Lady Mariya nodded. “That is what King Solas said. He felt more assured of himself after the pruning. He was very grateful to the Garden and Danu.”
“Do you remember where the cavern is?” I asked.
“Oh, dear,” she murmured. “It was so long ago. I . . . I believe it was to the east.” She stood up and wove around the low bookshelves dividing the central space, finally stopping at the very center area where a lectern stood to the side of the round table. A massive book sat on the lectern. She hefted it into her arms and brought it back to us. After laying it on the table, she flipped through the pages. “Let me see. Here we are.”
Lady Mariya pointed to a map that looked a lot like a section of a world map of Earth, showing Europe and Africa. But it wasn't a map of Earth; it was a map of Fairy. The location she indicated would have matched up with Ireland on Earth. It was our current location—Castle Seelie. But then she trailed her finger east, over where Europe would be, across to Turkey and Syria. Of course, the continent was a little different from Earth, but I still got an idea of where it matched up. It shouldn't have mattered. We were looking for somewhere on Fairy, not Earth. But I'd been raised on Earth, so I automatically oriented myself based on Earth's continents.
Lady Mariya tapped the map. “I think it was here somewhere.”
“Northeastern Seelie,” Tiernan murmured.
I made a huffing sound that drew their attention to me. At their inquiring looks, I said. “That's the region where humans believe the Garden of Eden was on Earth.”
“The Garden of Eden?” Tiernan frowned. “Original sin.”
“Interesting.” I nodded. “It wouldn't be the first time the Twin Gods mirrored each other's actions.”
Tiernan looked back at the map. His expression shifted into epiphany.
“What is it?” I peered at the tiny names and symbols.
“Here, here, and here.” He pointed at places between Castle Seelie and the possible location of the Garden of Regret. “Those are the other villages that reported seeing the blight.”
I leaned back in my seat. “I think it's safe to conclude the blight's source is the Garden of Regret.”
“Yes. I think we have our culprit.”
“Is there a rath near any of them?”
“Yes, but I think we should drive the blight back as we go.” He glanced at me. “If we go to the source and destroy it, we may force the separated tendrils to become more aggressive. They could establish new gardens like clippings.”
“You're going to destroy the Garden of Regret?” Lady Mariya asked.
“You sound disapproving.” Tiernan raised an eyebrow.
“It is your decision, Your Majesty, but that garden holds pieces of Seelie monarchs going back to the beginning of the kingdom. Destroying it may lead to severe repercussions.”
“More severe than a blight of emotion-sucking darkness?” I drawled.
She didn't hesitate. “Yes.”
“Well, fuck.” I grimaced at Tiernan. “What do we do?”
“Consult Danu.”
I nodded. “I was wondering when you'd suggest that.”
Chapter Eleven
With utter confidence, I called to Danu. She had never failed to help me when I called upon her.
Thirty seconds passed. I looked at Tiernan. He lifted an eyebrow.
“Stop with the eyebrow thing!” I snapped.
He lifted both eyebrows.
“Sorry,” I muttered. “You've been doing it a lot lately.”
