Page 129 of First Light

She could barely speak for her teeth chattering. “He thinks that s-since Seren and Lachlan l-loved each other in this world, that he and I should have f-fallen in love in the Brightlands.” She wrapped her cloak around her as much as she could, grateful and also horrified at how fast Cadell could fly.

He is not wrong. Fate is not written in stone, but souls draw together on either side of the gates. Many Shadowkin marry the same person as their Brightkin in your world.

“That d-doesn’t mean we’re… f-fated or anything.”

Your fate is your own, Nêrys. And somehow you hold qualities of the sun and the shadow. This is why we can speak. That means your fate is far more fluid than most.

“So I f-fit n-nowhere. G-great.”

You are cold.

“I am freezing.”

This is why coracles were invented.

“Well, we don’t have one r-right now, d-do we?”

A moment later, she saw Cadell’s belly begin to glow with fire, and his skin radiated a massive heat that didn’t cut the bite of the wind, but it did make the flight tolerable.

They flew over the hills and dipped down in the valleys, making the journey back to Sgàin in minutes rather than hours.

“Duncan said you were being petty, making us take horses to see her.”

I do not know this word.

She had to smile. “Yes, you do.”

They circled over the castle, but instead of landing in the courtyard like she expected, Cadell banked to the left and swung back, heading to the Tower Ridge where she saw three other dragons waiting. Beside them, standing near the tower, were two figures dressed in long, dark clothes and heavy cloaks.

Carys spotted Dafydd and Eamer from the air.

“He brought my aunt?”

Eamer insisted on coming with him. She has great concern for you.

Cadell swooped down and gently placed Carys on the ground before he circled again, landed, and went to settle next to Mared and the other two dragons.

“Cadell said you went to see a fae queen.” Eamer was the first to speak. “Why would you do that? Did you bargain? What did you bargain for?”

“Seren’s journal. Duncan said she can find lost things even ifthey were destroyed.”

Eamer’s eyes glittered. “Then you have spoken to the Crow Mother.”

“Do you know her?” Carys remembered that Eamer had a greater knowledge of the fae realm than either Duncan or Cadell.

“I knowofher. She takes many faces, and in Alba she keeps to herself.” Eamer’s eyes were troubled. “I have my suspicion about who she really is, but I don’t want to speak that name unless I am sure of it. What did she ask for?”

“A year and a day of service.”

Dafydd reached out and gripped her shoulder. “Tell me you didn’t.”

“Of course not.” Carys looked between her uncle and Eamer. “She also asked for one eye and my firstborn child, but I traded one passage to the Brightlands.”

The queen frowned. “I didn’t know she had lost passage, but… maybe she is not who I thought.” Eamer considered for a moment before she nodded. “It was a good bargain, Carys. The best you could have hoped for.”

She felt relief at hearing Eamer say it. “Duncan and Darius went with me.”

“Darius? The chief of the Blessing of Moray?” Dafydd asked. “How did you get a unicorn to escort you to the fae?”

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