Twenty.

Bittersweet Returns

Checking to make sure the magical protections on the place still held, Kevighn entered a familiar clearing. They'd held, but he didn't follow the path to his familiar wooden cabin. No, he went around back to Creideamh's gardens. All Magnolia's hard work had gone to seed as once again everything around him ran wild, a cacophony of green and growth.

A pink rose among the tangle caught his attention. His fingers caressed petals soft as silk. Magnolia. She'd be so happy here, with the gardens, roses, and the faerie tree.

He crossed into the woods where Creideamh's grove and tree house lay. Thank the Bright Lady Ciaran used his own magic to keep the grove from disappearing when he was banished. Gazing up at the giant faerie tree, he studied the tree house in its branches, formed of the tree itself. Creideamh's laughter practically echoed through the clearing.

So did Noli's.

A glowing ball of purple tugged on his hair.

"h.e.l.lo, to you, too." He held out his finger for the tiny wood faery to perch on. "I've just come to get a few things, but I'll return." Ever since Creideamh's death he'd come and gone, doing his work as huntsman. It would probably be the same with Ciaran, only he much preferred the joviality of The Thirsty Pooka to the formality of the high palace.

The wood faery flew off in a flutter of translucent wings and he climbed into the tree house, more wood faeries watching him curiously, but not denying him entrance. Closing his eyes, he tried to picture his sister.

All he saw was sweet Magnolia, who'd loved this place just as much.

When he opened his eyes, ghosts of his little blossom lurked everywhere. The basket and Creideamh's dress lay discarded on the floor from the last time he'd been within. The dress Magnolia had been wearing when he'd tried to seduce her at the high queen's command.

He picked them both up and returned to the house. The basket went in the kitchen, the dress in Creideamh's room. Kevighn looked around the room, which still smelled of Magnolia-of dirt, roses, and those berries she liked.

In the front room, he went to his cache of weapons on the wall and wrapped his hands around a bow he'd made long ago for one specific purpose. He grabbed a quiver of arrows, sliding a special arrow within, one with Quinn the Fair's name literally carved into the shaft. He threw the quiver and bow over his shoulder and slid a knife in his boot.

After all these years revenge was so close he could taste it.

Kevighn gave the cabin one last glance. "Creideamh, by the Bright Lady, I'll avenge you. I promise."

Steven and James walked up the tree-lined path of the giant, white mansion with its wide porch and columns. The grand neighborhood was quiet, without the bustle of flying cars, hoverboards, and such. However, the walk was so long he wished he had his hoverboard.

"Now this is a house," James whistled.

Lights flickering in one of the windows caught Steven's eye. Which was Noli's?

They climbed the steps and Steven knocked on the door, glad they'd cleaned up and changed. However, he still carried the blanket-wrapped automaton, which he set on the porch swing for the moment.

The door opened and a very old butler peered out. "May I help you?"

"Yes, we're here to see Magnolia Braddock," Steven replied.

"I'm sorry, but Miss Noli is unwell, would you like to leave a card?" He looked as if he might fall over at any moment.

"Is Mrs. Braddock here? We're her neighbors back in Los Angeles." Not only did Steven not have a calling card, but he didn't have time for such niceties.

The elderly butler shook his head. "I'm sorry, but Miss Edwina is out. Would you like to leave a card?"

"Is Jeff or Vix here? Please, we've come a long way." And still had far to go.

His wrinkled face scrunched in thought. "I do think Mr. Jeffrey and Miss Victoria are in residence. However, given Miss Noli's health, I'm not sure if they're accepting callers. Do you wish for me to check?"

"Victoria?" James snorted.

Steven shot his brother a look. Victoria was a fine name. "Please. I'm Steven Darrow and this is my brother James."

The old butler shuffled off, leaving the door half open and them standing on the porch, breaths making frozen clouds in the late afternoon chill.

"That is one old butler," Jeff laughed as the two of them shivered in the cold.

"Oh, I think Jameson left the door open again," a female voice called. A brunette, older than Noli but younger than Mrs. Braddock, came to close the door. Her brown eyes widened and her mouth formed an "o" of surprise when she saw them. "Oh, there are callers on the porch. May I help you?"

"We're friends of Noli and Jeff's, Jameson is checking to see if Jeff's accepting visitors." Steven hoped she let them in. At least it wasn't snowing.

The uniformed maid gave them a warm smile. "You'll have to forgive Jameson, he's a little ... elderly. Why don't you wait in the parlor where it's warm?" She ushered them into a sumptuous parlor that looked as if it were used far more for feminine meetings than male ones. "Would you like some tea?"

Steven nodded, the heat curling around them like welcoming arms. "That would be splendid."

She bustled off.

Jeff hustled over to the fire to warm his hands. "This is nice."

"Noli's mother's from a very good old family." Steven took a seat on the floral armchair closest to the fire. A large piano stood in the corner. On the wall hung several framed portraits, including one of Noli as a little girl, a large bow in her hair.

"Steven, what in tarnation are you doing here?" Jeff strode into the parlor, a puzzled look on his face. "I asked him." Vix joined Jeff and took his arm. The fierce airship captain looked elegant in a long, flowing dress, much simpler than anything Noli wore, but better suited to her.

Jeff stared at her in disbelief, eyes bulging. "You did? Why?"

Vix frowned at James. "What exactly are you looking at?"

"You're wearing a dress." James continued to stare unabashedly.

"Well, don't you go a-telling now." Vix sighed, shoulders slumping a little. "I'm trying to be a good daughterin-law-to-be. Today, I allowed Mrs. Braddock to dress me." She smoothed the skirt in a self-conscious gesture.

Steven took off this hat. "I think you look lovely, Captain Vix. Wait. Daughter-in-law-to-be? Jeff, are congratulations in order?"

Jeff gave them a wide smile then gazed fondly at Vix. "Yes, yes they are."

"Congratulations," he replied. Jeff, married? Even an air pirate deserved some happiness.

James grinned cheekily. "That's great news.

Thank you." Jeff gaze returned to Vix. "Now why did you ask them to come here? And when did you do it?" His gaze shifted to Steven and it made his skin crawl. "I'm not very happy with you right now."

"I'm sorry," Steven murmured, looking at his feet. "I really, truly am."

Vix looked around, then shut the door. "I sent word when we stopped to refuel in Chicago. Hattie told me where to find them." She gave Jeff a hard look. "And you know very well why."

"You're still thinking that?" Jeff ran his fingers through his hair, corners of his lips turning down.

"It's been days and she's still not better, the doctor has no idea why, and she's killing plants." Vix crossed her arms. "We have to do something."

"She's what?" James left his spot by the fire and joined them.

Steven's mind reeled. "Wait, what's going on?"

There was a knock on the door. The maid called, "I have your tea."

"Please, come in, Ellen," Jeff replied.

They sat and Ellen served the tea and left, closing the door behind them.

"This is awkward, so I'm just going to say it," Vix said from her perch on the settee next to Jeff. "We know what you are. We've been doing business with your kind, and well, something went wrong and now Noli's ill-and I don't think it's influenza."

Steven sucked in a sharp breath as the news punched him in the stomach. They knew? How did they know? There would be time for questions later.

"Please, pardon Vix's conspiracy theories. I don't think Noli's sick with the faery pox, or something." Jeff huffed with annoyance.

"Faery pox?" Steven tried not to laugh given the severity of the situation.

Vix's jaw jut out. "Your uncle did something to her. I know what I saw-his hands glowed when he choked her, and he threatened her, and kept saying something about her being out of her element."

James snapped his fingers. "Out of her element? Wait. Did you say she was killing plants?"

"What do you mean my uncle?" Tea sloshed into Steven's saucer at the thought of Uncle Brogan threatening Noli.

Vix nodded, brows knitting. "King Brogan is your uncle, right? He stormed onto my ship, got into a magic shoving match with Noli, and threatened her. He threatened you as well. Nevertheless, Noli is unwell and we don't know what's wrong. She still loves you and insists you love her ... so I sent for you hoping you'd know what was wrong." Vix turned her still full teacup around in her hands. "I didn't know what else to do."

"Why are you doing business with the Fae?" James made a face. "That's not very smart."

"James," Steven hissed, then turned back to Vix and Jeff. "Could you please start from the beginning so I can understand what is happening and a.s.sist Noli?"

"Of course." Vix and Jeff told them about their business dealings with the Fae. "I'm still not exactly sure what this artifact is that Brogan wanted the pieces for, but both Noli and Kevighn Silver insisted allowing him to have it could be disastrous ... "

"Kevighn's involved in this, too?" Steven's hand went to his forehead. The whole idea of the Fae hiring mortals to steal things made him uneasy, especially when it involved his uncle. And Kevighn ... anything involving him was bound to be disingenuous.

Vix helped herself to one of the tiny cookies Ellen had brought with the tea. "He took a position on the ship. I don't trust him. Noli does. However, he did bring us the money."

Jeff and Vix explained the business transaction. "Brogan was very angry we didn't sell the pieces to him," Jeff told them. "He stormed onto the ship and that's when he and Noli had their ... encounter. She's been ill ever since."

"Who'd you sell the pieces to?" James asked. "Kevighn?"

"Kevighn was supposed to re-scatter the pieces. They're apparently in the mortal realm for a reason," Jeff replied. "I believe the money came from someone named Kyran."

"Kyran?" Steven looked to James, not ever having heard the name.

James shrugged. "I have no idea who that is. I'm not sure I believe Kevighn, though."

"Me neither." Vix took another cookie. "But it's not our problem."

That brusque att.i.tude rankled. They shouldn't be stealing for the Fae to begin with-and some article banished from the Otherworld? His uncle wanting something like that didn't bode well. But the business dealings of air pirates weren't the reason for his presence.

"Could we see Noli? Please?" The idea of anything happening to her made his stomach churn. Their kind didn't usually fall ill.

"She thinks you broke up with her because your mother, the queen, made you. Noli's very trusting-too trusting." Vix gave him a menacing stare, as if Noli's innocent nature was somehow his fault.

The idea of Noli's family knowing about his kind was just ... surreal.

"Yes, yes, her a.s.sumption is correct." He focused on his cup, not them, part of him glad she'd held on to that belief and not abandoned him-especially with Kevighn lurking around. "I can't disobey an order from the high queen. I wasn't allowed to tell her. I can't tell you how much it hurt to do that." Steven continued to stare into the depths of the amber liquid. "I will find some way for us to be together, I promise you that."

"Why?" Jeff asked.

That simple word caused Steven to look up and meet his eyes. "Because I have loved your sister for a very long time. There's no one else in any realm like her."

Vix took a sip of tea, giving him a nod of approval.

"She loves you, too," Jeff replied. "I still don't understand everything. Noli told us what happened to her between the school and going home. I don't actually comprehend the part about her not being mortal and a sprite living in her head." He made a face of confused disbelief. "But I do know that something's not right about her."

"It's odd," James agreed, shoving a cookie in his mouth.

"I take full responsibility and I'll find a way to remedy that as well." Steven bowed his head, he'd made so many mistakes-ones Noli had paid for. He looked at Vix, still not truly understanding what was happening here. "I appreciate you sending for me. There's a good possibility one of your doctors won't be able to help her, all things considered."

Not that he was an expert on Otherworldly illnesses.

"Well, if she's out of her element, they won't." James leaned back in his chair as casual as could be.

"What?" they all said at once.

"You said Uncle Brogan kept telling her she was out of her element, right?" James asked. "You're air pirates. Noli's an earth sprite. It's obvious."

They all stared at James.

James made an exasperated noise. "We need to spend time in our elements, especially the lower court folk. Too much time away can make you sick."

That sounded vaguely familiar. "But we're earth court, and we're fine," Steven tried to work all this out in his head.

"But we're not sprites. They're tied closer to their elements than us-and I think she's been spending more time in the air than we have."

Jeff's eyes went alight with recognition. "Noli kept telling me how she wanted to be among trees and dirt- and she loved her little potted plants. She keeps asking for plants to hold when she sleeps, the way a little girl does a doll-and they keep dying."

"Because she's absorbing their life force." Steven began to make sense of what was happening to Noli. "But it shouldn't happen so fast."