The Seven Year King (The Faerie Ring #3) (35 page)

With a low growl of anger, Tiki slung her bow over her shoulder and thrust her arms out in a wide V toward the sky. She let all the fear, frustration and anger that roiled around inside her surge out through her fingers. In an instant, the sky turned black and dark clouds swirled and boiled over their heads like an otherworldly tempest. The wind whipped the branches of the trees in a wild dance and Tiki’s skin tingled with power.

With an innate knowledge, she swept her hands toward the ground and rain began to fall in torrents. Gestle stepped back and eyed her with alarm. Bearach shouted as he kicked Rieker in the ribs, trying to force him to get up and onto the horse so they could escape the deluge.

Rage as hot as any flame burned through Tiki to see Rieker treated in such a way. With a flick of her wrist she sent a lightning bolt straight at the red-headed beast. The fiery dagger landed square against the man’s chest and sent Bearach flying backwards through the air. He landed on his back ten feet away. Donegal’s second-in-command didn’t move as a spiral of smoke slowly rose from his great chest.

Gestle let out a low whistle of approval. “Nice shot, Majesty.”

Rieker pushed himself off the ground and jerked around to look in their direction. Tiki raced toward him. Recognizing her, he scrambled for the horse, grabbing the reins as he vaulted on. He kicked the horse into a run and held his bound hands out for Tiki. She grabbed hold of his wrists as he flew by and he swung her onto the horse behind him.

“They’ve taken Dain to the palace,” she yelled in his ear. Then she wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him tight.

Chapter Forty-Seven

W
hen they’d ridden for thirty minutes, Rieker pulled the horse to a stop. The storm had cleared the further they got from the abandoned village.

“Have you got a knife?”

“Yes.” Tiki yanked a blade from inside her boot as he twisted and held his hands out for her to saw through the ropes that bound his wrists. As the strands gave way, Rieker ripped off the rope leash.

“Are you injured?” Tiki asked.

He rubbed the red abrasions around his throat, his voice hoarse. “Nothing serious. How do you know they moved Dain?”

“The hobgoblin told me. He said they’d taken him to the Palace.” She didn’t need to say why.

THE PALACE OF Mirrors was in turmoil when they arrived. Preparations were being laid for a vast feast and workers were scurrying in every direction. Huge pyramids of wood were stacked for bonfires and tables were being set out. In a nearby pasture, scores of horses were pulling at the grass, their breath coming out in frosty clouds.

Tiki stared in amazement. “What is going on?”

The guard who took the horse from Rieker answered. “It’s the feast of Samhain. There’s always a party when the seasons change.” His eyes glowed with anticipation. “Especially when a Seven Year King is to be sacrificed. It starts tonight.”

Rieker stalked away without answering and Tiki hurried to catch up with him. “Do you think Dain is here?”

“There’s only one person who would know for sure.” He marched on, entering the Great Hall through a side door. Tiki followed Rieker down a long hallway, around a corner and through an arched doorway where he paused abruptly.

“What is it?” Tiki asked, coming to stand beside him.

Before them, the Great Hall was filled with workers. Tall trees of white candles were scattered around the room like a forest of light, casting a shimmering glow. Strewn like ribbons of gold between the tall fluted columns were swaths of glittering fabric. But that wasn’t what Rieker was looking at. Perched on the golden Dragon Throne, as if she were queen, sat Larkin.

“The nerve—” Rieker growled.

“That’s not what’s important right now,” Tiki murmured. “We have to find Dain—find out how much time we have.”

Rieker strode forward, his shoulders rigid.

“Larkin.”

The faerie showed no surprise at their arrival. “William, what a pleasant surprise. I’d heard rumors you were captured by Bearach.”

“The
Queen
helped me to escape.” He glared at her.

Larkin pushed herself off the throne and brushed her long hair over her shoulder with a flick of her wrist. She looked down her nose at Rieker as she descended the three steps.

“William, I sense antagonism. You understand that what I do is out of concern for the kingdom. I have dedicated my life to protecting this Court and its inhabitants—”

“Why are so many starving, then?” Tiki snapped. “You might think your motives are altruistic but you serve your own purposes, Larkin.”

“Then tell me,” Larkin’s eyes narrowed, “how do
you
plan to protect the Seelie kingdom and battle Donegal? He has amassed an army of UnSeelies, including any solitary fey he can find in the Wychwood into his ranks. ”

Tiki clenched her hands into fists. “What does it matter? He’s going to be in charge for six months after tonight, anyway. There’s nothing to be done until I reclaim the throne in the spring, is there?”

Larkin put her hands on her hips. “What you don’t seem to understand is that when the Winter King reclaims control of Faerie tonight he’s not going to give it up in the spring.”

Rieker stepped closer, his face inches from Larkin’s. “What are you saying? That Tiki shouldn’t turn the throne over tonight?”

Larkin gave a derisive snort. “We don’t have a choice. At this point, Donegal’s army far outnumbers ours. In this war there’s only one way we can be guaranteed victory.”

“What’s that?” Rieker asked.

“A few months ago I never would have believed it possible, but now—”

Tiki gritted her teeth.
“What?”

“The Fourth Treasure, of course.”

Tiki groaned as a cough rattled deep in her chest. Not another circular conversation. They didn’t have time. “Forget the bloody treasure for now—the first thing we need to do is find Dain and save him before he is hunted like a fox before a pack of rabid dogs.”

An expression Tiki couldn’t identify flitted across Larkin’s exquisite features. “It’s too late for Dain. Donegal has him within his inner circle. He is inaccessible. It would be impossible to free him now.”

“Then when they set him loose for the hunt—” Rieker sounded desperate— “we’ll help him escape.”

Larkin gave a short laugh. “Even if you could—which would be nothing short of a miracle—there still has to be a body presented to the Seelie queen at midnight in payment of the tithe.” Larkin cocked her head at them. “How do you propose to do that?”

“I don’t know—
yet
.” Tiki snapped, exhausted and incensed at Larkin’s disregard for Dain’s life. “But we’re not giving up on him. We’ll think of something.”

“In the meantime—” Larkin surveyed Tiki through slitted lids— “if I were you, I’d find a good place to hide.”

Chapter Forty-Eight

T
iki tugged Rieker away from Larkin and led him from the room. They passed the short little man who had told her in Westminster Palace that the Seelies wanted war against Donegal. It seemed he was going to get his wish. He bobbed his head at her as she passed.

“Majesty.”

His green pants were held up by suspenders and he wore a well-made pair of shoes with shiny gold buckles that covered his extraordinarily long feet. For the first time, Tiki recognized him as a leprechaun, just like the character in the story she’d read to Clara.

A painful twinge went through Tiki’s chest at the thought of the little girl. How she longed for those simple days when she knew nothing of the Otherworld and the battles being waged. When Mr. Potts loaned her books she could read to the children and they would be safe together in whatever spot they were calling home.

Tiki shook her head. But she did know of the Otherworld, and though there were times when it would be easier to pretend none of these responsibilities existed—she couldn’t abandon those who needed her.

“Majesty!” Callan raced down the hall toward her, relief evident in his voice. “The Jester said you’d returned.”

Tiki hadn’t seen the Court Jester, but it didn’t surprise her that he knew of their arrival. He seemed to know everything of importance that happened around the palace.

“I have returned and I’m going to rest now, Callan. Please see to it that no one disturbs Lord William or myself, would you?”

TIKI NODDED TO the guard who opened the door for her as she and Rieker entered her chambers. Callan stopped at the door.

“I’ll take over out here—give this chap a rest.” His voice was bright with enthusiasm. “I’ll be right here, Majesy, if you need me.”

“Thank you, Callan.”

Before the doors had shut another voice spoke up.

“Bless you, Majesty, for what you’ve done for us this season. We’ll wait faithfully for your return next Beltane.”

Tiki whirled in surprise. There was no mistaking Ailléna’s scratchy voice. Tiki paced back to the entry and found the scarecrow-thin little Redcap on her knees in one corner.

“What are you doing here?” Tiki asked in surprise.

“I’ve been waitin’ for days for your return, Majesty.” She threaded her fingers together and bowed her head. “To thank you and wish you the best. I’m not allowed on the Plain of Sunlight on account a’ bein’ a—” she waved her hand along her body and Tiki wasn’t sure if she meant a Redcap or a beggar— “so I won’t see you again until Beltane.”

Tiki motioned to the small creature. “Ailléna, come into my chambers, please.” She led her to an opulently-appointed study where an ornate desk and bookshelf were positioned beneath an expansive diamond-paned window. On a nearby pedestal stood the Cup of Plenty, the blues, golds and browns of the glass goblet glowing softly in the daylight, as if lit from within. Tiki sat down at the desk and Rieker came to stand behind her, his arms clasped behind his back.

Tiki motioned to the cup. “I want you to know, that thanks to your help, we were able to locate the Cup of Plenty and it has been returned to the world of Faerie without the mortal’s knowledge. All is, as it should be, again.”

The little goblin stared with round eyes at the glass goblet. “Is it true, Majesty?”

“Yes, it’s true and you are no longer at fault. The wrong has been made right and you should not waste another moment of your life feeling guilty.”

The little Redcap hiccupped then let out a long sniff, trying not to cry. “Thank you, Majesty. It’s been a terrible burden to carry all these centuries.” Ailléna sniffed again, turning her head to search the room. She wiped the corner of her mouth with one clawed hand. “Pardon my curiosity, Majesty, but what smells so good?”

Tiki drew a deep breath and paused in surprise. There was a delicious aroma wafting through the air that made her mouth water. She glanced at Rieker and she could tell by the puzzled look on his face that he could smell the tantalizing scent, as well.

“It must be the kitchens, preparing for the feast tonight.”

“But the Court who is leaving doesn’t provide the food,” the little goblin said slowly, “the incoming court conjures the food when they take the throne. There won’t be any food here until midnight. And, pardon my saying, but UnSeelie food never smells that good.”

Tiki pushed herself to her feet and shrugged. “Then I have no answer.” She held her hand out to the diminutive creature and Ailléna slipped her fingers into Tiki’s. Rieker pulled open the door as Tiki bent down to look into the goblin’s eyes.