Chapter 557: Retribution
This time, I knew I had to make an entrance. If power was all Aoilainn understood, I'd show her just who and what she was dealing with.
No promises the Sidhe realm would still be standing when I was done with her.
As much as I was turned around and lost, Shaylee knew exactly where we were going and, with some help from her magic and mine, shortened the trip by altering the path much as her mother had done on our initial approach. It was only then I understood just how fluid the realm was, how easy it could be to bend and manipulate, to create in exactly the shape I wanted.
Tempting. And therein lay the problem, didn't it? Queen Aoilainn had her own way for so long, controlled everything for centuries, the idea I would rebel against her had to be driving her crazy.
Wicked. The crazier the better.
Bronagh stayed at my side when I entered the court clearing, much to my surprise. The queen waited for me on her stupid throne, the crown prince next to her, the same calm, cold expression on both their faces. And Quaid, still in his armor, standing at attention by her side. I sent a wave of magic out from me, right and left, tumbling Sidhe royals like ten-pins, sending them shrieking in fear, sobbing out their poor little Fey terror as they fled.
No time for histrionics.
Aoilainn didn't move or fight back as I came to a charging halt before her, my posse at my back and a whole crap-ton of magic preceding me, ready to smear her against her pretty white palace. Instead, she merely bowed her head in a slow nod, eyes flickering to Bronagh before returning to me.
"My daughter," she said in her melodic voice, the trailers of her magic trying to siphon away my spirit, calling to Shaylee. "Come to me, my child."
It might have worked the second time. But if I had any doubts as to Shaylee's current loyalties, not to mention her state of mind, they shattered as the Sidhe princess lashed out with her power and slapped her own mother across the face.
Aoilainn's head rocked back, shock finally registering. One slim hand rose to touch her cheek as my Sidhe ego snarled her fury.
I reached for Quaid while Shaylee snapped at her mother. "How dare you treat me like a slave?" He felt empty. Silent. Too silent. The queen had him thralled. "Your own daughter?" I had to find a way to break him out of it. My magic reached for him, my demon boosting our touch, but he didn't react. "I've only longed for you, Mother, for my return home. And this is how you treat me?" My vampire joined us, but still nothing.
What had she done to him?
"Enough." I pushed Shaylee back to grumble and sulk inside me. "I've about had it up to here," I slashed one hand across the air in front of my nose, "with your absolute idiocy." The Queen flinched, anger showing at last. Good. Let it. "No more screwing around."
Aoilainn's lips twisted at my rude language. "You invade my realm," she said, voice pulsating with emotion, "assault my people and expect me to listen to anything you have to say?"
Of all the conniving... "Your precious realm is in danger, you fool." I wanted to shake her. Seriously. "An intruder with a stolen Sidhe soul is here, right now, doing who knows what. And meanwhile, one of your Gatekeeper's lives hangs in the balance. While you sit around being selfish." I took a step closer. She had to understand. "That means the Gate is unprotected." Was that a bit of concern or indigestion? Who knew with the Seelie Queen. "No Gatekeeper. That means everyone is in danger, your Majesty. Including you and your precious little realm. What if the Unseelie find a way through? Or someone seizes control of the Gate?" I couldn't control my trembling. "This is a huge problem, in case you've missed it. Not tomorrow. Not next week. Right. Now."
Seriously.
"My queen," Bronagh's hands rose, appealing to her ruler. "Please, I beg you to listen."
Aoilainn's power rose, sucking at me as the earth had drawn on Galleytrot. "You will be mine again," she said, leaning toward me, face twisted from beautiful to absolute need.
I would have slapped her myself if Shaylee hadn't done that already. Instead, I pushed Aoilainn away with the combined energy at my disposal. She fell back, panting, perfect hair a little mussed.
She didn't give warning, leaping to her feet, all the pressure of the Seelie court coming to bear on me. For a moment, I wavered, pouring magic into my protections, knowing it wouldn't be enough, not against the ruler of this realm.
Not until the tingle of the maji power rose in answer.
Aoilainn fell back with a cry of fear as creation magic shattered her attack, drawing all the pieces of her broken glamour into itself. The Sidhe queen cut off her power as she sagged into her throne, skin sinking a moment, face crumbling with age before she sucked in a deep breath and recovered her unnatural beauty.
"How?" Aoilainn's green eyes shone with tears.
"There's a war coming," I said, letting her feel the maji inside me. "And unless you help us, there's a good chance we're going to lose." Okay, I didn't know that for sure. But if Ameline became maji first, I had no doubt we'd be in serious trouble.
"It's truth she speaks, my queen," Bronagh said, climbing to stand next to Aoilainn. "Put aside your ancient need and listen to Sydlynn, I beg you. Our people are in danger from a terrible force and unless we are willing to act against them, all will be lost."
She had to be talking about the Brotherhood, not just Ameline. But how did she know about them? Clearly she wasn't one of these weak-minded, glamour-captive Sidhe. My respect for Bronagh went up a few more notches.
Instead of answering my challenge or answering her most trusted advisor, Aoilainn turned away, one hand over her face as she spun sideways in her throne. Bronagh's sad expression as she shook her head and shrugged told me everything I needed to know.
"Fine," I snarled. "Your realm will probably be the first to fall and I personally won't come running when you finally ask for help."
I reached for Quaid, grabbed his hand, pulled him to me.
Time to go.
Too bad he had other ideas.
***
