Chapter 31: 31: The Princess of Shadows

Rowan

After what seemed an eternity, I saw Fiona’s head emerge from the water. She coughed and sputtered, gasping for air. Tiana popped up like a lighted beacon and pulled Fiona from the pond. I watched as the circle snapped, causing the pond’s surface to regain its natural appearance, and the shadows dissipated.

We all rushed to their aid, and I grabbed Fiona. Her wet, shivering body clung to mine. “What happened? Are you hurt?” I wiped a hand down Fiona’s dripping hair and inspected her for any wounds.

She shook her head, still coughing and trying to breathe. I moved the sodden strands from her eyes and jumped back as she coughed up water from her lungs.

“W-What… was all that?” Fiona implored in a strangled voice, staring at Tiana.

“Let’s get you dry first. You can ask Tiana questions later.” I carried Fiona in my arms to a bench near the pond, setting her down. Rian wrapped a towel around her shoulders and turned, handing another one to Tiana.

“I am not sure.” Tiana shrugged with a frown, brushing the soaking strands of her hair away from her face. “Someone yanked us from the visions.”

“How?” Fiona asked.

Tiana shook her head, staring off into the darkness. She seemed perplexed and disturbed by the events. “Someone blocked your father’s memories. That’s all I know.” Tiana used the towel, rubbing her drenched head.

“It had to be someone exceedingly powerful to block your magic,” Lucas said, frowning.

Tiana grimaced and let out an audible sigh. “Come on… Let’s go back to my cottage. It’s safer and warmer there.”

I helped Fiona to her feet, coaxing her to lean on my shoulder. My arm snaked around her waist to further support Fiona on the walk back. Rian watched Viona, who strolled in silence beside Lucas. I noticed Kat whisper something in Rian’s ear before patting him on the back. Not that I was nosy, but if I hadn’t been so fixated on Fiona, I’d be interested in knowing what was going on. Because something was going on. The air felt thick and charged with tension. A tension that had nothing to do with the current problems we faced.

Once inside, Tiana and Fiona removed some of their wet clothes. “Come on Fiona,” Tiana said, taking her hand. “Let’s go upstairs for something dry to wear. We will be right back and then we can discuss things.”

Everyone seemed restless, and I noticed the furtive glances between Lucas and Kat. It made me feel more bewildered than ever. Still, there appeared to be a lingering affection between Lucas and Tiana, despite their negative history. Yet, the way Lucas gazed at Kat said otherwise. The last thing we needed right now was a love triangle. I had enough to worry about. Plus, I knew a storm was simmering between the sworn enemies—Rian and Viona.

After the girls came downstairs in clean clothes, we seated ourselves in the living room. “Tiana, do you have any ideas about what happened?” Fiona asked.

“The only thing that makes sense is that someone experienced and adept at magic manipulated your father’s memories. The person who did it wanted nothing revealed beyond what you saw. They don’t want us to know who’s involved with Sexflex, and created a barrier to hide those visions.”

“Can you break it?” I asked.

“As a daughter of the queen, there are very few fairies more powerful than Kat…” Tiana glanced at Kat and shrugged. “And even though Fiona is a hybrid, she is a princess, too. Fiona and Kat are both granddaughters of a queen.” She let out a long sigh. “Celestria is the queen, but Amerlina is almost as powerful. What we know is it wasn’t Fiona or Kat…” Tiana paused, allowing time for her words to sink in. “That only leaves two fairies strong enough to block Quinn’s memories.”

“Do you think it was my mother?” Fiona peered at Tiana, eyes widened.

“No.” She shook her head. “While your mother is capable, she’s not powerful enough to block me.”

“Hu?” Fiona reared her head back, brow furrowed.

“Yes, I’m confused, too,” Kat said. “I realize we have more important things to discuss, but how can I be one of the most powerful fairies? I don’t even know how to use my magic.”

“I understand.” Tiana nodded. “But just because you don’t know how to use your mysticism doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist…”

“And that magic is powerful because you’re pure fae and Celestria’s daughter…” I interjected and turned to Tiana. “But how are you as powerful as Amerlina… the queen’s sister?” My brows shot to my hairline.

Tiana placed her hands over her face and groaned. “I suppose it is time to come clean.”

Rian cleared his throat, narrowing his eyes. “I’d say it’s past the time. We trusted you, Tiana. What are you hiding?”

Lucas jumped to his feet, glaring at Rian. “Easy now! I won’t allow you to berate Tiana.”

“Sit down, Lucas.” I threw him a warning glare before frowning at Rian. “Nobody is going to berate Tiana. So, let’s all calm down and let her speak.”

“Thank you, Rowan.” Tiana folded her hands and shifted in the chair. “My father was Amerlina and Celestria’s older brother.” It felt like something had sucked all the air from the room. “He was the only son and heir.” She shrugged. “But someone betrayed and killed him. Amerlina was next in line for the throne and I’ve always wondered how Celestria became queen…” She lifted a shoulder. “The whole subject is taboo. Nobody dares to speak of it, fearing Celestria’s wrath.”

I glanced at Fiona, who appeared pale while sitting silent and still.

“I am Tiana, Princess of Shadows.”

“So, you are our cousin?” Kat asked, brows touching.

“Yes.” Tiana nodded, throwing her a tight smile.

“This is fucking rad as hell,” Viona said, shaking her head. “If we could help Fiona and Kat tap into their powers… We would be unstoppable.” She grinned, her face beaming.

“Maybe, but right now, we’ve hit a dead end.” I reached over and grabbed Fiona’s icy hand. Her silence was unnerving.

Then I felt her squeeze my fingers. “Tiana,” she said, cocking her head. “Do you remember that phrase my mother always said to my father?”

“If you so desire,” Tiana repeated it in a somber voice. “It’s like a vow between the fae. For fairies, it holds great influence and significance, but with humans, it’s like sealing a pact. We recite the oath as a ritual when we grant wishes. But the wishes or favors come at a price we secure at a later date.”

“So those visions… That was Cormac debating a deal with my mother?”

Tiana nodded. “From what I assumed, your father petitioned her to heal his dying mother. Then he fell in love with Amerlina and continued to summon her, but what did he offer her in return for a child?” She tapped her chin and let out a sigh. “Sorry, I couldn’t be more helpful.”

“Wait… I have an idea. Perhaps there is something else you can help with!” Fiona glanced at me and her eyes seemed to blaze. “Do you have paper and a pen?”

“Yes.” Tiana rushed to a desk, yanked open the drawer, and returned, handing Fiona a pen and pad.

Fiona opened the notebook and started drawing. After a few moments, I realized she was sketching out the layout of the lab in her father’s basement, but it looked somewhat different.

“We’ve been in a room similar to this, and I recognized it in my father’s memories. But the room in the visions was bigger with far more cages.” Fiona glanced up at Tiana and held out the drawing.

Tiana took it and studied the room. “Yes, I remember seeing it in the images from his memory.”

“Well, I have a gut feeling my father has imprisoned the missing Creatures of Primordial there…” Fiona tapped the paper, pointing to the sketched room.

I peered at Tiana, desperation in my eyes. “Any chance you could help us find it?” My heart fluttered thinking about Kyra. That bastard Quinn might have her stashed there in a cage. Tiana frowned, dashing my hopes. “I can’t, but I know who can…” A coy grin tugged at her lips.

She stood and strode beside the chair where Viona sat, rolling her eyes. “I’ve heard a rumor about a certain witch who specializes in finding and hiding objects. Throughout Ireland and the UK, there is no one more qualified than her. If anyone can help you find that room, it’s Viona.” Tiana, the Princess of Shadows, giggled.

“Why didn’t you speak up?” Rian yelled, glowering at his nemesis.

“Bite me, wolf pup,” Viona crossed her arms, returning Rian’s glare. “I just heard about this hidden room mere seconds ago. And I told you from the beginning, I’m not keen on dealing with Cormac Quinn. He’s an evil bastard.”

“He has my little sister, witch!” Rian seethed, jumping from the couch and stalking toward Viona. In the blink of an eye, Rian sailed backward through the air, crashing into a wall. A framed picture fell, landing on his head.

With a grimace, Viona whispered, “Oops.” She turned to Tiana. “Sorry.”

Rian stood, rubbing his head. “You owe me that apology! I swear I’ve never met a bigger—”

“Stifle it, wolf, or I’ll send you slamming into that cold fucking pond!” Viona rose from her chair, advancing toward Rian.

“Enough! Enough from both of you,” I roared, rising to my full height, and glowering at them both.

Viona placed a hand on her hip. “Fine. If he would have given me a moment, I was going to say that I’m in too deep to back out now. I would love to help find that torture chamber.” She stuck out her tongue at Rian.

“Will you come with us, too?” Lucas asked Tiana.

“I wish I could, but I can’t. As much as I love it here, I’m like a captive in this cottage,” she revealed with a frown.

“If she leaves, Queen Celestria could sense it, and come after her,” Viona replied. The expression on Tiana’s face showed remorse, but the witch threw her a smile. “Don’t worry, fairy princess. I’m sure we can handle it. I’ve got these two fairy princesses and a couple of werewolves. Perhaps I can help coax them with their magical powers.” Viona shrugged.

“Okay, we have a plan. Tiana, thank you for everything, but we need to go.” I threw her a grateful smile.

“It’s so late, why don’t you stay and rest up,” Tiana offered, but I declined. “No. We’d better get back. I want to find this room and, hopefully, my sister.”

Tiana nodded, understanding our haste, and moved to Fiona, taking her hands. “Please be careful and don’t be a stranger. I would love to see you all again.” She hugged Fiona and Kat. “I can’t tell you how happy I am to meet my cousins.” Tiana turned to Viona. “And it’s nice to put a face with a name. I’ve heard so much about you, Viona.”

I watched the fierce, tiny witch hug Tiana. Well, I guess she can be affectionate after all… The thought made me grin.

“We will come back to visit,” Fiona said. “Who knows? We may need your aid again.”

“I would love that.” Tiana led us out of the cottage.

“Promise to keep in touch,” Tiana yelled as we got into the SUV. She remained waving goodbye with a wary expression.

“We will!” I yelled out the window before turning to Fiona. “Are you sure you’re all right?” Fiona nodded, staring out the window.

I drove thinking about everything we had learned. The ten-hour drive, cooped up in a small space, filled—this time—with silence, made matters worse.

Right when I was going bonkers, I saw the line that defined Dublin. By then, the weariness and stress had taken their toll, and I looked forward to a good night’s sleep. However, it seemed our night was not over—quite the contrary.

When we arrived at the house, after spanning the restricted circle that marked off our territory, I encountered an unwelcome shock. A familiar woman stood in the driveway. She appeared tall and enraged, with opaque skin and long white-blonde hair that fell almost to the pavement.

“Well, well, well… I’ve been waiting for you,” declared Queen Celestria as soon we pulled up.

Her smile looked precarious, telling me that her presence here would be anything but cordial.

“Feck! Duck down, Kat,” I whispered and hit the steering wheel with fury. “Viona, can you hide her? Make Kat disappear…”

“Got it.” Then Viona murmured a chant that sounded like gibberish, and the car filled with misty gray smoke.

“I believe you have someone that belongs to me!” Celestria placed her long, thin hands on her hips in a challenging stance.

“Shit!” Rian whispered from the back seat, announcing my exact sentiments.

“You will hand over my daughter, or else tolerate the consequences!” insisted the Queen of Fae.