30. Finnian

THIRTY

FINNIAN

The vast expanse of Joshua Tree is a rugged landscape that feels like the edge of the world, and where we’re going, it actually is.

Before leaving Vegas, we stopped for changes of clothes and supplies, then Dmitri, Connor, and Conall hopped into my Range Rover with me and Taryn. The drive is a quiet one, filled with the weight of unspoken thoughts and the steady hum of the engine.

Since leaving the desert where we honored Garyth, Taryn has been understandably somber. I’ve never felt as helpless as when I stood with her in front of the pyre, watching the smoke and ash spiral into the night sky as she said her final goodbyes.

I wish like hell I could’ve spared her that pain. She’s lost so much already in her lifetime, and although her relationship with her mother is a complicated one, I know losing her too would destroy Taryn. I can’t change what happened to Garyth, but I will do whatever it takes to make sure Aine doesn’t face the same fate, and so will Taryn.

As the last of the flames died down, I could feel her channeling her anguish into a renewed desire for retribution, compartmentalizing the loss to focus on the mission ahead. After we take Edevane down and save Faerie, there will be plenty of time for her to process everything, and I’ll be there for her when she does.

The tentative bond we’ve shared since I first held her Armas grew in strength when I drank from her at the penthouse. Then, when she drank from me as we sat alone on that rock, the bond surged with our combined powers, and its strength hasn’t diminished. In that moment, I felt my essence coursing through her just as I feel hers within me.

Any doubts I had have been completely erased. My connection with Taryn is profound and undeniable, and I believe in what my grandmother was trying to tell me all along in her letter. That Taryn and I were destined for each other.

“There it is,” she says.

I pull the Rover to a stop just as the sun begins to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the arid terrain. The desert air is cool against our skin, and I wonder how the air in Faerie will feel once we pass through the veil. After a lifetime of dreaming of this moment, it’s hard to believe I’m about to find out. That the experience will be tainted by the reason for which it happens only serves to fuel my hatred for Edevane all the more.

The others join us in front of the truck, their faces set with grim determination. We’re each dressed in black boots, combat pants, and T-shirts and have packs with lightweight sleeping bags and food provisions. We’re as ready as we can be for a place four of us know nothing about and the fifth hasn’t seen in about five hundred years.

“Connor, Conall,” I say. “Keep your eyes peeled in case Edevane left us a welcoming party. I don’t sense anything, but that doesn’t mean much when he has Taryn’s powers.”

“Copy that,” they say together and post up.

Now that we know Edevane knows how to use the spear, we’re all too aware that we’re at a painful disadvantage as a mere party of five. Unfortunately, neither of my brothers are in positions to join us, and Taryn wouldn’t have enough blood to spare to allow the Night Watch to cross the veil with us. The twins already drank what we collected last night, so we should all be good to go.

“All right, everyone, our plan is simple. Taryn says this portal will take us to the center where all six regions meet. As soon as we’re through, we head in the direction of Tír Tairngire and get to the Summer Palace to warn Aine of what’s coming. Then we work together to stop Edevane.”

Taryn swings her pack onto her shoulder. “Providing she doesn’t throw us into the dungeon just for trespassing. And, yes, she actually does have one.”

Conall snorts. “Don’t tell Tier, he’ll have dungeon-envy.”

“One hurdle at a time, guys. First, we need to see if the veil even allows us to cross. If not,” I say regretfully, “Taryn and Dmitri will have to go on alone.”

Dmitri picks his pack up from the ground, his bogatyr swords sheathed at his hips. “Then let us find out now. I am anxious for battle.”

“Let’s go,” Taryn says and leads the way.

We move towards a particular cluster of rocks, where the air seems to shimmer with an otherworldly light. This is where the veil between the human world and Faerie is thinnest, a hidden gateway for those who know how to find it. Taryn pauses, her hand gripping mine tightly. I can feel the tension in her, the mix of grief and resolve that drives her forward.

“This is it?” Dmitri asks. “We go through here?”

Taryn nods, her eyes fixed on the shimmering light. “We have to be ready for anything.”

Conall studies the portal. “Without knowing if three of us can cross, I don’t know what the best order to go through is.”

“I do,” Connor says. “It’s wide enough for three of us, so me, Conall, and Dmitri go through together. If it doesn’t let my brother and I through, Dmitri is still on the other side to greet whatever’s there before you go in, Taryn. If all three of us get through, then we’ll at least get a jump on anything before the two of you join us.”

Dmitri nods, unsheathing his swords. “This is a good plan.”

As our best security strategist, I’m inclined to follow Connor’s suggestion. I’m also used to the Woulfes insisting on protecting me and my brothers on a regular basis, so I’m not fazed by it either. But Taryn’s pride takes immediate offense.

“I appreciate your concern, Connor, but I don’t need anyone’s protection. I’ll go through first. I still hold royal status, so if I encounter anyone from the Elemental Courts, they’ll respect that, and if it’s anyone else, I can take care of myself.”

“I don’t doubt that for a second, Your Highness,” Connor says, using her title to show her proper respect and deference. “However, I have to disagree. Out of all of us, you’re the most important as you have the best chance of getting through to your mother. I’m not suggesting you not fight if we encounter a battle. I’m simply suggesting that if we’re able to lessen the chances for you getting in harm’s way, we take the steps to do so.”

Taryn shifts her weight as she contemplates his argument. Then she looks up at me and says, “I can’t argue with that, can I?”

A huge smile breaks out on my face. “No, you can’t. But if it makes you feel any better, he’s been emasculating me like that for decades.”

“It does a bit, yeah.” I chuckle as she turns her attention back to Connor. “Okay, fine, we’ll do it your way. But now I’m hoping it bounces you back on your ass.”

Connor winks. “That’s fair. Come on guys, line up.”

All three males stand in front of the portal, packs on and swords at the ready, as Taryn said modern weapons like guns won’t work over there.

Conall jumps on the balls of his feet, the adrenaline too much for him to stand still. “All right, boys, let’s do this. On the count of three. One, two?—”

They step forward and disappear, the landscape behind the portal suddenly visible once again. “Holy shit, it worked,” I say, excitement making my heart pound in my chest. “They’re through.”

“I guess this is it, then.”

The tone of her voice is off and immediately has me checking in with her. Turning her to face me, I frame her face in my hands. “You okay?”

“Yeah, just a little nervous. It’s been so long, and with what I did before I left…”

She swallows hard, and I feel her fighting back the fear of how she’ll be received, not only by her mother but by her people. What happened that tragic day was an accident; one Taryn needs to forgive herself for. But that’s not anything she hasn’t heard before, and it’s not going to help her by saying it now.

“Whatever happens, I’ll be right by your side, and we’ll deal with it together. You, me, and the knuckleheads we brought with us. Sound good?”

Letting out a soft laugh, she pops up on her toes while pulling my head down to give me a quick kiss. “Sounds good.”

She gives me a grateful smile and pulls her short swords from the cross sheath beneath her pack, then I do the same. A rush of adrenaline hits me the same as it does right before a UFCO fight. We nod at each other and step forward into the shimmering circle together.

It feels like walking through a curtain of mist, the air charged with a palpable energy as the boundaries between worlds start to blur, and then we emerge on the other side.

All three males are turning around as though they themselves just stepped through, even though we were at least five minutes behind them. In a glance, it’s clear there’s no one waiting for us, and no one around to question our arrival.

Conall frowns in disappointment. “Well, that was anti-climactic.”

His brother gives him a droll look. “That’s what we want, numb-nuts.”

“Speak for yourself,” Conall says, sheathing his swords. “This place is pretty sick, though, am I right?”

We stop and take in our surroundings, and it’s so much more beautiful than the books and family legends described. There’s a resemblance to the lush landscape of Ireland with rolling hills blanketed in green grass and dotted in thick copses of trees; things that appear normal, yet extra somehow. Like the realm was designed by Queer Eye using only the most vibrant of colors with dashes of sparkles.

The sky is spectacular, painted in varying hues of purple that slowly whirl and blend, as though the artist is never satisfied with the result. I breathe in deeply, my lungs filling with air that smells faintly of whimsy, like dreams and wonder and infinite possibilities. And not too far in the distance, a majestic waterfall cascades from thin air, flowing into a pool of crystal blue that sparkles like liquid sapphires under a brilliant white sun.

My senses feel even more heightened here, the connection to my newfound magic more noticeable. But most of all, there’s an overwhelming feeling of being home . My chest tightens with emotions I wasn’t ready for. Despite living my entire life in Vegas with my family, the only other time I felt something even close to this was when I laid eyes on Taryn for the first time.

Wrapping an arm around her waist, I pull her into my side and dip my chin to place a kiss on top of her curls. She responds by tipping her head back to peer up at me, those lavender pools shining with her own mix of complex emotions.

Offering her the only reprieve I can, I give her a mission to focus on. “Lead the way, solnyshko .”

The determination burning inside her returns. Setting her jaw, she points in the direction past the waterfall. “Tír Tairngire is this way.”

Connor adjusts the straps on his shoulders and says, “Okay, listen up. We move as a group with me and Conall out front, then the royals, and Dmitri’s on their six. Agreed?”

We all reply in the affirmative. Conall nods, his usual happy-go-lucky demeanor hardening for the job at hand as he fist bumps his brother, adding, “Everyone stay sharp. Let’s move out.”

As we trek forward, I stay close to Taryn, keeping her in my peripheral at all times as I scan our surroundings. Since Faerie is so vast, it would take weeks to cross it on foot. Not an issue for the winged fae who live here, but according to Taryn, back when the realm was still mortal-friendly, humans used portals to magically travel from one region to another. Since the guys and I can’t fly, using the portal to get to the Summer Palace is our only option.

We walk for several hours—or that’s what I assume since our cell phones and other modern technology is useless here—only pausing to refill our canteens as needed.

“Shouldn’t be much farther,” Taryn says at my side. Her voice is steady, but I sense something is off.

“What’s wrong?” I ask.

She scans the dark purple sky dotted with the first stars of twilight and shakes her head. “Aine should have sensed my arrival and sent scouts to collect me by now. We never should have made it this far.”

Dmitri speaks from behind us. “Maybe it is a test, sestra . Maybe she is waiting to see what you will do after all this time away.”

“I think that’s what I’d do in her position,” I say.

“Yeah, you’re probably right.”

Her words are convincing, but the way she chews on the inside of her cheek says something else. I don’t bring it up, though, content to let her play it off as long as we don’t appear to be in any danger.

Shortly after, the purple sky is so dark it’s almost black. The thin crescent of the silver moon and blanket of tiny stars doesn’t give us enough light to see by, so Taryn used her fire magic to create flames that float along with us like lanterns.

Finally, Taryn points to something off in the distance. “There it is. The region portal for the Summer Palace.”

“Whoa,” Conall whispers, the word drawn out in awe, and it’s for a damn good reason.

Suspended above a field of sleeping flame lilies is a small cave-like mound surrounded by thousands of lightning bugs blinking lazily in the darkness.

Conall lets out a low whistle. “This place is unreal. I fucking love Vegas, man, but I’m strongly considering buying a second home here.”

Connor snorts. “You don’t own a first home, genius. We live on the Midnight Manor estate, free of charge. Not to mention we have a little thing called a duty to protect our king and queen. Wherever they are, so are we.”

“No problem. Once Fi sees this place, she’ll want a vacation home here, then we’ll get to tag along. Same difference,” Conall says with a shrug.

“Guys,” I say, stopping things before it devolves into fur flying. “Let’s focus on making sure Faerie is still around before anyone starts shopping for summer homes. Copy?”

In unison, they say, “Copy, boss.” Connor shoots his brother a smug look, which is answered by Conall extending his middle finger. I’d give them shit about immaturity, but it would make me a hypocrite since it’s no different than what my brothers and I do with each other.

Once we reach the portal, we stare up at it, speechless. It’s floating approximately thirty feet in the air with wispy fog undulating around the base like rolling swells on the ocean. The cave is covered in some kind of flowering moss, the delicate blooms a lavender that matches the eye color of the Fire Fae.

“Ow, shit .” Conall sucks on the tip of his finger and then shakes it out. “Spoiler alert, don’t touch the lightning bugs here. They fucking bite.”

Taryn chuckles. “That’s because they’re Ember Pixies, and they’ve got a mean streak. I definitely suggest a ‘look, don’t touch’ approach with them. They live in the hearth moss that grows on the stones.”

One of them breaks from the swarm above and flies down to hover a few inches in front of my face. Taking Taryn’s advice, I keep my hands where they are and let it study me as I do the same. She’s no more than an inch tall with tiny, pointed wings that flutter quickly, and her entire body glows in slow pulses just like an ember from a fire.

She cocks her head to the side as though trying to determine something. I have no idea if she would understand me if I spoke, so I use the universal form of respect and bow my head. When I lift it again, she appears satisfied with my gesture, flying up to rejoin the others.

“Well played, Your Highness,” Taryn says with a smile. “Your diplomacy just ensured we won’t wake up to any nasty tricks being played on us while we sleep.”

“We’re sleeping here? I thought we were going through the portal.”

“We can’t,” Taryn says, dropping her pack to the ground. “Not until morning. The portals were designed so that humans could only travel during the day so it was easier to keep track of them. Once the sun rises, steps will appear.”

“Perfect,” Connor says, dropping his pack of supplies on the ground. “Gives us time to go for a run after we set up camp, brother.”

Conall nods. “Good call. We can do a perimeter check and let the wolves out so we’re in peak condition for tomorrow.”

Before long, we all have our sleeping bags rolled out around a modest fire. We eat what little we brought with us, and Taryn decides to conjure a privacy shield around our camp in case the Ember Pixies feel feisty later. Though it isn’t visible, it acts like a two-way mirror—we can see and get out but they can’t see or get in—which made us all feel better about the prospect of sleeping under them later.

“Hey, Finn,” Connor says as he and his brother get ready to go for their run. “When we went back to the high roller room to collect Garyth, I found this.” He pulls a small leather journal out of his pack and hands it to me. “It was peeking out from the bottom of the broken case. It looks like your grandmother’s seal on the cover.”

“It is. It matches the one that was on her letter.” I trace the branded emblem on the worn, brown leather. Similar to when I first held Taryn’s Armas, I swear I can feel my grandmother’s energy ghosting over the tips of my fingers.

“I meant to give it to you earlier, but…” He pauses, glancing at where Taryn is talking with her brother. “I didn’t want to interrupt you from other things.”

“Thank you, Connor,” I say with heartfelt gratitude. “For this, and for being a great friend.”

He claps me on the shoulder, then walks over to where his brother is waiting. They shift into their massive, rust-red wolf forms and take off at a sprint, communicating telepathically to move as a single unit across the dark field.

Dmitri stands and surveys the area. “I think I will explore too. For a couple of hours and well out of earshot, for anyone who cares to know.”

He’s gone before the blush of embarrassment hits Taryn’s cheeks. “Well, that wasn’t awkward at all.”

I chuckle and draw her against me, dipping my head to bury my nose in her soft curls. “Awkward, maybe. But it’s also helpful information. Because suddenly it feels like weeks since I’ve felt you wrapped around me,” I say, my voice pitching low with my growing need for her.

Tipping her face up to me, she grins impishly. “We’ve only known each other a few days, and I’ve been wrapped around you all of once .”

“Both of which are godsdamned tragedies.” My fingers burrow into her hair as I start to close the distance between her mouth and mine. But before I get there, she places a finger to my lips.

Peering up at me through her long lashes, she says, “Then allow me to rectify one of those tragedies… sire .”

Then she lowers to her knees in front of me.