Wings of Shadow (The Underground Trilogy) Read online

  “I believe you promised me the first dance.” Kiernan stood in front of her, holding out a hand.

  She smiled. “Too late! Wish already claimed it.”

  He pulled her close and wrapped an arm snugly around her waist. “I should have been more specific. I meant the first slow dance. Wish can have his fast-paced jigs.”

  His warm breath tickled her cheek. Blond hair peeked out of the hood of his cape, falling to the edge of his black mask. Blue eyes twinkled through the holes. Between their sparkle and the glisten of the magically falling snowflakes of the mask, she found herself unable to look away.

  As she gazed at him, he guided her through glides, turns, and twirls. He held her close throughout the dance until her entire body tingled, as if she had been rolling around in a fresh bed of winter snow.

  The music ended, and Kiernan kissed her hand. “Thank you for the dance.”

  She realized she should have relayed Wish’s update to him, but a selfish part of her didn’t want to ruin the magic of their dance. And she couldn’t bear to see the hurt return to Kiernan’s eyes over the worry of his mother’s rejection.

  The bonfire still blazed high into the night. Meghan watched the wings of the dancing Fae. Each pair bobbed or fluttered in beat to the music, filling the air with rippling rainbows of color.

  A pair of tangerine-colored wings caught her eye. Avery was well-disguised in his leaf-covered mask and costume, but nothing could hide his distinctive orange wings. She watched him, in a serious discussion with a wingless costumed man, who curiously, also wore a leaf-covered mask.

  The man’s mask differed from Avery’s in that it covered his entire face. Green oak leaves formed the base of the mask, and the lichen eyebrows and beard made it seem life-like. Long streams of lichen hung from the top of the mask, hiding any hair. The man wore a simple green tunic, also adorned with green oak leaves, moss, and lichen. If she hadn’t been at a masquerade, she would’ve thought he had stepped out of nature itself.

  Meghan was too far away to hear the conversation, but Avery’s face looked grim. His usual smile had settled into a straight solemn line. She began to approach to find out what was wrong.

  But as she took the next step, a line of Fae danced by, pulling her into their ever-moving spiral. She became lost in the crowd, propelled forward by the serpentine dancers. She wasn’t able to weave her way out from amongst the dancers until the song ended. The oak-masked man was gone, and Avery was nowhere to be seen. As the harp began playing another slow melody, she spotted him.

  “Avery!” She threw her arms around him. He held her, swaying to the music.

  “You made it here safely.” His voice was calm, matter-of-fact. Odd for Avery.

  “Who—”

  His finger pressed against her lips, stopping the flow of her questions.

  “Shh, I just want to enjoy this dance before it ends.” Avery pulled her tight and lowered his head, so his forehead rested against hers.

  His curls sprang every which way, tickling and caressing her cheeks. They danced wordlessly. As the last notes of the song were played, tears filled her eyes. She blinked them away, not sure why they had even formed.

  Avery stepped back and held her hands. “It is almost time for you to leave England.”

  She had been avoiding this discussion. Her heart broke to think of leaving all this behind. She blinked back more tears and nodded, not trusting her words.

  “Meg, no matter what happens, I want you to know that this is as it should be, as the forces of nature want it to be.”

  “What’s going to happen?” She watched his serious face and noticed what was not there: the grin, the twinkling eyes, the dimple that formed whenever he smiled.

  He brushed his lips against her forehead and then retreated into the brush, calling back to her, “I am off to find Selena. It is time.”

  She turned and found Kiernan next to her. The normal glare and petty comments which usually occurred after her interactions with Avery were missing.

  “It’s time,” she stated, leading him to the narrow path that wound its way to the village.

  The glow of the bonfire dimmed as they traveled down the path. Neither of them talked, but as the light faded, he reached for her hand.

  As they rounded a bend, the oak-leaf masked man stepped out, blocking the path. She squeezed Kiernan’s hand. Her heart thumped loudly in her chest, overtaking the beat of the music behind them.

  The leaves on his mask were fused seamlessly and seemed to move in rhythm with his facial muscles. She wondered if his outfit was another form of magic, like the dancing snowflakes and fluttering butterflies of their own costumes.

  He leaned close to her, the lichen strands that formed his beard appearing to vibrate. “Remember, there can be no shadows without Light.”

  “Um, okay.” Meghan reached into her pocket and rubbed her amulet. She felt safe. She did not know what to make of the strange man, but she could sense he was not a threat.

  The man turned to Kiernan. “Someone selected the wrong costume for you. Winter is not yet your season.”

  Kiernan looked baffled. “Wrong season? What do you mean?”

  The man was gone. She had not noticed him leaving, and from Kiernan’s puzzled expression, she didn’t think he saw him retreat, either.

  “Who was that?” she whispered.

  He shrugged. “He probably drank too much of the elderberry wine. Come on, let’s catch up to Avery.”

  Nearing the end of the path, they saw the stone cottages of the village looming in front of them. Kiernan grasped her hand as they stepped onto the cobblestone street. She closed her eyes, willing a warm welcome. He must be welcomed home.

  Reunions

  ~ 20 ~

  Keirnan looked around, appearing to examine the details of each cottage. “I cannot believe I once lived here. I remember nothing.”

  She laid her hand on his cheek. “You will make new memories.”

  “If I am given the chance.” His grimace returned.

  She let Kiernan decide the pace of their walking. He stopped occasionally, placing his hand on the rough stone of a home, reaching to touch the thatch, feeling the moss growing from a crack in the wall.

  “It feels so right here,” he said.

  She felt it, too—the indescribable something that made the village seem like home, that made her want to stay forever.

  Soon, they were standing outside Selena’s cottage. He looked at the front door, but remained still. He grabbed her hand again, but before his knuckles connected with the wood, the door swung open. Selena stood there. She studied Kiernan for a long, silent moment before pulling him into her arms. Her lavender wings wrapped around him.

  “My Kiernan, you have come back to me.” Selena stepped back, tears glistening on her cheeks. She took his hand and guided him to the table.

  Meghan retreated to the fireplace, allowing Kiernan and Selena a few moments to themselves. Avery sat near the hearth, poker in his hand. He ignored the flames, watching his brother and grandmother reunite.

  Selena wiped her eyes once more. “I know I shouldn’t say bad things about my own, but Killian should never have taken you. You were but a babe when he tore you away. It nearly broke my heart.”

  Kiernan stared down at the tabletop. He traced the lines of the carvings with his finger.

  “You used to do that when you were but a wee lad, running your finger along the etchings, over and over again.”

  He didn’t meet her gaze. “I cannot remember. I wish I could remember you, but I just don’t.”

  “You were barely more than a babe. Of course you do not remember!” Selena made her way to the fireplace and lifted a steaming kettle off the hot bricks. She poured Kiernan a cup of tea.

  The scent of lavender and chamomile filled the air. The botanical knowledge of these herbs came automatically to Meghan: lavender and chamomile for their calming effects. She was eager to talk to Selena about her recent college decision, but she didn’
t want to ruin their moment, as much as she wanted to hug the Fae elder herself.

  Staring at Kiernan, two puzzle pieces suddenly snapped together in Meghan’s mind. “Roll up your sleeves!”

  She ignored Avery’s questioning look and Selena’s raised eyebrows. They would see in a moment.

  “Kiernan, roll up your sleeves,” she urged again.

  He didn’t question her. He slid off the cape, and slowly unbuttoned his sleeves, rolling them high on his arms. The unusual tattoos could be seen, and they were glistening again. Three converging spirals radiated down his left arm.

  “The Triscele. It shows the continuous movement of life.” Selena traced the same spiral on the aged wood of the table and then tapped each of the spirals. “Life, death, rebirth.”

  They looked at his other tattoo, a complicated woven knot. Again, the ink matched the carving in the table perfectly.

  Selena smiled at Kiernan. “So, there are memories hidden within. How did you choose these particular designs?”

  “I… I don’t know. They were images that came to me on my hardest days.” Kiernan traced the knot on the table and then followed the same path on his upper arm. “What does this one mean?”

  “That is the Dara knot. Do you see how the twistings of the knot resemble the roots of the oak tree?”

  Kiernan shook his head, looking down at the table.

  “My dear, I am sorry. You were raised in the city, so of course, you are unfamiliar with the oak tree.” Selena pointed at the knot etched in the table. “The roots of the oak tree provide stability, no matter what is happening above the surface.”

  Avery had swiveled at the mention of the oak. He seemed to be listening closely to Selena’s words.

  “And the thick trunk of the tree represents our strength. Even in the strongest of winds, the oak tree remains standing. This tree is honored amongst the Fae. We believe the oak can share important messages.”

  Meghan gasped. “The man with the oak leaf mask! He was some sort of messenger?”

  “The Green Man spoke to you, as well?” Avery asked, his face grim.

  Kiernan scoffed. “That cryptic garble was a message?”

  Avery’s mouth turned down. “You also received a message, Kiernan?”

  “My, the three of you have had an interesting evening. It is rare to receive one visit from the Green Man. Three messages are almost unheard of,” Selena said.

  Avery leapt off the hearth. “This cannot be a coincidence. We must convene the Council immediately. They need to know of the visits from the Green Man, and…” He looked at his brother.

  “And we will inform them that one of our own has returned to us.” Selena made her way to a tall shelf near the door. She retrieved a long tube made of crystal and a small amethyst wand. Standing outside the doorway, she hit the crystal with the wand. A clear chime rang through the air.

  “Well, we best make haste to the Council’s chambers. The others will be arriving soon.” Selena hurried them out the door.

  Avery led Kiernan to an isolated spot near the Council’s building. “Let the Council members arrive, and we will then bring in you and Meghan. Best to shock everyone in one sitting.”

  The Wrong Season

  ~ 21 ~

  They sat in a secluded clearing near the Council’s chambers. Meghan looked at Kiernan. He sat watching the sky, not saying anything.

  “You’ve been really quiet,” she said.

  He just nodded.

  Trying a different tactic, she pointed to the now-familiar constellation in the sky. “I promised I would show you Anya’s Wings.” She explained how to find it.

  “Even a faeling would know this.” He frowned.

  His face looked so despondent that she didn’t know what to say. Avery came into the clearing. “The Council members have all arrived. We should head in soon.”

  He stopped Kiernan before leaving. “No matter what Mother says, know there are people who want you here.” He looked as though he wanted to say more, but turned and walked in the direction of the council building.

  *

  They entered one by one, first Avery, then Meghan, with Kiernan trailing behind. The murmured conversations stopped as she stepped into the chamber. Five pairs of eyes stared in her direction.

  Queen Alannah rose. “I thought I made my orders clear, Avery. This human was not to be allowed within the village again. She caused too much trouble the first time.”

  “It wasn’t her fault!” Kiernan strode to the queen, glaring at her.

  Alannah pivoted toward Avery. “You not only defied my orders, but you brought another stranger into Solas?”

  “Look closer. Do you not recognize your own son?” Selena’s voice was sharper than usual.

  “My son? I do not understand.” Queen Alannah then gasped. “Kiernan?”

  “Mother.”

  She spun back to Avery. “You brought a Dark Fae into the village? This is an even bigger misstep than allowing a human to cross our boundaries. What were you thinking?”

  Kiernan’s shoulders sunk. He stared at the floor.

  Selena pounded the table, knocking over her pots. “Alannah, this is your son.”

  The other Council members flinched at her anger. Meghan had never heard Selena raise her voice.

  Avery placed his hand on Kiernan’s shoulder. “I was thinking Kiernan is my brother and needed my help. Family members help one another, support each other, even if they do not always agree.”

  Queen Alannah was silent for a moment, her face etched with rage. After taking a deep breath, she looked around the room. “Well, this is an opportunity to gain important information about Killian’s plans. Be seated.”

  “Mother, there are more important things to be discussed first. We saw—”

  “Avery, as head of the Council, I will determine what is important.”

  “But—”

  “Be seated!”

  Kiernan didn’t move. Meghan took his hand and squeezed it softly, then guided him through the silence of the room to their seats.

  Alannah turned to Kiernan. “I understand that you met this human on an aeroplane. For what purpose did you leave London?”

  Kiernan was silent. Meghan wondered if he would respond to the interrogation.

  Finally, he answered in a tight, controlled voice. “Father was looking to expand his territory through a treaty with our Seattle kin.”

  Lines spread across Alannah’s forehead. “Expand his territory to the New World? Why would they possibly want to make a contract with him?”

  “Because Father holds the secret of how to tolerate the city toxins. He was willing to share that information in exchange for more power and more land.”

  “Was a treaty signed?” Orin asked.

  Kiernan shrugged. “They were considering it when I left. Since then, I haven’t held Father’s favor enough to be included in important business decisions.”

  “You missed the welcoming part of our meeting. My name is Cait.” The blue-winged Fae lowered her head in greeting. “The waters are muddy with details, and I find myself not understanding. You lost favor because you helped Meghan, correct?”

  Kiernan nodded. “Father didn’t know I helped with her escape, but he knew I refused to drain her when he demanded. He was furious I did not follow orders.”

  “Why not just drink from her?” Sirus growled.

  Kiernan stood. “The Fae have lived in harmony with nature for centuries. We aren’t meant to be predators! The survival of the Fae means nothing, if we are not true to our nature. There has to be another way to protect ourselves without preying on others.”

  “I do not see a Dark in these chambers,” Sirus stated.

  Queen Alannah studied Kiernan carefully. “What are your suggestions about protecting our race?”

  He raised his shoulders and met the eyes of the other Fae. “I have been thinking about alternatives, and I have an idea. There is only one Fae who can tolerate the toxins of the city, living ther
e without sickening and without drinking blood. One Fae who has kept his wings in the Underground, without them wilting or fading.”

  Avery’s eyes gleamed. “Wish.”

  Kiernan nodded. “If we can discover the secret of his immunity, we might find something the entire race of Fae can use to protect ourselves.”

  The Council members began to whisper amongst themselves, smiles forming.

  Alannah nodded thoughtfully. “Very clever. But will Wish share his secret willingly?”

  “That’s the problem. Wish has no idea why he is immune. We must research and explore to discover what makes him different from the other Fae.”

  “Why has Killian left Wish alone? It seems like something he would exploit.”

  “Father has been so focused on his Darwinist theories, so convinced that he already holds the key to the Fae’s survival, he forgets to keep his eyes open to other possibilities.”

  Queen Alannah glanced at Avery. “Your father was always narrow-minded. I can see that.”

  “And,” Kiernan continued, “Wish seems to have a bit more magic than we do. I have wondered if he puts out a glamour so that he isn’t noticed around Father.”

  Selena finally spoke. “Curious. I wonder—”

  At that moment, the doors to the council chamber were thrown open. Two Fae, still in their costumes of “Day” and “Night,” ran into the room.

  “What is the meaning of this interruption?” Alannah shouted.

  “S-sorry, your majesty,” Day said. “The village is in danger. Hundreds of Dark Fae are waiting just over the boundary line.”

  Night approached the Queen. “Lord Killian is there. He requested that we bring you this.”

  After handing her a scroll, the two Fae retreated from the chamber.

  Queen Alannah opened the scroll and read it silently. “Killian claims that we have broken the treaty by harboring his son. He has demanded that we return Kiernan to him, or he will attack the village.”

  Sirus cursed and growled. Orin and Selena bowed their heads together and began muttering rapidly. Swishing her bottles and jars, Cait stared into the depths of the water.