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And the storm responded, barreling down on the group, driving them back. The Shadow Hunter attacking Fearless let go and began to back up, but the storm still caught him in its grasp, tossing him into the air like a light breeze might catch up an autumn leaf. The Vampiric Fae retreated into the woods, and I retracted the winds, willing them to calm, and ran over to Fearless, dropping to my knees by his side. He was limp and bleeding against the snow.
Two of the guards pushed past me to gather him up. Grieve, Check, and the other guards bundled me up and we were off, as fast as they could run, to the Marburry Barrow.
We reached there before the Vampiric Fae could gather themselves for another attack, and we were through the portal without further incident. The guards of Summer took one look at us and called out a group of warriors to go hunt down the Shadow Hunters, while we were escorted into the Barrow.
There they wanted to bustle me off to the coronation room, but I refused.
“Not until I know what shape Fearless is in.”
“Your Highness, are you sure? We will let you know later.” Check held my gaze, his expression unreadable, but his voice was soft.
“Yes, I’m sure. He was fighting to save us out there.” I held my ground, and he took me to the infirmary, where the healers were already at work on the guard. Fearless looked a frightful mess. He was bleeding so profusely it was hard to tell where all of the blood was coming from. I watched, silent, as they pulled away his clothing. Because he was unconscious, he couldn’t dispel it.
As the wounds on his leg and arm came into sight, I felt faint. Huge gashes and punctures from the jaws of the Shadow Hunter were pouring blood. The flesh had been mangled, looking like so much chewed raw meat. I shuddered, nausea rising, as Grieve joined me.
He stood behind me, holding my shoulders. “Lainule’s guards are out there now, hunting them down. There will be blood in the forest tonight. How is he doing?”
“I don’t know,” I said quietly. “I didn’t want to interrupt them while they’re looking him over.”
One of the healers looked up then, and she dropped into a curtsey. “Your Highness, I’m sorry, we didn’t notice you before. We’re trying—”
I held up my hand. “Don’t apologize. You’re trying to save him, I know. I’d rather have you do that than curtsey any day. How is he, do you think?”
She bit her lip and glanced back at Fearless’s prone figure. “He’s sustained severe damage to his leg and arm. I think we can save him, but I don’t know…I don’t know what will happen to his leg. The arm, we can probably salvage. We can make no guarantees. There is an element to the venom of the Shadow Hunters that encourages bleeding and discourages healing. He won’t be able to go back to your Barrow for some time, however. We don’t dare move him until he’s stabilized.”
I stared at Fearless. “Do what you can. Keep me updated.” And then, feeling all too abrupt, I turned and exited the chamber.
“You need to change your dress, my love.” Grieve pointed to a large bloodstain that marked one side. Fearless’s life force. I must have gotten splashed with Fearless’s blood when I’d tried to help him out in the woods.
“I guess I do.” I turned to Druise, who had appeared at the door.
“I heard what happened. Are you quite all right, Your Highness?”
I nodded. “I’m fine, but I need you to find me a dress, quickly. I’ll be in…my old bedroom.” To Grieve, I said, “Love, go ahead and tell them I’ll be there as soon as I change. I think we still have a little time.”
“But hasten. Don’t tarry.” He bowed and then hurried out of the room.
I rushed back to the common room, where I found Peyton lingering over a cup of tea. She looked tired, and surprised when she saw me.
“Peyton, what are you still doing here?”
“I needed a break and some tea, and I checked on Kaylin. He’s still worse for wear, but he’ll be all right.”
“Our enemies are out in full force. I’ll tell you more later, but right now, I need a dress. This one…oh, no time to explain. Just help me find something to wear.” All of my things had been moved to the Eldburry Barrow, it appeared, but Druise came bustling in, carrying a pale silver dress. It was an ankle-length sheath, very Grecian, with ties at the shoulders to keep the straps together, and a draped bodice.
I scrubbed the blood off my leg where it had soaked through the other dress. The silver gown fit, although a little loose, but I didn’t care. My hair was still in fairly good shape, and my makeup was slightly smudged, but we didn’t have time to worry. In the dim lights, it wouldn’t show much. I adjusted my circlet so that it was setting evenly, and the three of us headed for the central hall.
We managed to get there shortly before the ceremony was to begin and, as unobtrusively as possible, we made our way to the front, where I slipped into my seat next to Grieve, and Druise sat behind me. Peyton took her place by Luna.
The music started minutes after we sat down, and as the ceremony progressed, I realized that it was a mirror of my own. Only this time, I could see just how extensive and taxing it had been. Rhiannon looked spectacular, shimmering like summer in her dress, with the train billowing out from behind her. As Lainule put her through the same question-and-answer ritual she had me, I could almost see a transfer of energy going on between them.
Lainule placed the crown on Rhiannon’s head, and I found myself tearing up. My cousin had been through so much in the past weeks, and this—while incredible and wonderful—had to be stress beyond the limit. But she withstood it well, and Chatter’s gaze followed her with absolute love and devotion. He would never hurt her; he would never abandon her.
The ceremony ended, and as we all watched, Lainule stepped up to the throne one last time and looked over her people.
“You have served me well, my friends. You have stood by me; you have survived the scourge of Myst. But thanks to that dread Queen, I must return to the Golden Isle. I leave you in capable hands. Winter and Summer will balance again now, and with Queens who are also cousins, they will be friends rather than enemies. Bear with our new Queens—they have a steep curve ahead of them, and we must all make this transition easier for them. They will lead you into new territory; they will change some of the old traditions.”
At the murmur from the crowd, she added, “Do not argue this. Our tradition of isolating allowed Myst to come through and nearly destroy us. Our refusal to allow Summer and Winter to meet led to Tabera’s death and…nearly to my own death. So do what you can to help. Do not fight the changes coming. They are necessary to our survival. Again, thank you, and for the last time, as your Queen, I bid you good night.”
