I squeezed Tiernan's hand, and we watched in awe as Danu's children defended her.
None of those whom I knew were among the inner circle that drew in tightly around the King of the Somber Ones. No, those were all Seelie and all unknown to me. Oh, wait. There was one face I recognized, but only because the King had worn it. King Solas Airestrachan stood at the innermost part of the circle, staring at King Crybaby as if he knew the bastard had stolen his face. Although this group was only a small portion of the Shining Ones, their circle was six people deep. They stretched out their hands, peaceful expressions turning grim, and the Impostor King began to scream.
Black drops seeped from the King's pale skin and gathered into ribbons that streamed to the Shining Ones and seeped into their raised palms. Chins lifted, they pulled the darkness out of him, each Seelie monarch reclaiming what they'd given the Garden. As they drew their dark emotions forth, the ground shuddered.
Then I felt a shudder inside me.
“Seren,” Tiernan whispered.
“You feel it too?” I looked over at him.
“We must reclaim what he took.”
Still holding hands, Tiernan and I strode to the center of the cavern. The Shining Ones parted to let us through. As we passed Diocail, his glowing hand reached out and stroked Tiernan's cheek.
“I love you too,” Tiernan said.
But we kept going, passing the outer group and going to the inner circle. They parted as well and then closed behind us, gently moving us to the center. I stopped at the innermost ring, glancing at Solas before focusing on the dying king.
Withered into a skeletal husk, the King of the Garden knelt before the old and new kings and queens of Seelie. Black ribbons still connected the old monarchs to him, pulsing like arteries. Tiernan and I raised our hands, and two more ribbons lashed out from the shell of the King to connect with our palms. I braced myself for a pain that never came. My emotions returned to me gently, with a feeling of rightness. They slid into the hollow spots they'd left, completing my history, filling the holes in my heart, and returning the strength I'd gained from them.
The King of the Garden shrunk, his emaciated body becoming the size of a Brownie. Then a Pixie. His stare met mine, and in a tiny, hollow voice, he declared, “Danu is lost, and Fairy awakens. Without me, you won't survive.”
“We'll take our chances.” I yanked my darkness back to where it belonged.
The last of the stolen emotions returned to their owners, making the Shining Ones whole, and the King of the Garden of Regret winked out of existence.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Tiernan and I turned into each other's arms. Relief shivered through me. I had nearly lost him and myself. More than that. I could have lost everything if the King had taken me and control of Fairy. But we were safe, and I was back. Full throttle, all emotions firing. How could I have ever thought that pale imitation of happiness was better than this? Yes, I was full of pain. My soul kept a record of heartaches, betrayals, and regret. But those dark emotions made the good ones shine all the brighter. The darkness strengthened and guided me. It taught me. One was nothing without the other.
I eased back to look at Tiernan. “Are you all right?”
“Yes. You? Are you whole?”
“Yes.” I stepped back and looked at the Shining Ones who waited around us. “Are you whole, Honored Dead?”
In unison, their voices came, “You have healed ancient wounds today, King Tiernan Shadowcall and Queen Seren Firethorns. We are whole, and so is Seelie. We reclaimed everything taken from our people and have released that which is not ours to those who were not here to reclaim their share.”
“You mean the fairies who have been attacked? They're whole again?” I asked.
“Yes, Queen Seren. All is whole.”
“Thank you.” I thought of the Licho and mourned for them, but their darkness belonged to them alone.
Tiernan bowed, and I hurried to do the same.
“Thank you for your help, Shining Ones,” Tiernan's stare shifted to his father. “You have healed me as well. Please, return to your rest with the thanks of the Seelie Kingdom.”
“And all of Fairy,” I added, my stare skipping over to Uisdean. I nodded to him, and he smiled back with a hint of mischief.
The Shining Ones bowed and began to disappear, fading into the shadows until only one remained.
Diocail Shadowcall stepped forward. “Son, I'm so proud of you. I've watched you become a wonderful king. And you have a son now as well. He is magnificent. I know you will be a better father than I was.”
Tiernan went to meet him halfway. “Father, I . . .”
“Death brings clarity. I see you, Tiernan. I'm sorry I didn't see all of you while I was alive.”
