SWNOVELS King of Merits: Chapter 15
Merri
the kitchen and the library, I return to my chambers and pack a satchel with two simple gowns, some traveling food, and the smallest map of the Merit City I can find. Then I dress in leathers, a warm tunic, and a cloak. I push knives into the outside pockets of my boots, hang a smaller blade around my neck from a leather pouch, and last of all, strap on a small sword.
I hope I’m ready for anything.
Staring at the looking glass beside my robe, I tie my long waves back and practice a smile for the High Mage. With excitement sparkling in my eyes, I look wild, unhinged. But, fortunately, Ether views a dash of madness as a positive personality trait. Mages. They’re very strange beings.
I conjure a glamor of servants’ clothing, then skulk through the shadows to the High Mage’s abode tucked against the northwest corner of the city walls, the órga falcons flying high above.
Thankfully, along the way, I only encounter two drunken sprites who can barely hold their wings off the ground and would have no hope of seeing through my hastily constructed glamor.
In the past, my parents have warned me not to disturb the High Mage in her home, and until this evening, I’ve had no reason to disobey them.
The outside of the house is small, unremarkable, and most definitely glamored. The unassuming facade helps to calm my nerves as the falcons alight on the wrought-iron porch, wailing at me because I tell them to wait.
I knock twice on the white door, and it glides open, revealing an enormous antechamber streaked with colorful beams of light that shine through the stained-glass ceiling, the candlelight acting like daylight in a stunning trick of light magic.
Five dark alcoves line the edges of the hexagon-shaped room, and standing in the archway of the one opposite me is Ether, her body shining as bright as a full moon, and her dark, opaque eyes as impenetrable as the fortified tourmaline that covers our city walls.
“High Mage, I’m so sorry to disturb you.”
“Nonsense, you aren’t the least bit sorry.” She smiles. “What you are, Princess Merrin, is hopeful, eager, and perhaps a little frightened of what’s in store for you. I’ve been expecting you. Come, we can speak in my sitting room.”
She leads me into another room that takes my breath away. The white walls are decorated in silver and gold Elemental symbols, and the ceiling is wide open to the stars. A light jasmine-scented breeze wafts from above, much warmer than the air outside.
Candlelight illuminates masses of vines twisting down the walls, framing enormous floor-to-ceiling mirrors that even in the dim light, somehow portray our images. In her reflection, Ether wears a crown of seven golden halos, and I can’t help but gape at its magnificence.
“Look behind you and see your own crown. It is quite a spectacle.”
“What?” I spin around and regard myself in the mirror, my loud gasp echoing into the night sky. I reach above my head to touch the silver spikes in the tall crown above it, but my hand only swishes through air. I step closer to the mirror. “How? What is this?”
“It is a crown, Princess,” she says dryly.
“Yes, but if this is a glimpse into the future, it doesn’t make sense. Aodhan is the Land of Five heir. I’ll never be an Elemental queen.”
“Perhaps not. Nevertheless, this is the crown you will one day wear, fashioned from veins of meteoric silver that were long ago embedded beneath an ancient castle, forged by mountain goblins, and revered and protected by your husband-to-be.”
I think of Riven—his crown of jet spikes—and how my own is its match in silver.
Ether points at an ornate narrow chair. “Please, Princess Merrin, take a seat, for what is a conversation if it’s not held in comfort?”
“An argument? I’m not sure. I don’t have time for riddles…”
“Yes, true. You are running short on time,” she says. “Therefore, move quickly, and please sit down.”
With a resigned puff of breath, I sink into the chair.
In one graceful movement, Ether settles opposite. She nods at a plate of chocolate chip cookies sprinkled with spikes of lavender in the center of the table. “Please, have one,” Ether says. “These are your favorite, a recipe our queen remembers fondly from the human world.”
“Yes, I love these. But I’ve eaten more than my fill of dinner.”
She laughs. “Nonetheless, before you leave this evening, Princess Merrin, I believe you shall sample this batch. And, as you know, I’m never wrong. Now, how may I help you?”
I take a deep breath. “I need to follow the Silver King to the Merit City, and I beg you to help me get there as quickly as possible.”
Black eyes stare at me, harvesting my hidden thoughts and desires. “Why?” she asks.
“Because I’ve dreamed of saving his life for as long as I can remember.”
“But doing it once was not enough for you. Interesting.” She leans over the glass table, her gaze penetrating deeper. “And why do you care if Riven Èadra na Duinn lives or dies? Is he not your father’s enemy?”
“Yes, is the answer to the last question…and the first I’m not so sure about yet. But one thing I do know—all fae heed the messages in their dreams. Riven’s life is connected to mine. I don’t understand how or why, only that he’s going to need me to save him a second time. Will you help me, Ether?”
Cold fingers dig into the flesh of my wrists as she tugs me to the edge of my chair. “More words, royal halfling. I need you to tell me more.”
Dropping my head back, I gaze at the stars, wondering how I can make Ether understand. “I feel drawn to the Merit king and… Maybe I’m a tiny bit obsessed with him. Somehow and in some way, Riven na Duinn’s destiny is entwined with mine. Also, I had a vision that the key to ending the Black Blood curse is hidden somewhere in Riven’s land. Ether, if what I saw is correct, I could save Aodhan, too.”
“Yes, and I believe you will.” A smile glows on Ether’s face, warming her usual impassive mask. “Your words ring with truth, dear one. Take care to always wield your halfling ability to deceive with caution. Here in Faery, it’s a powerful weapon. I’m pleased with what you’ve shared. Therefore, I will help you.”
Relief flows through me. I dip my head in a bow. “Thank you, High Mage. I’m very grateful.”
“You must go to the Merit City and find the hidden verse of the curse. There you shall see your true destiny revealed. The question is, when the crucial moment arrives, will you recognize it or deny it?”
After a moment’s thought, I give the only answer I can. “I will do my best to follow my true path.”
Ether nods. “Ensure it’s the path of your heart, for that is the only one worth turning your life upside down and back to front for.”
That sounds fair.
“Of course,” I agree. “Now, how can I travel to the City of Merits? Is there a portal you can open?”
She laughs. “The Moonstone Cave portal will take you anywhere I direct it. But please don’t tell Rafael or Wynter this, or they’ll bother me no end. And we cannot have the Seelie king and prince making mischief across the Seven Realms, can we?”
“Certainly not. What a terrible thought. Can you take me through tonight?”
She smiles at the cookies. “Take one, eat it, and then you’ll be ready for your adventure, Princess.”
My hand hovers above the plate. “Wait. What about my family? Only Wynter knows of my plan to leave. My father’s storms will wreak havoc when he finds me gone.”
“Leave Ever to me. I’ll place an enchantment over the whole court, barring your brother, of course, and everyone will keep forgetting you exist until they see you again upon your return—a harmless misplacement spell.”
Forget me? What a horrid thought. I picture Mom’s loving smile, her lame jokes, and comforting hugs. Sighing, I pick up the cookie with the most chocolate chips.
As I bring it toward my mouth, Ether’s hand tightens around my wrist again, tugging it so the cookie lies between us.
“Vow that you will follow your heart’s path and no other,” she hisses.
“I, Merrin Airgetlám Fionbharr, do solemnly vow upon the Elements Five and on the blood of mine and all who carry it within their veins to choose the path of my heart as it is revealed to me, in all instances. This I promise you, Ether, High Mage of Talamh Cúig.”
“Good.” With a quick yank, she brings my cookie close to her chest, dips her head, and spits on it. “Eat this, and then we shall depart.”
The human half of my stomach roils in disgust, but the rest of me, as wild and strange as Ether is, understands the profound power of body secretions. “This will protect me?” I ask.
“It will connect our life forces. I’ll know if you need me.”
Ignoring the way it glistens, I shove the cookie in my mouth, chew quickly, and swallow it down. I make the mortal all-is-well symbol that Isla and Mom taught me, giving Ether the double thumbs up.
“And so it is done,” says the mage, looking unusually happy. “Time to go.” She stands and opens her arms wide, her body glowing like the midday sun. “Come into my arms. You’ll be safe. This is the quickest passage to the cave and will ensure we won’t be seen.”
“Can you send Taibsear to fly over the Great Hall’s window closest to the dais? Then Wyn will know I’ve left.”
“Consider it done.”
Okay, then. I step into her blinding light and allow her to enfold me.
“Close your eyes and tamp down your power, Merri. Air rules the mind and your thoughts race endlessly. Let them be quiet. Relinquish control to me.”
I begin a silent chant.
I am at peace with all.
Like a cloud, I drift and flow.
Let go. Let go. Let go.
“Very good,” says Ether.
Then my world turns black.
When I open my eyes, I’m sitting on the floor of a cave, surrounded by rainbow moonstone stalactites. A large curtain of water cascades into the pool in front of me, the burbling sound both calming and energizing.
“Well, that was something,” I tell Ether who bids me to rise with her palms.
“You must stay silent and walk through the water while I focus on the place you wish to land—their Great Hall, perhaps? You might find a civil audience there if the Merit princess has softened since her brother’s return. After all, it was not you who injured him.”
“Yes, but who did, High Mage?”
Ignoring my question, she asks one of her own. “So, to the Merit Hall, then?”
“No. If you can manage it, I’d like to arrive wherever Riven may be. He’s my likeliest ally.”
“That remains to be seen. Now into the pond with you. Quickly, if you will.”
The waist-deep water is as warm as the Lake of Spirits. “It doesn’t wet my clothes at all.”
“You’re half fae. A mortal would be saturated. Walk through the portal’s curtain, Merrin. Do it now.”
Ether begins to hum. The noise of swarming bees fills the cave, the loud drone reverberating off the crystal walls. Then her chant rises higher, sounding like a thousand voices of the spirits of our people, the Tuatha De Danann, have joined her. Perhaps they have.
“Goodbye, Ether. And thank you,” I say as I duck under the waterfall, its warmth spilling like silk over my shoulders. “Take care of my family.”
I don’t hear her reply because, for the second time tonight, everything goes black.
As dark as Jinn’s shiny coat.
As hard as the Dún Mountain diamonds.
Colder than Ether’s fathomless eyes.
And then a light appears to guide me through the void—as blue as Riven na Duinn’s sorrowful gaze.