Authors: Yasmine Galenorn
Night Veil (32 page)
Air to air, gale to gale,
Travel now, beyond the pale.
As the mist faded into white, I felt myself melting, as a rush of air buoyed me up, and then—a sudden jolt and I was gloriously free, rising up in owl form to hover near the top of the ceiling. Anadey gasped, and the mist began to retreat.
“Cicely—get down here! You can’t break the spell, not this way—it will backfire in hideous ways if you don’t allow me to finish it.”
But I didn’t give a fuck what she was saying. As far as I knew, Anadey was my enemy, as surely as Myst. Even more so than Lannan.
At that moment, Peyton broke through the door.
“Cicely! What’s going on! Mother, what the fuck are you doing?” She gasped. “What’s all this?”
She’d no sooner spoken than I took a chance and dove for the door, winging my way out and up into the sky, and then headed for home, free and wondering just what the hell Anadey had done to me.
Chapter 16
I flew into the night sky, winging my way into the heavens as Anadey and Peyton shouted from below—Anadey yelling at me, while Peyton was shaking her mother’s shoulders. No way was I going back and chancing getting caught by Anadey again. Shaken, confused from the drugs and the spell, I headed in the direction I thought was home, terrified I’d transform midflight and go tumbling to the ground.
As I soared over the streets, my head began to clear and all of a sudden, I could hear Ulean. She was riding the currents beside me.
Cicely, Cicely? Can you hear me yet?
Ulean! Oh, Ulean, help me. I’m so confused and not sure where I’m going.
Keep on in this direction and I’ll get you help.
And then, her presence was gone. I focused as best as I could, following the breeze as it carried me aloft. The night was chill, but no snow was falling and the clouds parted to allow the moon to shine through. What was I going to do? She could have killed me. She could have killed both Grieve and me if she’d succeeded with her spell. But how much damage had she done?
And then it hit me. I thought about Grieve, and my heart didn’t skip a beat. I thought about my love, and realized that I felt numb. I tried to summon my wolf, but in owl form I couldn’t connect with it. Thoroughly defeated and afraid, all I could do was keep flying.
At that moment, another owl came gliding in from behind me. The great horned owl. Ulean was riding the slipstream along beside his wing.
Help me—something’s happened to me and I don’t know what.
Follow me.
His thoughts came through clear and he turned, heading toward Dovetail Lake. I turned on my wing, following him, able to take direction better than make my own decisions at this point.
His thoughts came through clear and he turned, heading toward Dovetail Lake. I turned on my wing, following him, able to take direction better than make my own decisions at this point.
We flew under the moon until we reached the lake. A shimmer resonated through the night and the great horned owl flew into the light. It glimmered like summer, like warm leaves and dusky dreams, and a steady breeze that carried roses and night-blooming honeysuckle soothed my senses. I followed the owl through the portal and blinked as the land beneath us opened up, with rich grass untouched by snow, and lakeshore waters lapping gently.
The owl slowly spiraled down to land on a low branch near Lainule’s throne, and I followed suit. I’d never been in the realm of Summer while in owl form and now, every breath, every sound, every movement was magnified.
A moment later, the Queen of Rivers and Rushes appeared, dressed in gossamer white. She steadily approached the throne and looked up at the two of us. After a moment, she let out a long sigh and slowly inclined her head.
“Cicely, take form.”
I flew to the ground, and then, trying to focus through the fear, I shifted back into myself, naked and cold and shivering. As I stood, I found I wasn’t ashamed or even embarrassed—I was too worried and miserable to care about what I was wearing. Or
not
wearing.
not
wearing.
Lainule considered me for a moment, then removed her own cloak from her shoulders and gently wrapped me in it. The thin shawl was surprisingly warm, and my breath slowed as I began to let go of my immediate fear. She nodded to the great horned owl and he flew to the ground. A moment later, I was staring up at a gorgeous man with jet-black hair. He wore clothes, so he must be full Cambyra Fae—but his clothing matched the shimmer of Lainule’s own gown and as I gazed at him, I realized that this was no ordinary Fae.
Lainule pressed her lips together and looked terribly sad, but then she tossed her hair back and straightened her shoulders. “Cicely, say hello to my Consort, the King of Rivers and Rushes. He has been guarding you since you returned. Bow before your father, Wrath, Lord of Summer.”
I let out a sharp gasp as her words ran through me like an electric current.
My father, Wrath.
I’d had some inkling the great horned owl might be my father—I hadn’t been sure, but the thought had crossed my mind. But . . . Wrath was the Lord of Summer? Lainule’s consort?
My father, Wrath.
I’d had some inkling the great horned owl might be my father—I hadn’t been sure, but the thought had crossed my mind. But . . . Wrath was the Lord of Summer? Lainule’s consort?
“Aren’t you going to say something?” She gave me a short look, and I wasn’t sure if she was perturbed or merely curious.
“I . . . I’m not sure what to say,” I whispered, looking up into Wrath’s eyes. They were kindly, but stern. Ancient and wise, as were Lainule’s, and lit by a vivid light that knew no sense of mortality. “I was hoping to meet you . . .”
“I did not want this meeting to happen yet—there is too much at stake, but my Lord would never bring you here were matters not grave.”
And with her words, Anadey’s betrayal came sweeping back and I slid to the grass, tears flowing down my face. “Everything’s so dark right now. I can’t find my way. Anadey did something to me—the spell didn’t fully take, but I
know
she did something to me.”
know
she did something to me.”
“Tell us what happened, Cicely. We have all the time in the world to discuss the fact that I’m your father. But this . . . you say Anadey betrayed you?”
I nodded, my face red and hot. “I trusted her.” And then, before I could stop myself, I spilled out everything. My plan to rescue Grieve, my need to be with him, the worry over hurting my friends because of being ensnared by his venom, Leo’s suggestion that Anadey might help, and the choice I’d made to see if we could neutralize that effect. “I just wanted to be thinking with a clear head. But now . . .”
Placing my hands on my wolf, I sought for him, sought for the connection, but there was nothing. The tattoo was so much ink on my belly.
“Describe the spell that she cast.” Lainule neither comforted me nor chided me.
Biting my lip, I did my best to describe everything that happened. So much was fuzzy—the drug she’d given me had been strong, but here in the realm of Summer, it seemed to be negated and I was able to focus more easily.
Lainule glanced up at Wrath and I could sense some conversation, unspoken, going on between the two. After a few moments, she stood. “Stay here. Talk with your father for a few moments. I am going to bring you something that will help.”
She glided away, a mist of shadow in the night.
Wrath watched her go, his eyes longing and loving. As I stared at him, all I could think of was one question. “Why my mother? Why, when you are Lainule’s consort, would you sleep with my mother?”
He turned to me, his smile steady but firm. “Because my love requested it. We have watched over your family for years. The boneseer told us you should return to life in this family as a half-breed, and so we chose the time and place of your birth. Myst has been waiting for your return all the years since you and Grieve—Shy died. If she found you first . . . it would not be good.”
I bit my lip. My birth had been planned. “You seduced my mother?”
“Not a difficult task. She was comely, if terribly shy and self-conscious. I could not stay with her, of course. Nor could she know who I was. We did not expect her to run and take you with her. However, perhaps that was best. Myst came to find both Geoffrey and you, but you were not here. So she turned her sight on the vampires and left it at that for a while.”
“Ulean said that she belonged to Lainule before she was bound to me.”
“Ulean was Lainule’s personal Elemental, as the fan you carry was hers. The pendant, I enchanted. We knew you would come home, Cicely, and did what we could to prepare for your return.”
I wrapped my arms around my legs and stared up at the sky. “Can I stay here? Can Rhiannon and I just come live in the realm of Summer and be safe?” It was a wistful question, I knew, and futile, but I had to ask.
“You have bound yourself to the vampires, so no—we could not let you shirk your oath. And you and Grieve must find one another again.”
“How did I meet him in the first place? My mother was Myst . . .”
“You will remember in time. This is no war that can be won lightly. This is no skirmish. We are in for the long haul. The important thing is to mitigate our losses as much as we can at this point.” He laughed and stretched out on the grass beside me. “You grew up lovely, my dear. I’m so glad that I was finally able to tell you. Cicely Waters, you are the daughter of a king. And yet you have not asked me for anything—for money or jewels or power.”
I stared bitterly into the darkness. “Money will not buy freedom for Grieve, nor jewels. And power . . . power corrupts. I hate the fight I’m immersed in, but I will persevere. Because there’s no other option. I am not the daughter of a king, with all respect, Your Majesty. I prefer to think of myself as the daughter of a witch and an owl-shifter. That suits my nature far more than the robes of a princess.”
He reached out then and took my hand. His fingers were long and thin, with sharp nails, and he squeezed gently. “Your answer pleases me more than you can possibly imagine. And just so you know: Lainule does not resent you. I speak the truth when I say your birth was her idea. We are not so beholden to having only one mate in the realm of Rivers and Rushes. You and Grieve are somewhat of an anomaly.”
Just then, Lainule returned, a serving girl behind her who carried a steaming mug that smelled like raspberries and lemon. She handed it to me and when I inhaled, the scent washed through me.
“Drink deep. I give you my word of honor, it will only help you, not hurt you. Leave Anadey to me. Do not pursue the matter.”
“She mentioned this had something to do with her exhusband, Rex, and the fact that he’s got ‘powerful allies’ and is back in town. I think she’s afraid he’ll lure Peyton away from her after all these years.” I hesitantly brought the drink to my lips and sipped. The flavor ran through me like sweet wine, and I upturned the mug and emptied it down.
As the liquid spread through me, it felt like it was undoing knots and gnarls in my aura, and I relaxed a little. I found myself smiling, feeling free, and my wolf began to warm again. I placed my hand on the tattoo and felt a low rumble.
“Grieve . . . he’s back . . .”
Lainule reached out and shook my shoulder. “I have reversed her spell, but you must listen to me. You
must not
follow through on your plan to rescue Grieve. I offer you this bargain: We will rescue him, but in our time, in our own way. Until then, pretend that Anadey’s spell succeeded. We want to ferret out who she’s working with, and if they see that it didn’t take, they might fade away to avoid being noticed.”
must not
follow through on your plan to rescue Grieve. I offer you this bargain: We will rescue him, but in our time, in our own way. Until then, pretend that Anadey’s spell succeeded. We want to ferret out who she’s working with, and if they see that it didn’t take, they might fade away to avoid being noticed.”
That made sense, although something felt off, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.
“All right, I promise.” Again, the feeling that I’d been locked in, thoroughly and tight, rang through me. Promises to the Fae, even by a half-Fae, were binding.
I thought about what it entailed—lying to Rhiannon and the others—but I couldn’t take the chance that one of them might be working against me. Leo, for example. I wouldn’t put it past him to have been behind this mess. Now that I knew Anadey was all too willing to betray me, I couldn’t be sure of anybody. Suddenly feeling much more alone in the world, I hung my head.
“I can’t trust anyone now, can I?”
“You can trust yourself, child.” Wrath patted my shoulder. “I’m proud of you. You’ve struggled against so many hardships over the years, and look at the strength that you’ve evolved. You make me proud to be your father.”
Gazing up at him, I saw the kindly fire in his eyes. He’d never be one to hug me tight, or take in a ball game with me, but he meant what he said and that was more important to me than all the father-daughter outings in the world.
“Thank you,” I whispered. “But what will I say to them? I ran out on Anadey.”
“Keep away from her. She was trying to remove your connection to Grieve. Do your best to pretend that the venom enchantment has been severed. Let them see it’s led you to reconsider rescuing him. Continue with your business. If Grieve tries to contact you, don’t tell anyone and instruct him to do the same.”
I told them what happened when Myst beat Grieve. “I took on his injuries.”
Lainule pressed her lips together, then let out a long sigh. “Obviously, we cannot just leave him with her. Not if it’s going to hurt you. I feared this might come to pass. We have to move quickly. Go home, do as we bid, and we’ll be in touch with you soon. And meanwhile, keep your heritage secret. If Myst finds out you are Wrath’s daughter, she will throw all her efforts into capturing you. She would ignore the vampires and come after you directly.”
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