Chapter 552: Adjustments
I turned to Gram, still holding her hand while Shaylee retreated with a soft apology. "Looks like this is it." Damn, I'd hoped it wouldn't come to this.
Moment of truth-who was I kidding? No way was I backing down, not considering what Ameline had almost accomplished on Demonicon. And, in all honesty, I already admitted to myself Ameline was my responsibility. No matter what Thalion had decided, I knew I'd be crossing over anyway.
How could I trust anyone else to deal with Ameline?
Sucker for punishment or craving danger? I'd leave that for history to decide.
Gram let go of my hand to shed the rainbow jacket, revealing jeans and a t-shirt underneath. I stared. I'd never seen her wear anything but faded dressing gowns and long skirts, fuzzy socks and oversized cardigans. Her thin body looked taller, more filled out. Less granny, more Ethpeal.
I grinned at her and offered her my fist, which she bumped with a wink.
"Let's get this over with," she growled.
I turned to the others, letting Shaylee's magic touch them all, though I left Venner out on purpose.
"Stay close," I said as I shared a bit of her magic with them. "Don't wander."
Quaid just nodded while Charlotte softly chuffed agreement. Galleytrot didn't comment, eyes flashing red fire. I ignored Venner as I turned, drew a breath and stepped toward the Gate.
There's a chance we will never leave, Shaylee sent.
Like I needed to be reminded just as my right foot touched the barrier. Thalion's hand reached toward me, offering assistance, but I avoided his touch, sliding sideways as I parted the veil and crossed over.
I was used to the feeling of riding the veil between Demonicon and home, the rubbery membrane sliding over me. This was an entirely different experience. More like walking through the edge of a giant soap bubble. I worked my jaw as my ears popped, throat tight an instant before my body shifted from one plane to the next. One of my feet suddenly tangled in dense fabric, tripping me, sending me forward, forcing me to take Thalion's hand after all.
A look down at my former casual attire showed me the illusions of the Sidhe realm had taken hold already. I stood there in a flowing white gown trimmed in green and gold, my long, blonde hair hanging over my shoulder, threaded through with sparkling wire and delicate blossoms. The scent of some unbelievably delicious flower flooded my senses, Shaylee's delight bringing my lips up into a smile.
Until I met Thalion's welcoming gaze. Yup, shut her down, and fast.
My fingers explored the pointed tips of my ears, the smooth, cool skin of my arms and face. My neck was longer, too, a choker of woven gold wire hugging the flesh. A pointed metal tiara sat in my hair, poking my printless fingertips.
I felt lighter, as if I could float instead of walk and knew everything physically me was transformed thanks to Shaylee's presence. My demon grumbled her unhappiness at our seemingly weaker body, delicate and fragile, but my vampire didn't say anything, typical of her. At least I had them both with me still, as well as the family magic, though it sat coiled in the bottom of my heart, a sulking child not welcome to come out to play.
Shaylee's mental touch showed me an image of us, though I was familiar with what she looked like. This is Mother's doing, she sent. Her realm, her magic. But if we want her to cooperate, we must go along with her games.
I was used to games. Still hated them. But surely Queen Aoilainn couldn't be as ridiculous as the two vampire matrons I'd had to wrangle.
Could she?
Sigh.
I turned to look back through the Gate, saw the doorway slowly closing. I panicked, only to have Shaylee soothe me.
We can't leave it open, she sent. With Venemeth with us, at least there is no risk of someone stumbling on the chamber. But if we leave the Gate open, there are those who might try to cross without our knowledge.
The Unseelie. I didn't have to ask. You're sure we can open it again? Ridiculous worry, really. We were here now and we either would or we wouldn't.
I'm sure, she sent. You are still anchored to the other side, thanks to the family magic. We will be fine.
As long as the Seelie Queen didn't find a way to keep us here.
I wished I shared Shaylee's sudden optimism.
I said we could open it again, she sent. I didn't say anything about being able to cross back.
Nice of her to clarify and add to my ulcer.
As I turned to tell Thalion it was time to go, I leaped back a step, one hand over my heart. A giant wolf, as big as Galleytrot, stood trembling beside me, long, golden fur standing on end, eyes shining with yellow light. It took me a moment to understand, to reach out and run my hand over the wolf's forehead, stroke her ear.
"Charlotte," I breathed her name. "Wow."
She shook her big head, her shoulder as tall as my hip, a sharp whine emerging from her jaws. She snapped her teeth shut, snorting into the dust before settling on her haunches with her muzzle under my hand.
"This has to be hard for you," I whispered in her perked ear. "Thank you." My eyes drifted over her and to Galleytrot. Who was still himself, if a little beefier, more shaggy. A shadow seemed to hover around him, a dark mist rippling as he moved.
"The shadow of the Wild," he rumbled while the grass around him shifted as though from a stiff breeze. The trail of black led to Venner, also himself, dressed as Thalion was in tight breeches and a long tunic trimmed in gold. He smiled at me, a real smile, but I wished I could smack it from his face.
This wasn't supposed to be fun.
Quaid drew a gasp from my lips and an almost giggle. He creaked as he moved, tall, broad-shouldered body sheathed in metal. But this was no full plate armor like I'd seen in movies, a flowing, liquid armor that fit him perfectly, moving easily as he did, the helmet topped by a flowing white plume, a shield strapped to his left arm and a sword on his hip.
"I feel like an idiot," he growled.
I resisted the urge Shaylee had to blow him a kiss. What was wrong with her?
"Are you going to stand around all day," a woman's voice asked, "or are we going to move on already?"
She stood on my left, on the other side of Thalion, a tall, thin Fey with spiraling dark hair. Blue eyes. Pointed ears. Perfect skin. But I knew her face, had looked at that face almost every day in the mirror.
My face, Sidhized.
I had to try a few times before I finally managed to speak. "Gram?"
She snorted, smoothing her hands over the deep blue gown she wore, her own hair twisted into ringlets full of tiny silver flowers. "It'll do," she said. And winked.
"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."
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