Come soon, Dev.

Chapter 28

Ani didn’t steer; at the speeds they traveled back to Hunts- dale, it would be impossible for her to try to direct her steed. Barry was currently in the form of a GT by Citroën; one beauty of being able to shift form at will was that the steed could be a car that wasn’t even in production. She knew that Barry had plucked the image from her mind to make her smile, but even the joy of rocketing across the country in a matte-black version of the gorgeous concept car didn’t cheer her.

The weight of the situation felt like it had settled atop Ani’s lungs, making breathing more difficult than it should be. Faerie was dissolving, and Devlin could be caught in that. Ani wasn’t sure if she could go to Faerie. Sorcha had ordered Ani’s death; Devlin had disobeyed her. Would she kill me if I went there? Would it be worse for him? Ani couldn’t figure out whether she would be a help or hindrance if she went.

Being in Huntsdale where Bananach was didn’t sound particularly appealing either. She’d fled to avoid War’s attention, but the only faeries she knew who were strong enough to stand against Bananach were in Huntsdale.

If I’m going to die either way, I’d rather stay with him. She was pretty certain that wasn’t a line of argument that would be useful in discussion with anyone. She glanced at Devlin. His eyes were closed, and his face was expressionless, but she felt his fear and anger. He wasn’t hiding his feelings.

“Why does Seth matter to Sorcha?” Ani asked. “I get that she made him a faery and all, but… what’s the big deal about him?”

“That’s a question I intend to ask the High Queen.” He reached out and laid his hand atop hers, entwining their fingers. “What I know right now is only what Rae told me.”

“And you’re not telling me everything, are you?”

“No. I’m not,” he admitted. Devlin pulled his hand away rather than hide his emotions. “The queen’s secrets aren’t mine to share, but… I can say that I need to bring Seth to her.”

“There are secrets about the queen and Seth?” she asked.

“Yes.”

They traveled in silence for a few moments until Devlin finally said, “She has Seth. Perhaps she will not oppose my being solitary.”

Ani stilled. “Could you do that?”

“Many faeries do so.” That wasn’t a real answer though: Devlin wasn’t most faeries.

Neither am I.

The idea of Sorcha letting him walk away seemed ludicrous. He was hers as much as Gabriel belonged to the Dark King.

Could I convince her to let me come and go in Faerie?

What happened next was dependent on so many things beyond their control and so many answers they didn’t know.

Like why she wanted me dead.

She reached out and took Devlin’s hand again.

He turned his head and opened his eyes. “I’m sorry I can’t set this aside, but after—”

“Duty isn’t something to apologize for.” She held his gaze. “I’m glad you aren’t afraid of me. I’m glad you found me, and”—she smiled—“didn’t kill me.”

His emotions vanished as he asked, “Which time?”

“Any of them.”

“And I am glad you didn’t kill me”—his emotional guard slipped only long enough for her to glimpse how worried he was—“and that you kissed me.”

She brushed her lips over his. “Which time?”

“All of them.”

They went back to silence as the landscape blurred around them.

With her free hand, Ani dialed Tish—and was dumped into voice mail instantly.

“Call me,” she said.

She was about to call Pins and Needles when the phone rang. home was on the caller ID. “Hey.”

It wasn’t Tish or Rabbit. Irial was calling from the shop number. “I need to you to come home,” he said.

Her hand tightened on her cell at his emotionless tone. “On the way already.”

“With Devlin?” Irial prompted.

“Yeah.” She glanced at Devlin. “He’s here. Did you need to talk to him?”

“Not yet,” Irial said. “Stay with him until you get here. Promise.”

“What’s going on? Iri?” Ani felt her hands start to sweat. “Talk to me.”

“I will. I’ll meet you here… at the studio.” His voice was gentle, but there was no doubt as to his lack of malleability. “Come home, Ani.”

“Is everything okay? Where are Tish and Rabbit? Are they with you?”

Irial’s pause was almost too long. “Rabbit’s here, and Tish is at my house.”

She disconnected and told her steed, Barry, I need you to go faster. Can you?

Maybe a little. Barry had already covered almost all of the distance they’d crossed, but holding two passengers and traveling at its fastest pace wasn’t easy.

Nothing in this world can move as fast as you, she told the steed.

In this world or in Faerie, Ani, Barry added. I would be even faster there.

If I go—

If we go, Barry corrected. I am your steed, Ani. We will always be together… even though it means putting up with him.

After Barry’s voice faded away, Ani was left with nothing to do but break the silence with music or conversation. Strangely for her, loud music seemed unappealing, and conversation felt futile. Everything felt tenuous.