Fragile Destiny (The Aether Chronicles) (29 page)

“I … I’m glad you’re back, Mr. Braddock.” V put an arm around Noli’s waist, then dropped it, cheeks pinking. “Um … ”

“Oh dear, this should be fun,” James laughed.

“Papa, you remember Steven and James Darrow, don’t you?” she said. The look on V’s face made her want to laugh; he flushed all the way to his hairline.

V took a deep breath. “Iwanttomarryyourdaughter. IwasgoingtoaskJeffbutnowthatyou’reback … ”

Her father took a step back, bewilderment crossing his face. “Are you that old, Noli?”

“I … I’m seventeen.” Noli’s cheeks warmed. She hadn’t expected V to blurt it out so. “Steven’s taken care of me all those years you were away.”

Her father’s eyebrows rose. “Why are you all carrying swords … and why are you
here
? No one will tell me much, but I’m pretty certain we’re … elsewhere.”

“We are.” She gulped. “We’re in the place aether comes from. Some people can cross back and forth. V and I are among them. It’s … it’s a bit of a story.”

“I see.” A haunted look took up residence in his eyes. “I suppose much has happened since we’ve been gone?”

“It has.” More than she ever hoped he’d know. It would just hurt him. “But you’re fine. And soon … soon I’ll take you to Mama.”

“Do you find the exchange satisfactory?” Ciarán looked smug—and amused.

“I do, Your Majesty.” She couldn’t stop grinning.

“Your father was missing?” Aodhan came over to her. “I’m glad you have him back.”

“I’m glad your uncle is good at finding people.” Noli patted Aodhan on the head. “You be a good boy for your father and uncle.”

Aodhan nodded.

“If I may.” Ciarán jerked his head to a corner.

Noli glanced over at her father, who was in deep conversation with V and James, then joined Ciarán.

“I think it would be best to wipe their memories of all of this,” Ciarán murmured. “They’ve had traumatic experiences while here in the Otherworld. Also, I’m not certain how much you want your mortal parents to know … about everything … ”

She sighed. He had a point, though she wasn’t sure she liked the idea of mucking with their minds.

“All right, but what
will
they remember? There’s no way to hide that they were gone for so many years,” she said.

“They’ll recall being caught in the aether, Kevighn finding them, and then returning to Los Angeles—well, the other two will. Your father will remember being reunited with you. But this … ” Ciarán gestured to the pub. “Not to mention everything else they’ve heard and seen.”

“Caught in the aether?” Noli cocked her head, pondering that. It could work.

“That’s close to the truth. They were found in a pocket of wild magic, so to them it felt as if days had passed, not years, which is why they haven’t aged. I think it would be best, especially for the woman. She’s not very … strong … ” Ciarán glanced over at Etta, who looked a bit bewildered.

“She’s more one for facts and figures than stories. People like that don’t enjoy having their realities challenged,” Noli agreed. “So, you’ll return Ned and Etta to Los Angeles, and my father—”

“Excuse me, Your Majesty.” V put his hand on her shoulder, his eyes dancing. “Noli, he said
yes
.”

“He did? Oh, V.” She threw her arms around him. “I … I have my father back.”

“I’m so glad.” V held her tight. “That will also make things easier for your mother … she’ll have him … since … ”

“Oh, right.” Reality hit her. “Yes.” She’d just gotten her father back, after all these years, and now she’d barely see him.

V cupped her face in his hands. “Cheer up. He’s back. We’ll visit. I promise.”

She gulped, her throat growing tight from so many feelings all at once. “I know. So … what do we do … if we erase his memory we can’t head back to the palace … ”

“I suppose we’ll just head to your mother’s a little early.” V smiled bashfully. “That’s why we’ve been working so hard, so that I can take you to Boston. We can’t stay long, but you can have Christmas with your parents and see your brother get married.”

Tears leaked out of her eyes as she held V tight. “Can James get Elise and meet us there? I don’t want them to feel left out.”

V planted a kiss on top of her head. “James can also put your toolbox in your workshop where it belongs and bring Elise her valise.”

“Oh, Elise will be excited about that. I can’t wait to see my mother dote on Elise.” Noli’s fingers traced his jaw. She really ought to give the toolbox back to her father …

Ciarán cleared his throat, reminding them of the task at hand. “Excuse me, but have you decided how you’d like to proceed, Your Grace?”

Christmas. She was about to spend Christmas with her mother and father, with Jeff and Vix, James and Elise … and V. When surrounded by those you loved most, who needed presents?

She exchanged a look with V. “Yes, yes we have.”

It was time to give her mother the best Christmas gift ever.

Twenty-Eight

The Best Presents

“It’s your move, Uncle Kevighn.” Aodhan grinned. They sat on the floor of the sitting room, the game board on a low table between them.

Kevighn studied the pieces on the board, then looked to Ciarán for help, since he never was good at this game. Ciarán shook his head, hiding his smile.

With a huff, Kevighn moved a piece, hoping the move was a good one. “They were kind to you?”

“Did you know the earth court palace is made from living trees?” Aodhan moved his piece, cheerfully capturing Kevighn’s. “They were very nice. I spent most of my time with Elise and Miri. The room I slept in belonged to Elise’s older brother. I … I never know what to call them. Why do they have so many names? I like Noli a lot, and Miri.” He laughed. “She’s so funny.”

“Who’s Miri?” Kevighn pondered which piece to move. Already he had fewer pieces on the board than Aodhan.

Aodhan shrugged. “She’s a sprite. She’s Noli’s nursemaid and friend.”

“Noli’s
nursemaid
?” Kevighn snorted as he moved a piece, rethought the move, and went a different way.

“Noli says handmaidens are nursemaids for grown-up girls.” Aodhan moved his own piece, capturing the piece Kevighn just moved.

That sounded like something Noli might say.

“I think Miri’s the sprite,” Ciarán said from his perch on the settee behind him. “As in, when Magnolia was the sprite … I still don’t understand it.” His hand rested on Kevighn’s shoulder.

“I do.” Kevighn nodded slowly, moving one of his pieces away from Aodhan’s. “When Tiana made Magnolia a sprite there
was
a sprite inside her, two spirits sharing one body. The sprite would take over Noli’s body, sometimes, when we were on the airship together. It was … odd. But how did she get her own form?”

Ciarán shook his head. “As much as I pretend, I really don’t know everything.”

“Father, you won’t let anyone kill me, will you?” Aodhan asked suddenly, looking up at Ciarán in earnest.

“Did someone say they would?” Outrage flashed in Ciarán’s eyes, though his features remained carefully schooled.

Kevighn wasn’t as politic. “Who said that? Tell me.”

“No one. Noli had a book she was reading, and I … I read it. I think … ” He chewed on his lower lip. “I think my father wrote it. It was a diary of a man married to a woman named Creideamh. She was my mother, wasn’t she?”

Quinn kept a diary?

“Yes. Creideamh was your mother,” Kevighn replied, mixed feelings rising inside him. “You look just like her—except for your hair. Who wrote the diary?”

“His name was Quinn. It said that the old earth king killed my mother because she had the wrong magic.” Aodhan’s eyes misted but he didn’t cry. “I have the wrong magic. Will they kill me too? What about Elise? She has the wrong magic as well.”

Kevighn sighed and looked at Ciarán. He didn’t know what to say. At least, not things that could be said in front of children. Not to mention that he shouldn’t disparage Aodhan’s father in front of him.

“Quinn was your father, yes. He gave you to us to keep you safe. Kevighn and I won’t allow
anyone
to harm you.” Ciarán’s voice went quiet. “Things are complicated. Technically, you’re allowed to have your magic. This is hard to prove, but we will if necessary. ”

Kevighn looked at Ciarán, surprised. “What do you mean?”

“Think, Kevighn. Who’s Quinn’s half-brother?” Ciarán made a face.

Mathias. Who was of the high queen’s house, where having multiple magic was allowed—to some extent. Quinn’s father was high court, but Quinn was never officially accepted, just shunted off to the earth court. It was therefore easier to condemn Quinn’s babe than prove that the child was allowed to possess multiple gifts through Quinn’s lineage. Maybe. The law got touchy when it came to boys.

Not that any of this would have helped his sister.

“This is all too complicated for me,” Kevighn said. “I’m just glad the monarchs don’t understand
how
many
people have multiple magics, especially in the high court. Mass executions are the last thing we need right now.”

“Kevighn.” Ciarán’s voice went stern.

Kevighn saw the look on Aodhan’s face and sighed. “I … I’m sorry. Yes, your mother died because of her magic. But she wanted you to live. Quinn, too.” That was the one thing that redeemed Quinn in his mind.

“Is Quinn dead? Was he the same Quinn that tutored Elise?” Aodhan asked.

“Yes,” Kevighn said.

The boy didn’t seem too concerned about Quinn’s death. Good. He’d save the details of that event for another day. But then, he didn’t
actually
kill Quinn … the man would have died anyway. He’d just put him out of his misery.

“I know you’ll protect me until I can protect myself.” Aodhan smiled. “But … ” The smile faded. “What about Elise?”

“Elise will be fine. Magnolia will protect her,” Kevighn assured him.

“They have a hound. May I have a hound?” Aodhan shot them a pleading look, changing the subject in the way only a child could.

“We’ll see. You’ve heard a lot of things. Do you have any questions for me?” Ciarán joined them around the table, game abandoned.

“Are you really a king? How can you be the king of darkness? You can’t make things dark.” Aodhan cocked his head as if pondering this. “You will have good relations with Noli’s court, won’t you, so that Elise and I can remain friends?”

“I am king, yes,” Ciarán said slowly. “I never told you this because I wanted protect you.”

Aodhan nodded. “Like Elise didn’t know she was a princess, to protect her. I … I understand.”

“You do? I’m glad.” Ciarán smiled.

Sadness stabbed Kevighn in the chest. Yes, this was Creideamh’s child. She, too, quietly understood such things, while he would have raged and yelled. Perhaps thrown a chair.

“As for what I’m king of … you understand how courts have opposites, don’t you?” Ciarán asked. Aodhan nodded. “The dark court is the opposite of the high court. I don’t control darkness any more than Queen Tiana controls light. While she was born to the position, I, being her opposite, had to
take
it. The high queen is always a woman; the dark king is always a man.”

Aodhan thought for moment, then nodded. “Oh, good, so I don’t have to be a king then. I’m not sure I want to. There are a lot of meetings. They make Noli cranky.”

Kevighn couldn’t help but laugh. Yes, Magnolia didn’t like to sit still.

“We’re still your family, Aodhan.” Ciarán reached out and squeezed his shoulder.

“I know. I’m glad I’m home. I missed you.” Aodhan gave them a smile that lit up his entire face. “Uncle Kevighn, can we go hunting tomorrow?”

“
Of course we can. Perhaps we’ll bring your father … he was the one who taught me how to hunt.” Kevighn looked over at Ciarán. “He taught me a lot of things. Much more than I give him credit for.”

Like how to live again.

Kevighn’s hand went to his sigil. Yes, this was where he belonged. With his family. With Aodhan and Ciarán, leading the dark court and the Otherworld into a new era. Ready or not.

“Aodhan, I … I have a present for you,” Kevighn added. Yes, it was time to pass it on.

“You do?” Aodhan bounced up and down. “What is it?”

“It’s very special. It belonged to your mother. But you must take good care of it.”

“I will, I promise. What is it?”

“We need to go there.” Kevighn stood and looked at Ciarán. “Can we go there now?”

Ciarán rose. “I think that’s a great idea. I’ll have Luce make us a picnic.”

“What’s this cabin, Uncle Kevighn?” Aodhan asked as they entered his lands.

“My house.” He should get a few more things while they were here.

The boy frowned. “Won’t you be staying with us?”

“He will. He and your mother lived here and sometimes he uses it as a base and a workshop,” Ciarán assured him.

They walked past the cabin and entered the gardens, overgrown and wild, having no one to care for them.

“Your gardens need work, Uncle.” Aodhan ran over to the roses. “Did you know Noli likes roses?”

“Yes, she does.” Kevighn kept walking so he wouldn’t think about Magnolia. That was the past, and he needed to live in the present because there was so much for him to live for. They walked through the gardens to Creideamh’s grove.

“This was your mother’s grove,” Kevighn told him. “It’s now yours. But you need to care for it.” This grove held so many memories.

“Of course I will. But … how do I care for it?” Aodhan looked at the grove curiously.

“Let me show you.” Kevighn took his hand and they crossed through the ring of trees. There sat her tree house, ringed by the star blooms Magnolia had planted.

Aodhan looked up at the tree house and gasped. “This …
this is mine? All mine? Oh, Uncle Kevighn it’s the best present ever!”

Tiny wood faeries appeared, looking at them curiously. A blue one sat on Aodhan’s shoulder.

“This is Aodhan, Creideamh’s son. This is his tree house now,” Kevighn told the wood fairies who swarmed them, lighting up the grove.

A yellow one flew over and landed on Aodhan’s nose. He went cross-eyed and laughed. “Hello. I’ll take good care of it. I promise.” Aodhan looked up. “May I go in?”

Kevighn gestured to it. “Go ahead.”

He and Ciarán watched as Aodhan scrambled into the house and explored, the wood faeries giving him the tour.

“You’re smiling.” Ciarán stood close, their arms brushing.

Joy at hearing laughter once again coming from that tree house filled him with happiness. “I’m happy. I … I haven’t been truly happy in a long time.”

He hadn’t realized that until this very moment.

Aodhan popped his head out the window and waved. “Hi!”

“Look at him.” Ciarán put an arm around his waist. “Things aren’t perfect—they never are. But you have a lot to be happy about. And contrary to whatever you might believe, you
do
deserve to be happy.”

“I do, don’t I?” For too long, he’d relied on vices to forget; too long had he shirked his duties, too long had he hurt the people he loved—and who loved him. Too long had he felt that being happy would be an affront to the memory of his sister; that he didn’t deserve to be happy because he hadn’t been able to protect her.

“You do,” Ciarán said.

Kevighn turned and faced him. “Thank you,” he said softly. “For showing me the error of my ways, for being patient, for welcoming me back after I left. I … ”

Ciarán shook his head. “You owe me no debt. I have all I need. I hope that you’ve realized you have all you need, too.”

Kevighn gazed at Ciarán, then looked over to the tree house and nodded. “Yes. It took me a while, but yes, I do.”

He was ready to start his new life. After all these years of just existing, it was finally time for him to live.

Noli clutched V’s hand as they all rode in a motorcab to Grandfather Montgomery’s house. Ned and Etta had been returned to their homes.

Her father looked out the window and frowned. “This doesn’t look like Los Angeles.”

“No, Papa. We took the airship from Los Angeles to Boston because Mama’s here,” Noli reminded him. Ciarán had told her that her father would be a little disoriented from the forget-spell. As much as she hated lying to him, it was for the best.

“Oh, I see.” He frowned, and rubbed his chin, which badly needed a shave. “The doctor said it would take a few days for my head to clear after being stuck in the aether, didn’t he? I’m having trouble keeping everything straight.”

“Yes, Papa.” There’d been no doctor any more than there’d been an airship.

“I can’t wait to see your mother.” His eyes glowed, then he frowned. “It’s nearly Christmas, isn’t it? I don’t have a present for her.”

She patted his shoulder. “You’re the best present she could ask for.”

The car pulled up the drive at Grandfather Montgomery’s, a grand house with columns and a large porch with a swing on it.

Papa frowned. “What about our home in Los Angeles?”

“It’s Jeff’s home now,” she replied, giving his hand a squeeze.

He gave a little sigh. “I did love that house. I don’t think the firm will have my job anymore. Your mother always did love Boston more; perhaps we’ll just stay here.”

“I think she’d like that.” She squeezed her father’s hand. If her parents stayed in Boston, that could make things a little easier for her and V. Maybe.

They climbed out of the motorcab, all in mortal dress. The driver got their bags. The motorcab drove off and they walked up the drive.

Taking a deep breath she knocked on the door.
Here goes nothing.

The door cracked open and Jameson, Grandfather’s ancient butler, peered out. He blinked. “Ah, Miss Noli. Please, come in.”

Her insides bubbled with excitement. “Is Mama here?”

“Noli, you’re here.” The door flew all the way open, and Mama came out onto the porch in a pretty navy afternoon dress, a big smile on her face. She looked much more rested and more like the mother she remembered than when they’d lived in Los Angeles.

Yes, Jeff had been right. Letting Mama go had been the right choice.

And now … now she had Papa to keep her company.

“Are you all better now, Noli? You look pale still. I was so worried. But why did you return to Los Angeles to rest? You’re welcome here.” Mama hugged Noli to her.

“Well, Mama … you see … I had to get a special present and bring it here for you.” Noli’s heart thumped in her ears. “I got an aethergraph from San Francisco and so V and I went up and now … ” She gestured to her father. “Merry Christmas, Mama.”

Her mother’s pale jaw dropped, blue eyes going wide as a pale hand flew to her delicate mouth. She began to tremble. “Henry?”

“I told you he’d come back, Mama. I told you.” Noli wanted to jump up and down in happiness. She’d been
right.