Chapter Twenty-One

A few hours later, after another round of lovemaking in the garden and several plates of food at the spiral table, the visit was coming to an end. We led the humans out to the courtyard where the citadel knights began to organize them into formation for the walk back to the rath.

Saying goodbye to Azrael without telling him what was going on felt wrong. It must have shown on my face because after he pulled back from my farewell hug, he asked me what was wrong.

“Tell me,” Azrael said. “I know something is troubling you. I saw it when I first arrived and now Im seeing it again.”

Without thinking, I echoed the words he had used when I asked him about this trip. “Youll find out soon enough.”

Azrael frowned. “Vervain.”

“Its fine, Az.” I kissed his cheek. “Ill see you at home.”

“But that you is your past, isnt it?”

I nodded. “The time is about to catch up.”

Az bowed his head and lifted his wings to give us some privacy. “Carus, whats happened?”

“I cant tell you. You know that I cant. But it will be all right. I love you, Az.” I kissed him, putting that love into our kiss. “Today was incredible. Thank you for that.”

He snorted and lowered his wings. “It went well in many ways.” After glancing at the massive group waiting for him to lead them back through the rath, he said, “I trust you.” Then he nodded at Arach. “Farewell, lizard.”

“Safe travels, mutant,” Arach said.

I shook my head as the Faerie God walked away. The crowd parted for him, and he went to the front of the line, but with his golden antlers, I never lost sight of him. He towered over the humans, a fantasy man leading them through a fantasy world. I wondered what the humans were thinking. It made me think of my first time in Faerie, but I hadnt been purely human then. And I hadnt been expected either. My reception was far different from theirs.

“I think that went well,” the High King said as he stepped up beside Arach and me.

“It did,” I agreed. “And, hopefully, that will make things easier on the faeries who choose to visit Earth.”

King Cian stared after the heads of state. “These are wondrous times, Queen Vervain. Simply wondrous.”

“And cold,” Lugh said. “Lets go back inside.”

“Wimp,” I teased him. “And we cant. We have to get back to our children.”

Lugh sent Isleen a lecherous look.

“Do not say it,” Isleen warned him.

“Aw, but my love. Dont you want to hold our child in your arms?”

“Nope. Not yet, I dont.” With that, she walked away.

“Isleen!” Lugh raced after her.

It looked as if both Spirit and Earth would have to wait a bit longer to hear the pitter-patter of little feet.

“Theyll work it out,” King Cian said to us confidently. “Farewell, Fire Royals.”

“Farewell, High Royals,” I said.

Arach just grunted and nodded to the High King and Queen before he led me to our carriage.

Our escort was waiting for us with the royal carriage, several of them shifted into their horse forms to pull the thing. A final phooka remained in his man form. He was up in the drivers seat, reins in hand. Around the carriage, a unit of Red Caps stood. One of them opened the carriage door for us.

I thanked him as I got inside, then Arach climbed in, and a few moments later, we were rolling out of the courtyard, on our way back to Castle Aithinne.

“Well, its not the Earth Royals,” I said.

“Youre certain?” Arach asked.

“Absolutely.” I grimaced. “Well, ninety-nine percent.”

“Well lay in wait at the Great Tree. Just one more day to get through, A Thaisce. And then well catch the trickster.”

“The Great Tree,” I murmured, my stare drifting out through the window. Then I bolted upright. “What if they come through the Imleag rath?”

Arach blinked. “I hadnt considered that.”

Post your guards on the expected day, and I will watch the realm, Faerie said. If someone comes through at either location, I will notify you immediately, and you will know where to go to catch the trickster.

“Thank you, Faerie,” Arach said.

“My timelines will align tomorrow. So, if they do show up the day after, I can return to the God Realm without using my ring.”

“And I will go with you.”

“Arach.”

“You will recall our agreement, Vervain.”

“This isnt a battle.”

“Not yet. But it may end as one. Im going with you, and afterward, I shall use my ring to return to the Faerie Realm. I wont lose any time with our children.”

“All right.”

“We will catch this trickster and find Viper,” he vowed.

“Yes, we will,” I said softly, my thoughts settling on Viper. He hadnt been taken yet, but for me, he had, and every second of my doing nothing about it was torture. My stomach was in knots and my muscles kept clenching as if preparing for action.

Arach laid his hand on mine. “He will be fine, A Thaisce. For him, his capture will last mere minutes.”

“For me, it will be days.”

“I know just the thing to take your mind off it.”

“Arach, Im not in the mood to have sex.”

Arach grimaced at me. “Why do you always assume I want sex?”

I gave him the look that deserved before saying, “Because you always want sex.”

“Yes, all right. But in this particular instance, I was going to suggest a flight with our children.”

“Samara,” I whispered.

“Yes, Samara.” He pulled me in against his side. “We can take her on her first flight across the kingdom.” He leaned in to nuzzle me. “And perhaps a nice soak in the hot springs while the children play in the Tine.”

“And sex?”

“Well, if the children are distracted . . .”

“Yup, there he is, my randy dragon.”

“Is that a yes?” Arach grinned.

I chuckled. “Thats a well see.”

“Wonderful! Well head out after breakfast tomorrow.”