Page 141 of Beneath a Shattered Sky
If necessary, I’ll give him something to be afraid of. I’d rather become a nightmare than allow any of my Guard to be harmed again.
Releasing him, I return to the tree, the bark sharp and unforgiving against my palm.
“May all of Danu’s children find warmth, peace, and respite beneath these boughs,” I say softly.
I’m no longer surprised by the way that the tree shrines tend to shudder after being blessed, and Danu’s presence pulses softly, going from furious to content as the branches shake themselves out.
The tree grows, those clouds of white leaves expanding to cover the entire room, and from them, tiny vines drop down, flowers made of glimmering crystalline petals bursting into bloom.
They look like stars. Like the night sky has been unleashed in this dark and broken room.
Even the torn sash around the trunk is gone, replaced by streaks of silver that wrap around its circumference.
“Beautiful,” I whisper, allowing the peace to sink into my bones, lightening the weight that seems to follow me everywhere I go.
Drystan nods once, but his frown hasn’t dissipated, and I sigh, stepping back.
My bond to Danu quietens, and the tension, which was momentarily banished, returns.
“How long until we reach Calimnel?”
“If we ride hard? A day, but we can’t leave until daybreak. The trail that connects Mirrwyl and Cedwyn’s city is too treacherous to do in the dark.”
Once again, I stifle the urge to demand we do away with the pilgrimage and just blink to the gates. We’re so close now. One more day won’t change anything, and completing this stupid thing properly gives those who oppose me one less reason to claim I’m not a true Nicnevin.
But the shimmering line of lanterns outside stops me. This pilgrimage means something to all of those fae. I can’t even say I’ve hated all of it, even though it led to a civil war and so much pain. I’ve learned so much and seen even more. Sure, the minor royals could all do with being left alone in a room with Lore fora few hours, but the majority of the other fae I’ve met have been lovely.
No. I’m finishing this stupid thing.
“Send her back,” I decide, my plan solidifying. “Wait, tell Jaro to do it. You don’t need to talk to her. You don’t have to look at her ever again if you don’t?—”
“Rhoswyn, I am more than capable of talking to my own mother.”
“You shouldn’t have to.” Looking up into those molten eyes, I stretch onto my tiptoes and press a tiny kiss to his jawline. “They used you as a pawn, and you’re their son. I will never forgive them for that, even if you pretend not to care.”
Drystan looks down at me, his hand coming up to cup my jaw. “So fierce.”
I offer him a wide smile. “You haven’t seen what I have planned for Cedwyn yet. Just remember, you promised to let me lead tomorrow.”
His gaze sharpens, examining me for any hint of what I’m up to, but I simply lean into him, an enigmatic grin on my face.
“I love you,” I whisper softly. “And I won’t let them continue to hurt you.”
Forty-Two
Jaromir
Rosie has been scheming since she and Drystan returned to camp, and now, in the predawn darkness, I watch her whispering into Lore’s ear and frown at how big his answering smile grows.
When the redcap looks that happy, he’s usually off to kill someone.
“Let her,” Bree says from his spot on my left. “She needs to do this.”
I eye him critically. “Do you know what her plan is?”
The púca shakes his head. “No. But look at her. See how much she’s changed? That’s not the same Rose who was shaking with nerves at the thought of walking into the throne room at Pavellen.”
No. It’s not.
