This can’t be happening again. How could I have escaped the intentions of Lord Guyzance only to end up here with yet another Faerie who thinks by doing the unspeakable to my body, he will gain more power?
“And then we get our reward,” Tam Lin announces imperiously. “Some of which will need to be shared with the other Lords. And I will become the ruler of not only the Yeavering, but the Night Lands and beyond the veil as well.” He fixes Olaf with a glare. “And you will share in my glory.”
Olaf takes hold of me and pulls me in front of him, removing the gag from my mouth. I spit to one side the accumulated saliva, and in an attempt to get rid of the taste.
“Then take her and do what you need to do.” As he shoves me towards Tam Lin, I feel him place something in my hand.
Something cold and metal.
Iron.
Why the Redcaps would even be carrying iron is a mystery. Most Faerie forbid it anywhere near their person, given what it can do.
“Come to me, little female,” Tam Lin croons.
My words must have got through to Olaf, but typical Redcap, he doesn’t want to be the one at risk if things go awry, which is why I have the iron spike and they are all hanging back.
I might want to run as far and as fast from Tam Lin as I can, as far from this place which reeks of evil as I can.
But he killed Linton.
And I can never unsee the face of my beloved as he shouted at me to run.
I’m done running. Tam Lin has to die, and I have to be the one to do it.
I slide the iron spike into my sleeve and walk towards him. He flexes his wings and smiles a nasty smile at me.
“The moon is nearly at her peak, the perfect timing,” he says. “But I need to make you ready.”
He waves his hand with a ridiculous flourish, and out of thin air he conjures a white dress.
Or rather a bunch of holes somehow held together to make a garment.
“You will wear this.”
“That’s going to be difficult with my hands tied.”
The Faerie wrinkles his nose, or what would be his nose had his face not changed once more behind his glamour.
“Fine.” He waves his hand again and I feel the bonds loosen.
It can’t be this easy, surely?
I hold out one hand for the dress, but instead of walking closer to me, Tam Lin floats the thing over the altar and into my grip.
He can’t possibly know, can he?
There are too many questions. This is as difficult and as dangerous as the Yeavering has ever been for me, right at this moment.
And I still have to find out from him where Hazel is.
“You want me to change here?” I shout over, before looking in the direction of the Redcaps. “I don’t think I can.”
“You can and you will,” Tam Lin snarls. I’m clearly getting on his nerves which is amusing because I know he needs me.
And I know I have a weapon.
However, without asking, the Redcaps turn and troop out of the circle, much to the annoyance of Tam Lin. I turn my back on him and slowly start to peel off my dress. Dusk has turned to darkness, and around the circle, flaming torches gutter in a gentle breeze.
