The Faerie Queen (The Faerie Ring #4) (28 page)

Chapter Fi
fty-Three

Kieran walked briskly as he led them down the hallway, stopping several doors past the entry that led up to the spying post. He pulled the door open, motioning with his hand, “After you—quickly now.”

T
he Night Garden lay frozen on the other side of the doorway. Tiki hurried through the opening but instead of walking into the garden, she stood in a circular room that was filled with more doors. As soon as Dain and Rieker were in the room she removed the fetters on their ankles.

“
Let me see your arms,” Tiki said. “We need to get these off.”  The ropes were laced with iron and burned as she touched them. She couldn’t imagine being bound for a long period of time.

Fial
closed the door. “Quickly, if you please. Remove your glamour, Tara, so you will be able to see where you’re walking. It’s very dark.”

“
Fial?” Dain asked softly. “And Tiki?”

“
Yes.” Fial swept by them. “Better not to talk for now.”

Rieker squeez
ed Tiki’s hand as they followed the darkly-garbed Fial around the circle to the right and opened the seventh door. “As quickly as you can go—hurry now. We’ve not much time.”

Tiki led the way down a flight of
dark stone stairs, the tunnel becoming darker with each step reminding Tiki of the UnSeelie fort.

“
Keep going,” Fial said from behind. “We’ll light a torch at the bottom.”

The stones were rough and Tiki ran her hands along the walls to keep her balance. The stairway twisted down and around until she had the sense they were in the very bowels of the Tor.  When they finally reached level ground
Tiki only walked far enough so the four of them could stand together then she waited for Fial to take the lead.

He hurried in front
and lit a torch that waited in a wall mounting as if for that very purpose. Flames jumped and shimmied, lighting the darkness. He smiled at each of them one by one. “Good—very good. We are alive, we are together. Let us take care of these ropes.” He handed Tiki the torch and ran his hands over the material that was still tied around Rieker’s and Dain’s wrists. The iron-laced rope dropped free as if cut away.

“
Thank you,” Dain said as he rubbed his wrists. Rieker echoed his words.

“
And now we shall take care of my brother.”

“
But we have to get Clara,” Tiki protested. “She’s—”

“
I know where she is, my dear—believe me, I know where little Clara is. We cannot get to her. There is only one way to free the child—we must take on Donegal in his own den.

Rieker spoke for the first time.
“What’s your plan?”

Fial nodded at Tiki.
“Tara has been gathering our generals. They wait at the Plain of Sunlight for her order to attack. I have been marshalling any UnSeelies who might defect to our side. The hobgoblins are with us as well as many of the homeless faeries. We’ll see who else might join us.”

“
And what are we going to do?” Dain asked.

Fial looked at Tiki.
“You have the Four Treasures?”

She nodded.
“They are mine to command.”

“
Good. We are going to get word to our soldiers to gather just beyond the Night Garden. The four of us will be inside the Palace—they will be outside. Dawn arrives at five thirty-five. We will strike exactly one hour before.”

“
Where?”

“
In the Great Hall, of course. We’ll cut Clara down first, then as she is carried to safety—” Fial’s face hardened— “we will show that murderer the same mercy he showed to Larkin.”

“
But he hasn’t been in the Great Hall,” Tiki said. “They say he is in the High Chamber—”

“
I promise you—he will come out—we will give him a reason to come out.”

TIKI TRANSPORTED TO the Plain of Sunlight and relayed the plan to the Macanna generals.

“
You must be prepared—the UnSeelie troops are everywhere. Dig in if you must—whatever you need to do to survive.”

“
We are ready,” they assured her.

She went by Larkin’s chambers for one last look. As she stepped into the drawing room that was a perfect reflection of Grosvenor Square Tiki’s heart caught in her chest.  Would she ever see this room again—in either world? Memories danced before her eyes of the times she’d spent with her family here
—of the hopes and dreams she’d held for their future and tears welled in her eyes. The Faerie Queen’s mirror was on a nearby table where she’d left it and on impulse, she went to the mirror and lifted it. But instead of her face she saw Larkin’s beautiful features speaking to her: ‘
I want you to be the queen you were born to be.’

Infinite sadness filled Tiki.
“I will be, Breanna,” she whispered. “I am the Faerie Queen.” Tiki blinked and it was her own teary reflection staring back at her. Shaking, she took one last look around the room.

“MAJESTY—” TORAN HAD a pleading look on his face— “let me come with you. It’s my job,” he hesitated, “and you might
need
me.”

Tiki remembered the torment she had caused Callan, her first bodyguard, by denying him the satisfaction of fulfilling a responsibility he was honored to hold. He had died for her and she would never forget his sacrifice, but part of her understood that he would have died in a different way if he hadn’t fulfilled his duty in protecting her by giving his life for hers.

“Meet me at the Palace of Mirrors one hour before dawn and you may guard my back from that moment forward as long as I’m in the Otherworld.”

TIKI RETURNED TO the dark tunnel where Fial, Dain and Rieker waited.

“
They are ready,” she whispered.

“
As are we.” They sat in a circle, safe for the moment within the depths of the rock mountain. “It is fitting that we will end the Winter King’s reign on December 21
st
—the night of the Winter Solstice.” Fial’s lips twisted in a grim smile. “On the night when he should be at his most powerful he will cease to exist.” He nodded in satisfaction. “Here is my plan.”

Tiki and the others listened careful
ly. When Fial finished, Tiki nodded. “I agree. And here is my plan.”

THEY HAD LITTLE more than an hour to wait for the designated time to strike. Though Tiki was afraid to have Clara out of her sight for that time, Fial reassured her.

“
She has more value to him alive than dead,” the older faerie said. “Nothing will happen to her.”

“
I was thinking about Larkin—” Tiki started but Fial held up his hand.

“
We cannot speak of her yet. When we have won this battle there will be time for all the talking we need to do. For now, let’s save our strength.”

Rieker and Dain exchanged glances but neither spoke.  Tiki sat between the two of them, holding tight to
both their hands. She bowed her head and thought of all that had occurred since she’d stolen the ring. Everything that had happened had pointed her to this moment. She would not fail her family or the Seelie Court. She would not fail Larkin.

Chapter Fifty
-Four

It was an hour from dawn when they retraced their steps up the stone stairway to the room off the grand hallway. They had agreed not to wear glamours but to attack Donegal in their true form—as representatives of the Seelie Court and themselves—for all to see and follow if they chose.

Fial had not changed his appearance after they’d made the decision and his likeness to his brother was apparent, now that Tiki knew the truth. She remained silent though, leaving it to the Jester to choose when, where and with whom he would share his secrets.

They all wore black, giving themselves the advantage of being harder to see in the dim shadows that enveloped the Palace during the winter months.  Tiki’s hair was pulled behind her head and braided down her back, emphasizing the curve of her cheekbones.

“
It’s good to see your emerald eyes again,” Rieker said softly, running his thumb across her cheek. “There was a time when I wondered if I ever would.”

Tiki put her hand over his and leaned into his caress.
“It won’t be long now and we’ll be done with this forever. And then we will make a home with our family and live in peace.”

Rieker nodded but his eyes were
shadowed. “I look forward to that day, my queen.”

He
had refused to leave Tiki’s side so it had been agreed that Dain would take Clara to safety.

The celebration of Winter Solstice was winding down, though stragglers still danced and drank in the Great Hall.
The musicians had dwindled and now only a fiddle, a reedy flute and a panpipe played on. The notes combined in an eerie, mournful sound that grated on Tiki’s already frazzled nerves.

“
How will you get Clara down?” she asked, rubbing her hands together to fight off the chill that pervaded the hall.

Fial spoke with calm assurance.
“I will create a bird with a scissor-like beak that will cut through the rope holding the net. We will have to be prepared to catch her when she falls. Donegal’s guards will attack immediately so we must have our soldiers ready.”

Tiki nodded.
“Then we should start in the Night Garden.”

FIAL LED THE way through a hidden door and they found themselves in the garden on the side of the building.

“
What is it you need to do, Tiki?” Dain asked, peering at her curiously.

“
It is time to call the Four Treasures.”

She raised her hands above her head. 
“I speak to you, Air, as the breath and wind of all things living, to heed my command: breathe a warm wind through the Wychwood and all along the mountaintop before me until the ice has melted and the sun shines bright upon the Tor.”

A warm gust of wind eddied around Tiki, liftin
g her braid from her back, before blowing over the side garden, melting the ice as it went. The wind swirled around the Tor, ice turning to water in its wake and the black clouds that had hovered for so long were pushed toward the dark horizon of the Plain of Starlight.

Dain gasped, watching w
ide-eyed as sun broke through the departing clouds. Immediately the melody of the Night Garden could be heard as the blossoms were released from their shell of ice.

“
Witness the Four Treasures—our Faerie Queen can command the elements.” Though Fial’s face looked weary, he smiled in satisfaction and nodded. “I knew you could do it, sweet Tara—as you were meant to do.”

Tiki
pulled the Faerie Flag from inside her bodice where she’d placed it as a last bit of insurance when she’d returned from the Plain of Sunlight. She slowly unfurled the fragile material and held it above her head where the wind made the silk sing.

“
I speak to you, Earth, as the element that provides strength and life to all manner of plants and animals that live on and within you: I command that you bring to me an army.”

The wind grew in strength, tossing the bushes back and forth. The trees that
lined the Tor bent against the onslaught and the gust blew a thousand leaves from their branches until the sky was filled with foliage. As each one touched the ground a soldier stood in its place—armed and ready to fight. In as long as it took the leaves to blow to the ground—there stood one thousand soldiers. They spoke as one: “We are yours to command.”

Tiki raised her voice so all could hear.
“I am the queen here. I want anyone who tries to stop me or my people to be removed.”

Her
heart was ice in her chest as she led the way around to the front of the Palace. She would not waver. She would not flinch. Clara was coming home with her—no matter what.

At the sight of Tiki the
Macanna generals emerged from the trees where they had been waiting for her signal, armed and ready to fight. Tiki allowed herself a grim smile of satisfaction at their shocked expressions when they spied the vast army that followed her. The ground shook as they approached the front of the Palace and the UnSeelie guards who stood in position along the entrance to the palace stared in horror at the approaching throng. One guard darted into the palace and disappeared while cries for reinforcement echoed across the Tor. Like a flight of birds, UnSeelie soldiers boiled from the depths of the Wychwood, their weapons glinting in the half light.

A contingent of
Macanna flanked Tiki as she marched up the steps to the palace. The UnSeelie guards barely moved to bar her way before they were struck down by the Seelie army.

Beset by a
n unshakable sense of urgency Tiki ran through the columns into the Great Hall only to skid to a stop. The room was filled with UnSeelie soldiers, armed as heavily as the Seelie guard. Donegal sat on the golden Dragon Throne, a taunting smile on his face. And most horrifying—positioned directly beneath the golden net that was holding Clara was a roaring fire.

“
Tiki!”

Tiki’s gaze riveted upwards at Clara’s shrill cry. The fear in her voice made the hair on Tiki’s arms stand up.

“Tiki—save me!”

Donegal’s evil laughter filled the room.
“Now what will you do, little queen?”

“
Teek—I’ve called and called Larkin and she hasn’t come! Help me!”

Tiki lifted her arms.
“I speak to you, Water, as the element that sustains and purifies—cleanse this room of fire.” She flung her hands at the fire that crackled beneath Clara and a torrent of water flowed from her fingertips until it looked like a river filled the room, squelching the flames. A loud hiss filled the room as not only the fire, but all of the torches evaporated into a gust of smoke. Out of the billowing cloud a large black bird with a silver beak flapped giant wings, arching slowly up to perch on the top of the golden net.

“
What is that?” Donegal cried before he searched the crowd. “FIAL!” he roared. “WHERE ARE YOU? COME FACE ME LIKE A MAN!”

The soldiers on both sides stood frozen, watching the moment play out, uns
ure whether to attack or not.

The great bird turned and cocked its head so its silver eye could look at the Winter King. When it moved, its beak
sliced through the rope that held the golden net suspended and Clara plummeted toward the floor. Its perch gone, the bird flapped its great wings and dove straight for Donegal.

A cry went up from the crowd.

Tiki, Rieker and Dain all darted forward at the same time, their arms outstretched to catch the falling child.

Donegal jumped from the thro
ne with a shriek and ran from the attacking bird.

“
STOP THAT THING!” He roared as he shoved soldiers out of his way. “KILL IT!”

It
was the battle cry for which the soldiers on both sides had been waiting and the world exploded in a flurry of battle axes, swords, whips, chains and knives.

In the space of a hear
tbeat, Rieker cut through several strands of the net, creating a hole big enough for Tiki to reach in and pull Clara free.  She hugged the little girl close to her heart and breathed in her scent. “You’re safe now,” she whispered in Clara’s ear. “I promise I’ll keep you safe now.”

A group of Macanna formed a tight circle around Tiki, battling any UnSeelie who dared to approach as she hugged Clara and reassured the little girl.

“Hold tight,” Tiki whispered in Clara’s ear. She looked at Rieker and Dain. “Change of plan,” she said calmly. “I can’t have her anywhere near this world right now. I’ll be right back.”  Before they could reply Tiki closed her eyes and transported to the farm in Richmond.

They arrived inside the kitchen, behind where Mrs. Bosworth stood at the sink peeling potatoes.

“Mrs. B!” Clara cried.

The older woman jumped at the no
ise and let out a scream as she whirled around and saw Tiki standing there with Clara. The housekeeper dropped both her potato and her peeler onto the floor with a clatter.

“
Who might you be?” she shrieked. “And what are you doin’ with my little darlin’?”  The expression on her face went from shocked to determined.  She began to march toward Tiki, not recognizing her true self—without the glamour she’d grown up wearing in London. “Give her to me this instant—we’ve been worried sick—”

Tiki kissed Clara on the forehead.
“Go to Mrs. B. I’ll be back soon.”

Clara clung to Tiki.
“You always say that. Teek—please stay.”

“
I can’t right now. But I
promise
—I’ll be back with all of you soon. Now be a good girl and go.”

“
Who are you?” Mrs. Bosworth demanded, pulling Clara from Tiki’s arms. “Why have you got Clara?”

“
I am a friend,” Tiki said softly. “Take good care of her—don’t let any of them out of your sight until Tiki and William return. And tell Shamus to keep the iron close.” Tiki blew a kiss at Clara and disappeared.