Chapter 6

Duran heard laughter, light, almost childlike. It was musical with soft notes, the tinkle of summer bells. He shivered. He was wet and he didn’t know how he got that way. The wet was making him cold. But when he tried to move, he couldn’t, as though he’d been tied down with weights, yet felt no restraints against his limbs. His legs and arms were wrapped around his frame rather than bound, like a child out of the womb, yet he felt no pain. Confusion made it harder for him to comprehend what he couldn’t sense. More tinkling laughter drifted over his ears.

“Hush, children. You’re waking him.”

Duran inhaled deeply as he fought through the fog. That was a male voice, gentle. He didn’t know it, but…he accepted he didn’t need to fear it, either. He didn’t feel as though he was in danger. None of this was making sense.

He tried to open his eyes.

“You are safe, mage. We’re moving you to be dry. That is all.”

He licked his lips. Okay, so he was aware, kind of. “Who are you?” he croaked.

“Remy. I’ve been following you for some time.”

“Following? Why? Who are you? Why can’t I see? My eyes won’t open.” Should he be concerned he’d apparently been stalked by this person, Remy, who he couldn’t see at all and never met? He was worried he couldn’t move, then he realized he couldn’t hear anything outside of the chirping laughter. He couldn’t smell, either. “Where are you taking me? Where are my friends? Royce! Tell me where Royce is. Please tell me he was able to warn the others.”

He’d been foolish to follow him and now he was a prisoner somewhere he couldn’t even see and didn’t know by who. There was a sense of…other magic. It didn’t feel threatening but he’d never known it, either.

“Your friends are safe. I was able to send messages to the raven through our friends. They were warned of the attack and were able to help. I don’t know of the outcome as I haven’t spoken to any since we brought you here.”

Duran swallowed. “Where is here?” he asked, biting his lip to hide the depth of its tremble, feeling more and more disjointed and detached. Why can’t I see?

“You may open your eyes, now.”

Then suddenly Duran could. And he gasped as full sunshine and brilliant color exploded over him, a faint haze of pink in the air. He’d never envisioned such beauty. Bright and beautiful, unblemished, it was like the land itself was singing out its joy. He rested on his side, his cheek pillowed by a bed of spongy and thick, sweet-smelling clover. Lush green grass waved gently in a roaming breeze. The water before him was crystal clear and reflected sunlight like a mirror, not a cloud in the sky. Small splashes which could have been fish in the distance disrupted the smooth surface. Leafy trees and bountiful flowering shrubs adorned the edge of the lake, bright pink and yellow buds and flowers attracting bees and more butterflies. There wasn’t a single sign of the storm he’d been in the middle of breaking over the land. It was nature in all her glory, and she was beautiful.

Flexing his fingers slowly, he realized he could move again. Bracing a hand beneath his shoulder, he pushed himself upward to sit on a hip, feeling the warmth of sunlight as it dried his damp clothes.

Then he turned on his neck and his jaw dropped. “You’re…” He swallowed, once. Very, very hard. “You’re fae.”

“Well, they are.” The young brunet waved absently toward the group of frolicking winged fae who were dancing with butterflies. “I’m really an owl.”

“Pardon?”

Then Remy’s shape changed.

The brown owl Duran had caught tailing him off and on for the last few weeks rested on the ground, eyes wide as they studied each other. He could easily see the flatter owl face with the broad cheekbones, flat chin, and wide eyes of the person he’d awakened to.

“But you were talking!” he rasped. “I saw you. Just now!”

Remy regained his footed shape and sank down loosely to face Duran. “I’ll explain as much as I can. We can’t stay here for long.”

“This is the land of the fae,” Duran realized with shock. How was he chosen to visit the land of the fae? Why?

“It is. We’re guests for the moment. I bargained for a few minutes because I had to talk with you somewhere we could not be overheard.”

Duran bit his lip again. “What did you bargain with?” He hoped he hadn’t traded anything the owl would live to regret.

“I offered two feathers to the Queen. Feathers are highly prized by her majesty.”

“Really? Feathers?” Duran could have been knocked over by, well, a feather.

“She uses them in her headdresses.” He waved a hand dismissively, already pushing the concern away. “Not really relevant. The reason we’re here is because of the Valda-Cree crown.”

Duran blinked with a slight squawk. “The crown?” Definitely not what he was expecting.

“It hasn’t been destroyed.”

“But Brin—”

“I know.” This time Remy scowled along with a sharp glare. “Let me say what I need to. Please. Again, time constraints, guests.”

Duran nodded abashed, pinching his lips to stop his outbursts.

“It still exists, but it is well guarded. The reason everyone thinks it was destroyed was because it was hidden off world by the evil mage. He told everyone it had been destroyed, but in truth, it can’t be. It was a gift created by Goddess Adhrer at the time of her blessing to the Valda-Cree. A mere mage could never destroy it.”

“I’m sorry. Did you say, ‘off world’?” Duran’s heart thumped like a thousand horses were galloping across his spine. He’d heard everything Remy had said, but that was what broke his brain.

Remy nodded solemnly, edging toward apologetic. “It is hidden with the dragons.”

Duran felt lightheaded as blood leached from his head, chills suddenly overtaking even the warmth from the bountiful sunlight beaming down on them. There were only so many mages who had the ability to travel between planes and worlds.

“Why are you telling me? I don’t have the ability to travel.”

“You know those who can.” He rolled a shoulder. “It is up to you how you use the information but this the only warning I can give you. The return of the Valda-Cree will fail without the crown.”

“That’s no pressure,” he retorted. “Why did you have to bring me here to tell me?”

“Because there are eyes and ears everywhere. Know this, just because you don’t see them walking with you, don’t think they don’t follow you, don’t already know about Jayce. You must be judicious going forward with your plans.”

Duran gasped as a fresh rush of chills having nothing to do with damp clothing overtook him. A snarl formed on his lips, then, “Carden.”

Remy simply nodded. “You and your friends have more allies than you know. They are why I am here, why you are here right now and I can tell you this.”

“I know traveling between worlds skews time spent. How long do we have in the other world to find the crown before we must return?”

Remy canted his head back, closing his eyes as though listening to another voice. “The time difference will still be notable but you might be afforded some assistance. Three days. That is all I can give you.”

“You?” he chirped, startled.

Remy winked. “Allies, remember?”

Then Remy’s face morphed yet again and another countenance hovered over Remy’s broad features. Duran slowly let his jaw swing loose. A feminine face with luscious black hair spilling around her shoulders and clear-as-crystal blue eyes as beautiful as a morning sky.

“Goddess,” he said with reverence, already sinking forward to press his forehead into the clover. “You bless me and my heart.”

“As you honor me,” she replied, ethereal and wispy as dandelion fluff, Remy’s mouth moving but it was the goddess’s voice speaking. “Now, do as your familiar asks. I have faith in you and yours to succeed.”

He jerked upward. “My fam—” was all he managed in a choked, flabbergasted tone as fingers reached forward and touched his forehead. Lashes fluttered as he dropped senselessly to the soft clover bedding. Right before his world went black, a map slammed into his consciousness.

“There he is!” came a hailed shout. “I found him!”

Duran groaned, then grunted as awareness infiltrated. He was soaking wet. Again. And goddess, did his head hurt. How long had he been out? The rain had stopped, but he shivered, disoriented.

Whuhu-hu whu-hu.

The owl sounded near, familiar, a voice, like it was calling out to him. He knew the voice he could almost hear, somewhere out of reach. Remy? Yes, Remy. Then… He remembered. All of it. Remy! Recognition plowed into him. The owl hopped down from the trees to settle close to him on the ground. “Remy,” he croaked when the bird was nearer. And a moment later, the soft caress of feathers was rubbing over his face in adoration.

“How’d he get all the way over here? I swear I left him where it was dryer, deeper in the trees where the coverage was better.” Royce sank down to his knees and helped Duran to sit up. “Easy,” he said when Duran moaned, clutching at Royce’s shoulders even as his vision swam with woozy bleariness. His head felt like a brick weight had replaced his brain. Royce pushed mussed hair away from his face with a gentle hand. “You’re safe.”

Through lowered lashes Duran watched as Remy puffed up his chest and hopped between him and Royce, opening his beak aggressively, as though he wanted to chomp down on something or someone, hard. It made Duran want to smile but all he could do was moan pathetically.

“I promise. He’s safe,” Duran heard Royce murmur to the owl. He ached with each movement of his limbs but didn’t fight the warmth when he was urged to snuggle into Royce’s firm chest. Tender and powerful arms lifted around him and under his legs. “I’m so sorry for leaving you.” His exhale was warm against Duran’s ear where he cradled him into his frame.

“Tired, cold,” Duran told him, unable to stop the shivers.

“Let’s get you back and warmed up.”

Duran didn’t argue at all, feeling Royce’s strong arms carry him to a horse, then as Royce ensured he was covered with a heavy blanket for the ride. Drifting in and out of awareness, he realized at some point he was laid down, stripped of his damp garments, and was bundled up on his own bed. Then there was nothing.

Blinking to clear his vision, he knew he was back in his shared room, but Grayson was absent, likely seeing to duties. Milky light was fighting to stream in through the closed window, but it wasn’t quite night yet. He couldn’t hear anything beyond the bedroom, and being safe in his bed had to mean they’d managed to stop the attack. He hoped they had. He had no idea which clans, if any, stayed. The door creaked open and Royce appeared carrying a tray with a steaming bowl, a hunk of bread, and a large mug.

“You’re awake,” he said, nudging the door gently closed with a heel. He neared the bedside, placing the tray holding delicious aromas on the shared table between the beds.

Duran’s brain was muddled. When he opened his mouth, what came out was “Crown.”

Royce scrunched his brow. “What?”

Duran lurched upward and clawed into Royce’s forearm as memories filled his mind. Urgency pitched his voice. “The c-crown. I know–”

“Shh. You were hit and knocked out.” Royce aided him to sit up against the wall ensuring he was covered and well settled, then twisted and palmed the bowl. “I didn’t mean to leave you for so long, but you must have stumbled away from where I left you. Here, this will help warm you.”

He raised the steaming liquid and Royce gently helped him steady the soup bowl, his hands covering Duran’s.

“You are still chilled.” His eyes widened with concern. “Can mages become ill?”

“It’s rare, but yes.” He sipped at the broth, sending a wash of warmth through his chest and expanding outward. “This is good.” He licked his lips to swallow more. The more he ate, the clearer his thinking became.

“Kirn sent it. There’s bread and hot cider, too. How is your head?”

“Sore.”

Royce tucked his chin, his hands balled together on his lap, his shoulders hiked up around his ears. “I’m so sorry for leaving you,” he said, contrite words tumbling from his lips. “I barely had time to warn them.”

Duran palmed the bowl to rest on a thigh and gripped Royce’s forearm with his other. “You did what had to be done. I’m not angry with you. I met my familiar because of what happened.”

Royce rolled his shoulders, relaxing with the obvious forgiveness. “Your what?”

“Remy. The owl that’s been around the keep.” He searched the room but didn’t see him. “I don’t know where he is right now.”

“Oh! There’s an owl downstairs on the rafters. That one?”

“It’s possible. Open the door for me, please.”

Royce stood from the bedside to open the doorway. Duran closed his eyes and focused, calling gently for the animal. He waited a heartbeat before opening his eyes to watch the space, unsure if it would work, if what he felt in his heart was true. A moment later, a strong swish of air rolled over him as the owl settled on the bed next to him. Duran met the bird’s eyes. “I didn’t dream it, did I?” he asked, filled with trepidation while awed that this beautiful animal was now a part of his heart.

The owl practically shook his whole body.

Duran dipped close and the owl ruffled its crown to his forehead.

“I am blessed. Thank you, Remy.”

The owl whuhu-d quietly before hopping to the end of the bed to settle near his feet.

“Are you…okay?” Royce asked, watching him with wide eyes. Then looking at the owl.

“Yes. I have to explain, but with everyone.” A small shiver brushed like a breeze over his shoulders. “Maybe after I warm up a little more.” He drank down the broth, soaking up the bits with the bread before washing it all down with the cider. Full and feeling considerably warmer, he snuggled down into the bedding.

“Why don’t you rest and I’ll find Lord Morrow.” He pulled up the blankets to cover a suddenly sleepy Duran. “Do you want Remy to stay?”

Duran yawned, too relaxed and finally warm enough to not care. “He is free, but I would love the company.”

The owl fluffed its feathers getting ready to nap, settling down like a brown stump.

“I’ll update Lord Morrow and let him know you’ve awakened to at least eat.”

“Thank you,” Duran mumbled, feeling languid and relaxed. He was grateful his head throbbed less now, too.

When next he woke, it was full dark. Remy waited at the foot of the bed, eyes half closed but as soon as Duran began to resettle his position he was wide awake and hopping closer.

“Thank you for staying to watch over me,” Duran murmured, smiling as the owl bent close to snuggle into his shoulder. “I suppose we need to go tell them what the goddess shared, huh?”

Whuhu.

“Yeah, I thought so.” He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair, scrubbing over his scalp to raise his energy. He winced when he encountered the bump left behind by the soldier’s sword, but it was the least of his worries.

Tossing away blankets, he quickly found fresh clothing and dressed. He turned to Remy when he was done. “I know what I saw,” he said, facing the owl. “You are truly an owl, aren’t you?” Whu. “So was it the fae magic that allowed me to see you?” Whuuu.

Duran sank to the edge of the bed and offered an arm. The owl carefully crawled up to settle with a light grip close to his elbow. “I’ll have one of the leather makers stretch a strap like Leodinn has for Rox. Would you like that?” Whuhuhu. He flapped his wings, adding to his cries. Duran chuckled warmly at the owl’s excitement. “Yes, I’m glad to be paired with you as well.” Then, he realized he was actually hearing a voice, actual words in his mind. He’d never known of a familiar to speak with a mental ability and he didn’t think that was what was happening with Remy. “Can I understand you because of what happened with the fae?” Whu. Big, bold bronze colored eyes blinked at him, full of life. “Can I say I’m actually glad for it. Am I the only one who can hear you like that?”

Whu! If an owl could glare…

He laughed deeply. “Okay, okay, I was only asking. Let’s find the others. I feel like time is not on our side after today. It might be best if we don’t let on how we communicate. Remember, going forward, we have to be cautious.”

Whuuuu.

Duran stroked over the feathers of his crown. “I know, friend. We’ll be careful.”

Letting Remy fly on his own, he left his bedroom for the antechamber room in the opposite hall next to Jayce’s suite of rooms.