Page 82 of The Red Woman and the White Bear

Not far beyond Talamarís, Kael paused as they passed by The Cut. The Low One had been his guide through every trial he’d faced. The old god’s voice in his head had steered him steadily forward since he was old enough to venture into the woods on his own. Kael needed to hear that voice now.

“Is everything alright?” Aisling asked, calmer now that they’d left Talamarís behind.

He removed his cloak and fastened it around her before he dismounted and said, “Wait here.”

“Do you want me to take her back?” Raif took hold of Furax’s reins.

“I will not be long.” He needed Aisling nearby. Kael left them on the trail and pushed through the underbrush until he broke free into the clearing. The sky was indigo now, growing lighter by the minute as the sun rose. He placed himself in the center of the circle, dusting snow off several of the runes with the toe of his boot before he faced the altar and closed his eyes.

The Low One would have come to be close to the time of the Silver Saints; Kael was sure He would have an answer. A better solution. Anything other than what the Diviner had offered.

Kael called out to the Low One softly at first, then with greater force. As his shadows began to surge within him, he allowed several thin tendrils to escape his palms, reaching for Him through the darkness. Grasping, searching for any sign that He was listening.

Please,Kael begged. He squeezed his eyes shut tighter, sent his shadows further. He could feel Aisling, that soothing warmth she imbued in him, and he held onto it as his shadows stretched and stretched.

But the Low One was strangely silent. There was nothing with Kael in that clearing tonight. The air never thickened; the atmosphere never grew heavy. The sounds of the forest continued on undeterred. Kael dropped to his knees as he drew his shadows back. There was an emptiness in his chest that he’d never felt there before. He was lost in the forest without a map. Abandoned.

Again, he had to work to regain his composure and coach his face back into a neutral mask. It took greater effort this time, but hemanaged to tamp down his hurt and frustration well enough to rise to his feet and return to where Raif and Aisling waited. They both looked at him expectantly. Without acknowledging either, he slung himself into the saddle and pulled Furax into a trot.

Two of Kael’s guards were waiting outside the entrance to the Undercastle. He could tell even from a distance that they were nervous; both had white-knuckle grips on the hilts of their swords. The light of the dawn glinted off of their dark armor. Raif’s feet hit the ground before his mare stopped, and Kael wasn’t far behind.

“What is it?” Raif demanded.

“Visitors,” the more senior of the guards said. “Waiting in the throne room.”

“How many? When did they arrive?” Kael asked. Behind him, he heard Aisling sliding from Furax’s back. He took her hand and pulled her close.

“Two, and not long ago.” A stable hob appeared to quickly take both horses away.

Kael guided Aisling forward, towards the guards. “See that she makes it safely back to her chambers.”

“The visitors are for her, Highness.” The younger guard turned his attention to Aisling then, and added, “Your friend is waiting with them, miss.”

Aisling set her jaw. “Show me.”

“No,” Kael said sternly. His pulse was beginning to race, and a sense of foreboding tugged at his warrior instincts. At his magic. Raif felt it, too, and had already drawn his sword. Kael regretted not having brought his own.

“It’ll be fine,” Aisling insisted. “Take me to them.”

The group moved quickly and in tight formation down the spiral staircase, all of them alert and tense save for Aisling. She walked confidently, seemingly unafraid. She’d grown so much bolder since they’d met. She squeezed Kael’s hand once, hard, before releasing it and stepping into the throne room ahead of him. It took every bit of restraint he had to let her.

Rodney was leaning casually against a table where someone had laid out an array of bread and tea and honey wine. He was telling a story, gesturing broadly in an effort to hold the attention of the guests. The redheaded male, who looked to be the twin of Laure’s guard captain, seemed entertained. The soldier who accompanied him, clad in the gold Seelie armor, appeared less so.

“Our riding party returns,” Rodney said when they entered the cavern. His voice was just slightly too loud as it echoed off the stone walls. “Highness, this is Tadhg, and a soldier who has made it very clear he wishes to remain unnamed.”

A wide smile spread across Tadhg’s face. “Aisling, I’m so relieved to see you unharmed. When we couldn’t find you, I feared you’d been taken.”

“I wasn’t taken. I left.” Her tone was hard as steel.

“Surely you didn’t return here voluntarily,” Tadhg suggested. His grin faltered just slightly.

“I did.” Aisling advanced towards him, forcing the Seelie soldier into a defensive posture. Kael and Raif moved in tandem to flank her oneither side.

“The queen is prepared to negotiate for your safe return,” the soldier said curtly.

“I’m not something she can bargain for,” she shot back. Kael could sense her irritation even before the pink flush that bloomed in her cheeks gave it away.

“Please, Aisling, he meant no offense.” Tadhg moved closer, hands raised. “Laure only wishes to see you safe. We all do.”

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