Fragile Destiny (The Aether Chronicles) (11 page)

“Let go of her or I’ll tell my father,” a small male voice ordered.

The man sneered. “And who’s he?”

“Me.” A deep, commanding voice reverberated through the forest. “Aodhan, you’re not supposed to be out here at night.”

Noli couldn’t see who’d spoken, but that voice demanded respect.

“The little faery said she needed help,” the boy replied, coming into her line of sight.

“Leave,” the voice told the man on top of her.

“Of course, I … I’m sorry.” The man climbed off her and ran as fast as he could away from them, as did the other, both clearly afraid of whoever was with the boy.

A boy with pale blond hair and a bow across his back bent down and picked up her knife and sword. He handed them to her as she sat up. “I think these are yours.”

“I appreciate your assistance.” She put the sword back around her and tucked the knife into her boot. “You … you saved me.” That man could have done horrible things to her. Noli shook. Perhaps this wasn’t such a good idea after all.

“It’s all right. You’re safe.” The boy crouched down and smiled, all the way to his yellow eyes.

Something about that boy’s smile reminded her of Kevighn. It was probably the bow and quiver on his back.

A tall man in a cloak, the hood shadowing his face obscuring who he was, offered her a hand. “Are you all right?”

Gulping, Noli nodded, allowing him to help her stand.

“Why are you here?” His voice dripped with authority.

There was something familiar about him, but she couldn’t quite place it.

“I … I’m Noli Braddock.” The little purple faery landed on her outstretched hand. “I … I’m looking for Kevighn Silver. He sent me a message and told me to come here.”

“She’s Elise’s friend,” the little boy added. “I’m Aodhan.”

“Do you know Elise?” Noli’s heart skipped a beat. Maybe this would work out after all. She didn’t relish the thought of returning to the big house without Elise.

The boy nodded. “She’s my friend, too.”

The man held up a hand. “Aodhan, go inside, please.”

Her belly churned; she wasn’t sure she wanted to be left alone with him. “I need to take Elise home.”

“No one will hurt you. Just come with me.” His voice was far from soothing, yet not actually ominous. Several men in dark clothing came up beside him.

Aodhan put a hand on her arm. “It’s all right, Noli. My father will protect you.” With a smile, he scampered into the darkness.

“How do I know that you won’t harm me?” She tried to keep her voice from trembling.

“Because I know who you are, and I have no wish to start a war. However, we need to talk … ” The man gestured toward the tavern.

Noli didn’t move. He knew who she was? That didn’t calm her nerves one little bit. She peered into the dark hood, trying to see who he was. “I don’t even know your name.”

“You may call me Kyran.”

The air hissed from her teeth, and then Noli curtsied. “Of course, Your Majesty.”

She was in the company of the dark king himself.
He
had Elise.

Unseen eyes bore into her back as Ciarán ushered her into the tavern and sat her at the bar. She’d never been in a place like this. Her nose wrinkled at the stench of beer and unwashed bodies. Creatures she’d never seen before watched her in ways that made her skin crawl. The two creatures she’d glimpsed earlier, the ones with the axes, threw knives at a dartboard.

A very short woman stood on a box behind the bar. She looked at Ciarán and her eyebrows rose. “She’s a little young.”

Ciarán, hood still up, shrugged. “This is business.”

“’Bout time you hired a nursemaid for the brat.” She grinned. “Though Luce might not like it. Also, keep her away from
you-know-who.
”

He gave the woman a sharp look then turned to Noli. “What would you like to drink?”

“Um, do you have any honey wine?” She had a feeling no one drank tea here.

He signaled the bartender and she handed him a bottle and two glasses. “I made this myself.” Ciarán poured two glasses.

She looked at the bottle. “You gave this to Kevighn Silver.”

He raised his glass. “I did. So you are Magnolia?”

“I am. I’d like Elise back, please. I appreciate you caring for her, but I need to take her home.” Noli took a small sip, allowing the sensation to roll over her tongue and explode down the back of her throat. Ah, summer in a bottle. She could think of no better description.

“I’m surprised a sprite would come here alone.” His eyebrows rose.

“I wasn’t always a sprite,” she retorted. She had little patience for verbal games.

“Indeed.” He took a sip of wine.

It was unnerving how he kept his hood up, which was probably the point.

“How did you know? Spies?” she asked. According to James, both the high court and the dark court had spies everywhere. Tiana and Brogan had even had spies in the big house.

He shrugged. That would probably be
yes.

“Kevighn sent me a message telling me to come here.” Shivering, Noli pulled her cloak tighter around her. “Is he here?” If he’d lied … so help him. She’d smacked him before and wasn’t afraid to do so again.

“No, he isn’t. However … ” He gave her a pointed look. His eyes were a peculiar color, golden brown like a piece of amber her father had shown her once. They were quite different from Kevighn’s yellow eyes.

The following silence weighed heavily in the air of the pub; words that weren’t there whirled through her head, making her nervous.

Noli broke the silence before she screamed in frustration. If Ciarán wouldn’t speak plainly, then she would. “May I please have Elise?”

“The girl is safe. She shouldn’t be roaming the Otherworld unattended.” Slight disapproval tinged his voice.

“It’s not as if I’m the one who lost her.” Noli tried to keep her temper in check. This wasn’t how she expected the dark king to be.

“True.” He took another sip.

The silence was the worst part—which was probably his intention.

Noli’s belly dropped. “Are you
keeping
her here? There are people who won’t appreciate that.” Like V. Like the queen.

“I’m keeping her safe. The last thing you need is for her to fall into the wrong hands.” Again, the slightest hints of disapproval set her on edge.

“I
know.
” She’d classify him and Kevighn as being the
wrong hands.

For a moment Ciarán studied his glass and the liquid within. “It’s such a pretty color, don’t you think?”

“May I
please
have Elise back,
Your Majesty
.” She mimicked her mother in a way she hoped was “forcefully ladylike.”

His lips twitched. “What will you do with her once you have her back?”

Noli blinked. What would she do indeed? It wasn’t as if they could leave Elise at the big house—or take her with them. The last thing she wanted was to put going to university on hold to raise a little girl. They weren’t about to ask the high queen to babysit, either. Quinn was gone. What else could they do?

“Either keep her with us or send her to school in the mortal realm where she’ll be safe,” Noli finally said. Yes, V’s family probably had enough money, and her mother would help find a suitable place. Elise could go to school near wherever she and V went. Her mother also liked Elise. Perhaps she could be the daughter Noli could never be … at least for a little while.

He nodded. “Not, say, take her to her mum or uncle?”

“No.”

The dark king folded his hands in front of him. “I propose a trade.”

“She’s not yours to trade.” Anger bubbled inside her. She
had
to get Elise back. Now.

“Now, what is that mortal saying? About possession and the law?” He gestured to the pub. “This is my territory. You’re just one girl, and a sprite at that.”

Noli crossed her arms over her chest. “What if I just tell her mother? She won’t like this.”

“Do you think she’ll be pleased that she’s here to begin with? Who do you think she’s going to blame, hmm?” He toyed with his glass. “Perhaps not you, but your friends. Do you really want to do that to them? You’re in love with the elder one, aren’t you?”

Her heart skipped a beat. That’s exactly what Tiana would do, too.

“What do you want?” she demanded.

“You stole a gem from the museum in Los Angeles. Bring it to me and we’ll talk.” Ciarán polished off his drink. “Now, I think you should leave before you get into more trouble. You’ll pass to the portal unharmed, as long as you go directly there.”

No,
a voice said. It was the same voice she’d heard before.
Don’t give it to him.

How did he know about it to begin with—or that she had it?

“What gem?” Noli asked. “I don’t have a gem. You must be mistaken.”

“I suppose you don’t want her back, then. I assure you, she’ll be safe and well cared for. My son is quite attached to her.”

Son? That must be the boy with the pale hair and the bow. The dark king as a doting father was also something she hadn’t expected.

No. She couldn’t give him the jewel. But at the same time, they had to get Elise back. Perhaps V had an idea, not that she wanted to leave Elise here.

The dark king gave her an expectant look.

“Why should I trust you?” She eyed him, trying to see him through the shadows of the hooded cloak.

“Can you really afford not to? Besides, I might be able to help you.” His look remained bland, yet expectant, as he leaned his elbow on the bar like they were exchanging pleasantries.

“You know where my father is?” The words just leaked out. As soon as she said them, she realized he was probably referring to her
other
issue.

Ciarán just looked at her, that silence pressing down, whispering unsaid things in her ears. It would be so easy to give him the jewel in exchange for Elise. In fact, V and
James would want to. They didn’t understand. Well,
she
didn’t understand. Still …

“Never mind. I don’t need your help.” She pushed the whispers away. As much as she wanted herself back, she wasn’t ready to deal with monarchs again—beyond getting Elise.

“Don’t you?” His eyebrows rose, but that was all he said.

The silence crushed her, the screaming voices making her flinch.

Finally, he stood. “It’s time for you to go.”

“I want to see her.” She didn’t stand.

“It’s late, she’s asleep.” He nodded toward the door, indicating she needed to leave. Now.

“Why do you want the gem?” There had to be a way to get Elise back without giving it to him. It just didn’t feel right. Even in exchange for Elise.

He took her hand and pulled her up from the stool. “Why do
you
want it?”

“I’m just keeping it safe.” Her mouth clamped shut. Flying figs. She hadn’t meant to admit she had it.

“For whom?” he pried, taking a step toward her.

“Does it matter?” Two could play this game. Wait. If he wanted the gem, did he in fact have other pieces? Could she get those too?

He marched her to the door. “You
can
trust me. Steer clear of Kevighn. You don’t want him, believe me. Stay with your prince.”

The doors closed behind her and suddenly she was alone in the darkness without even the little purple wood faery.

Trust him? Perhaps she could. Unlike the queen, or even Kevighn, nothing about him screamed
disingenuous
. Perhaps he also wanted to protect the jewel. Despite the obvious, everything inside her told her to trust him.

The greater question was, did she
want
to?

Ten

Tempers

Steven sat straight up in bed, a cold sweat blanketing his body. A sense of wrongness crept through him. A glance at the window revealed that it was still night.

He tiptoed down the hall and cracked opened the door. Noli usually kept her things in Elise’s old room when they visited, which was filled with girlish things and paintings of butterflies and flowers. Since she’d been in a bit of a snit tonight, she’d gone to sleep in here instead of in his room.

“Noli, are you all right?” Silence. “Noli?” Steven crept in, not wishing to wake her if she was asleep, but needing to make sure she was all right.

The bed was empty. Where could she be? He checked the library and the adjoining garden. Nothing. Steven trudged out to the faery tree in the middle of the hedge maze since sometimes she liked to visit them when she couldn’t sleep.

No Noli. Where could she be?

Panic rose inside him as he raced to James’ room and threw open the door. “James, Noli’s gone.”

“I’m sleeping, Stio.” James buried his face in his pillow.

He ripped the blankets off James. How could he sleep at a time like this? “We need to find her. Now.”

“She’ll be back soon.” The pillow muffled James’ voice as he grabbed the blanket and yanked it over his head.

Steven’s heart stopped as his brother’s words sank in. “You know where she is?”

“Yeah.”

“Where?” He yanked James out of bed and onto the floor with a thud.

“Ow.” A wounded look crossed his face as he rubbed his arm, looking up from the floor of his messy room.

Remorse filled Steven. “I’m sorry. I … I’m just worried. Where is she?”

James leaned against the bed, still on the floor. “She might be a little different now, but you can’t keep her wrapped in cotton wool.”

“What are you talking about?” He shifted his weight from foot to foot. At the moment he had little patience for his brother’s nonsense. They needed to get Noli. The weapons, clothes, and other things strewn across the room distracted him. The only orderly part of the room was the top of the bureau, which held girlish items. Charlotte’s things.

“She’s not Elise and she’d not dumb. Treat Noli like Noli.” James shook his head. “Also, why were you so mean to her?”

“What? I wasn’t mean. She was the one who was cross.” His nose wrinkled at the thought.

James tilted his head back so it rested on the bed. “Yes, you were. After you found out the tree house belonged to Kevighn you were cold to her all night. Which made her grumpy.”

“No, I was—” Raking a hand through his hair, Steven sighed. Maybe he
had
been a little short with her. “I don’t like to think about the time she spent with … him.” The mere thought made his blood boil.

“Relax.” James rolled his eyes. “Noli loves you, you love her. Trust her. She trusts you.”

Steven plunked down onto the rumpled bed. “You’re right. Kevighn just makes me so … angry. Where did she go?”

“She went to get Elise back.” James stood and yawned, looking a bit like a cat as he stretched. “I’m hungry. Since we’re awake, we should have some food and wait up for her.”

Steven’s jaw dropped. “She
what
? Of all the dumb things.”

“Don’t be a fussy old bodger,” James huffed. “It makes sense. We can’t just walk into dark court, but
she
can
.
She’ll be back with Elise in no time.”

Steven’s mind reeled. “You actually expect Kevighn, Ciarán, or whoever to simply permit her to
take
Elise?”

He couldn’t be that naïve.

“Why not?” James yawned again, then shuffled out of the room.

Ire rose within Steven and he yelled, “Where do you think you’re going?”

“If you’re going to yell at me, yell at me over food,” James called from down the hall.

Steven punched the door frame. How could James have
let
her go? And Noli, how could she just leave? What if …

His knees buckled. What if she went because she
wanted
to see Kevighn?

“Whatever you’re thinking about that’s making you turn that particular color, just stop. Come on, breakfast will be served in the library shortly. I’m sure the girls will be hungry.” James stood in front of him with an amused look on his face. “She’ll be
fine
.”

Without replying, Steven shoved passed him. As he dressed all he could think of was Noli going to see Kevighn alone. Of course she’d sneak off. Guys like Kevighn
always
got the girl. He tugged on his boots, seething inside. What an idiot he was.

He stormed down the hall, plopped down on the settee, and glared at the door. The library was usually his favorite room in the big house, filled with books and memories. Darkness obscured the view outside the big window and the glass door, leading into a small garden. Since their return to the Otherworld, this library in the wing they’d grown up in had become the hub of the house. Right now it held no comfort. He punched the back of the settee.

“Why are you so angry?” James, now dressed, occupied his favorite chair. A breakfast tray sat on the table and he poured himself some tea.

“It’s obvious. Noli wants to be with
him
, not me.” Steven glared.

Tea spurted out of James’ mouth and he laughed, choking on tea. His cheeks flushed as he thumped his chest. “Don’t be an idiot. If Noli didn’t want to be with you, she
wouldn’t
. Certainly, I’d never put up with you treating me the way you do her. Just let it go and grow up.”

“What?” He shot to his feet in a fit of rage. How dare he?

James grabbed his shoulders and
shook
him. “V, snap out of it.”

Steven blinked. What was happening to him? Why
was
he so angry? “What if some dark court fiend hurts her?”

“
For someone who wants to be king you sure don’t understand much about Otherworld politics. No one wants to start a war.” James helped himself to a bowl of hot cereal, steam rising off the top in inviting tendrils.

Unconvinced, Steven sat, anger still sucking at him like leeches. “What if someone
wants
to start a war?”

James glared at him. “She’ll be
fine.
”

With a heavy sigh, Steven picked up a piece of fruit, not wanting to think too much about what James had said. He glowered at his brother. “She better be.”

The cereal, rolls, and tea had grown cold. James snored softly in his chair, one arm covering his face, the other dangling over the side. Steven stared at the doorway, a million feelings swirling and festering inside him as he waited for her to return.

Why did the Bright Lady torture him so?

His father was dead. Quinn was dead. His sister was missing. When he went to seek revenge, his uncle wasn’t there. The love of his life had run off to meet another man.

The weight of his responsibilities threatened to suffocate him. If Tiana hadn’t sent him on that fool’s errand, he would’ve been there when the men came to kill his father. His father—and Quinn—would still be alive.

All Tiana did was ruin his life. His family. She’d even ruined Noli.

Standing, he knocked back over the settee. “I hate you,” he bellowed. “I hate you, I hate you, I hate you.”

Something moved near the door. “I’m sorry. Whatever I did, I’m sorry.”

He turned and saw Noli in the doorway, face crestfallen.

“Noli, where have you been?” Steven rushed to her, his anger fading.

James sat up. “You’re back.” He looked around. “Where is she?”

Her shoulders slumped. Dirt streaked her face and her dress was torn. “I don’t have her.”

“What, Kevighn wouldn’t give her to you for a kiss?” Steven snapped. She’d run off and didn’t even have the decency to bring Elise back?

Noli flinched as if struck.

“Relax, V.” James turned to her. “What happened?”

“Kevighn wasn’t there. Ciarán was. He has her. He said … ” She hiccupped. “He said he’d trade her for the jewel.”

“Oh, all right then. Let’s get the jewel and take it to him.” That seemed simple enough. The last thing Steven wanted was for Elise to get corrupted by the dark court.

She looked up at him, eyes wide. “We can’t give it to him.”

“We can’t leave Elise there. She’s my
sister
.” Anger ignited within him. His sister was worth more than some …
thing.

“But who knows what he’ll do with it. It’s dangerous.” Her lower lip jutted out and her eyes met his.

“The dark court hates Tiana. Who knows what they’ll tell Elise,” Steven retorted. “Whose side are you on?” Sure, the gem was powerful, and probably shouldn’t be in his hands … but the exact same thing could be said about Elise.

“Stop.” James put his hands out as if trying to create a barrier between them. “Why is everyone so angry?”

“Why did you let her run off to meet Kevighn?” Steven snapped, getting in James’ face. “You’re my
brother
.”

“I didn’t
run off
to meet with Kevighn. I went to get Elise. We were out of options,” Noli retorted, voice rising. “What is going on here?”

Steven wanted to tear his hair out. “I can’t believe you. Noli, I thought you loved me.”

“I … I do love you.” Her voice choked. “How could you doubt that?”

Still, he couldn’t staunch the torrents of anger flowing through him. “So, that’s how you show it, by running off? Admit it, you love him.”

“Kevighn? No. I don’t love him. I love
you
, you fussy old bodger.” She frowned, biting her lower lip. “What has gotten into you? I’m sorry I didn’t get Elise, and I know it was stupid to go alone, but it was all I could think of. You know I don’t always think my plans through … ”

He stood in front of her, rage propelling him. “But you didn’t get her back, and now you won’t even give him what he wants—”

“Prince Stiofán, what is going on here?” a female voice snapped. A dainty, green-clad figure rushed past him right toward Noli.

Steven realized his hand was raised as if to strike. Aunt Dinessa’s small body curled protectively around Noli as she glared at him. Her blond hair hung nearly to the hem of her deep green dress.

“I … I’m sorry, Aunt Dinessa.” His cheeks burned as his arm dropped to his side. Where
was
all this anger coming from? It wasn’t like him.

“Good.” Aunt Dinessa gave him a scolding look, her body still blocking Noli from him. “There’s so much yelling in this room, I thought I’d happened upon a den of fire court ruffians by mistake. Earth court princes mind their tempers. Certainly they don’t strike someone they love.” Her eyes narrowed, voice filled with rebuke.

His shoulders slumped as he watched Noli sob into Aunt Dinessa’s dress. She was right, even though he never actually hit Noli, his behavior was unacceptable, especially given his age and station. What
had
gotten into him?

“I … I’m sorry, Noli. I’m so sorry,” he apologized.

“Now what is going on here?” Aunt Dinessa’s green eyes bore into him in a way that reminded him so much of his father.

Steven sighed, fearful she’d tell Brogan. “It’s complicated.”

“I might be Brogan’s twin, but I’m not him,” Aunt Dinessa retorted. “My politics haven’t changed much since you left; if anything, my beliefs have gotten stronger.”

“
Why are you here, Aunt Dinessa? Not that we don’t love to see you,” James said, turning on the charm. “Should I call for tea? This is cold.”

Her eyes went alight with mischief. “I snuck out to tell you that Brogan returned late last night. I … ” Her expression went bashful, cheeks pinking. “I wished to see if I could still do it—sneak out, that is. Brogan forgets that just because I’m a grown woman, it doesn’t mean I don’t remember all those ways out of the palace we discovered as children.”

“You always know the best things,” James replied.

“Why don’t I help Noli get dressed and we can all go together,” Aunt Dinessa offered.

Steven’s eyes fell on Noli, who looked up at him with betrayal etched on her pretty face. Still, he couldn’t quite get past the curtain of anger.

“You don’t have to go, Noli.” He felt the need to say it. However, since Dinessa didn’t know the true purpose of their visit, having Noli join them would be useful.

Noli’s eyes narrowed in defiance. “Why?”

“Don’t mind V, he’s being an idiot.” James waved his hand in Steven’s direction. “We’ll go see Uncle Brogan and figure everything out later.”

Sniffing, she nodded, still looking so … wounded.

Aunt Dinessa gave him a pointed look, one that reminded him of his father, and turned her attentions to Noli. “Noli, will you show me your room? I lived in this wing when I was a girl.”

After the women left the library, James strode over and punched him in the arm.

For a moment, Steven just stared at him. “Whose side are you on?”

“There are no sides, moron. Don’t lose Noli. She’s the best thing to ever happen to you. Now get your sword,” James snapped.

He rubbed his arm, trying to understand James’ mood. “What about Elise? We can’t just leave her there.”

“We’ll go take care of Uncle Brogan, then get Elise.” James shook his head. “I don’t understand the thing with the gem. We should bring it with us and make the trade. Yes, it’s dangerous, but is it more dangerous than Elise in dark court hands?”

Steve nodded in agreement. “You as the voice of reason disturbs me. But yes, I’ll get the jewel and my sword.”

Elise opened her eyes. Aodhan hovered above her, yellow eyes wide.

“What’s wrong?” Elise sat up, trying not to bump heads. She had her own room right next to his. She’d made them a connecting door by talking to the boards. He’d promised not to tell anyone. It was nice having a secret with someone her own age.