Somewhere, a world away, Eala was raking her greedy fingers through the patterns etched in the stars. Manipulating, coercing, or killing her way to more power. And I was beginning to think I might know how to stop her.
As the sun edged over the lip of the valley, we gathered.
“Today, our paths divide.” I met everyone’s eyes in turn. “Wayland and Laoise, respectively, seek the sources of the Treasures they hope to reforge.”
“And you, lady?” boomed Balor.
I twined my glowing fingers together and opted for the simplest explanation. “I must heed my sister’s threat. I travel to a Gate in order to cross into Fódla.”
“Why?” Laoise asked bluntly. “Before the Treasures can be renewed? Without allies or draigs? You have no hope of defeating her alone.”
How could I explain what my father’s specter had told me in the Deep-Dream?Bring her to the light.
Those words were no coincidence—I had tasted enough of destiny to know that.
“Before I plunge both realms into all-out war, I must give my sister one last chance to set things right.”
Irian looked unconvinced by this reasoning but folded his arms over his chest. “I travel with Fia.”
“You don’t say,” muttered Wayland, who had a sleepy Hog slung around his neck like a court lady’s mink shawl.
Linn snaked out her long sea-foam neck and chattered her shark teeth while burning a brief sharp image of her diving after me into a seething sea.
I assumed that was her way of saying,Through hell or high water. I grinned—the mare and I hadn’t had much of a chance to reunite. I was glad to hear her complicated affection for me stood.
She snapped her teeth at Abyss’s mane, and the tall black stallion reluctantly pawed at the moss, as if to say,Where she goes, I go too.
The last two aughiskies, a rangy yearling and a white mare, flicked their tails and sent us all visions of distant lakes teeming with fish.This is where our paths diverge.
“I will accompany Laoise,” Sinéad said. “Someone’s got to hold the map and carry the rations.”
Laoise’s cheeks dimpled. “Not sure you’ll be able to carry enough food to keep Idris satisfied.”
We all chuckled. Except Wayland, who cast his eyes downward as he brusquely slung Fáilsceim over his broad back and fastened the straps across his chest.
“I’m not going with you, Laoise,” Idris said, clearly and simply. “I shall be accompanying Wayland.”
I couldn’t tell who looked more stunned—Wayland or Laoise.
“You can’t.” Fear surfaced in Laoise’s gaze, an unpredictable smolder that threatened to burn anything in its path. She yanked her brother close, conferring with him in rushed, hushed tones. I thought I heard the wordsingrateandmistakeandill-suitedbefore Idris recaptured his arm from hers.
“I can,” Idris said, with a sweeping flicker of his sister’s offhand bravery. “And I will.”
Relief rippled over Wayland’s features—a pebble tossed in still water. “Are you sure?”
“I am.” Idris smiled a little and held out his hand to Hog, who batted at his fist with a clawed paw. “Without adult supervision, you two are liable to bring the whole realm down around your ears.”
Laoise’s smoldering anger flashed into a conflagration. “If you think you’re taking one of my draiglingsanywhere—”
Hog yawned broadly before poking one slim claw into Wayland’s dimpled cheek and cooing, “Mine.”
“And me?” Balor’s massive frame seemed to sag beneath its own weight. His barrel-sized hands fidgeted at his sides. “I wish to be of help to whoever needs it. But I would not like to follow where I am not wanted, lady.”
I hesitated, remembering his words to me on the Silver Isle:Every year for twenty years I come to this island. This was the first year I made a friend.But I wasn’t sure how to make him useful.
“I have a special task for you, Balor,” Irian interrupted. I glanced at him, surprised by the rogue sparkle in his gilt-blue eyes. “Should you choose to accept it.”
Balor’s vast shoulders straightened perceptibly, a spark lighting in his eyes. He grinned, revealing numerous teeth in a horrifying yet homely smile. “Gladly!”
