Whatever the case, we followed the lanterns through the cold ocean, and nothing dared to approach the royal army. Even the leviathans of the deep kept their distance. On and on we swam, over underwater mountains and deep crevices. Past villages and forests of kelp. At last, the water started to brighten and the ocean floor rose. Going to either side of the crystal tunnel that rose with the seabed, the army split and exited the water.
There was no ward to dry me this time. I bent my head to wipe my face as best I could while being manacled and drew in a deep breath of air. The sand ended abruptly in solid stone, a rise leading to the back of Castle Deuraich. Yes, the Water Kingdom had two castles. Three if you counted Water and Under separately. This one was used for visitors or, in this case, as a first line of defense.
My guards marched me past the stream that flowed from the ocean and through the castle. We continued inside, using one of the two entrances, and strode through a corridor, past several rooms, before we came to the entry hall—a vast space split by that saltwater stream. The water rushed on, going out the front of the castle where it flowed over the edge of a cliff and became a waterfall. Any invading army would have to come up a mountain path and go through Deuraich to get to the ocean. There was no way around. The mountain rose to either side of Deuraich.
Unless, of course, you could fly.
“So, you're smarter than I gave you credit for,” I said to Dubheasa as she ascended the stairs on the other side of the room, across the stream from me.
She paused and looked over at me. “How so?”
“I didn't expect you to put yourself in jeopardy by bringing your army to Deuraich. But this is where you need to make your stand, not underwater, where so many things could go wrong. Well played, Queen Dubheasa.”
Dubheasa's lips twitched, but she continued to glare at me. “I don't need your praise, Dragon-Sidhe. Nor do I desire it.” She waved at my guards. “Take her to her room.”
My guards escorted me up the second set of stairs, the one on our side of the room that mirrored those Dubheasa used. Both led to the landing of the second floor and that was much the same as the last time I'd seen it. With one exception; Dubheasa's portrait hung front and center in the portrait gallery. I glanced at it as we passed by. It hurt a little to see her where Guirmean should have been. But that wouldn't happen for thousands of years yet. The ring still had to banish her. Not that her banishment had lasted long. Dubheasa survived the desert wasteland the ring had sent her to and returned to torment me again. But she didn't last long either.
The thought gave me the warm and fuzzies. So I held onto it, knowing I'd need something to sustain me through what was to come. No matter what happened, Dubheasa would pay eventually. Unless the war screwed up the future. And let's face it, it probably would. Well, there went my happy thoughts of death and vengeance.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Again, I had a perfect view of the war preparations from my window, high up in one of Deuraich's towers. Yup, I was the fair maiden in a tower who needed rescuing. And didn't that just burn my butt? I hated having to be rescued. I was the one who was supposed to do the rescuing.
And playing the part of the fair maiden was boring! All I did was sit at the window all day, staring off across the Forgetful Forest at the Fire Kingdom. Oh, and I ate. A lot. I kept demanding more food. Desserts mainly. They seemed to be the only thing that could satisfy me. And, amazingly enough, they gave them to me. No fuss.You want cake, Dragon-Sidhe lady? Sure thing. You want little pies? Absolutely.
I chomped down on the fruit pie in my hand as I stared across Faerie. And yes, I had tried talking to Faerie the Consciousness too. No response. Either she didn't recognize me or wasn't talking to anyone. Maybe she was as baffled by my presence as everyone else.
“I miss my babies,” I muttered around berry filling. “Ugh! I hate seeds.” I put the pie down and went to the door.
It was opened as soon as I knocked and one of the guards poked his head in. “Yes, Samara?”
Yeah, they'd gotten to know me. It had been a week after all. Where the fuck was Arach?!
“Could the baker make me some pies with seedless fruit?” I asked.
He chuckled. “I'll send for some new pies.”
“And a cake too. Any kind. As long as it's not berry.”
“Of course.” He shut the door, and I stared at it. “Who am I?” I muttered as I headed back to my post. “This isn't me. Sitting around, pulling a Marie Antoinette, and eating cake all day. I'm not that kind of queen.” I rolled my eyes. “Not that it's all that bad.”
I plopped down and got back to my staring.
But then something caught my eye. Movement at the edge of the Forgetful Forest. A lot of movement. Right as my heart started to race, a horn sounded and soldiers poured out of the castle. Traps, both magical and non, peppered the road up to Castle Deuraich, and I wanted to shout down at the emerging army to be wary of them. But then I saw the soldiers.
Earth Fey.
The Earth Army marched out of the forest alongside the Fire Army. And at the head of this allied force were two kings—Arach and Rory.
“Holy Holly Hobby,” I whispered. Then I cheered and pumped my fists in the air—both of them thanks to my chain and manacles. “Yes! Go, Arach! I told you having an ally was a good thing!” I shouted. “Come and get me, baby!”
Arach, dressed all in black, probably didn't hear what I said, but he heard my voice and looked up. Even with my dragon sight, I couldn't make out his expression at that distance. Still, I was pretty sure he smiled. What I couldn't miss was the hand he pressed to his lips, then flung to me.
Had the old, asshole Arach just blown me a kiss? Whoa.
The clamor of hundreds of feet echoed up to me as the Water Army went into formation on the ledge before the castle. Then they split, someone driving a wedge through them. Dubheasa's pink hair shone like a beacon as she strode to the edge of the cliff. She didn't make a sound, not that I heard, but I could see the tension in her slight shoulders.
The armies stepped forward, all on foot, no unicorns today. Again, I wanted to shout a warning about the traps, but I knew Arach wouldn't hear me. I was just about to shout anyway when the castle rumbled.
