Page 103 of Hidden

“In penance,” the king continued, “you shall be severed from our court. You will not pass into the Gilden Wood with our people, but stay in the cities among the other species, both human and supernatural, until you are released by my word.”

Shock ran through Lila. Her mother in the human city? He might as well drop an exotic koi into a cactus garden.

“I have taken the young wolf’s desire for cooperation between our peoples to heart. Of necessity, you will learn the ways of those around you. If you are wise, you will forget your name and pedigree and present yourself on the strength of your true skills and character.”

Galeeta flinched but said nothing. Lila had gone to the city, but she had wanted the adventure. This ran against every one of her mother’s instincts.

The king went on. “You are a healer, and you will give your services to all in need, free of charge or obligation. You are to conduct yourself as an ambassador of goodwill from my court, so that all may know we are as good as we are powerful. This is your act of contrition and path to redemption.”

Finally, her mother spoke in a low but steady voice. “Am I to go alone, Your Majesty?”

“If your family wishes to be with you, they may join you in your exile. I would suggest that you ask your daughter for advice on how to live there. You will be given enough wealth to survive, but no more.”

Lila pressed her hand over her mouth, not sure if she would laugh or cry. The humans had a concept of Hell. This was it for Galeeta. There would be many dark days ahead.

Galeeta raised her head to regard the king. “You are taking your people away from the human cities to preserve their magic against the taint of human cities. What if I lose mine?”

“Remember your crimes.” There was no sympathy in Elroth’s face. “If you lose your power, then that shall be part of your punishment, Lady Galeeta. At least you will still have your life, thanks to a wolf you no doubt despise.”

Her mother’s mouth dropped open. “No, I?—”

Elroth pushed on, riding over her words. “I don’t believe a change of heart comes from one night alone, even if that night is fraught with terror and mercy in equal measure.”

Galeeta was silent, no doubt because what Elroth said was true.

“If you hear nothing else, my lady, hear this. I nearly lost my life and my throne to a monster tonight. That wolf is correct. If we were one with our neighbors, even in some small part, we would have brought him to justice long ago and avoided much pain and death for the fae and for our neighbors. Our young have shown us wisdom. It is up to us to embrace that lesson.”

The Alpha put an approving hand on his son’s shoulder.

Lila caught Rafe’s gaze one last time, making sure he saw her before mouthing a silent thank-you. He’d given her a gift beyond price. Rafe ducked his head, uncharacteristically flustered.

Izetta and Malatest nodded, but cautiously watched the lightening horizon. Dawn was not far away.

Elroth paused long enough to look around the clearing before turning to Izetta. “My lady, may I borrow your blade?”

Izetta silently handed it over, hilt first. The king sliced open his palm and used his thumb to mark Galeeta’s forehead with his blood. “Your penance has been spoken and shall not be broken until recompense is made.”

The spell was simple, ancient, and powerful. Galeeta bowed until her face was hidden against her knees. Elroth’s sentence struck at the heart of Galeeta’s pride. After holding herself together through so much, now she wept like a broken child.

The family crowded around her, giving as much comfort as they could. Lila barely paid attention when the king opened another portal for the fae, taking them back to the forest they considered their true home.

Lila didn’t notice the vampires leave at all, and only looked up from her distraught mother when distant wolf howls signaled that the pack had left, too. Rafe had gone with them, at long last welcomed at his father’s side. The long and terrible night was ending and taking him with it.

The future Lila had struggled to imagine was upon her. She had her family, closer than ever before. She was free from any obligation to marry someone she didn’t choose, free to build her life as she chose. And yet, tomorrow was an unexpectedly lonely place.

One month later, Lila juggled her shoulder bag, coffee, and croissant to her usual table at the bistro. It was late on a Saturday afternoon, so she had the luxury of scrolling through the online news while drinking her latte. It was the first time she’d relaxed in the weeks since she’d returned from the way station.

The first sip of coffee was heaven as she let her fae senses explore the bold taste. There was a snatch of song and sun-warmed earth coupled with the crisp air of the high mountains. She’d never tasted coffee or a croissant before coming to the city, but now that she had, there was no way she could give up such colorful flavors.

While she’d been at the way station, she’d missed the pleasure of the bistro, with its glass-topped tables, blue-checked curtains, and busy chatter. That had been the least of her problems, but now she appreciated the place even more. It sat next door to her apartment building in East Bay and was lively but never overly crowded. People spread their visits out according to their schedule and, given the mixed clientele in the area, the bistro served breakfast all day and all night, too.

Lila began scrolling on her tablet, skimming without really reading. There was a going-out-of-business sale as the light fae owners left for Gilden Wood and a new story from Errata about bacchante—sadly, the drug hadn’t vanished along with the Magician. The reporter had tried to write about Farras and the destruction of the way station, but Elroth had put a stop to that. Some fae business would always remain hidden, and no one who’d seen the king’s justice in action was likely to defy his wishes.

Lila’s family had been lucky, thanks to Rafe. Still, nothing had been simple. She’d held herself in a fist of worry while she’d found a place for her parents and organized the thousand necessary things to set up their lives—bank accounts, utilities, bus schedules, and even library cards. She missed Rafe’s steady presence every minute. She’d done everything with no help from other fae, who all seemed to feel she was the one with the time and expertise to handle the assignment.

The result of her efforts was a mixed success. Her father adored the library. In contrast, it had taken a monumental effort to convince her mother that their budget would not extend to a housemaid, and an automatic dishwasher would have to do. One might have thought civilization had crashed around Galeeta’s ears.

No, it had not been an easy beginning. Even so, it was progress. They had their space now, and Lila could reclaim hers. She could sit and have her coffee in peace. When someone pulled up a chair to her table, she was ready to blast the intruder at least three tables away. She set down her cup and looked up, barely wiping away a scowl.

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