Page 80 of The Vanishing Throne

A thought occurs to me. ‘What if you have someone who can bring you back?’

Gavin pauses, his eyes searching mine. ‘Then it might be less of a risk.’

Chapter 27

After leaving my imagined Edinburgh, I stand in the doorway of the closet and tell Derrick my plan. He sews a coat as I speak, barely giving any indication that he’s listening except for the occasional nod. At the end, he’s silent.

‘Well?’ I prompt.

‘Let’s see … ’ He taps his chin. ‘Fraught with danger. Uncertain chance of success. Personally, I think it’s a terrible idea. I’ve heard death is exceedingly unpleasant.’

I didn’t thinkDerrick would approve, but at least he could have made it clear before I told him thewholeblasted plan. ‘Would you care to elaborate, please?’

‘It’s unpleasant because you have todie, that’s why,’ he says stitching a pocket onto the coat. He looks at Gavin. ‘She didn’t get this pish from you, did she? Because I’m still looking for a reason to lop off one of your appendages after what you did to her, and this looks like the perfect excuse.’

‘For god’s sake,’ I mutter.

Gavin backs up with his hands raised. ‘Don’t blame me. I might have presented the idea, but she’s the one who sauntered off with it.’

Derrick narrows his eyes. ‘Aileana, is that true?’

‘Yes,’ I snap. ‘Well, not the sauntering. I don’t saunter.’

‘Does … this mean I get to keep my appendages?’ Gavin asks.

‘For now,’ Derrick says, holding up the needle in a clear threat.

I inspect the pile of fabric he’s sitting on and see that it’s not just my imagination – ithasgot bigger. Like he’s making up for three years of no dressmaking with an entire wardrobe all at once. God, he’salreadymade it! He’s going to create a closetful of things I can’t wear or take with me.

Gavin eyes the pile of clothes. ‘So are you planning a ball, or is this just something pixies do for amusement?’

Derrick glares. ‘It’s something I do to keep myself distracted, you ninny. I’m being forced to abandon my closet because your friend the Cyclops had some damned premonition.’ He lands on a dress, wings flicking. ‘I don’t even know why we’re listening to what some unidentified voices have to say, anyway,’ he mutters. ‘Now I’ll have to burn her entire wardrobe before I begin anew someplace else.’

‘Derrick, Itoldyou about the dresses.’

Generally I try never to get between an obsessive pixie and his clothes-making, but Derrick really might burn them all if he feels offended. He has always been protective of his creations, and I’ve never had to refuse them before.

Derrick spits out a sewing needle and lifts a sumptuous piece of thickbrocade lined with fur. He flies to me with the garment, his wings glittering and glowing gold. ‘Fine, no more dresses. Put this new coat on.’

Resigned, I remove my tattered, bloodstained wool coat. ‘I need to find Aithinne. Where is she?’

‘Don’t know. Lift your arm.’ I sigh and let him fit the coat around me. It’s gorgeous, a form-fitting garment that cinches at my waist and makes me look smaller and more delicate than I actually am. ‘Why do you need Aithinne?’

‘Because she can heal me and bring me back.’

‘Oh, I see you’re still entertaining this ridiculous idea.’

I’m quiet as he straightens the wrinkles down the front of the coat. Derrick might know what happened with Lonnrach, but I don’t think he’s realised how it’s affected me. How it’s changed me.

‘Youknowwhy,’ I whisper. ‘You know why I have to do this.’

He stops at my shoulder, suddenly serious. ‘I do,’ he says quietly. ‘That doesn’t mean I have to like it or approve of it.’

‘Then just accept it.’ I try to say it lightly.

Derrick stares at me for so long, I watch emotions flicker across his face before he finally goes back to smoothing wrinkles. ‘Fine,’ he says reluctantly. ‘If we’re doing this, it’s a hell of a lot more complicated than just having Aithinne mend you. Even if she is able to revive you, that doesn’t mean she’ll be able to find you on the other side. What use is the body without the mind?’

Gavin considers that. ‘It makes sense. I told you:Everything fights to keep you there.’

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