Part 13 (1/2)

”I know Ermentrude says you need to meet with Herne, but I don't want you to,” Sean muttered.

”I'm going to let you two love birds work this out. I'm desperate for some goat cheese. It was total misery not to be able to eat at the faire.” Elia waddled off. She seemed to have recovered from her shock.

”Sean, I'll be fine. I'll take Knot with me. You'll be patrolling the area for goblins, right?”

”If I can talk the Northwoods elves into it. They may already be doing it.”

Miszrial had stepped aside from Ermentrude and was watching Sean and Keelie like a huntress.

”Come on, we can discuss this later. We need to join the others.”

As they walked up, all conversation stopped. One of the elves glared at Keelie. ”Can we help you?”

Keelie's cheeks burned. ”I thought...”

Ermentrude winked at her. ”Keelie, I think you'll find what you're looking for in the woods behind Norzan's cabin, toward the north. Knot will go with you.”

Sean began to follow her.

”Lord Sean, you'll need to turn to the east because the elves who volunteered as border guards are awaiting your instruction.” Ermentrude smiled benevolently at him.

Sean bowed his head, but Keelie swore she heard some not very nice words being quietly uttered.

Honestly, she didn't relish the idea of meeting Herne by herself, in the woods, with goblins about. She had no idea how she was going to convince him to help with the repair of the rift. If Herne was angry with Vania, then Keelie didn't know what she could do. But she had to try. Ermentrude really was persuasive.

Dragons!

Purring thrummed against her leg. Keelie looked down to see Knot trotting along beside her.

”Glad you're doing your guardian job.”

He turned his head away as if she didn't deserve any acknowledgment from him.

”Are we heading in the right direction?”

He crooked his tail forward.

”You could talk to me.”

He kept walking.

”So, you want to have a mead sometime?”

He stopped and washed his b.u.t.t.

”I take that as a personal insult. I'm sure you meant it that way.”

He started walking again.

”Fine, I don't want to have a mead with you.” Keelie wasn't even old enough to drink mead. She trudged past the village's stone buildings to the trail heading north. It went straight up a hill, through thick pine trees.

She reached out to the trees. Do you see Lord Herne?

He waits for you, the trees replied as one.

Suspicion stung her, and Keelie didn't know who to trust. Terciel, Herne, Ermentrude, King Gneiss, and Queen Vania were all powerful beings, and they probably all wanted a piece of the wild magic. She would have more information after meeting with Herne, but she was going to talk to Norzan and Dad. If any of these beings had made secret alliances, there was no point in trying to get them to work together. This was way out of her league. What she needed was a magical United Nations peacekeeping force.

The faintly marked trail that led up the hill was springy with fallen pine needles, and every step released their aromatic scent. The silence was unnerving. No birds, no rustling leaves. And no bhata followed her, as they had since she'd arrived.

A twig snapped behind her. She jumped and spun around, heart racing. ”Who's there?”

Branches rattled in an unnatural breeze.

Is someone in the forest?

Yes, the trees answered.

Is it a goblin?

There was no answer.

Another twig crackled, and Keelie whipped around, ready to face the goblin. Her hand went to the charred heart that hung around her neck, and it warmed as its magic was released. Keelie's heart raced, pounding against her chest as adrenalin fired her muscles.

A deer stepped delicately into view, its head crowned by a huge rack of antlers. Keelie's fear quickly became awe. Strong muscles clenched under its sleek hide, and its powerful neck arched. It turned, pinning her with its blazing obsidian eyes.

”Do you fear me, Keelie?”

She'd expected Peascod or a goblin, not Herne himself. Keelie backed up as the deer stepped closer to her. She s.h.i.+elded her eyes with her forearm as a flas.h.i.+ng swirl of light blinded her, and when she lowered her arm, she saw that the deer had transformed.

Cloaked in dark green, Herne seemed a part of the forest. Green blanketed the ground around them, and the nearby hardwoods sported fresh leaves. Flower petals drifted in a warm, sweet-scented breeze. He exuded power, far more than any fae she'd met, and the dark fae magic she'd absorbed in the Dread Forest responded to his presence.

”That was impressive.” Keelie tried for a light tone, to hide the fear he'd seen.

She remembered gazing into his black eyes when they'd danced in Queen Vania's ballroom. He was just as irresistibly handsome now as he'd been as an elf. Herne was trouble, but he was also the key to keeping disaster from striking. She had to stay.

”I didn't mean to frighten you.” His words seemed to be wrapped in warm caramel.

”I need answers. I came to help the fae and the elves talk to each other, and instead I find that the problem is something else entirely, and that there are dwarves here and even dragons. And you. The situation is a lot more complicated than I was led to believe. Please help by being part of the solution.”

Herne's eyes twinkled. He seemed amused by her little speech.

Keelie examined the forest floor for Knot. He'd better not be off having an ale with Ermentrude when he was supposed to be her guardian. She glanced over her shoulder, and saw a curtain of leaves forming a barrier between them and the rest of the world. She realized how quiet it had become, hearing just the sound of her own breathing. ”Where's Knot?”

”He's been detained.” Herne smiled wickedly. Keelie s.h.i.+vered. The plot to a horror movie popped into her mind: Shapes.h.i.+fting deer stalks elf girl. She wasn't sure what the King of the Dark Fae wanted with her, and she didn't like feeling vulnerable in front of him. Now would be a good time to make a retreat, but ... Keelie wanted to stay. She sniffed. No cinnamon.

”Do you smell something that offends you?” Herne arched an eyebrow, unsure of what she was doing.

Keelie blushed. ”No, it's just that whenever elves use magic-” Should she reveal this information to him? The fairies might not know about the elven charm.

”Ah! You were wondering if I have charmed you.”