Page 12 of Realm of Nightmares
He slathered a dollop of raspberry cream onto a biscuit and forced himself to take a bite. At first, his stomach revolted. Biting down on the urge to vomit, he continued to eat small portions until, eventually, his insides settled and the wave of nausea passed.
“It’s good to see you getting your appetite back, my lord.” Lir’s silver eyes locked onto him.
Tiernan recognized his statement for the hidden meaning behind it. Taking a large gulp of water, he motioned for Lir to continue. “Report whenever you’re ready, Commander.”
Lir sat straighter, his back rigid. “The Spring fae are adjusting well, they’re aware Maeve is within the Ether, and have agreed to stand with us in her absence. The Furies have taken it upon themselves to guard Summer’s borders, claiming they’re carrying out the wishes of their queen. I don’t think they ever sleep or rest, but then again, I’m not entirely sure they need to do so. All things considered…we’re allowing it.”
Tiernan nodded. The Furies answered only to Maeve. There was a chance he could ask for their assistance, but they were outraged when they learned Aed had taken her to the Ether. If they chose to take up posts and protect the Court, then so be it.
“We’ve received word from Aran.” Lir nodded toward Brynn. “He secured more of the siphoning tools and is sailing back to Faeven.”
“How many?” Brynn asked, looking up from her untouched plate of food.
“At least one hundred and fifty,” Lir confirmed.
It was a relief to hear the Autumn prince was successful on that front. He looked to his second in command. “What else?”
“High King Dorian reaffirmed Garvan is still being held in Kyol’s dungeon…in iron cuffs.” Lir ground out the last few words. Guilt continued to wreck him for not being there to protect Maeve from the injury she suffered within the Autumn Court. “He’s vowed to stand with us against Parisa and to do whatever it takes to see his daughter returned to the Faeven. As for Parisa, I’m afraid there isn’t much to report.”
Something about the way he said it caused the hairs along the back of his neck to stand on end. “Is this a good thing?”
“No, my lord.” Lir shared a look with Merrick. “She’s been able to shroud Suvarese and the entirety of the Spring Court.”
“Shroud?” Confusion plagued him. It was impossible to even consider. “What do you mean, shroud? Like a barrier?”
“Somewhat, yes.”
“It’s almost like a mist,” Merrick added, leaning back in his seat. “Or a fog.”
“But no one can get in.” Worry haunted Lir’s eyes. “And by the looks of it, no one can get out.”
Tiernan finished his second helping of biscuits and looked to the sky. Slate clouds loomed overhead, so low it looked like it might even rain. He couldn’t recall the last time it rained in Niahvess.
“Let me make sure I understand. You’re telling me there’s no way for us to track Parisa’s movements? We have no insight? No intelligence?”
Lir didn’t look away. “That’s right.”
“How is that even possible?” Tiernan pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. “Her magic is gone. The god of deathtookit from her.”
Just like he took the power of destruction from him. He couldn’t imagine havingallof his magic ripped from inside of him.
“She must have found another source,” Ceridwen mused, adding an excessively large helping of raspberry cream to her biscuits. “That’s the only way.”
“Another source,” Tiernan repeated, more to himself than anyone else. But what? And how did she get it?
He finished his water, then looked around at their faces. There was something they weren’t telling him. “There’s more?”
“Yes, my lord.” Brynn broke off a tiny piece of biscuit and popped it into her mouth.
A few beats of unpleasant silence passed between them before Tiernan leaned forward and steepled his fingers together. “Would one of you care to enlighten me?”
“It regards the Four Courts, Your Grace.” Brynn pushed back from the table, sheathing her jeweled dagger.
A sinking sensation pitted low in his gut. “What about them?”
“I think you should see it for yourself.” She jerked her head toward the east, her eyes flashing from dark blue to burning gold. “We can’t find any explanation for it anywhere.”
“We even tried the library.” Merrick’s statement was quiet, the sentiment of it not lost on any of them.
