Through the Fairy Ring

Chapter Sixteen

Arden's breath tickled my ear. "We're almost to the short cut, and then it will be minutes until we're at the Fairy Ring."

The clothing between us reduced the electrical connection between us to bearable levels, but I still found it difficult to concentrate on anything besides the feel of his body pressed against my back and his arms wrapped around my waist.

"Fairy Ring?"

"Yes. If you know where to look, they're all over. The Fairies made them with their magic after they were exiled to the Realm so they could get around faster." Arden shifted behind me. "I was unaware the Pixie Queen could mix an antidote."

"She said it's because the Pixie's and Fairies are related."

Tavi trotted up beside us. "Is it safe to take a break? After our sprint, I think Zia is getting tired."

"Do you sense the creature?" Arden asked Drostan. "I'm not feeling any fear from the horses."

"I haven't sensed it since the attack."

"Then we might as well stop for a few minutes, don't you think, Hazel?"

My eyebrows raised.

"Um, sure. I could use a short break, and I'm sure Dara could." I reined the horse in. She stopped walking almost instantly and puffed out the biggest sigh a horse could give. I chuckled. Obviously she was ready for a rest, too.

Arden slid off first, and I followed, stomping my feet to test how my legs would function. No shaking or wobbling, so I led both horses to the stream and let them wade into the shallow water alone. Arden could compel them to his side when we were ready to leave.

Behind me, Tavi laughed, and Drostan's deeper laugh joined hers. How did Tavi get him to do that? But then, it was Tavi. Her easy demeanor and sharp sense of humor would win over a troll.

"Is this spot taken?" Arden stepped into the space next to me and watched the horses slurp water.

"Considering it's an empty space in the forest, I'd say not."

Most of our time riding had been in awkward silence, but it gave me the chance to think about how I wanted to handle the situation with Arden. I realized I didn't have the emotional energy right now to invest in so much anger toward him. I would have to be angry later, after the kids were safe, or I'd end up completely losing my mind from the stress. In the mean time, I'd pretend my heart hadn't been destroyed by Arden's lies of omission. I could do that. It wasn't like he was the first person who jilted me. Of course, I'd hoped he was different from other guys I'd been involved with, but apparently he wasn't.

My lower lip threatened to pout at that thought, so straightened my shoulders, gave myself an internal kick to remind myself of my decision to be civil to him, and said, "I'm sorry about your horse."

"Thank you. She'd been with me since her birth. Her mother died, so I raised her." He glanced back at Tavi and Drostan, who seemed oblivious to anything outside of their conversation. Arden cleared his throat, "Hazel, you have to believe me. I am sorry for hurting you."

"Don't. Just leave it alone."

"But I need you to know."

"Why now? Why not before? Why didn't you just tell me?"

"Perhaps I wanted to forget about it, myself. It was a long time ago. I was young, and she was a friend of my brother. There was a party, we spent one night together, and then a month or so later she came back and said she was pregnant. My father, the current Daragward of the time, insisted I make the situation right."

"Do you have a child?"

"No. She miscarried shortly after we were married, if she ever truly was pregnant. There was no way to tell."

His normally warm brown eyes darkened to black coals, and he squinted against the memory.

"Why would she lie?"

He shook his head. "I can only guess. Being married to the upcoming Daragward would give her status and assure the Fairies of their place in Darag-Leigh. It was all very suspicious, and after she said she miscarried, I couldn't stand to even look at her. The tension was terrible and I strongly suggested she return home for a visit, for a break. She hasn't returned - until now."

A forced marriage? "She didn't make it sound at all like that. She made it sound like you married her happily, and she'd been gone for a short time."

"It's been well over fifty years since we've lived in the same house."

I didn't know what to think. I definitely preferred Arden's version over Breeju's, but that didn't make it the truth, either. He still hadn't been forthcoming about his past? What else could he not be telling me? And why would Breeju would force her way into Arden's life, if it wasn't because she loved him?

"Why would her being married to you assure the Fairies a place in Darag-Leigh?" I asked.

"I can answer that." Drostan and Tavi walked up to us. "Breeju is Edlark's sister."

Edlark's sister? "But that doesn't make sense. Why isn't she in good favor with the Fairies, then?"

"She isn't?" Arden's brows furrowed.

"I'm pretty sure she said she was dead to Edlark. Do you know,Drostan?"

He shrugged. "I wasn't aware she was in disfavor. She'd visit us every once in a while, but she never hinted at any troubles to me. Are you guys ready to move on? I haven't sensed the creature, but it can't be that far behind us."

"I'm ready," I said, and Arden agreed. A shiver rippled the air as Arden called the horses to us. I wondered if Drostan felt it. I'd asked Tavi before, and she wasn't aware when Arden used his magic toward animals. In fact, earlier in the day was the first time I'd seen her react to any of Arden's magic - maybe because he was using it on humans. Usually she only saw the after effects, which tonight were both Suntaria trotting over and pushing each other to gain Arden's attention.

I climbed up first, and now, after hearing Arden's side of the story, I didn't mind the touch of his body against mine as he settled behind me. He still had a lot to explain, but Arden had earned my trust long ago. I chose to believe his story over Breeju's. Perhaps I was being naive, but Arden's view better matched the facts I did know.

I'd only just met Breeju, and she withheld important information as well. She didn't acknowledge she was Edlark's sister, and she definitely portrayed herself as the beloved wife.

It was possible she hadn't thought being Edlark's sister was important. Ultimately, the information didn't change anything. Sister or not, a rift was a rift. And I suppose her version of her relationship with Arden could have been her protecting her own pride.

Drostan and Tavi were ready, so I nudged Dara into a brisk walk.

Once again on horseback, my thoughts turned to the earlier attack.

"That thing that attacked us wasn't just an animal, was it?" I said, turning slightly in the saddle so Arden could hear me.

"I don't think so," he said. "And the fact I can't sense it, but Drostan can, strongly indicates it's Fairy."

A connection snapped together in my head. "Do you think it's the thing that's been killing animals in Darag-Leigh?"

"Perhaps."

But that would mean the creature would have been following us. Why would it do that? "Why didn't you shoot it?"

Arden blew out a sigh. "As crazy as it sounds, somehow, it looked familiar to me."