Page 85 of Swords and Curses

Balthasar looked up from the map of the estate, his eyes burning into her. For a moment, his cold demeanor dropped, and she saw how much he wanted to comfort her, run away withher, or lock her in the safe tower. She wanted to reassure him, but it wasn't what he needed. She shook her head slowly. Walls slammed up behind his eyes, and Balthasar became the soldier once more.

"He hates that you're about to see this side of him." Saul had followed their silent conversation.

"It's too bad. I won't flinch, and I won't look away." Rosa stared at him, hoping her gaze was as steely as Balthasar's. "I know exactly what he is."

Saul's smile slipped. "But does he know whatyouare?"

"He's about to," Rosa replied, her sword humming.

As they walked to the lake, Merlin appeared from the woods and fell into step beside her. Instead of his full armor, he wore leather pants, boots, and breastplate. His bare arms were stained with woad, making him look like the wild Celt he was. Rosa eyed the sword that hung from his back.

"That looks new," she said. He gave her a sideways grin.

"Very new in fact." She was six feet from him, and she could feel the power radiating from it.

After Rosa's vision, the animosity between Merlin and Eli had all but gone. They'd been spending long hours together, which made Rosa suspect they were either hatching something or that Eli was finally letting Merlin in on whatever he had planned with Nimue. Rosa hoped that she was okay, but a bigger part of her knew it was a fool's hope.

"Focus, Wylt. You need to be present at this moment," Merlin hissed beside her. "Think of nothing else. I've trained you well. Let your instincts guide you and stay close to the family. Don't allow yourself to get separated."

"I promise."

Balthasar's hand brushed against hers, and she took it, needing his calming strength. She didn't care if it made her lookweak. If she had enough hands, she would've held the entire Seren Du family.

The trees around the lake had been cleared, and black armored soldiers surrounded it. Water had turned the faerie ring into an island and refrozen so that no matter how the Autumn Queen brought her army through, they would have to navigate the slippery footing.

"What now?" Rosa whispered her breath misting in front of her.

"We wait," Eli said, and as she watched, the Seren Du brothers' glamour fell away. She didn't think she'd ever get used to seeing them that way.

They were tall, battle-hardened warriors—kings. Even Gwaen, slighter and shorter than his brothers, made an impressive figure. He saw her looking and gave her a wink. She stuck her tongue at him, and he smiled. She still hadn't had a real chance to get to know him, but his easy mischief made her want to stir him up as she did with Saul.

Balthasar's lips brushed her cold ear. "No matter what happens next, know that you are the brightest light in my life." She looked up and kissed him, unable to articulate everything that she was feeling and wanted to tell him. Her magic brushed up against his, and he knew.

"I hate to break this tender moment up, children," Merlin said, "but the portal is glowing."

Rosa pulledGaeaf Storomfrom its sheath and felt calm for the first time that morning. She would never understand what magic the sword had, but she knew that it was hers alone. Bleddyn moved up beside her,Widow's Furydrawn and ready for whatever came through onto his land.

One moment, the lake was empty, and the next, light shimmered over the surface, and a golden army appeared.

Rosa swallowed the porridge threatening to choke her as the Autumn Queen walked forward. She was a vision in her golden breastplate and collar, her skirts and leather leggings a royal scarlet, and her red hair elaborately braided with golden feathers. She carried a sword at her side, but Rosa couldn't imagine her using it.

Rosa's knees burned to kneel as the queen's eyes rested on her. They dropped to the sword in her hand, and her pretty red lips lifted in a snarl. Rosa felt Bleddyn move forward, and all the arrogance in the queen's face seemed to desert her.

"Aeronwen," he said by way of greeting, his face as sharp as flint.

"Youdarecall me that name," she hissed before her face regained some of its composure. "Bleddyn Seren Du, I have come for the murderer Rosa Wylt and for the sword that is the rightful heirloom of my kingdom."

"Ha! Come take it," Rosa snapped before she could stop herself.

"Quite bold there with all of your protectors, aren't you, Rosamund?" The queen's eyes moved to Merlin, and they lit up with delight. "Merlin, at last we meet. I've heard so much about you."

"And I you, Queen of the Autumn," he said formally with a slight bow. The polite smile on his face vanished as a knight stepped through the ground and tossed a bleeding body at the queen's feet.

"This filth gave you up to me not once but twice," she said drawing her sword. "Would you like me to kill her for you? I believe she's outlived her use to me."

"Nimue has many faults," Merlin replied as the bleeding woman lifted her face to see him. "Loving me is perhaps her worst."

"Love is a destructive force, dear Merlin. Just ask your father." The queen looked back to Bleddyn. "End this without bloodshed, Seren Du. Come with me. Rule by my side. I've been patient enough with your defiance, and I grow weary of it."

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