Chapter 553: Sidhe Influence
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."
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