“I can’t just stand here and wait,” she whispered to Imer. “I know we have a plan, but I need to go in and see for myself.”
“My lady, do you not want the scouts to find the path so you can run into the heart of the fae kingdom?” His eyes fell to her throat. “I thought you worked with warlords, surely you are used to following a plan?”
Maeve frowned at the reminder of Caspian. Would he have wanted this? If he were still alive, where would he have fit in the events that were unfolding? The thought gave her pause, for if he was still alive, she was sure he would have damned her quest, and her decision to move forward with it. Yet, he’d kept many secrets from her, especially regarding the shard. All she knew was that she could trust herself, and Ingram and Imer. Everyone else had to earn it.
“I have,” she said. “But that was before all of this happened. When the crown was put back together, and the collar broke, I sensed something else. Power surged within me, stronger than before. I can’t just stand here and wait. I have to fight. It flows through me, it begs me, it’s an urge I need to release. And right now, the dark fae are my release. You know what they’ve done to the world, and to me. I want revenge.”
“Maeve,” Imer cautioned as he stepped in front of her, as though shielding her from the trees. “I saw the way you looked at the shard when we were in the ruins in Carn. When you get the crown, what will you do with it?”
Maeve paused. Instead of thinking for herself, she was still following orders. Deep inside, she desired the crown for herself, with a knowing she could not explain. But it would not be possible. She looked away from Imer, wondering if siding with the guardians went against the wizard of Imperia and his commands. He wanted the crown returned to Imperia, but it wasn’t what she was going to do. Should she trust Imer with her assignment? Would he stop her or was this a chance to test his loyalty?
“I told you I met with the guardians.” She bit her bottom lip as she met his curious gaze. “They asked for the Crown of Erinyes.” Imer waited, his face giving away nothing. “The celestials sent them to guard the Gates of Hell. If I can steal the crown back and return it to them, they can use it to ensure the gates do not open, and the demons do not escape. It is a worthy cause.”
“Worthy indeed,” Imer agreed, but a shadow crossed his eyes. “And you told the wizard this?”
Maeve shook her head as a dreadful sensation rose in her. Had she created a powerful enemy—again—by omitting the truth?
Crossing his arms, Imer frowned and studied the ground. A slow sigh came from his lips. “Maeve of Carn,” he muttered. “Trouble follows you.”
Maeve wondered if she should be offended with his comment. But Imer took her elbow, his lips close to her ear. “The wizard has seen fit to send us on this quest while he protects Imperia and forms alliances with those who will fight our enemies. Dark fae, orcs, and demons. We need the magic of the Crown of Erinyes to protect us. But all along, you’ve intended to take it for yourself, sneak off, and deliver the crown to the guardians?”
It sounded as though she were betraying the wizard, even though she hadn’t planned on being part of his quest to save the world. Although they were on the same side, they had unique methods. She did not desire to stay in Imperia, hiding and waiting for the enemy to strike. This time, she wanted to be the first, to wipe out the fae and prevent the demons from invading the land. Did Imer stand with her? Or was he loyal only to the wizard? Blinking, she met his solemn gaze. “Aye, that is the truth of it. Will you try to stop me?”
The cocky grin returned to Imer’s face. “I hoped you’d invite me to join you.”
Relief made Maeve’s shoulders sag. “Imer, I don’t have much of a plan. My first goal is to get the crown, after that, I’m not sure how to return to the island. All I know is that it is beyond the Sea of Sorrows and the watchtower where the fae Underground is…was. . .” she trailed off, realizing how foolish her plan sounded.
“I have some ideas.” Imer ran his fingers through his hair. “After all, the wizard only told us to take the crown, not what to do with it afterward. Regardless, for now, say nothing.”
Deception. Maeve shivered and wondered how the wizard would react. If her plan worked and the world was saved from the demons, would the wizard, nay, all the mages of Imperia forgive her?
“What about Ingram?” she asked, glancing toward the other brother. Ingram stood, arms crossed, his gaze flickering between the wood and Drago.
Imer tilted his head and gave it a slight shake. “I’m not sure. He wishes to go defend Isdrine, after our task is done here.”
“Alone?”
“We can take care of ourselves,” Imer said. “Besides, Isdrine has an army of its own.”
Maeve thought of the peaceful temple, the kind priests and priestesses, and the people who lived in the surrounding lands. Dread swept through her. How could they take care of themselves? Although north, the temple lay in the direct path of the orcs, should they choose to march directly to the kingdom.
“I didn’t mean Isdrine.” She crossed her arms, worrying her lip between her teeth. “I meant, if Ingram goes off alone, he will become easy prey for the Hunter. He’s still out there. Isn’t he? And in this chaos, he might take this moment to pick us off, should we become heedless.”
Guilt edged Imer’s eyes. “Actually, that is something I was hoping you’d help me with. We need to rid the world of the Hunter once and for all. My original quest with Ingram was to find the celestial sword. We did, but obviously your need for it was greater than ours. I was rather hoping you’d help me find the Hunter and slay him before he comes after us.”
Maeve drew in a sharp breath and her fingers instinctively tightened around the hilt of the blade she wore. “When?” she asked. “After this quest?”
“On our way to give the crown to the guardians.”
“Will not the wizard be expecting you?”
The lines around Imer’s mouth tightened. “The wizard is not my master. As long as he believes I went after you to get the crown, we shall be fine.”
The knowledge hit Maeve squarely in her chest. It was her. She was the one who would suffer the wizard’s wrath. But she lifted her chin as the scouts came out of the wood and beckoned with fingers to their lips. The company rose and followed, Maeve bringing up the rear.
14
Fae Assassins
Gnarled branches curled over their heads like twisted fingers as the scouts led them deeper into the wood. This time, there was no anticipation of meeting the people of the grove, and bribing them to turn over the shard. Her thoughts drifted back to the item that Sandrine had given to Mara, the leader of the grove. Maeve wondered if Mara and her people thought of that day with regret, knowing war was coming.
Even though it was winter, the woods were so thick, Maeve could not see between them. The path was narrow, only a trail with barely enough room for them to walk in a row, one behind the other. They moved stiffly, weapons at their sides, shields being used to push aside dead branches as they forced their way through. Drago had flown ahead, claiming he could take care of himself. Maeve had warned him to be careful, worried the Dragon Queen would come for him.