Fragile Destiny (The Aether Chronicles) (10 page)

The girl returned, pale. She gave him a little bow. “This way, sir.”

She led him down a hallway, and into a small office. “He’ll see you shortly.”

This was much more opulent and cluttered than Ciarán’s office. The back wall was entirely filled with books, with a fireplace on one side. Kevighn took a seat across from the desk.

No, Noli wasn’t in this building. But she had been. Again, why?

“Kevighn Silver-Tongue, you’re no longer working for the queen?” Mathias entered the office, looking like the same pompous bastard as always.

“You have no right to judge me,” Kevighn snapped. “I’m working for Kyran again. He’ll be
very
interested to know your whereabouts.”

Mathias spread his hands. “I am but a humble businessman.”

“Bullshit.” Especially the
humble
part. Spoiled high court trash.

Mathias’ blue eyes narrowed. “This is
my
establishment. You have no authority here. If Kyran has anything to say to me, then he should do it himself.”

He remained standing, towering over Kevighn, trying to be imposing. But Kevighn’s years in the high court had made him immune to such posturing.

“I’m tracking a girl for him. Her name is Magnolia Braddock. She’s probably traveling with two young earth court princes. How long ago was she here, why was she here, and where did she go?” Kevighn eyed him, daring him to not be forthcoming with the information.

Mathias crossed his arms over his chest, expression chilly. “Why?”

Ugh, he was still an ass. “That’s none of your business. Now, tell me or I will—”

“Shut up, Silver.” Mathias pounded his fist in the middle of the desk. “You can’t command me to do anything. Leave or I’ll have you thrown out.”

Kevighn stood; anger raged through him. “You’ll pay for this.”

“You wish,” Mathias smirked.

“A war is brewing. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll get your loyalties straight. Oh wait, you don’t have any.” Kevighn shoved his way past Mathias and stalked out of the building. That was fruitless.

Where did she go from here? Kevighn followed the tracking spell back to the garden in Central Park, the one he’d followed Elise through.

What? Unless the princes know about their father’s death and were tracking their sister.

Kevighn rubbed his hands together, hoping they wound up at the Thirsty Pooka and that he could get there first. Yes, this would be quite interesting.

Nine

The Thirsty Pooka

Noli looked around the eerie, forgotten wood, a half-dead tree behind them. Why had Elise come
here
? Something about this place felt familiar. She looked around, studying the area. It seemed like she’d been here before, yet it was different. Oh, the rundown house was gone. This was where she’d run once, fleeing Kevighn’s advances.

Without really thinking about where she was headed, she began to walk.

“We’re in wild lands,” V said, close behind her. “It’s not quite the same as the pure magic I showed you, but close. We should be careful.”

He pulled out his sigil, a sunburst of gold wire with a green stone at its center. It was the mark of his house, the House of Oak. If you looked closely, you could see the image of a tree, the branches and roots intertwined.

“What are you doing?” Noli squinted at the medallion in his hand. Once, she’d had one; she still missed it. Right now, V was forbidden from giving her another.

“Tracking her, just like I tracked you. It doesn’t work as well in the mortal realm, which is why we used the other spells,” V explained. He muttered something, holding it in his palm. In his other hand he kept hold of his unsheathed sword. James did the same.

They walked through the chaos. Suddenly everything changed, like they’d crossed an invisible line. They stood in a grove of trees. Creideamh’s grove. Without waiting for the boys, Noli made her way to the base of the big tree in the center. The sweet smell of the star blooms she’d planted made her nose twitch in delight.

Little wood faeries accosted her, pulling her hair and sitting on her nose, trying to tell her something.

“Now
that’s
a tree house,” James breathed from behind her.

“It’s all right,” she soothed, wishing she could understand faery speech. “They’re with me. We’re looking for a girl. Did she come through here?”

They replied in a flurry of incomprehensible sounds.

“Slow down,” V told them. “One at a time.” He frowned. “It seems as if Elise was trying to get to your tree house, but the portal brought her here instead.”

“To my tree house? But it’s not a portal.” Noli’s nose scrunched.

“I don’t think Elise understands how portals work.” V cocked his head in thought. “Since your tree house isn’t a portal, the portal must have taken her here.”

James turned around and around, taking the place in. “But where
are
we?”

It did make sense. But why did they have to come
here
, of all places? Hopefully Kevighn wasn’t present. That could be very, very bad.

“What?” V’s eyes bulged as one of the faeries spoke to him. “Noli, the faeries said that they told her to wait here for you. Why would they do that?” His face fell and with it, so did her heart.

Noli exhaled, stomach churning. “I’ve been here before,” she admitted quietly. There was no sense in hiding it. “This is Creideamh’s tree house.”

“Oh. She was Kevighn’s sister, was she not?” V frowned, and James just blinked.

“Indeed.” Noli sighed again as a little pink faery perched on her shoulder to comfort her, sensing her distress. “We’re behind Kevighn’s cabin, the one where he kept me when he brought me to the Otherworld. I … I spent a lot of time in this tree house when I was here.” As much as she wouldn’t admit it to V, those hadn’t been unhappy times. She’d enjoyed being in the tree house, taking care of the gardens.

“Oh. This is Kevighn’s place?” The light went out of V’s face.

Tears pricked Noli’s eyes. She hadn’t done anything wrong, but V’s distress made her feel guilty.

“Where’s Elise?” she asked the faeries. “Is she still here? In the tree house? V, why can’t I understand them?” It came out as a partial wail. How come V and James understood the faeries but she couldn’t?

You’re not listening right,
the sprite interjected.
Listen with your heart, not your ears.

What?
How exactly did one listen without using ears?

Just … here.

Noli felt herself shoved out of the body and the sprite took over.
Give me the body back
, she snapped at the sprite.

I can’t explain. I have to show you,
the sprite replied.

“Tell me again?” Noli asked the faeries.

All of the sudden, she heard a sweet but high-pitched voice, something like a bird chirp. As the chirp continued, words emerged.

Did you get that?
the sprite asked her.
Kevighn took her. She went with him because he said he’d keep her safe until he found you. He sent a faery to tell you he was taking her to the Thirsty Pooka in the Blackwoods. Can we go there? That sounds fun. Also, Kevighn is nice to look at.

May I have our body back?
She still wasn’t quite sure what the sprite had done.

Did I help?
The sprite liked to be helpful.

Yes, so much.
Noli assumed control of her body once more.

“Noli, are you all right?” V steadied her. “That was—”

“Really strange,” James finished.

“Kevighn has her.” The words stuck in her throat.

Outrage flashed in V’s eyes. “Why would he do that?” Then he listened to the faeries. “And where’s this place he took her? The Thirsty Pooka?”

“It’s in the Blackwoods,” Noli whispered. That was also where Kevighn had told her she could find him.

“The Blackwoods is dark court territory.” James went pale. “Why would he go there?”

The pieces were starting to fall together, but only just. “Kevighn once belonged to the dark court, you know,” Noli said. “He rejoined it after Tiana exiled him. Also … ” Her hands twisted. “When you were talking to the tree and the faeries in the park, I was speaking to Mathias.” She met V’s eyes. “He told me that ‘Kyran’ was an alias of the dark king.”

The air hissed out of V. “So when Kevighn paid your brother for the artifact pieces, he’d gotten the money from Kyran. That means that the dark king knows about the artifact.”

“If he does, why would he allow Kevighn to dispose of the pieces in the mortal realm? Wouldn’t he keep them and use them for himself?” James rubbed his chin in thought.

“Perhaps Kevighn lied.” V’s voice went sharp and his eyes narrowed.

“Kevighn doesn’t lie,” Noli snapped. Not about that. He’d promised.

“Yes, he does,” V retorted.

James held out his hands. “Knock it off. We need to figure out
why
Kevighn would take Elise to the dark king.”

“For the same reason Brogan wants her. Elise is the high queen’s only daughter. She’d make a good hostage or pawn.” V’s shoulders fell in defeat. “
I’m
supposed to protect her. Now the dark king has her—that’s even worse than her being in the hands of Brogan or Tiana.” The hand not holding the sword fisted around his sigil, knuckles white.

“I … I’m pretty sure she’s safe. Kevighn sent a wood faery with a message for me to find him at the Thirsty Pooka.” Noli’s voice shook. She liked Elise and didn’t want anything bad to happen to her. “Perhaps he truly just happened upon her and wishes to return her to us.”

V’s face contorted in anger. “Not likely.” He marched off, sword in hand. “Coming?”

“Um, V. We can’t just march into dark court territory.” James ran after him.

“V, wait,” Noli called. Usually, he was the one calling for her to wait while she charged off to do something without a plan.

“Why?” V halted, giving them a scathing look.

“
We’re
earth court
. Also, our mum is the high queen. They’ll probably kill us as soon as we enter their borders.” James shrugged. “Also, do you know where the place is? Because I don’t.”

V held out his palm. “We have the sigil.”

“And what good will that do us when we’re attacked for being in the wrong place at the wrong time? Is it really that smart to blindly traipse across dark court territory?” James rolled his eyes. “Think, V. I’m tired of having to be the brains of this outfit.”

“Yes. We need to think,” Noli echoed. “We have to get her back. What should we do?” But she knew what
she
had to do.

“Maybe we should return to the big house and figure out where we’re going?” James suggested. “Also, we may want to get Tiana involved. If Ciarán has Elise that might be best.”

“I’m not getting
her
involved. Not yet.” V’s face and voice went tight. “Elise thinks our mother is dead. Also, I’m a little afraid of what Tiana might do when she realizes Elise’s potential. She’s just a little girl now, but she
will
be a threat soon. Very soon. We all know what Tiana does to her competition.”

James’ expression went grave. “Oh.”

If anyone were capable of harming their own child, it would be Tiana.

V put his sigil back around his neck, then raked his hand through his unkempt hair. “I don’t like the idea of Kevighn having her.”

“I don’t either, but we can’t just barge into the dark court. We’re of no use to her if we’re dead,” James pointed out, putting a hand on his shoulder.

V shook his head. “As much as I hate to admit it, you’re right. Let’s return to the big house and see if we can come up with a plan. Preferably one that doesn’t involve Tiana.”

“I like that idea very much,” Noli replied, grateful V was thinking rationally again. Tonight she’d get Elise back herself.

Noli waited until the light in V’s room went out. Boots in hand, she crept down the hallway, wishing she had a better weapon than her little knife. From what the boys had told her, and the little she knew about the dark court, the Thirsty Pooka was probably dangerous and filled with creatures who wouldn’t hesitate to kill an earth court prince on sight.

She, on the other hand, wasn’t exactly any court. Therefore she had no enemies. At least she hoped not.

Well, except for Brogan.

Still, they had to get Elise back, and she didn’t know what else to do.

“Where are you going?” James blocked her escape.

Startled, Noli nearly dropped her boots. “I … ”

“Where
are
you going, Noli?” James grinned.

Noli hid her boots behind her back. “Um, nowhere.”

While she didn’t think James would wake V, she didn’t want to push her luck. V
would
stop her from going alone, and James had a point; the boys couldn’t walk in with her.

“Sure.” James turned and went the opposite way. He stopped and gave her a look. “Coming?”

Her insides quivered. “Where?”

“Don’t go all V on me. Come on.” James walked down the hall.

Noli trotted after him and found herself in his messy room, which teemed with memories of Charlotte. The dressing screen, cosmetics on the bureau, a ribbon lying on the floor. James opened the wardrobe and brought something out. He set a long, gold object covered in jewels in her hands.

“I found this earlier today and thought you’d like it,” he said. “If you’re heading into dark court territory, you’ll need it.”

“What is it?” It was heavy—and beautiful. Even V’s sword, the one that had belonged to his father, wasn’t this ornate.

“It’s a girl’s sword. Don’t start any wars. Remember, you stab people with the pointy end.” James slung it over her back and grinned. “Don’t worry about V. I’ll take care of him. Be safe—and bring her back. I believe in you.”

Noli smiled. Someone believed in her. These days, she’d felt like such a liability, but James’ statement made her feel lighter, braver. “I appreciate this.”

Oooh, it’s pretty. Can we go now? I want to see the tavern. They’re fun, right?
the sprite said perkily.

Shush, we’re going for work, not play,
Noli admonished.
We need to get Elise. You like Elise, remember?

Yes, she’s good at tea party.

The sprite did enjoy a good game of tea party.

Now,
Noli told her,
let’s go get Elise.

All the confidence drained from her as she eyed the tavern on the other side of the trees. She had felt like invisible eyes had born into her back the entire time she’d trekked through the Blackwoods, setting her on edge.

A little purple light landed on her nose.

“Oh, hello there.” Noli recognized her as one of the wood faeries from Creideamh’s tree house—although not one who’d been there earlier today.

The faery chirped.

“What?” Noli concentrated, and the chirps faded into words. “Oh, Kevighn sent you? Yes, I know he has Elise. I appreciate you finding me.”

The faery nodded. This must be the one he’d sent with the message.

“This place is frightening.” Noli watched as two creatures—she wasn’t sure what they were called—ambled inside. They were large, hairy, and ugly, with axes slung across their backs. They made air pirates look like members of a ladies sewing society.

“Who are you and what are you doing here?” A large man in black with a crooked nose stood behind her. A dagger hung from his belt.

“I … ” Her belly sank as she turned and took a step back.

The ugly man with him elbowed him. “I think she’s here for us. Why else would a sweet little sprite come to a place like this?”

The first man leered in a way that made her squirm. “Kiss me, you pretty thing.”

Grabbing her, he mashed his face to hers, trying to shove his tongue into her mouth. She struggled against him. When she opened her mouth to scream, his large, wet tongue entered her mouth and she recoiled. Her fingers found the knife in her boot. She stabbed him with it, then wriggled out of his grasp.

“Hey, what was that for?” the man yelped.

“I’ll give you something shiny.” The other man grabbed her and shoved her to the ground, ripping her sword from her and flinging it aside. A shriek tore from her mouth as he ripped her dress. She kicked and screamed. He smacked her across the face. “Shut up.”