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Chapter 16
I flew into the night sky, winging my way into the heavens as Anadey and Peyton shouted from below—Anadey yelling at me, while Peyton was shaking her mother’s shoulders. No way was I going back and chancing getting caught by Anadey again. Shaken, confused from the drugs and the spell, I headed in the direction I thought was home, terrified I’d transform midflight and go tumbling to the ground.
As I soared over the streets, my head began to clear and all of a sudden, I could hear Ulean. She was riding the currents beside me.
Cicely, Cicely? Can you hear me yet?
Ulean! Oh, Ulean, help me. I’m so confused and not sure where I’m going.
Keep on in this direction and I’ll get you help.
And then, her presence was gone. I focused as best as I could, following the breeze as it carried me aloft. The night was chill, but no snow was falling and the clouds parted to allow the moon to shine through. What was I going to do? She could have killed me. She could have killed both Grieve and me if she’d succeeded with her spell. But how much damage had she done?
And then it hit me. I thought about Grieve, and my heart didn’t skip a beat. I thought about my love, and realized that I felt numb. I tried to summon my wolf, but in owl form I couldn’t connect with it. Thoroughly defeated and afraid, all I could do was keep flying.
At that moment, another owl came gliding in from behind me. The great horned owl. Ulean was riding the slipstream along beside his wing.
Help me—something’s happened to me and I don’t know what.
Follow me. His thoughts came through clear and he turned, heading toward Dovetail Lake. I turned on my wing, following him, able to take direction better than make my own decisions at this point.
We flew under the moon until we reached the lake. A shimmer resonated through the night and the great horned owl flew into the light. It glimmered like summer, like warm leaves and dusky dreams, and a steady breeze that carried roses and night-blooming honeysuckle soothed my senses. I followed the owl through the portal and blinked as the land beneath us opened up, with rich grass untouched by snow, and lakeshore waters lapping gently.
The owl slowly spiraled down to land on a low branch near Lainule’s throne, and I followed suit. I’d never been in the realm of Summer while in owl form and now, every breath, every sound, every movement was magnified.
A moment later, the Queen of Rivers and Rushes appeared, dressed in gossamer white. She steadily approached the throne and looked up at the two of us. After a moment, she let out a long sigh and slowly inclined her head.
“Cicely, take form.”
I flew to the ground, and then, trying to focus through the fear, I shifted back into myself, naked and cold and shivering. As I stood, I found I wasn’t ashamed or even embarrassed—I was too worried and miserable to care about what I was wearing. Or not wearing.
Lainule considered me for a moment, then removed her own cloak from her shoulders and gently wrapped me in it. The thin shawl was surprisingly warm, and my breath slowed as I began to let go of my immediate fear. She nodded to the great horned owl and he flew to the ground. A moment later, I was staring up at a gorgeous man with jet-black hair. He wore clothes, so he must be full Cambyra Fae—but his clothing matched the shimmer of Lainule’s own gown and as I gazed at him, I realized that this was no ordinary Fae.
Lainule pressed her lips together and looked terribly sad, but then she tossed her hair back and straightened her shoulders. “Cicely, say hello to my Consort, the King of Rivers and Rushes. He has been guarding you since you returned. Bow before your father, Wrath, Lord of Summer.”
I let out a sharp gasp as her words ran through me like an electric current. My father, Wrath. I’d had some inkling the great horned owl might be my father—I hadn’t been sure, but the thought had crossed my mind. But . . . Wrath was the Lord of Summer? Lainule’s consort?
“Aren’t you going to say something?” She gave me a short look, and I wasn’t sure if she was perturbed or merely curious.
“I . . . I’m not sure what to say,” I whispered, looking up into Wrath’s eyes. They were kindly, but stern. Ancient and wise, as were Lainule’s, and lit by a vivid light that knew no sense of mortality. “I was hoping to meet you . . .”
“I did not want this meeting to happen yet—there is too much at stake, but my Lord would never bring you here were matters not grave.”
And with her words, Anadey’s betrayal came sweeping back and I slid to the grass, tears flowing down my face. “Everything’s so dark right now. I can’t find my way. Anadey did something to me—the spell didn’t fully take, but I know she did something to me.”
“Tell us what happened, Cicely. We have all the time in the world to discuss the fact that I’m your father. But this . . . you say Anadey betrayed you?”
I nodded, my face red and hot. “I trusted her.” And then, before I could stop myself, I spilled out everything. My plan to rescue Grieve, my need to be with him, the worry over hurting my friends because of being ensnared by his venom, Leo’s suggestion that Anadey might help, and the choice I’d made to see if we could neutralize that effect. “I just wanted to be thinking with a clear head. But now . . .”
Placing my hands on my wolf, I sought for him, sought for the connection, but there was nothing. The tattoo was so much ink on my belly.
“Describe the spell that she cast.” Lainule neither comforted me nor chided me.
Biting my lip, I did my best to describe everything that happened. So much was fuzzy—the drug she’d given me had been strong, but here in the realm of Summer, it seemed to be negated and I was able to focus more easily.
Lainule glanced up at Wrath and I could sense some conversation, unspoken, going on between the two. After a few moments, she stood. “Stay here. Talk with your father for a few moments. I am going to bring you something that will help.”
She glided away, a mist of shadow in the night.
