Page 60 of Tragic Ink
Chapter 19
Snug and warmin my thick coat and wool gloves, I adjusted my pack, slowing to navigate a stream that had frozen over months back. The only sound our party made now was the crunch of our boots. Up ahead, Rhys cut a path as straight as he could, considering there was no real trail to our destination, not in the snow anyway. I couldn’t believe I was leaving this winter wonderland behind. I’d never been beyond the town limits, and here I was leaving this realm altogether. At least it hadn’t required a passport. I almost snorted at that, because it had been nearly as complicated working out our travel details as a rushed passport would havebeen.
Behind me, Elsmed muttered words that sounded like crooning compliments. Ethan perched on his shoulder, his beady, black eyes constantly scanning. I still couldn’t understand what drew him to Elsmed of all people; I could barely get him to sit like that for me. I wondered if it had something to do with Elsmed’s telepathicabilities.
Rhys stopped and waited for the rest of us to catchup.
I hurried forward, excited—and more than a little nervous—to get a look at theportal.
“Um, am I missing something?” I asked, turning a complete three-sixty before frowning. “There’s nothing here but a bunch ofrocks.”
Rhys raised a brow. “Be patient. We have to activate it first. It’s not like we can leave the door open all the time. Any sort of creature could slip rightin.”
I gave him alook.
“Again,” he addedruefully.
I shook myhead.
Cael’s body had been transported and sent through the portal a few days back. A different portal than the one we were using now. I was more than okay with that. Sharing my arrival into the faerie realm with a dead criminal wasn’t exactly my idealimpression.
“Right, makes sense.” I took a deep breath to steady mynerves.
Rhys grabbed my elbow and bent closer, lowering his voice even though Elsmed was still a ways off. “You don’t need to be nervous,” Rhys said. “She already lovesyou.”
“I know. I just... It’s alot.”
He nodded. “I can imagine.” Then he put his arms around me and pulled me close, propping his chin on my head while he held me. “But we both know it’s not nearly as heavy as that misplaced guilt you’ve been carryingaround.”
“True.” It was a huge relief to know my tattoo hadn’t killed Walter’s sister. My magical tats were still capable of a lot of damage. The hellhound was proof of that, and I still battled with that guilt a bit. But learning the truth about Sarah had made me realize everyone was responsible for their own actions. My tattoos could be used for good—or for evil. It wasn’t up to me once the ink haddried.
Rhys seemed more relieved than I was to hear I’d let some of that shit go. It had also allowed us to reconnect, catching up on the years we’d been apart. Standing here in the circle of his arms made me think of some of those reconnections now. I was snug and warm like this, and I almost didn’t want to let go, but we had a portal tocatch.
Elsmed joined us, still chatting to Ethan. He looked at us expectantly as he came close. “Well?” he asked. “Are you both readythen?”
I shot a glance at Rhys. “I thinkso.”
“Good. Now remember, once you’re settled, the Seelie Court would like to meet you both. Rhys will need to make a statement about his mission here, and I suspect they’ll want to get to know you, too, Gwen. If you want help setting that up, get in contact with ChaseMacElvoy.”
“Who is he?” Iasked.
“Chase is our Seelie representative. He travels back and forth from here to Tír na nÓg regularly, so he can help coordinate your appearance with the Courtthere.”
“Tír na nÓg?” I repeated, trying to place the name from everything I’d heard of the SeelieCourt.
“It’s a small island off the coast, and it’s the capital of the Seelie Court. Chase has an office there, so just contact him when you’re ready, and he can bring you home. But take your time.” His gaze settled on me. “When you return or how long you stay is completely up to you. Just remember—time passes differently in Faerie. A couple of weeks could equal monthshere.”
“Thank you,” I told him, startled to realize how far we’d come in a short time. Elsmed had been completely terrifying to me when we’d first met—what? Two weeks ago? And now, at least to me anyway, he was one of the friendliest faces in this town. Not that any of the others were unfriendly. Notanymore.
“You’re welcome. As for your personal affairs while you’re gone...” Elsmed said the words like aquestion.
Rhys jumped in. “Everything’s in order, sir. My bar manager is in charge with complete autonomy while I’m gone. Gwen’s shop is closed until furthernotice.”
“I’m told Aelwyn’s house belongs to both of you now,” Elsmedsaid.
We both nodded. We’d been over this with Sheriff Kasun and a lawyer during the past week. The sheriff had been a lot friendlier after we’d caught Cael for him—a strike against him that meant I probably wouldn’t be sending him a Christmas card anytime soon. But at least I wasn’t on his short list of “chicks capable of murder” anymore. Deputy Conall had actually hugged me when I’d given my statement.Weirdo.
I planned to resume my mistletoe supplements the moment we stepped foot back in HavenwoodFalls.
