Alice through the rabbit hole. She clung to Annwynn’s hands, afraid if she let go she would free fall to the center of the earth, never returning to sunlight. Gradations of gray began emerging, the blackness fading. Skye moved so fast only impressions swept through her mind – —bonfires scattered in fields and forests
—masked faces
—flying broomstick silhouettes
—the scent of burnt peat and roasted hazelnuts —children howling in delighted fear
—wisps of smoke from chimneys
—bells ringing from a church
—a fast-moving river of blood.
“Almost there,” said Annwynn.
But Skye already knew. She smelled that licorice tang of star anise mixed with absinthe. Time slowed its pace as her mind caught up with sensation. Only Annwynn’s hold kept Skye from pitching forward when her feet hit solid ground again.
Steady now, she raised her eyes for the first glimpse of Faery.
Chapter 22
Tangled Forest
An explosion of color and energy smashed into Skye. Her eyes drank in the large orb of celestial crystal a good foot taller than herself and wide and round as a giant sphere. It was like being plunked in front of a galaxy of dancing particles of pixilated sparkles.
Aqua lights ranging from the palest robin’s egg blue to teal radiated variegated prisms of light. Brilliant as the sun, but comforting to gaze at instead of painful. Skye stepped forward, lifting a hand, compelled to get closer and touch the light. Some soft sound, meant only for her ears, made her turn to Annwynn who gave the barest of nods. Skye looked into a sea of fairy eyes, glowing like multicolored gems, searching until she found a pair of serious brown, human eyes.
She moved toward Kheelan, those brown eyes more compelling than the crystal.
Two male fairies blocked her path. Skye stopped, confused. Icy hands touched her elbows on both sides, guiding her through the crowd and away from Kheelan. The Fae parted and she saw their Queen, seated on an enormous pearl throne.
“Welcome, Skye. We’ve been waiting for ye a long, long time.” Queen Corrigan arose and Skye stared in awe. At least seven feet tall, she towered over her court. Her hair was thigh-long and silver, the color of moonbeams on water.
Too late, she wished she had asked Annwynn for a crash course in proper fairy court etiquette. Should she curtsy? No, she would feel ridiculous. She settled for a respectful half-bow.
A high pitched tittering rippled, not unlike the basement’s buzzing noises. Skye raised her head, cheeks flaming. How rude.
“Excuse me.” Kheelan was suddenly by her side. “I would like a moment to speak with Skye. In private.”
Queen Corrigan’s nostrils delicately twitched, as if detecting a slight stench. “Out of the way mortal one, we have important business here tonight. The Dark Fae may arrive any second.” She motioned to the two male fairies that had earlier blocked Skye. Before the guards could remove Kheelan, Annwynn stood before the Queen.
“A moment, Yer Highness. Kheelan has been invaluable in finding The One. As yer loyal supporter, I request ye let him speak with Skye.”
Irritation flashed in the Queen’s eyes but she nodded. “Ye have two minutes, changeling.”
Kheelan led her behind the tree line of tangled, ancient oaks not far from the curious fairies. Once alone he grabbed both her arms, his eyes hot and burning. “Listen carefully, Skye,” he whispered urgently. “The Queen will ask ‘who brings you to touch the Fae’s sacred relic.’”
“And I will tell her you did,” Skye assured him.
“No! Tell her you brought yourself and demand a boon before you touch it.”
“Okay. Then I’ll tell her my boon is your freedom.”
“Skye, no. This is another trick. Annwynn warned me. They don’t intend to ever let you leave their Realm. You know too much to ever go back. If you want to stay with them, fine. Annwynn says you could live among them as their hero.”
Skye couldn’t stop the little burst of delight in her chest. She had never been anyone’s hero. She looked around at the indescribable beauty, imagined what it would be like to live among them. Flying, learning their secrets, meeting her father’s family.
“Maybe that’s true, maybe not.”
Kheelan’s words broke the reverie. Look at what they had done to Kheelan, how they mocked him for his humanness.
She was half human. The Fae might not totally accept her either, despite helping them in their battle. “I don’t want to stay with them. I can’t trust them either. Besides, I can’t imagine never seeing my family again, never seeing . . . you.”
“Then for your boon ask to return home. It’s your only chance to escape.”
“But what about you?” Skye’s eyes drifted to the tattoo on his hand.
He shook her, forced her to face him. “Save yourself.”
“No, Kheelan. I won’t –”
He dropped his hands and stepped back. “I’ll find another way to be free one day.”
Footsteps approached. “Yer time is up. Come at once,” said one of the Queen’s guards.