“Seren.” Killian reached for me.
“I can't right now, Kill. I've gotta go.” I laruked back to Tiernan, Killian's shocked expression the last thing I saw. But it was my daughter's face that would haunt me. Probably forever.
Tiernan and our convoy had arrived at the Basty village. He stood on the road, leaning against his cair, and staring at the black mound that was once a fairy village with the rest of our soldiers. So intent was he on the terrible sight that he didn't notice me right away.
I was grateful for that. I needed a few seconds to compose myself. Reassuring myself with the thought that I could laruk to Miri any time I wanted, I took a deep breath and let it out. Hearing me, Tiernan turned.
“Seren?” His expression, already grim, went concerned. “What happened? Did you not get there in time?”
“No, I got there.” I took another breath, but it was shaky.
Tiernan rushed around the front of the cair, put his arm around my waist, and led me forward. It took us closer to the village, but away from prying ears. With the black, glossy mass of Kabus looming before us, Tiernan pulled me into his arms.
I burst into tears.
“It's all right. We'll get her back. You can find her, remember? Why haven't you gone after them?”
“I let them go,” I whispered.
“What?” He leaned back to look at me. “Why?”
“Because Sever convinced me Miri would be safer on Earth.” I swallowed. “Away from me.”
“Seren, no. You can protect Miri better than anyone else .”
“But I'm not with her right now. I have to deal with this. And if an Angel is behind this, Miri could be their ultimate target.”
Tiernan's expression went blank and then slid into comprehension. “Dear Danu.”
“Yeah. That's why I let him take her.” My face crumpled. “Miri cried for me, T. She thinks I sent her away.”
“Mirielle will be okay, and she'll understand when she gets older.”
“Yes, but she doesn't understand now. All she knows is that she cried for my help, and I did nothing.”
“I'm sorry, Seren. We do what we must to protect our children. Even if it hurts them. It's a lot like being a monarch.”
“And we're lucky enough to get both jobs.”
“Multiplied, in your case.”
I laughed, but it was a bitter sound. “I'm so tired, Tiernan. Every time I think we're safe and I can relax, something else happens.”
“Again, that comes with ruling.”
“Can I change my mind about being Queen?”
He laughed. “I've thought of running away before.”
“Have you?”
“Of course. You, me, and Falcas living in a little cottage in Twilight. How wonderful would that be?”
“I could make jam.”
He burst out laughing. “The Destroyer making jam?”
The nickname wasn't a reference to my vast supernatural powers but to my lack of cooking skills.
