THE DARKENING (The Divided Realms: Book 2)

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

But it really wasn't settled. They continued to argue through the night. Brand and Theon, not entirely convinced of Dacia's choice of power, kept coming up with opposing ideas. Even Willow, ambivalent about taking responsibility for their one single magic, threw in suggestions – mind control, flight, incredible strength, shape shifting, fire conjuring, illusion. Dacia knocked down every proposal. Finally, the faerie girl had had enough. She said they would sleep on it. The next thing Willow knew, she found herself tucked into a plush bed with a silky nightgown covering her body.

She lay still, her eyes darting overhead. The room had no ceiling! Stars twinkled down like soft, glowing nightlights. She heard the sound of water and sat up, staring around her. The room had a pool in it with a gently gurgling fountain. Open windows sent in faint perfumed breezes that swayed gauzy curtains in a gentle dance.

Almost immediately Willow felt her tension leave. The room was apparently magicked for sleep. Fine by me, she thought, yawning. She snuggled under the blankets. Wake me up when it's over.

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"They all argue against me, Father, but I believe they are beginning to see the wisdom of my choice." Dacia stopped pacing and regarded her father appraisingly. "Even I am beginning to see the wisdom of it. Seems strange now that no one has ever used healing as a power in the Gauntlet before. What made you think of it?"

Jarlath stilled. His eyes gleamed in a way that made Dacia uneasy. "There are yet aspects to goblins, my child, that you don't know. Healing will help you against them. But more importantly, if the girl must bind your wounds, she will learn to care for you. Our goal will then be made all the easier. If she befriends you and your brother, it won't seem so wrong to take one of you home."

Mention of Theon made Dacia frown. "You made me Game Master, Father. Why did you have to include Theon? I don't need him in this Game. I can win without him."

"I know that, daughter." Jarlath reached out and fingered a lock of Dacia's silken hair. "It was the possibility of choice that made me include him. Who will she choose?"

The words lingered in the fragrant night air. Dacia's mouth tightened. Same story as always. Father wanted to test them. Dark or Light? Who would Willow be drawn to? But both she and Theon had been brought up in Dark. If one of them had any Light left inside, it would be a twisted, crippled Light. Still, she could see Father's interest in the outcome. Maybe a human could sense things a faerie could not.

"Very well, Father. I shall not disappoint you."

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In the morning, Willow noticed that a roof had replaced the sky, and the gurgling fountain had disappeared. Sunlight and fresh air streamed in through the open windows, making her alternately blink and suck in deep breaths. She stretched, climbed out of bed, and discovered she was already dressed: brown boots, brown leggings, loose white shirt, tight leather jerkin, and a sweeping green cloak. Questing clothes, if she'd ever seen them. Brand strode in, similarly attired.

"It appears we've both been readied for battle." He eyed her new outfit and looked around the room. "If we ever see Mistolear again, I, for one, shall sing the praises of these fey rooms. Never have I had such a restful sleep."

Willow nodded. The few hours she'd managed to sleep had left her alert, as if she'd had a pot-load of coffee. She swung her gaze to one of the windows, which opened like a doorway, and saw Dacia and Theon approaching. They stepped inside, their leggings, jerkins, and cloaks similar to Willow and Brand's.