|[ THE FAERI'S KEEPER ]|

Excerpt from "The Soul Reaper"

I jumped at the knock on my door. I wasn't expecting anyone, and yet I couldn't dispel the hope that it was either Claude or Cedric. I moved to open the door but whoever it was impatiently strode inside.

"Make yourself at home..." I began sourly as Imelda strode into view, no longer wearing her emerald dress, but men's clothes, as I did. Her dark hair was tied up and I could see white runes on the side of her neck that I had never noticed before. "Imelda?" I asked incredulously, "What are you doing? What are you doing here?" didn't she have a kingdom to run?

"Oh cousin," she smiled, "Cedric told me I would find you sulking around here." She moved over to stand by the fire, keeping her back to me. "You really shouldn't sulk, by the way. It isn't becoming of a woman."

"What do you want?" I asked shortly, crossing my arms and sitting back down. I wasn't in any mood for her games. "Why are you here? Aren't you needed in Thalandor?"

"Of course I am, but my people can survive without my presence for a few days." Imelda finally turned and smiled at me, almost as warm as the fire behind her. "I'm here to talk diplomatic relations with Cedric, if you would." She smiled, "I mean... what you did, stopping the war... it was a great feat, yes. But how long until ties between the two kingdoms grow restless again?" she shrugged, "Something more... permanent must be sorted out. But I wished to see you first."

"And why is that, might I ask?" I growled, raising an eyebrow.

"Well you see, I would ask for your blessings." Imelda beamed, "For..."

"My blessings?" I cut across her, "My blessings for what?" my stomach flipped, making me feel nauseous. Something wasn't right.

"Well Cedric and I... I believe he talked to you about this, though you failed to accept. However... to keep the kingdoms together forever..."

"No..." I breathed.

"We're getting married." Imelda tinkled, "And we would ask for your blessings."

"No... Cedric loves me." I whispered, "He wouldn't..." my stomach sank like a stone, and I suddenly felt too heavy. I slumped back into my chair.

"Oh, I wouldn't be too certain of that." Imelda said, her voice holding a cool edge, "I mean... word travels fast of how he has treated you. Of your drunken coquetry." My face flushed and I curled my fingers into claws. "And how he basically denounced you before his guards and that constant watchdog of his." The smile never left her face.

I shivered. Watchdog...? What Cedric had called...?

"What are you really doing here?" I growled, climbing to my feet, "What do you really want?" Imelda shifted closer, her eyes glittering in the firelight. So green, so familiar. I had seen those eyes before.

"I think you already know," Imelda smiled sweetly, touching my arm, "But by the time you try anything, it'll be too late." Her fingers left a cold tingle as she dropped her hand and swept back to the door. "The wedding is in four days." She smiled, "I hope to see you there." she disappeared through the door without a noise and I was left alone once more.

Cedric was marrying her... was... was... he couldn't. He couldn't! I was going to find him – and demand an explanation. Was Imelda lying, trying to tease me with untruths? Or had he really agreed to marry her, for the sake of keeping the peace? Why else would she even be here, in Trinstone, if not that it was true? I dropped my face into my hands, biting back a groan. I was going to figure out what was going on.

Determination burned like a hot coal as I jumped to my feet. Was he in his room? It couldn't hurt to check. I breezed from the room, heart thudding in my ears to match my pace. I was either going to have to be filled with relief, or have my fears confirmed.