Page 124 of The Forever Queen

The faerie moved quietly and nimbly, eager to make it before the sun peaked its head above the horizon and war began.

Aisling popped open another door, sliding into the corridor and closing it softly behind her once more.

“Aisling,” a voice chimed.

Aisling almost leaped out of her skin, tightening her grip on the Goblet as she turned to face whomsoever had caught her slipping through Castle Yillen’s halls.

Niamh stood at the end of the corridor, watching her closely. Her expression was somber and her eyes swollen from hours of tears wept.

“Where are you going?”

Aisling hesitated, her knuckles growing white on the stem of the Goblet.

“You cannot stop me,” Aisling replied, steeling herself. No longer did she wear Anduril, but her magic was powerful enough. That, combined with the Goblet…she could defeat Niamh if necessary.

“I don’t intend to,” Niamh said, taking a cautious step forward. As if afraid to startle a doe.

“Our interaction earlier suggests differently,” Aisling said.

Niamh flinched as though she’d been physically struck, her face falling with sadness. Her shoulder sloped and her arms hung loosely at her sides. She was seemingly ashamed of her behavior, standing before Aisling like a broken bird.

“I am—was desperate. Desperate not to be alone,” Niamh confessed. “For there is no more desperate a creature than those on the verge of losing all they value most.”

“We have a chance of winning this war,” Aisling assured the Seelie queen. “To flee, to turn around now would be to forfeit our only chance of survival.”

Niamh nodded her head slowly, still staring at the cobbles beneath her feet.

“I agree,” she said, her voice surprisingly sincere.

Aisling shifted uncomfortably, unsure what to say.

“I’ve come to aid you,” Niamh continued.

“Aid me?”

“The mortals are coming, and the gates must be destroyed,” Niamh said.

“And yet, the other sovereigns still believe in protecting the gateways,” Aisling countered.

“Aye, they do,” Niamh surrendered. “But I do not.”

“Because you’re afraid, Niamh. Afraid of being trapped, here, alone, forever.”

“Perhaps,” Niamh said. “But I also acknowledge sacrifices must be made.”

Aisling studied the Seelie queen closely, ignoring the steady rain beating against the windowpanes of the corridor.

“Is that not what you’re traveling toward now?” Niamh asked.

Aisling’s eyes flicked to the Goblet before returning her attention to Niamh.

Cautiously, Aisling nodded her head in reply. She’d taken the Goblet, intending to destroy every gateway before her father could do so. Before Nemed could destroy the Other altogether and carve the curse breaker from her chest. If her father was to win, he’d win blood and dust and ruins. And so, Aisling would destroy every gate if it meant protecting those she loved. If it meant guarding the Sidhe and the Forge from the death-bidden touch of mortal man.

“It is,” Aisling conceded.

“Let me help you,” Niamh said. “Let me help you destroy the gates.”

“Is it possible?” Aisling asked.

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