A Thief of Nightshade(57)

His world was utterly drab in comparison. The leaves changed colors in the fall, but it was such a dull display.

Everything had a grayish tint to it, as if Avalar were dying. Aislinn shook his head, “No, nothing this colorful. I’ve heard, though I didn’t really believe any of it until now, that before Saralia came, Avalar was naturally this beautiful.

You’re telling me that it’s really like this in your world? This place looks like something out of a storybook.”

“I haven’t enhanced any of this in my head, I promise.” Aubrey turned around and motioned to the top of the hill. “I didn’t need to.”

The sun was high enough in the sky to hit the stained glass windows perfectly, sending bright and vivid colors in all directions. With the forest as a backdrop, Aislinn was certain he’d never seen anything

so

breathtaking.

“It’s

unbelievable,” he murmured. “This is the cabin Jullian built for you, isn’t it?”

She nodded mutely, her gaze fixed on the lake.

“Aubrey! Are you okay?” Aislinn turned to see who he thought he recognized as Harry, Aubrey’s brother.

He was walking around the side of the cabin. “Have you been here this whole time? Everyone’s worried about you.”

Aubrey looked shocked to see him.

She glanced at Aislinn. “I came here after the funeral,” she said softly, confusion evident in her delicate features.

Harry jogged down to the water’s edge. “You should have waited for me. I would have come with you.” Once he reached her, he leaned to kiss Aubrey on the cheek then sat down on the side of the dock. He didn’t seem to notice Aislinn.

Aubrey took a shallow breath and suddenly it hit Aislinn that despite his knowledge of where they really were, this would seriously screw with Aubrey’s perception of what was real. Aislinn touched her on the shoulder. “Aubrey, you aren’t back in your world. We’re still in Koldavere.”

Harry tilted his head. “Aubs, you’re scaring me here. You sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine,” Aubrey said carefully.

The wind picked up, sending ripples across the lake. A chorus of leaves tumbled over the ground and Aislinn would have missed the sound that blended with it had he not been paying attention— Fae laughter. More specifically, he heard Morrigan, the dirt bag Fae who’d turned him into a bear in the first place. “Damn it! Aubrey, Aubrey listen to me. You aren’t back home, sweetheart. Saralia is responsible for this.”

“Are you seeing things?” Harry cupped Aubrey’s chin with his hand.

“I don’t know,” Aubrey whispered.

Aislinn felt himself quickly coming unglued. “Think about Jullian, what will happen to him. We’ve got to get out of here! Don’t give in to this!” And in his haste to pull her from her disbelief, he reached out and found that his hands slid through her body as though she weren’t there at all.

“No! No, Aubrey, look at me!” But, it was too late. He could see the detachment in her eyes. She no longer believed that he was there.

Harry rose and held out his hand to help her up. “You’ve been through a lot.

Maybe you just need some time to yourself.” Aislinn watched numbly as Aubrey stood and let Harry wrap his arm around her. “Come on, I think you should stay with me for a few weeks. Until you feel a little more like yourself.”

Aubrey leaned against him as they walked. “I feel like I’ve lost my mind.”

“No, you just miss him. We all do.”

Just as they stepped onto the last plank of the dock, Harry glanced over his shoulder and winked at Aislinn, leaving no doubt as to who Harry really was.

“Morrigan, you piece of filth!”

Aislinn leaped to his feet and started into a sprint, only to be thrown to the dock face-first before he could reach them.

It took him a moment to gain his bearings, the sudden change of place and form catching him in a sickening wave. He opened his eyes to see that he was once again Ellohim. And when he looked up, he saw the Goblin King standing next to Aubrey, a smile spread confidently across his lips.

The King lightly brushed his hand through her hair, but she did not stir. In fact, this time even the faint rise and fall of her chest as she breathed was absent.

“My beautiful, sweet Aubrielle. She hasn’t failed this test, not really.” He placed his palm dotingly on her cheek as he turned to address Aislinn. “She will still be my queen. Saralia has promised me that as soon as the Fae king is

crowned, she will wake Aubrey from her slumber.” The Goblin King then looked back to Aubrey and kissed her softly on the mouth. “We haven’t too long, love.”

“Your

Majesty,

please

excuse

my

unannounced arrival. There wasn’t time to send word.” Ian bowed low. “Oberon tried to intercept our approach, but they won’t stand against your forces.”

Given and Ian had wandered for a short while before finally finding the odd door that led into what appeared an immense chamber, though she noted no echoing of their voices.

The Goblin King looked warily in Ian’s direction. “Yes, I’d heard something of an intrusion near the gates. You’ve come from the Winter Court?”