Chapter 20

Ivy sat back against the couch with her mead once it was poured, taking the opportunity to settle her nerves. The drink was absolutely delicious, and she could tell why it was Maggies favorite at once… the warm bite of the alcohol tempered by the sweetness of the honey, with the lingering aftertaste of sweet spices to savor as the burn faded. She sipped it as slowly as she could, torn between wanting to enjoy it and wanting to keep a clear head. Maggie wasnt subjecting herself to any of the same restrictions, Ivy noticed with amusement — the little old woman went through shot after shot of the mead in short order, and she could see that her mood was lifting as she drank and peppered Edward with questions about the goings-on in the area.

Ivys eyes strayed occasionally back to Darter, who was nibbling his way through his own share of the shortbread with his little legs swinging back and forth on the chair. Now that her initial shock had eased, she was getting a better sense of him… something told her that despite his slightly fierce appearance, he was younger than he seemed. The way he looked attentively up at Maggie when she spoke to him, the surreptitious way he helped himself to the shortbread, the twitching of his furry ears… Darter Hob was just a kid, she realized, fighting the urge to laugh. Shed been so frightened when shed first seen him.

And you, Ivy, Maggie said suddenly, leaning forward to pin her against her seat with that gimlet gaze. How are you finding your new home, courtesy of our mutual friends?

The Sidhe? Ivy asked.

Maggie gave her a short nod.

Its — wonderful. Im incredibly grateful to them for saving my life.

Beats being dead, as one of your fellow travelers put it, Maggie said with a grin. You like it here? Not still hoping youll wake up in your own bed if you pinch yourself hard enough?

The Kelpie pinched me hard enough for that, I think, Ivy said drily, pleased to win another cackle of approval from Maggie. She very much wanted the strange old woman to like her — not that she had the first idea of how to go about making that happen. But — yes, its an adjustment, but Im finding a place here. Finding ways to make myself useful, I hope.

Maggie hummed thoughtfully. The Sidhe know who needs to be where. Theyre clever like that. Daft in plenty of other ways, of course, she added… and the way Darter covered his face with his hands when she said it made Ivy giggle. But you didnt hear that from me.

Youve been visiting the Court, is that right? Edward leaned forward; his expression serious. I wanted to ask you something.

I thought you might. Maggies smile didnt fade, but Ivy found herself worrying about the hard glint in her eyes. Ask, then, if you must.

Edward took a deep breath, looking suddenly uncertain… and Ivy put her hand on his, hoping to offer some support. Im wondering if you heard any news, while you were there, of… a child.

Youll need to be more specific, Maggie said, her voice deceptively light.

Suddenly, Ivy could see why Edward had been so nervous when this trip was suggested. So little had changed, and yet it suddenly felt like they were walking on a tightrope. Hadnt Maggie promised that there would be no tricks, no offense taken? Ivy found herself holding her breath.

The Fae take children, sometimes, Edward said hesitantly. From the human world, I mean. I wonder if … you heard of anything similar happening, while you were there. A few months ago.

Edward, I thought better of you. The soft disappointment in Maggies voice didnt quite hide the knives under it. For as long as Ive lived, Ive run into foolish mortals who blame the Fae for everything that goes wrong in their lives. Crops not growing? Herds thinning? Unfaithful husband? Disobedient child? The Fae must have done it.

Maggie, I intended no offense?—

Then you ought to have thought better of your question, Maggie snapped. The Sidhe take children from their homes, this is true. They do this rarely, and they do it only when the child is at risk of death or worse. Abused children, neglected children, children who are living no lives at all. Those are the children who are stolen away, you understand?

Darter Hob had shrunk down into his seat, both of his ears lying flat against his head and his little face buried in his hands. Ivy knew how he felt. Maggie hadnt so much as moved from her chair, but it felt as though she was towering over all three of them, her voice filling every crack and crevice in the cottage as though she was booming at the top of her voice, though her tone hadnt changed.

I understand, Edward said softly. Truly, I do, Maggie. Ive been ordered to investigate a missing child, one whose parents think hes been taken by the Fae?—

And? Maggie demanded. You thought youd come and check whether your allies had kidnapped a child from you? Was the child in danger, from these parents? Was it neglected, was it abused?

No. No, the boy was much wanted, much loved?—

Then the Sidhe would have no interest in kidnapping him. Maggies breath hissed between her teeth; scorn vivid on her face. Stealing children, my word. As if theres not quite enough to be getting on with. There have been no children stolen, Master Grant. Theres been no reason to do so. You mind that that remains the truth.

I knew it, Ivy said softly, squeezing Edwards hand gently in hers — she could feel him trembling a little at the force of Maggies rebuke, but the woman seemed to be subsiding a little now that shed spoken her piece. I knew he wasnt a Changeling.

Maggie scoffed at the word. A Changeling, hm? Thats what the parents believe? You Grants ought to know better.

Hes a Gilroy, not a Grant, Edward explained, shaking his head ruefully. His parents are convinced that their true child was taken, that the baby still with them is a Fae trick.

That drew a high, uneasy giggle from Darter — who quickly covered his mouth with his hands, murmuring an apology. Its just— He hesitated, but Maggie waved him on. Before I lived here with Maggie, I spent time with a band of Redcaps. Goblins, he explained, glancing at Ivy. A different kind of goblin to me.

Much less fetching, Edward said, and Darter returned his smile with a broad, toothy one of his own.

When the Fae take children away… its usually a Redcap baby they leave in their place. Darter swallowed. And — well, there would be no confusing a Redcap for a human child, thats all. He gestured to his furry ears. Think of me, but red and angry-looking.

Definitely didnt see any teeth or claws on Colin, did you? Ivy glanced at Edward, who managed a smile.

Im sick half to death of mortals blaming the Fae whenever theres something less than perfect in their little lives, Maggie grumbled, stuffing a fistful of shortbread into her mouth. A child is hurt? The Fae. A child is disabled, or sick, or different? The Fae. Take some blasted responsibility, she muttered, gesturing irritably in the direction of the Keep.

Its frustrating, Ivy agreed, glancing between Maggie and Edward. Weve said as much to the boys parents. I … in my time, I was a specialist in a certain condition that can cause the kinds of symptoms that the baby has. I dont think the Fae were involved at all. But its difficult to make the parents accept that.

You want to prove the childs human? Maggie looked disinterested. Give it an iron horseshoe to suck on.

Iron? Ivy blinked, thrown by the non sequitur. But the full-body shudder that ran through Darter quickly drew her attention. Whats wrong, Darter?

You dont know about iron? His eyes were enormous. To the Fae, iron is… cold death. Carefully, he lifted both of his hands, showing them to Ivy. Shed noticed that one of his arms was smaller than the other, but the way he angled his body had made it difficult to see much more than that. Now, she could see the extent of his injury — one of his arms was withered and shrunken, as though it had been burned terribly in a fire. This is what iron does to us.

Like I said, Maggie said irritably. You want proof the childs not a Changeling, give it a horseshoe. No need to bother me over the matter.

Im sorry, Maggie, Edward said softly, leaning forward again with a look of sincere regret in his eyes. It was rude of me to even ask you.

She huffed; arms folded across her chest… but Ivy felt the tension drain out of the room regardless. Oh, Im used to it by now. Youre not the first rude human Ive met, and you wont be the last. Her eyes twinkled, just a little. Its a good thing you brought two bottles, though. My throats parched after all that yelling.

They spent the rest of the afternoon speaking of lighter matters and finishing off the mead — the lions share, of course, taken by the still brooding Maggie. But Ivy couldnt stop thinking about what the old woman had suggested. Could it really be that simple? Touch the baby with iron, to prove he wasnt a Fae creature? It seemed almost too good to be true.

But then again, convincing the parents their child was human was only going to be the start of the fight.