Chapter 10

CHAPTER TEN

M erlin wasn't the least surprised when Eirianwen entered Bleddyn's quarters, her hand resting lightly in the crook of his arm. Bleddyn had ordered dinner to be served in the intimate dining room after a day of arguing and hatching plans.

Bloody faeries! Merlin was beginning to understand why his father stayed away for so long.

Arthur, Rosa, and Merlin had gone back to Bleddyn's room and stretched out on his lounges, helping themselves to his wine and whiskey. Even Arthur's perpetual good nature had been soured by a day of dealing with the Unseelie.

Rosa nudged the toe of her boot against Merlin's, her eyes subtly pointing to Eirianwen. Merlin shrugged fractionally. The way Bleddyn had reacted in the council was indicative enough that he was still protective of the woman he had once loved.

"I see you wasted no time in raiding my cellars," Bleddyn said. He filled a glass for himself and Eirianwen.

"Apologies, Bleddyn," Arthur mumbled. "You can't exactly blame us after today. Are they always talking themselves in knots like that?"

"It's a faerie special," Rosa told him. "They all have an eternity to argue themselves in circles and assume they are getting somewhere." Arthur laughed, and she joined in, telling him of the Vane meetings she'd attended in the past. Merlin watched the exchange, the worry he carried inside of himself eased ever so slightly. Rosa was gutted about Balthasar, but her spirit wasn't as broken as he feared. He knew that if that happened, the Wylt madness wouldn't be far behind.

Merlin had tried unsuccessfully to contact Nimue to see if she knew what was going on. He had stopped in the end, fearing whatever the queen had done to Balthasar she would also try on Nimue.

"How come I never see any servants, and yet food is always appearing? Does this place have a kitchen I can explore?" Rosa asked as they sat down at the table. Steaming soups, roasted meats, bread, cheeses, and fruits were all laid out and waiting for them.

"Traditionally, the Brùnaidh have always attended to the king's household," Eirianwen explained. "They wouldn't appreciate you trespassing in their kitchen."

" Brùnaidh …" Rosa rolled the word over her tongue.

"Brownies, Rhosyn." Merlin tore some bread up and dropped it into his soup. His appetite had almost been non-existent since crossing over into the Aos Si, but he was determined to eat to encourage Rosa to do the same.

"That makes sense in an Unseelie sort of way. I wouldn't have minded seeing a fae kitchen," Rosa said.

"You have bigger things to worry about, lass. Like how we are going to stay alive once Merlin offers us up to Gwyn ap Nudd as a tithe," Arthur said.

Eirianwen choked on the fruit she was eating and sent a horrified look at Bleddyn. "Please tell me he is joking."

"I did try to warn you that Merlin had a stupid plan," Bleddyn said.

"It's not stupid at all," Merlin argued stubbornly. "You know the stories better than anyone?—"

"Well, I don't," Rosa interrupted and turned to Bleddyn. "I want to know what is between the queen and Gwyn. Is it going to be worth poking the bear over?"

"Bear! More like a dragon. Gwyn is not a being to bargain or trifle with," Eirianwen exclaimed.

"I'll admit, I only know the rumors," Bleddyn said, sitting back and cradling his wine. "I was a child at the time. Even then, the stories were told from one end of the Unseelie to the other. The Autumn Queen was born of a Seelie noble family. Before she married the king and destroyed the Aos Si, she was the lover of Gwyn ap Nudd."

Rosa screwed up her face. "Gross. I'm surprised the king would marry her after being deflowered by the Lord of the Hunt."

"The fae don't possess the same hang-ups as humans when it comes to sexual orientation or virginity before marriage," Bleddyn replied with a slight smile.

"Sounds like experience to me. Were you guys up to no good before Bleddyn even proposed?" Rosa waggled her eyebrows at him. "Knew it."

Bleddyn grinned back."We were young, so you could hardly blame us."

"The fae are more concerned with bloodlines than anything else," Eirianwen added, the tips of her ears reddening. "You saw how Madoc reacted to me today. My grandmother was Seelie, my grandfather Unseelie. They thought it would be a positive step towards a more tolerant future. Both my parents are Unseelie, but there are some who like to bring up bloodline purity as if it's relevant."

"My wife was Irish, and it was much the same bullshit in the human world," Arthur said with a shake of his head.

"If the Autumn Slut was Gwyn's consort, how did she end up marrying the king? I would imagine it would've been a downgrade. The Lord of the Underworld isn't someone you just throw over for a crown," Rosa said with a frown.

"Well, she did," Eirianwen continued. "Her ambitious parents put pressure on her about it, and to become Queen of the Seelie must have appealed to her more than the Queen of the Hunt. It was always about power with her, and Gwyn wouldn't have shared as much of his magic as she would have liked. Some said that he did teach her forbidden dark magic, which is how she got the idea of her curse to begin with. Gwyn was so furious at being used that he brought the entire Wild Hunt to their wedding and openly cursed her."

"Epic," Rosa whispered.

"Indeed. It was where the Tithe was first established," Bleddyn continued. "Every seven years the Seelie royalty had to offer up one of their own people to the Lord of the Hunt. When the queen finally enacted her curse and killed the kings, she made sure that Gwyn couldn't enter the Seelie lands."

"Which is why my plan is brilliant and not stupid at all," Merlin stated. "Arthur, Rosa, and I will go to bargain with Gwyn and hopefully convince him to help us in exchange for the Wild Hunt being able to ride the Seelie lands once more."

"What if he wants to reinstate the Tithe, Merlin? We can't agree to sacrifice people," Rosa said.

"If he can ride the Seelie lands again, there will be no need of the Tithe. He'll be helping to restore the balance and freeing up the flow of magic. Something he will undoubtedly benefit from."

Eirianwen turned on him with narrowed eyes. "You are willing to let your children do something so reckless? They could die, Bleddyn."

"My children are old enough to make their own mistakes," Bleddyn replied. "Do I like it? No. Being a father isn't always agreeing with your children, but allowing them be free to make their own choices. If anyone could convince Gwyn, it is these three. If not, they will figure a way to get themselves out of trouble."

"Aw, thanks Dad," Merlin said with a smile.

"Besides, it doesn't matter what I think, they will find a way to go behind my back and do it anyway, so I might as well support and prepare them as best as I can. That's why I'm letting Rosa go. She will be able to charm Gwyn, and he will know that she too has been personally slighted by the queen."

"They've also met before, so he might hear her out," Merlin said sweetly.

Rosa shot dagger eyes at him. What the Hell, Merlin!

He shrugged. Bleddyn will find out anyway .

"You've met Gwyn? And he let you live?" Eirianwen demanded. "Bleddyn, did you know about this?"

"I had no idea. Rosa, is this true?" he asked.

"What Merlin has failed to mention is that I haven't met Gwyn. At least I don't remember if I have, but I did see him when I was little," Rosa admitted with a frown.

"Surely, not at Gwaed Lyn. I would've sensed his power?—"

"Remember that time I went to stay with Glenna in Wales?"

"But you wouldn't have been seven years old! How is it possible?" Bleddyn demanded.

"Glenna told me a story about him…and I thought I saw him that night in a storm. It could've been my imagination, but I swear it wasn't. He looked right at me. I thought he was going to come and let me ride Dormach," Rosa said awkwardly. "Honestly, I didn't even remember it until recently, but since you took the glamor off me, I've remembered all sorts of Wylt Witchy Woo that happened."

"Ride Dormach!" Eirianwen exclaimed, her horror turning to amusement, and she started to laugh. It was the first time Merlin had seen her so unguarded, the coldness momentarily melting.

"Well, I was seven. I didn't think I was big enough to ride a horse, but I didn't want to be left behind."

Eirianwen smiled at him. "No wonder you turned her, Bleddyn. She's recklessly brave like you used to be."

"I can't imagine Bleddyn being reckless. He's always been the stoic patriarch, ready to reign in his monsters," Arthur said with a mock salute.

"I'll tell you some stories sometime," Eirianwen replied with a wink.

"You will not," Bleddyn threatened. "Or if you do, please make sure you mention that you were the one encouraging me in my stupider escapades."

"I don't remember those details," Eirianwen said, batting her eyelashes innocently.

"How very convenient! I remember them well, my lady. The stories I could tell them about you would make Merlin's adventures seem positively tame."

"Then you had better not. I like my notoriety," Merlin said. He watched his father and Eirianwen teasing each other, and for a moment, he was reminded of what Bleddyn had been like when Merlin was a child. He had always been easier and carefree before Deryn's death. The more Merlin got to know Eirianwen, the more he could see why his father had loved her.

"I yield to your madness! Tell me what help I can give to you, Merlin," Eirianwen turned to him, humor still sparkling in her eyes.

"I need to know where the Tithe temple used to be in the Seelie lands so I can get Gwyn's attention," he said.

"I'm not sure about the Seelie side, but there is a temple devoted to him not far from here. That is if the queen's men haven't destroyed it. There were some that used to sacrifice to him before a hunt," she replied. "I can draw you a map."

"That would be perfect. I'm sure we'll be able to figure something out when we get there."

"If it's still there, there is a bell that when rung was meant to summon him," Bleddyn said."Perhaps that will be enough."

"Once the curse was enacted, the Autumn Queen forbade the worship of Gwyn, so I imagine hearing the tolling will be enough to make him curious enough to come," Eirianwen added.

"Perfect." Merlin stretched dramatically. "This has been fun, but Rhosyn, Arthur, and I need our beauty sleep if we are going to the Underworld tomorrow." Merlin shot Rosa a look, and she quickly put her wine down.

"Yes, absolutely. I'm tired. Very tired," Rosa said and got to her feet. She bent down to kiss Bleddyn's cheek. "I'll see you at breakfast."

"Sleep well, my Rosa," Bleddyn said.

Merlin bowed to Eirianwen, wishing her good night. Bleddyn's green eyes bored into Merlin. He wasn't buying their tired act at all.

What are you up to, Merlin? Bleddyn touched his mind curiously.

Merlin's golden eyes flickered once to Eirianwen. Don't hold back there, especially on my behalf. You have my blessing if you want it. You've grieved for Deryn long enough. She wouldn't have wanted you to be alone . Merlin patted his father's shoulder encouragingly on the way past. "We'll talk in the morning."

"Good night, Merlin."

Once alone, Eirianwen poured herself more of the rich dark wine. "Your son is so much like you that it's unnerving seeing you together."

"You think so? I have always thought he took after his mother more than me. He has that fiery, argumentative Celt side that I've had so much fun trying to temper over the years," Bleddyn said.

"He's very powerful. I don't think he understands the full extent of his own magic yet." Eirianwen's hand unconsciously went to the side of her stomach, where under her clothes it was ridged with scars. "I always knew you were going to make a good father."

"I tried to be. I still do." He ran a hand through his long dark hair. "Will you come for a walk with me? There is something I want to show you."

"Should I be concerned? I've had so many surprises tonight, I don't know if my heart could take another," she said.

He offered her his hand. "It's a good surprise, trust me."

They walked in companionable silence from the dining room and into the hallways of the royal chambers. Eirianwen's intuition prickled with awareness as he opened a set of double doors. She knew exactly where he was taking her, and her pulse jumped.

"I hope you aren't showing me your bedchambers because I have seen them before." Eirianwen raised a questioning eyebrow. "Many times."

"My intentions are honorable. I swear," Bleddyn said as they moved inside. "If I was going to invite you to my bedchamber for more nefarious activities, then I'd be much more charming and subtle about it."

"Time has definitely changed you then," she said, flashing him a knowing smile.

Guard yourself , she cautioned. It surprised her how much fun it still was to tease Bleddyn Seren Du. He's not going to stay, and you need to remember that .

True to his word, they walked through his chambers, down a small twisting staircase and out into an overgrown garden. Part of a cluster of the Night Court's branches opened to the starry sky.

"Unkempt night gardens—this is meant to be a surprise?"

"Patience, woman. You'll know the surprise when you see it." His hand tightened around hers. They ducked under tree branches and brambles, past broken statues and dry fountains. "Try not to make too much noise or you will frighten them."

They stopped on the mossy paving stones in front of a blooming starflower tree. Its branches were smooth and black as stone, but they were heavy with the white and silver seven-pointed blossoms.

Eirianwen opened her mouth, but Bleddyn was faster, his long, warm fingers pressing gently against her lips. He pointed at the tree, bending to whisper in her ear. "Just watch."

Eirianwen pressed her lips together, trying to remove the feel of him on them as they waited patiently. Bleddyn was still standing too close to her, the scent of him making buried memories of tangled, desperate embraces resurface to torment her.

After a minute of silence, gold light flickered amongst the branches. Her breath caught in her throat, unexpected emotion tightening her chest. Thousands of small dots of gold were appearing, hovering and dancing through the branches.

"The darkling pixies," Eirianwen whispered. "They've returned."

Bleddyn knelt down and scratched something into the dirt before placing his palm over it. Eirianwen let go of her breath as the familiar and intoxicating feel of his magic spread from his hand and out through the gardens. Every twig and leaf came to attention, and the gardens began to transform. The paths cleared as trees and branches, bushes and flowerbeds, re-arranged themselves.

Bleddyn's smile was bright and wide enough to show a touch of fang when he looked up at her. It was nothing like the small, sarcastic grins she had seen since they were reunited. This smile was of joy as all the flowers around them began to bloom at once. The darkling pixies swarmed around him, settling in his hair like tiny stars, all the while the whispering of their voices chattering at him.

He replied to them in a low hum, and they flew to Eirianwen, touching her face with their tiny fingers, dancing on the leather scales of her jacket and trailing lights on her hands.

Bleddyn was still on his knees, letting the small creatures greet him as Eirianwen took a step toward him. His smile faltered in surprise as she took his face in her glittering hands, overwhelmed by the moment. She had forgotten how hot his skin always was, her fingers tracing his cheeks of their own accord. His hands drifted up to touch her arms leaving trails of heat before tangling in the long ends of her hair. He angled his head and very slowly kissed the inside of her wrist, inhaling her scent. It was enough to snap her out of the moment.

Eirianwen broke off the embrace, equal parts horrified and embarrassed as she let go of his face.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean—" she stammered.

The pixies around her scattered at the sudden change in her energy. She backed quickly out of his reach.

"Don't go. It's fine," Bleddyn said, green eyes confused.

"No, it's not. I can't. Not again." Cursing her cowardice, Eirianwen turned and ran. She heard him call for her, but she didn't stop, hoping he wouldn't follow her.

Back in the safety of her mansion, Eirianwen stripped off her cloak and sword, dropping her clothes and heading for the bathroom. She bit her tongue until she tasted blood, determined not to let the scream inside of her erupt. Her magic whipped around her, filling the tub with steaming hot water.

Standing naked and angry in front of the polished mirror, she could see every single scar on her pale body. There were matching ones made from arrows—on her forearms, biceps, shoulders, and the tops of her thighs where the queen's guards had pinned her down with deadly arrows. Her hand rested on the long gash made from a spear that had pierced through her abdomen to come out the other side of her back. It had killed her.

Bran was the one who had found her, determined to defy the queen and give her a proper burial. Eirianwen had awoken in a cave, a place hidden to everyone but Bran. It had taken months for her to heal and regain consciousness. In that time, everyone thought she was dead, including Bleddyn. Only Eirianwen and Bran knew how she was resurrected, and about the lasting physical and psychological damage that dark magic had wrought in her. Bánánach —not dead, not fully alive.

Eirianwen climbed into the boiling hot water, letting it scorch away the smell of Bleddyn from where they had touched.

Rosa had asked why Eirianwen had never gone after Bleddyn, searched for him in the real world. The reason was she wouldn't be able to live with the hurt and betrayal on his face when he learned the truth of all that had happened. He was smart, too smart, and the more time she spent with him, the more the old hurts would bubble to the surface. It wouldn't take him long to know she was hiding something from him.

By the gods, she wanted to tell him everything, but she couldn't anticipate his reaction. They needed Merlin to get to Gwyn, and she wouldn't compromise that mission for the sake of finally letting go of her burdens.

Eirianwen had made the situation infinitely worse by touching him tonight. It had been possessive, and he had known it. Bleddyn had remembered her love of darkling pixies, even after thousands of years, and had wanted to share their return with her. She had been seconds from kissing him, and for one moment, it was as if her world had aligned before shattering to pieces once more.

"You fucking fool," she muttered before she sank under the water.