Muse by Kylie Quillinan

Author:Kylie Quillinan [Quillinan, Kylie]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

31

Diarmuid

A HOST OF beings filled the cavern. They resembled humans, appearing in a variety of sizes from child to adult but their milk-white skin and ruby-red lips left me in no doubt that they were fey. I pushed Bramble off my lap and clambered to my feet without lacing up my boots. The fey stared at us in eerie silence, their faces devoid of expression.

My eyes were drawn to a particular couple. She was beautiful with long dark hair and a cold stare, and he was even taller than their fellows. Eventually, my tired brain realised that these beings I was so rudely staring at were probably their rulers. They featured in so many tales that every child knew their names: Oberon and Titania.

At my feet, Bramble stood with ears alert and her tail drooping. Owain's face was white, his hands clenched. The fey seemed content to stand and stare at us. Despite their numbers, which must have been in the hundreds, there was not a noise from any of them.

I cleared my throat, the sound awkwardly loud in the silence of the cavern, and when I spoke my voice was thready. "We are looking for Rhiwallon."

Titania raised an eyebrow and her lips curled just the tiniest bit. "Indeed," she said.

I waited but she did not seem inclined to volunteer anything further. "Have you taken her?" I asked.

Titania raised graceful hands and indicated I should look around the cavern. "Do you see her here amongst us?"

I started to reply but stopped. The tales say the fey cannot lie but they will willingly mislead, answering with trickery and riddles. I could read nothing in Titania's cold gaze. I searched for a question she could not mislead me with. "Will you take us to her?" I asked.

Titania laughed but there was no amusement in the sound. Others laughed also and then, abruptly, they all fell silent in the same moment. "No," she said. "I will not take you to her. If you want to find the human girl, you must seek her yourselves."

I opened my mouth but Titania forestalled my words with a raised finger. "One question further," she said. "And then I will answer no more."

I closed my mouth with a snap. Three questions. How could I, steeped in tales as I was, not have anticipated this? I should have known, should have considered my words more carefully. I could ask whether Rhiwallon was safe but that would give no clue as to her location.

"How can we find Rhiwallon?" I asked.

Titania's eyes glittered and when she spoke, her lips twisted cruelly and her voice rang through the cavern. "One will bear another's coat until the final round. One will face their greatest fear, wearing a gossamer gown. One may pass the fiery depths and only once may go. Locate the key to leave this place. In plain view it will be found."

My heart sank down into my boots. It was a riddle and it made little sense. Obviously, it was Rhiwallon who would face her greatest fear although I didn't understand the reference to a gossamer gown.

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