The Secret of the Dread Forest: The Faire Folk Trilogy by Gillian Summers Read Free Book Online Page B

swipes.
    There was a knock at the door. Dad gently took the sketchbook from Keelie and closed it. “We’ll talk about this later.”
    “That’s Niriel.” Grandmother said. “He’s here to escort Keelie to her next lesson.”
    Keelie twirled her finger in the air. “Woohoo, can’t wait. Do you think he’ll know what this symbol means?”
    “No,” Grandmother hissed. She took a deep breath. “Do not mention that book to anyone.”
    “Whatev.” Keelie channelled her California mall girl to create a protective barrier against her Grandmother’swords, all the while thinking that she had to find out what the book was all about.
    “I’ll get the door, Mother. You stay here and rest.”
    Grandmother started to bend down to retrieve the broken mug pieces, but collapsed backward in her chair.
    “I’ll get it.” Keelie picked up the broken pieces of ceramic and wiped up the spilled tea with the kitchen towel Grandmother handed her. Her sketch had gotten such a big reaction. What was it, and why didn’t they want to talk about it?
    It was unsettling to see her grandmother grow limp and need help, but she was probably faking it, Keelie thought. Looking sick to manipulate everyone to do her bidding.
    “Lord Niriel is waiting for you outside.” Dad nodded to Keelie, then crouched next to his mother’s chair. “Are you all right?”
    Keelie left, disgusted. Niriel was not by the door. She could hear Ariel’s cries. The hawk sounded upset. Keelie hurried around to the side of the house.
    She looked around quickly. Niriel stood near the path to the mews, watching her. He wore a sword in a scabbard on his belt and held another scabbarded sword in his hand. Keelie didn’t want him near the hawk—she knew he’d been involved with Elianard’s plan to use the Wildewood unicorn’s magic to shore up the Dread, although she couldn’t prove it. Besides, it was his idea to marry his son to Risa, so it was his fault that Keelie’s heart was broken.
    Ariel cried out and beat her wings.
    “A pity to see something so beautiful and majestic caged.
    Maybe her life would be better ended than letting her sit in darkness, listening to the wind blowing through the trees,” Niriel commented.
    “I think there’s hope for her. I’ll make her better, and until I’m proved wrong, she’ll live.” Keelie didn’t mention the trees helping the hawk to fly. That was her secret.
    Niriel bowed his head. “True, but not everyone has the habit of hope. There are some who foresee the approaching darkness even on the brightest days.” He turned to Keelie’s father, who had come out of the back door to check on her. “Do you not agree, Zeke?”
    “I agree with Keelie. Hope conquers the darkness.”
    “And that is exactly why Sean and Risa have been betrothed. Their child will be the hope of the elves—the next generation. And you’re not alone in being upset, Keelie. I understand Elia is unwell.”
    Keelie didn’t care how Elia felt. Even though the elf girl had been friendly recently, it didn’t mean that they were going to be buddies. She was probably plotting to get Sean back, and if Keelie fell for her charm she would only end up lonely and embarrassed.
    Grandmother wanted her to learn all about elves—but one thing she knew already was that some of them couldn’t be trusted. She was learning a lot, and all of it was bad.

five
    “So, are you ready for your lesson? We won’t go far, just to the forge.” Niriel gestured toward the long buildings that housed the forge and stables.
    “I’m not sure about this, Keelie.” Dad looked worried. “You don’t have to do this today. You’ve had a lot of upsets.”
    “I’m fine.” Disgusted with herself, Keelie marched toward the path.
    Niriel arched his eyebrow at her father as she passed him. “Problems?”
    “No,” Dad said.
    She was grateful to Dad, and a sense of protectivenesstoward him welled up in her. She didn’t want to embarrass him in front of Niriel. She