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“I wouldn’t dare,” Vox replied. “Just food for thought.”

“I’m sure you have matters that require your particular attention.”

“Yes. Well.” She looked at three faces expressing identical concern. “I’ll be close if you need me.”

“Hmmm,” said Araxinthe in her non-committal way.

After Vox disappeared, Araxinthe focused on Kagan. How she knew which of them was Kagan went unexplained.

“You did well, Sephalian. I’m not sure there is a single historical case in record of Dorianis taking a liking to someone who came near her eggs.

” Since Kagan’s personality valued economy and since he saw no cause for response, he offered none.

“I’m sending you home for a day to recuperate and prepare for the next challenge. ”

“I’d prefer to proceed now,” Kagan said.

“Oh?” said Araxinthe. “Why is that?”

“I know Esmerelda well enough to know that every hour she’s held in captivity is difficult for her. She’s no’ the submissive type.” Araxinthe nodded at that. “The sooner we can conclude your tests, the sooner she’ll be home.”

Araxinthe stared at Kagan for a couple of minutes before shooting the briefest of glances at the other two. It was clear the other two were committed to doing what Kagan wanted. She calculated that there’d be little chance a strategy designed to divide them would work.

“What if the lack of rest compromises your ability to succeed?”

“The first challenge was no’ physically difficult. So far, the only thing that might reduce my ability to perform at my best would be the tasin’ I got from your guard.”

“What did you do to inspire such treatment?” she asked.

“He was pushed from behind. I saw the whole thing,” Killian said.

“Physically pushed by one of my guards? With no provocation?”

“Exactly right,” said Killian.

She pressed her lips together. “If that should be proved true, I can understand why Vox felt the need to interfere with your escort.” The sephalia said nothing. “Do you feel recovered from the experience? Enough to continue to the next challenge?”

“Aye,” said Kagan.

“Very well.”

“Except…”

“Yes?”

“I’d like to return home long enough to gather a couple of items to give us aid in the coming trial. I shouldn’t need longer than a half hour.”

“Didn’t we already talk about tools?”

“We talked about you providing tools. We did not talk about makin’ use of my own private assets.”

“Your own assets,” she repeated.

“Aye.”

“Such as?”

“You want to know exactly what I would gather?”

“I do.” She nodded. “Yes.’

“Gold coins and silk thread.”

Araxinthe smiled slowly. “I’m following your train of thought.

You might be smarter than expected.” She folded her hands together.

“Since you didn’t ask for something that might be used as a weapon, I’m inclined to grant this request. I’d keep your brothers here, but they’d just be in the way.

So, beginning now, you, all three of you, may have a whole hour.

Twice as much as requested as a means of apologizing for your poor treatment.

When the time is up, you’ll find yourselves returned to this very place. ”

“Thank you,” Kagan said, his tone infused with every bit as much sincerity as was warranted by the circumstance.

There was no way of knowing if she heard because he hadn’t stopped speaking when he found himself, and his brothers, standing on the green expanse that sloped from his castle ruin to the river he loved to fish.

Keir sat down on the grass. “I’m calling my wife.” He’d had his phone with him the entire time, but that does no good when one finds himself in dimensions with no cell towers.

“I’m gettin’ a drink,” said Killian, hurrying after Kagan, who was striding purposefully toward the old stones he called home. “Where do you keep the Macallan Rare?”

“I have no reason to hide my whiskey. Quite sure you’ll find it on your own.”

Keir heard the simulated ring of his phone. He’d forgotten he was temporarily restored to the world. “Keir? Where are you? Is everybody ok? Is Esme with you?” I asked.

“I’m at Kagan’s. Esme is not with us. I have an hour. Just. Not enough time to come home, but enough time to tell you what’s happened.”

“What?”

“It’s a story.”

“I’m a good listener.”

He chuckled. “I know. You are.”

Keir proceeded to share the details with phenomenal recall. After hearing the recounting, I suspected for the first time that he might remember everything I’d ever said. Ever. Egads! I was going to need to be a lot more careful about what I want logged in permanent memory.

“Come home. You do not have permission to go on another outing with your brothers. From the way you told this, any little variation could’ve resulted from never hearing from you, your brothers, or Esme again.

I’d just spend the rest of my life wondering what happened because those bitches don’t sound like the type to hand-deliver a nice card and fruit basket with condolences. ”

He chuckled lightly, but I could hear it didn’t have the usual ring of authenticity. He was worried. “Fortunately, I didn’t take a vow to obey you.”

“How is that fortunate? At the moment, it seems that only one of us is sane, and that would be me.”

“Do you want Esme back?”

“Of course. Let Kagan do it. He’s capable, Keir.”

“And I’m not?”

“You know perfectly well that’s not what I think and not what I meant.”

“You know perfectly well I can’t abandon my brother in the middle of… this.”

I wanted to yell, scream, and pull hair. Not mine. His. I loved his devotion and loyalty, and was well aware that I’m usually the principal beneficiary of those laudable characteristics. Still. I didn’t want him to walk into Hel voluntarily, which is exactly what he was going to do if he returned.

“Don’t go.” I pleaded. I felt guilty about making this hard on him, but the guilt wasn’t overpowering enough to stop me from begging.

“Rita.” He softened his tone to comfort me, but it didn’t comfort me. Instead, I saw a terrifying image of myself trying and failing to carry on without him. “If it helps, I think the choice is out of my hands anyway. They’re going to pull me back at the end of the hour, whether I say stay or go.”

“Here’s some good news though.”

I ferociously swiped at tears on my cheeks. “What?”

“The third challenge was supposed to be decided by a panel of judges that overseer chose. But she slipped up. Guess who’s going to get to pick the judges?”

“Who?” I sat up straight.

“Esme.”

“What?!? That’s…”

“Perfect. Right?”

“Yes, but you have to survive the second challenge.”

“How could I not when I have you waiting for me?”

“Well…”

“Let’s just go with that. Power of positive thinking and all.” I sniffed. “She might choose you as one of the judges.”

“She’d better choose me as one of the judges.”

“That’s my girl.” Keir looked around, suddenly realizing that he was experiencing a heavenly day. Bright sun. Blue sky. Just enough breeze to cause the river water to dazzle in the sunlight. “Talk to me about something ordinary.”

“Ordinary,” I said, wondering what in my life had been ordinary since the day I got off the plane and met Romeo.

“Well, my display window horse turned out to be a gift for Rhiannon from Esme’s departed mother.

She chose a strange means of delivery, but whatever works.

And guess what? It turned out not to be a horse at all.

He’s a unicorn! Intended to keep Rhiannon safe.

Evie says having a pet that size takes some getting used to, but she’s expanded the rooms accordingly and is working on housetraining. ”

“So, Rhiannon has a dragon and a unicorn working as her private security?”

“Yep. Nothing’s too much for my granddaughter.”

He laughed softly. “Couldn’t agree more.”

“And that’s another thing. Maeve keeps calling the baby’s welcome party the event of the century. I don’t know if that’s true, but I do know Esme wouldn’t want to miss it.”

“We’ll do our best to see that she’s there with bells on.”

“Do your best to see that you’re there. This experience is proving to be mother of invention. Once I get you back home, I’m planning to outfit you with a big bell. So, I always know where you are.”

“More cowbell?” he joked.

“Exactly.”

“You always know where I am now.”

“Well…” I knew what Keir needed from me most right then was to keep talking about everyday things like we were sitting on the porch or having tea in the kitchen. “I’ve narrowed down the cases I’m hearing for Yule Court. Of course, if the enforcer isn’t here, there’ll be no court.”

“I’ll be there. Wouldn’t miss it.”

I opened my mouth to continue, but my throat closed. No sound would come out, but the same couldn’t be said about big liquid drops falling from my tear ducts. I couldn’t get it under control.

Keir sensed my problem and took over for me. “Did you get The Hallows’ window repaired?”

I managed to force out an, “Uh-huh.”

“What did you decide to put there for the holidays? In the absence of the, ah, unicorn. Assuming he’s refusing to come back.”

I smiled in spite of myself and took two deep breaths.

“The glass is fixed. Maggie said it costs a leprechaun’s fortune, but didn’t say how much that was.

She put some other stuff in the window, then threw ribbons and greenery at it.

Holiday décor isn’t really her thing. It’ll have to do. I have other things on my mind.”

“Like what?”

“You are a funny sephalian. You know that?”

“Yes. It’s what all the girls say.”

“They better not.”

His chuckle told me that was the reaction he’d hoped for.

“Have you had a chance to speak to Esme?” Nothing. “Keir?” Nothing. “Keir? Are you there?” With no chance to say goodbye, he’d been snatched back and would be out of touch until such time as we’d either resume our lives. Or we wouldn’t.

Without even thinking about what I was doing, I found that I’d wandered to Keir’s den and stood in the doorway holding the phone that connected me to no one.

I desperately hoped that the next thing I’d hear about would be Esme’s lineup of judges.

I didn’t know if she’d pick me, but I’d stay dressed and ready to serve.

After all, I do have verifiable experience.