Page 188 of Mountain of Mirrors and Starlight
“No games, fae,” Juliana continued. “We come in search of our children. We know they are here.”
“Of course. Your children were fine and healthy when I saw them yesterday. Won’t you come with us back to the castle?”
All the relief in Aislinn’s heart plummeted.No, no, it’s a trap!If her parents got beyond the magical barrier, they’d be defenceless. Aeron was choosing his words so carefully, too, acting like he was incapable of lying—no doubt to keep up the illusion for anyone not in the know already.
Why wasn’t Hawthorn saying anything? Usually he was always the one talking, their mother weighing up the many ways to escape or kill people as he did. But today he seemed silent, his shoulders unusually tight beneath his furred cape.
Aislinn frowned. His shoulders seemed broader than before—and was he taller, too?
“Very well,” Juliana said coolly. “Lead the way.”
Aeron held up his hand. “I’m afraid we have a strict no weapons policy in the castle,” he said. “Would you mind disarming yourselves?”
“Not a problem,” Juliana said, sounding unusually cheerful for someone being forced to give up her weapons. She took out a dagger from beneath her cape, and the rest of their party made a show of disarming themselves, too.
Finally, Hawthorn spoke. “That is all we have,” he said, his voice sounding rusty, unnaturally deep—not like her father at all. Was he all right? Had something happened to him? “We carry no more weapons, and you have my word that we shall not attack in any way, unless we are attacked first. Please. Take us to our children.”
The party started to move.
No.
Aislinn had to get their attention. That part in itself wasn’t too hard—she could just send up a flame. But she couldn’t letAeronknow where she was. They needed to avoid another fight if they possibly could, especially in these packed streets. Half of Avalinth had flooded here to see the faerie procession, children amongst them. It was too dangerous—
Aislinn jumped to the next roof, trying to get Juliana’s attention. Their mother could lie, feign something, or even just ready herself for a battle when they reached the palace and the crowds thinned.
But she never looked up.
Desperate, Aislinn slid to the floor, keeping her head low enough to pass for a dwarf but high enough that maybe,maybesomeone would notice her.
Look here,she thought desperately.Look here!
They wound through the streets and crowds, following the procession, searching for a gap, a small platform, a way to alert them without causing a scene. Beau was trying to, but he was taller and ganglier and conscious of his size.
Come on, come on!
A tram cut across them, blocking them from sight. Aislinn froze as it shunted along the street, gathering her breath. It was taking too long. They were going to lose them—
A hand touched her shoulder, yanking her backwards. Aislinn reacted instinctively, grabbing the arm and trying to flip the person over her, but her assailant seemed prepared, dropping out of her grip and pressing her to the stone wall of the alley.
A black hood fell down.
The King of the Faeries held her in his grip.
Aislinn’seyeswidened.“Father?What are you… you were just… how—”
Without another word, Hawthorn dived forward and pulled them both into a fierce hug. “I’m so glad to see you two.”
Beau made a soft, non-committal sound. His cheeks were wet when they parted. Hawthorn smiled, brushing his tears away with his thumbs. “Are either of you hurt?”
They shook their heads.
“Good. What’s going on?”
“It’s hard to explain,” Aislinn said. “Longto explain. How did you find us?”
“The vines,” Hawthorn said. “Led us right to the gate. Andthese,” he said, pointing to her pendant, and the flower one he had around his neck, “led me here.”
“But who was that standing next to Mother?”
