Lucien sat back. “I spent what felt like two days on the island, though when I returned to Malovia, two years had passed. As in all places in Edinmyre, time moves differently there. My parents, at the time, were none the wiser, as the changeling had taken my place.”
“Do you have any idea how we get to the island?” Arthur asked.
“There is a problem,” Lucien said grimly. “The island of the Spring Princess is always vanishing and reappearing. It is never always in the same place for long, moving across the ocean in Edinmyre’s waters. Even if I were to take you to where I believe the island was when I was on it, I do not believe it would be in the same spot again.”
“Could I make a portal to it if you describe it to me, since you’ve already been there?” I asked.
Lucien shook his head. “I do not think so. Nor do I think we could meditate ourselves to it, as one can meditate their spirit to any other part of Edinmyre. There is no way to give actual directions to the island. The island must befound, not visited. I believe it is part of the illusion magic that keeps the island hidden.”
“More fae requirements and loopholes,” Arthur said. He tossed his glasses onto the books in frustration.
“But that’s no reason to give up,” Lucien said. “We’ll find it, I’m sure.”
Arthur seemed frustrated, but at least Lord Lucien shed a little hope on the situation. Lucien changed the subject as he said, “Ethan told me you were investigating shadow manipulation, Emma. Have you made any progress?”
I gave a frown. “Not really. I was hoping that… maybe you could teach me?”
Lucien gave a brisk nod. “I am skilled in all forms of Unseelie magic, shadow manipulation being one of them. I can instruct you on how to use this power, though I have to warn you, it is far from easy.”
Relief ran through me at the thought of learning the forbidden skill. It was one more weapon I could use against my enemies to protect the people I loved.
“Does Mom know you’re Unseelie? She must now, since Arthur and I can do dark magic,” I said.
Lucien appeared reluctant. “She… has heard. I hid my Unseelie heritage from her when we met, as she was very against dark magic at the time. But now she knows the truth, and after twenty years apart, she is willing to accept me as I am.”
“Well, that’s a spot of good news,” Arthur said. “I didn’t know how to tell my mother this, but I want my kids to know about their Unseelie origins, and how to use their dark magic, if they have any.”
Lucien gave a bold smile. “I’ve heard the good news. Congratulations, my son. I’m very excited to meet your children.”
“At least they’ll have a grandfather,” Arthur said with a nervous laugh. “I hope you’re close with them. I always liked spending time with Bapa.”
“Have you chosen names?” Lucien asked.
“Not yet,” Arthur said. “We want to come up with good ones.”
“You were named after Arthur Cedrick, my boy. It’s a family name,” Lucien said proudly.
“Wasn’t Arthur Cedrick a Scottish immigrant who built Orenda Academy, the college that the Elementai attend?” I asked. I’d learned about him briefly during my History of the Arcanea class.
“Oh, yes. He had Unseelie fae blood, far back in his ancestry. He’s a distant relative on my mother’s side. He left Scotland after the discrimination toward Unseelie became intolerable. I always thought it would be a good name to pass on,” Lucien said.
Lucien reached across the table to clap a hand on Arthur’s shoulder, and the gesture felt warm. Arthur was beginning to loosen up, which put me at ease. Arthur’s kids would come into the world soon, and it wouldn’t be right to have family bickering when they were born. I hoped things between Lucien and Arthur would be mended by then.
I was about to ask Lucien how exactly shadow manipulation was performed when the sound of a door slamming broke my concentration. Towman barreled into the library, his sword askew on his hip and breathing heavily. He knelt before me and spoke quickly. With every word, a heavy weight grew, crushing my chest.
“My queen, you are needed immediately by his majesty,” he said. “The battle to take back Pruska has been lost.”
Chapter Eleven
Ethan
The Circle was tense. No one dared to speak. I believe they were all waiting for my reaction, which was far from calm. My anger simmered beneath the surface as my wolf threatened to emerge, ready to ignite his rage.
The door clicked as Emma hurried into the council room. Her countenance was grim. I hated that we had to deal with even more bad news.
A battle lost. One we could not afford to lose. I forced myself into a chair, though it took all my effort to restrain myself. I had to remain composed. The Circle couldn’t see me lose my reserve, otherwise, they’d believe Gabby had the upper hand. I refused to allow them to believe such a falsity. She had won one battle, but not the war.
“What’s the report?” I asked.
