|[ THE FAERI'S KEEPER ]|

Chapter 40: Happily Ever After?

Something hard hit me on the side of the head, dragging me unceremoniously from my slumber. I bit back a cry as the same thing thrashed against me, cursing and growling under their breath...

"Cedric?" I hissed as he fell to the floor of the carriage, eyes wide, moaning in pain. His skin was laced with sweat, and I saw dark red staining his shirt. I fell down beside him, tearing the material up to see the wound in his stomach had reopened, edges rented apart, revealing the bloody flesh beneath. He shuddered, stifling cried of pain as a darkness settled down over the carriage, still rolling along, and a deep voice reverberated in my head.

His Soul will be mine, Archer.

"No!" I screamed, looking up into the bright blue eyes that hovered in the corner of the carriage. Cedric was becoming more still with each passing second, "We had a deal!"

"Did I not tell you? I am no merchant. I do not sell my wares..."

"You promised!" I screamed as Cedric shuddered to a stop, blood forming a pool on the carriage floor, the pale prince the only swimmer...

***

I jerked awake, fear lacing my blood like a poison, making my heart race far too fast, causing my breaths to come far too short. I glanced around. The carriage was quiet, and Cedric was not on the floor, lying in red ink. He was beside me, asleep, his breathing soft and quiet. I shivered, feeling cool air on my hot skin. It had been a nightmare? But was that all it had been?

Cedric stirred, as if sensing my gaze, and his eyes fluttered open. Shock was evident in them. I wondered if the fear I felt was still plain on my face.

"What? Irene? Is something wrong?" he sat up straighter, hand reaching for mine.

"No, no," I laughed shakily, "I just had a... a nightmare. That's all." The carriage lurched to a stop. "Oh. We're here. We're back in Trinstone."

"Are you sure you're okay?" Cedric asked softly, "You look like you've seen a ghost."

"I'm fine, Cedric." I said a little stiffly. He nodded but smiled. Cedric stood and moved to the carriage door and threw it open.

"We're home." He said happily. I felt a slight pang in my heart.

"You're home." I said softly, standing beside him. I looked out over the city. In the weeks I had been gone with Claude things had changed. The walls were almost completely repaired, and new gates were bolted onto them, held open and gleaming. Guards stood on either side, swords on hips, the emblem of Trinstone blazing on their chests. It looked like I had hoped – a city not ravaged by war, but one with a bright future.

"What do you mean, Irene?" Cedric laughed, "What is mine is yours. This is your home. It always has been."

"It used to be." I sighed as I stepped out of the carriage with him, "But I am from Thalandor... despite what I want blood is thick and I belong there, not here. This is your kingdom."

"Then why did you come?" Cedric asked, frowning, "Surely you did not just some along for the ride just to give me my memories of you, and then leave me out in the cold?" he seemed hurt, "if that is the case you should've just left me."

"Of course not, Cedric!" I gasped, "Why on earth would I want to do that... I guess... I guess I just came with you because I wanted to see you as king, at least once."

"At least once before what?" Cedric asked softly.

"Before I return to Thalandor. I don't want it to be, but if there really is no one else to become Queen I will do it. It's my responsibility."