Page 73 of Obsidian Prince

The woman nodded to Alexander, then to John with a look of relief. “Dudanilvtsv. Agreed.”

She turned to speak to the other native Fae rapidly in a language Liliana didn’t know.

Alexander looked at John for a translation.

He shrugged. “I only know a few words of old Cherokee Tsalagi.”

Alexander raised a stone eyebrow. “I suspect it would be a good idea to learn more.”

“Yes, sir. There’s some basics on line, I think.” John pointed at the cypress Fae still on his knees, tears streaming from his eyes . “I know some of the old plains Indian trade hand language, too?” He made it a question to Alexander.

“Do what you can.” Alexander nodded permission for him to leave his post.

John turned behind him. “SET squad is yours, Corporal. Absolutely no firing unless one of us is directly attacked or the Colonel orders it.”

A young fox-kin with three tails stepped forward. “Yes, sir.”

Lieutenant Runningwolf slung his weapon over his shoulder by its carry strap, shifted to his less intimidating human form, and walked toward the man who had been a great spreading cypress by the creek with scars that looked like lightning strikes.

The rest of the non-native Fae stood peacefully in a line in front of the prince under Siobhan’s, Pete’s, and Detective Jackson’s watchful eyes.

Liliana wanted to go to the cypress man. His anguish tore at her heart. Defeat and hopelessness saturated every line of his body and his aura. “He needs healing,” she said softly, touching Doctor Nudd’s hand. “And not just of the body.”

After getting a nod of permission from Alexander, Doctor Nudd joined John. “Perhaps I can be of assistance?”

John nodded. “He sure looks like he could use a doctor.”

Carefully, and slowly, hands out, they approached the wounded native cypress Fae.

Liliana couldn’t help. She had to watch with her first and third eyes the line of Fae approaching her prince. Each dropped to a knee or some semblance of a knee, and stated what they wanted to do, whether sleep again or join society, stay or leave. If they intended to stay, Alexander asked for an oath of fealty to himself, and an oath to follow the modern laws of the land, both Normal and Other. The second oath he required the Fae to swear to Detective Jackson, as a representative of the human law, much to her surprise. And theirs.

Liliana’s third eyes let her spot honesty or deception, which she murmured to Alexander so he would know the true depth of emotion of those who swore loyalty to him.

With her fourth eyes, she watched John and Doctor Nudd slowly approach the cypress Fae, yearning to help him herself. The power and pain that radiated from him was compelling and heart breaking.

The man watched them warily, still blinking with tears still flowing, but his eyes now tracked the big custom automatic weapon John carried.

“Hang up a sec, Doc.” John lifted the carry strap slowly over his head and deliberately laid the weapon on the ground in front of the ancient Fae.

“Nvwadohiyada.” John repeated the word he’d said before. “Peace. We don’t have to fight.” He held up his empty hands.

The native cypress Fae shook his head slightly. He pointed to his ear. Blood trickled down the side of his neck.

John winced in sympathy. “He took that flashbang right in the face.”

“I can help.” Nudd held out a hand toward the man’s face. “If you will permit me?” He eased carefully closer, making sure the man saw every movement. He gave him every opportunity to avoid his touch.

The cypress Fae clenched his jaw. His body tensed as if expecting some sort of attack, but he let Nudd touch the side of his face.

The old oak goblin closed his eyes. His healing magic flowed like water freed from a dam. Green light gushed from his fingertips and washed over the cypress Fae. The glow didn’t just soak into his ears, but flowed over his whole body, suffusing him in healing light so bright it lit the entire clearing, outshining the sun in broad daylight.

The rest of the awakened creatures gasped in awe, both native and immigrant.

The ancient Fae stiffened for a moment, then sagged, eyes drooping with deep relief. He murmured something in a language Liliana didn’t understand, then blinked. “Doctor.” He spoke in accented English. He raised a filthy hand that shook to touch the gnarled hand on the side of his head. He squeezed Nudd’s hand, a look of gratitude on his face. “The pain is … gone now. I hear and see clearly again.” He touched his chest and belly where not even scars remained of the horrible gaping wounds he’d had before.

Nudd looked at his own hand with astonishment. His gift had never manifested so powerfully.

“Sorry about the stun grenade,” John said.

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