Page 84 of Swords and Curses

"Hell yes, I do." And Rosa talked her fear away as she told him about Merlin's confessions to her and the vision of the tomb with glowing trees.

Nimue sat tuckedup on a ledge she had scraped out of the earthen walls, so she didn't have to touch the rotting bodies around her. In the darkness, she had no way of knowing how much time had passed. The queen could choose to leave her down there for weeks, or forget she was in there altogether.

Nimue covered her face with her hands and tried to focus on her heartbeat. When that failed to soothe her, she thought of Merlin's smile. She hadn't lost hope under the lake, and she refused to lose hope now. She would see him again. Balthasar and Eli's promise came back to her. She would not be left to rot in the Aos Si. They would tell Merlin, and they would all come for her. Balthasar had done it once by himself, and he could do it again.

What felt like days later, a light appeared along the walkways above her, winding its way down to the pit.

"Still alive, Daughter of Ryn?" the queen's voice called down to her.

"My queen!" Nimue begged, reaching up towards her.

"Do you have anything extra you would like to tell me? Or would you like some more time to consider?"

Nimue stared up at her a long moment before a sob broke from her chest. "My queen, Merlin has returned."

She had barely spoken the words before she was being lifted by invisible hands from the pit and dumped in front of the queen and her two knights.

"I thought Merlin was dead. This better not be another of your lies. I never saw him when I looked through your eyes."

Because Bleddyn was protecting him, Nimue thought smugly.

"He lives!" she insisted. "He has some blood relation to Rosa, so he returned to Gwaed Lyn. He's more powerful than before. I didn't tell you because…because I wanted him for myself. Now I'm back in your presence, I know that only you are worthy enough to be his consort. Forgive me for being so weak. I'll do anything, but don't put me down there again."

"If I had known a pit of bodies would be all it took to break you, I would've arranged it five hundred years ago." The queen turned to her knights. "Hold her down in case she struggles." Hands clamped around her shoulders, and the queen took Nimue's face in her hands. "If you want me to trust you, then open your mind to me or I will break it apart."

"Anything for you," Nimue said and dropped her remaining shields. She focused on the army that had assembled at Gwaed Lyn, showed her Merlin; the way he moved, fought, and sang. When she came back to herself, it felt like she'd had her soul ripped out. The queen was smiling, eyes filled with tears of delight.

"Assemble the army," she instructed. "We leave to hunt the traitors at sunrise."

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Rosa had woken hours before dawn with sickening nausea. Balthasar wasn't beside her in the bed, but she didn't have long to wait before he came back in, buckling on a breastplate.

"Get up, Rosa, and get your armor on," he commanded. "Eli, Zalan, and Vincenzo have all had visions. The queen will be here at sunrise. I'll meet you downstairs." He kissed her quickly and was gone again.

Rosa didn't take offense to his commanding tone. He was a warrior and a general. Today, she would take any order he gave. Apologies, soft words of love and endearment had been last night's business. This morning, there would be no time.

She dressed in her armor before taking the elaborate hairpin from beside the bed and let her magic touch it, marveling as it stretched and shimmered to formGaeaf Storom. She strapped it to her back, braided her hair tightly, and made for the door. Hesitating, she went back to her bedside table and picked up her mobile phone.

I know we don't always get alone, but I love you, Mom, she texted Cecily before putting it on the bed and going to find Balthasar.

The first-floor dining room had been turned into a makeshift mess hall, and as she entered, a Gwaed Gam with dreadlocks handed her a bowl of porridge. "Eat something, princess." She didn't have time to thank him as she was intercepted by Zalan and taken to where the others had assembled around a large table.

For the last few weeks of training, Rosa had felt like she had been playing soldier, but now, as she scanned the faces of her family, she knew how wrong she had been. They were finalizing plans and strategies, and all she could do was watch and shovel the tasteless mush into her mouth.

"Are you okay, Wylt?" Saul appeared beside her and handed her coffee. "You are looking a little peaked."

"Thanks." Rosa took a long sip, and her head cleared slightly. "Have you seen Merlin?"

"Been and gone," he replied. "He was sent down the lake to check the ice was still holding. Zalan has a plan for it like he has for everything. Unless she brings some of the Ancient Ones with her, most of the Seelie would have never seen snow or ice before. We can use that to our advantage."

Rosa shook her head. "I hadn't thought of that. I doubt the queen would've prepared them for it."

"All the better for us. Most of Zalan's soldiers have trained in the remote places of Russia." Saul looked pointedly to where Adelina was speaking with his uncle. "It explains why their fun parts have completely frozen over."

"Still no luck then?" Rosa laughed despite the truly messed up situation they were finding themselves in. "You never know. A good victory might warm them up a bit."

"I doubt it," he snorted.

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