Strong arms lifted Tierney out of the snow, and for a moment, she wondered if she was dreaming. She’d imagined this for so long it didn’t seem real.
“Dad.” Tears froze on her face as her magic slipped, letting the cold permeate her skin.
Lochlan O’Shea stared down at her with glassy eyes and pulled her closer to his chest. “I’ve got you. I’m here.”
“We need to get them to the lodge.” Her mom’s voice was like a soft blanket settling over her. She ran a hand over Tierney’s hair.
“Guys.” Toby walked forward. “Stop staring at her and get moving. They’re probably waiting anxiously.”
They? Who else was here? Tierney couldn’t get the words past her lips. If she tried, she’d start sobbing right here in front of all the people she’d just led through the frozen tundra.
“It’s just a little farther,” her mom said to the others. “Come, we’ll do introductions once we reach shelter.” She wrapped an arm around Gulliver and leaned in. “We’ve missed you, kiddo.”
Her parents would never stop thinking of her, Toby, and Gulliver as kids, but right now, that knowledge warmed Tierney. They were kids, barely out of their childhood, not ready to traverse wild seas or unknown kingdoms. And yet, they had.
Her father didn’t set her down, opting to carry her across deep drifts, bundled close to his snow-dusted coat, held safe in his strong arms. Her father, the man she’d run from. The one who’d tried to force her into a marriage she wasn’t ready for. He was also the best man she knew.
He’d been wrong, but her actions weren’t exactly the right ones either.
She felt pressure on her hand as a mitten slid over her frozen fingers. Lifting her head, she met Toby’s gaze. Her brother, the one who’d led her home. She never wanted to be so far from him again. Not only because it meant going without her magic, but it wasn’t until that moment as he walked beside her that she felt whole again.
A sigh of relief rushed through her when the hunting lodge came into view, a white-capped wooden monstrosity set along the rocky shores of Lake Fryst. She would never understand her father’s and uncle’s love for the cold of the far reaches of Iskalt. If she never traveled this far east again, it would be too soon.
The door of the lodge burst open, and there was Uncle Griff. Aunt Riona rushed out after him, her wings shooting her into the air as she crossed the snow.
Keir startled back with a curse as Bronagh gasped. Imogen just stared, her eyes wide.
Gulliver took off into a half-run, half-stumble. Riona collided with him, lifting him into the air in a hug and turning to reach for Griffin, who’d also started across the snow, though at a much slower pace.
The three of them clung to each other much the same way Tierney wanted to do with her family, but she couldn’t make herself move, exhaustion weighing her down.
“Get him inside, Griff,” Lochlan barked. “They started to freeze the moment Tia stopped using her magic to warm them.”
Griffin scowled at him. “And Brea didn’t step in?” He pulled Gulliver protectively closer.
“I’m kind of a mess right now, Griff.” Brea sniffed and blubbered as she ushered them all toward the lodge.
Listening to her parents and uncle argue made Tierney smile. Toby caught sight of her and matched the expression. This was their family; this was home. The two brothers loved each other, but sometimes they also wanted to kill each other.
The moment they stepped into the lodge, Lochlan set Tierney down. She wobbled and righted herself before launching into her mom’s arms.
Brea sniffled. “My girl,” she cried. “I can’t believe you’re home.”
“Mom, you’re hogging her.” Toby pulled Tierney away, wrapping long arms around her. She buried her face in his chest, finally letting a few sobs break through. Her power thrummed with approval, finally finding its other half. “See what happens when you go off to have a birthday party in the human realm without me,” he muttered into her hair.
Tierney laughed, but it sounded more like a sob. “Never again.” She looked up, meeting his glassy eyes. “You know it wasn’t planned, right? It just sort of happened. I’d never leave you behind.”
“Yeah.” He squeezed her tighter. “I know.” Leading her over to the fire roaring in the giant hearth, Toby sat Tierney down and wrapped her in a thick fur.
For a moment, she’d forgotten it wasn’t just the two of them, but then Imogen sat beside her and burrowed under her fur, snuggling into her. “Oh, these are my friends.” Tierney looked up at the two foreign royals then at Imogen. “I’ll explain later, but for now, know they saved our lives.”
“No one saved my life.” Veren sat on the floor near the hearth, getting as close to the flames as possible.
Gulliver laughed, the sound musical after so many teeth-chattering days with nothing to smile about. “Except Bron.” He gestured to Bronagh, the queen who’d allowed Veren to join her court.
Veren shared a smile with Bronagh but didn’t respond.
Keir stood back from the others, watching silently, observing.
Uncle Griff walked out of the kitchen with a tray stacked high with bowls. “Who wants something hot to eat?”
“Oh, definitely me.” Gulliver reached for a bowl. “What did you make, Dad?”
“What else would he make?” Her uncle wasn’t exactly the best cook in the world, but there was one dish he excelled at, one she’d never imagined she’d eat again. “At least, I hope he didn’t try anything else.”
“Har har.” Griffin rolled his eyes. “Yes, it’s turkey soup.”
“Turkey?” Keir stepped forward. “We have such an animal, but they’d never survive the cold of this place.”
Veren dug into his soup with a sigh. “Are there any biscuits?”
“Yes.” Riona carried out a plate. “And don’t worry, Tia, I made these.” She shot her a wink.
Tierney caught Keir’s eye. “The wild northern turkeys adapt to their climate. They aren’t plentiful here, but they are sometimes seen. My mother is the only one in the family who can ever catch them.”
“Not true,” her father said.
“Very true.” Her mother laughed. “Though, I don’t like to harm anything. I rarely go hunting, but if my hubby begs, I’ll trap something for him. Just to get him to be quiet.” She patted Lochlan’s cheek.
“Hubby?” Imogen looked up at Tierney, confused.
“Our queen,” Veren started, his mouth full, “was raised human. She says the oddest things.”
Imogen’s eyes went wide.
Tierney accepted a bowl of soup, not letting it cool or even using her power to do it before digging in. Soft noodles, thick chunks of turkey. It was heaven. Someone handed her a biscuit, and she dipped it in, moaning when she bit off the softened part. There was nothing better.
She watched Keir accept a bowl and sit with supreme satisfaction. He’d barely looked at her since her family found them, but that wasn’t her concern at the moment. Not when Toby wedged in between her and the arm of the settee.
“Mom, stop staring at me.” While Keir wouldn’t look at her, her mother hadn’t stopped. “You’re being a creep.”
Her mother laughed, her eyes tearing up again. “It’s just … I’d started to think I’d never be able to creep you out again.”
She was so weird, but a weird Tierney hadn’t wanted to live the rest of her life without. Tears gathered in her eyes once more, spilling down her cheeks. She’d thought none of these fae would ever stand before her again, would ever make her cry or laugh so hard it hurt.
Once she finished her soup, Griffin took her bowl, and she leaned her head on Toby’s shoulder. “I’m surprised it’s just you guys.” The rest of her siblings would have clamored to come, no matter how young they were. Then, there were Uncle Myles and Aunt Neeve, Alona and Finn, Hector, the Myrkurian king who acted like another uncle, and every single one of her cousins.
“Trust me, it was a hard fight to get them all to back off. We didn’t want to overwhelm you. Plus, we were going through a portal and didn’t think bringing an army of fae to the human world was the best idea.”
The mention of a portal made Tierney’s insides clench, her stomach curdling.
Toby, reading her as always, took her hand. “Don’t worry, we aren’t making you travel home that way. We brought a sled and dogs.”
Her face brightened. She’d only visited Lake Fryst a few times but she’d never had the opportunity to travel by dogsled. It wasn’t needed when the O’Shea’s had portals. Other Iskaltians used them to traverse the tundra all the time.
The chatter continued as the others finished eating, not touching on anything important. Tierney didn’t tell her parents who Keir and Bronagh were, not yet. That time would come.
No one asked about Siobhan, and she knew they probably assumed something happened to her if she wasn’t here with them. How would Tierney tell them she’d never found her friend? How would she face Siobhan’s father?
“Okay,” her mother said, sitting on the other side of Imogen. “It’s time we learn who your friends are, Tierney.”
Tierney wasn’t ready for the truth. For them to know there was yet another kingdom to save, that the fire plains could endanger Eldur and eventually Iskalt.
So, she went with a version of the truth. “This is Imogen.” She hugged the young girl to her side. “The bravest sailor I’ve ever met. Her father was the captain of the ship that got us here.”
Her mother was astute enough not to ask what happened to him. “Well, Imogen, it is a pleasure to meet such a brave sea woman. I, myself, am quite accomplished on the water.”
Tierney rolled her eyes. “You went on a ship once, Mom. And that was like a hundred years ago.”
Her mother gave her a playful scowl. “It’s nice to have you back, Tia, if only so none of us can have our egos inflate too large.”
Tierney stuck out her tongue before continuing. “That’s Bronagh. She’s … a good friend.” She sent Bronagh a smile.
A laugh bubbled out of her when she caught her father scowling at Keir but not letting anyone see. “That’s Keir Dagnan. He’s …” She didn’t know what he was. “A good man.”
Lochlan stood and extended a hand. “Thank you for bringing my daughter home safely.”
Tierney met her mom’s eyes, and they both rolled them simultaneously. Her dad was so predictable. Women fought in his army, yet when it came to his daughters, he was a big old fogey.
“Uh, Dad.” Toby laughed. “Pretty sure Tierney didn’t need anyone to get her here. Seriously, you’re so dense.”
Lochlan let go of Keir’s hand and looked from his daughter to his wife. “I didn’t mean … sometimes, you O’Shea women …” He shook his head.
To Tierney’s surprise, Keir spoke up. “In my kingdom, our customs do not favor women. But your daughter opened my eyes to how wrong we have been, and how capable women truly are. She didn’t need me to save her, sir. She saved all of us.”
Tierney’s cheeks warmed as she waited for her father to correct Keir. The king wasn’t a sir, but Keir was also a king and wouldn’t bow as her father probably expected.
Yet, to her surprise, her father let it go and looked at her with pride in his eyes instead.
Veren had inched closer to the fire, looking into the flickering flames. “Just so you know, your Majesty, I’m not marrying your daughter.”
Tierney choked on a laugh. Keir sent Veren a dark glare.
Veren continued, “I thought we should get that cleared up first thing. I’ve spent enough time with her recently, and I’m not going to live with her for the rest of my life.”
Toby and Tierney both burst out laughing.
“As if I’d marry you.” Tierney shook her head, just glad to be home.
They weren’t traveling home by portal. That news had been more welcome than any other. Griffin and Riona would go on ahead while the others stayed at the lodge for a day to recuperate. Her father argued they should wait longer so everyone regained their strength, but Tierney knew they didn’t have time to wait when the people of Lenya were counting on them. Who knew how far the fire plains had expanded in their absence? Were Eavha and Declan okay?
They were leaving in only a few hours, but Tierney couldn’t sleep. She sat in the sitting room alone in front of the fire, staring into it and remembering everyone left behind. She pulled the fur blanket up to her chin, her magic resting peacefully inside her.
Footsteps sounded on the wooden floor, and she looked up to find Toby approaching her. “Couldn’t sleep?” he asked.
She shook her head.
“Me neither.” He sat on the floor in front of the hearth, looking up at her. “My mind just wouldn’t stop whirring, thinking about the fact that you’re finally home.”
“Aren’t I usually the one who overthinks everything?”
A wry smile spread across his face. “Guess I needed to make up for your absence. I knew where you were. All this time, I’ve known you were across the fire plains, and I couldn’t get to you. We’re supposed to save each other, and you were out of my reach.”
Tierney slid to the floor and pulled the blanket around them both. “I was so scared without you.” She’d tried to hide it, even from herself. A beat passed between them. “I didn’t have my magic.”
His eyes snapped to hers. “What?”
“There is something about the fire plains that kept us from our magic, but it was more for me. I was too far from Iskalt, from you. I could feel my magic just under the surface, but it couldn’t come when I called. I couldn’t feel you.”
“I’m sorry you went through that.” Toby had never had magic except for the connection between them that amplified her power. That and the portal magic he gained through their O’Shea heritage.
“Is that how you always feel? Powerless? Helpless? Like there’s something inside you, some strength that you can’t bring to the surface?”
“Not really.” He shrugged. “But I’ve never known what it is to have power other than opening portals. This … emptiness is the only thing I’ve ever felt.”
Toby leaned his head against hers as they faced the flames.
“What was it like?” Toby asked. “Across the fire planes.”
“Terrifying.” It was the first word that came to mind. “At first, all I could think about was returning home. We were all separated coming out of the portal, and I didn’t know where the others were. I was so alone and without magic.”
He squeezed her tighter to his side.
“But then … it got better. I found Gullie, and our circumstances changed.” She wasn’t yet ready to tell him about Keir holding her prisoner or his father almost killing her. “Eventually, it felt like this grand adventure. Lenya isn’t like here. They’re struggling. Their magic is dying, and they’ve been at war for generations. After a while, I knew I could make a difference. It’s been so long since I felt … useful in that way.”
“Since the prison realm?”
She nodded.
He pushed out a breath. “Me too.”
“I’m just glad to be back.”
“And these fae who’ve returned with you?”
“They need us, Tobes.” It was all she needed to say. He understood.
“Then, we’ll do whatever it is we can to help them.”
“I love you.”
He sent her a knowing smile. “If you love me, you’ll tell me what the deal is with this Keir dude.”
“Dad wouldn’t like you saying dude.” He always joked his fae children were too human. Their mom had made sure of it.
“Don’t change the subject.”
“I really don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Really?” He nudged her. “That’s what you’re going with?”
“You’re nosey.”
“We never keep anything from each other. I mean, the first time I kissed Logan, you knew before Darra even did.”
“Because Darra would have told Alona.” Logan’s sister was one of Tierney’s best friends, but her favorite pastime was getting her older brother in trouble. It had taken their parents a little while to stop thinking of Logan and Toby as cousins. There was no blood relation, after all.
“No, it’s because you would have guessed it anyway. Just like I know there’s something about Keir you aren’t saying. The way you two kept avoiding each other’s gazes with Dad between you … it was pretty epic.”
“Shut up.”
“Tell me.”
“No.”
“Tierney …”
“Don’t you dare.” She knew what was coming.
He lunged sideways, his fingers digging into her sides to pin her to the ground. The blanket dropped away as the two of them wrestled. Tierney brought her knee up into his stomach and twisted.
Toby was daring but he’d never been able to beat her in a fight.
She scrambled away from him and reached for the iron fire poker next to the hearth. Toby ran for a broom leaning against the kitchen doorway. He returned and took up his stance.
“You can’t keep anything from me.” He jumped, bringing his broom down like a quarterstaff.
She blocked it with the poker-sword. “Try me.” A grin spread across her face. Now, she felt like she was truly back where she belonged.
Toby ran at her, and she jumped away, leaping up onto the settee and over the back, landing in a crouch. Toby tried the same move, tumbling as he hit the floor.
Tierney was on him before he could catch his balance, sweeping his feet out from under him. He landed on his butt, and she pushed him back, arcing the poker. He blocked it with a grin.
“You’ve been practicing.” She laughed.
“Can’t have you beating me forever.”
“What is the meaning of this?” Their dad’s heavy footsteps crossed the room.
Tierney and Toby looked at each other, suppressing grins.
“You should probably let your brother up, honey.” Their mom bit back a laugh, her cheeks puffed up with effort.
More entered the room, finding the twins still in their fighting stances with poker and broom.
Gulliver shrugged and went back to his room, used to their antics. Veren followed him, mumbling something about blasted royals waking him up.
Keir only stared, one eyebrow raised.
Someone gripped the back of Tierney’s shirt, hauling her up.
“Let me go, Uncle Griff.”
He clicked his tongue. “Tia, how many times have I told you that when you pull a dirty trick, don’t let them get their weapon up in time to stop you?”
Lochlan groaned. “Letting you spend time with my daughter was the worst mistake I ever made.”
“I don’t know.” Brea lifted one shoulder. “I quite enjoy watching her beat her brother.”
“Mom,” Toby groaned. “Thanks for playing favorites.”
Her face turned serious. “I love all my children equally.” She held a hand down. “But you know, girl power and all that. Plus, it’s especially entertaining as long as you don’t kill each other.”
Lochlan turned with a grunt to return to bed.
Griffin scrubbed a hand over his face. “Please don’t wake me up again. We have a long journey ahead of us.”
“Griff.” Brea shook her head. “You’re traveling by portal. The rest of us don’t have that luxury.”
They returned to their rooms to sleep, and Tierney started toward the one she shared with Bronagh.
“I will get it out of you,” Toby called.
“Go on. It’s fun when you try, baby brother.”
“Only by a few minutes!”
She sank into her bed, smiling at how normal the evening felt.