Page 130 of The Rebel Seer

She told me to mind my own damn business when I asked if she wanted to move on. Cranky spirit.

Daniel sits on the sofa opposite me, an arm draped around my mother-in-law and an indulgent look on his face as he watches Devinshea. “I think we can handle your grandmother, son. And you are going to be quite a revelation. You and your goddess are powerful enough no one is ever going to fuck with you again. You two decide when and if you perform rites for them.”

“Rhys and Shy are Earth plane gods,” Devinshea says. “I will inform my family and the Unseelie of this. They serve the Fae who did not leave. It won’t sit well, but they will accept it. I am still the high priest. Unless you’ve changed your mind, Rhys.”

My husband’s head shakes. “Nope. You can be the High Priest of the Seelie and Unseelie Fae. I’ll take the misfits. Oh, look, the pixies woke up. They had a long night.”

I giggle as they land on my skin, tickling me a bit. There is nothing so magical as being covered in pixies.

They do not fear me, and I no longer fear myself.

“Hello, little ones,” the queen is saying as they land on her as well. She winks my way. “And the Goddess Chain looks good on you.”

I reach for it. I already feel connected to it so it’s sad I have to say good-bye. “I love it, but I think Lee must give it to his goddess.”

“I’m not going to have a goddess,” Lee says, gesturing for me to keep it. “I am not a Green Man, and I think we should have our high priest be separate from the king. The Unseelie claim they have a powerful Green Man. I’m going to meet him and see if there’s any way he’ll help us out. I think it could check my power…provide a balance. We need that.”

“Yes, I believe I’ve heard the theory,” I reply as I ease the necklace back into my bodice. “I’m happy to hear they’re willing to open negotiations.”

“Me as well.” Lee looks slightly uncomfortable in his formal wear. I heard Bibi had put her foot down when he wanted to receive the crown in his undershirt and slacks. She was going to make an excellent aide to the king. She was already treating him like her wayward son and bringing him in line. He looks to Sasha. “I suppose you’re heading out with the rest of them. I wanted to thank you for everything. I had a chance to talk to the others, but I need you to know you’re always welcome in my kingdom.”

The vampire steps forward. He takes a long breath and looks to Rhys first. “You know what I have to do.”

Rhys stands and nods. “Of course. Sasha, you have to follow her.”

Daniel’s head drops back and he groans. “Damn it. Are you sure, man? I don’t know how to run that spy network of yours.”

Sasha looks so torn, his jaw tight, a sad light in his eyes. “My wife has a plane she must save. She was willing to marry this Devinshea to save it. I cannot ask her to go with me and I cannot leave her. I will never leave her again. Not willingly.”

Ostara glides in, a wide smile on her face. No. It’s Meadow, but they work so seamlessly together it’s hard to tell them apart. She’s carrying a beautiful moonstone shaped into a sphere. She needs both hands because the crystal is so large. “Hello, I’m looking for…there he is. King Lee, you will understand when I tell you my engagement to your father is done and I must leave with my husband.”

She’s perky and smiling today, and I’m here for it. She brings the scent of fresh flowers with her, and I breathe it in. I’m ready for spring.

“Yes.” Sasha puts on a good face and stands beside her. He leans over and kisses the top of her head. “I was resigning my position as the leader of the king’s army. I am eager to see your home, my love.”

Meadow frowns up at her husband. “You’re resigning in the middle of a war that is going to potentially affect every person on every plane and in every timeline?”

Sasha looks a bit taken aback. “You have to help your people.”

She nods. “Yes, and this is for them. I set the moonstone out and it stored a lot of fertility magic. There was so much last night. An abundance. This will restore our temple until we can find a Green Man.”

“You will come with me?” Sasha puts his hands on her shoulders as though he needs to see her eyes, to know her truth.

“I will go where we are needed.” Meadow straightens her shoulders. “Our daughter is on your plane. I understand that she can never know me, but I can watch over her. She is the only child we will ever have, and I am content with that, but I will not leave her.”

Rhys’s hand squeezes mine, remembering my mother had done the same until I was safe.

Well, as safe as I can be in the middle of a war where I am apparently going to be a big part of the fight.

This will always be a war won by women, un sanctaidd.

The question is who will be in my sisterhood?

“As for my plane,” Meadow says, turning to Lee. She hands him the large moonstone. “I need you to go there and give this to my sister. She will know how to use it. I think you two might get along.”

“Actually, it turns out I have a lot to do here,” Lee hedges as he holds the stone. “But I can find someone to act as my emissary.”

Meadow’s brow rises. “My sister is known as the most beautiful woman in all of the sithein. Men fall at her feet. I suppose it’s best you don’t go because I doubt she would give you the time of day.”

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