It ended much too soon. Ash pulled away, eyes bright, shaking with desire and passion. Both our hearts were thudding wildly, and Ashs fingers were digging painfully into my shoulders. Dont ask me this again, he rasped, and I was too breathless to answer.
He released me and stalked through the door without looking back. I took a deep breath, halting the tears crawling up my throat, and followed.
A goblin waited for us at the foot of the stairs, his mouth pulled into a toothy grin that showed missing fangs and gold teeth. He was decked out in jewelry: rings, ear studs, necklaces, even a gold nose ring. A milky glass eye sparkled as he turned to me, rubbing his claws and grinning like a gleeful shark.
A goblin waited for us at the foot of the stairs, his mouth pulled into a toothy grin that showed missing fangs and gold teeth. He was decked out in jewelry: rings, ear studs, necklaces, even a gold nose ring. A milky glass eye sparkled as he turned to me, rubbing his claws and grinning like a gleeful shark.
Ah, this is princess that turned prince traitor, he hissed, eyeing me up and down. And now they need goblin tunnels out of city, good, good. He gestured with a ring-encrusted hand. No time to speak. We leave now, before guards show up, ask too many questions. Need anything before we go, traitor prince?
Ash looked pained, but shook his head. The goblin cackled, gold teeth flashing in the dim light. Yes, good! Follow me, then.
CHAPTER SEVEN
The Ring
Sweetfinger led us out a back door of the tavern and along the edge of the lake. Past the docks, the ground dropped away sharply to a narrow coastline of jagged rock and stone. Hugging the breaker wall, we followed Sweetfinger to the waters edge, where two burlier goblins waited inside a small wooden boat.
Quickly, quickly, Sweetfinger said, urging us inside. We took a cautious seat between the two hench-goblins, who picked up the oars as Sweetfinger shoved us into the water and leaped in. As they rowed us farther from shore, he turned to us with an apologetic smile.
Goblin tunnels arent far from here, he said, fingering one of his rings. Only goblins know where they are, and only goblins are allowed to see them and live. Used to be, payment would be your lovely eyes, but times change. Point is, you not goblin, you cannot see our secret tunnels. Rules, you know. So sorry.
Understood, Ash muttered as a goblin slid behind him and pulled a blindfold over his eyes. I jumped as a black cloth covered my eyes as well, plunging me into darkness.
We drifted for a long while, the only sounds being the rhythmic sloshing of the oars in the water and Sweetfingers occasional comment to his thugs. Ashs body was tense against mine, muscles coiled bands under his skin. The air grew colder, and I heard the squeaking of bats somewhere above us. The boat bumped and scraped against rocks, and a foul stench crept into the air, smelling of dung and rotten meat. Snickers and cackling laughter echoed in the darkness, and clawed feet skittered over the rocks.
Then, the noises and smells faded, and we floated in silence for a time. I heard Sweetfinger and his guards muttering among themselves, and it made me very nervous. Finally, the boat bumped against solid ground, and someone pulled it ashore.
I pulled off the blindfold and blinked in the dim light. We were in a small cave with a pebbly floor, bones and trash scattered about the room. In the distance, a circle of light glimmered invitingly. I breathed a sigh of relief. Wed made it.
Sweetfinger leered at us as Ash helped me out of the boat. As promised, he said, gesturing to the exit at the back of the room. Safe passage out of city. Now, I believe traitor prince owes me something, yes? He held out a jewel-encrusted claw, and Ash dropped a small leather pouch into his waiting hand.
Tell no one youve seen us, Ash said as the two hench-goblins shoved the boat back into the water.
Im afraid its too late for that, Your Highness, came a harsh, gravelly voice at the other end of the cave. We spun, Ashs hand on his sword, as four Thornguards stepped into view, their boots crunching over the stones.
Very intelligent, not going through the regular trods, Ash, said one guard. His armor was thornier than the others, the barbs on his shoulders bristling like giant porcupine quills. Mab has them all well guarded, but you knew that, didnt you? Unfortunately, Rowan already bribed every smuggler in the city by the time you found this one. Goblins are such disgusting opportunists, arent they?
Furious, I glared back at Sweetfinger, but the boat was already well out of reach, Sweetfinger grinning at me from the bow.
Sorry, Princess, the goblin cackled. Princes offer was good. Other princes offer was better. Nothing personal, yes? He waved, and the boat drifted away into the dark. An icy stone settled in the pit of my stomach, and I turned back to the guards.
As one, the Thornguards drew their weapons. Their swords were spiky and black, with long thorns running the length of the blade, looking as sharp as razors.
Stand down, Edgebriar, Ash commanded. He hadnt drawn his sword yet, but his posture was tense. I dont want to fight you. You can walk away from this and Rowan would never know. Were not returning to the city.
Im afraid we werent ordered to return you to the city, or Mab, Edgebriar said with the barest of smirks. You see, Rowan knows youre going after the scepter, and he cant allow that. The new king wants the half-breed alive, but Im afraid were going to have to kill you, Prince. Like Sweetfinger said, its nothing personal.
For a second, I didnt know who he was talking about. Then it hit me like a punch in the stomach. The new king. The new Iron King. They were working for the Iron Kingdom. Rowan mustve let Tertius and the wiremen into the palace. He let them kill Sage and take the scepter, and convinced Mab that the Iron fey were not a threat!
Ashs face went blank with shock. No, he said, as the blood drained from his face. No, Rowan wouldnt sell us out. Not to them. What have you done?
We cant stop the Iron Kingdom, Edgebriar continued, his voice earnest. The old ways have become obsolete. Mab cant protect us any longer. It is time to ally ourselves with the stronger power, to become greater than we are. Rowan will lead us to a new era, one where we will fear nothing. Not the touch of iron, not the fading of human imagination, nothing! Let the oldbloods wallow in their ancient traditions. They will fall soon, and we will rise up to take their place.
Rowan will destroy us, Ash said grimly. This war only hastens our destruction. If Summer and Winter stood together, we could stop the Iron Kingdom.
For how long? Edgebriar demanded, punctuating his words with a savage swing of his blade. The humans dream their technology, their grand sweeping visions, and forget us. We cant turn back the clock, but we can evolve to survive. I will show you what I mean. He ripped off his gauntlet, holding up his bare hand. On his third finger, an iron ring gleamed in the light. The entire digit was blackened and shriveled, and my stomach turned as he shook his fist triumphantly. Look! he demanded. Look at me! I do not fear the touch of iron, of progress. It burns me now, but soon I will be able to use it freely, like the humans. Soon, I will be like them.
Youre dying, Edgebriar. Ashs voice was full of horror and pity. Its killing you slowly, and you dont even realize it.
No! After the war, when both sides are weak and open, the Iron fey will sweep in and destroy all traces of the old. There will be no more Summer or Winter. There will be no more courts. There will be only the Iron Kingdom, and those strong enough to stand with it.
I stared at him. Rowan let the Iron fey into the palace, didnt he? I whispered, and his fevered gaze turned on me. He sent them to steal the scepter, and he let them kill his own brother. How can you work for such a bastard? Cant you see hes using you?
Be silent, half-breed. Edgebriar glared at me. Insult my prince again, and I will cut out your tongue and feed it to my hounds. Rowan is the only one who cares for the future of Tir Na Nog.
Ash shook his head. Rowan wants power, and would sacrifice his entire court to achieve it. You dont have to be responsible for his insanity, Edgebriar. Let us pass. We can end this war, and if Summer stands with us, we can find a way to deal with the Iron Kingdom.
Edgebriars face didnt change. We have our orders, Prince Ash. We will be taking the half-breed with us, but Im afraid your journey ends here. Rowan made it quite clear that he did not want you returning to Mab, for any reason. He gestured to the knights behind him, and they began to close in. I apologize for the location. A princes tomb should be a grander affair.
I backed away, knowing the violence that was coming next. For the millionth time, I tried desperately to do something with my glamour; pull up a root to trip the knights, throw a glowy ball of light to distract them, anything. It was like hitting a glass wall. I knew my power was on the other side, but I couldnt access it.
Ash faced the approaching knights calmly, though I could sense muscles coiling beneath his skin. Rowan doesnt know me as well as he thinks, he murmured, seemingly unconcerned with the jagged blades closing in on him, otherwise he never wouldve made such a mistake.
Edgebriar smiled, leering at Ash from behind the trio of knights, content to let his guards engage the Winter prince. And what mistake would that be?
Theres only four of you.
His arm whipped out, sending a flurry of ice shards at the oncoming Thornguards. The knights flinched, throwing up their arms to protect their faces, and Ash lunged into their midst.
The first one didnt stand a chance. Ashs blade sheared through his armor, and the faery crumpled before he could even raise his sword. Where he fell, his spiky armor seemed to unravel, flaring out into thick black briars, thorns curling into the air. In seconds, the faerys body had turned into a giant thornbush, growing right out of the rocks. A metal band glinted on one of the branches.