Page 93 of Realm of Nightmares
Tiernan stepped toward her, closing the distance between them. “I’m doing what I can to bring her back, Saoirse.”
“Oh, of that I have no doubt. I just can’t help but think none of this would’ve happened if she’d been the least bit prepared to face the truth of her destiny.” With that, she sent a scathing look to the drakon, her eyes flashing once more.
Casimir scoffed. “You’re not seriously blaming me for this?”
“I blame you foreverything.” She wrenched herself free from Lir’s hold, but the commander was faster than she anticipated.
This time he grabbed her, yanking her sword from her hand, and tossed her over his shoulder like she was nothing more than a sack of grain.
“Damn it, Lir!”
“You broke your promise,” he muttered coolly.
“My lord.” Merrick moved closer, sidestepping Lir and his new charge. “We need to discuss—”
Another deafening boom of thunder cracked overhead, and the skies turned black. Tiernan’s temper rose like the swelling of the ocean in the wake of a storm. “Everyone needs tocalm down,” he ground out. “Aran and I nearly died on that damn journey. The last thing we need is—”
The dense scent of orange blossom and cedarwood overwhelmed the Court, setting them all on guard.
“So.” A rich male voice spoke from behind him. “He lives.”
Tiernan spun around, ready to draw his own weapon, only to find the High King of Autumn standing amidst the chaos of the courtyard with Aeralie beside him.
Exhausted, Tiernan scrubbed his hands over his face.
“Sun and sky,” he groaned, more to himself than anyone else.
Dorian fixed him with a menacing stare. “You have some explaining to do.”
Tiernan sought Ceridwen in the mix, sent her a pleading look, silently begging her for any kind of reprieve.
At once, his twin stepped up, a smile gracing her ruby lips.
“Your Grace.” She looped her arm through Dorian’s and her magic coated them like a balm, soothing and comforting at once. Even Saoirse settled, sighing. “Would you care to join me for a cup of tea? Tiernan and I were just about to invite everyone to the ballroom for drinks.”
Dorian’s auburn brow arched and his gaze slid to Tiernan. The High King of Autumn was no fool. But he acquiesced to Ceridwen’s proposal. “Very well, Your Highness.”
“Everyone to the ballroom. Now.” Tiernan jerked his head toward Casimir. “You too, drakon.”
“Can I get you anything, my lord?” Lir asked, his arm locked tight around the back of Saoirse’s thighs as she dangled over his shoulder.
“Whiskey.” Tiernan blew out a break, shaking his head. “Best to make it a double.”
* * *
The Stygian Spineswallowed Maeve whole.
Behind her, the trees groaned, their branches stretched out like skeletal hands and their leaves shuttering closed, diminishing any shred of light.
She took another step forward. The ground beneath her feet was spongy and soft, covered into curling green moss and overgrown roots. There was a slight give, not enough to throw her off balance, but enough to keep her on her guard. Her every movement was precise, cautious. She had to remember to stay calm, to keep her thoughts from betraying her. The Spine was sentient, after all. A living, breathing thing capable of its own discretion. For thousands of years, it thrived off its own kind of magic, allowing many to enter and few to leave. If the woods thought she meant them harm or any sort of ill intent, they would come for her.
Fear would be her enemy.
Unsteady but determined, Maeve continued deeper into the Spine.Mindful of her every step, she avoided the bushes sprouting up along the forest floor, their vibrant green stems bursting with deep purple berries. Birds flitted through the branches, their songs echoing, reminding her of the call of a lost lover. For a moment, the woods were a wondrous place.
It was like she was walking through one of the faerie forests she’d read about as a child. A fairy tale filled with magic and fascinating things, like woodland sprites and water nymphs. Where the delicate notes of an enchanting lute filled the air, where wishes were made and dreams came true.
She inhaled, breathing in the scent of pine, oak, and a hint of some warm spice.
