I think you know, Aspen.
You want to protect everyone on the isle. But is it possible?
I open my eyes to find his, my answer pulsing through the Bond.I don’t know, but we have to at least try.
Then you know what needs to be done,he says.We must craft a bargain. One tempting enough for the other royals to accept.
He’s right. Already, I know what I must offer.
Marie comes up to me and Aspen, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Please help them.”
“I will,” I whisper to her. It’s more than a statement. It’s a promise made from the bottom of my heart. Even if I fail, I know I must at least try.
I face the mayor. “We shall make a bargain. If we save the humans, the Fair Isle falls under fae rule from then on. Agreed?”
His expression darkens. “You have the surrender of Eisleigh’s council. We will not fight you. We will set all grievances aside and forge a new treaty. But turning rule over to the fae is too much. It’s asking me to give up my position as mayor. My livelihood.”
I let out a bitter laugh. “Oh, so your job is worth dying for?”
He mutters a curse under his breath. “No. But why would you require such a sacrifice?”
“It’s the only way the rest of Faerwyvae will agree. I can only do so much on my own. To save the isle, we need all fae—seelie and unseelie alike—fighting for the same cause.”
He shakes his head rapidly. “They’ll eat us alive. Literally.”
“Not if it’s part of the bargain,” I say. “Humans surrender to a fae rule. The fae in turn work to save the isle from the bomb. No humans rise against us, no humans are harmed.”
His chest heaves as he studies me, a sheen of sweat coating his face.
“Do you agree?” I ask.
He gasps a breath, and with it comes another string of muttered curses. “Fine,” he bites out. “On behalf of Eisleigh’s council and people, I agree to this bargain.”
A sob of relief escapes Marie’s lips, but my own comfort is short lived. This bargain brings even more challenges. More to lose.
“Will you spread the word?” I ask. “Assure us no one will rise against the fae or our efforts to do what must be done?”
“I will.”
“Good. Then I promise I will do whatever it takes to save the isle. However, it would be a lot easier if we knew when or where the bomb will be detonated. If we can steal it back, we could destroy it the same way we’d previously planned. You’re sure there’s nothing else you can tell us?”
“No,” the mayor says, a dark glint in his eye, “but I know someone who can.”
My heart races. I already know exactly who he means. “Mr. Duveau?”
The mayor nods. “I can tell you where to find him.”
38
I’ve never run so fast in my life. Even with the increased swiftness my fox form allows, I know I’m pushing myself to the limit. Still, I run on and on, fueled by necessity. Need. Hope. With every panting breath, I keep my destination fixed firmly in my mind.
Port Denyson. Port Denyson.
That’s where I’ll find Mr. Duveau, catching the last ship from Eisleigh, leaving under the veil of night. Why he’s taking a ship off the isle when I damn well know he has my Chariot, I cannot say. All I can do is pump my fox legs as fast as they can go, skirting around the most populated cities and towns in favor of forests. When towns can’t be avoided, I rush through cobblestone streets, fully aware that my glowing fur won’t allow me to pass as a regular fox.
Luckily, very few people catch sight of me, and those who do make no move against me. What could they do, anyway? To them, I am the unseelie beast they were taught to fear. Until Mayor Coleman’s message about our bargain circulates the isle, that’s all I and the rest of the fae will be.
There is one tangible threat to my progress, and that is exhaustion. At first, my flames are sufficient fuel to revitalize me just when I’m about to slow down. But the farther I get from the faewall, the weaker my fire becomes, and the more often I must stop for rest. With Port Denyson being at the southeastern end of Eisleigh, so distant from the wall and the magic of Faerwyvae, my travels grow more taxing as the hours drag on.
