Fragile Destiny (The Aether Chronicles) by Suzanne Lazear Read Free Book Online Page B

out.
    “We’ll ask Jeff and Vix. After all, they steal things for a living.” She waved her hand as if this were nothing.
    “We can’t involve them. Also, we can’t simply waltz into the museum and take something.” His hand raked his hair. Noli often had outrageous ideas, but this topped them all.
    She waved a paper under his nose. “Why not? The mu-seum is having a very exclusive ball … and you have an invitation. Now, come along. I’ll warm up supper.” Noli dragged him out of the room, flipping off the light in the process. “I even set up the guest room for you.”
    “You did?” Hurt leaked through his voice. He thought they’d share her room.
    They closed the back door behind them and crossed his backyard. “I told you. Jeff and Vix are staying at the house. Please be nice.” They ducked through the loose board in the fence between their houses, into her yard.
    Noli moved so that she was in front of him. “Don’t you want to take me to the ball?” she pouted.
    Girls were so odd. “I didn’t think you liked balls.”
    “I don’t, but you wanted to see the museum. At the very least we could investigate the gem, and I could be prettier than blasted Missy Sassafras.” Her mouth snapped shut, but not before she swished her skirts a little.
    Oh. “Did you run into her while shopping? I don’t know why you let her bother you. She’s not pretty, she’s not that rich, and she has no class. Truly, she’s beneath people like us.”
    “People like us?” she laughed. “Do you hear what you’re saying?”
    “You’re from a fine old family.” Steven held her the best he could with books in his hands. “I’m a prince. And I love you. ” He pushed her forehead up with his and kissed her. How he missed her when they were apart. She was such a part of his life, of him.
    A pistol clicked. He jumped back from Noli, dropping the books in the process.
    “Vix, I told you, V and I are fine now. We’ve worked everything out. He’s even standing up to his mother for our right to be together.” Noli’s voice firmed.
    Steven turned around to see Vix aiming a pistol at him.
    “It’s fun to see pretty boy squirm.” Vix tucked her pistol away and strode inside.
    Noli shook her head and picked up the fallen books. “I always wanted a sister, but I never thought I’d get one quite like Vix.”
    “It is a bit terrifying.” Steven stared at Noli’s place. Perhaps he should sleep at his house.
    “Next time she does that, pull out your sword. Now, let’s get you some supper.”

Four
    Aodhan
    The little girl clutched Kevighn’s hand tightly as he led her through the Blackwoods. Dark and ominous in an entirely different way than the place they’d been before, this forest was one of the oldest in the Otherworld, filled with strange plants and even stranger creatures. It was also deep within dark court territory, and home to many dark fae.
    “These woods are very dangerous,” he warned. “You must not wander about them by yourself.”
    Elise made an annoyed noise. “I get tired of everyone telling me what to do.”
    “I suppose you do,” he replied. Certainly, he had as a boy. A light emerged from the trees and he steered her into the clearing where the Thirsty Pooka sat. He could feel the eyes of Ciarán’s guards watching them from the distance, determining if they were friend or foe.
    “Stay close.” Kevighn opened the door of the pub; the usual cacophony greeted him as they entered the large main room. He walked Elise past some gambling goblins and brownies screeching dirty songs around the piano, and over to the bar. He sat her on a tall stool and took the one next to her. Behind the bar sat a staircase that led to the rooms where the dark king conducted court business.
    The comely leprechaun bartender’s lips curved into a sneer as she peered at them from her perch on a box behind the bar. “She’s young even for you, Silver.”
    He rolled his eyes at her comment. “Deidre, this is