Page 69 of Heir of Ashes

“It is a very important question you ask,” Lee began. “Many years ago, your father made a bargain with a Sidhe lord—a powerful and ancient Seelie. It is not common knowledge what the bargain entailed, not even to Queen Titania. What is known is that, in exchange for Fosch’s granted wish, he was to produce an offspring with a human mortal and gift it to the Sidhe. Aye, that would be you,” Lee said when my eyes widened. “However, Fosch did not intend to fulfill his side of the bargain. For many years, he avoided all human mortals, no matter how alluring. When confronted, he claimed he had not yet found the perfect vessel to carry his seed.

“When the Sidhe lord realized he had been tricked, he vowed not to let a Dhiultadh make a fool of him. He influenced the most beautiful and seductive of mortals and sent them as gifts to Fosch. But Fosch remained ever watchful and careful. For a long time, the Sidhe lord and the Dhiultadh danced their deceptive dance with care, manipulation, and cunning. Until the mortal woman.

“It has been speculated that she was influenced by the Sidhe lord from the beginning, but Oberon has denied sending this particular mortal to Fosch. When it was time for Fosch to pay his price, he claimed that the mother of his child had not been human when she conceived. Fosch accused Oberon of foul deeds, of stripping this woman’s essence to make her human.”

“Did he?”

Lee’s eyes flashed with insult. “Nay, he did not. It is forbidden to strip a preternatural being of what makes them other. The Sidhe, whether Seelie or Unseelie, do not meddle with dark powers.”

“But wouldn’t my father have known that?” I insisted.

“Aye, he should have. Fosch, your father, seemed to have lost his senses, going as far as to claim this mortal woman as his mate.”

“Was she?”

“I cannot tell. A bond, to be recognizable by others, has to be firm and in place. If Fosch had a mating bond with the mortal, it had yet to manifest.” She waited for my next question, and when I couldn’t think of one, she continued, “When Oberon arrived to collect the prize, the vessel was just a common mortal. Therefore, the bargain held. However, when Fosch was asked to conclude the bargain, he refused, prompting the Sidhe lord to demand retribution. The High Council of the Dhiultadh was convened, along with the Sidhe royalty. A court was held, and Fosch was given a last chance. Again, he refused, sacrificing his own existence for his child.” Lee sighed. “It was a tedious procedure and a very abrupt and fatal punishment.”

“A punishment that was made to look like a bear attack?” Or was that another lie?

Lee tilted her head to the side. “Death by the jubada claws. It is a punishment reserved for cowards.”

My gut clenched, raw from hunger and the wasps dancing in it.

“It is said that one of the Dhiultadh raised you, in honor of your father’s sacrifice.” She gave me a speculative look. “She did you no favor hiding the truth from you.”

I shook my head. “A mortal raised me.”

“It is what it is.” Lee nodded toward the creatures. “Now, dear child, ask them for the favor. I cannot linger much longer.”

“You know the way out,” I said. It wasn’t a question, but she inclined her head in confirmation.

“Can you take me back to my world?”

“I can, but I owe you nothing.”

“I killed Dr. Dean for you.” But even as I said it, I realized my mistake. I recalled the gleam in her eyes when I had asked my question, the brief flash of triumph. She had known exactly who I was from the beginning. Didn’t all the Rejected possessthe ability to travel between worlds? I had been dragged here, searching for a way out, and hadn’t my first question to the creatures been about finding a way out? Yep, she’d known who I was from the beginning, but she’d wanted me to exhaust my favor on something trivial. But why? I had a feeling I’d be finding out soon.

“Aye, and I paid with information.”

Then I remembered something. “I thought guardians were supposed to take care of those path things. You know, that’s why they’re called guardians, aren’t they?” I asked, eyeing her suspiciously.

“Indeed, they are. But the Leeway was disturbed, and I came to ensure no damage had occurred. As for the guardians, I only coordinate how far they are allowed to pursue the intruder. We cannot let the guardians run loose without supervision.”

A shudder ran through me. I wasn’t sure if it was from the cold, the memory of the guardians’ attack, or my body’s demand to refuel. I had to get out of there, and fast. The adrenaline boost I’d gained when Lee first appeared was rapidly waning.

“How about a favor?” I asked impulsively—foolishly.

Oh, how I would regret those words. I was sure of it. But nothing else came to mind, and to regret it, I still had to live.

Her head tilted to the side in a serpentine motion, and a calculating gleam entered her eyes. A cold chill ran down my spine. This was what she had been aiming for.

A favor. She wanted me indebted to her.

“A favor? What could you possibly offer me?” she asked dismissively, but the eager glint in her eyes never wavered.

“Not a child,” I said quickly. “Something else.”

“You have nothing of value to bargain with,” she said, but I suspected she was playing hard, to make me cave and agree to anything she asked.

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