“Sorry, Buach,” Galach said. “But I could not risk you being taken and questioned. As it be now, they won’t know you be part of this escape. Once safe in the library, you can jump to Tearmann. Tell them you visited friends in Mantello. Give me ma and da me love.”
When we reached the end, we entered the library through a moving bookcase. I checked the time on Carrig’s watch. It was nearing three in the morning in Dublin.
After calling out the charm to summon the gateway book, I glanced around waiting for the book to fly over. White wood trim crisscrossed the large dome with different shades of teal colored squares inside them. Tall arched windows wrapped around the lower part of the dome. A line of sculpted cupids, linked by garlands of fruit, encircled its base. Just below, lofty wooden bookcases surrounded the room.
I strolled down one of the many rows of desk-like tables in the middle of the room, scanning the bookcases. This book had remained strapped to the back of a bookcase and it knocked against a nearby shelf, trying to come to me. I trotted over to it, removed the binding, and carried it to the others.
Galach let go of Briony’s arm. “Right then, Buach, you jump first. Don’t be doing anything rash. Keep to your work and mind Ma and Da.”
Buach hugged his brother. “Come back to us.”
“Ah, you know I can’t be promising you that.” Galach clapped Buach’s back. “Now on your way, you.”
“See you for that pie,” I said.
“That you will.” He smiled and jumped into the book.
“Now, where are we going?” Briony asked.
Galach removed his helmet and dropped it onto the wooden floor with a thump that traveled up to the dome ceiling. “Do you know how to get to the Fey realm?”
Briony shook her head. “The last I went there, I was not even six years of age. I only remember a beautiful garden.”
I glanced at the silver butterfly hinting on my wrist.
Of course. I blew on it. The tracer pulled from my skin, flapping its wings to hover in front of me.
“I need Aetnae, please,” I said.
The tracer swooshed up above our heads, then dove into the gateway book.
Briony’s amber eyes looked darker in the dim light of the library. “Whom did you send it after?”
“A book faery,” I said, pulling out one of the chairs from the desk and plopping down on it.
My stomach knotted as we waited for Aetnae. The sky outside the windows was getting lighter, which meant it was getting dark in Mantello. Bastien would return to the inn soon, and I wouldn’t be there. He would be angry that I’d decided to go to Tearmann by myself.
The pages in the gateway book turned and the tracer flew out of the book with Aetnae right behind it.
The butterfly came over to me and bounced in front of my face.
“It wants your wrist,” Aetnae said, flying over to me. “Looks like it has claimed you as its owner.”
“That’s cool.” I turned my wrist over so the tracer could land on it. “How about friends instead?” It seemed like the tracer brightened a little at my words before seeping into my skin.
Aetnae spotted the others. “Why did you call me? What’s going on—” A surprised look crossed her face and she bowed, then straightened, all while hovering in front of us. “Your Highness. What happened?”
“The council sent guards to Tearmann to arrest me and my parliament members,” she said. “I must seek asylum in Tír na nóg.”
“I can’t take you,” Aetnae said, landing on my shoulder and holding on to a strand of my hair. “Your jump will register.”
“But they will arrest her,” Galach said. “There be no telling what Conemar will do to her once he’s in power.”
A thought came to me. “I have an idea. But Galach won’t be able to jump with us. He’ll have to return to Tearmann.”
Galach squared his shoulders. “No. I won’t leave her.”
Briony placed a tender hand on Galach’s cheek. “I will be fine with the Fey; they are my people. You must protect our haven. But stay safe. My heart cannot survive your loss.”
He touched her hand for a brief second before taking a step back and bowing. “Your order be my wish. I will wait until after you have gone before going back to Tearmann.”
Was there a love thing going on between them? It definitely looked like there was.
“I’ll be right back,” I said and headed for the door.
“Where are you going?” Aetnae asked.
“I need privacy,” I said over my shoulder and exited.
Standing in the hallway leading to a wide staircase, I lifted my shirt and placed my right pointer and index finger on the crown. The Chiave would make the wearer invisible in the gateway.
My fingers hovered over the brand. I should keep it hidden, but I had to get Briony to safety. Her jump would register without it, and she could get caught. Uncle Philip, Akua, and Briony were the only council members not corrupted.
We needed them. The havens and covens needed them.
“Reditum,” I spoke the charm to release the Chiave, my thoughts only on the crown. The Chiave ripped from my side, and I dropped to my knees in pain, clenching my teeth. The crown grew to its actual size and floated in front of me. I grasped it and rushed back to the others.
Briony and Galach were standing close, their voices low. His face told me he didn’t like what she was saying.
Aetnae flew up to me and landed on my shoulder. “Lovers’ spat,” she whispered. “You thought forbidden love was bad for you and Arik—” She stopped, her eyes widening. “Sorry. But you get what I mean. It’s worse for them. She’s a ruler, he’s a guard…never the two shall mix.”
“I don’t get what’s the problem.” I frowned at them. “So what if a ruler and a guard love each other? It’s just their jobs, not who they are. Everyone should be equal.”
“Tell that to a bunch of uptight wizards with their noses in the law books.” Her eyes went to the crown. “What’s that for?”
“It will shield her jump,” I said.
She darted off my shoulder. “Well, let’s get out of here before we’re discovered.”
I stalked after her. As we approached Briony and Galach, they backed away from each other.
I held the crown out to Briony. “We’re ready to go. You’ll need to wear this, but don’t put it on until we’re about to jump. Now, Aetnae and I are going to turn our backs while you two kiss goodbye.” Briony opened her mouth to protest, and I put up my hand to stop her. “Look at him. No telling when you’ll get this opportunity again.”
Aetnae touched down on my shoulder, and I turned around. “Your grandmother will be happy to see you,” she said, obviously making small talk.
I’d give anything in the worlds to see Nana, but I couldn’t. There was too much at stake for me to stop now.
“I’m not going with you,” I whispered. “Bastien is waiting for me in Mantello. I just have to figure out how to get by the guards in the library.”
“I can help you there. Jump to Mantello. The book faeries will meet you. While we cause a diversion, you can slip by the guards. Simple.” She hopped a little and hit a nerve in my neck, making me flinch. “Oh sorry. Got a bit excited there. It will be so much fun.”
“Yeah, fun,” I droned.