Page 37

Shy

“I don’t know. I think I should feel more evil than I do.”

My father-in-law stretches for what I’m sure is the one thousandth time since we got back to the temple the night before. “Instead I feel amazing. This is what it feels like to be fully Fae? No wonder my brother is as arrogant as he is. Hey, I think I can easily kick his ass now. Not only am I fully Fae, but I got the whole ascended god thing going.”

Lee asked us to stay the night and for Rhys and I to power up the temple one more time before we go to the mountains and try to find our way home.

Rhys was happy to give in to that request.

I’m still a little sore because my husband got incredibly creative.

The temple is humming with power, and not merely from ours.

Ostara was beaming this morning, and I already saw how all the plants in the palace exploded, and it looks like ground zero was the room the royals used the night before.

Three fertility gods getting their freaks on really made the fields grow.

They gave off so much energy the Fae here were able to store the majority of it for rituals their new king would perform later on to keep the temple charged.

“I will be happy to watch that,”

Daniel says, a smile on his lips.

He’s right back to his normal fully charged self. I even saw him taking a flight to check out the mountain we’re going to visit later today. He wanted to make sure there were no more weird lion/goat/snake things hanging out, even though Lee promised there weren’t.

“I will, too. I love it when someone punches my uncle.”

Rhys winks my way as he joins us in the parlor where we’ve gathered to make our plans.

I know Sasha has a big decision to make.

The general paces in the corner, walking by the window that looks out over the temple and then turning and making his way back to the big bookshelves. I saw Ostara at breakfast but I haven’t since, and I wonder if they had a fight about their next move. Or if Sasha is trying to find a way to say good-bye to us so he can return to Ostara’s home plane.

“You know we’re still going to have to make nice with them,”

I point out. “We didn’t get what we came for. We’re no closer to finding the Days, and now that we know the amulet here is a bust, we’re definitely still going to have to see your Fae family. Besides, I think your papa wants to show off his fancy new body.”

The amulet is out of magic. It appears the king used it all.

Rhys sighs and sinks down to the sofa beside me. “Yes, he is insufferable right now. I guess I never thought about how different it would feel to be half human. I always thought it was about how long he would live. It’s so much more.”

Devinshea Quinn is stronger than ever. He will be tougher to kill, his magic mightier than before.

And he is immortal if he chooses to be, but I doubt he will.

The biggest change, he told me, is he can work magic with his mind. Those hands he lost are back, but he no longer needs them. Not for magic.

He does seem to get them on the queen a lot, though.

“I’m going to miss Sasha.”

Rhys settles in beside me, leaning his head against mine. “He was like a father to me.”

His hand slides against my hand, fingers tangling together. “Are you all right?”

In between all the wild sex the night before, my husband held me and listened to stories about my mother. He let me cry and laugh and took my tales into his own heart so I am not the only one who remembers them. He was tender and sweet and everything I needed. “I’m good, babe. It’s like I can truly mourn them for the first time.”

He brings my hand to his lips. “I’m glad, my goddess. Have I told you today how fucking magnificent you are?”

I smile. “Three times already.”

Something has opened between us, some deep and peaceful connection I can feel even when he isn’t in a room with me.

“Then I owe you at least three more,” he vows.

“Rhys, I need to talk to you about not killing the death god,”

his papa says, looking cool and crisp in his Fae clothes.

I turn to my husband. “You can’t kill Arawn.”

Rhys shrugs. “I can try.”

I sigh. “He is going to be our ally, and he’s going to bring in more allies. We need all the allies we can get, and when you think about it, he’s kind of like my dad in a way.”

Rhys’s head shakes. “He is not. You are a goddess of your own making. You managed to transform from a magical tool to a magnificent woman with power we couldn’t have imagined. You did that all on your own.”

My father-in-law smiles at me. “He isn’t wrong and Shy isn’t wrong. If we find our way back, we will still have to go and visit my mother. The amulet in my sithein works. We know it does since it was recently used to blow up my club.”

“Sorry,”

Zoey says with a wince.

This sends Neil and his kids into a fit of laughter. They spent the night behind a wall of wards since the lust magic was heavy. A good time was had by all, Bibi reported. And Neil did a great job making sure his kids had none of it.

“We tried several times to use the amulet last night, and it’s out of magic,”

Dev admits. “I suppose this Devinshea used all the magic from it.”

“My father kind of sucked the kingdom dry,”

Lee says as he strides in. There is a thin crown of gold around his dark hair. He accepted the crown late the night before, and the nobles fell in line when they realized the temple was working again.

All Fae creatures are once more welcome in the Seelie sithein. He has a long way to go, but he will get there.

The sithein is coming to life again, and I’ve already seen a spirit on the edge of the river.

She told me to mind my own damn business when I asked if she wanted to move on. Cranky spirit.

Daniel sits on the sofa opposite me, an arm draped around my mother-in-law and an indulgent look on his face as he watches Devinshea. “I think we can handle your grandmother, son. And you are going to be quite a revelation. You and your goddess are powerful enough no one is ever going to fuck with you again. You two decide when and if you perform rites for them.”

“Rhys and Shy are Earth plane gods,”

Devinshea says. “I will inform my family and the Unseelie of this. They serve the Fae who did not leave. It won’t sit well, but they will accept it. I am still the high priest. Unless you’ve changed your mind, Rhys.”

My husband’s head shakes. “Nope. You can be the High Priest of the Seelie and Unseelie Fae. I’ll take the misfits. Oh, look, the pixies woke up. They had a long night.”

I giggle as they land on my skin, tickling me a bit. There is nothing so magical as being covered in pixies.

They do not fear me, and I no longer fear myself.

“Hello, little ones,”

the queen is saying as they land on her as well. She winks my way. “And the Goddess Chain looks good on you.”

I reach for it. I already feel connected to it so it’s sad I have to say good-bye. “I love it, but I think Lee must give it to his goddess.”

“I’m not going to have a goddess,”

Lee says, gesturing for me to keep it. “I am not a Green Man, and I think we should have our high priest be separate from the king. The Unseelie claim they have a powerful Green Man. I’m going to meet him and see if there’s any way he’ll help us out. I think it could check my power…provide a balance. We need that.”

“Yes, I believe I’ve heard the theory,”

I reply as I ease the necklace back into my bodice. “I’m happy to hear they’re willing to open negotiations.”

“Me as well.”

Lee looks slightly uncomfortable in his formal wear. I heard Bibi had put her foot down when he wanted to receive the crown in his undershirt and slacks. She was going to make an excellent aide to the king. She was already treating him like her wayward son and bringing him in line. He looks to Sasha. “I suppose you’re heading out with the rest of them. I wanted to thank you for everything. I had a chance to talk to the others, but I need you to know you’re always welcome in my kingdom.”

The vampire steps forward. He takes a long breath and looks to Rhys first. “You know what I have to do.”

Rhys stands and nods. “Of course. Sasha, you have to follow her.”

Daniel’s head drops back and he groans. “Damn it. Are you sure, man? I don’t know how to run that spy network of yours.”

Sasha looks so torn, his jaw tight, a sad light in his eyes. “My wife has a plane she must save. She was willing to marry this Devinshea to save it. I cannot ask her to go with me and I cannot leave her. I will never leave her again. Not willingly.”

Ostara glides in, a wide smile on her face. No. It’s Meadow, but they work so seamlessly together it’s hard to tell them apart. She’s carrying a beautiful moonstone shaped into a sphere. She needs both hands because the crystal is so large. “Hello, I’m looking for…there he is. King Lee, you will understand when I tell you my engagement to your father is done and I must leave with my husband.”

She’s perky and smiling today, and I’m here for it. She brings the scent of fresh flowers with her, and I breathe it in. I’m ready for spring.

“Yes.”

Sasha puts on a good face and stands beside her. He leans over and kisses the top of her head. “I was resigning my position as the leader of the king’s army. I am eager to see your home, my love.”

Meadow frowns up at her husband. “You’re resigning in the middle of a war that is going to potentially affect every person on every plane and in every timeline?”

Sasha looks a bit taken aback. “You have to help your people.”

She nods. “Yes, and this is for them. I set the moonstone out and it stored a lot of fertility magic. There was so much last night. An abundance. This will restore our temple until we can find a Green Man.”

“You will come with me?”

Sasha puts his hands on her shoulders as though he needs to see her eyes, to know her truth.

“I will go where we are needed.”

Meadow straightens her shoulders. “Our daughter is on your plane. I understand that she can never know me, but I can watch over her. She is the only child we will ever have, and I am content with that, but I will not leave her.”

Rhys’s hand squeezes mine, remembering my mother had done the same until I was safe.

Well, as safe as I can be in the middle of a war where I am apparently going to be a big part of the fight.

This will always be a war won by women, un sanctaidd.

The question is who will be in my sisterhood?

“As for my plane,”

Meadow says, turning to Lee. She hands him the large moonstone. “I need you to go there and give this to my sister. She will know how to use it. I think you two might get along.”

“Actually, it turns out I have a lot to do here,”

Lee hedges as he holds the stone. “But I can find someone to act as my emissary.”

Meadow’s brow rises. “My sister is known as the most beautiful woman in all of the sithein. Men fall at her feet. I suppose it’s best you don’t go because I doubt she would give you the time of day.”

Lee straightens up and puts on what I like to think of as his player face. “Oh, well, we’ll see about that.”

Meadow seems thoroughly pleased with her plotting. “Her name is Mia, and send her my love.”

That name. It makes Rhys stand and his mother frown.

We have to find our Mia, and we still have no idea how to do it.

“I will find Arawn when we get home,”

I promise. “I didn’t have time to ask him. Perhaps we can use Annwn. It isn’t a Hell plane.”

Devinshea claps his hands like he’s thrilled with the idea. Or he’s just happy to have hands. “Yes. It was definitely a celestial plane. We can use it as a starting point. I think if Nim asks, he can’t say no. He’s back on the I love Nimue train, and I haven’t even told him Myrddin cut her head off yet. He’s going to do anything he can to fuck the asshole over.”

I foresee visiting a lot of assisted living homes. And I forgot to tell him we’re moving to New Zealand. Hopefully he’ll get the message.

Hopefully we’ll get home.

We have to get home.

“Knock, knock,”

a feminine voice says. “I hope I’m not being a bother.”

I feel my jaw drop. “Nim?”

Everyone is on their feet now as the gorgeous woman with long dark hair and a whole body dressed in a flowy gown walks in.

“Nimue, what happened?”

Zoey rushes to her and throws her arms around her friend. “You have no idea how happy I am to see you. How did you find us?”

“I want to know how she grew her body back so fast,”

Danny admitted.

“Zoey,”

Neil’s voice is low, and his eyes have the light of his wolf in them. “That’s not Nimue. She’s smells like brimstone.”

Daniel reaches for his wife and the fake Nim frowns.

“What happened to my daughter? Why would she need to regrow her body?”

the woman asks.

“Nim has a mom?”

Neil asks.

“My name is Lilith. Layla is my daughter, though I suppose I shall have to learn to call her Nimue,”

the woman admits “Her father is made of lies. He gave her up to become some balance to the wizard. I hate him as well. You should know he attempted to murder a girl who claims you are her parents.”

“Evan?”

All of the royals are around Lilith now, but Zoey asks the question. “You know my daughter.”

“Yes, and apparently you know mine,”

Lilith returns.

“Nimue is my friend,”

Zoey explains. “I met her years ago when she gave Danny Excalibur and named him the King of the Sword. But then she woke up Myrddin, who was supposed to mentor Danny, but he put a thrall stone in her head and in Danny’s and Devinshea’s and he basically roofied the fuck out of her for like eight years, but then she woke up and she freaked out because Myrddin had taken over the Earth plane supes and she did not sign up for that gig and he cut her head off and stuffed her in a magical box and kept her in my closet with my shoes, but then I sent some Hidden Folk to find my lost bag of holding and they brought her head back instead, so she’s regrowing her body and I think she might need some therapy because of all the rapey shit Myrddin did to her.”

Lilith’s eyes go wide. “I will kill him.”

Zoey shakes her head. “There’s like a prophecy and stuff. We got it handled, but we could use some help getting out of here. We’re in the wrong timeline. I heard my daughter is alive, but is she all right?”

Lilith seems to soften. “Evangeline is physically fine. Emotionally is another thing entirely. She has gone through a change. When that massive asshole tossed her off Lucifer’s balcony, she was forced to accept the physical changes she was trying to avert. It’s not bad. She has wings and some other powers she needs to learn to use. She has asked me for sanctuary for the time being.”

Zoey stifles a cry.

Devinshea moves in behind her. “Why would she need sanctuary?”

“She’s scared,”

Rhys says. “She’s been afraid of this change since she had to take primal blood to survive. Has she become bat-like?”

Lilith nods. “Somewhat, but not in a way that would keep her from passing for human. It’s too much for her, and she needs a break. I have offered for her to stay in my kingdom. It’s a refuge of sorts. I take in a lot of strays. Not that she is one, but I believe surrounding herself with them, with caring for creatures who need her love and kindness, will heal her. However, I explained I would speak to her parents, to let you know she is safe. I will send you updates.”

“Is Fenrir okay?”

I ask, knowing the answer.

Lilith sighs. “He is sad, but she needs this space. She still loves him. Still loves you all, but I ask you to honor her wish.”

“I don’t even know you, lady,”

Daniel begins.

But Dev steps up and offers her a hand. “I do, Lilith. First woman, I ask that you help my daughter as we have aided yours. We love Nimue and count her as part of our family, and you are welcome in our kingdom. As for Evan, please tell her we love her and accept her and what she needs. Tell her we will take care of Fenrir. We will make sure he is safe and cared for and has everything that is necessary. Apart from her.”

She squeezes his hand. “I will take you up on that, High Priest. You have that look about you. Now you are definitely in the wrong timeline. Does this have anything to do with the rumor that the Hell plane recently lost several thousand guests and Lucifer is cross with Myrddin?”

I hold up my hand. “I did that.”

She nods my way. “Excellent. Good job, though don’t think Luc will kill him. He’s all for the insane close-off-Heaven thing. He has daddy issues. Now, let’s get you back where you belong.”

“You can do that?”

Zoey asks.

Lilith stops for a moment before answering. “I got here, didn’t I. Are you ready?”

Dev steps back. “So ready.”

Lilith snaps her fingers.

And we’re in Frelsi again.

“Hey, you’re back. Girl, you look good.”

Josie sits on a rock to my left. “Do you really have to go to New Zealand? It’s boring when y’all are gone.”

“It’s our timeline,”

I say with a smile. “Josie’s here.”

“We’re home,”

Rhys says with a sigh of relief. He takes a deep breath as though something about being on his home plane settles him.

“Yeah, about that,”

I begin because I see a problem now. “I am not living with your brother and Fenrir.”

The biggest smile crosses his face. “I think we’ll find our own place. Until then we can probably get Fen and Lee out of the house by having sex as much as possible.”

There’s a problem with that. Lee would want to watch.

“Where’s Zoey?”

Neil asks.

We look around. We’re all here. Cassie and Brendan and Lee. Meadow and Sasha are here. Danny and Dev.

But no Zoey.

We’ve lost her.