He disentangled his mind from the land, but not before giving it his gratitude. Then he headed for Pemberley House at a run.
Chapter 5
DarcyfoundFrederica,Roderick,and Jasper in the library, bent over a map of the estate spread out on a table. Roderick was shaking his head. “No, we tried that, too. Believe me, we have triedeverythingto force a High Fae to be visible, and nothing has worked.”
“There must be something!” Frederica said.
“It is here, in the house,” Darcy panted. “The land told me so.”
Jasper demanded, “Are you sure? Where is it?” His eyes were wide with excitement.
“The land could not tell me that, just that something was inside.”
Roderick nodded. “It cannot see well inside houses, especially modern ones like this. Not enough nature in them.” Then he went still, his eyes unfocused, just like Elizabeth's did when she was communicating with her dragon.
Frederica did the same, but she came back to herself first. “Quickthorn is on her way. She says we should not try to find it ourselves. They will sniff it out for us.”
Jasper already had a blade in his hand. He clearly had no intention of waiting. Instead he began to hunt along the walls, poking his sword into empty spaces and behind the satin curtains.
On the opposite side of the room, Frederica unlatched a window and pushed it open. Then she poked her head out the door and spoke tosomeone, likely a footman. “The dragons will be here soon to search the house. They will take the form of dogs. Kindly inform Mrs. Reynolds and ask her to spread the word that they are not to be impeded.”
“Yes, milady,” came the muffled response.
As Frederica stepped back into the library, she was followed by the one person he had not expected - Elizabeth.
What was she doing here? Darcy hurried to her side. “My love, should you not be resting? Pray permit me to escort you back upstairs.”
Her tempting lips took on a determined twist. “No. This is where I belong. I am a dragon companion, a mage, and the mistress of Pemberley. I should be part of whatever is happening.”
“But--”
“Yes, I know I just had a baby! A baby whom I must protect, and that means using my abilities. Youneedmy connection to Cerridwen, if nothing else.”
Frederica said quietly, “She is right, Darcy. It is slowing us down, having only two companions for three dragons.”
It went against every instinct in his body, the ones shouting that he had to keep her safe. He knew that look on her face, though, the one that said she had made up her mind. She had skills for this that he lacked.
Somehow he forced himself to swallow those protective instincts. Because she was right, and he was wrong. But all he could manage was a terse nod.
Frederica struggled not to laugh. “Do they think that is what dogs look like?” Frederica muttered under her breath.
Elizabeth whispered back, “When all this is over, I must have a discussion with Cerridwen about dogs.”
Frederica had to press her hand over her mouth to swallow a chuckle. “Why, I would say Quickthorn's dog is quite convincing. Apart from being sea-green, that is. At least they all have four legs, a tail, and a good nose.”
“Now I know why they prefer to stay with their falcon shapes!”
“I heard that,” Quickthorn said crossly, her words muffled by the strange muzzle shape. “It is too hard to fly through the house.”
The sea-green dog lowered her nose to sniff at the crack under yet another doorway. Her body stiffened, the fur on her neck standing up. She backed away from the door silently and trotted back to the others.He is in there, she sent to Frederica.
And apparently to Cerridwen, too, since she instantly turned from her own searches.
Frederica reached out to tap Jasper's arm and pointed to the room. His eyes lit up and he bounced on his toes. His sword was still hung from his right hand, but now he drew a long dagger with his left. “Wait,” she hissed.
Is there a window in that room?Quickthorn's sending had that odd echo which indicated it was going to others as well.
Beside her, Elizabeth nodded.
