Queen of Swords and Silence by Carrow Brown

Author:Carrow Brown [Brown, Carrow]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781916125216
Publisher: 3 Fates Press
Published: 2019-08-08T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Grave Wood’s Choice

Ilaid Snowdrop down a few hours later on the soft earth of my garden. She didn’t stir and I checked her pulse to make sure she was still alive.

From the door, Vainya’s voice rumbled, “You do realize this isn’t an inn.”

“I’m sorry, Master. I didn’t have anywhere else to take her.”

He ambled over and came to a stop next to me. “I could provide you a list of places.” He lowered his head to inspect the fairy. “Crude. Intentionally done. She’ll never fully recover from it without assistance.” His gaze lowered, seeing into her. Magic danced along my skin while Vainya continued inspecting the frail female. His red eyes slid toward me. “I take it you didn’t wish to enrage the Summer Court with this madness.”

“No, I...,” My words died in my throat as I looked down at the fairy. She’d never fly again, forever doomed to be a land walker. Nothing but nightmares awaited her in sleep for years to come. I’d asked her to be brave while condemning her to suffering. And why? It was the right thing to do? Being able to say I saved her instead of ending her life? Could I have been any more selfish?

“I didn’t know what else to do,” I finally said. “She’s been absent from her forest too long for it to reconnect and help her.”

“And you thought Grave Wood would be the better option? These are not trees born of seed and soil. It is impossible to say what will happen.”

My nails bit into my palm while I stared at the fairy. “I know. Grave Wood’s not right if you want to compare it to other woods and forests. I... I have to try something. Given everything she’s gone through, I don’t think a normal forest would accept her.”

Vainya remained silent. His eyes shifted from me to Snowdrop to the woods. “If she survives, you will have to face the possibility she may hate you for binding her here.”

Swallowing, I lowered my gaze to my dirtied hands. “I’ve done worse things.”

He turned his head back to the Fae, staring at her for long moments. “This road to redemption you walk is interesting. And she may be able to prove a theory I developed. Run inside and fetch the items needed to call the Four Corners. I shall help you with the ceremony.”

My brows drew together as I rose and trotted into the Manor. How would helping the fairy assist in his research? Maybe in using magic to help a magical creature he’d identify some correlation or form some hypothesis or synthesis? Even then it would have to be tested repeatedly for it to be certain. And what if there wasn’t enough magic to actually help her? The worry nagged at my belly while I shifted through the various storage bins for the components Vainya would need.

“How is she?”

I looked up from the bin to David. He’d changed out of his blood-stained clothes and into a black tee and a pair of jeans.

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