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“Wait,” I say, snapping my attention between the sisters. “You mean, no. That can’t be. This is another trick and if it is, I swear by all that is holy I will end you both no matter what it takes.”
“My court had no part in the deception with your mother,” the Fair Queen says.
“And I was not aware of it, but that is another sign of the corruption inside the Ruling Council, which is now disbanded,” Queen Mab says. “Truly, Quinn, I am sorry for that. I would never have sanctioned such an action.”
I am a long way from thinking or feeling I can trust Mab, but the sincerity in her words and clearly written on her face is undeniable. She means what she’s saying at least.
“Thank you,” I say. “I appreciate that, but you two are talking circles around my understanding. What do you mean and how does this help me to save Duncan and stop the darkness?”
Mab looks at her sister, so I turn my attention back to the Fair Queen. She walks over to the laden table, picks up a gilded cup and pours something into it, then sips. She stands with her back to me and the group, staring at the fading Tree of Life.
“The sword could work,” she says at last.
“You are thinking it will filter?” Mab asks.
The Fair Queen nods without turning around. She sips again and there is an enormity to this moment. I’m at a crossroads, again. The sense of it is familiar. A pressure, or a gravitas that is impossible to fully comprehend, but I know I’m close to making a decision that will change everything.
Which is terrifying when I have no idea what decision to make or what the choices are. This job of being the Destroyer sucks. One star. Do not recommend. Needs an instruction manual.
“It would make sense,” the Fair Queen says, between sips. “Something had to allow her mother to cast that spell.”
“What does the spell my mom cast have to do with any of this and what sword are we talking about?”
“We know it as the First Sword; you would most likely know it as Excalibur,” Moira says joining the conversation.
I snort as I try to avoid laughing out loud.
“Right,” I say, holding a hand over my mouth and shaking my head. Everyone is looking at me. Dugald, Moira, Siobhan, both the Queens and I’d swear every eye in possible earshot to have heard the statement is on me now. “No. You can’t be… no. I mean, seriously?”
There is no mistaking the look in everyone’s eyes or that they are most definitely serious.
“Quinn,” Dugald says. “The sword is one of the first artifacts. Forged at the dawn of time.”
“Sure,” I say, waving a hand dismissively. “Why not? Where is it? Buried in a stone?”
“Why would a sword be buried in a stone?” Mab asks, confusion written across her face.
I barely manage to not snort again, but it’s tough and a small sound does slip past my lips.
“Never mind,” I say, swallowing the laugh. I close my eyes, breathe deep, and hold it for a moment to center my thoughts. “My mom. Are you serious that she might be alive?”
The Fair Queen turns back to the group, the chalice in her delicate hand lowering from her beautiful lips, her eyes flashing bright.
“It is… possible,” she says after a dramatic pause.
“Possible, but you don’t know?” My chest is tight and getting tighter, making my voice tremble.
“No.” She shakes her head. As the curls of her hair bounce there is a tinkling sound of music. “I do not know for certain.”
“And you?” I ask, looking at Mab.
“Nor do I,” she says.
“I need to know what happened to her,” I say. “Whatreallyhappened. No more obfuscation. Tell me the truth.”
The Fair Queen and Queen Mab exchange a look that clearly says a lot more than any of us present can comprehend. The kind of look I imagine only siblings can share between themselves. Filled with understanding only possible from having known each other for a lifetime.
“You understand what is at stake?” Queen Mab asks instead of answering my demand.
