28. Ciara
Malachi slipped through the curtain leaving me alone and I didn’t like it. I’d wanted to ask him to stay while I changed out of the magical Water Sprite clothes, but I didn’t trust myself to keep my hands to myself if I saw him naked.
I had it bad for Malachi. He was all I thought about when I should think about saving my father, saving the spring, saving every Fae. Then there was Sir Axis… I shuddered. I’d do anything to not mark him. Perhaps I’d go back through the Veil and fetch another Fae to mark him? But with the way our magic was being unpredictable, would I even make it back? It was too risky to try. I suppose there were my guards, but every Fae I knew wanted to wait for their fated mate. I couldn’t very well ask anyone else to give up their future happiness to save the Fae.
No, that was all on me as a Fae Princess. All my brothers and sisters had mated except Roisin, and there was no way I’d let her sacrifice her future. It had to be me.
It wasn’t like Malachi was my fated mate.
But I chose him.
I’d choose him a thousand times over anyone.
I changed my clothes fast before I flung open the curtain and launched myself into Malachi’s welcoming arms. For I realized he’d welcome me. I dashed back out to the shop brushing past Ivo who raised a questioning eyebrow at me. My guards weren’t dumb. They’d realize what had happened between Malachi and me. I didn’t want to hide it either.
Sledge sidled up to me. “We have good hearing.”
I rolled my eyes, and he laughed before walking away. Malachi exited the changing rooms and seeing him in human clothes made me want him even more. They clung to his lean, muscular body in the way I wanted to cling to him. His eyes heated as he walked toward me and everything but him faded away into insignificance.
Marianne cleared her throat. “I have shoes too.”
I glared at the offending article of clothing before bending and sliding on the shoes. The moment my feet slid into the soft soles, the connection with my power dwindled. It was as though my powers had become muted. She handed Malachi a pair of shoes too and the moment he put them on, a frown marred his face.
One after another, we all changed clothes until we stood in the shop, appearing more human than ever.
“These clothes are hideous,” Sir Axis said while running his fingers over the lapels of his shirt.
Marianne’s eyes narrowed to slits as a deep growl rumbled in her throat.
“Sorry,” I said. “What I think he means is thank you for your help.”
Marianne smiled at me. “You’re welcome, dear. But what are we going to do about your charming flower crown?”
I touched my hand to my crown. At least the instant jolt of connection between my powers still happened when I touched the flowers. It comforted me I hadn’t lost them in entirety.
“Don’t worry about that,” Sir Axis said.
“But won’t humans be curious at the airport and on the airplane?” Marianne asked.
“Not how we’re flying,” he said.
“So, you have a dragon?”
“No.” He laughed. “I have a magical way to travel. It’s how Vanya and I go exploring and keep up with the Earth’s events. A leader can’t lead properly if they aren’t aware of their surroundings.”
I placed my hands on my hips. “So, you put us through this for nothing?”
“Not at all.” He smirked. “Once we arrive in Ireland, we’re bound to encounter humans.”
I huffed, but he had a point. The Fellowship had given us human clothes to blend in with the village population.
“So, the thing about Vanya being able to trick humans into thinking our papers are in order?”
“True. It’s handy to have her with us.”
I dropped my gaze to the girl, but unlike last time she filtered nothing into my mind. A deep sigh left my chest. Why couldn’t everything be easy?
“Sorry, wolves,” Sir Axis said. “You’ll have to stay here. I can’t have everyone knowing all my secrets.”
Sledge squared up to the Water Sprite.
“I don’t like you,” Sledge said.
Sir Axis chuckled and rolled his eyes. “Alphas.”
“If you hurt one hair on any of their heads, then I’ll rip your body limb from limb and if that doesn’t kill you, I’ll keep the parts separate so you’ll never be whole again.”
Dia, it was good to see my sister’s mate was protective. He’d protect her with his life as all mates should.
I hugged Sledge. “I’m glad Briana has you.”
He squeezed me back with his beefy arms.
I hugged Arrow next. “Give Saoirse and Ailbhe a hug from me.”
“I will,” he said gruffly.
I turned to Marianne and embraced her too. “Thank you for your help today.”
She patted my cheek. “Family.”
I nodded. Our family was growing, and it should have been a time to celebrate. Instead, the weight of our impending demise overwhelmed us.
“I suppose you comprehend the way?” Malachi asked Sir Axis.
“Of course, you don’t think I hide around these parts and not appreciate what’s going on, do you?”
“No,” he said.
I slid my hand into Malachi’s and followed Sir Axis and the girl back through the town and into the forest with my guards taking up the position behind us. Each step made my insides quiver with excitement and nervousness. I’d never flown before and didn’t grasp what to expect since I’d only just left the Summer Court.
“How do water sprites fly?” I asked.
“I don’t actually fly,” Sir Axis said. “I use my magic to travel through the water particles. Similar to your Veil except I can travel anywhere there is water whereas your magical portal is between Earth and the Summer Court. My people can travel anywhere at any time.”
“You’re taking us to Ireland with magic?” Malachi asked.
“Of course.”
“Can’t we meet you there then?” Malachi asked.
I didn’t like the idea of Sir Axis using magic on us either. He’d already given us a magical potion that was more than what he’d told us and now he wanted us to trust him to take us on his magic.
“I think that’s a good idea,” I said. “We’ll go through the Veil, and you can meet us there.”
“Where? Ireland is a big place. You wouldn’t want me to get lost and lose even more time, would you?” Sir Axis drawled.
I sighed. “So, help me if this is like the potion… I’ll…”
“Yes?” He cocked an eyebrow.
He understood we needed him to fix our spring more than anything including my fear he’d do something else to us. The added threat from Sledge should have been a deterrent to Sir Axis, but I sensed he wouldn’t care about an alpha wolf shifter.
He held a branch aside, and we stepped onto the sandy soil surrounding a glistening lake. The water stretched across the land until a row of trees appeared in the distance. It reminded me of how our lake back home used to look before the spring slowed. Before everything started to go wrong. Was he going to use his magic to travel through the lake?
“All right, I concede. You can travel through the Veil, and Vanya and I will meet you there.”
“How will you find us?” Malachi asked.
Sir Axis lifted the medallion from his neck and slid it over his head. He stepped closer to me. “Wear this and I’ll find you wherever you are.”
I stepped forward. He lifted the chain over my head and settled it on the back of my neck. The medallion was heavy and warm against my chest. My fingers rubbed the metal the way I’d seen Sir Axis do.
“What is it?”
“Mine, that’s all you need to know.”
“So long as this doesn’t make me yours now.” I let go of the medallion.
Tiny vibrations of magical power emanated from it.
Sir Axis winked, then turned to Vanya. “Hop on.”
Vanya jumped on his back and wrapped her little arms around his neck.
“Of you go then. We can’t find you if you don’t leave.”
I called on the Veil, sensing the magical disturbance with our powers made it even harder to manipulate the lock. Shadows danced from my hands and coated the air in front of our faces. Time ticked as I turned with the magic and sprung open the Veil.
“I’m trusting you,” I said to Sir Axis.
He dipped his head, and Vanya smiled over his shoulder. Surely, if a young girl liked the arrogant Master, then he couldn’t be totally bad?
My guards walked into the swirling, dark, magical curtain. Clasping Malachi’s hand, I stepped into the Veil. Hoping I hadn’t read Sir Axis wrong. Hoping he’d find me with his medallion.