The Shadowed Path

2. Reine-2

None of us spoke as Ellerin led us along the twisting path through the woods. Our silence, only broken by the crunch of our steps on the dead leaf matter along the trail, worked for me. I could be with my thoughts uninterrupted, but they swirled around, caught in a whirlwind of confusion, grief, and regret. Fae didn't do regret, but I did.

If only I had trusted Lawrence to do the right thing and still help me even after he'd found out about Rhys' role in his father's death… but I hadn't. I'd kept the information from him, fearful he would go after Rhys. Not that I'd known Lawrence to do anything so impulsive. He planned out everything he did, and even if he'd gotten caught up in the moment—a certain dance ending with a kiss came to mind—he tied himself up in knots over it after. But we'd only been interacting for a few days, so how could I know with certainty?

Even those few days had been enough time to get a sense of who he was and what he could do.

Ellerin's voice broke through my reverie. "Reine, could I talk to you for a moment?"

I walked to the front of the line, leaving Sir Raleigh to guard the rear. I'd hoped that once we were in Faerie, the grimalkin would start speaking to me via secret conversation—what the humans referred to as telepathy—but no such luck. Or maybe, as he had taken the form of a cat, he'd decide when it was time.

The path broadened so that we could walk beside each other. Good timing or the fluidity of Faerie? There was no telling.

"What do you need?"

"We're about to come to a fork. Going one way will take us around Cruaidh. The other branch will bring us to and through the city."

"Which will keep us on the Shadowed Path? Isn't that the point of this exercise—to walk it so we can remain undetected?"

The crystal atop his staff glowed golden, shot through with pulsing silver sparks. "Indeed, Princess, the Shadowed Path is more metaphysical than physical and can change with each journey. That's why you need a guide."

"So that's part of your magic." I looked away from the mesmerizing light show in the crystal. "Which would you recommend?"

"You're correct in your supposition that staying in the forest will keep us more hidden. However, we are being followed, and so we have a better chance of eluding them in the city."

That decided me. I wasn't entirely convinced that the black lightning bugs had been meant for someone else. "Then we go through the city."

"Good."

We stopped and informed the humans of the decision. As I expected, John didn't take it well.

"But is it safe?" He rubbed the bridge of his nose before replacing his glasses. "I mean, truly safer? There could be dangerous creatures there. Dark Fae."

"Well, it is their main city," I said. "Of course they'll be there."

"And won't they want to eat us?" Kestrel asked. "That's what dark Fae are, right? Goblins and trolls and such."

"As long as you're with me, you'll be safe," Ellerin assured her. "I am the Wanderer. I belong to no land and am mostly welcome in all."

"Mostly?" John sounded skeptical.

"Everyone has enemies, Doctor Graves."

Kestrel and I exchanged another almost-smile. That made for two instances of fantasy movie dialog.

"I think it would be more prudent to stick to the woods," John asserted. "It will be easier to take on one enemy than a whole city."

"Are you sure it's just one? I have allies in the city should we need them. Plus, taking the path around the city will add two days to our journey."

John sighed and opened his mouth, probably with another objection, and Ellerin held up a finger.

"Most importantly, Doctor Graves, this is not your decision to make, and you are wasting precious minutes with your arguments."

John flushed and shook his head, but he didn't say anything.

Ellerin nodded. "Good. Come along, then."

This time the glance Kestrel and I exchanged told of our mutual concern that our little party would splinter before we could get to the Faerie capital of Lorien. Meanwhile, I would also be concerned about what Ellerin had said regarding John. Would the Shadowed Path take its revenge on him for his resistance?