Page 136 of House of Embers
“Fuck off,” Dozan said, running a hand through his auburn hair.But he couldn’t deny the wild smile on his face. “Just don’t die. All right?”
“Noted,” Kerrigan said.
***
Aurelie led the way the next morning. The wind was bitingly cold when they finally landed in Erewan territory. The three of them stomped through the ankle-deep snow to an enormous hidden cave system. Mendy and the rest of her crew launched to their feet at the sight of Fordham. They drew him into a hug and patted his back and said all the right formalities, including being surprised that Kerrigan still lived, which was fair.
“You’re all riders now?” Fordham said. “Aurelie filled me in.”
“We’ve already sent our largest contingent of dragons to the House of Shadows. We were going to follow them when Aurelie got that note. Then we thought you might need help up the mountain to see the witch.”
Fordham clasped her forearm. “Thank you, Mendy.”
“Warm fires,” Mendy told him.
With the pleasantries done, the Erewans handed out snowshoes and began the arduous climb up the mountain. Aurelie stayed behind to tend the fires and wait for their return. Thankfully, it wasn’t as bitterly cold as the last time Kerrigan had done this, but it was just as biting. She didn’t know how they could live in this perpetually snowy climate. It was awful.
The final sheer cliff climb was the worst part, but they managed with some help from the Erewans, and then they were facing the entrance to Titania’s lands. For years, the Erewans had believed that any who crossed the invisible boundary were lost forever to the witch of the mountain. Only Fordham and Kerrigan had come out alive.
“Wish us luck,” Kerrigan said.
Mendy patted Kerrigan’s back. Kerrigan stumbled forward a step. “Only you two could make it out alive a second time.”
Fordham clasped Mendy’s arm, and then, as one, Kerrigan and Fordham turned to face the mother of the Fae.
They hadn’t discussed what they might find when they crossed the barrier that led to her hidden lands, but Kerrigan couldn’t help but ruminate on it. The last time, they had been trapped in an old faerie tale—facing their fears, eating the cursed food, dancing until her feed bled, and resisting the temptation of her lover. It was the trials that had led them to Titania, who had deemed them pure of heart and worthy of her boon. What would they endure now with a summons from her?
Kerrigan didn’t know and braced herself for the worst as she took Fordham’s hand and stepped through the divide.
None of the trappings of their previous encounter were present on the other side of the barrier. There was no castle or elaborate gardens or eternal fountain this time. Just a long, winding dirt walkway that led through a bramble of woods to the front door of a small château with smoke curling up from a fireplace.
The cold winter didn’t break through Titania’s unending magic, and their giant, fur-lined cloaks were replaced with festive attire. Fordham was in a black suit with a black cravat at his throat. Pink still tinged his cheeks from the wind, but his hair was swept back off his face, and he looked radiant.
Kerrigan’s dress was a sparkly green gown that had live flowers in spring pink, lavender, and white threaded through the narrow sleeves, down the bodice, and across the large skirt. Her curly hair had been secured in a magnificent updo with errant white blossoms and live butterflies.
“Well, at least I look fantastic,” Kerrigan said, twirling in her gown.
“You always do.”
“Not the welcome I was expecting though.”
“I never know what to expect from her.” He gestured toward the dirt road. “Shall we?”
Kerrigan took his arm, and together they entered the wood. It felt almost immediately as if it swallowed them whole. There was no exit out of these woods, and there never had been. There was only the cottage before them and the witch who lived within.
They reached the end of the road, and Fordham knocked on the front door. Kerrigan jutted her chin out and squared her shoulders. She was prepared for whatever was coming. She could do this.
The door creaked open, but the room appeared to be empty. No beautiful, ethereal Fae sitting before the fire.
“Hello?” Fordham called, peeking his head inside.
No one answered.
“Should we?” she asked.
He shrugged. “We were invited.”
They crossed the threshold hesitantly, as if expecting the room to shift once more, but nothing happened. They just entered Titania’s empty abode.
