Page 68 of Void of Endings
Tiernan’s blood boiled like acid when he saw the cold iron cuff clamped around her neck.
“I know where she is,” Rowan murmured. “I know how to get us in undetected.”
Tiernan studied him. There was something else. “But can you get us out?”
“That might be more difficult.” Rowan rocked back onto his heels, his gaze scanning the mural once more before returning to Tiernan. “We don’t know what Parisa is hiding behind that veil.”
Tiernan shifted his weight, a pinprick of unease needling its way down his spine. He rubbed one hand along the back of his neck. “We know some things.”
Rowan’s brow lifted. “Is that so?”
“Casimir has been funneling us information.”
“I recall as much. Though I suppose sharing such information with the likes of me is somehow beneath you.” Rowan glowered at him with contempt, a smug half-smile plastered across his cocky face. “I’m assuming you struck anaccord with Casimir, and if that’s the case, what does he want in exchange?”
“I don’t know, exactly.” Tiernan shoved a hand through his hair, suddenly annoyed the drakon had been so inexplicit with his terms. “All he asked in return was that I help Maeve when the time came. He said I would know when.”
“That’s rather vague.” Rowan ran a thumb along his chin, then folded his arms across his chest. “And what exactly did he tell you that was worth such an innocuous deal?”
“Parisa created this substance, or venom, rather. When injected into a fae, it causes them to lose control of their bodies.” Tiernan inwardly cringed, remembering the night Garvan stabbed Maeve with that insignificant blade coated in the venom with the intent to steal her away to Spring. He’d almost gotten away with it, too. “It incapacitates them, and in doing so, she can control their mind and their movements.”
“Your magic,” Rowan interjected, his eyes widening. “She stole your magic.”
“For lack of a better term, yes.”
“And how many fae has she administered this supposed venom to?” Rowan asked.
“Hundreds. Maybe more, I don’t know.” Tiernan shifted on his feet, uncomfortable. “Casimir mentioned Parisa overestimated her abilities. The fae who have been drugged by this venom, their minds are completely gone. She can’t control them, and they can’t control themselves. They need more of it, they crave it. He seems to think they’ll go after Maeve.”
Rowan reared back. “What the fuck? What for?”
“Because Casimir thinks since she possesses theanam ò Danuathat they’ll somehow be drawn to her.”
Rowan’s gaze narrowed, anger ebbed around him, and his shadows swarmed like tendrils of stolen nightfall. “So, she’ll either have to create more of this venom, or?—”
“Or kill them,” Tiernan said, already knowing his answer would only enrage the Nightweaver even more.
“Fucking gods,” Rowan muttered. He paced away from the table, then raked his hands through his hair. Spinning around, he stalked back toward Tiernan, pointing one accusing finger in his direction.
“Does she know?” he demanded. “Maeve.Does she know?”
Tiernan stiffened, his defenses rising along with his temper. “If you’re trying to imply that I withheld this information from her on purpose, you’re mistaken. There were a number of more pressing matters after she got her memory back.”
In truth, it had completely slipped his mind about the drugged fae beyond Spring’s borders. Now, however, it seemed such a transgression would come back to haunt him. There was no doubt in his mind that Parisa would find a way to use the fae against Maeve.
They would have to be swift, whether they liked it or not. Rescuing Maeve couldn’t be the onset of the war. They needed her on their side before they invaded Spring, not behind enemy lines.
“There’s no telling when the Prince of Brackroth will arrive, and the Wenfyre druids won’t be here for another few days.” Tiernan scrubbed his hands over his face. Guilt twisted inside of him, tearing at him. He should have been more careful, more prepared. He never should have let Maeve out of his sight. “I fear we’re running out of time.”
Rowan nodded, more solemn than Tiernan had ever seen him. “The longer Maeve is held within the Spring Court, the worse it will be for her.”
“So,” Tiernan ventured, “we’re in agreement?”
Rowan held his gaze. “For once.”
“We’ll need help.”
“It’s one hell of a favor to ask.”
