Taking a deep breath, I try to think. Perhaps the boat might be the best idea, since the Northern Tip will get us closer to the Witch King’s cave. It still means counting on someone else, hoping that I won’t be spotted, when I fear my sister has found away to trace me. The horses might be a good idea, if we can find a pair that won’t fear the Shadow Lands.
I hold Astra’s hand and look into her eyes, hoping to find an answer, but all I feel is a desperate need to succeed, to keep her safe.
Her eyes widen as steps sound at the door. I suppose Azur changed his mind, and yet I find her smile too broad, too happy.
When I turn, I see Nelsin. Astra and Ferer get up to greet him. As Ferer embraces him, Astra steps back, giving them space for their reconciliation. Even though he once put my wife’s life in danger, I’m happy to see the blond fae, and see that he’s unharmed.
Nelsin pushes Ferer and steps back, then addresses us all. “Well, hello. Can’t say I’m touched to see you all worried about me. Did you even notice my absence?”
“Of course!” Ferer says. “There wasn’t a day?—”
“No, no.” Nelsin covers his own fae ears, then moves his hands up, to cover the cat ears. “Don’t want to hear it. While I might have been lost, there’s something I found: dignity.” He smiles at Ferer. “I’ll no longer fight for scraps of love.” He looks at me. “Or importance. I’m now an honorable ambassador of the giants, a role I treasure dearly.”
Ferer steps back and crosses his arms. “You can speak Giant?”
The cat-eared fae raises an eyebrow. “I’m a fast learner, what did you expect?”
“I’m glad you’re back.” Astra smiles at him.
Nelsin waves a finger. “Not back, no. I’m here to bring a message from the giants. If you fail to stop the darkness in four days, they’ll have to hurt me.”
She frowns. “I thought you were an ambassador.”
“Ambassadorandhostage. I can multitask.”
Astra smiles at him as if his words weren’t absurd, then summarizes some of our conversation and explains what we are trying to plan.
Nelsin listens carefully, then scratches his chin. “You’d need to get to the north and back before sunset, right?”
I nod. “We’re trying to figure out the best way.”
Nelsin narrows his eyes, as if in deep thought, then says, “The giants can’t go north past a certain area. It’s too dangerous for them, and drains their magic. But they could help you go a big chunk of the way. They can run fast. That could be a solution.”
It sounds perfect, as long as the giants agree with that. “You’d need to consult them first, right?”
“No. They’re willing to help as much as they can. This was also what I was sent here to tell. Emphasis onwhat they can. They won’t go too far north. And I can tell them what they need to do once we cross into the Shadow Lands.”
I rub my eyes, trying to come up with a conclusion. “The other idea is to take a boat.”
“No,” Nelsin says. “That would place you in Sea Court territory. While they allow boats to cross to the Nowhere Lands, we don’t know where their loyalties lie, and we don’t know if they have any obligation to allow a boat to get to the north of the Shadow Lands.”
Ferer glances at him. “You know a lot about the Sea Court.”
“Indeed. You fall in love with a sea fae, you want to learn everything you can about them.” He shivers. “I’m glad the delusion is over.”
I feel bad for Ferer, who looks down, obviously hurt by the comment. Still, I think Nelsin’s suggestion is the best.
“I’ll take the giants’ generous offer,” I say.
“Not generous.” Nelsin shakes his head. “Self serving. The Witch King is in their lands, after all, siphoning their magic.”
I nod. “Self serving means they won’t change their minds. Let’s plan, then.”
My stomach is cold and heavy as I consider the certainty that I’m about to walk to the Shadow Lands and face a sinister, almost immortal fae. And then, perhaps what chills me most is the power I’ll have to use: my fire.
That dangerous, destructive magic I once swore never to use again. That horrible magic that stirs unwanted memories, that pokes everlasting wounds. I glance at Astra. For her, I’ll muster the strength I need. For her, I’ll use my fire.
10
