I looked at Conn. “These are the big, bad attackers?”
He glanced away. “They seem an unlikely band of criminals.”
One of the men raised his head, looked at us, and shrank away as if in terror.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake.” I knelt beside him. “Are you okay?”
He looked from one of us to the other and nodded. The soldiers came back with water, food, and a pair of kings.
I glared at them. “Don’t just stand there. Give them the water. Feed them!”
The soldiers looked to Drake. He nodded, and they set to work. I moved out of their way and approached the kings.
“What the hell is this?” I asked. “They’re not soldiers. They’re not any kind of a threat.”
“They did attack the camp,” Brendan said uncertainly. “I was under the impression they were greater in number, and warriors besides.” He turned to Drake. “You exaggerated a tad.”
“They’re the enemy,” Drake snapped. “We can’t be seen to show weakness.”
“This isn’t strength. It’s cruelty,” I said. “Jackie said they’re probably tribesmen or something. So they were like him and his sons—on the run, in hiding, half-starved. How is keeping them chained up like this okay?”
“Cara,” Drake said, “they attacked us. We can’t take in every stray with a vendetta.”
“A vendetta? Look at them. If they didn’t hate us before, they do now.”
“They came to our camp armed and attacked first,” Drake insisted. “We were lucky they didn’t know much more than how to conceal themselves.”
I looked at Brendan. “Talk to him, would you?”
Brendan gave a sheepish shrug. “She does have a point.”
“Enough of this,” Drake barked. “Stop indulging her to earn her favour.”
“Does it worry you?” Brendan asked smartly.
“You’re letting her manipulate you. She’ll get away with anything as long as she—”
“Think carefully on what you say,” Brendan said in a low, dangerous voice.
Drake’s jaw twitched. They faced off, both of them angry, probably partly because of the atmosphere in the Darkside.
I got between them. “Stop it, both of you. This is stupid.”
“He insults me,” Brendan said in a tone I didn’t recognise. “He thinks to tell me what to do.”
Drake sneered. “That’s exactly what she asked you to do to me.”
Brendan’s hand moved to his sword.
“Brendan, stop!” I pressed both hands against his chest. “Stop it!”
“Is this what it comes down to?” he asked harshly. “Two against one?”
I folded my arms. “Well, if the two of you try to gang up on me, I’ll just do what I want anyway. Fair warning.”
His mouth twitched, and he gave Drake a smile that bordered on apologetic. “She appears to think we don’t already know this.”
“Humans,” Drake said.
Brendan stepped around me and took Drake’s hand. They exchanged a bemused look. I stifled my sigh of relief. The last thing we needed was for Green and Silver to go at each other’s throats.
A bird call sounded, and Jackie cocked his head to the side.
“Was that the signal you’ve been hearing?” I asked.
Jackie spun around in a circle. “I think somebody is looking for these boys.”
“More attackers?” Drake stiffened. “Are we in danger?”
“No more than these poor critters,” Jackie said.
He cupped his hands to his mouth and made a long, soft sound. An answering call came almost immediately.
“There we go.” He moved to the edge of the clearing.
I followed him. When we neared the brush, a familiar face appeared between the branches of a tree.
“You!” we both said as one.
An old man with incredibly pointed teeth dropped from the tree. He was the leader of a tribe, a man I had saved from death in the Dark Court. “You again,” he said.
“And you.” I grinned then regretted it when he returned the favour. “I’m Cara.”
“We all know your name,” he said. “They call me Bas.”
Drake approached with his sword drawn, but he lowered it when he recognised the man. “You gave us hospitality once.”
“And this one repaid it with my life,” Bas said, gesturing at me. “So I’m surprised to see her taking prisoners.”
“Not her,” Jackie said indignantly.
Bas looked at Jackie with a curious expression. “You’re a Darksider.”
“Standing by my queen, I am,” Jackie replied proudly.
“They burn your home?”
“Reynard,” Jackie said. “But he’s gone, and his men belong to her now.”
Bas looked at me and sucked his teeth. “You shouldn’t be here. It’s too dangerous. Many are trapped at the castle with no way out. More are in hiding or on the run, attacking anything they run into in their desperation. What did these boys do?”
“Saw Reynard’s man,” the only conscious one said. “He burned us out of our village. We thought we could… we made a mistake.”
“It’s a nasty time,” Bas said. “Scared folks. Never thought things could get worse, but it looks that way.”
“What are you doing?” Brendan asked. “How many are with you? Where are you heading?”
“Mostly, we’re running from Reynard’s gang and struggling to eat. Living in fear and spreading rumours about what’s coming. Mebbe two dozen of us left.”
“You don’t have to worry about Reynard any longer,” Brendan said.
“As much as I appreciate that, I still have to ask. Why are you here of all places?” Bas nodded at me. “Last we heard, you were running from this place.”
“It was time for me to come home,” I said softly. “We’re going to stop Sadler. You might be safer with us.”
“We don’t have the rations—” Drake began.
“Our hunters have been successful,” Brendan said. “Food won’t be a concern for a time.”
“You’re making a stand?” the old man asked thoughtfully. “Queen against king. Those odds aren’t great.”
I shook my head. “Queen and Darksider heir plus friends against mad king. Odds improve.”
He smiled again. “I’ll bring it to my people. It’ll be up to them, but I’m willing to stand by your side. I’m too old for running anyway.”
A soldier sprinted into the clearing, panting as she struggled to spit out what she had to say. “Water fae,” she gasped. “A message came from the water fae in the river.”
“What’s the message?” Drake demanded.
“The ships are on the horizon. At least three dozen can be seen so far. Probably more to follow. The water fae are worried. They said something about a death fog? They said to tell the queen if she doesn’t leave soon, there won’t be any time left for her to escape.”
“How long do we have until they land?” Brendan asked.
“A week, if we’re lucky,” she said. “Outsiders will be here within the week. And if they get here…”
She didn’t need to finish the sentence. We were all dead if those ships landed. There was no other possible outcome.
***
I insisted the chief and his people join me, and they hadn’t protested. They seemed too bewildered to argue about anything. I wasn’t sure if they had lost their wits because of fear or hunger, but it didn’t matter. They were Darksiders, and I had to be their queen if I wanted to beat Sadler at anything. I was just as desperate as everyone else.
The atmosphere in camp had shifted again. Word had quickly spread about the water fae’s message, and some of the soldiers were angry that the prisoners were being protected by me. I took Jackie, Bas, Vix, Rumble, and Donncha into Fiadh’s carriage to discuss the situation.
“I haven’t been completely honest with all of you,” I admitted.
Vix bristled. “And that means what exactly?”
“When Brendan asked me to come here, he had a plan. But I soon realised that everyone here has a different agenda,” I explained. “Brendan wants to find a way to end this war peacefully, but I’m pretty sure the only method that will work is to kill Sadler. His death the only way to break the deal he’s made, and it seems like it’s too late to avoid that. Drake wants me to meet with Sadler, except he wants to send an assassin with me.”
“And you?” Jackie asked. “What’s your plan?”
“I… I want to deal with Sadler myself.” The ensuing silence made me shiver. “Think about it. If someone from the Green or Silver courts kills Sadler, the Darksiders at the castle will feel obliged to fight back. They’ll have no leader, and they’ll be facing off against two other courts.”
“They wouldn’t stand a chance,” Rumble said.
“Exactly. Even if Drake gets his way and the Darksiders don’t fight back, it’ll still end badly. If Drake wins, he and Brendan will divide up the land. But Drake wants to eliminate the Darksiders, just in case. Brendan just wants his realm back. Even if he manages to stop Drake from destroying the Darksiders, everyone will have to be a part of the Green or Silver courts, the very places that rejected them in the first place.”
Vix nodded. “Most Darksiders would rather die.”
“But some would be willing to leave the Darkside behind,” Conn said.
“Do you really think either king is going to take Darksider refugees into their nice clean land?” I asked. “They think the very presence of Darksiders is making the taint move in their direction.” I looked around at each of them. “But if I deal with Sadler, the kings will owe me. I can persuade them to do the right thing.”
“We need a Darksider to rule us,” Fiadh said softly. “That’s all we need. And we have an heir.”
I didn’t want to think that far ahead. “I just wanted you all to know the real story. If you want to turn back now, go ahead. But if you come with me, you’ll have to choose a side.”
“Sadler is mad,” Bas said. “Who cares if he dies?”
“Plenty of fae are still loyal to him.” Donncha faced me and bowed his head. “But I’ll stand with you if you think you can save us.”
“I’m loyal to the Darkside,” Rumble said. “It’s my home, our home. Sadler is trying to burn it to the ground. He’s not himself anymore. He’s under a dark influence, one that is intent on destroying us.”
“It would be different if we weren’t all starving to death anyway,” Jackie said. “Look at my boy, weak as a lamb. Sadler called his madness upon us. I say we go with the lady and see what happens.”
Murmurs of agreement rose from the small gathering.
“And if I kill him?” I asked. “Or if I don’t succeed?”
Nobody replied.
***
I sat up late and watched Scarlet sleep. If I was wrong, she was in danger. I was gambling with our lives, and I could easily fail.
“Stop punishing yourself,” Brendan said from behind me.
I almost jumped out of my skin. “Don’t sneak up on me,” I said, pressing my hand against my chest.
“I called your name. Twice. Don’t obsess about the things you can’t change. We make our own futures, remember?”
“So people keep saying. I’m not obsessing. I’m just thinking things through.”
“Stop thinking. Relax.” He held out his hand. “Come with me.”
“Hell, no.”
“Humour me. I have a gift for you.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “I don’t believe you.”
“Okay, it’s a gift for me that I’m willing to share.” He smiled. “Do you not trust me?”
“I should never trust you.” I looked down at Scarlet, reluctant to leave her.
“Here. We’ll just sit in the carriage. You’ll see her from the window. You go ahead, and I’ll be right back.”
Shaking my head, I got up and moved toward the carriage. I waited for him outside the door.
He returned a minute later, holding something behind his back. “Get in and close your eyes,” he scolded.
I obeyed because I was dying of curiosity. When he let me open my eyes, he was holding a goblet of a golden-coloured liquid.
“A drink?” I asked sceptically.
“This is the good stuff,” he said in a conspiratorial tone. “The kind of stuff that needs no more than a sip. We’ll reach the castle in two days. Most of us won’t sleep tomorrow night. So why not relax tonight?”
“If this makes me loony…”
“It won’t. It’s just a taste. I’ll take care of you.”
“Yeah, that’s what I’m worried about.”
“Then don’t drink it. More for me.”
I rolled my eyes as he took a sip and made an exaggerated sound of pleasure. I accepted the goblet and took a tiny sip. The flavour spread across my tongue with a delicious warmth.
I sighed heavily. “I drank an entire cup the first time.”
“And went back for seconds,” he said. “I’ve heard that story.”
“It’s the best thing I’ve ever tasted.”
“I’m sorry for you,” he said, laughing.
“Don’t ruin my buzz.” I looked out the window at my daughter curled up next to a black cat. People who pledged their lives to protect her slept all around her, and yet she would never be safe. “Am I making a mistake?” I said, thinking aloud. “Am I just risking her life for nothing?”
“Of any of us, she’s the safest from harm. Sadler won’t risk her life. He needs her, remember?”
“What if she ends up trapped with him and all of us dead?”
“If she’s anything like her mother, she’ll find a way to escape.”
“I hope she’s nothing like me. I hope she grows up happy and independent but still capable of love and everything that goes with it. Mostly, I want her to be happy.”
“I’ve seen you happy and independent and capable of love.”
“I put on a good show.”
“Is this the wine talking?”
I shook my head. The buzz had already died. “This is Cara talking. That’s what you wanted, isn’t it?”
He dumped the remainder of the wine out the window and set the cup on a bench. “It is. So what does Cara have to say?”
“Nothing important.”
“I can listen to the non-important things just as well.”
I smiled. “Mr. Reliable.”
He saluted me. “If that’s what you need.”
“I’m scared,” I said in a small voice. “I used to be a risk-taker. I used to have no fear. Then Scarlet came along, and all of a sudden, I’m terrified I’ll die and leave her alone. I’m scared that I’ll have to watch everyone die, that the things I do to avoid their deaths will be the very things that cause them. And there haven’t been any white flowers in the Darkside.”
“What?”
“Brighid’s flowers. Maybe I’m being superstitious, but they haven’t been leading our way, and that’s freaking me out. When there’s a flower, I always end up where I’m supposed to be.”
“What if you’re Brighid’s flower?” He looked embarrassed.
“That’s the cheesiest thing I’ve ever heard.”
“It sounded better in my head, I promise. But seriously, what if you’re supposed to lead the way? Your luck or whatever it is that keeps you alive. What if that’s how we win against Sadler and his army of dead things?” He shuddered. “We should stay out of it and let the gods sort it out between themselves.”
“I wish it was that simple,” I said, but his suggestion had me thinking.
“I’m not worried,” he said. “You’ve already done something amazing. You’ve joined two courts with their sworn enemies, turned men against their own king. I think you really must be a kind of witch. Imagine the power your daughter will have.”
“Will she have power? I mean, she’s human.”
“Will she?” He raised his eyebrows, and I knew for certain that he had
seen Scarlet’s tricks. “Besides, anyone can earn themselves some power. Why not her? She’s already seen as special—the one untainted being in a chaotic realm. And with you as a mother, what could go wrong?”
I leaned back against the seat. “As much as I love these ego boosts, the truth couldn’t hurt.”
He turned to me. “Do you still think so little of yourself? Do you really think you’ve accomplished nothing? You entered the Fade and returned in one piece, even after the fenris attacked you. You passed through the Hauntings twice, were shot with arrows twice. You survived the curse of the summer wife, being married to Sadler, and living as a prisoner on the Darkside. You made it through the Black Marshes with your eyes closed. A king cursed you with your true name, and you still overcame it.”
“Well, when you say it like that, it sounds cool, but the truth is really—”
“Pah!” He flapped his hand at me. “If you can’t see how amazing you are, then it’s your problem.”
I laughed at him. “I can’t tell if this is an intervention or a chat-up line.”
He held out his hands in mock impatience. “Why must you label every little thing?”
He reached for me. I moved out of his reach.
“Every time,” he said softly. “Every single time.”
“What?”
“Why is that you close off whenever you let me see the real you? The closer we become, the more you turn from me. It’s one step forward and four steps back. Before I was sent back to the Fade, you slept next to me, and you kissed me willingly. Now, after everything, you can’t even bear my touch.”
“That’s not…”
Something in his eyes made me feel guilty, and his words just reminded me of Zoe’s warnings. I remembered how close we had been before, and I knew why I was distancing myself from him.
His gaze softened. “If I die on this adventure, I want you to understand that—”
I moved closer to him and clasped his face in my hands. “Brendan, shut up.” I peered into his eyes. “And don’t die.”
“I… will try my very best not to die,” he said solemnly.
“Good.”
Neither of us moved. I wasn’t sure what I was doing. Being around Brendan made me feel good, but jumping into things because of the threat of death hanging over our heads never worked out for me. I wasn’t sure that being lonely was a good enough reason either. But when he glanced down at my mouth, my stomach did a flip, and every nerve ending in my body flared to life. I was attracted to him, I couldn’t deny that, but was it enough to risk ruining a friendship?