Page 57 of Realm of Nightmares
Her head swiveled as she scanned the training grounds, but he was nowhere to be found.
Another figure, however, caught her eye.
Stalking across the courtyard, her swift pace carrying her toward the city, was Laurel.
Maeve rubbed the underside of her ring with one thumb, debated for only a second, then chose to damn all the consequences. Without caring about the fact that her lip was still split open, or that she had blood and melted snow clinging to her clothing, Maeve followed her.
She didn’t know what the hell Laurel’s problem was, or why the fae seemed determined to abhor her with every fiber of her being, but she was damn sure going to find out.
ChapterSixteen
Tiernan stood on the verandah overlooking the Lismore Marin.
Smooth stone steps cascaded down into the crashing waves of the sea below, and the giant fae warrior kneeled in the distance, guarding the coast of the Summer Court.
Lir, Merrick, and Brynn were there as well, silent and watchful. He didn’t think she would show up, not after their argument, but Ceridwen appeared, faithful as always. At least he knew her loyalty and devotion would never be questioned, despite any quarrels that might arise between them.
“My scouts and I searched the whole of the Autumn Court, my lord.” Merrick stepped forward. It was strange to see him without the shock of his hot pink hair, and Tiernan silently wondered if it would remain silvery white forever. “The will ó wisp was nowhere to be found.”
Damn.
It wasn’t the news he was hoping for, though he supposed good fortune would not always favor them.
“Her scent was nearly untraceable,” Merrick continued, the weight of his own disappointment evident in the heaviness falling around his shoulders. “What little of her we were able to pick up vanished with the wind. It was like she knew we were tracking her, and she didn’t want to be found.”
How typical that the one time he actually sought the will ó wisp, she was impossible to locate. Without her, they would have no one to translate the runes in theSyol Lorhr.There would be no way of knowing why Faeven was withering away and dying. There would be no means of returning the Four Courts to their former glory. It would be all too easy for Parisa to invade and take control. Defeating her would become impossible.
Maghmell was inevitable.
Tiernan let his gaze drift back to the sea once more.
The waves were angry now, crashing against the shore in tandem. The once dazzling waters were dark and toiling, churning with the threat of a storm not of his making.
Suddenly, the air around him changed. The breeze was brisk and cool, charged with the scent of bergamot, clove, and something reminiscent of amber. Of Autumn.
A moment later, Aranfadedonto the verandah beside him.
Concern knitted across Tiernan’s brow. “Your Highness.”
“Your Grace.” Aran inclined his head, acknowledging all of them. “I hear you’re considering venturing to Maghmell.”
“And how would you have heard that?” Brynn asked, cocking one hip to the side.
The High Prince offered her a winning smile. “All of Autumn has ears, my lady.”
“There’s nothing to consider.” Tiernan would remain undaunted on this matter, and from the corner of his eye, he saw Ceridwen visibly stiffen, clutching her arms around herself. “We’re out of options. We need the assistance of the goddess of life if we intend to defeat Parisa.”
Aran nodded, running a thumb along the scar that marred his chin. “Then I’m going with you.”
Murmurs of dissent broke out among the closest members of his Court.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Your Highness.” Tiernan shook his head, meeting Lir’s knowing gaze beyond the High Prince. “It’s incredibly dangerous.”
“And you went by yourself last time during Carman’s reign. You beseeched the goddess of life on your own and risked your life for all of us.” Aran crossed his arms, refusing to be swayed. “Allow me to return the favor. For my Court and myself…for my sister.”
At the mention of Maeve, Tiernan’s resolve crumbled. Perhaps it wouldn’t be too bad to have some company along the way.
“It would be a smart decision not to travel alone, my lord.” Brynn gnawed on her bottom lip, her gaze flicking back and forth between Tiernan and Aran.
