Page 17 of Kings and Monsters

"It's not as it was, but many still call it home. The queen believed it was destroyed, and we have made sure that only those of Unseelie blood can find it," Eirianwen said, her eyes filled with relief.

"What is it?" Rosa asked.

"It is…home," Bleddyn replied. In moments, Unseelie filed out of the carved wooden doors built into the massive roots, filling the courtyard and surrounding them.

"Eirianwen! I thought you were dead!" a man hurried to her as she slid off the horse.

"Almost. I've been worlds away and back again," Eirianwen said, clasping his forearms in greetings.

"Bleddyn Seren Du!" a deep, husky voice called out through the crowd. The oldest fae that Rosa had ever seen came towards them. He carried a gnarled staff in one hand, his face lined and wrinkled. His long black and silver hair was wild with curls snarled with raven's feathers. To Rosa, he looked like the Wild Man, clothed in a tattered black cloak.

"He reminds me of you, Merlin, after your trip to the woods. Mad as a drunken cat," Arthur whispered, and Rosa swallowed her laughter.

"Shut it. That faerie has enough magic to turn you to ash with a glance," Merlin hissed.

Bleddyn dismounted and hurried to greet him. "I thought you would be dead by now, old man."

"I knew I couldn't die until you returned," the stranger said. He reached out and Bleddyn took his arm. "I felt you coming,and it's forced me to leave my caves for the first time in a century. I should strike you down for making me wait so long, impertinent king."

"I have missed you too, Bran."

"And who is this woman you have with you? A wife?" Bran asked, his black eyes fixing on Rosa.

"No. A fearsome daughter. This is Rosa." Bleddyn helped Rosa down off the horse, and Merlin and Arthur came to stand protectively behind her as the old faerie pinched her chin. Old, dark magic simmered in the touch. Next to Bleddyn and the Autumn Queen, Rosa had never felt such power.

"She has death and anger in her eyes. Heartache and destiny and something else that tastes of summer and winter's storm," Bran muttered as he let her go.

Rosa fought the urge to run to Bleddyn's side, lest the mad old wizard talk to her again.

"This is my son, Merlin, and a great king of men, Arthur Pendragon."

Bran gave them both an appraising look before turning to the Unseelie general by their side.

"Eirianwen, I asked you to look for allies, and you return with a brood of Seren Dus. It is a day of miracles." Bran cackled with laughter, and Eirianwen kissed his cheek. "Well done, my girl."

"Are the generals here yet?" she asked. "You did still summon them despite my absence?"

"Of course. Half of them were talking of breaking you out of the queen's prison themselves. Madoc was for leaving you to rot."

"I expected nothing less from the bastard. I have gained new insight into how we can get into the Seelie Court."

"Come along, Bleddyn. You and your family of Otherworlders need a bed and something to eat," Bran said and lifted a bushyeyebrow at Rosa. "You might want to keep an eye on that pretty daughter too."

"The pretty daughter can take care of herself," Rosa replied, resting her hand on the hilt ofGaeaf Storom. Bran and the rest of the onlookers followed her movement, and a tremor ran through the crowd.

"So that is what I felt. You are the one who slew Ryn Eurion," Bran said. "The Seelie sword has remade itself for you already?"

"I made sure of it," Bleddyn replied with a feral grin that Bran returned.

"My king, we have much to talk about."

They followed Bran and Eirianwen into the curving arches of the roots and Rosa had to fight the urge to stop and stare.

"You'd want to be careful nothing flies in there," Merlin advised, his hand lifting her chin to close her mouth.

Rosa battered his arm away. "I'm in a freaking tree city right now. It warrants staring." Rosa let out a low whistle. "It's like Victorian London and Mirkwood had a baby city."

They exited the stone and wood entranceways, and if she didn't know she was inside of a tree, Rosa would never have guessed it. It was a crowded city of paved streets lit with lamps powered by magic.

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