The next two days were filled with training, strategy, and planning. Calista unearthed some ancient books on the Tuatha de Danann, which had a rough map of the entire world. The Dark Fae Lord’s territory was not on there, but it was fascinating to see the huge scale of their realm. I had explored such a small part. She made me learn as much as I could, both of us hoping the landscape hadn’t changed over the years.
I had explained to her that we were starting in the Summer Court, that hopefully they would point us in the direction we needed to go. When Calista wasn’t grilling me, I trained with Kade. He threw dark magic at me with the staff, which was helping him get the hang of it, and me to get the hang of fighting the dark magic it held.
The stone atop his staff was absolutely fascinating to me. I was drawn to it, the same way I was with the purple mecca, but it also left a weird residue of oiliness on my tongue. There was a wrongness about it I couldn’t get past, even though it didn’t seem to bother Kade.
At least — besides a couple of mishaps — I successfully broke any and all dark spells. I was as ready as I would ever be. Violet, Calista, Jen, Kevin — Kade’s bear lookalike — Finn, and Nix were the sole bearers of our secret. The others believed they were training us for the war. After we left, Violet would break the news to the rest of our inner circle. We argued about whether this was the right thing to do. Kade was worried our family wouldn’t be able to keep up a convincing act with our spelled lookalikes if they knew it wasn’t us, but I refused to deceive everyone in that way. I wouldn’t let them believe that Kevin and Jen were really us.
Our doppelg?ngers were already situated in the far west wing of the royal estate; both had been thrilled to be able to help us with this. Neither cared about the danger, even after I explained it to them. I felt it was an essential part of our plan that if the winter queen or Dark Fae Lord were watching the castle, they would still see us in the residence.
Finn had halted his perimeter excursions, sticking by my side as much as possible. The morning before we were about to leave, he bumped his head into me. I still think I should come with you. Being separated like this … it’s not right.
I dropped to my knees, wrapping my arms tightly around his middle. I know, I want you there more than anyone. But … you stand out too much. Nix stands out too much. It’s safer if you stay here, keep an eye on the city, and tell me everything that’s happening. You can pass on information if needed.
His chest rumbled under my hold, his next words hard: We don’t know that we can communicate between the worlds. What if you can’t hear me?
I sighed. We’ll figure out a way.
War was taking a toll on all of us, and it hadn’t even started yet.
After much discussion, Kade and I felt it was the best move politically to take a portal into the Summer Court and briefly talk with Blaine and Bianca before moving to a private meeting with the king and prince. They would be the only ones to know of our plans. Gossip no doubt spread as rapidly there as it did here, and we wanted to contain it at all costs.
I wished there was no need to tell anyone, but it wouldn’t be right to sneak into their lands, and hopefully they could offer us some guidance in the direction of Isalinda and the Dark Fae Lord.
“Ready?” Violet whispered.
I nodded. “Yep, can’t wait.” My voice was light, no real emotion.
It was near midnight and the entire house was sleeping except for Kade, Violet, Rowan, and me. We’d told Rowan we were going to have a meeting with her king — which wasn’t a total lie. We were still trying to keep everything under wraps, but I think she knew something else was up, because she eyed our heavily-laden packs and Kade’s dark staff with wary eyes.
“Worried about running into trouble in the Summer Court?” she asked, as she prepared to make a portal into the Otherworld.
“Hopefully not,” I answered honestly.
Rowan just shook her head, the slightest of smiles tipping up her lips. Then she smoothed her coat, and in a flash pulled out a small shimmering vial. It was the mecca dust we’d been gifted. A second bottle. She pressed it into my hand. “In case you’re in trouble. Mecca powder needs only to be given direction, and then it can accomplish almost any spell.”
Our gazes clashed; the tiny fae nodded once, and I knew that she knew what we were up to. She knew and she supported it. For some reason, that made me feel a little better about the plan. I met Violet face to face. Her eyes were swimming with so much emotion.
“I should be with you,” she finally said aloud.
I shook my head. “I want you there so badly, but I have Kade. We have to do this together.”
Kade’s strong hand rested on my shoulder and he met Violet’s gaze. “I will put Arianna’s life before my own. Always.”
His assurance sent trills of fear through me, but I saw that Violet relaxed somewhat. Her clenched fists eased. There was still a heaviness across her brow and around her eyes; my trip was bringing back memories for her. But it was clear she was grateful Kade was along to help.
She hugged me tightly. I was lucky, two of these hugs in as many days. I breathed in her scent, committing it to memory and praying this wasn’t the last time I would see my best friend. Rowan and Violet took a few minutes to swirl enough energy to create the portal. As the warm floral-scented winds of the fae lands filtered through, Kade’s body shifted in that direction, his entire demeanor softening. He was born of the Summer Court and I knew going there would give him strength. I, however, seemed to fare better in the Winter Court, which was possibly our eventual destination.
“See you soon,” I told the two magic born as they held the portal open.
They both looked stressed, unsure but supportive.
“See you soon,” Violet echoed.
“Kade!”
A deep voice had us all spinning around, Kade naturally falling into a protective stance in front of me. He relaxed when Kian’s face popped into view, Shelley’s beautiful features appearing from behind him as they both walked through the doorway.
“Brother!” Kade exclaimed, crossing to clasp hands before they embraced. “Are the children okay?”
Kian and Shelley were supposed to have been back a few days ago, but had decided to stay a little longer, reluctant to leave Nathaniel, which I completely understood. If I wasn’t the queen, I would have been tied to Winnie’s side.
“They’re all very safe,” Shelley said, her soft voice ringing across the room. “It’s certainly a battle keeping that many little ones entertained, breaking up the fights and feeding their hungry bellies. But the people you sent are more than handling it.”
“How’s Winnie?” I asked, desperate for news about my baby sister.
Kian and Shelley both grinned broadly. “She’s amazing. Rules the other kids — or should I say pirate clans — with an iron fist.”