She held his gaze until Dain flashed. Lilly had to swallow down bile that rose in her throat. Something was very wrong in Nevada. She just hoped they weren’t too late to deal with it. She feared whatever was taking root there might have already grown into a terrible problem—a problem beyond their ability to face. And Lilly couldn’t deny that’s exactly what her gut was telling her had already happened. “Great Luna, help us,” she said under her breath. Lilly pulled out her phone and sent a text to Peri requesting transport back to the sprite realm.
The fae appeared a moment later and held out her arm. “You ready for this?”
“About as ready as I was when Jacque started driving.”
Peri frowned. “Does that mean you’re not ready? I’m confused. I was under the impression that obtaining the ability to operate a motor vehicle was a big deal in the lives of human adolescents. A rite of passage, if you will. Weren’t you proud and excited to watch your offspring move on to another phase of life?”
Lilly rolled her eyes. “I was, of course, but I was also terrified because it meant I had to give up some control of her life. I had to give her the freedom to handle a gigantic machine that could kill her or someone else if she didn’t do it properly.”
Peri’s mouth opened into anO. “I see how that would be a tad anxiety-inducing.” Then she shivered.
“What?”
“You’ve just made me realize that one day Jen’s hellion will also learn to drive. I don’t think giving that crazy girl control of something as powerful as a motor vehicle would be a wise decision. And I can’t imagine the baby she is about to have will be any better.”
Lilly gave a hard nod. “Agreed. Maybe she’ll fail her driving test—wait …what?” Lilly froze, and her eyes widened. “What did you just say?”
“That’s right.” Peri took a deep breath. “Jennifer is with child … again.”
“That’s…” Lilly gasped and felt her vision grow hazy. The unpredictable power within the queen took over her mind. But before the vision could manifest itself, she heard the Great Luna’s voice in her mind.
“There are some things I have allowed you to know, Lilly Pierce. That is so you and others could prepare yourselves. But a trial is coming that must be faced without preparation. Regardless of its outcome, the trial will cause a ripple effect, touching more people than you could ever comprehend. Trust me to know what is best for my children. Even in the darkest of times, everything I do or allow is for the good of those I love. Trust me.”
Her stomach twisted in knots, and Lilly fought to keep from vomiting. “I’m trying,” she whispered. “But I am so freaking scared.”
“Lilly.” Peri’s voice was like a slap across the face. “What did you see?”
Lilly trembled and shook her head. “Nothing. I saw nothing. And that’s the problem. The Great Luna told me she blocked the vision from coming to fruition.”
Peri’s face softened as understanding filled her eyes. “Sometimes we forget we aren’t in control, and that is a good thing.”
“I hear you.” Lilly held her hands out, palms up. “But at this moment, I reallywantto be in control. I don’t know what’s coming, Perizada. But it’s—”
“No matter what it is, we will face it together. And if we stumble, if any one of us hits our knees, or shatters, the rest will be there to pick them up. We will hold each other together. Do you hear me?”
Lilly’s breaths came in sharp gasps for several seconds before she pulled herself to her full height and lifted her chin. She gathered the power inside of her, not only from her sprite blood but also from that which Cypher had given her. “I hear you.”
“Good. Now let’s go kill this son of a monkey’s ass. My patience for Alston’s continued existence on this earth has been exhausted.”
Lilly pushed aside her worry, shoving it tightly into a box in her mind and locking it closed. Then she cocked her head to the side as she looked at the high fae. “Really? Because the atomic bomb you let lose in Arizona didn’t give me that impression at all.”
“Shut it, queeny. I’m not opposed to having another zapping battle with you.” Peri growled and then flashed them from the throne room.
* * *
“Come on, asswipe,”Torion yelled at his sparring partner, a warlock male named Stedan. “You’re not even trying.”
Tenia’s head whipped around, and she glared at her son. She stopped sparring with Skender and threw out her hand. A bolt of power shot out and hit Torion on the forehead, knocking him on his butt. “What did you just say?” She stomped over to him, her jaw clenching as she narrowed her eyes on him.
Torion shook his head as if he needed to clear his vision. Tenia had made sure the magic wouldn’t hurt him, but hopefully ithadknocked some sense into him.
The boy pushed up to his feet and frowned at his mother. “What?” The confused look on his face and in his voice appeared genuine. “Myanin said I need to be confident when I speak to my opponents so I can intimidate them. She said most battles are won or lost before the first blow is ever struck.”
Tenia’s eyes went wide.
“She’s not wrong,” Skender muttered under his breath.
“And that’s how she’s teaching you to be confident? By using that kind of language?” Tenia was ready to throttle her friend.
