A Thief of Nightshade(67)

Don’t give in to the darkness, Aubrey. You don’t need light to see the path, just listen to my voice. Follow me.

The draw to go back, to shrink away from the voice was tremendous.

I’ve failed. What good would it do now? she asked the voice.

You’ll only fail if you give up now.

And it is not your time, Aubrielle. Your prince needs you.

My prince is dead.

No, follow my voice and I swear that you will see your prince again.

Jullian.

Yes! That’s it, fight it. Push your way through, focus on my words. Imagine yourself shedding the darkness that threatens to pull you down. Break through the surface, Aubrielle, you can do this!

And like emerging from the depths of a lake, she woke up coughing and grasping for air.

“It’s all right. Breathe. Take a deep breath.” An elderly Fae sat at her left while Aislinn hovered over her from the right. She was in bed, covered with heavy blankets.

Aubrey, still fighting to calm down, looked at Given, who had appeared in a doorway at the far end of the room. “You went for help.”

Given nodded as she approached the bed. “This is Oberon. He went after you, into the soul portal.”

Oberon smiled and Aubrey noted the slight movement of his silvery wings. He dipped his head. “Given told me the moment she heard rumors of your arrival and I should have listened to her sooner. I had feared to hope. But I fear no more. I meant every word I said to you.”

Given sat down but seemed fearful of something. “I’m sorry, Aubrey. I hated to deceive you, but I knew you’d never trust me if you knew who I was.”

Aubrey asked, “What do you mean?”

Oberon spoke before Given could.

“Given is Saralia’s daughter, my niece. I took her as my own when she was still a young child, though not so young as to avoid her mother’s viciousness.”

Given spoke then and it made Aubrey’s heart hurt to hear it. “I was sent to work as a slave to the Sidhe when I turned five. I don’t remember much before that, but I know I was in the palace. It was six years before I found a way to escape.”

Oberon smiled with sadness in his eyes. “I was told by a member of my guard that a child was found hiding in the woods, covered in blood and refusing to leave the tree root she was hiding in. And I knew it had to be Given. So I went and waited her out until she grew too hungry and too thirsty to ignore my coaxing.

Stubborn little thing, she was ... still is.

Given finally passed out and I carried her back to Agincourt in my arms. She woke up just as we entered court.”

“I knew something was different about you,” Aubrey said.

“You aren’t mad at me?”

Aubrey’s eyes softened. “No.”

Given seemed relieved, but held herself oddly. She looked stiff and uncomfortable and it had nothing at all to do with what they were discussing.

“The wounds. They’ve worsened.”

Aubrey sat up.

“It’s all right. I’m more concerned with how you’re feeling.”

Aislinn nudged her with his wet nose. “I guessed right about your brother. I almost said Brooke, but...”

Aubrey narrowed her eyes. “Who is Brooke?”





Chapter Twenty-


Four


THE NIGHT SKY OVER AGINCOURT WAS A swath of black velvet with a million tiny holes poked into it, a bright and blazing light beyond. Aubrey sat in an outdoor dining hall, Oberon to her left, Aislinn to her right. If she’d ever beheld something so wonderful before, the lessening had left no trace of it. Given, who sat across from her, had changed clothes; her hair was swept partially into a stunning silver clasp, her dress that of a true princess— deep blue and sparkling with diamonds, embroidered with the finest thread. She wore an elegant silver crown that dipped down to a point at the center. She’d offered Aubrey similar attire, but Aubrey didn’t feel befitting of a gown like that.

Given had gathered a simpler dress of dark green velvet that was still more elaborate than anything Aubrey could ever recall wearing and convinced her it would do just fine.

The tables were thick trees, cut in half and sanded to a fine surface. Their seats were fashioned of branches and twine. It was everything she’d ever imagined a faerie kingdom to be. Music played from somewhere in the recesses of the night. Fae laughter abounded and she was greeted as though she were an honored guest and not some outsider who didn’t belong. And all the while, she could think of only one thing—Jullian.

Lipsey, who’d spent more than a few minutes telling Aubrey all about his treacherous journey and his new friend Oberon, had fallen asleep on Oberon’s shoulder and was snoring. Oberon stood, careful not to wake the little squirrel. “I am far too old for such late revelries and it looks like I’m not the only one. I’m taking him with me. I have the perfect place for him to sleep. Fair night, children.” He turned, his guards trailing in his wake, and left the courtyard.

Aislinn, who hadn’t been offended by a single course offered yet, accepted a dessert from a tall, wispy, red-haired Fae.

“You haven’t eaten much,” he said to Aubrey, digging in.

She played with the napkin in her lap. “Did he really dislike lima beans?”

Aislinn

swallowed

awkwardly,