Page 26 of The Iron Sword

“This is my kin,” I went on as the Wolf continued to give me a baleful stare. “He may only be a cub, but he is mine. He is part of our pack, and the pack protects its own. I am asking you, as a friend who accompanied me to the End of the World, will you help us? Will you make the Forgotten your pack, and protect them until they can return to their own territory?”

The Wolf bared his fangs, then let out a long-suffering sigh. “Fine,” he growled. “For you and your mate, not him. The Forgotten are welcome here,temporarily. I will make sure nothing hunts or troubles them while they are within the Deep Wyld. But you owe me a favor, prince.” He curled a lip at me. “We might be pack, but as I said before, I am not a guard dog. I don’t make a habit of defending the sheep from the wolves. I am usually the one that must be defended against.”

I nodded, and Keirran visibly relaxed. “I’m grateful,” he told the Wolf. “You have my thanks, and the gratitude of the Forgotten. Maybe someday we’ll be able to return the kindness you’ve shown us.”

“Keep your gratitude, cub.” The Wolf shook his head. “It means nothing to me. Actions are what speak loudest in the Deep Wyld, and yours have shown me all I need to know. I don’t expect that you or any of your Forgotten will repay me anytime soon.”

“He is still young, Wolf,” Meghan said quietly. “We have all made mistakes, and Faery is a harsh teacher. How long are we supposed to punish someone for the past, especially if they are trying to change?”

“I do not know,” the Wolf replied. “Nor do I care. Regardless...” He narrowed his eyes at Keirran. “I have given my word. Go fetch your Forgotten—I will protect them while they remain in the Deep Wyld. However, if they leave, they are on their own.” He sighed and looked around the ruins of the castle, then shook his shaggy head. “I suppose they will have to stay here. Two legs seem to be illogically attached to having a roof over their heads.”

“Slight problem,” Puck said, and made a walking motion using two fingers. “Our ride in seems to have walked off. How are we going to get back to the real world?”

The Wolf sighed and pointed his muzzle at a path that led out of the ruins. “There is a trod on the other side of the forest,” he said. “I never use it, but it goes to a place in the mortal realm.” He glanced at Keirran. “If I take you to the human world, you can get to your Forgotten from there, is that right?”

“Yes.” Keirran nodded, and turned to Meghan. “But there’s no reason we all have to return to Ethan and Kenzie’s,” he said. “I can do this myself.”

Puck frowned. “Trying to get rid of us, princeling?”

“The Forgotten aren’t the only ones in danger,” Keirran went on, ignoring Puck. “These creatures, whatever they are, are getting more numerous every day. They’re already roaming the Between and the human world. What happens when they make their way into the Nevernever itself? The rulers of Faery need to know about this, before it’s too late and the wyldwood is swarming with these things.”

“You know these creatures are after you, Keirran,” I said. “If they find you again and we’re not there to help, you could find yourself in the same predicament you were in earlier.”

“I will take care of my people,” Keirran said, sounding more like the King of the Forgotten now. “If the Wolf accompanies me, there isn’t much that can threaten us. We will get the Forgotten safely to the Deep Wyld, have no fear of that. But we’re going to need all of Faery standing together to fight these creatures. We don’t even know what they are, or where they’re coming from, but we do know they spread rage and hate. What happens when they invade the Nevernever? You saw what one of them did to Touchstone. Imagine if it got into the Summer or Winter Courts. Faery would tear itself apart.”

Meghan sighed. “I know,” she said. “You’re right, I think it’s time we warned the other courts. It’s not just one monster, anymore. All of Faery will fall to chaos if even a few of those creatures cross into the Nevernever.” She glanced at Keirran, a mix of pride and concern crossing her face. “The Forgotten King will go to the mortal realm, gather his people, and bring them here to the Deep Wyld. The rest of us will return to the Nevernever. It’s time to call a meeting with the other rulers of Faery.”

I set my jaw. I could feel Meghan’s worry, knowing she had to send our son back alone when we had come so far to find him. But she was the Iron Queen, and she knew her duty. Our kingdom was in danger, and as much as she wanted to make certain Keirran was safe, she knew she had to put the safety of the Iron Realm and Faery first. Even if it meant letting him walk into danger alone.

Inside, the anger of the Unseelie stirred again. Keirran might be safe for now. But the threat was still out there, looming closer to Faery, my world, and everything I cared for. What would I have to sacrifice this time? What more would I lose before this was over?

That anger flickered quietly to rage.Nothing, the Unseelie side whispered.No more. I will defend them. Whatever it takes.

“Nyx.” Keirran looked at the Forgotten standing quietly beside Puck. “I want you to go with them,” he ordered. “Back to the Nevernever. I want you there when the council of Faery rulers is called.”

The Forgotten blinked. “My place is here, Your Majesty,” she said. “My one obligation is to protect you. I am ashamed that I was not there in Touchstone when it fell—I should have been at your side. I have failed in my duty.”

“No.” Keirran shook his head. “There was nothing you could have done. And I want you to be present for this meeting. Once the Iron Queen returns to the Nevernever, a Faery council will be called to discuss this new threat. I need you there, to be my voice, and the voice of the Forgotten. They need someone representing them. Otherwise, the rulers of Summer and Winter will not think of them at all.”

Nyx set her jaw. I could tell she was reluctant, not wanting to leave her king behind, but she bowed her head all the same. “As you wish, sire. If these are your orders, I will carry them through.”

“Don’t be too ecstatic or anything,” Puck said, masking the flutter of emotion with a smirk. “I know we’re not that exciting to hang around, but we try.”

Nyx gave him a strange look as the Wolf rose gracefully to his feet, stretched once, and shook himself vigorously. “Come on, then,” he growled at Keirran. “The trod is this way. The sooner we fetch your pack, the sooner I can be done with this.”

Keirran looked at us all and smiled. “I’ll be fine,” he said, backing up toward the Wolf. “Don’t worry about me, or the Forgotten. We’ll be here when you come back.”

“Be careful, Keirran,” Meghan said.

“Call if you need us,” I added.

“I will.” Keirran nodded. “Good luck to you both,” he said formally, and for a moment, I marveled at how different he looked. Not like Keirran or an exiled prince any longer, but the King of the Forgotten. He had grown up too fast, and that made me both proud and melancholy at the same time. “Until we meet again.”

The Wolf padded out of the courtyard, melting into the night with Keirran beside him, and both vanished into the darkness.

Meghan closed her eyes, but only for a moment. When she opened them again, the pure determination of the Iron Queen stared back at us. “All right,” she said. “We have work to do. Grim, where’s the quickest trod to Arcadia?”

Part II

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