Page 109 of Rogue's Possession (Covenant of Thorns 2)

Part IV

Modifying the Variables

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Chapter 21

In Which I Return to the Original Plan, with a MinorTweak

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Rogue is an enigma. One I intend tosolve.

~Big Book of Fairyland, “Rogue”

Clunk. Clunk. Clunk.

Larch knocked on the force field again, repeating the noise that had awakened me. His earnest purple face peered in at me, comically distorted by the field. I collapsed it and the cool morning air rushed in, making me glad I’d gone to the effort to keep us warm.

“My lady sorceress—it’s good to see you again.”

“How did you find us, Larch?”

He shrugged, sticking his hands in the pockets of his little tunic. “I knew when you returned to our soil. Then I just had to run a little.”

“And the rest of the caravan?”

“Waiting for your return.”

“It’s cold!” Starling wailed, poking her tousled blond head up.

“Best get moving then.” Blackbird was already standing and brushing out her skirts. “Get your juices flowing.”

“Larch.” Athena nodded at the Brownie, who gave her a little bow in return, taking in her changed appearance.

Darling Hercules ran his tail under Larch’s chin, who steadfastly bore the indignity.

“Now that I’ve found you, the caravan can reroute to join us at the Port of Blue Mermaids.”

I shook my head, the lilies in my ears swinging. “We’re not going there. Or I’m not,” I amended. “The rest of you can do as you like, of course.”

“Why?” Starling stopped in the act of finger-combing her hair. “Where are you going?”

“To the Glass Mountains, specifically to the Queen Bitch’s castle.”

“You can’t just walk into Titania’s castle, dearie,” Blackbird told me, in a tone that indicated she feared for my sanity.

One does not simply walk into Mordor.I would have said it, if Walt had still been with us. Funny that I could miss the little shit. At this point he’d likely be locked naked in that featureless cell and getting pretty damn hungry. Maybe, since he’d already submitted, they wouldn’t spend so much effort breaking his will.

“I’ll find a way.”

“I thought we were looking for my dad.”

“You can keep doing that, Starling—you and Blackbird should absolutely do that. It’s as important as me rescuing Rogue. I respect that.”

They all stared at me with expressions ranging from disbelief to dismay. From the tenor of their thoughts, most of them felt concern that recent events had been too much for me and I might be collapsing under the strain. Except for Athena, who simply spun her dagger in her fingers, waiting. She was getting quite deft with it. Darling sat beside her, eyeing it with bright interest.

“Lady Gwynn.” Blackbird folded her hands, looking to Larch for support. “You must understand that Lord Rogue is not one who ever needs rescuing. He’ll turn up when it’s time.” She didn’t look at my belly, but the implication was clear.

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