She considered telling him about the vision, but what good would that do? Thane had placed himself in a tricky situation with the Darragh sisters. He’d made pledges to all three, in one way or another.
“I’m just worried about my sister. That’s all.”
It wasn’t even a lie. Shewasworried about Glencora. And about Eislyn. But she was also worried about herself.
* * *
The five of them gathered their horses and set off for the forest. As they left the bustling town behind, dread settled over their party like an iron blanket. Inside Craobhan, it was as if the curse didn’t even exist. The fae were happy, safe. Everyone strolled through the streets with a smile. Music blended with laughter through the mornings and nights. Danger did not lurk in the shadows. According to Suse, there hadn’t even been a single murder for decades.
Out in the forest, things were different. There was a buzz in the air, warning of change. Cursed fae ran through the woods. Reyna couldn’t hear them, but she knew they were there. The sun dipped behind the canopy as they trekked deeper into the dense woods. The leaves melted away as slick moss grew upon every root and every boulder. Mildew swirled through the air, thick and acrid. The breeze stilled. The trees grew tight around them.
According to Rhain, it would take five days to reach the Dryads. Their homeland was located smack dab in the center of the kingdom, surrounded on all sides by almost-impenetrable forests. It might take a week or more, he’d warned, if they were forced to slow and hack their way through the brush.
Those were days Reyna did not have to waste. Her father had given her only a month. Every day that passed was one step closer to war.
Deep within the woods, they camped. They found a small clearing with evidence of passing travellers, though the ash was cold and the footprints faded. It had been a long time since anyone had come this way, and Reyna couldn’t say she could blame them.
The woods pulsed with dark magic. She could feel the shadows slithering along her skin as she peered through the dense brush. The light from the fire was the only illumination. With the canopy overhead, the moon and stars were no help to them. It was almost as though they didn’t even exist. Not here, in this place.
Reyna shivered and strode over to Nollaig. She perched on a limb halfway up a tree. Tipping back her head, Reyna peered up at the cloaked fae. With her full Fomorian blood, she could see better than the rest of them.
“Any sight of cursed fae?” Reyna whispered up, just in case enemies were lurking nearby.
“No, Shieldmaiden. Not here. I daresay they haven’t made it this far into the forest. Yet.”
Yet.That was the word on all of their minds. So far, the cursed fae attacks were close to the roads and densely-populated areas, though they had not yet attacked any towns or villages as of yet. The peace would only last so long. Once they grew in number, they would no doubt grow in nerve.
“Come down then,” Reyna replied. “Thane is roasting some rabbit. You can’t survive on Buntata alone.”
“It’s got potatoes in it. And berries.”
“And how much did you brew before we left the castle?”
“A good amount, thank you very much.”
Reyna couldn’t help but smile. “You’ve been drinking it for days. How much is left?”
Nollaig huffed. “Someone needs to keep an eye on the woods, and I need something to do. I’ve been completely useless on this quest so far. Only you and Rhain have done anything of note. And the air king. He fought those cursed fae who attacked us a few days back.”
“You’re one of the best of us, Nollaig,” Reyna said. “We need you to keep your strength up. Can I tempt you to join us if I promise to grow you some potatoes when all of this is over?”
Nollaig had been grumbling about the potato situation ever since they’d arrived in the Wood Court. It seemed the wood fae were more fond of mushrooms, nuts, berries, and syrup. And the shadow fae’s favorite thing to eat was the spud. Her favorite thing to drink, too, apparently.
“Hmm. Well, alright, Shieldmaiden. If you’re going to twist my arm…”
Reyna grinned as the shadow fae leapt from the tree and landed before her in a crouch, her cloak rustling around her boots. “I’m pretty sure you’d do anything for a potato.”
“You didn’t promise me just the one. You said you’d grow me some. That means I’ll have as many as my heart desires.”
“Somehow I doubt that,” Reyna said with a laugh. “I have a feeling all the potatoes in the world wouldn’t be enough.”
A chuckle emanated from the folds of her thick hood and almost drowned out the distantcrackthat echoed through the forest. Reyna stiffened. Nollaig pushed up from the ground and slowly turned toward the trees. Another crack sounded, this time closer.
“Shieldmaiden,” Nollaig whispered. “Warn the others.”
“That won’t be necessary,” a familiar voice called from the shadows.
Reyna’s bones turned to ice.
