan was gaining strength in Blackmire, and for all he knew, his own darkness could take over at any time. Then what? He’d lose himself the same way his ancestors supposedly had? He’d become a soulless monster engulfed in death and darkness? He needed to cleanse himself of this curse. If not only for himself, then for his kingdom and for Thea.
Kieran watched as Amara poured the thick red liquid into the goblet Iris had given them for the ritual. It was the same goblet Malachi had used to open the portal the first time. Inside it was a mixture of other ingredients that Iris had learned would be necessary. First was a splinter of wood from the tree
that the human lover, Gabriel, had been buried beneath. They had obtained this by shaving off a piece of Thea’s wooden throne, which had been carved from the very tree. Next was a thread of Spidersilk. And last were the ashes of a Unicorn’s horn. Kieran imagined that last ingredient had been the most difficult to acquire, but Iris had apparently been scavenging the black markets for months.
As the blood filled the goblet, tentacles of dark magic spilled over the sides. Amara’s voice took on a guttural note as she recited the words she’d been reading over for three days. The spell had been written in a language Kieran didn’t understand, but every word that she spoke sent a shiver of dread crawling down his spine. The sound of trumpets could be heard from beyond the castle walls, and Kieran’s heartbeat increased.
The wedding ceremony was beginning.
“Come on, Amara,” he whispered, not wanting to break her concentration. He saw the magic explode around her, and there was nothing but endless darkness. Her lips trembled and she repeated the spell again before pouring the contents of the goblet across the ground in front of her. Kieran stood beside her, holding his breath, as the liquid from the goblet bubbled against the ground, cracking the surface apart slowly.
Blinding light beamed from beneath their feet.
Kieran didn’t dare speak again, but instead, gripped the hilt of his sword.
“You have to let me go first,” Amara said, but her voice sounded distant. She was panting now and her hair stuck to her skin with sweat.
“No,” Kieran growled, grabbing her trembling hand. “We go together.”
He realized it might not work, but until they were sure, he wasn’t about to give up on her.
“Kieran, you need to be able to get to Thea quickly.”
“Just stick to the plan, cousin,” Kieran snapped and Amara sighed, defeated. She looked toward the portal again. The light stung his eyes. “Let’s do this.”
Amara took a step forward first, hesitantly placing her foot just above the door between realms. However, just as Amara was about to step through, a hand shot out of the earth and an invisible force slammed against Kieran, throwing him yards away from the portal. The impact ripped his hand away from Amara’s as she screamed, and it took every bit of his strength to tuck and roll across the ground, regaining his balance.
“No!” He dove toward Amara, grabbing for her hand as her body sank halfway through the portal, pulled by someone or something beyond. He saw the panic in her eyes as she stared at him. The dark magic that had danced around her moments ago abandoned her to the depths of the portal, casting no further curtains of protection around her as she clawed at the earth with the hand he did not hold, trying to pull herself free.
“Kieran…” she whimpered, sinking lower into the ground. He wanted to wipe the look of terror off her face, but he felt it too. This wasn’t how this was supposed to go. They were supposed to enter the realm together. He was supposed to protect her, not watch her be dragged away.
“Hold onto me,” he ordered, digging his fingers hard into her wrist, but whatever or whoever was pulling Amara from the other side was strong—very strong. He began to slide forward with her, despite how hard he tried to hold himself in place.
At this angle on the ground, it was nearly impossible to use air magic to benefit them in any way. So he settled for focusing his magic into the muscles of his arms, trying to keep his grip on Amara to the best of his ability as his mind raced through any possible way he could get her out of this.
“I can’t hold on,” Amara groaned. Her arm slipped slightly from his grip, and his hand grabbed her wrist quickly, trying to regain control. “She… she’s not going to let go, Kieran.”
“This wasn’t supposed to happen…” Kieran panted. He was on the ground now, digging his feet into the snow to try and pull her out, but it was no use. The ground was nearly at her shoulders now.
“You have to let me go,” Amara said, but her voice sounded strained.
He couldn’t do that. He couldn’t let her face Ainé alone.
“I can feel her, Kieran. It’s a trap. You have to warn Thea. She’s too strong…” Amara sank a little deeper and pain flashed through her eyes as she stifled a scream. Whatever was happening beneath the surface was hurting her, physically hurting her, and he could do nothing about it. He wanted to scream too.
“Warn Thea…” Amara choked, blood trickling out of the side of her lips. “If you don’t let me go, I’ll die.”
Those words sent a shock of horror through Kieran, but he still hesitated. The pain in her eyes and the blood on her chin were convincing, but maybe he could pull her out still? Maybe he could stop this…
Warn Thea. The words were ringing in his ears. He had a duty to his queen. He couldn’t ignore that.
“We will find a way to get you out,” Kieran told Amara, squeezing her hand tighter as she grimaced in pain again. “I promise you.”
“Run, Kieran. She’s coming...”
Kieran released Amara’s hand, hating himself. She gave him a bloodied smile and then disappeared through the crack in the earth without another sound—just gone. For a moment, he stared at the place where she’d vanished, thinking he might vomit, but the hand that reached out to grip the earth sent him flying backwards.
She’s coming.
Without any further hesitation, he sent a gust of wind beneath his wings to lift himself to his feet then turned on his heels and headed straight for the castle. He had to get to Thea. He had to warn her.
But everything in him screamed that he was too late.
Thea’s eyes darted toward the castle gates as the trumpets sounded and the people gathered in the banquet hall. They had stalled to the best of their abilities getting here. She’d claimed a wardrobe malfunction; she’d “forgotten” her mother’s necklace; she feigned nervousness that made her unable to walk. It was amazing how many excuses her High Council would accept. It made her feel absolutely ridiculous, but it had been Lord Walshe who finally insisted they were making the people wait for too long and escorted her directly to the spot she now shifted anxiously in.
“Hold still,” Haven hissed from beside her. “If they see you acting like this, they will know something is wrong.”
Thea wanted to glare, but she controlled herself.
Where was Kieran? Any minute now she was going to have to walk through that door and say the words that could change the course of the rest of her life.
Trust him, she told herself. He wouldn’t let her down. He would get back in time to stop this wedding.
She inhaled sharply as Lord Brennan stuck his head through the doorway.
“Ready, ladies?” he said, smiling broadly.
“Ready,” Haven replied for Thea after a moment, giving a convincingly calm grin as she nudged Thea forward. “I’ll be right behind you, Queen Thea.”
All Thea could do was nod as the door in front of her opened and the banquet hall beyond came into view. The trumpeters began their song once more as Thea locked eyes with Declan at the end of the aisle.
Although he smiled, she saw the concern behind his gaze and it was enough to make her stomach twist into knots.
Kieran should have been here by now, and everything inside her screamed something had gone wrong.
“Stop!”
Kieran had barely made it to the tree line when the musical tone froze him midstep.
No, no. No. He fought against her command, but it was no use. He was forced to turn and face his pursuer.
“Ainé,” he said through clenched teeth. She stood before him, dripping as if she’d just stepped out of a tub. To his surprise, she was dressed in a green gown that looked to be tied around her. It was unlike anything he’d ever seen. Her red hair hung damp around her shoulders, and she smiled a row of pointed teeth at him that sent a shiver down his spine.
“Why are you running from me?” she asked, but the tone of innocence did not fool Kieran. His eyes narrowed as he pressed his lips together in defiance.
&
nbsp; She’s too strong. The warning rang through Kieran’s head. He needed to get to Thea. He needed to warn her, but how could he outrun the Goddess? And even if he did, what could they do now?
“Where is Amara?” he asked as Ainé stepped toward him. Her eyes looked him over, more curious than malicious.
“With her father,” Ainé replied. “I admit, it was surprising to see Amara instead of Thea.”
The sound of the Goddess’ voice caressed him like velvet. She reached out to touch his face and he recoiled, fighting the urge to growl.
In an instant he saw fury flash behind her gaze before melting back into innocent curiosity. She made even the most skilled liars look terrible.
“The High Council has requested Thea marry a man from Gimmerwich,” Kieran choked out the words. “She could not be here.”
“Is that so? And you were just planning to let your soulmate marry someone else?” Ainé looked unconvinced and pressed her fingers to Kieran’s temples.
All at once he felt the invasion like a force upon his mind. He fought it, but Ainé was too powerful. He watched the memories play back for the Goddess, but no matter how badly he wished he could push her out, he remained frozen.
“Stop… please,” he groaned, heart racing and lungs aching for air. She was suffocating him beneath her power, dragging out every detail she could from his memories.
“Pity,” she finally said, pulling her fingers away. Kieran collapsed to the ground, digging his fingers into the dirt. “Son of Darkness—how could I have missed that?”
She let out a giggle of amusement that made Kieran’s skin crawl.
“What are you going to do with me?” he asked, trying to stall as he regained his strength. The Goddess didn’t answer at first. He looked up to meet her eyes as she studied him. She knew it all. She knew what Morrigan had told them. She knew that Thea was marrying Declan any minute now. She even knew that Amara had sacrificed her own freedom for this plan to work.
