Page 28 of The Lord of the Labyrinth

Her mother’s eyes were soft, sweet, full of that brown fire the Kate sometimes saw in her own eyes.

“I’m dreaming,” Kate guessed.

Amber Winslow shook her head. “You’re dying,” she corrected Kate gently. “But it’s all right. We can stay right here, in this memory, together.” Her mother squeezed her waist and kissed her forehead.

Stay here with her? Kate wanted that, wanted to stay in her mother’s arms. “Forever?”

“Yes, my darling,” Amber said softly and stroked her hair. “Just like this.”

Kate shook her head. No. Her mother was dead. This couldn’t be real. She couldn’t stay even if she wanted to. She had to do something.

The vision of her mother vanished, and once more her eyes sought the ring of bright water far above her. So far away... The view of the sky above began to fade back into the comforting sanctuary of her mother and the warm fireplace.

Then she glimpsed a figure blacking out the sun and plunging into the water, shooting toward her like a falling star as it began to glow with a light that was beyond words. It made her think of Roan. She reached out her hand, wanting to touch that figure wreathed in light. But it was too late. She couldn’t take it anymore, and in a desperate gasp, her lungs filled with water.

It all went quiet. All went dark.

ChapterSeven

The bride knew that she was losing herself bit by bit to the path in the dark woods. But in losing herself, she discovered a new self, one who was unafraid to face the monsters. To find her way forward, she had to leave her fear behind.

—Anon.,Tales from the Twilight Court

The human child clutched the bars and stared at Roan with wide, innocent eyes through the gloom of the dungeon. Eyes that called Roan back to the moment he’d first met the child, when he’d whispered a hope that Roan would be the friend his sister needed. That request had stirred something in Roan’s chest, settling beneath his skin as he’d considered the child’s devotion to his older sister. He had liked the boy instantly for that love and loyalty to Kate.

A pixie flitted through the air, distracting Roan momentarily. The pixie hissed, leaving bright little green sparks above his head before it shot up the stairs. The human child jumped back in shock.

“What wasthat?”

“A pixie. They won’t hurt you, unless you try to pet them,” Roan replied dismissively. He had no intention of discussing pixies at present.

The vicious little creatures were always watching him and following him about. Nosy little things, always getting into everyone’s business.

With a sigh, Roan waved his hand and the iron bars vanished, which left the child standing there confused.

Roan turned to leave. “Come with me.” He heard the child’s footsteps behind him, hurrying to catch up. Roan took the twisting staircase out of the dungeons and stepped into the light of one of the palace corridors. It was mercifully empty of palace courtiers or other creatures. He did not have time for their nonsense.

“Babbitt!” he called out.

The brownie materialized in front of him and curtsied. “My lord?”

“Take this child to Eudora,” he instructed the brownie. He glanced down at the boy, feeling a little unsettled by this situation. He had no intention of being cruel to the child, but he had no time to sit around and watch him. Roan had to plan for the eventual hostilities with the Seelie, and he needed to make sure that Kate was safe in the labyrinth. If he could keep her in the outer edges of the labyrinth, she would face no real danger.

“Lady Eudora?” Babbitt blinked in surprise.

“Yes. Tell her that this is the mortal woman’s brother, and see to it that he is fed, clothed, and watched over. Do not allow any harm to befall him.”

The child seemed to relax a little at that reassurance.

The brownie nodded, her eyes serious as she looked over the human child. “Yes, my king.”

“Sir?” The boy tugged on Roan’s tunic sleeve. Roan glanced down at the child. “Whatisshe?” he whispered as he pointed at the brownie. “And where are we?”

Roan was unaccustomed to explaining his world to mortals. He drew himself up a little and arched a brow at the child as he spoke. “To answer your second question first, you are in the realm of the Fae, boy.Babbittis a brownie. I would strongly advise you do not point at her, or anyone else for that matter. It might be seen as rude, and rude can be dangerous here. Babbitt will answer your questions.”

The child stared at the brownie, who gave an eager-to-please smile. Babbitt and the boy were of similar height.

“Fairies...wow,” the boy murmured, still in shock but not as frightened as before. That was good. Unlike some of the courtiers in his court who relished their dark gifts, he was not a Fae who thrived on fear and darkness. His father had said he had too much of his mother in him.

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