Page 11 of Redemption (Deliverance Duet #2)

Chapter Ten

Iris

“ T his is a bad idea,” Nyx grumbles from behind me, his arms tightening around my middle as though he’s ready to transport us out of here in a heartbeat. “Why did I let you convince me to bring you back?” he continues, the low growl in his voice showing how uncomfortable he is.

We are back in the realm of the living. Everything feels… different. I’m not sure if that’s simply because they are, or if my perspective has changed since dying and being brought back to life. Certainly my priorities have been rearranged, and I’m not taking anything for granted. As I glance around at the forest, the tall trees still reaching high into the sky and the bracken on the ground spongy under my feet, nothing looks out of place, yet I still can’t shake the feeling.

“You brought me back because it was the right thing to do and you know I’m needed here,” I remind him, turning in his arms to stare up into his shadowed eyes. We’re currently wrapped in his shadows at the edge of a clearing. “Plus,” I add, raising my eyebrows, “the Fates weren’t going to give us much more time.”

The three Fates were very clear that I was to return to the land of the living once I fully recovered. Going against them would be a colossally bad idea, although I know that Nyx would cross that line if he felt I was in danger.

A scowl crosses his face. “Fine, I can’t deny that, but do you really want me to leave you alone on the border of the Unseelie Court? You know what type of fae they are.”

When he puts it like that, he makes me sound unreasonable. We just bonded, so our connection is fresh, making separation even more difficult. He was always overprotective, but that was nothing compared to how he’s acting now.

He’s right, the Unseelie are terrifying, but I have to speak with Ciaran. I also have to trust that he will keep me safe. He saved me before when the inn was set on fire, and then he tried to help me before I was killed, so I don’t believe all Unseelie are completely evil. I also saw the pain in his expression when I spoke to him through the birds.

“They can give me some of the answers I need that no one else can,” I explain again, even though we’ve already had this conversation more than once. “I trust one of the lords.”

Nyx doesn’t believe that anyone can keep me safe, especially not with the Unseelie. I understand his worries. The very thought of separating from him causes my chest to constrict tightly. I experienced the same sensation with Alaric. We’ve already discussed all of this back in his realm and agreed on our plan, but now that the time has come, he’s struggling.

He crosses his arms over his chest, frowning down at me. “How are you going to contact him? I doubt any of the monsters in their territory will wait to let you explain.”

“Nyx, you have to trust me on this.”

Ciaran can help me, I’m certain of it. This is asking a lot of my mate, yet I need him to do this for me.

He sighs and scrubs his hand across his face. “It’s them I don’t trust, not you, Iris.” Blowing out a frustrated breath, he looks over my shoulder, scowling at the offending forest. I decide to keep quiet, letting him work through his emotions without influencing them. He has to decide this on his own. “I’ll come with you.”

Laughing without humour, I reach up and cup his cheek, waiting for him to meet my gaze. “You know you can’t. You have to stay neutral.”

This is the biggest issue he has with the plan. The simplest thing to do would be for us to go into Unseelie territory together and get the answers I need. However, as death, Nyx must stay neutral and not pick sides in the Seelie versus Unseelie war. If he came into the Unseelie Court with me, then the Fates might decide to get involved once again. They might not be quite so forgiving the next time.

The world suddenly becomes dark around us as Nyx releases more of his shadow magic, and his expression becomes menacing. “If they so much as touch a hair on your head, I shall wipe out the whole court, consequences be damned,” he promises, and I believe him. This is one of the reasons I can’t take him with me. He’s too reactive to any threats towards me, not to mention the fact that no one will speak with me if they know I have the god of death at my side.

I watch him attempt to wrangle himself under control, the world reappearing on the other side of the shadows. Leaning down, he kisses the top of my head. “Be safe, goddess.”

His new endearment for me sends tingles down my spine, a slight flush warming my cheeks. Stepping out of the safety of his arms, I immediately mourn the loss of his touch, but I simply smile at him and pretend I’m as brave as I wish I was. He can see right through it, thanks to our bond, but he pretends to believe me.

I walk into the clearing, fully aware of his gaze on me. The clearing is neutral ground, but just on the other side is the Unseelie territory. It’s easy to see where the boundary lies, as the trees are different, their trunks becoming darker and more gnarled. A sense of awareness surrounds them, making them seem sentient, as though they can feel my presence. Branches have fewer leaves than their counterparts in the clearing and look like crooked fingers ready to pull me into their clutches.

Flashes of that awful day when the Unseelie almost took me from the forest at the back of my family’s cottage invade my mind. The trees that had always been my refuge had suddenly come to life, tearing at my hair and dragging me deeper into their depths. It was terrifying, and even thinking of it now makes my heart pound as I walk away from my mate and towards the unknown.

I may have played it cool in front of Nyx, but I know I could be in danger the moment I step foot into Unseelie territory. Despite having limited contact with Ciaran, I trust that he wouldn’t let anyone hurt me. I simply have to find him first.

The moment I cross the border, I’m intently aware of a change in the atmosphere. Even the air feels different here, the scent of damp, rotting leaves filling the air. The curious, unafraid part of me wants to jump back into the clearing and test the differences, but I am now working with limited time.

Many eyes watch me, and that feeling only increases as I continue through Unseelie territory. I’m also fully aware that I’m being followed. Thankfully, they keep their distance, and I pretend I’ve not noticed, remembering the tales of creatures that only come into being when you acknowledge them. I clutch myself tightly, hoping it will keep my shaking limbs from being so obvious. When I knew Nyx was watching, it was easy to act brave. Now, I am just focusing on the task at hand, reminding myself of the reasons I need to be here.

There’s a sensation in my chest that’s acting as a beacon, beckoning me towards it, and I use this to guide me onward. Although it feels different than my bonds with Nyx and Alaric, I suspect this is the connection Ciaran mentioned. I’m putting a lot of faith in this feeling, and I have to follow it through. I need answers, I can’t simply hide and pretend others aren’t suffering.

I don’t know where I’m going, but I know what I’m looking for. I need to find a pond or a lake where I can contact Ciaran. When I spoke with him before, I used the water to communicate, but that was across realms where the luna bird carried my message. There is no evidence that this will work here, but I have to try.

Keeping to the main path, I scan the forest ahead of me. I should come across a body of water soon, right?

Something glints to my right, catching my eye. Stumbling to a stop, I narrow my eyes and search for the source of the flash, stepping towards the edge of the path to get a better view. That same glint flashes again as I move, sure I can see water.

Stepping off the path, I hurry through the trees, hopping over bracken and fallen branches to find a pond. It’s large for a pond, about the size of my cottage, and it was clearly used at some point, the broken remains of a wooden bench sitting sadly on the other side. The smell of boggy water and rotting vegetation is much stronger here, and there is a scummy layer on the surface, making me wrinkle my nose, but this should work for what I have in mind.

Glancing around to ensure I’m alone, I drop to my knees at the edge of the pond, ignoring the mud seeping into my clothes. The sense of being watched is still strong, but there’s no one outwardly following or threatening me, so I’m going to take this risk.

Taking a long, deep breath, I focus on the male I need to see and lean out over the edge of the pond. “Ciaran,” I whisper, his name slipping easily from my lips. “Come to me.”

I scan the water for any sign of him, for a sign of anything , but only my reflection stares back at me. My heart sinks, but I won’t allow myself to be discouraged so easily. Gathering all of my determination, I call for him again. “Ciaran, can you hear me?”

Nothing happens. Why was I so sure this would work? The situation is completely different, and I have no knowledge on how fae magic works, yet here I am, attempting to use it. I was so sure, trusting in my instincts over the facts, and now it’s left me here.

A loud cry sounds above me, and I almost fall into the dirty water out of shock before leaning back on my heels to steady myself. I press my hand to my chest and look up, ready to run should I need to. My eyes widen at the bird I see circling above me—the luna bird. I stare at its colourful feathers, hope blooming in my chest as it settles on a branch on the other side of the pond.

This is what I was missing.

“Please,” I whisper, not trusting my voice right now. “Help me find him.”

The bird tilts its head to one side, its black eyes holding far more intelligence than any bird should. The bird calls out again, more of a chirping sound this time as opposed to its loud cry.

Closing my eyes, I pull all of my hopes and fears in tightly, focusing only on the one thing I need right now in this moment. The bird may not have done anything in particular to show that it understood my request or that it can even do what I want it to. After all, it’s a bird, but it’s too much of a coincidence that one appeared as I’m trying to use the water to communicate.

Determined, I open my eyes and look back into the water.

“Ciaran, it’s Iris. Can you hear me?” I call out, attempting to keep my voice as clear and even as possible. This has to work. I don’t know what I’ll do if it doesn’t.

The water ripples, my hopes soaring as I stare. A face slowly appears in the water, blurry at first, but it quickly shifts, and I see it’s Ciaran. Relief crashes through me, and I gasp, pressing my hand to my mouth. It actually worked. My shaky laugh fills the air, lifting the weight I was carrying on my shoulders. I reach out to touch him, but then I remember just before I touch the water that he’s not actually here.

“Iris?” His voice rings out, questioning and breathy. He’s looking around, scanning the forest. Has he been running? His usual composure is gone, making him seem frazzled, his long silver hair a mess.

“Ciaran,” I reply, unable to stop my slow smile.

“Are you okay? I had to chase the damn bird down to reply.” Shaking his head, he glares up at the bird, bracing his hands on his knees. I guess that explains why he’s out of breath. I’m just lucky that he saw the bird and understood what it meant. Giving him a moment to compose himself, I take the chance to run my eyes over his striking features. He’s classically handsome, with his sharp jawline and regal nose, his hazel eyes always glittering with mischief.

He stands to his full height and brushes down his usually pristine jacket, then he looks around as though expecting me to step from behind a tree. Pressing a hand to his chest, he looks back up at the bird. “I can feel you, Iris. Are you back in our realm?”

“Yes!” I call, preparing to meet him. “I’m in Unseelie lands. I’m trying to find you.”

“You’re here?” He stills, his voice sharp.

I’m not sure what reaction I was expecting, but all warmth and humour is gone, replaced by a deadly fae I don’t recognise. This is a stark reminder that I don’t really know Ciaran and I need to tread carefully.

“Yes, I needed to find you…” My voice trails away with my uncertainty. I wasn’t expecting a welcome party, but he suspects I might be his mate, so some warmth would be appreciated.

Hurt threatens to overwhelm me. I have to stop myself before this spirals into something bigger than it is. I don’t know what he’s thinking, and I shouldn’t catastrophise.

“You have to stay exactly where you are, and I’ll come get you.” His eyes have narrowed, and he paces, clearly planning how he’s going to get to me. “It’s dangerous in the Unseelie territory, especially for you. Don’t talk to anyone, and if anything tries to talk to you or approach you, pretend you can’t see or hear it.”

I nod despite the fact I know he can’t see me. Fear builds inside me the longer he speaks, every little sound making me jump.

“Where are you?” he asks, his voice still sharp.

I tell him where I am, describing how I got here and the pond with the broken bench. He curses, and my stomach sinks, taking his reaction as a bad sign. Looking closely, I see fear in his eyes, confirming my suspicions. If the lord of the Unseelie is afraid, then I certainly should be too.

“Listen to me carefully.” His voice is deadly serious. “I know I told you to stay where you are, but I need you to run.”

Blinking in shock, I sit back on my heels, confused by the sudden switch in advice. “What?”

“There is a creature in that pond that will attack you the moment this magic fades. I will get to you as soon as I can, but you need to run, now.” Fear lines his voice, the image of him rippling. “Get back to the main path and follow it. Do not stray, for there are a hundred creatures in that part of the land that will kill you in a second.”

I scramble to my feet, vaguely noticing that flowers now grow around where I kneeled. I take Ciaran’s advice to heart, his words still echoing in my ears, and I stumble away from the pond. The luna bird cries out loudly as it leaps from its perch and flies away. If only I could grow wings and fly away so easily, but instead, I’m stuck with these stumbling human legs.

Every bramble, bush, and fallen log seems to tear at my skin and clothes, holding me back as I try to escape to the main path. Was the light in this part of the forest always so dim? Clouds hang thickly above me, blanketing the sky and hiding the sun’s bright rays. With every step I take, the distance seems to freeze, never getting any closer. A tangle of brambles that I swear just appeared from nowhere catches me in its sharp snare. I pull away and twist, but this just seems to make it worse until I’m surrounded completely.

I can’t move.