Page 39 of Wind and Water (Reign of the Witch Queen #2)

I wonder if that’s what others see when they look at Liam and me.

Liam stares at the two of them, looking bewildered. “Fairies in an elven city. A fairy who will speak to elves and love one, and the fairy king, conferring with my mother. I don’t know if I can take many more surprises in one day.”

“I feel like a squirrel cornered by a herd of cats. If I can take it, you can.”

He laughs and squeezes my hand before lifting it to his lips and kissing my knuckles. “I’ll be with you the entire time. Even when I’m not, you know you can find me.” He touches the side of his head.

Of course, he’s right, I will be fine. I’ve met important people before. Corell and Farress are the leaders of their herd. I met the mayor of our small town once when he came to a craft fair. I’ll be fine. I don’t know who I think I’m kidding.

The main road is built of stone, and it curves upward. When we round the bend, the castle gleams at the top of a wide, terraced hill carved from marble. The castle features three white towers, with the largest one rising from the center of an enormous building.

We begin climbing stairs that seem never to end. Every twenty or so, there’s a stretch of flat marble followed by more steps.

Elves begin to come out of their homes and crowd the side of the stairs. They whisper his name, and the noise grows louder until their voices rise in a cheer as they collectively realize Liam has come home.

The last set of steps is steeper and twice as high.

The front of the castle is pure white, and the three towers jutting from its roof resemble a crown.

Carved below the towers and above the doors are scenes of battle and triumph.

Beneath are six pillars, and at the center, an enormous arched door with three diamonds carved over the top.

The door opens, and six soldiers dressed in blue and gold livery rush out to flank the door.

Momma runs out with a man and a woman dressed in white and blue.

There is no time to examine them. My heart is racing, and I run into Momma’s arms. “Thank god you’re okay.” I hug her as tightly as I can, making sure she’s real.

She pulls me back to get a look at me. “You look a bit worse for wear, baby girl.” Wrapping her arms around me, she hugs me tighter than before.

“I saw you go down that hole and prayed to our god and the elves’ gods that I would see you again.

And Liam jumped in headfirst after you. Where on earth did you get to?

Elspeth used all her magic to find you, and there was nothing. ”

“I’m not surprised.” Liam hugs us both when it becomes clear Momma is not letting me go.

Finally, Momma realizes we’re not alone and lets me go. She wraps her arms around Liam. “You saved my girl. I’ll never be able to thank you enough.”

“I didn’t save her, Birdie. She saved us both.

” He pulls back and takes my hand. “It’s a long story and maybe not one for the middle of the concourse.

Mother, Father, this is Wren Martin. She is the human from the prophecy and the love of my life.

I intend to marry her as soon as she agrees.

Wren, my parents, Elspeth and Brion Riordan. ”

“My word.” Momma’s voice is breathy with the romance of it.

I’d be smitten myself if this weren’t so public and his parents didn’t look as if they’d been hit by a truck.

Elspeth Riordan has bright blond hair, and jewels on her pointed ears sparkle in the sunlight. She recovers, and her smile is warm and welcoming. Brion doesn’t smile. His hair is deep red, and his eyes are bright blue. I see a bit of him in Liam’s jaw and stern expressions.

A moment later, Elspeth takes my hand. “Welcome, Wren. It is a great relief that you are alive. You must be exhausted. We shall have a room made up for you to rest.”

Liam looks about to burst with whatever part of his mother’s greeting he disagrees with, but she holds up a hand and silences him.

Worried that an all-out royal feud will begin on the public terrace, I force a smile. “I am exhausted, and we have been through a lot. There is much to tell you.”

She threads my hand through her elbow as we turn and walk toward the castle doors.

The crowd breaks into a loud cheer.

Leaning down, Elspeth says, “They are overjoyed you have come. Now, if my youngest son would find his way home, we could start to control Domhan once again and perhaps break the curse.”

What can I say? I’m one of three tools brought here for the sole purpose of saving this world. She didn’t actually say that, but why should she accept a human woman into her family? I have no connections to offer.

Momma is behind me with Liam. “I cried my eyes out for both of you, though I never gave up hope.”

“It’s true.” Elspeth smiles. “Even when Brion and I had accepted and mourned for Liam, Birdie told us to delay holding our services. She knew you were still alive.”

“How did you know, Momma?” We step through the grand entrance and into an opulent foyer with sweeping staircases and a shining chandelier.

“My heart told me that my baby girl was still alive. Until it told me something else, I wouldn’t let you go.” She pats Liam’s arm. “I want to hear everything, but you both look like you could use a hot tub and some hours to sleep.”

Elspeth nods and hugs me. “Birdie is right. You’ll be cared for here, Wren. I’m sure the staff already made a room ready when word of your arrival came. Will you honor us at a family dinner tonight? You can tell us all about your journey after you were separated from your mother and the centaurs.”

“It’s not fit conversation for dinner, your majesty, ma’am, umm, Mrs. Riordan.” I have no idea how to address her. It would have been a good thing to ask thirty minutes ago.

“Elspeth and Brion will do nicely, Wren.” Brion’s face is still tightly held in a stern expression, but he pulls me into a quick hug. “You’re most welcome here. If the story is too gruesome or painful, we can wait until you’re able to tell it.”

“Thank you, sir.” I can’t call his father Brion. “It will be difficult, but there are things you’ll need to know. Maybe even things within my experience that I don’t yet realize are important.”

He lifts his eyebrows. “We’ll see you at dinner. Get the rest you need.”

“Liam!” The joyful voice comes from the top of the stairs. An elf with light blond hair and a wide smile sits on the curved railing and rides it down like he’s a boy. It’s not hard to guess that this is Aaran. As soon as he lands, he pulls his brother into his arms. “I never gave up hope.”

Hugging his older brother tightly, Liam says, “For a time, hope was difficult to come by, Aaran. Perhaps it was yours and Birdie’s that pushed Wren and me to safety.”

Pulling back, Aaran’s smile falters. He studies his younger brother’s face. “Where did she take you?”

There is no doubt that she is Venora. Liam looks around at the group of mostly his family. He whispers, “Coire.”

Elspeth gasps.

Momma says, “What’s that, a city?”

“It’s hell, Momma.” My throat is so tight, I almost don’t manage the short sentence.

Her hand over her mouth, Momma’s eyes fill with tears. “Don’t you have to be dead to go to hell?”

“Evidently, not in this world. Though there were plenty down there who were not alive as we define it.” Tears spill down my cheeks, and I can’t seem to stop them, even though I don’t want to cry in front of Liam’s family.

They’ll think I’m a weakling. They’ll think I’m not strong enough to be Liam’s wife, or mate, or whatever they call it here.

At some point, a human woman with brown hair and kind green eyes joins us. She gently takes my hand. “I’m Harper Craig. I came here from New Jersey. You need some time.”

She leads me up the stairs away from the group. When we enter a long hallway, the voices from below begin talking all at once. “They’ll work it out, Wren.”

“Maybe I should have stayed and fought whatever fight Liam’s in.” I drag my feet.

Harper stops and squeezes my hand. “You can go back, but don’t you think you’ve been through enough for now? Let Liam work on his parents. You can have a soak in the most luxurious tub you’ve probably ever seen, then a long nap.” She opens a door on the right.

Harper is wearing black leggings and a white tunic. She’s only a few inches taller than me, and from what I’ve seen, that makes us both pretty short by elf standards.

“I had a duffel bag before we were taken. It had a pair of jeans and a few shirts in it.” I hesitate. “But what you’re wearing looks more comfortable.”

Nodding, she says, “They have nice things here.” She points to the gowns hanging on the front of a wardrobe. Beautiful things with lace in luscious colors of green, yellow, and orange, all colors that suit Harper’s complexion.

“Is this your room?” I back up to the door.

The way she laughs and takes my hand makes me like her immediately. “I moved into Aaran’s room almost from the first night, but the staff insists on keeping my clothes here. They’re still arranging your room, but you looked ready to fall to pieces down there, and this one is not really in use.”

“Then you and Aaran are lovers?” I should have used more tact, but I’m too tired for it.

Harper blushes. “We’re committed to each other in all ways. From the way Liam stared at you, I’m guessing it’s much the same with the two of you.”

I nod, and emotions well in my throat. “I need a good cry before I take that bath, Harper. Do you think you could keep whoever is going to fuss over me away for about an hour?”

Pulling me into a hug. “You got it, sister. When we have time, I’ll tell you about the horrors of my trip here. Maybe it will make you feel better. Though, I didn’t get sucked into hell.”

“I’m glad you didn’t.”

She points to the bed. “It’s a great place to cry. Believe me, I shed my fair share of tears here. Through that door is a bathroom where you’ll think you’ve gone to heaven. I’ll see that when they do come to fuss over you, they have some very comfortable elven clothes for you to change into.”

“Thank you.”