The Faerie Path (17 page)

She had stared ahead along the river and she had seen…
something
.

“A boat,” she whispered, seeing it again in her mind’s eye. “A big boat on the river. No, not a boat—a barge. I only saw it for a moment. It was very low in the water.” Her eyes widened. “It was just like Oberon’s barge.”

And then she remembered the final words spoken by Evan before the crash.

“No! He’ll know we’re here. He’ll take you away from me!”

She gasped, feeling again the fierce slap of cold water on her face as she tumbled through the roaring air and was swallowed by the river. She stared at Edric.

“It was the King’s barge,” Edric said, his eyes locked on hers. “And Drake was on board.” He pointed to the amber pendant that hung against her throat. “I was supposed to give that to you on your birthday,” he said, his voice trembling. “Once you were wearing it, Drake knew he would be able to pull you out of your world.” He grimaced. “I wanted to destroy it, but once the Amber Stone was smashed, Drake would know that I’d betrayed him, so I had to warn you first. That was what I wanted to tell you that day. That’s what I would have told you if we hadn’t had the accident.”

Tania’s head was reeling. Gabriel had been kind to her ever since he led her away from her hospital bed, but had it all been pretense? She had been deceived first by Edric; had Gabriel made a fool of her as well?

She swallowed. “No one here wants to have anything to do with the Mortal World,” she said. “Why is Gabriel so interested in it?”

“Because of Isenmort,” Edric replied. “He believes he knows how to control metal, and how to bring it into Faerie without being destroyed by it.”

“Why would he want to do that?”

Edric looked somberly at her. “For the power it will give him.”

Tania frowned. “But he already has plenty of
power. Oberon has appointed him Regent while he’s away. What more could he want?”

Edric stood in front of her with his hands on her shoulders. “Drake is insanely ambitious,” he said. “You have to believe me when I tell you he can’t be trusted.”

Tania forced herself to meet his eyes. If Edric was telling the truth, it wasn’t just her that Gabriel was intending to betray—it was the King as well, her family, the whole Faerie Court.

But who
was
this man standing in front of her? Evan? Or Edric? Why should she believe him now? Was she so desperate to believe he had loved her in the Mortal World that she’d believe more lies? She knocked away his arms and stumbled backward. “I can’t!” she said. “It’s too much! I can’t think!”

His voice took on a hard, urgent edge. “Stop! We’re in danger!”

He was pointing at the amber pendant. Tania suddenly realized it felt warm against her skin. She looked down. The stone was glowing with an inner fire, the amber light spilling out to stain her throat.

Edric caught her wrist in his hand. “Quick! We have to get out of here.”

But before they could make a move, the door to the room burst inward with the crack and snap of splintering wood. A howling gale tore into the room, sending them stumbling back.

Gabriel stood in the doorway, his eyes fierce, his cloaked figure silhouetted against the sky.

“What treachery is this?” Gabriel hissed, and all the kindness Tania had grown used to was gone from his voice.

Edric stepped in front of her. “I have told her everything!” he said. “She will have none of you now!”

Gabriel gave a dismissive gesture with his hand and an invisible force sent Edric spinning across the room. Tania winced as his head struck the wall with a sickening thud. He lay crumpled on the floor, gasping for breath.

“Don’t hurt him!” Tania shouted.

“Hurt him?” Gabriel echoed, his voice thick with anger. “I shall finish him! I shall put such an end to him that even the crows will find nothing to feast upon!”

Horrified, Tania ran over to where Edric lay and stood protectively in front of him. He was conscious
but he looked dazed and in pain.

“No!” she said. “You won’t.”

Gabriel’s eyes blazed and Tania was suddenly convinced he was going to do something dreadful to her. But then he seemed to change his mind and all the anger drained suddenly from his face. He smiled at her, but behind that smile, she could still see the dark stain of his rage in his burning eyes.

“Forgive me, Tania,” he said. “Such was my wrath that I forgot myself for a time, but it is passed.” He looked down at Edric, his expression dark with pain. His voice was low and full of distress.

“Why do you betray me so, Edric?” he murmured. “What lies have you been telling?”

Edric wiped his hand across his mouth. “No lies, my lord,” he said. “I have only revealed to the princess the true reason why you wish to marry her.”

Gabriel seemed surprised. “Indeed?” He looked at Tania. “And what are these
true
reasons?”

“To gain power for yourself,” Edric said.

Gabriel looked at Tania. “This is foolish nonsense,” he said quietly. “Can you not see that his wits are turned?” He gave a regretful sigh. “I guessed that it was so, and I had hoped to spare you from his pathetic deliriums. I fear his mind was damaged by his time in the Mortal World.” He looked again at his servant. “Edric, Edric. If a man reaches for the sun, he will do nought but burn his hand. Do not seek that which is far above you.”

Tania frowned. “What are you talking about?”

“Can you not see?” Gabriel said. “This man has fooled himself into believing there can be love between you and he. He wishes to have you for himself, and he would say anything to turn you against me, to make you doubt me.”

Tania stared down at Edric, caught in a sudden uncertainty.

“When have I proved false to you, Tania?” Gabriel went on softly. “Have I tried to woo you, to rekindle our old love?”

Tania shook her head. “No…”

“And never shall, Tania. I brought you home for the sake of your father, my King, and for this Realm.” He held out his hand to her. “Come away,” he urged. “Let us bring this mischief to a swift end.”

Edric staggered to his feet, blood threading down his face from a cut on his forehead. “No!” he shouted. “Don’t go with him; don’t believe him.” He made a stumbling rush at Gabriel.

Gabriel lifted his hand and Edric stopped dead as though he had run into a wall. Gabriel’s hand turned slowly, fingers outstretched like claws, and Edric’s head began to twist awkwardly on his neck. His hands caught at his throat and stifled gurgling sounds came from his straining mouth. Tania stared in horror as he rose into the air, his feet kicking, his face contorted with agony.

Tania threw herself forward and dragged Gabriel’s arm down.

With a choking cry, Edric slumped to the floor.

“Leave him alone!” Tania screamed.

Lightning flashed from Gabriel’s eyes. “What madness is this, Tania?” he said. “What is this man to you? He is nothing! A slave, a chattel, a worthless piece of flotsam to be torn asunder and cast to the four winds at my pleasure.”

Tania shook her head. “No!” she said. “You can’t do that. Even if what you said about him is true, you can’t hurt him like that.”

“You would rather he was left free to spread his lies and malice throughout the Realm?” Gabriel said. “I am the King’s Regent and I will not be mocked by this creature. I would have him dead at my feet first.”

“There must be laws in this place,” Tania said desperately. “If he’s done wrong, then he should be put on trial. You can’t just kill him.”

Gabriel gave her a long, slow look. “Your compassion commends you, Tania,” he said at last. “And for your sake, he shall not face the death he so richly deserves. Remember. All that I do now was done at your request.” He slipped his hand under his cloak; when he drew it out again, he was holding a small glowing amber ball.

He held the ball out between finger and thumb, showing it to Edric. Its surface crawled like molten oil, and Tania could see wisps of steam rising from it.

“No!” Edric groaned.

Gabriel glanced at Tania. “This I do for you,” he reminded her. His voice grew louder, echoing in the rafters. “Edric Chanticleer, I banish you to the Amber
Prison for all of eternity!” He hurled the amber ball down in front of Edric.

It smashed on the floor, exploding in a blinding blaze of white fire. Tania fell back, her arms up to protect her eyes from the searing light. She heard a despairing cry, cut off short.

She opened her eyes, but all she could see was the flare from the explosion.

“What have you done?” Tania whispered.

“I have passed sentence on Master Chanticleer,” Gabriel said. “At your request, he is not dead. Indeed, fear not, Tania, for he shall never die.”

Gradually, Tania’s eyes cleared. A large sphere of amber light was floating just above the ground in the middle of the room, its skin moving like the filmy surface of a soap bubble. Crouched, trapped and immobile, within the sphere was Edric, his frozen hands clawing, his face petrified in an expression of dread, his blank eyes staring.

Appalled, Tania took a step toward the glowing sphere. She reached out a hand, but its surface was as hot as a flame. Thin yellow smoke coiled up from it and the ground beneath it was scorched and blackened.

She stared at Gabriel, disgusted by the look of triumph on his face.

“Let him go.”

“That is impossible,” Gabriel replied. “There is no way back from the Amber Prison.”

“But he’s still alive in there?”

“Ah, yes,” Gabriel said. He spread his hands in a gesture of mock humility. “See how I bow before your desires, Tania. I am yours to command.” He turned to the door and called. “Wardens! To me!”

“You mean you’re going to leave him alive in there forever?” Tania gasped. “How can you do that?”

Gabriel didn’t reply.

Two men in dark red livery came into the room.

“Take this filth away,” Gabriel said to them. “The sight of him sickens me.”

The men drew white crystal swords from their belts, and Tania watched in dismay as they used the sword-points to push the Amber Prison through the air, sending it gliding out through the open doorway. The last thing she saw was the tragic, grotesque sight of Edric’s bent and hunched back, floating above the cobbled courtyard.

“Where are they taking him?” she asked, her voice dull with shock.

“To the dungeons,” Gabriel said. “Cast him from your mind, Tania. He is no more.”

She looked at him, her whole body tense, her throat taut and straining so that it ached to speak. “Was he lying? Please, I have to know.”

“The question demeans you, Tania,” Gabriel said, and his voice was all velvet again. “The man is a lowly servant, and you are a Princess of the Realm. Forget him.”

“No,” she said steadily. “I can’t do that. If you’re not prepared to treat him fairly, then I’ll go to
Oberon.” She was trembling so much that she could hardly stay on her feet.

“The King is far from here, Tania,” Gabriel replied smoothly. “I am Regent in his stead, and my word is law.”

Tania couldn’t bear to hear him say another word. He had punished Edric more brutally than anyone deserved, too brutally for someone with nothing to hide.

What if Edric was speaking the truth
?

She started to push past him to the door.

He caught her arm in a fierce grip. “Where are you going, my Tania?”

“Let go of me!” she spat, but his fingers dug deeper into her arm, and a cold glint came into his gray eyes.

“’Tis a pity indeed,” he said softly. “Were it my choice, I would have wooed you by slow degrees until I held once more your beating heart in the palm of my hand. But I see now that the tattling of Master Chanticleer has turned your head.” He smiled and his fingers bore into her arm until she gasped with the pain. “We will be wed, Tania, whether you wish it or not.”

“Never!” she said calmly. “You can’t force me to marry you, and as soon as I get out of here, I’m going to let my sisters know exactly what you are! Among us, I think we’ll find a way to deal with a two-faced rat like you!”

Gabriel gave a breath of cold laughter. “Your sis
ters?” he said. “Your loving sisters?”

Tania stared at him, confused by the jeering note in his voice. He turned his head toward the door. “Come hither, my lady,” he called. “Show yourself.”

Rathina stepped into the open doorway. Her head was held high, but she avoided looking into Tania’s eyes.

“Rathina?” Tania breathed. “What’s going on?”

“You and Gabriel must be married,” Rathina said, her voice clipped and abrupt. “It is for the best.”

Tania stared at her, too shocked to speak. Why was Rathina siding with Gabriel like this?

“Watch over your sister,” Gabriel told Rathina. “Make sure she understands the wise course.” He turned to Tania. “If you defy me, Edric will die. If you agree to marry me, I will set him free. His fate is in your hands. Choose wisely, but choose quickly!”

He released Tania’s aching arm and swept out of the room.

Two more of Gabriel’s wardens escorted Tania and Rathina to Tania’s bedchamber. Night had fallen and the room was lit by yellow candles. Tania stood just inside the door. She heard the sharp click of a key being turned in the lock. She was shaking with anger.

Rathina opened a window. “It is stuffy in here,” she said. “Some fresh air will clear our heads.”

“Why did you tell Gabriel where to find us?” Tania demanded, her voice knotted with fury.

Rathina stayed at the window, not looking at her.
“I did not tell him. Gabriel needs no spies to guide him to you, Tania.” She turned and pointed at the pendant. “You carry the keys to your prison about your neck. While you wear the Amber Stone, you can never escape him.”

Tania tore the pendant from around her throat. She threw it to the floor and stamped on it. There was a crack as it was crushed under her foot. Pale smoke drifted for a moment across the boards and Tania thought she heard the sound of a soft voice weeping. She lifted her foot. There was nothing left of the pendant but a scattering of yellowish brown powder.

“You should have done that long before now,” Rathina said dryly. She walked over to a chair and sat down. “But it comes too late, I fear. Gabriel’s wardens stand guard outside. You cannot get away now. Were I in your place, I would accept my fate with as good a grace as I deemed possible.”

“You really think I should agree to marry him?”

“It would be wise.”

“I don’t believe this!” Tania hissed. “Why are you helping him?”

“Because it is the only way for you to save Edric’s life.” Rathina tilted her head. “Is that not your wish? Edric told me of his love for you. He believes that you love him, also. He begged me to arrange a tryst between you.” She narrowed her eyes at Tania. “Do you have feelings for this servant man, or do you not?”

“Yes,” Tania said in a whisper. “I do.”

She had never stopped loving Evan. It was Edric she loathed for his apparent betrayal of her. But in the stable room, she had seen Evan again, heard his voice telling her he would never have betrayed her—and she had believed him.

She closed her eyes, her hands up to her face, feeling tears welling through her fingers. She heard Rathina walk toward her and felt comforting arms around her.

“Hush now, little sister,” Rathina murmured, her mouth close to Tania’s ear. “Do not lose heart. I am sorry for my part in this. I would not have aided Gabriel had I known how harsh would be his treatment of Edric.”

Tania put her arms around Rathina’s neck, too miserable to speak.

“Listen to me, Tania,” Rathina went on. “There is a way in which you can escape from Gabriel and all the other heavy burdens of this place.”

“How?” Tania choked.

“By stepping into the Mortal World.”

Tania caught her breath. She looked up, wiping the tears out of her eyes. “What?”

Rathina nodded earnestly. “You did it once before,” she said, “in this very room, five hundred years ago.”

Tania stared at her sister. “Do you mean you know how I did it?”

Rathina shook her head. “I know not what powers you summoned up, but I saw you disappear. We just
need to repeat the actions of that night. Do that, and you can leave Faerie forever.”

“No,” said Tania. “I won’t do that. I have to save Edric. How can I save him if I go into the Mortal World and never come back?”

Rathina leaned forward, taking Tania’s burning face between her cool palms. “Once you are gone again, Gabriel will have no reason to keep Edric imprisoned. I vow to you that I will do everything in my power to see that he is freed.” Her voice became more urgent. “But that can only happen if you are gone from here, gone where no one can ever follow.” Her eyes were huge as she stared into Tania’s face. “Listen to me. You do not belong in this world. In your heart you know this to be true. You belong in the Mortal World, the world into which you were born, the world that you know so much better than you will ever know Faerie.” Her voice dropped to little more than a whisper. “You know I speak the truth…
Anita
.”

Tania blinked. It was the first time anyone had used her mortal name since she had come to the palace.

“All this is but a dream to you, Anita,” Rathina said. “Go back, go home.”

“I have to help Edric,” Tania said.

Rathina gave a sympathetic smile. “And how would you do that?” she said. “Would you enter the dungeons and destroy the Amber Prison by the force of your will?” She shook her head. “Understand this,
Anita. The Amber Prisons can only be undone by those who have mastered the Mystic Arts. Believe me when I tell you that there is no power in all of Faerie that you could use to break the bonds of the Amber Prison. The only way you can help Edric is to
go back home
.”