"My lady," the faerie shrieked in grief and terror, "my queen, I love you. " She said it again and again as she slammed her hand against the knife, driving it in farther.
I dropped down, wrapped my arms around Lend, and screamed, "Reth! Get us out of here, now!"
Strong arms grabbed me, and with a bright flash we were pulled out of the Faerie Realms and into the blessed darkness of the Paths.
Chapter Eighteen
POWER NAP
I sank to the ground, holding Lend and blinking against the cold, bright sunshine streaming down on us. The gravel of Lend's driveway dug into my knees, but I didn't care.
We were here. We did it.
I looked up at Reth, the sun behind him creating a blinding halo around his head. "Thank you," I said, tears streaming down my face. "Thank you. "
He reached down and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, then leaned over and put his fingers briefly on Lend's forehead. I reached for his hand, but without a word he turned and walked away.
"Evie? Evie! Oh my-Lend?" Arianna started toward us, then ran into the house and yelled something. She sprinted back, joined by David.
"Is he okay? What happened? Is he-"
I shook my head, then nodded, not knowing what to say. All I knew was that he was here, with us. I had no doubt I'd pay for what I'd done to the Dark Queen. She couldn't be killed by something as simple as a silver knife; all I'd done was borrow more time. Time that never should have been mine to begin with, so what was another threat of death hanging over my head? With Lend here I didn't care. I'd take her wrath, all of it, anything.
David reached down and took Lend out of my arms, straining but carrying him into the house. Arianna helped me up and I cried out with pain. My feet had finally thawed.
"What did you do?" she asked, horrified, but I just shook my head, taking her arm for support and hobbling after David. I needed to be where Lend was.
We made it to the house and I tracked smears of blood on the hardwood before I sat heavily on the floor next to the blue couch where Lend was lying. He was still breathing evenly, for all appearances deeply asleep.
"Do you think he's okay?" I whispered, looking up at David, whose worry and heartbreak mirrored my own.
"I'm sure he is. " David's face turned into a mask of bravery as he smiled and knelt next to me. "Evie, what you did, I can't even begin. . . thank you. " He wrapped me up in a hug and I buried my face into his shoulder.
"I had to bring him back. "
He nodded against my head, and even though I knew he was as terrified as I was, I let myself lean against him and pretend for a moment that he was my dad, that I had someone like that who could be strong for me when I didn't have any strength left. I wanted Raquel here. I wanted Lish here. I wanted the mother I'd never known. But I could pretend Lend's dad was enough.
"Evie, we need to fix your feet," Arianna said when I let go of David and sat back against the edge of the couch.
"Yeah, they kind of hurt. But there is no way we're letting a unicorn inside the house. You'd never get the smell out. "
We both choked out a laugh. Arianna and David wanted to carry me out to the unicorn, but I waved them away. I wasn't leaving Lend's side until he woke up. I put my head down on the couch next to Lend's. He would wake up soon. He had to wake up soon.
"Do you think Cresseda would know something, be able to help?" I asked.
"She might. I'll go see. " David nodded and hurried out the door.
"So, how did you pull this off?" Arianna asked, sitting next to me with her legs against mine.
"I have no idea. But Jack helped before he got hurt and had to leave. And Reth did, too. I wouldn't have been able to do anything without Reth. He was kind of amazing, actually. "
"Guess there's a first time for everything. "
"Seriously. "
I saw my purse across the room and asked Arianna to hand it to me. I pulled out my phone to see several missed calls and texts from Carlee. The most recent read: "where r u meg said u were supposd to email her dance plans shes pissed and wont stop bugging me. also my mom is making me watch white christmas please call save me must go shopping. " I hesitated, then texted back. "Lend sick. Not fun. Will call when better. "
Please, please let me be able to call her soon. She texted back immediately, as usual, offering soup. If only.