Seven Black Diamonds (Seven Black Diamonds #1)(76)

“I’ll meet her,” Lily said. “I’ll come willingly to see her. I can’t make any promises beyond that, but . . . I will go with you to see her.”

Zephyr nodded. “Thank you.”

She said nothing. No matter how much Lily rationalized it, entering the Hidden Lands felt akin to entering a dragon’s lair. The primary difference, of course, was that the Queen of Blood and Rage was real—and far more vindictive than the dragons of lore.

“Alkamy can’t come,” Zephyr pronounced.

When Lily still said nothing, he added, “Roan and Will should stay here too.”

“So . . . just you, me, Creed, and Vi?” she asked.

“I’d rather leave Creed behind.”

“Not happening,” Creed said. “I wasn’t joking when I gave her my fealty, Zeph.”

“I didn’t think you were,” Zephyr said in a remarkably calm voice.

“Fealty to her outweighs any authority you might have over me.” Creed strolled over to Lily and wrapped his arms around her.

“Lily could order you to stay.”

“Nope,” Creed said, popping the p loudly. “Not if she’s walking into danger. You know better, Zephyr. She’s the heir, the true heir to the joint throne of the Seelie and Unseelie Courts. A knight charged with the safety of his liege puts her safety above any order—including her own.”

Lily stared at Creed, not sure she was ready—or ever would be ready—to think in terms of lieges or knights or anything of the sort.

“I’m not going to be Endellion’s heir,” she said quietly.

This time both boys frowned.

“You are the heir. It’s not an option to suddenly be something else,” Creed said. He exchanged a look with Zephyr, before saying, “Even if I hadn’t pledged myself to Lily, I’d be coming with you. She’s going to get herself into more trouble than I can even imagine if she says these sorts of things to the queen.”

“We’ll see.” Lily shrugged. “‘Abernathy Commandment #18: Better to die free than be controlled by anyone.’ I won’t let Endellion—or anyone else—rule my life.”

Neither boy commented. Instead, they went to Roan and Will’s room where the others all were and filled the rest of the Black Diamonds in on Lily’s plan to go to the Hidden Lands.

“I’m coming,” Violet interrupted quickly. “Kam and the boys should stay here.”

“I go where Zephyr says,” Alkamy said levelly, her gaze sweeping them as if daring anyone to object.

“Here,” Zephyr said. “I need you here where you’re safer.”

She nodded.

Roan and Will both shrugged. Will prompted, “Zeph? Lily?”

“I don’t want all of us there,” Lily started.

“But Vi can come,” Zephyr finished. “The queen has asked after her in the past. She stands a better chance of survival . . . I think.”

“I’m coming,” Violet repeated.

“You are,” Zephyr agreed. “The rest of you . . . stay here.”

His gaze darted to Creed, who simply smiled and shook his head. He’d already made his argument. Zephyr sighed, but didn’t press the issue.

No one else questioned the plan. Even though they’d seen Zephyr at his weakest now, they were still looking at him with the same faith Lily had seen since she’d met them. The difference was in how they watched her. Being the daughter of the missing heir made her even more special in their eyes. She saw it—and hated it—but she wasn’t going to allocate time to it today.

Decision made, the three of them followed Zephyr to the entrance he used to access the Hidden Lands. Lily had resolved not to let fear reign over her, but resolve only went so far when she was entering another world, especially one where she was going to have to face the most feared being in either world.

“Are you okay?” Creed asked softly as they stepped through a toadstool ring.

“No.”

“Anything I can do?”

“No.” She reached out and took his hand. She needed the simple comfort of a touch, and Creed wouldn’t reject her.

They were barely a breath inside the Hidden Lands when Rhys’ voice drew their attention. “Lilywhite.”

“Uncle,” she greeted after a pause.

Rhys nodded, and then looked at Zephyr. “Son of mine.”

The four fae with Rhys all stilled, seeming not to breathe for a long moment. Then Zephyr nodded. He didn’t speak, but he didn’t deny the word that Rhys had spoken. It was apparently enough. Rhys smiled.

Then he returned to the same seemingly emotionless mien that he’d had for most of their initial encounter. He held out one hand. “Your weapons, if you would.”

Creed and Violet silently shook their heads.

“We are unarmed.” Zephyr held his arms to the sides as if inviting a search. “I would not approach the queen with threat.”

“And you, niece?”

“Where’s the trust?” Lily asked. She had only a few weapons: a dagger in her boot, a knife in her pocket, one single thin blade she’d given to Violet to jab into her hair twist, and, of course, a small gun she had hoped to hide under her jacket. The other fae girl wanted to secret a small arsenal on their bodies, but doing so could be interpreted as threatening the queen, so Violet agreed to carry only one weapon.