“If you’re heavily outnumbered and things aren’t safe for you on Tenebris anymore, why not come back home? Harcourt Manor is big enough for all of us, Eloise, and the heat is officially off you from everything that went down with Tony and his goons. As far as the police are concerned, you’d put the house up for sale and were living in New York for months before the shootout on your lawn happened.”
“You managed that?”
“Easy enough with a little magic. Anyway, there’s no reason you can’t move back, especially now that you’re a shade.”
I sit back down on my grandmother’s old sofa and fold my hands. “Despite everything, I don’t want to.”
“Why not?”
“Damien is the rightful king of Stygarde, and I am the rightful queen. Our people need us.”
“His people.”
“Our people. I’m not from there, but I see how they’re being treated. An entire world at the mercy of a spoiled brat and his evil wife. And if I’m being honest, I have a vendetta to settle with her father as well. I will not give up, and I will not allow Damien to either, not to those evil bastards.”
She sighs and folds her tattooed arms. She’s wearing a sleeveless purple mock turtleneck with a full skirt sporting a pattern of purple Scottie dogs. So Maeve. “What will you do if you don’t have the soldiers necessary to win this war?”
I study my fingers. Damn, I need a manicure. “I have to find more support. There’s no other way.” I lift an eyebrow. “I don’t suppose the Gowdie family would help us?”
“Will the Gowdie witches help a family of shades? That would be the day.” She snorts. “But you knowI’llhelp you when the time comes. As long as you can open a portal for me to get there, my magic is yours.” She drums her fingers on her biceps. “I’m more powerful than I look, but unfortunately, I can’t replace thousands of men.”
I squeeze her hand, so thankful for her friendship, itbrings me to tears. “Why were you trying to reach me anyway?”
She blows out a breath, her red lips spreading into an uncharacteristically wide smile. “I asked Ren to marry me, and she said yes.”
“What?”
“We’re getting married!”
“You are?” I squeal, remembering all that Ren did for me when I was in Night Haven. If there were ever a person who was as close to a best friend as Maeve is to me, it is Ren. “I can’t believe how lucky I am to have both of you together!”
“I wish she could be here. Hard to cast two people into a dream. She has to wake me up if I stay in too long.”
“Right, of course.”
“Anyway, the wedding is in a week. We both want you there. Do you think you can make it? We’re going to tie the knot at the old sawmill.”
I glance down at my teacup and notice it’s almost empty. We’re running out of time. “If I’m still breathing and we’re not actively at war, I’ll be there.”
Maeve frowns. “My goddess, you’re serious.”
“Unfortunately, yes.”
A hint of anger bleeds into her expression. “You know who you should ask to help you? Cassius and Morpheus. It’s their fucking world.”
I narrow my eyes. “That’s actually a great idea. I’m the key. I can bring them to Tenebris if they’re willing to fight.”
“Sounds like a nice side trip for you…after you come for the wedding.” She laughs.
I glance down at the ring of tea at the bottom of my cup. “I love you, Maeve. Congratulations.”
“I love you t?—”
I wake in the tiny cottage, tucked into Damien’s side, and blink as my brain processes that I did, in fact, see my friend tonight. That was no ordinary dream.
And Maeve’s suggestion is the best idea I’ve heard in a long time.
18
