Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
MERI
B lowing off steam for the first time in forever felt good. I hadn’t realized how much I’d been carrying on my shoulders, but Arden heard it all last night—my feelings about being queen and how it felt to go from floundering to finding my stride, the difficulty of navigating the intricacies of the court and how the revolution began to impact my reign. I gleefully boasted about winning against a kraken, and of course, Arden wanted to hear every detail of our battle. I told her about the evolution of my relationship with Cormal, which she felt was long overdue. All the people I had met and the ones, like Eris, who I missed the most. It took me hours, lots of tears, and several bottles of wine, to tell it all, but in the end, it felt good. Cathartic.
Enlightening, too. When Arden teased me about Madoc, my trainer and savior, I didn’t know what to say. I explained how arrogant and annoying he was in training. How, like Cormal, he pushed me to save myself. Protect myself. But then he saved me… a few times. Toward the end, when things were falling apart and I couldn’t find him, I worried about him. Arden laughed and promptly informed me that I liked him. Kind of threw me for a loop, but the more I thought about it and the more wine I drank, I had to admit she was right. Not only do I trust him, I like him.
Bleary-eyed, I wake and glance at my phone. Cormal sent a text early this morning. They’re still searching for Rivan. The urge to bury my head in the pillow is so strong, I almost whimper, but I refuse to lie here when I could be doing something to help.
Holding my head, I ease into a sitting position. As I do, I notice a note on the nightstand beside a small bottle.
It’s disgusting, but it works. Drink it all. Arden XX
A potion. Thank you, Arden. Unstopping the cork, I get a whiff of the nasty smell but down it in one gulp. Thick and slightly slimy, the drink tastes like sludge and dirt. For a second, I think it’s going to come back up, but it settles in the pit of my stomach and starts to work its magic.
Twenty minutes later, I’m scarfing down food while I text Madoc and Cormal.
Cormal: We’re on our way to meet up with Sika and Ren. No news yet.
Meri: How is that possible? Did you check the underground city where they were living?
Cormal: They’re not there. Holed up somewhere else.
Meri: I haven’t heard from Madoc. Is he okay?
It occurs to me that I’m worrying about two of the most dangerous men I know, and all I can do is shake my head, but just because they’re powerful doesn’t mean they’re invincible.
Cormal: He doesn’t know how to text. He’s here with me.
My eyebrows rise. I wonder if they tried to kill each other.
Meri: …
Meri: Do I need to get a healer?
Cormal: That’s been resolved. Peacefully. He’ll explain. Have to go. Stay at The Abbey.
Resolved. Whatever Madoc told Cormal, it completely eased his mind, which intrigues me. He was dead set against him, and it takes a lot to satisfy his cynical mind. I can’t wait to hear what Madoc has to say.
I tap my finger on my lip. Where the hell could the Phoenix have gone? I try to remember all the bits and pieces I heard, but it’s not much.
Theron was able to reach Oryn last night, but he wasn’t at the dark Fae palace. He promised to ask around when he got back. I nodded my thanks, but I’m concerned it will be too late for Rivan.
I did notice Oryn’s reply rattled Theron. He doesn’t show much emotion, but he kept tapping his fingers on his thigh. Arden asked him if he was okay, and he told her Oryn was hunting down information but wouldn’t say anything else over the phone. It’s unlike Oryn to care about anything enough to make an effort.
The rune on my hand pulses. Arden added a spell to temporarily enhance it but said only I would be able to tell if it works. I peer down at the tattoo on my palm. Flames with a heart in it and the clarity rune inside the heart. Every time I look at it, it reminds me of Rivan and the time we spent together. I clench it tight. We need to find him.
Cormal: Madoc is on his way back. Tell him Ren has a lead. Mer people chattering about activity in the Forbidden Sea. Going to check it out.
Where is the Forbidden Sea? I close my eyes and try to visualize a map of the Light Fae Kingdom. I can see the land but can’t recall the waters around it.
Meri: Is Solandis up for a visitor? I need information.
Vargas: Yes, she’s much better, thanks to the doctor.
Meri: On my way.
Minutes later, I’m at their door. When I walk in, Solandis is eating breakfast and does indeed look a million times better. She’s dressed to perfection and smiling again.
I lean down and kiss her cheek. “You look fabulous. Feel better?”
She pats the chair beside her. “Like a princess. Vargas tells me you need information?” Her turquoise eyes are clear and bright this morning.
“Do you have a map of the Light Fae Kingdom? Cormal said there is activity in the Forbidden Sea, and I can’t quite remember where it is,” I tell her, snatching up a strawberry from the bowl in front of her.
“That’s because we removed it from most of the maps a long time ago,” she replies in a serious tone. “Are you quite sure that’s the location?”
With a frown, I show her Cormal’s text. “Why? What’s there?”
She leans forward. “Call Cormal right now. Tell him to pull his men back from there. It’s not safe.” Her tone is unusually sharp.
I immediately call Cormal, but he doesn’t answer. “It’s going to voicemail.”
Someone knocks at the door, and Vargas opens it to find Madoc.
Instead of his usual ferocious scowl, Madoc’s face goes blank when he sees Vargas. “I’ll wait for you in your room, Meri.”
I jump up. “No, wait. Cormal’s in danger. Where did you leave him?”
He stops on the edge of the threshold. “On the shore of the Caraway River. He was speaking with his men. What kind of danger?”
I look over at Solandis, who’s staring at Madoc with a peculiar look on her face.
“He’s on his way to the Forbidden Sea. We need to stop him,” she says emphatically.
Madoc curses. “I’ll go. Stay here.”
I rush to the door to go with him, but he’s already gone. “Damn it. When are those men going to realize I’m not helpless?”
Vargas pats me on the back. “Hopefully never.”
I swivel around to Solandis. “What’s in the Forbidden Sea?”
She swallows. “The Isle of Avalon. It’s a dangerous place. The Fae who lived there long ago died out, but their magic still protects the island. Unless you know its secrets, navigating it can be treacherous.”
Avalon. “Rivan’s mother came from there.”
Solandis’ eyes widen. “If he’s there, his mixed blood could be a point in his favor. Goddess help us if Brixton stirs up the old magic. All of the light Fae will be in danger.”
There’s another knock at the door, and Vargas opens it to find Theron standing there in an impeccable pinstriped navy-blue suit. With elegant strides, he walks in and kisses Solandis on the cheek before turning to me.
“Oryn returned to the palace. He confirmed King Denir is in communication with Brixton. The Phoenix have taken to the seas. They’re setting traps for the Water Fae along the shores,” he informs us. “Unfortunately, he can’t tell us where they are at this exact moment.”
“The Forbidden Sea,” Solandis reveals with a heavy sigh. “Madoc went to intercept Cormal and his men.”
“Damn. That’s not good. Do you trust Madoc?” Theron asks, his gaze intent. “He’s not working for Denir, is he?”
“Yes. I think so. Why would you say that?” I stammer.
“He’s dark Fae royalty,” Theron states matter-of-factly. “Didn’t you know? I thought it was odd he was by your side but it wasn’t my place to question you.”
Dark Fae? A shiver runs down my spine. “No, I didn’t. Did you?” I turn toward Vargas and Solandis.
Vargas shuffles restlessly. “The soldiers talked about him possibly having mixed blood, but I didn’t think it was important. There were a lot of mixed blood amongst the soldiers. Tiernan, for example.”
Solandis looks at me in surprise. “The second I met him. Today.”
Madoc and Solandis never met? The entire time I was queen. I try to recall them together but can’t. “Shit. I didn’t realize you hadn’t met.” I wince. “He doesn’t feel any different to me than the light Fae.”
Both Theron and Solandis look surprised by my statement. “Light Fae are like the sun, all bright and warm. Dark Fae feel cool and aloof. It’s how we identify each other.”
“Madoc feels dark but so does Cormal. Rivan’s the only one who feels warm to me,” I explain with a shrug. “Madoc thought I should have been able to tell Lorn was mixed blood, but I couldn’t. At the time, I thought it was because I was missing the connection with the Light Fae Kingdom, but maybe it’s me. The way Leandra made me.” My voice breaks a little at the thought of being so different from other Fae.
Solandis’ arms wrap around me tightly. “You’re unique. Don’t let this anomaly take away your birthright.”
Held in her arms, Solandis’ delicate floral perfume calms me. She’s right. I’ve always been different, and when I was queen, it turned out to be an asset. For some reason, The Abbey is stifling my newfound confidence. I need to get out of here and do something.
“Thank you. You’re right. And regarding Madoc, I trust Cormal, and he says the matter is resolved. I have to believe he’s on our side,” I tell them.
Solandis rubs her hands down my shoulders. “We trust you and Cormal, and we’ll extend the same to Madoc.” Her eyes lock with Vargas, and he dips his chin in agreement.
“Honestly, sometimes I thought he smelled like a demon,” Vargas interjects with a laugh. “Weird, huh?”
Uneasy with Madoc coming back to Solandis’ room, I give her a squeeze. “Do you happen to have an old map with the Forbidden Sea? I’d like to know where it is.”
Solandis closes her eyes and holds out an elegant hand. The map appears, and she gives it to me. “There you go. You know, you should still be able to access the light Fae library if you need anything. It’s open to all light Fae royalty.”
“Really? That’s good to know, thanks,” I throw over my shoulder as I head out the door. Centuries of information might come in handy.
Back in the room, I spread the rough edges of the old map on the table and secure it with a couple of books. Leaning over, I visually follow the edges of the land to the water, then search for the Forbidden Sea. I don’t see it. I search a second time. Nothing. I frown. Solandis wouldn’t have given me the wrong map.
Using my fingers, I trace the border of the land. As I near a particular spot, my palm heats up, and I stop. There it is. Forbidden Sea. The letters identifying it are smaller than the other bodies of water around it. Maybe that’s why I kept missing it… or maybe not. I flip my hand over and gaze at my palm. Did the rune help me, or did I imagine that?
Craggy and tall, the island sits regally at the far end of the sea. There’s nothing between it and the mainland but water. Tiny depictions of waterfalls and forests dot its surface along with several small towns. At its pinnacle sits an enormous white castle. Beautiful. Treacherous. Old, wild magic. My heart thumps just looking at it on the map.
Madoc strides into the room with Cormal behind him.
Relieved to see them both, I automatically reach out and hug the closest one. Madoc’s hard body stiffens in my arms, but he doesn’t pull away. His head bends down close to mine and a large hand presses firmly against my back. I inhale his delicious dark scent and shiver. Embarrassed, I pivot away from him and crash against Cormal.
Cormal’s arms wrap around me tightly and his low chuckle fills my ear. “Give him time. He’s slowly acclimating to the real world.”
I pull back my head and look up into Cormal’s blue eyes. Guess he knows more about Madoc’s past. “I’m glad he found you in time. If I hadn’t gone to see Solandis, we wouldn’t have known about Avalon and its dangers. What happened?”
“The Forbidden Sea is full of ships filled with Phoenix. From what we’ve gathered, they’ve been making their way along the shores, setting traps for the Water Fae. They stopped moving a couple of nights ago and have been there ever since,” Cormal informs me, easing from my arms.
“Why would they think the Water Fae is the biggest threat?” I ask, biting my lip. “Do you think this is because of the treaty?”
“It’s likely,” Madoc interjects. “As I searched for Rivan, I heard quite a bit about the revolution. The Lesser Fae are torn between the peace and rights promised by the Water Fae and the righteous anger of the Fire Fae. To win against the aristocratic light Fae, Brixton needs a larger army, so he’s trying to recruit the Water Fae and simultaneously eliminate any opposition.”
That was the whole point of the treaty. It’s working, but at what cost? “Did you send word to Hyne?”
Cormal thrusts a hand through his hair. “I did. He’s aware of their tactics and is planning a few nasty surprises for them.” He turns and faces me. “Unfortunately, the Water Fae’s resources are limited, and I’m not sure how much manpower they have in that area.”
“Whereas the Fire Fae receive support from the dark Fae and Denir,” I say in an irritated tone. “Why have they stopped at Avalon?”
Cormal rolls his shoulders. “Rivan’s being held in the castle on Avalon.”
Madoc rubs the scruff on his jaw. “The Forbidden Sea, Phoenix, Avalon. Brixton picked the perfect trifecta. How the hell are we going to save Rivan?”
We. Huge step for Madoc. A warm, fuzzy feeling engulfs me.
Cormal throws him a broad grin. “We make a plan.”
He loves nothing more than planning and strategizing. Getting the drop on his enemies or pulling off a heist is his nirvana.
Madoc gives him a dirty look, but Cormal doesn’t even notice.
“The Phoenix are our first priority,” Cormal begins. Conjuring a pad of paper and a pencil, he immediately writes down the first objective. “We need a diversion large enough to pull the entire fleet out of that sea. We need the Water Fae.”
“The last thing we want to do is light the fuse between those two armies,” Madoc retorts, his jaw clenching in anger.
“You said the Water Fae need resources. You mean weapons?” I ask him, my mind latching on to the first thing he brought up. “Like the weapons you stored in the light Fae palace?” I try to think of the ramifications of giving them those weapons, but I’d rather they go to the Water Fae than any other group. “They were originally going to them. Who’s to say Brina didn’t find them and confiscate them for the Water Fae after Camon’s death?”
Cormal’s blue eyes light up. “Brilliant. With those resources, they can create a diversion to distract the Fire Fae.” It’s the catalyst he needs to focus.
Tilting his head, he studies the expanse of sea between the mainland and the island. “Any portal on the island is likely to be guarded. So, we need a way to get on the island undetected. Flying, maybe?”
Madoc shakes his head. “Anything large enough to carry us all would easily be seen. The portal might be the best way in, but it would be better if we didn’t have to fight our way through the guards. We need a reason.”
“Hyne could ask for a meeting with Brixton,” I say. “Offer to show him the treaty and discuss an alliance.”
“I doubt he’d fall for it,” Cormal states with a frown.
“He won’t, but if your greatest enemy offered to meet with you, you’d do it,” I say confidently. “Brixton isn’t honorable. He’ll take the opportunity to kill Hyne.”
Madoc snorts. “Hyne isn’t stupid. I doubt he would do it.”
I smile. “Let’s ask him.”