Fragile Destiny (The Aether Chronicles) (12 page)

“Uncle Kevighn and Father are fighting.” His face crumpled as he sat on her bed. “Also … ”

“What?” She put a hand on his arm. Aodhan was odd, but sweet and kind. If only her brothers were more like him.

“She came last night.” His eyes shone with several emotions.

“Who?” Elise cocked her head.

“Noli.” He looked away. “Father told me not to tell you, that it would make you upset.”

“Noli came and left?” It felt like being stabbed. Noli. James. Steven. Father. No one ever had time for her.

“She did. I saw her. You were asleep.” Aodhan nodded. “Uncle Kevighn and Father are fighting about her. I know where she is. Perhaps we can go to her.”

Elise wrapped her arms around herself. “Why? They don’t want me.”

No one wanted her but Quinn … and he wasn’t here.

Aodhan put a tentative arm around her. “I want you.”

She buried her face in his arm. Sometimes she got so lonely. “It’s nice to have a friend.”

“I’ll always be your friend.” He snuggled close to her. “I … I can’t hear all the fighting, but it sounds like Father sent Noli away without letting her see you.”

Elise blinked, betrayal slicing through her. “Why would he do that?”

“Because she’s bad for Uncle Kevighn?” His face scrunched as if he were repeating words he didn’t understand.

“What does that mean?” she asked. Why would Noli leave her here? Weren’t she and Uncle Kevighn friends? Though her father didn’t approve of Noli, either.

He shrugged. “I have no idea. Who is she, anyway?”

“She’s going to marry my older brother. Noli’s quite nice, and has a tree house, and lives on the other side of the fence.” Elise thought for a moment. Noli was like an older sister. She wouldn’t leave her here without good reason. “Do you know where she is? Do you know how to get to Los Angeles?” That would be faster than waiting for her to return.

“Noli went to the House of Oak. Is that in Los Angeles?” His forehead furrowed.

Elise thought for a moment.
House of Oak. House of Oak.
She closed her eyes, picturing a grand house with large trees. A memory emerged.

“We lived there, a long time ago, before we moved to Los Angeles,” she whispered. “It’s … it’s so different there. Did you know that in Los Angles not everyone has magic? In fact, we have to hide it from the mortals.”

Aodhan’s jaw dropped. “You lived in the
mortal realm
? I want to go there so badly.”

“Mortal realm?” That sounded so … odd.

“There’s our realm, the Otherworld. Then there’s the mortal realm. Think of them as books on a shelf with no bookends. Parallel and independent, but if something happens to one, they all fall down. We have magic, mortals don’t,” he explained.

“Oh. So, there’s more than an ocean between the Otherworld and the mortal realm?” She really didn’t understand everything that had happened when she was young, and no one ever explained it to her. Actually, she thought where they lived was overseas, like Europe.

“You have to take a portal. Did you come through the portal with Uncle Kevighn?”

Portal? “I took a tree.”

“A tree is a portal,” he said. “Not all trees are portals, but all portals are trees. Is there a portal near the House of Oak? We can find Noli. She’s not alone—”

“My brothers!” Her excitement faded. Once again, Noli and her brothers were on some adventure without her. “I never get to go on adventures. I never get to do
anything.
” She pouted.

“Why don’t we sneak out, have an adventure, and find them?” Aodhan asked. “If they’re not there, we’ll just come back.”

As much as she liked the idea, a frown tugged at her lips. “Won’t we get in trouble?”

Aodhan grinned. “Probably.”

“All right then. After all, my brother James always says if you don’t get in trouble, it’s probably not worth doing.” She grinned back. Finally, an adventure of her own.

“He sounds fun. Let’s sneak out while they’re still fighting.” He stood and offered her a hand up.

They got a few things and crept down the stairs. Elise couldn’t help but giggle.

“Shhh.” Aodhan put a finger to his lips.

They snuck out through the big kitchen where Grandma Luce worked. She often gave them treats. They looked both ways to see if anyone saw them.

When they went outside, she gazed up at the pink sky. “Why is the sky not blue?”

“The high queen makes the sky, and this queen likes pink.” He gestured to it.

“Oh.” That seemed … arbitrary. “Can we use magic here? I’m not supposed to use magic back home unless I’m having a magic lesson.”

“Of course you can.” He looked back and forth, checking to see if anyone watched. “All right, let’s make a run for it. On three?”

She took his offered hand. “On three. Let’s go have an adventure.”

Eleven

Actions and Reactions

Kevighn just stared in disbelief at his best friend. Had he misheard? “Ciarán—”

“I’m saying this because I care about you
, stay away from the girl
. You don’t actually have feelings for her. You’re just in it for the hunt. You’re not a failure if you don’t catch her.” Ciarán gave him a stern look from the other side of his desk.

“I’m not in it for the hunt.” He made a face right back. “You’re the one who told me to get the gem from her.” Kevighn’s arms crossed over his chest, tired of arguing. He’d just missed Magnolia’s departure from the pub. And she’d been
alone.
Blasted odd time conversion between the realms. Sometimes it was moments, other times hours or days.

“A mistake. But … ” Ciarán held out his hand in an empty gesture. “Now the girl will bring the gem to me.”

“Are you actually going to allow Elise to go with Magnolia? It could work. She’s on our side, and she’d be a good ally. She hates Tiana. We could entrust her with protecting Elise, making sure the girl is brought up properly so that when it’s time for her to take her place as high queen, she’s not twisted and broken but pure and good. Not to mention, Magnolia can probably get us the pieces of the staff that Brogan has.” Kevighn’s mind spun as he considered the possibilities. Yes, this could work.

Ciarán rubbed his chin, one elbow on the desk. “How do you know we can trust her?”

He rolled his eyes. “Use your magic.” That’s what got him to where he was—his ability to see into people’s souls.

“We’ll see.” Someone called for Ciarán and he stood. “Why don’t you find Aodhan and take him hunting or fishing? I haven’t been able to give him much attention lately.”

“You keep him very … sheltered.” Kevighn stood, too. Aodhan didn’t even realize that the man he called “father” was leader of the dark court.

Hurt flashed in Ciarán’s eyes. “I was waiting for you. I didn’t want to take too many liberties.”

Kevighn rubbed his temples and sighed. “I’ll take the children out for a while … if you’ll find something interesting for me to do. I’m so bored
I’m
willing to sneak into the earth court palace and steal the pieces Brogan has.”

Not that he minded spending time with Aodhan; however, with everything brewing, he wanted to be useful. He went down the hall and through the secret passage to the private living areas.

“Aodhan? Elise? Who wants to go hunting?” he called. Nothing. He listened for giggles and running feet as he checked their rooms and the playroom. No one. Perhaps they’d gone to the kitchen for a snack.

In the kitchen, Luce hunched over the stew pot, reigning over her little dominion.

“Have you seen the children?” His nose twitched in appreciation. Whatever she was cooking smelled delicious, but that was where her magic lay.

Luce shook her head. “They’re probably off playing. Aodhan is happy for a playmate.”

“True.” His belly growled. “May I have some, please?”

“Of course.” She handed him a bowl of stew and a hunk of hot bread.

Taking a stool, he sat down. He’d have something to eat while waiting for them to return.

Noli stared up at the incredible tree-palace as she followed V, James, and Aunt Dinessa. It never ceased to amaze her. Giant wooden spires and turrets shot high into the air. They and the entire palace were
formed of trees
, oak trees taller than even the rowans guarding it. The palace reminded her of a giant, grandiose version of Creideamh’s tree house. Guards patrolled along the top. A moat encircled it, the tree-palace’s giant, gnarled roots gripping the ground to form the moat’s bridge.

Aunt Dinessa had been very protective, staying close to her and shooting V dark glances. What had gotten into V? When his hand had risen to strike, it was as if some other man had gazed out from his eyes.

Dinessa led them to a secret entrance.

Noli …

Noli looked around. It was that voice again. What did it want from her?

We should take the shinies while we’re here,
the sprite told her.

What?
That would be stealing.

It’s protecting. We can do it while the boys are busy.

Hmm. Considering she was angry with V, it could be just the thing. She could protect the pieces
and
get revenge on Brogan for everything he’d done—to her, V, and James.

Aunt Dinessa rubbed Noli’s hand. “Don’t worry; we’ll have cake for breakfast while the boys speak with Brogan.”

“Of course.” She needed to keep up the charade that this was a social call, not the prelude to a duel. However, Brogan would probably expect it.

Cake for breakfast? I like her,
the sprite replied.
Maybe she’ll have green cakes.

Noli’s favorite cakes were the green ones sometimes served in the Otherworld; they tasted of marzipan and were filled with cream.

I like her too,
Noli replied. Dinessa was caring, kind, considerate, compassionate. Everything Brogan and Tiana weren’t. She was also quite dainty and graceful, reminding Noli of a person-sized wood faery. It was difficult to believe Dinessa and Brogan were twins.

Noli’s sword bumped under her cloak. Dinessa frowned, but she didn’t say anything. After all, the boys had theirs.

Noli shot V a look as they walked. He’d ignored her for the entire journey. How could he believe she loved Kevighn? Idiot.

Dinessa opened a door. “Noli and I will be in the tea garden. You go find your uncle.”

“Of course,” V replied. Without so much as a glance at Noli, he led James through the door. She and Dinessa climbed one more flight of stairs.

“Boys are dumb,” Noli muttered, feeling the tiniest bit guilty at not staying by V’s side.

Dinessa nodded and opened another door. “Yes, they are.”

The moment they entered the suite of rooms swathed in green, a door flew open.

“Dinessa, where have you been?” Brogan demanded.

Unlike the last time Noli had seen him, when he’d been in gentleman’s dress, Brogan wore Otherworld clothing, complete with a green velvet waistcoat. He wasn’t wearing a sword that she could see. He didn’t seem to notice Noli, so she stood very still, hoping it would stay that way.

“Your nephews have come to visit,” Dinessa replied, nonplussed. “They’re in the green sitting room. You should greet them.”

“I hardly think so.” He glowered, his green eyes narrowing. His hair was a curly dark blond like James’, and he had the same build and features as Mr. Darrow.

“Always so grumpy in the morning. Let’s find them.” Dinessa put an arm around his waist, in a gesture so soft and tender it seemed wasted on the likes of Brogan. She shot a look at Noli that clearly said
I’ll be right back.

They left, and Noli felt a sigh of relief shudder through her. She was grateful that Brogan hadn’t noticed her.

Let’s find the shinies. They’re close. I can hear them,
the sprite urged.

She could? If sprites were smarter they could take over the Otherworld.

That would be no fun, rulers think too much,
she retorted.

Um hmm.
All right, lead on, but you can only have the body until we find them.

Will my body be pretty? I want to be pretty. I want my own name, too.

Why don’t you think of one then?
Noli replied as they crept out the door they’d come through and into another room, the sprite in charge of the body.

Can’t you hear them singing?
the sprite asked.

Noli didn’t hear anything. The sprite led her through a series of connecting rooms, then stopped.

We’re here,
the sprite whispered
.

Noli felt herself take possession of the body. The room she stood in was masculine, yet opulent. The wooden walls were hung with tapestries and swaths of silk. Thick rugs carpeted the floor. A desk sat in the corner. There was a case of books and papers.

Brogan had an office? But being a king wasn’t all duels and parties.

Now, where would he keep the pieces?

Behind the curtain, of course. Tricky.

What?
Noli walked to the nearest tapestry. On it was a giant golden lady surrounded with flames. The Bright Lady?
Behind here?
Carefully, she peeked behind the tapestry. Nothing but a smooth wall. She put her hand on the smoothness. Something pulsed under her palm.
Reveal your secrets, please?

A knothole appeared. She reached inside and pulled out a silken bag. Still hidden partially by the tapestry, like she was hiding behind the parlor curtains, she peeked in the bag. Golden pieces winked at her. A breath hissed from between her teeth. Yes. She reached in the hole again and pulled out a small, battered book. Quinn’s missing research. Excellent. The book went in her handbag and the bag she attached to one of the loops of her under-bust corset. The golden sword bumped against her hip. Her hand hovered over the knothole.
Hide yourself.
The wall grew flat.

Noli ducked out from behind the tapestry. Now, to find Dinessa and have some cake.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Brogan stared at her. “I wondered who those little feet belonged to. They’re far too dainty to belong to my nephews—and they’re too smart to steal from me.”

Caught.
Fear rooted her to the ground.

“I got lost,” she stammered, grasping for words, trying to figure out how to get away.

He held out his hand, an expectant look on his face. “Give me what you took, little thief, and I’ll have your hands instead of your head.”

“These are not for the likes of you.” Noli bolted out the nearest open door.

“Stop, I command you,” he bellowed.

Noli found herself in what must be Brogan’s bedroom. The only way out she could spy was a balcony and the doorway she’d just come through. She went onto the balcony and hid, back pressed against the wall, hoping he’d leave.

“I know you’re there.” He stepped onto the balcony. “Who do you work for, little sprite? Ciarán?”

Not knowing what else to do, she unsheathed the sword James had given her. She took a deep breath.
Pointy end first.

Noli jumped out and slashed at Brogan, cutting his sleeve. Droplets of blood decorated the thin gash on his arm.

“Treachery,” he yelped, stepping toward the edge of the balcony. “Guards!”

“I don’t think so.” Noli hopped so she stood between him and the doorway, drops of his blood glistening on her metal blade. “No one hurts my family—and that includes V.” She slashed at him again, this time catching him in the chest. “You made me ill. You killed V’s father and Quinn, and you tried to hurt Elise.”

He held out his hand and threw her across the room without touching her, like he had aboard the Vixen’s Revenge. She flew through the doorway of the bedroom and hit the floor with a thud. The sword skittered across the floor toward the giant bed, inches from her grasp.

“What if I did?” He gave a chuckle more suited to a mad scientist in a penny dreadful than a king. “Also, remember, I’m hardly defenseless, little sprite,” he growled, entering the bedroom. “You’re a dreadful swordswoman.”

Brogan towered over her, putting a boot in the center of her chest when she tried to roll over and get the sword.

“I still know what you did—not just to myself and them, but with the artifact and what you’re going to do with it,” Noli spat, trying to creep over to the sword so she could cut the muscles in his legs and escape.

“Do you now? That will go with you to your grave. Stealing from me was a mistake. The last one you’ll ever make.” He took a long knife from his belt, one she hadn’t noticed before.

Noli stretched out, fingers brushing the hilt of her sword.
Almost there.
She taunted him, buying herself time as she scooted across the rug: “How could you do that to your own family?”

Green eyes danced with madness. “You have no idea. If you only knew … ”

“She’s lying.” Noli’s hand gripped the sword’s hilt.
Victory.
“Whatever Tiana promised you, it’s a lie.”

“What’s going on here?” Dinessa called from outside the room.

“You know not of what you speak. I can hardly expect the likes of you to understand.” Brogan dove at her with his knife.

“Brogan, no.” Dinessa ran in with a flurry of skirts.

At the same time, Noli thrust her sword up, trying to protect herself from his blade with her own. A squelch and two cries pierced the air. Looking up, she saw Brogan’s eyes bulge, her sword through his heart; blood was spurting everywhere like a demented fountain. Dinessa gazed at her, eyes wide, blood spreading across her pretty green dress.

“Dinessa!” Noli scrambled up. What was going on?

“Take the land,” Dinessa whispered, hand over her heart, blood flowing over her pale fingers. “You have to deal a death blow and take the land or there could be a war.”

“But you … ” Horror spread through Noli—she hadn’t meant to hurt Dinessa. She liked her. Why was Dinessa bleeding when she’d stabbed
Brogan
?

Dinessa nodded slowly. “We’re twins. That’s why he keeps me here, a near-prisoner.”

Noli still didn’t understand. She knew they were twins, but what was the connection? Her attention turned to Brogan, who was trying unsuccessfully to plug the holes in his body, his face contorted in dismay as he propped himself up on the corner of the bed.

Voices yelled in the distance.

“Listen to me, Noli. You need to spill your blood on the ground, plunge the sword into the drops, invoke the Bright Lady’s name, and take the land.” Dinessa sank to the ground, fading. “Hurry. I believe in you.”

“I’m sorry.” Tears blurred Noli’s vision. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.” She still didn’t understand.