Page 115 of The Other Side

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“What is it that you want? Ask with no worries of consequence. Tell me what you wish to happen. And I have not missed that you still failed to explain the extent of Belem’s interest in you.”

“Because I’m ashamed. Because I’m frightened. But I am not afraid to tell you what I want. I want my brother Leaf out of the shadow halls and returned to our family. I want to be entirely free of Belem. I wish to spend my time between here and The Other Side, researching their botany and making your gardens the envy of the realms.” He paused, attempting a weak smile. “Perhaps I should have led with that.”

She chuckled. “And if I said no to it all?”

“Then, I need to tell you this. Just as Belem blood-bound me to do his bidding in return for me looking for Drum, when Drum and I were nine years old, we made a blood-oath of our own. We cut our palms with a silver knife belonging to Drum’s high fae father, Oliver, and promised to never lose each other, ever. Belem didn’t think I’d ever find Drum but we found each other. The blood-oath worked. I cannot give up on Drum even if you command it.”

The heavy double doors burst open. Belem strode into the garden room, his robes swirling, his face a mask of righteous indignation.

“What lies has he been pouring into your ears, my love?” Belem sneered as he pointed a finger at Osian. “He will say anything to drag his brother out of the shadow halls. I discovered Osian had crossed illegally to The Other Side and I sent his brother to retrieve him. He returned without him. They both deserve severe punishment!”

Osian reached slowly into his pocket, pulled out the parchment list of demands Belem had written in his own hand, and stepped forward to hand it directly to the Queen. He glanced at Belem. For a fraction of a second, absolute horror painted the faery’s face. Belem quickly forced his expression back to one of outrage, but the damage was done. The Queen’s eyes swept over the list, her face turning to ice. The air Osian inhaled was cold.

Three royal guards materialised from the shadows of the room, stepping up to flank Belem.

“Take him to the shadow halls,” the Queen commanded, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “And release Leaf Fairchild immediately.”

“This is a plot!” Belem shrieked as the guards seized his arms, dragging him backward out of the chamber. “Let me explain! I only—”

The heavy doors slammed shut, cutting off his cries.

Osian let out a shaky breath. He looked back at the Queen, acutely aware that she still held his life in her hands.

“You thought to spare my feelings by not telling me exactly what he did to you.” She inclined her head once. “You will not speak of what happened with Belem. This is my issue to deal with now, Osian.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I agree to you sharing your time between here and The Other Side. I would like you to still care for my garden. You have cared for it well for these past years. Drum can visit. You will not speak of the man and the dog to anyone. I know how he came to be on this side and it will not happen again. My youngest child has a love of animals and I had said no perhaps too many times.” She smiled. “Perhaps I’ll think again when she has been punished for disobeying the rules.”

Osian bit his lip.

“Thank you for my flowers.”

She said the words so deliberately, and with such quiet, terrifying promise, that Osian could do little more than gulp and bow again.

It was only as he walked out of the castle gates that he took in what he’d achieved and all of the air whooshed out of him. Leaf stepped from the shadows of the wall and pulled him into his arms.

“Brother!” Leaf whispered. “What did you do? What did you promise?”

Osian took his hand and tugged him on. “Belem has taken your place in the shadow halls. That’s all you need to know.”

“Are you free?”

“She agreed to me sharing my time between here and The Other Side. I’m to continue to care for her garden. Drum can visit.”

Leaf gasped. “And it’s not a trap?”

Osian lowered his voice. “She thanked me.”

“Gods!”

“There can be no more talk about Belem. No rumours. No gossip. Everyone in the family must stay silent.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Go back to Drum.”