"Oh, she bloody damn well is man. Get over it. And go save your woman and your child."
I charge him, grabbing him by the collar and pinning him against the tree. "You idiotic, meddling fool!"
I expect Dean to fight back but he slumps in defeat in my arms. "I had no other choice. I don't know any other way to get over her, to end this constant torment I feel. She only wants you."
I let him go. My breath is heavy. I try to calm it. "I didn't need your help. I would have gotten there eventually. On my own."
"That seems… unlikely. You had her for a whole month and made zero progress. Admit it, you need your brother of lust every now and then to keep things going."
I chuckle. Despite everything I chuckle. Perhaps I'm going mad.
I laugh some more, feeling the shock and anger drain from me. Feeling a kind of peace at knowing I no longer have to choose between Arianna and freedom. The choice has been made for me. Of course, I would have rather decided myself. But still. There is peace in having choice taken away. Even if it is a fool's peace.
Before I become enraged once more, I turn, Baron at my heel, and continue on to the Waystone. "Time to get some more practice following me, brother."
Dean laughs as he runs to catch up.
I focus on my goal and try to keep thoughts away. Thoughts of Arianna. Thoughts of our child. Thoughts of being king.
It's dusk by the time we arrive at the cave with the Waystone, the cave where I searched for Arianna before. I place my hand upon the great stone door, and a needle pierces my flesh, letting my blood flow into the carvings. This time, I am a Druid. This time, it must work.
The door does not move.
I push my hand harder onto the needle, squeezing out more blood.
Nothing.
Dean sits on a rock, his eyes dark. "There is only one thing left, then."
I try to find an argument to sway us both, but there is none. Arianna comes above all. Above Tavian Gray's life. Above any reservations I feel about making deals with the Darkness. "We will speak with him first," I say.
Dean nods.
And then we head for Stonehill.
The city is carved into a mountain, filled with raging waterfalls and glowing crystals protruding from the stone. Past the large gates, small buildings of wood and stone line the cobble streets. Deeper into the city, the architecture grows more grand, the use of stone more common and exquisite. Deeper still stands the castle, a mass of gray rock built from the mountainside. It rises into the pale cloudy sky, looming over the thousands of people below, reminding them of their ruler, of their kingdom, of their duty. It is a marvel of architecture, art and nature converging.
And it is the chain that binds me.
I push away thoughts of responsibility as we pass the market square, the stage where Fae are bought and sold. None are on show today. But still people crowd this part of the city, gathering at stalls, bartering for goods, bidding for services. Their voices muddle together, but one catches my attention.
"You forget your place, Fae," says a man as he smashes his fist into his slave, knocking her into the mud. Thick robes and heavy jewelry swing from his person, while the Fae wears only tattered gray rags. He grabs her ear, twisting it, and she squeals in pain. "How dare you forget to bring my cane? I will—"
I flick my hand, and the earth beneath the man shifts. He falls to the ground, staining his white robes in the brown dirt. Gasping, he looks around, his face flushed red. Hiding his embarrassment, he covers his face and tries to stand, only to fall again, this time kissing the mud with his lips.
Dean glances my way. "Careful, brother."
I shrug, my lips curling into a smile. "The man is clumsy. I didn't make him so." And in truth, I didn't mean to do as I did. My powers are more instinct than plan. When I rushed in front of Arianna, jumping between her and the flames, when I threw my arms up in defense, all I sought was to protect her with my body. I did not expect to move the very earth with my will, and yet I did. What to make of that I still don't know. Should I train as Varis suggests? But how? How could I find the time when I must first find Arianna?
Dean shakes his head at my silence, sighs, and says nothing as we make our way for the castle. We pass the wooden poles and crosses raised by Levi's men. They are empty now, the Fae pulled down and buried by my command. But still they stand as a reminder of innocent blood spilled. When I can spare the men, I should have them pulled from the earth, but for now my workers toil at the castle, repairing the wall destroyed by Levi's explosives. I did not think he would risk the lives of so many innocents to set a trap for Arianna. What a fool I was.
When we pass the gates, and enter the great hall, half majestic, half charred and broken, I find my Keeper, Kal'Hallen overseeing the repairs. "Find Tavian Gray. I must have words with him."
"Of course, my lord," says the ancient Fae, stepping forward and clutching his stomach; he has still not fully recovered from his wound. "When shall I have him meet you?"
I walk to the tree at the center of the hall, up the stairs that will lead to my room. "Tonight."
The Keeper swallows hard, unease in his eyes. "But my lord, what of the ball?"
I freeze. "What ball?"
"Oh dear. I thought Prince Asher had consulted you—"
"What ball?"
He licks his lips. "In your absence, my lord, your brother planned a ball for this evening."
Dean and I exchange a look. Asher is overstepping. "Tell him I will not attend," I say, growling, "It is what he expects anyway."