The Faerie Queen (The Faerie Ring #4) (3 page)

Chapter Five

“
Sullivan, have Bearach’s hounds returned?” Donegal stood on the steps to the entrance of the Palace of Mirrors with his hands clasped behind his back, looking out over the shadow-shrouded Night Garden. Gnarled branches cast stark silhouettes against the watery moonlight that lit the landscape.  Between the thorned bushes and razor-edged leaves, magnificent flowers bloomed with an alluring glow. It was only upon closer inspection that one could see the blood stains on their jagged petals—an ominous reminder of their lethal intent.

“
No, Majesty. We’ve not seen them since they were released to hunt the Seelie Queen yesterday.”  Sullivan stood next to the Winter King, mimicking his posture. He was taller than Donegal, but much thinner of limb with silver hair that brushed his shoulders. “They must still be hunting her if they haven’t returned.” He cast a sideways glance at Donegal. “Have you considered they may not be able to find her? On Samhain, the Queen took the body of the Seven Year King and left. There’s no way to know if she went to the Plain of Sunlight with the rest of the Seelie Court or elsewhere. Given her history, she could have returned to the mortal world.”

“
I’ve thought of that.” Donegal shifted his position to face his new
tánaiste
. Sullivan was one of his inner circle—one of the three men whom he trusted with his life. The fourth—Bearach—had been murdered while transporting a Seelie prisoner. A cold rage burned in the pit of Donegal’s stomach as he planned his vengeance. “That’s why I want you to take the hounds to London. In the past, she’s lived in a place called Grosvenor Square. Check there first.”

Chapter Six

“
You are
not
going back to the Otherworld without me.” Rieker was furious, his eyes blazing with anger as he stood with his hands on his hips glowering at Tiki. Dain stood nearby, for once silent.

“
William—” Tiki tried to clear her throat to make her voice stronger but her words came out sounding raspy and raw— “I can’t just walk away from my responsibilities there. I can’t leave fey who are starving.” She didn’t want to mention the dead soldiers. That information might make a difficult conversation impossible to win. “The members of the Seelie Court are counting on me, even the Macanna—they’ve been waiting and hoping for someone to lead them against Donegal. I thought I could leave them all behind—I
wanted
to leave them all behind—but I can’t. They need me. And I need to do what my parents would have expected of me.”

“
Why can’t we stay together? We’ve done fine so far,” Rieker spat out.

“
You know I can’t take Clara and Toots to Faerie. That means they need to be with someone who will protect them with their life. Someone who understands the evil we’re up against.” She begged him with her eyes. “There is only you.”

Rieker turned away with a growl.
“I don’t like it. I don’t like any part of it.”

Tiki moved to stand with her back to the fire, rubbing her arms to gather warmth. 
“Dain has lived in the Otherworld his entire life. He’s been a spy in the UnSeelie Court. He can give me the best advice on how to accomplish what needs to be done.”

Rieker whipped back around.
“Wait a minute. You’re not saying Dain is going with you?”

Tiki nodded, bracing herself.
“There is no other way.”

Rieker clenched his long fingers into fists, the muscles in his jaw flexing as he ground his teeth together
. “There is always another way. I can’t stand the thought of you being there without me—unprotected.”

“
I’ll protect her.” Dain’s voice was low but sure. “With my life.”

IN LESS THAN an hour, Shamus, Juliette and the Bosworth’s had loaded up one carriage along with Geoffrey, their driver, and departed for Richmond where Rieker had an estate. Clara, Toots, Fiona and Johnny were settled in the second carriage rigged with a team of four, prepared for their journey to Scotland. Only Rieker had yet to board. He stood before Tiki, his black hair hanging low on his forehead and shadowing his eyes. The day was overcast and gray, black storm clouds threatening on the horizon as if in reflection of his mood.

“
I’m going to get them settled and come find you,” Rieker said, his own larger hands engulfing Tiki’s and holding them close to his chest.

“
You can’t leave them with strangers,” Tiki said in a gentle voice. “You know that. What would help me most is to know that you are all safe, so I can concentrate on what I must do.” She pulled her fingers free and cupped one side of his face with her pale hand. “I’m stronger than I look.  I’ll be fine.” Tiki’s heart lurched at the heartache she saw in Rieker’s eyes. Her voice softened. “I love you so very much, William Becker Richmond—I’ll always find a way to return to your side. Believe in me.”

“
Time to go.” Dain’s voice interrupted them. “The longer we’re out here the longer Donegal has to find us.  Best to keep moving.”

Tiki step
ped back, but Rieker shifted his stance to stop her from moving away. He slid his hands over her head, settling his arms around her shoulders to pull her close. He kissed her with an urgency that spoke of his torment until Tiki was sure her lips would be bruised.

When he
lifted his head his warm breath grazed her ear as he whispered, “the ring of
Ériu
is around your neck now. Use the inspiration from the Cup to draw the secret of the Fourth Treasure from the ring, as only you are meant to do.”

Tiki’s knees felt weak. Even when he hated her decision, he understood it and supported her.

He gazed into her eyes, his hands on her shoulders. “If you need help, call for me. Somehow I will hear and find you.” Then he pushed away from her. He reached for Dain’s hand and clasped it tightly. “With your life,” he said tersely. Then in a blur of motion he vaulted up onto the driver’s seat and urged the horses underway.

Tiki bit hard on her bottom lip to stop her tears
as the carriage drove away. Clara, Toots and Fiona’s faces peered through the small back window and it felt as if part of Tiki’s heart was leaving with them. Against her chest, the ring of
Ériu
dangled from its thin gold chain to hang between her breasts, the metal still warmed from Rieker’s skin.

“
It was the right decision.”

Dain stood
next to her, his brow pulled down in a frown as he watched the carriage disappear around a corner. Once again, he reminded Tiki of a blurry image of Rieker and his presence reassured her. She straightened, feeling stronger.

“
Yes, it is. Now, we should prepare to depart ourselves. We have work to do.”

A low growl sounded from behind them.

Tiki and Dain turned at the same time.

Behind them stood
two monstrous black dogs. One had its head lowered with lips curled back in a feral snarl. The other had its snout raised, nostrils flared sniffing the air. The rumbling that emitted from their chests was so fierce it seemed the ground shook beneath Tiki’s feet.

Bearach’s hellhounds.

Before she could react, they charged.

Chapter Seven

A sc
ream ripped from Tiki’s lips as a vise-like grip clamped around her upper arm and yanked her sideways off her feet. Growls filled the air along with the rendering sound of fabric as the fangs of one of the giant dogs pierced her skirt. A burning sensation streaked down her leg as she catapulted through the air.

In a blink
Dain was between her and the beasts, his arms wrapped around her body as he thrust her away. Her breath exploded from her lungs in a painful gasp as she and Dain landed on the ground with a jarring thud.

Though Dain landed on top of her, he was up and on his feet, a whip
now clutched in his hand as he turned a quick circle. Tiki scrambled to her feet, expecting to be attacked, but the hounds were gone, as was Rieker’s townhome and the storm clouds that had blackened the sky above Grosvenor Square. Instead, they stood among the deepest shadows of a forest, the deafening growls of the hellhounds replaced with the soft babble of a nearby brook as it tumbled over its stony bed.

“
Where are we?”

“
The Wychwood.” Dain’s back was to her as he surveyed the forest around them.

“
But how did we get here? I thought you had to go through the gates…”

Dain glanced over his shoulder.
“When Larkin transported William and I from the Wychwood the night of the sacrifice of the Seven Year King she taught us how to transport between certain spots at will. Said our life was going to depend on the ability to escape quickly. It seems she was right—again.” He held his hand out to her. “Come along. We can’t be seen here. We’ve got to keep moving—those beasts won’t stop, though it will take them a while to trace you back here.”

Tiki shivered
. The air was much cooler and the trees around them were bare, their branches stripped of leaves and coated in white frost. Heavy shadows lingered beneath the trees and the forest was much darker than the last time she’d visited.

“
Those hounds—were they—” A gust of wind struck her in the face, making her turn away from the icy air.

Dain didn’t seem to notice as he led her down a faint trail, his head swiveling, watching for any movement.
“Yes. Bearach’s hellhounds. They’ve tracked us before but this time they were a bit too close for comfort.” His voice dropped. “We were lucky to get away. If Donegal sent Bearach’s hounds to Grosvenor Square to find you then he knows far too much about you.”

He
turned and contemplated Tiki. “I think we better give them something to ponder.” He bent to one knee and tore a section from the front of Tiki’s dark blue dress.  With deft movements, he tied the piece of fabric in the center of a thick bush. “All right. That’s a start. Let’s go.”

As they hurried down the path
, Tiki became aware of the acrid scent of burning. “What is that smell?”

Dain’s answer was terse.
“Donegal must still have a fire burning in the Wychwood. Part of his plan to force the outliers into the UnSeelie Court in this battle with the Seelies.” He stopped and held out his hand. “Another piece, please.” Tiki hurriedly tore another strip of blue fabric from her dress and handed it to Dain who climbed a tree, shoving the material into the crotch between two limbs and leaving a section dangling. “Hopefully, those beasts will smell your scent, but won’t be able to reach it.” He pressed his lips together. “That might delay them, but not for long.”

They proceed
ed for another mile through the forest, leaving bits of Tiki’s clothing as a trail for the hellhounds to follow. As they hurried along, Tiki searched the forest, certain that creatures of the Wychwood watched their passage, yet if they did, they remained unseen.

Dain stopped in the middle of the trail
. “We need to place the final decoy and then leave this place.”

Tiki
glanced down at what remained of her shredded dress. Much of the fabric below her knees in the front had been torn away, making the back of her dress appear to be a long train. The cool air swept around her ankles, chilling her.

“
Do you want me to tear another section?” she asked.

“
No. I want the whole dress.”

Tiki jerked her
head up in surprise. Though Dain’s expression was serious, his eyes danced with mischief.

“
Fine. Turn around.”

D
ain raised one eyebrow. “Must you take all the fun out of it?”

Tiki grabbed his shoulders and forced him around.
“And stay there until I tell you to move.”

“
Yes, Majesty.” Dain chuckled as Tiki yanked the ties at the back of her neck to loosen the dress enough so what was left of it fell to the ground around her ankles. She stepped free of the garment and whispered the words to make her sheath and undergarments melt into clothing that was woven from the fabric of the forest. Bark-colored trousers clung tightly to the contours of her legs. A dark green jacket with a mottled weave made her blend with the surrounding trees. Her long black hair, which before had hung around her shoulders like cloud, was now braided neatly down her back. On her feet were boots of the softest leather, with soles that would make no sound nor leave a trace. The slender hilt of a dagger protruded from the ankle of each boot, within easy grasp should she need to defend herself. In a matter of seconds, she had become all but invisible within the forest.

“
All right, you may turn around,” she said as she scooped the dress up.

“
Nicely done.” Dain nodded in admiration as he took in Tiki’s curves. “Inspiring, really.”  With a flick of his wrist, Dain’s clothing, which had been appropriate for London, dissolved into an outfit almost identical to Tiki’s, except he now carried a quiver on his back with a bow slung over one shoulder and a knife in his hand. The whip he had carried was hooked to his belt along with another wicked looking knife with a long curved blade. In a few graceful swings he sliced several long lengths of vine that hung from one of the trees that towered above their heads and wound them into a neat circle before shoving them inside his jacket.

“
What’s that for?” Tiki asked.

“
You’ll see.” He motioned toward the faint trail that twisted through the trees.  “Let’s keep moving—it’s not far from here.”

“
Where are we going?”

“
A spot on the far side of the Tor called Dry Falls. Centuries ago, before the Palace of Mirrors existed, a waterfall used to plummet from the top of the Tor and over time cut deep valleys into the rocks, forming odd cliffs and caves.” As he spoke, he veered onto a small trail that wound its way up the side of the mountain.

“
This isn’t the trail we took when we escaped from the Palace of Mirrors, is it?”

“
No, that’s on the other side of the Tor. We’re below the encampment.”

Tiki concentrated on her footing as
she followed Dain up the boulder-strewn path and tried not to think of the encampment of homeless faeries that congregated on a rocky outcropping of the Tor. Most were so thin they would never survive another winter without food.

Many of the
rocks were jagged and sharp, making it impossible to move quickly, though Dain seemed to know where he was going and walked the narrow footpath with confidence. As they climbed higher, the ground dropped away in a dizzying plunge that made Tiki’s heart race and her breath come out in short gasps. They were almost a third of the way up the rocky cliff when he finally stopped.

“
Here’s where we’re going to leave your dress.” He pulled the vines from the depths of his jacket and carefully plucked the leaves before tying one end to the shaft of an arrow. Threading the arrow into his bow, his raised his arms and fired across the rocky precipice. The point of the arrow quivered upon impact with the stone wall as the tip embedded itself in a crevice on the other side. “Now, we’ll slide your dress onto this...” Dain threaded the vine through the neck and arm holes of the dress. Clutching the end of the tether, he climbed up the rocky slope and shook the makeshift line so gravity made the dress slide down toward the middle until the garment hung above the open canyon.

He hurried back to where
Tiki waited and secured the vine to the trunk of a gnarled tree that grew from between the rocks. The gown, suspended on the line, billowed and moved as though dancing with the wind. It was easy to imagine someone wore the dress and floated above the rocky ravine.

“
There,” he said with satisfaction, his hands propped on his hips as he surveyed his handiwork. “Perhaps those dogs will be stupid enough to think they can get to you and instead will jump to their deaths. If nothing else, hopefully it’s enough to make them believe they’ve cornered their prey and they’ll stay here to guard you.”

“
Dain O’Brien, you are brilliant.” Tiki smiled at the young man. “Well done.”

Dain turned to her, a puzzled frown on his forehead.
“O’Brien?”

Tiki hesitated.
“It’s the name Larkin called you in the High Chamber. When she said you and William were the sons of the late Lady Breanna of Connacht.”

“
She said my last name was O’Brien?”

Tiki clearly remembered the conversation because it had been a new clue in Rieker’s mysterious heritage.
“Isn’t that your name?”

“
O’Brien is my middle name.”

Tiki’s brows
pulled down in a frown. “She said you and William were the twin sons of Lady Breanna and a mortal lover. I assumed she meant William’s father. Does that mean your last name is Richmond?”

Dain shrugged.
“I’m not sure. Just before he disappeared, Kieran told me I was a Winterbourne. I didn’t know what he meant—I’d never heard the name before. I rather got the feeling he regretted telling me so I never mentioned it to anyone. Then he disappeared before telling me anything more.”  Dain gazed out over the forest below, a faraway look in his eye. “I’ve been meaning to ask William about it.” He shook his head, as if to shake the memories away. “But that’s not what’s important right now. We need to get to the Plain of Sunlight and find out what’s happening with this war.”

“
Yes. I want to talk to Larkin and make sure the fey are being fed, especially now that winter has arrived.”

Dain slid his warm hands around her cold fingers
. The humor that often lurked in his eyes was absent and Tiki was struck by the sheer beauty of his aristocratic features. The bruises had faded from the beatings Donegal had inflected, no longer distracting from his high forehead, vivid blue eyes and sculpted cheekbones that were like a work of art—one she didn’t often notice because he was either mocking her or making a joke. When he was serious like this, he looked like someone she barely knew—the handsome enigma she’d first met as Sean and come to know as Dain. A person she would admire, respect and if he wasn’t Rieker’s brother—potentially fear—for she sensed he could be unforgiving.

“
Tara, before we return to the Plain of Sunlight, I need to tell you something.”

Tiki stiffened.
“What’s that?”

“
Larkin will most likely be there and I think it’s important for you to realize that Larkin will make sure she gets what she wants before you get what you want.”

Tiki’s
shoulders relaxed. Dain wasn’t revealing anything she didn’t already know. But her voice was cool when she responded. “I thank you for your warning, but you must realize that Larkin is not queen here—I am.” Tiki raised her chin. “
I
will make the decisions on who gets what they want.”