“What about you? We saw the DVD.” I didn’t want to embarrass her, but she had to know.

“The others told me.” She bit her lip. “Leo…I can’t just go along the same as I’ve always been and still expect to rule as the Summer Queen. My initiation led me through a dark journey. I almost didn’t make it, Cicely, but I pulled through. After Leo caught me, the strength I drew on from that, the power that kept me going through the initiation, that’s what helped me survive him. What you saw on that video wasn’t the worst of what happened. I’ll tell you about it all when I’m ready but not now. Not with him still out there. But I will tell you this: I’m ready to claim my power. Chatter is going to teach me, along with a few of the adepts from the Marburry Barrow, not just how to control my flame but how to increase it.”

I paused, then let out a long sigh. While Lannan had humiliated me before, I could never truly say he’d raped me. Abused me? Yes, but not like Leo had assaulted my cousin. “How’s Chatter?”

She hesitated for a moment, then dipped her finger in the bubbles and swirled them around. “He’s different. Not in a bad way—not to me. But this changed him, too. He’s no longer…”

“No longer Grieve’s sidekick?” I smiled at her.

“Right. He’s going to make one hell of a formidable Summer King. I guess this had to happen, but…”

“If it had only happened another way,” I said softly, and she nodded.

I was as clean as I was going to get, and it was time to face the music. “Is Grieve out there, waiting?”

She bit her lip. “Yes. Cicely, last night was the hardest thing he’s ever done. You should have seen his face when Lannan carried you off. He loves you more than life itself, and for him to let Lannan do what he did…”

I stepped out of the tub, and Rhia sighed. “Your leg looks so painful.”

“That’s why Grieve allowed it. I would have bled out. These aren’t chicken scratches. I almost died.”

I stared down at my legs. The bruises on my thighs were evident, but Rhia delicately avoided mentioning them. “He’s a pain in the ass, but the fact is that Lannan saved my life. What happened last night, happened. I’m not caught up in thrall by him, nor am I in love with him. Grieve and I will move beyond this.”

In that moment, I knew it was true. Rhia seemed to understand. She stood as the maid brought over an upholstered bag. Rhia took it and waved her away.

“I brought you some clothes. Druise picked them out.”

As I toweled off, she withdrew a long indigo skirt, which wouldn’t rub against my wounds; a pair of panties; and a gorgeous black and silver corset. I suddenly realized that my circlet was missing.

“My crown—”

The words had no more than escaped my lips when the maid jumped up. “I’ll fetch it for you, Your Majesty.” She vanished out the door and I began to dress, Rhiannon helping me into the corset.

“I swear, I know Druise likes to pull my laces, but I’m going to have her fix a few of these damned things so I can just slip into them and hook them up. If she’s not around, I need to be able to get them on without her help.”

Rhia laughed. “I know. My lady’s maid is the same way. We’re bringing change to the Barrows, you know. Things will never quite be the same as they were.” She tied me off and then stood back. “You look good.” Picking up a bag of makeup, she held it out to me.

I was about to wave it away but then realized—I was the face of the Court of Winter. When I walked out that door, that was how everybody was going to be looking at me. There was no more choice. I had to take more time, had to pay more attention to the formalities of the situation. I flipped on the lighted mirror at the vanity and settled myself on the bench, swiftly applying my game face.

“Things have changed. Our lives…once we find Geoffrey and Leo…and once we take care of Myst…” I looked over my shoulder at her. “Can you imagine what our lives will be like in twenty years…thirty…one hundred? We’re going to live a long, long time, and right now it’s hard to comprehend what all of this is going to mean. We’re still so caught up in the adrenaline of what’s happened—and the enemies we’re facing…”

She laughed, coming over to hug me and give me a quick kiss on the cheek. “I know we don’t realize all that’s happened. It’s all been like a dream—everything is so topsy-turvy. But we’ll figure it out. After all, you and I are amber and jet.”

“Fire and ice.” I grinned. “Did you ever think that when we used to call ourselves that, it was actually true?”

Shaking her head, she turned somber again. “No, but maybe we had a premonition about it. Maybe my mother did when she nicknamed us that.” She paused. “We have to find Leo and Geoffrey. None of us will rest with them still out there. Regina left us some information that might help.”

“They got away in the mayhem.” I frowned.

“Yeah. When Crawl had hold of you and all the guards were focused on you, they managed to slip away. So they’re on the run again. But Regina had her men tear through that place.”

“Do they know who originally built the underground structure?”

“No, though it looks like it was used by some group studying the creatures from the depths. She’s going to station a group of her own vamps down there, and Ysandra is going to assign members of the Consortium there, too. They want to know what’s going on—where those things are coming from. And to figure out just what they are. They’ll be working in tandem.”

That sounded like a solid plan. “When they find out, we need to know. We can ask Strict and Edge who our historians are at the Barrows and see if there are any records there, although who knows how much Myst destroyed when she rampaged through both? But if there is anything recorded about them, we’ll find out and turn the information over to Regina and Ysandra. Whatever they are, those creatures could threaten the city.”

I was dressed. Druise returned with my circlet and I put it on and stood back. “I’m ready. Let’s go. We’ve got vampires to catch.” And I had a fiancé to calm, and to remind how much I loved him, no matter what had happened.

Grieve was waiting in the foyer, along with Peyton, Check, and several of the guards. He stood there, looking at me as I walked down the hall. I paused, unsure of what to do. I slowly raised my skirt so they could see the long scabs running along my leg. His face crumpled and he just held out his arms and I raced into them, the night fading like a bad dream.

“My love, my love…” His whispers enfolded me in a shroud of love and remorse as he kissed my hair, kissed my face. Then, holding me back by the shoulders, he looked into my eyes. “You’re all right?”

I gazed at him, willing him to see how much I loved him. How much he meant to me. “I am, thanks to you. And…thanks to Lannan. He saved my life.” I knew it hurt, but it had to be said.

A wash of pain crossed Grieve’s face, but he quickly shook it off. “I know. And…I know.” That was all he said, but I could read every nuance of what lurked behind those words. He would accept what happened because it did save my life. Because it was the only thing that meant I was here this morning instead of lying cold on a slab.

“I love you. You’re my betrothed. We will rule Winter together.” And with that, I kissed him once again, and his arms encircled my waist and we were all right. I knew there would come a time we’d have to talk about what happened, but that time was not now. We had work to do.

Grieve seemed to sense this, also. “We’re meeting at the Veil House to discuss routing Geoffrey and Leo. We have leads on them, thanks to Regina’s men. Ysandra and Luna are casting another locating spell to pinpoint the spot.”

That worried me. “Should Luna do another so soon? The spirits already told her she would be paying a price for the one she cast earlier.”

“There’s no choice, and it matters not. She said now that they’ve claimed her, there’s not much more they can require. She’s created a compact by that first spell, so she might as well take advantage of the connection.”

I nodded. It made sense. “Then let’s book. I want to get out of here. I want to find those freaks and be done with this. I’m ready to close the chapter on Geoffrey and Leo’s little reign of terror.”

As we headed out into the snowy day, I glanced back at Lannan’s mansion. I would have to deal with him in the future, yes. But somewhere, inside, I knew that—no matter if his obsession continued—we were done. Something had shifted, and though I couldn’t pinpoint what it was, our relationship had changed forever.

Cicely! You’re awake and all right! Ulean’s voice blew past, a euphoric sweep of cool air swirling around me.

I’ve been better, but yes. I’m all right. Lannan…things have changed.

I know what happened. And you are right—your life, the lives of your loved ones and friends…the very nature of New Forest is shifting. And it must—it is the nature of life to change. Leo and Geoffrey stand in the path of that shift. As does Myst. But you…the wounds are healing? And you came through the Blood Fever…?

I could sense her hesitation. Ulean could be discreet at times, diplomatic when she wished, but this felt different.

It’s all right to talk about it. Lannan and I have reached a crossroads in our relationship. He saved my life and he pulled me through the Blood Fever. And while I know he enjoyed it…somehow I do not think he wanted it to happen that way. Only time will tell what comes from this. But Grieve and I are good. And my heart belongs firmly where it always has—in my Fae Prince’s keeping.

Then all will be well. Come, they await you at the Veil House. There is hunting to be done.

And with that, Rhiannon and Peyton and I climbed into the waiting limousine, while Grieve and the guards took off at blur-speed. As we pulled out of the driveway, I turned my thoughts toward the future. There was no going back.

Chapter 19

The ride home was silent. Peyton was staring straight ahead, and then I remembered: Anadey was dead. Anadey had attacked Geoffrey to save Peyton, and she’d died for it. She’d turned on us, but in the end, her love for her daughter had brought her through. But that meant Geoffrey had killed both of Peyton’s parents, and I could see the hatred simmering below the surface.

I reached out, touched her arm. “We’ll get them. I promise you with all of my heart, we will destroy them.”

“I want blood vengeance.” She looked up at me, her face set. “My father was going to take me to his people. I will still go, when all of this—Geoffrey, Myst—is over. I will tell them Rex is dead, and see if they will still let me journey on a vision quest to become part of my tribe.”

“What about the diner?” Rhia asked.

“I have no interest in it—I’ll sell it, and then be able to fund the Mystical Eye fully. I’ve washed my last dish.” And with that, she lapsed into silence. Rhiannon and I left her alone. We both had been through our own private hell. None of us was up to talking much.

The snow was swirling, and I realized that this would be my world from now on. Snow and ice, the unending winter. When spring came to New Forest, I would remain in my frozen realm, venturing out only here and there. I gazed up at the silvery sky, letting the steady fall of flakes mesmerize me.

By the time we reached the Veil House, it was nearing lunchtime. We silently slipped out of the limo and I waved to the driver, who nodded and pulled away. As we jogged up the steps, I stopped and held out my hand to gather a handful of flakes. They were beautiful, truly, lacework sculptures every one, and they were, in a sense, my children. I turned back to the house and followed Peyton and Rhia inside.

We gathered around the table, and I was surprised to see Kaylin there. He still looked rough, but he smiled at me, leaning back in his chair. I kissed him on the forehead as I passed.

“Good to see you, dude. How are you?”

“Not up to a fight, that’s for sure, but I wanted to be here.”

I nodded, looking around. Luna and Ysandra were there, looking grave. Check and his men were lining the walls. Grieve and Chatter took their places, as did Rhiannon, Peyton, and I. When we were all seated, Druise appeared from the kitchen. I was startled to see her, but she was carrying a plate of sandwiches and a bag of chips. She set them on the table, then curtseyed to me.

“Thank you, Druise.” I paused, sensing her worry. “I’m all right. I was injured…but I’m healing.” To prove the point, I stood up and backed away from the table, lifting my skirt just enough to show everyone the long gashes on my shin and calf. A collective gasp told me that I hadn’t been imagining how bad they’d been.

“Now that we have that over…what about Crawl? What do we know about Geoffrey and Leo? Obviously, I was out of it after Crawl got hold of me.” I left that thought hanging, not wanting to go any further with it.

Luna and Ysandra looked at each other, and then Ysandra spoke. “Last night, after Lannan took you away, we noticed that Geoffrey and Leo had disappeared. Regina sent her men to track them. Chatter sent a couple of the guards who have excellent tracking skills, as well. Grieve and Rhiannon took off for the mansion, to make sure you were going to live, while the rest of us stayed to help the vamps clear out the complex.”

I hadn’t realized that. I chanced a sideways look at Grieve. He’d been there, all night, while Lannan and I…He caught my gaze and smiled, slowly. The feral side of him looked hungry, but whatever his feelings, he kept them to himself. Oh yes, we’d be talking later. But for now, things were at rest.