Hidden the dark forgotte.., p.29
Hidden: The Dark Forgotten, page 29
“No,” Izetta replied, still as death as she loomed over Galeeta. “I’ve caught her. I keep her.”
Elroth exchanged a look with Malatest. “The rules of this proceeding state that all parties are equal, free to speak, and none shall stand on ceremony. However, this is beyond the bounds of civilized behavior.”
Malatest shrugged. “Izetta, give it up. You’ll get your chance if the verdict is a thumbs-down.”
Slowly, very slowly, the vampire stepped aside, sheathing her blade. Lila darted forward to help her mother to her feet. Galeeta barely glanced at the vampires as she smoothed back the hair that had escaped her elaborate braids. Her face was a pale, haughty mask that failed to hide her fear. Lila’s chest tightened with grief. There was no way her family would walk away from this unscathed.
The group—fae, Undead, and wolf—regarded Lila, clearly expecting her to retreat now that Galeeta was on her feet. She looked around for Rafe. His expression held the same fear and confusion she felt.
She stubbornly stuck by her mother’s side.
“Very well,” Elroth said. “Galeeta, what did you know of Farras’s plan to commit treason?”
“Nothing, Your Majesty.” Galeeta swallowed, as if still feeling the shadow of Izetta’s knife. “It was supposed to be a celebration. No one knew we would be attacked. No one knew you would come, Your Majesty. Whatever plans Lord Farras had, tonight he simply seized the opportunity. That is my guess, at least.”
The king looked unimpressed. “And what do you know for certain?”
Lila wanted to hear the answer and yet didn’t. She held her breath and lifted her gaze, meeting Izetta’s eyes. The vampire was close enough to touch. The look she gave Lila held a shred of pity, but she looked back to Galeeta with the intensity of a hawk.
“I knew he meant to deliver Lord Teegar into your custody,” Galeeta replied. “Lord Farras desired to win your trust.”
“And then once that happened, he would slit my throat?”
Galeeta swallowed again. “He did not say that to me. I would not doubt it.”
Silence hung over the group long enough for a wolf to howl in the distance. Another answered. Once again, she sought Rafe among the wolves, their gazes meeting. She took a shred of courage from the warmth and concern she saw there.
“Tell them what he used against you,” Lila said unsteadily.
“My children,” Galeeta said softly. “Sala and her children were the latest.”
“What do you mean latest?” Elroth asked.
“I bore five children. Four were daughters—Sala, Rosemund, Arabelle, and Lila. Rosemund and Arabelle were serving at the court of the May Queen when I received a letter to say they had vanished without a trace.”
“I remember,” Elroth said with a nod. “There was a search.”
“I found out later what became of them.” Tears stood in Galeeta’s eyes.
“You did?” Lila cried. She heard Ademar and her father’s voices rise in shock, too. “Why did you say nothing?”
“Did Farras kill them?” Ademar asked, furious now.
“Worse.” Galeeta fell back a step, putting space between her and Lila. She hugged her arms, as if suddenly cold. “The gargoyles. He twisted my daughters’ bodies and minds into monsters.”
“What?” Lila cried, but the word was drowned in the general chorus of surprise.
Gareth sagged in Ademar’s arms, and Lila helped him lower their father to the ground. Images flashed through her mind—the creatures disappearing around corners, avoiding the light, and fading away when they might have captured their father. Her head swam as if she might faint.
“Farras swore me to silence on pain of their deaths,” Galeeta added, sobbing openly now. “And he promised to restore them if I did everything he said.”
“That’s tragic,” Izetta said, still fingering the hilt of her blade. “But a sad story doesn’t make up for what she did.”
“I’m sorry,” Galeeta cried. “I apologize for what I did to you. I was certain you had come to harm my family.”
“Izetta,” Rafe said. He stood with his father now, back with his own pack. “I know what she did to us and agree there must be a price, but Lila helped us. She freed the wolves. She freed me.”
“Lila is not on trial.” The vampire shot him a quelling look.
But she was. Her family was. What happened to Galeeta would impact them all. If her father had been the heart of the family, her mother had been their muscle, bone, and mind. And now, with a long recovery ahead, Gareth would need her more than ever.
“Your Majesty, is no one here to defend my mother?” Lila asked the king. “Will no one argue her case?”
His expression softened, but not much. “This is not that kind of trial, and she has spoken for herself.”
Her mother struggled to silence her weeping. “There will be a vote, Lila.”
“Guilty,” Malatest said, wasting no time.
Lila sucked in a breath. Galeeta was utterly still.
“Guilty,” Rafe’s father said. “Though I am heartily sorry for everything that she suffered. No one’s children should be threatened. But that includes mine.”
King Elroth shook his head. “I couldn’t change the verdict even if I desired it. But I don’t. Lady Galeeta of House Fernblade, you are guilty of treason and of harming our friends.”
Guilty.
Rafe bowed his head as the word settled over the clearing. The verdict made sense in a tragic way. Whatever her reasons, Galeeta had collaborated with the fae who had tried to murder the king—among a long list of other heinous acts. That was a death sentence.
“Good,” said Izetta.
Galeeta stiffened, drawing herself up as if leaning into a strong wind. Gareth deflated where he sat in the grass, collapsing into his son’s arms.
“No, no please.” Lila fell to her knees, her expression stricken with grief. “I beg for mercy, sire. She is my mother.”
“Lila.” Lady Galeeta stared straight ahead, but her mouth worked as if unable to decide what to say.
Rafe expected her to silence her child, to say that fae didn’t beg.
Instead, she surprised him. “Thank you for being my daughter.”
“This is very touching,” Malatest said. “However, there is a verdict and a debt to pay, and we’re wasting darkness.”
The words were like battle lines, keeping the species in their separate corners. No one truly trusted the fae and recent events had done nothing to bridge that gulf.
“I know that look, son,” his father said softly. “Don’t you dare start a fight.”
There was a shadow of their old fights in his tone. He was still an Alpha, and Rafe was still his rebellious son. This was no time for that fight.
“I won’t.” Rafe understood Izetta’s anger—he had been in the dungeon, too, and although his imprisonment had been longer, it had been far gentler than hers.
But there had to be another way forward.
Rafe went to Lila and lifted her from where she knelt on the grass. She raised her face to his as she stood, her eyes wide and frightened. The sight stopped his breath, and the ground seemed to move all over again.
“You and I built a bridge,” he said. “It shouldn’t have worked, but it did because I told you the truth and you listened. You showed me fae were capable of a kind of honor I understood.”
“We both wanted the truth,” she said softly. “But how does that help now?”
“My question exactly,” Izetta put in, her voice like ice.
Rafe squeezed Lila’s hands, then released them as he turned to face Izetta. “While we agree on guilt, we have yet to decide on a sentence.”
So much was in the balance. He’d just started to feel like pack again, but that wouldn’t last. His father was angry. So was Izetta. His life would be so much easier if he kept his mouth shut and stayed within the boundaries of expected discipline.
But duty looked different tonight. He turned to the king. “The fae have stood apart from the supernatural community for too long. Tonight proved we’re stronger together. Let’s learn to work together before another Farras or Teegar comes along.”
The king raised his brows. “And you believe sparing Galeeta’s life will further that goal?”
“Life leaves room for options.” Rafe folded his arms. “Death does not. And you granted me a boon, sire. I want a better solution.”
“I vote with my son,” the Alpha said. “If he’s calling in a royal favor, I should listen.”
Rafe closed his eyes for a moment, drinking in his father’s words. They had finally achieved at least some understanding now.
“I will listen,” Izetta said, exchanging a glance with Malatest. “I’m not in the business of mercy, Rafe Devries, but that’s what you’re asking from me. Make this good.”
Rafe was acutely aware of Lila beside him. A hollow place was opening up inside him. Soon the king and his Forest Fae would fade into the woods, leaving nothing but a jumble of memories behind. He should have known better than to let himself imagine a future with them—with Lila—in it. Years ago, Rafe had learned the hard way to keep all four paws on the ground, but that resolve was fading like the stars before the approaching dawn.
“I’m not looking to give the fae a pass,” Rafe said quietly. “I’m looking for a world where our communities can learn from each other instead of ending up at war.”
“I’ve rarely granted a wish that pleased me more,” Elroth said with a regal nod.
CHAPTER 36
Lila stood beside her mother, holding Galeeta’s hand as if afraid she would disappear. In that moment, it was hard to say if Lila was the protector or the one in need of care. Perhaps they played both roles, and that was how it was meant to be with mothers and daughters. They’d never given each other the chance to find out.
Now, thanks to Rafe, maybe she’d learn.
The wolf had returned to his place next to his father. He’d saved her more than once since they’d met, but convincing the others to spare Galeeta’s life was his greatest gift. None of the court nobles would have squandered a king’s boon that way.
There were no words vast enough to contain her gratitude to him. But even as she tried to imagine telling him that in some bright future, she couldn’t. There was only terrifying anticipation, one moment after the next, until her mother’s sentence was pronounced.
“Galeeta of House Fernblade,” King Elroth began, “you have transgressed our laws. Your guilt has been proven by your own account and the testimony of others.”
Lila’s gaze strayed to Rafe, as if she could draw strength from the sight of him. His expression was grave, a line of concentration between his dark brows. With a sudden rush of loneliness, Lila wanted him back at her side.
“In penance,” the king continued, “you shall be severed from our court. You will not pass into the Gilden Wood with our people, but stay in the cities among the other species, both human and supernatural, until you are released by my word.”
Shock ran through Lila. Her mother in the human city? He might as well drop an exotic koi into a cactus garden.
“I have taken the young wolf’s desire for cooperation between our peoples to heart. Of necessity, you will learn the ways of those around you. If you are wise, you will forget your name and pedigree and present yourself on the strength of your true skills and character.”
Galeeta flinched but said nothing. Lila had gone to the city, but she had wanted the adventure. This ran against every one of her mother’s instincts.
The king went on. “You are a healer, and you will give your services to all in need, free of charge or obligation. You are to conduct yourself as an ambassador of goodwill from my court, so that all may know we are as good as we are powerful. This is your act of contrition and path to redemption.”
Finally, her mother spoke in a low but steady voice. “Am I to go alone, Your Majesty?”
“If your family wishes to be with you, they may join you in your exile. I would suggest that you ask your daughter for advice on how to live there. You will be given enough wealth to survive, but no more.”
Lila pressed her hand over her mouth, not sure if she would laugh or cry. The humans had a concept of Hell. This was it for Galeeta. There would be many dark days ahead.
Galeeta raised her head to regard the king. “You are taking your people away from the human cities to preserve their magic against the taint of human cities. What if I lose mine?”
“Remember your crimes.” There was no sympathy in Elroth’s face. “If you lose your power, then that shall be part of your punishment, Lady Galeeta. At least you will still have your life, thanks to a wolf you no doubt despise.”
Her mother’s mouth dropped open. “No, I—”
Elroth pushed on, riding over her words. “I don’t believe a change of heart comes from one night alone, even if that night is fraught with terror and mercy in equal measure.”
Galeeta was silent, no doubt because what Elroth said was true.
“If you hear nothing else, my lady, hear this. I nearly lost my life and my throne to a monster tonight. That wolf is correct. If we were one with our neighbors, even in some small part, we would have brought him to justice long ago and avoided much pain and death for the fae and for our neighbors. Our young have shown us wisdom. It is up to us to embrace that lesson.”
The Alpha put an approving hand on his son’s shoulder.
Lila caught Rafe’s gaze one last time, making sure he saw her before mouthing a silent thank-you. He’d given her a gift beyond price. Rafe ducked his head, uncharacteristically flustered.
Izetta and Malatest nodded, but cautiously watched the lightening horizon. Dawn was not far away.
Elroth paused long enough to look around the clearing before turning to Izetta. “My lady, may I borrow your blade?”
Izetta silently handed it over, hilt first. The king sliced open his palm and used his thumb to mark Galeeta’s forehead with his blood. “Your penance has been spoken and shall not be broken until recompense is made.”
The spell was simple, ancient, and powerful. Galeeta bowed until her face was hidden against her knees. Elroth’s sentence struck at the heart of Galeeta’s pride. After holding herself together through so much, now she wept like a broken child.
The family crowded around her, giving as much comfort as they could. Lila barely paid attention when the king opened another portal for the fae, taking them back to the forest they considered their true home.
Lila didn’t notice the vampires leave at all, and only looked up from her distraught mother when distant wolf howls signaled that the pack had left, too. Rafe had gone with them, at long last welcomed at his father’s side. The long and terrible night was ending and taking him with it.
The future Lila had struggled to imagine was upon her. She had her family, closer than ever before. She was free from any obligation to marry someone she didn’t choose, free to build her life as she chose. And yet, tomorrow was an unexpectedly lonely place.
One month later, Lila juggled her shoulder bag, coffee, and croissant to her usual table at the bistro. It was late on a Saturday afternoon, so she had the luxury of scrolling through the online news while drinking her latte. It was the first time she’d relaxed in the weeks since she’d returned from the way station.
The first sip of coffee was heaven as she let her fae senses explore the bold taste. There was a snatch of song and sun-warmed earth coupled with the crisp air of the high mountains. She’d never tasted coffee or a croissant before coming to the city, but now that she had, there was no way she could give up such colorful flavors.
While she’d been at the way station, she’d missed the pleasure of the bistro, with its glass-topped tables, blue-checked curtains, and busy chatter. That had been the least of her problems, but now she appreciated the place even more. It sat next door to her apartment building in East Bay and was lively but never overly crowded. People spread their visits out according to their schedule and, given the mixed clientele in the area, the bistro served breakfast all day and all night, too.
Lila began scrolling on her tablet, skimming without really reading. There was a going-out-of-business sale as the light fae owners left for Gilden Wood and a new story from Errata about bacchante—sadly, the drug hadn’t vanished along with the Magician. The reporter had tried to write about Farras and the destruction of the way station, but Elroth had put a stop to that. Some fae business would always remain hidden, and no one who’d seen the king’s justice in action was likely to defy his wishes.
Lila’s family had been lucky, thanks to Rafe. Still, nothing had been simple. She’d held herself in a fist of worry while she’d found a place for her parents and organized the thousand necessary things to set up their lives—bank accounts, utilities, bus schedules, and even library cards. She missed Rafe’s steady presence every minute. She’d done everything with no help from other fae, who all seemed to feel she was the one with the time and expertise to handle the assignment.
The result of her efforts was a mixed success. Her father adored the library. In contrast, it had taken a monumental effort to convince her mother that their budget would not extend to a housemaid, and an automatic dishwasher would have to do. One might have thought civilization had crashed around Galeeta’s ears.
No, it had not been an easy beginning. Even so, it was progress. They had their space now, and Lila could reclaim hers. She could sit and have her coffee in peace. When someone pulled up a chair to her table, she was ready to blast the intruder at least three tables away. She set down her cup and looked up, barely wiping away a scowl.
It was Rafe. Her mouth went dry, as if she’d been drinking sand. She hadn’t seen or heard from him since the trial. “Hello.”
“Hello.” He smiled, and it was the first true, carefree smile she’d seen from him. There were dimples involved. “I hope I’m not disturbing you.”
She stuffed the tablet back in her bag. “No, not at all. How are you?”
