A Thief of Nightshade(69)

“It’s a sad song.” Aislinn looked away briefly. “‘Remember me,’ those are the only words I can recall.”

“‘Remember me to one who lives there; he once was a true love of mine.’ It is an old song in my world, a very old one. It was said to have been originally sung by a man, not a woman. But, the singer is asking that all of these impossible tasks be done in order to become once again, ‘a true love of mine.’

I don’t know what the herbs are part of the song for. I assume they grow here as well–parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.”

Given smiled, “They do and that particular combination is a love charm. In Agincourt, we crush them fresh and tie them in a small pouch for brides-to-be.

She might tuck it into her pillow at night or wear it around her neck during the day of the wedding. It is said to bring luck to those in love and ward off dark magic.”

Aubrey had never given the song much thought. She’d learned it when she was in the choir at Darlington. “Does it work?” she asked.

Given nodded. “Actually, yes. There are some spells that won’t work if the person whom the spell is intended for is wearing certain charms.”

“We call that superstition where I come from because there aren’t spells or dark magic to ward off.”

“But they still practice the art of charms and wards?” Given asked. “My uncle has spoken of worlds where the Lyr once existed, but is there no longer.

Perhaps your world is one of them?”

Aubrey couldn’t imagine it. Then again, she’d seen an awful lot lately that she couldn’t have imagined at one time.

“Perhaps.”

“I see that everything has turned out well for our guests.” A tall, handsome Fae, wearing a red sash at his waist and a leather vest, came up behind Given and placed a hand possessively on her shoulder.

Given didn’t seem to appreciate the gesture in the least. She pried his fingers loose. “Aubrielle this is Ian, a friend and sworn Griffin in my uncle’s army.”

The way she’d emphasized the word ‘friend’ and Ian’s subsequent expression gave Aubrey the impression that Ian perhaps wanted more than her friendship.

“It’s a pleasure, Ian,” Aubrey said.

“I’m quite well, thanks to Oberon.”

“I’m so happy to hear it,” Ian said with forced sweetness. “His Majesty,”

said with obvious disdain for the casual manner with which Aubrey had referred to him, “tells me that tomorrow you intend to depart for the Winter Court?”

Aislinn swallowed the huge bite of cake he’d just put into his mouth with a grimace, likely under-chewed. “Let me guess, you think it’s a fabulous idea and want to wish us the very best of luck.

Wait, no, maybe I’ve got that backwards —you think it’s a ridiculous idea and want to warn us of the thin ice we’re treading?

Or maybe—” Before Aislinn could finish, Given spoke.

“The masquerade is tomorrow night.

If we leave at dawn we’ll make it in time.”

Ian appeared horror-struck. “What do you mean, we?”

Given pivoted in her chair to face him. “I’m going with them. Aubrey won’t know where she’s going and Aislinn won’t blend in for obvious reasons.”

“I suggested to his Majesty that I accompany them. As my escort alone is more than sufficient, you won’t be going anywhere. If you so much as step foot in the Winter Court, it would mean your death. There is still a price on your head.”

Ian returned his hand to her shoulder, this time with certainty that defied her to remove it again.

“Just what kind of price are we talking about here?” Aislinn said it only to rile Ian, Aubrey suspected, and it did. He practically came over the table.

“Not nearly as much as the price I’ll put on your head if you ever say something like that again.” Ian snatched Given’s left hand and tore off the leather bracelet she had worn constantly since they’d met her, revealing the reason she had done so. On the underside of her wrist, a pattern of sorts had been burned into her skin. “Do you see this? Do you have any idea what it means to be marked with it? It signifies ownership, property of the Sidhe, for whatever they wish, whenever they wish.

It means that day-in and day-out for six years the princess as a child endured every manner of depraved cruelty. And you would dare utter such a thing in jest?”

Given’s face was totally devoid of emotion, eyes unfocused as she faced the floor to her side, quietly tolerating Ian’s reminder.

Aubrey thought for a second, based upon the way he was bearing his claws into the wood of the table, that Aislinn would tear Ian’s face to shreds. Instead, he grabbed the bracelet and did the best he could to fasten it back in place around Given’s wrist.

Given finished securing the bracelet around her wrist before she turned cold eyes to Ian. “We both know that wasn’t necessary. But thank you for bringing to everyone’s attention that I was once considered an item to be bought and sold.

Let me remind you that I am no longer bereft of free will.” She rose from her chair and stepped out of Ian’s reach.

Given turned to Aubrey. “When you are ready to retire, I have a place for you in my room.”