Part 38 (1/2)
Ulrich and s.h.i.+nn, they two were alike.
”It gives him hope. A purpose.”
”Mortals have always aspired to purpose. As have you, Gossamyr. I had only thought to give you that purpose. But this alicorn. . .you must not return it.”
”What?”
Wind sifted s.h.i.+nn's gray hair across his staunch jaw. Not the same. How many of her father's moons had been stolen from her with his Pa.s.sage to the Otherside?
”Gossamyr, as it stands now, I can bring you back to Faery. As my daughter, whether blooded or not, you belong in Faery.”
”But I will age?”
”I can return your glamour, though it will not be fixed by Enchantment. There...is the marriage to consider.”
”Of course.” The two tribes must unite. As well, Glamour-siege must eventually receive an heir to the throne. ”How selfish of me-”
”Gossamyr.”
She pushed out from s.h.i.+nn's wing embrace and strode toward the stream. Another reason her father did not want her to leave his side-the business of securing the Glamoursiege reign-yet he would never put that into the air.
”Why should I return to marry and to rule a land not my own?”
”Because Glamoursiege is your home!”
”Oh?”
”It is the only home you have ever known.”
”But you schemed to place Desideriel at my side. It is imperative I marry a full-blood fee. Does Desideriel know? That I am but a mortal changeling?”
”Gossamyr-”
”Tell me!”
”He does not. He believes you half-blooded. And should evermore.”
”More lies! When will the truth ever be safe? Yet my return will see my swift decline. How soon before the aging reduces me to but bone? You ask me to sacrifice for the good of Faery.”
”I should not ask so much of one I love.”
”Faeries know not how to love,” Gossamyr spat.
”Why can you not believe a man is capable of loving someone, of caring for and raising a child not of his flesh?”
”Because...”
Ulrich's situation flashed before her. The man quested to bring his daughter back to him. A child whom he did not know to be his or another man's.
Never had she felt s.h.i.+nn was being false with her. His cruelties never weakened his kindnesses. He could speak the truth. She wanted him to speak the truth. Why now should he lie?
”Very well. I...accept that you love me. And that Veridienne loved me. But what has my return to do with the alicorn?”
”If you heal the rift, you close the means for your return. I will be forever sealed off from you.”
And the marriage would not take place.
”But the fee can always Pa.s.sage to the Otherside. You could...visit me, as you do now, without risking Disenchantment.”
”My next visit may be my last.” He stroked away a strand of hair from his face. Had the wrinkles deepened? He was aging before her eyes.
”You ask me to keep the rift open, to allow the revenants' continued return?”
”Your defeat of the Red Lady will stop them.” He bowed his head, clenching his fists near his face. ”I don't want to lose you, Gossamyr.”
”But Faery-it will suffer for-”
”For my selfish desires.”
For a father's love. For a marriage that would crown s.h.i.+nn's successor. Both n.o.ble desires. And since when did she ever believe that she could choose a life of her own making? The truth should not change any of that.
”s.h.i.+nn, I don't know what to do.”
”You know my wishes. You know the fate of Glamoursiege lies in your hands. But I will not keep you from doing what you feel is right. You are truly a champion. Valor has always been yours.”
”Valor,” she muttered, remembering the words painted on the dented s.h.i.+eld. ”And vengeance.” Your mortal sister killed him. ”And the truth. Have I the truth?”
”Truth is your name, Verity d'Ange.”
”Verity? That is a part of my-”
”Gossamyr Verity de Winters.h.i.+nn. Veridienne and I felt you should retain that part of your heritage.”
”My, my mortal name.” The knowledge landed her, light as a feather, to her shoulder. So precious, and she had held such all this time.
He lifted her hand and pressed it to his cheek, which momentarily brightened the tear trail. Not warm, s.h.i.+nn's flesh, but neither cold. Drawing her hand away, he clasped it between both of his. ”Now you have the truth. All of it. You must not worry for the world, Gossamyr. Think of yourself.”
”Myself?” Verity d'Ange. Mortal. ”Yes, so much I have wanted. So much I have received.”
But there were others. ”Can Avenall ever remember?”
s.h.i.+nn shrugged. ”I could make it so. Do you wish it?”
”I'm not sure.” Not the same. ”What if I Named him complete?”
”You might try. The Red Lady's power over him is great with the essences that feed her.”