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  They burst out of the valley and onto sand, immediately slowing down as their feet sank into soft sand. Brendan chanced a glance over his shoulder. The giant was behind them, thankfully. But it could still catch up. As he watched, the creature stopped running to find a rock to throw.

  “Careful,” Brendan called out to Bran. “Watch out for the rocks!”

  But the first rock was aimed at the ship they were gaining on. As the rock landed in the water with a huge splash, the crew began to pull up the anchor.

  “Hurry!” Bran shouted, but Brendan wasn’t sure who he was talking to.

  A second rock landed in the sand in front of them. They ducked around a pile of rocks and jumped into the ocean as one. Brendan swam against the current toward the ship. He could hear his soldiers on board urging him on, full of joy to see him. That was what he inspired. They dropped a floating buoy, and let it trail behind the ship as it sailed away.

  Bran was slowing down. The next rock landed too close to him, shoving him underwater with the force of the impact. Without hesitation, Brendan dove under after him. Bran struggled to make it back to the surface, trying in vain to swim against the current. Brendan gripped his arm and pulled him up, determined not to leave anyone else behind. They broke through the surface, sucking in ragged breaths.

  “I… can’t,” Bran gasped.

  “You’re coming home,” Brendan said firmly, urging Bran on toward the buoy.

  With Brendan’s help, they both made it, Brendan gripping Bran’s shirt as well as the buoy in case the boy slipped underwater again.

  The soldiers above cheered and threw a rope ladder over the rails. Heavy with seawater, Brendan pushed Bran up first. He gripped the ladder himself then and began to rise when the final rock landed, sending a wall of water crashing against them, almost knocking them both back into the sea and causing some damage to the ship.

  Brendan ignored it and kept climbing, finally clambering over the rails and landing on the deck. As the crew slapped him on the back, he only had eyes for one thing: a set of two dozen trees gathered neatly in front of him, cared for by the elder, Dafina. They had done it. They had taken the trees. All they had to do now was make it home.

  Chapter Eight

  Drake

  All was lost. The soldiers hunting them would soon reach their floor. Drake steeled himself for the end. He had plenty of regrets.

  A horn sounded in the distance. The scout, still by the window, peeked outside then frowned.

  “What is it?” Drake asked. “More of them come to support Donella?”

  “I don’t… I don’t think so. I think it might be help for us.”

  Drake exchanged a glance with Dymphna then rushed to the window. Two sets of troops were approaching the castle, briskly cantering parallel to each other. The smaller troop, made up of less than one hundred soldiers, carried a black flag at their lead. The second troop was larger, maybe triple the size, and carried a green flag.

  “Help from both courts,” Drake said under his breath. He looked over his shoulder at Dymphna. “You did it. You called, and they came.”

  “It’s not possible,” Dymphna said. “Not unless they were already on their way.”

  Drake gazed out the window again. Cara had known about Sorcha’s pregnancy, too. Was she spying on him?

  The footsteps that had been approaching raced back downstairs as a call came from within the castle to regroup outside.

  “They’d be fools to face the Green and Chaos troops,” the scout said.

  “We should find a better position,” Drake said. “We’ll need to communicate with whoever’s coming. Especially if a battle begins.”

  “What if they’re here to join Donella?” one of the soldiers asked.

  “Cara would never align herself with Donella,” Drake said confidently. “She hates the leanan sídhe, but especially so on Bekind’s behalf. There’s no way they’re here to support Donella.”

  “The leanan sídhe was always trouble,” Dymphna said. She moved to Drake’s side to watch as Donella’s supporters gathered out front.

  “She found out about Sorcha’s pregnancy,” he said. “That’s what started all of this. She knew it would weaken her chances if an heir was born.” He nodded at the scout. “You and the others should scout the castle and see if there are any survivors on our side. We’ll meet you at the front doors.”

  He and Dymphna headed straight down to the Great Hall, gathering any allies they could find. They had been scattered and unorganised in the mayhem, but there was a decent number remaining. If only he hadn’t underestimated Donella. He had been too proud to share his worries with Cara or Brendan. Even though Brendan was away, the Green court had still sent help.

  When the scout and the other soldiers returned with a group of willing fighters, Drake organised his people himself. “They may attack us before the troops arrive,” he warned after he was done. “We just need to hold our ground long enough. Donella likes the sound of her own voice, so I’ll try to drag it out as long as possible. Do not rise to her accusations or taunts. Let them come after us.”

  He led a small team outside, but he could see that half of Donella’s supporters were already unsettled. Donella herself was pale, but she kept the show going with a flourish of her arm.

  “Ah, are you here to welcome the troops of my old friend Brendan, and my great-grand-daughter, Cara?” she called out breezily.

  “Brendan’s never claimed to be a friend of yours, and your relation to Cara is far more distant than that. She’s hardly going to stand against the father of her child.”

  “A child you’ve barely acknowledged,” she scoffed. “Are you really so certain that she wouldn’t like to punish you for what you’ve done to her?” She addressed the crowd. “Imagine, instead of a barren banshee, we could have had a worthy queen in her own right as his wife. An heir already born. How unlucky we are that our king is so foolish. Here comes my own blood, my own people. I am the only one with enough ties to protect us from either court, the only one capable of establishing a close alliance with both.”

  The troops gained ground.

  “Enough,” Drake called out. “Not even the most foolish of your supporters could honestly believe those lies. You are only in this court because you’re so hated elsewhere. You have no place anywhere else. And my wife is with child. That’s the only reason you started this foolish game, but you see, the other courts had already received word of your leanings toward treachery, and this is how they respond.”

  “Kill the false king,” she spat. “Before he has a chance to cause us further damage.”

  Some of her supporters were more enthusiastic than others, but most unsheathed their weapons in order to attack before reinforcements arrived.

  But the new arrivals had given him time to round up enough to people prepared to fight back. Drake had strong fighters by his side, but the rest of his people were divided into two more groups that he had instructed to leave the castle through different doors in order to surprise Donella’s rebel army. While the first skirmish began, the other teams surrounded the traitors, evening the odds of survival.

  Drake sought out Donella in the crowd, but he couldn’t see her face.

  He fought off two attackers at once, ending as the victor, but injured in the process. His wounded arm stung, but his blood was hot with fury and anticipation. Perhaps he wasn’t as alone as he thought. Perhaps things weren’t as dire as he suspected.

  He fought his way to the edge of the battle, still looking for Donella. If she wasn’t dead, then she had fled already, he was sure. And who knew what trouble she would cause elsewhere. The Chaos army was racing their way, closely followed by the Green troops. A warning signal was blown, and as the news spread of Donella’s departure, most of her followers lost their will to fight.

  The fresh troops intercepted those who tried to flee, while Arlen led a small number into the fray. The new additions quickly ended the battle for good. Bloody and sweating, Drake stood the
re panting as Donella’s supporters were rounded up.

  “You came,” he said when Arlen greeted him.

  Arlen smiled. “Of course. My king is ever a friend of yours.” He lowered his voice. “Whether you see it or not.”

  Donncha, head of the Chaos army, joined the pair. “My queen offers her apologies. She couldn’t come herself because her adopted-daughter is unwell, but she sent us in her stead and hopes that will be enough.”

  “It was more than enough from both of you. Thank you.”

  “This seems to be everyone who remains,” Arlen said, nodding at those his men had trapped.

  “Any sign of Donella?”

  “Unfortunately not,” Arlen said. “She may have escaped, but she won’t remain that way. She is lost.”

  “I have a terrible feeling that this won’t be the last we see of her,” Drake said. “She’ll conspire from afar before returning.”

  “What do you want us to do with her supporters?” Donncha asked.

  “I’ll need to consider the matter. If I kill them all, I’ll have a bare court, but if I pardon them, I’ll live in fear of my wife’s life.” He nodded at Donncha. “Tell Cara she was right, and to thank her for sending the Miacha woman. Sorcha is indeed pregnant and unwell, but we are hopeful that she is improving.” He gestured to Arlen. “Has there been any word from Brendan?”

  “Nothing,” Arlen said. “We haven’t heard of any sightings of the ship at all.”

  “My queen asked the water fae to keep watch,” Donncha added. “As far as we know, the ship passed safely through a portal but has not returned.”

  “How is the land on the Darkside?” Drake asked.

  “Still poor,” Donncha said. “We have incidents on an almost weekly basis now. You may have sealed the rift, but most of the damage was already done. We’re just experiencing the repercussions of years of damage.”

  “We need those trees,” Drake said.

  “And we need our king,” Arlen said worriedly. He flushed. “Anya and I have plans to marry when he returns.”

  “Congratulations. I wish you every happiness.” Drake was half-surprised to note that he actually meant it. Perhaps he had bathed in bitterness for long enough. “I invite you all to stay and refresh yourselves.”

  “Our troops can set up camp outside,” Arlen said. “I think it’s best if we stay for a few days in case any of Donella’s supporters find themselves feeling a little too brave.”

  “The same for my people,” Donncha said. “We can help lock up these traitors until you decide what you want to do with them.”

  “Thank you,” Drake said. “I invite you, too, and your generals, to stay inside the castle. Dymphna, can you make sure they’re taken care of? I must check on Sorcha.”

  Dymphna nodded then chatted to Donncha about her daughter, Eithne, who was still in the Chaos castle with Cara.

  “She is very well,” Donncha was saying as Drake left them.

  He strode into the castle, still angry with himself for letting things go so far. He should have gotten rid of Donella a long time ago instead of dealing with an insurgence instead.

  Upstairs, he reassured the daoine sídhe guarding Sorcha’s door then let himself into her room.

  “The other courts sent troops,” he explained at Blue Eye’s questions. “It’s over. Is Sorcha well?”

  “She seemed to gain strength, but she’s weakened since. She’s in bed again.”

  “I’ll see to her if you would be kind enough to make sure the kitchens are running. We have a lot of guests to feed.”

  “Of course,” she said. “She’ll be happy to see that you’re well yourself.”

  He allowed himself a small smile then moved to Sorcha’s bed to see her. She was still pale, but red dots pinpricked the centre of her cheeks.

  “It’s over,” he said.

  “I heard an army approach,” she said. “Was it Cara?”

  “The troops came from both courts,” he explained. “Arlen and Donncha led them.”

  “And Donella?” she said hopefully.

  He shook his head. “She disappeared.”

  Her face fell. “It’s a pity. She’s a danger to us.”

  “We’ll find her. At some point, she’ll get what she deserves. It’s what to do with her supporters that I’m unsure of.”

  “Spare only the valuable,” she said. “Either enslave or kill the rest. Leave Donella friendless to keep us safe.”

  “I’ll do as you say,” he said. “I expected you to be up out of bed. Didn’t the deaths help? Do they need to be sacrifices?”

  “Perhaps. I’m tired, Drake.”

  He held her hand. “I’ll stay until you fall asleep. I think I know what we should do with the prisoners.”

  “Hmm?” Her eyes closed, and she gently squeezed his hand. “What’s that?”

  “I think I should take them up here one by one, and… are you awake?”

  There was no answer. Sorcha’s breathing deepened.

  As he gazed upon her, the seeds of pity sprouted in his heart. She suffered for him. “I’ll sacrifice them all to you,” he said. “We’ll make you well again. It’s the least I can do.”

  He wished he could solve all of his problems so easily.

  Chapter Nine

  Brendan

  They celebrated with a fish stew, and nobody complained about having fish again. They were just glad to be away from that gods-forsaken island.

  “The fir bolg are the ugliest creatures I’ve ever seen,” somebody proclaimed loudly while they ate. The rest of the crew laughed until someone came up with the idea of naming all of the ugly women they had slept with.

  Brendan rolled his eyes. “Must I travel with children?”

  “They’re just happy they have their king back in one piece,” Yvette said. “And with those trees to boot. How lucky are we?”

  But she didn’t look happy.

  Brendan didn’t feel exactly happy either. His pleasure at the success was marred by those he had left behind. “I’d feel luckier if we had all of those we left on this journey with,” he said.

  “They made their choices for the greater good,” she said dismissively.

  He gave her a hard glance. “For a woman, you’re not very sentimental.”

  “As opposed to?” She shook her head. “We’ve been on this ship for too long if you and I are getting nasty with each other.”

  “You really wouldn’t be concerned if your people had been left behind?” he asked.

  “They were just soldiers,” she said with a tinkling laugh that grated on his nerves. “They’re unimportant.”

  “They were important to me,” he said. “And I left them behind.”

  “They chose to stay behind. They chose to come on this trip in the first place. We all knew the risks.”

  “None of us knew about the fir bolg,” he snapped angrily.

  “You should have said sooner if you wanted your wife to have premonitions of the future, Brendan. We did what we had to. The small sacrifices are worth it for the greater good. On this, I have no regrets.”

  “Well,” he said, getting to his feet. “I’m glad not all of my acquaintances share your views.”

  Her responding glare was stony. “You do recall that it will be me sitting next to you when we return. We had an agreement, and I expect you to keep it.”

  Without a word, he stormed out of the room and headed to the top deck for some air. Bran was already out there, looking only a little green.

  “How are you feeling?” Brendan asked him.

  “I’m fine.” Bran sighed. “I just wish we could have done more for the others. I should have offered to stay with Alyss.”

  “There was no need,” Brendan said. “Perhaps someday, we’ll go back and bring them home.”

  Bran smiled. “I’d like that.” He turned and gestured toward the trees. “What a haul, eh? I can’t wait to see everyone’s faces when we return with this load.”

  “I just can’t wa
it to see everyone’s faces. We’re quite outnumbered on this ship, don’t you think?”

  “I just ignore that,” Bran said. “I wonder will the children remember me when we return.”

  Brendan laughed. “Their oversized playmate? How could they forget? I can’t wait to get back and eat a meal that isn’t made of fish. I’ve never been so fed up of food in my entire life.”

  “Have you spoken to Dafina much since we left?” Bran asked. “She seems to keep to herself, more content with those trees than spending time with the rest of us.”

  Brendan recalled Yvette’s disgust at the new addition to their crew. She hadn’t been keen on the elder coming back, but he wasn’t sure why.

  “Not much,” he said. And he wasn’t sure if he could trust her either.

  “She’s going to get a shock when she realises she’ll have to live above ground. I’ve never been so excited to go home. I’m going to get the cook to make me about a dozen of those crumbly apple things he likes to bake after Lughnasadh. And I can’t wait to ride on a horse in the forest.”

  Brendan listened to Bran list all of the things he missed from back home. But as he gazed out at the strange sea, there was one face above all others he longed to see, one voice he wished to hear again, and it was the very one Yvette would do her best to stop him from seeing. His people didn’t realise how much he would be giving up on their behalf.

  “What are you thinking about with such a solemn face?” Bran asked.

  “Cara,” Brendan said unthinkingly.

  “You care for each other,” Bran said assuredly. “So why all this with Yvette?”

  “It’s not what I want that matters. I have so much to atone for.” He gripped the rails. “Although I find myself feeling more distaste at the prospect as time goes on. I can’t imagine going through with it. In fact, I—” A sound from behind them interrupted him. He turned to see one of Yvette’s woman scurrying away.

  “She was listening,” Bran said, looking worried.

  “Most likely,” Brendan said. “I’m never free on this boat. There’s always someone watching, someone listening. It’s ridiculous.”