“I couldn't walk through it, but I'm not an expert on faerie paths,” Lugh said, then looked pointedly at his father.
“I had a wayfarer return to the Human Realm with Lugh and check the site,” Cian added. “He says there's magical seepage. He had to reinforce the spells that sealed the gate.”
A wayfarer, by the way, is a faerie who specializes in opening or closing paths between realms.
“Magical seepage,” I murmured. “Sounds like an STD.”
Arach grimaced at me. “This is serious, A Thaisce. We need to make sure this isn't happening all over Faerie.”
“Exactly, King Arach,” Cian declared. “That is why I've called all of you here. I need you to check every one of the old passages between Faerie and the Human Realm within your kingdoms. I already have teams checking the paths in the Forgetful Forest.”
“I don't believe we have any passages,” King Rowan noted.
“No, you wouldn't,” Cian agreed. “Your kingdom was created after they were made. But I wanted you to be included in this discussion and made aware of what was happening in our realm.”
“Thank you.” Rowan nodded. “We appreciate that.”
I wasn't the only one who'd had a rocky start with the Dark Fey. When Rowan said he appreciated being included, he truly meant it. After all that had happened with the Dark Fey, it wouldn't have been surprising if King Cian was less than gracious to the King and Queen of Darkness. But there was a reason Cian had become the High King, he was known to be wise, calm, and fair.
“I will send a wayfarer with each of you so that the paths may be fully inspected,” Cian went on. “If they find more seepage, they will handle it.”
“But shouldn't we be investigatingwhythis is happening?” I asked.
“We live in a realm of magic, Queen Vervain,” Cian said as if that explained everything. “These things happen. Spells wear thin and magic seeks freedom—that is the way of power.”
“Oh,” I mumbled. In my head, I asked Faerie,You agree with that?
Huh?
Do you... holy Holly Hobby, you weren't listening!
I was too,she huffed.There was a flower and a cliff and... when are you going home to have sex with your sexy husband?
What the faerie fuck?!I resorted to foul language.
Don't get snippy with me!Faerie snapped.It's time for growth, Vervain. The realm needs to flourish and that need translates directly to me. Now, get to flourishing.
Does this have anything to do with the seepage?
The what?
The magic seeping into the Human Realm!
Magic is seeping into the Human Realm?
I clenched my jaw.Yes. A ward had to be reinforced to stop it. Cian says it's normal, that wards thin. Is that true?
Of course, it's true! The High King of Faerie does not lie,she grumbled.
Not knowingly. But are you sure it's the absolute truth?I pushed.Are you certain this doesn't have anything to do with your new amorous attitude?
My realm's fertility does not cause seepage,Faerie sounded offended.You may relax, Vervain. This is a minor matter, I'm sure.
My shoulders dropped in relief. Thank you.
Anytime, babe. Now, can you... oh, never mind, Roarke is having sex with his wife. Oh, my, that Cat-Sidhe is so very vigorous. You should see this technique, it's making Anna's eyes roll back—
Okay! Nice talking to ya. See ya later, Faerie.
