He grinned evilly then, sharp fangs shining brightly in the crackle of lightning spreading across the sky. “Princes covet shiny things, especially the prince of greed, and your daughter is a treasure I shall always keep safe should she seek it.”
Riella lifted her head, still holding her feather tightly, and I winced when her crown caught in the windblown tangles of my hair. “Thank you Zaz.”
He nodded and then pointed at the sleeping spirit guide who was not at all interested in our conversation. “Except that thing is not,” he snickered. “It’s a menace.”
Peeking one eye open, Zaki hissed before nestling back into the crook of my daughter’s neck, slumbering once again.
Laughing, his wings spread, his head tilting up to watch the acrobatic flight of his leader, dancing with lightning. “I trust you can take care of the blood crystals, sea king, and deliver them safely to the queen’s palace.”
“Aye, if that is what ye wish.”
His black eyes never left the sky when he whispered, “It is. This territory has experienced a huge blow, but I would not linger here much longer, Lir. Fi will not hold it against you if you visit another territory for now.”
The sea king grunted, a small tear falling from his eye and into his blood stained beard. “Thank ye, Zazion.”
The demon grunted and then easily shoved his great body back up into the air, meeting the flight of his queen circling back for him.
The blood crystals slid across the deck when the ship rocked gently as if bidding them goodbye, their silhouettes disappearing into the dark ominous clouds.
Chapter 63
Lirlookedbackatme. “Time ye be off too, lass.”
I stepped towards the sea king, my eyes imploring him, intense worry for his safety pooling in my gut, “Come with us Lir. Dump these crystals far into the sea where no creature may find them, and join us to defeat Deirdre.”
The giant water fae shook his blood soaked head, the scales on his face glittering like his silver eyes and the shells in his beard clinking softly together with his movement. “Thank ye goddess for inviting mi, but I have t’ decline. I cannae leave my ship and the west winds of mi son Aodh calls mi now. I wish t’ hear his strong baritone winds.”
The north winds of his daughter swirled around us and I looked down at Riella who smiled when the breeze twirled her hair. Staring at the gentle smile of my own daughter, I nodded, my heart saddened for the sea king. “I understand.” Exhaling, I placeda warning hand on his massive arm, “But Lir you must understand, these crystals, they destroyed Atlantis, they massacred half of the water fae people—I was there, I saw it with my own eyes. They are not to be treated trivially no matter how innocent they may look.”
Together we both looked down at the several crystals still rolling across the ship.
“I had heard the tales but I never wanted t’ believe it.” Smothering his hand with my own, he smiled warmly at me, “I will take t’ heart ye warning, lass.”
I nodded and he patted my hand, shooing Riella and I towards the cabin door. “Now off with ye! I never be good at goodbyes so make it quick will ye.”
With one hand on the door handle to the cabin, I turned back to the sea king, holding up my hand, "Beannached leat, Manannan Mac Lir."Farewell.
Riella mimicked me, repeating my words, “Beannached leat, Sea King of Atlantis. I still have my whistle you gave me.” She held up the tiny seashell whistle that circled around her wrist.
He winked with more tears forming in his eyes, reaching over my shoulder and wrenching open the steel door, “Keep it with ye lass.” Then he shoved us through, "Beannached leat, Remnant Dark, Goddess of The Well and Riella Dark Strider, true queen of Faerie."His normal booming voice whisper soft when the door clicked behind us.
I sighed heavily, Riella and I looking at each other with both fatigue and weariness. There were a hundred questions swirling in her green gold eyes but she kept them silent. Kissing her forehead softly, I set her down, and placed my hands on my hips surveying the cabin. It had stayed just the same as we had left it, except for one thing.
Emon’s body was nowhere to be seen.
The shadows hovered above us, sensing my panic beginning. Had the demons gotten through? Did they take him? The heat from the nearby fire that still blazed was suddenly suffocating, the tightness in my chest beginning to form. Now wasn’t the time to panic but my body wasn’t going to listen to me, it never had since the attacks started plaguing me after Morta.
I reached for Emon’s soul inside, and like always…even in this form, his presence eased my suffering, melting the surmounting fear from my heart and burning it out of my soul—but that wasn’t the only thing there.
Leeching, like the hungry parasite it was the Sanguine was a dark taint staining the bright glory of my soulmate and its presence sickened me.
Pure frustration had me stomping my foot angrily and making Riella jump at my side. "Goddess, damn it, how can a gigantic shifter hide so easily?"
Riella tugged on my hand several times before I looked down at her earnest face. “But maedere, all you have to do is ask the cabin for him."
I stilled and the shadows shimmered beside me, laughing at my expense. What in the goddess was wrong with me? "Of course, I do. I am sorry, little one. What a clever clear mind you have after everything we have gone through today.” I rubbed at my tired eyes, shaking my head in disbelief.
“I learned it from watching you maedere,” she said sweetly, and I drew my hand away, stunned by her honesty and her love—something I never thought I was deserving of. But seeing her confidence in me now, I knew it was time I accepted this andbelieved in it.
