Ani stepped between Devlin and Niall. She reached out to Irial and squeezed his hand. He smiled at her, but didn’t speak.
“Once upon a time,” she began, “Faerie had two courts. The Dark Court left Faerie, and as the centuries passed, new courts were born of the strongest solitaries to fill the needs of the faeries who lived in the mortal world. If the Dark Court won’t return, there is need for a new court in Faerie. Someone who is strong enough to stand up to the High Queen needs to form that court… and such a court would need a Gabriel… or Gabrielle.”
“It’s not that easy,” Devlin objected. “There already is a Dark King.”
Niall shook his head. “I’m not going to Faerie. That leaves you.”
“Or Irial,” Devlin said.
“You don’t seriously think I’m up for the job?” Irial drawled. He lowered a hand onto Niall’s shoulder. “I am where I belong.”
“Order needs Discord, Devlin.” Ani spoke softly. “I know you. Tell me it’s not the solution we need. Save your sister. Remake Faerie so it’s our world too, not just hers.”
“I can’t be k—” he started, but the words weren’t ones he could speak. They were a lie. “You ask me to stand in opposition to my sister?”
“No,” she said. “I ask that we do.”
The wolves that were Ani’s Hunt came into the room, crouching and pacing throughout the spaces between the elegant furnishings. They watched her eagerly. Red eyes reflected the glow of the smoldering embers in the fireplace.
“I’m already bound to you. Blood to blood, Devlin. We’re in this together.” Ani stared up at him. “Trust me. Trust us.”
Their wolves pressed against them both like they would urge them to movement.
“I do.” Devlin looked at Niall. “The veil to Faerie will be sealed. One sister will be locked on either side.”
Ani squeezed his hand and added, “Call out to us, and we will answer if we are able.”
“And Rabbit?” Irial asked.
Ani looked up at Devlin, and he nodded.
“He’s safe with us…. Tell Gabe… Dad… that we are all well?”
“I will.” Irial came over and pulled her into his embrace, whispering something in her ear.
She approached the Dark King’s throne. “Take care of Gabriel and Irial?”
“In exchange,” Niall said.
“For?”
“Your dreamweaver doing as Irial asked,” Niall murmured. He didn’t look at Irial as he said it.
“Weaving the two of your dream selves together?” Ani clarified.
The Dark King’s nod was curt.
Ani looked at Rae, who nodded.
“Done,” Ani said.
And then she turned to Devlin and the pack of wolves crowding the room. “Let’s go home.?
??
CHAPTER 35
Devlin opened his eyes to find Rae and Ani both staring back at him from Ani’s body. He was holding them against his chest. The sensation of holding Ani was still new enough to be breathtaking; to realize that he also held Rae was a heartbeat too near perfection.