Page 56 of The Rebel Seer

I realize what my husband intended to say. Neil’s ears are longer, pointed in that delicate way of the Fae.

“Neil,” Bibi begins.

But Neil holds out a hand. “In a moment, Bibi. Servants, you can leave or you can die. We don’t wish to harm any of you, but we will. The pretender must die for all Fae to be free. Lee, it’s time.”

Bibi reaches for his coattail, tugging it. “Neil, it is not what you think.”

Lee steps inside dressed in all black leathers and looking dangerous. This is my son and not my son. He is older than my Lee, infinitely harder. He has scars my baby boy never took even before his turn made him perfect again. He frowns at Devinshea on the floor, and his eyes flare at the sight of his twin. Well, his alternative’s twin. “Another by blow, Father? Damn but your wickedness runs true. He could be my twin. He’s evil, you know, brother. Anything he told you to bring you here is a lie.”

Rhys stands in front of his father. “He is not your father. He is mine.”

“Master, you are mistaken,” Bibi says, a bit of desperation in her voice.

“Sir, this is not the king you seek,” Ostara tries.

Lee frowns at the goddess of spring. “You are his fiancée. He’s going to murder you, too, you know. He wants the energy your goddess can give him. That fucking wizard has done the impossible. He’s corrupted Devinshea Quinn further. Well, it stops now. You made a mistake coming back without your witches and your guard.”

“Son,” Dev begins. “I am not the…”

Lee pulls his bow and arrow.

“No,” I yell. “Rhys, do something.”

I hear the beginnings of a rumble from outside.

That’s not the only sound I hear. Growling.

The servants have made themselves scarce, with the exception of Bibi. There are ten Fae guards backing up the alternate versions of Lee and Neil. As the big white wolf begins to stalk inside the dining hall, some of the arrows shift his way.

Neil. He heard something and he’s come. My Neil. We have one shot at surprising them since they are not listening to Bibi or Ostara. “Change, Neil. Show them who you are. Show your Fae version who you are.”

Fae Neil turns slightly, and his eyes widen first as he takes in me, and then at the sight of his own naked werewolf self standing in front of him.

“Zandra?” Neil breathes. “Lee, stand down. Something is wrong.”

“This is our chance, Uncle,” Lee insists and then his bow drops as he sees me for the first time. “Mama?”

Tears pierce my eyes at the emotion behind the word. Like my own baby boy who missed me for twelve years. It’s right there in his eyes. The deep longing for the relationship that was stripped from him. A loving mother. A hand in his. Cookies for his belly and stories at night to fill his soul. He is a man. Perhaps older than my Lee. But the child inside still wants his mother. Will always want his mother.

I step away from the women even as I see green vines starting to creep along the open windows.

“Mom,” Rhys warns.

I shake my head and move to this version of my son. So alike and yet there’s a scar on his chin mine does not have. I stand right in front of him and put my hand to his face, rubbing the deep groove. “Did she soothe you when you got this? I would kiss my Lee’s boo-boos and bandage him up even though I would use vampire blood to ensure he healed. He liked the ritual.”

Lee’s eyes close. “You are not my mother.”

“Not in this time,” I reply quietly. “But I assure you I love you, and I also promise that man who looks like the monster who sired you is not.”

“I am Devinshea Conlan-Quinn,” Dev says, his eyes tight. “In my time, I am High Priest of the Unseelie and Seelie Fae.”

Lee looks his way but does not move from me. “We have no high priest. Certainly not one we would share with the Unseelie. Why would you name them first?”

“Because the Seelies can be assholes,” Dev replies. “I greatly prefer the dark court. It’s far more honest, and they don’t force my goddess to wear their flowy gowns. She complains. She loves her weapons, and they are far too hard to get to with all that…”

“Fabric,” Lee finishes. “My mother hated them, too. She preferred the country because she could wear pants and defend herself. Once she told me she would rather be a goblin.”

I’ve said it before many times. How odd the things that are the same and different. “I have a couple of knives on me and my Ruger.”

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