“Perfect. Really play it up. Get her to show how she feels. Make sure she states every sordid detail. Don’t feel bad going for the kill. Flirt with her. Whatever you have to do to make her look bad.”
“Except kissing her, right?” Cass asked, making a face. “Gah, please don’t kiss her.”
“A little touching might make it believable,” Mom said. I glared at her and she quickly backpedaled. “Of course, avoid it if you can, but like Leon said, do what you must. Robyn will understand.”
McKale cleared his throat, opening his hands straight at his sides and then balling them into fists—open, closed, over and over. I took one of his hands, interlocking our fingers. We both held tight.
Dad had given everyone a brief test performance of the technology earlier in the day, video-taping people, and then showing snippets on the large screen. Very amusing for the clan, indeed.
“Let’s all stay positive,” Dad said, adjusting the wires at the back of McKale’s pants so they wouldn’t show.
“We are,” I whispered.
McKale nodded at me. I knew his pulse was working overtime, just as hard as mine. The time was approaching.
The plan was for McKale to get footage with FFG as soon as possible after the Fae arrived. Then, once everyone settled, the fake binding would commence, followed by the “special entertainment.” Cue video footage of FFG revealing her master plan to Leprechaun and Fae alike. And then it was up to the Summer King to decide what to do.
My stomach hurt. I had to let go of McKale’s hand to bend over with my hands on my knees.
A hushed whisper began throughout the clearing, growing louder.
“Oh, great,” I heard Dad mumble.
I stood and looked toward the woods where everyone else was staring. It took a second to make out the lost boys blending in with the trees until they all took a further step out and stopped. All except Rock, who continued toward us.
He seemed like a different person. His face was made of stone. Around his waist was a leather band with what appeared to be an iron dagger sheathed at his side. Upon inspection, all of the Clour at the tree line looked to be carrying different iron weapons, their faces equally severe.
“Ronan!” Cassidy called. Mom took her by the arm, stopping her from running to this.
“We don’t have time for this today,” Dad said to Rock as he neared us.
“I will not be in the way for long, sir.” Rock stopped within arm’s reach of Dad.
“Rock,” McKale said in a warning tone. “Don’t do anything foolish, mate.”
“It’s the least foolish thing I’ve ever planned, Kale.” He looked back at Dad. “I will no’ let yer daughter be taken into Faerie, sir. Nor my best mate. Me lads an’ meself are prepared to fight. I will offer me own self as a substitute fer Cassidy if it comes to that.”
Cass’s hands flew to her chest. “Ronan, no! You can’t!”
“I can.” His eyes seared into hers. “And I will.”
Mom and Dad stared, shocked.
“It will no’ come to that,” McKale tried to assure him.
“Indeed, I hope it does no’. But if it does, I will be there.” He pointed to the woods where his clan stood at attention. “Waiting.”
Dad said nothing, just sort of balked as Rock turned and headed back to the woods, seeming to disappear out of sight.
Cass tried to tug from Mom’s grip, but she held tight. “I need to go to him!”
“There’s no time,” Mom said.
I turned Cassidy to me and hugged her. Mom let her go and I felt Cass’s arms grip around me for dear life. She let out a sob.
“Nothing will happen to him. Or you. This is going to work. Everyone will be okay.”
Please let us all be okay.
What if the Summer King didn’t care what shenanigans his daughter was up to? The whole plan could backfire if he was offended that we tried to make a fool of the princess. So much could go wrong. I lay my head on her shoulder and rubbed her back, taking as much comfort from the embrace as I was giving.
Someone rubbed my shoulder, and then a finger was under my chin, lifting my face. Mom. She gripped both of our shoulders tenderly.
“Cassidy, please take Robyn to the room and help her get ready while we finish preparing out here.”
Cass gave a final glance toward the forest before swallowing hard and nodding.
McKale reached out for me and I wrapped my arms around his neck, breathing in the scent of his skin and hair. I didn’t want to let him go.
“I’ll see ye soon,” he whispered, holding me tighter.
“Yes. Good luck,” I told him.
We pulled away and gave each other one last peck before I left for my room with Cassidy. I really wasn’t feeling well, but I had to be strong.
Pulling the gorgeous dress over my head lightened my mood a fraction. The silk was so smooth. Mom joined us, and she and Cassidy fastened tiny clasps and buttons up my back, then stepped away and “Ooooed.”
Leilah and Rachelle showed up with a basket of flowers and hairpins. Together the four of them brushed, tweaked and twirled. I was a little worried for a second. I didn’t want to be transformed into a giant flower-head, but Cassidy wouldn’t let me walk out of the room looking bad. When they finished and Cass handed me the mirror, I smiled. It was pretty. They’d twisted strands of hair from my temples and hooked them together in the back. Flowers lined the twists of hair, looking like a peasant’s crown, and waves of brown tumbled around my forehead and neck.