Chapter 562: Retreat
Like most of the Sidhe realm, what seemed like an impossibly long journey from one place to the next took almost no time at all. I just considered asking Thalion how long it would take to reach the border after setting out again, heading toward the storm-of course we were-when the air itself seemed to sigh and shift, the sky dulling. A thin, wavering line of green fire appeared in the grass, separating where we stood from the continued expanse of ground. I almost asked why it hadn't looked like this before and rolled my eyes instead.
More glamour. I was getting very sick of my eyes lying to me.
At least the other side of the magical barrier looked more ordinary. Made me wonder if the Unseelie King was less into the fake presentation or if he'd grunge things up just to push the limits. I'd heard only bad things about the dark court. While the Seelie were tricksy and more than a little arrogant, all tales I'd heard of the Unseelie made me wince. Monsters welcome. Though, from my experience with Venner and my encounter with Aoilainn, I was beginning to wonder who were the real monsters here.
The Unseelie lordling stepped forward, face eager, his magic sliding around him as he reached out to the line of fire. Thalion stared over the flickering line of flames as two stone posts rose from the ground, pushing their way to the surface in answer to Venner's rising hands. The columns continued to grow, slender, carved rock finally forming an archway that sealed together at the top with the sound of grinding gravel.
More magic flared along the seal, running down the columns, lighting the carvings until it dove down into the ground. The fire parted, leaving a doorway through the barrier between one kingdom and the next.
Venner turned and saluted Thalion and, to my surprise, the prince saluted back. "Be well, Your Highness," Venner said. "I've never wished you malice."
Thalion's smile was thin. "Just my queen. I understand." His eyes dropped to me. "More now than ever."
I wondered how painful his education was. How many years had Thalion believed in his queen? Only to have that loyalty shattered thanks to the princess he loved.
Yeah, I could still feel sympathy. Shocking.
A touch of his power straightened my shoulders as Thalion echoed Venner's offering, his magic meshing with my earth ability.
"Thanks," I said, really meaning it. "We could really use your help, you know."
Thalion nodded, but the slumped set of his shoulders told me what he was going to say before he said it. "I cannot." He touched my hair with his fingertips, drawing a low growl from Charlotte and a protective sway from Quaid. "I must obey my queen, even now."
He turned, eyes landing on Fergus. "You will join them, old friend?"
I never considered the fact Liam's grandfather was Thalion's buddy. Or that the prince had any kind of friends, for that matter. I hated underestimating people.
Hated it.
Fergus smiled and bowed to the prince. "My grandson, your Gatekeeper, needs my help. And I can't let him down."
Thalion reached out and took Fergus's hand. "Take good care," he said before turning and leaving us there, his long legs covering a large amount of ground quickly. I knew he was aided by magic because, within half a dozen strides, he disappeared from view.
Time to face the music. I spun back, eyes running over the low line of black clouds on the other side of the barrier. Maybe it was a sign Ameline was in the Unseelie court?
"She acts against my king." Venner's melodic voice came out as a growl. "She must have some influence with Aoilainn and fears Odhran. Why else would she focus the storm in the Unseelie kingdom?"
I figured there was a flaw in his logic, but let him have his belief. "Let's just go talk to your king," I said. "Maybe he'll be more helpful in tracking Ameline." I reached out for the witch even as Venner turned and strode through the archway, knowing it wasn't likely I'd feel her even if she was here. Especially now that I didn't have access to Shaylee's soul. If Ameline was still hiding behind a Sidhe reincarnation, even Liam's, without Shaylee to track her I was out of luck.
Or was I? I turned to Galleytrot as Quaid and Gram, Fergus behind them, followed Venner through the arching stone.
Can you track Ameline here? Why hadn't I thought to ask him originally? Probably because the idea was to talk to the queen then go find the evil little witch. I realized now I should have reversed the order of my priorities.
Galleytrot chuffed softly, Charlotte closing in on my right side, him on my left as the three of us approached the crossing. The others stood on the other side, waiting, watching us. So far, so safe. A moment of nerves gripped me as I considered this could be a trap. Venner could still be working with Ameline.
Galleytrot's answer to my question told me we were out of options. I've been trying, he sent. As has Charlotte. The big wolf tossed her head in agreement. But the glamour and the pull of Sidhe magic mask everything.
So we go to the Unseelie, I said. And see if the king is a smarter cookie than his counterpart. Fingers crossed. Toes. Every part of me I could manage.
Galleytrot grunted. I hold out hope, he sent. But it's slim.
Well, I'd take it.
I felt her power before I could take the step that would carry me from one realm to the next and paused, turning back as Bronagh raced over the hill and to my side, her flowing green gown a rippling wave around her.
"Sydlynn," she said as she came to a halt beside me, eyes huge as she looked over the barrier. "What are you doing?"
"Looking for help," I said.
"The queen will find out." She clutched her hands to her chest. "She will punish Shaylee for your duplicity."
I hadn't considered that. "I can't just leave without trying to stop Ameline," I said. "I just can't."
Bronagh nodded at last, a heavy sigh slumping her graceful form. "I understand," she said. "I will do what I can to hold off Aoilainn's wrath."
I had to go back for Shaylee. This was ridiculous. Maybe now that my friends were safe on the Unseelie side...
Bronagh must have sensed what I was thinking because she straightened. "Go," she said. "I will care for Shaylee."
"This could work," I said. "We could free her now while the others are safe."
"And then what?" Bronagh's long, dark hair whispered as she shook her head. "The Gate is on the Seelie side."
Right. "So I send the others home." Why hadn't I thought of that? "Get Shaylee then talk to the king of the Unseelie."
Bronagh grasped my shoulders in her long-fingered hands, the buzz of her magic blocked from me now that I wasn't Sidhe anymore. "You must trust me," she said. "Taking care of Shaylee is my responsibility now. And I won't fail her."
Something stirred in me. A memory. I'd heard those words before. Desperate need made me crumble a little.
"You promise you'll bring her to the Gate?" There was still that hope, though it sounded like Shaylee was done with me, no matter if her mother relented or not.
Bronagh smiled and nodded. "I can absolutely guarantee I will bring her to the Gate," she said, "and she will cross over again to your plane. Take heart in that fact."
It was all I had to cling to. "Thank you."
She laughed. "No," she said. "Thank you. Now go. And do what you can to stir the king to action."
Why was she thanking me? The Sidhe were weird.
A deep breath and a whispered plea to the powers that be and I left Bronagh there, turning to step through the archway into the Unseelie kingdom.
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