“Which two are to bind?” she asked.
McKale and I looked at each other and stepped forward. I had to wrench my hand from Mom’s grip. Without thinking twice McKale and I grabbed hands and stood before them. Mom and Dad moved up next to us. The sight of the King’s eyes up close scared me so bad that my instinct to flee was in full effect. The King nodded his approval and the female grinned with pride.
“So this is the tiny, beautiful babe whom I saw in Faerie years ago…” Her head tilted as she examined me with interest. Then she noted our linked hands. “An extraordinary pair. I knew it would be so. How divine that she was brought to me that fateful day. And see how they have taken to one another? Adorable.” Now she gazed at the Summer King as if seeking his praise.
“Yes, Martineth, dearest, you have an exceptional eye for detail.”
I caught Mom sending a death glare toward the King’s consort.
“Well, then.” Brogan cleared his throat. “Without further ado, let the celebrations commence. We hope ye will enjoy yerselves and let me know if ye be needing anything at all.”
Brogan clapped his hands twice and the musicians skittered into place, lifting their instruments and beginning an upbeat tune, which seemed out of place, given the fact that everyone remained unmoving. Brogan let out an embarrassed laugh.
“Well, go on then!” he called to his people. “Don’t be shy. Let’s show our honored guests a nice time, then, ‘eh?”
There were nods and forced smiles, and then people appeared to relax and fall into fake celebration mode. Platters of food and vats of beverages were presented. Dancing broke out beside the binding circle, though everyone was careful not to disturb it.
I locked eyes with McKale as a trickle of despair crept into me. Leave it to Khalistah to ruin our plan. She had us in her grip. Of course she wouldn’t want to see us bind. But I had no doubt she’d be expecting McKale to waltz into her den and fulfill the agreement at the end of the day. I hated her self-assurance.
Brogan waved Cassidy forward so my whole family stood before the Fae. I swallowed hard and looked up at the King.
Cassidy sidled close and clung to my arm with a death grip caused by her own fear, and it kept me grounded to the spot.
Brogan introduced each member of my family, starting with Dad. We each bowed or curtsied, and the King seemed to nod with a flicker of his eyes. Martineth, the King’s consort, watched Mom’s stoic front with a victorious grin. Mom, however, would not look at the smirking Fae woman.
“This appears to be a very good match,” the Summer King stated. “And what say you about this union, Brogan?”
“King of the Summer, truly, the coming binding of McKale and Robyn has brought our lot joy beyond measure. We believe ‘tis the start of a new era for the cobbling folk. We wish future generations of our clan to serve ye with as much delight as we have.”
The King’s mouth softened at the edges, and I sensed a genuine fondness there.
“I wish you many generations to come, Brogan of the Leprechaun.”
Brogan bowed in response. When he straightened, he held an arm toward the festivities.
“Won’t you join us?” Brogan asked.
“I believe I shall,” the King responded. He held out his elbow and Lady Martineth slid her slender hand in the crook.
Four Chaun boys carried out a massive wooden chair and set it facing the party. Bright purple cushions were placed on it and fluffed. The Summer King took a seat and his entourage flanked him in a semi-circle with his consort at his right side. Their faces remained chiseled masks, but their eyes shone with amusement as they watched the Chaun men and women dance.
My family, McKale, and I stood a distance from the festivities in tense, silent thought.
Think, Robyn, think! How the heck could we get Khalistah to come out of the portal?
“She’s not coming,” Dad said in a low voice.
“What are we gonna do?” Cassidy whispered.
“I’ll go into Faerie for the footage,” McKale stated.
Wait… excuse me?
“No!” I gripped his forearm. “No way. She’ll never let you back out of there.”
He began to shake his head but Dad cut in, saying, “I’ll go.”
Uh, no. I shook my head. “That won’t work, Dad. She won’t answer to you. It has to be me. The sight of me will make her talk. She hates me.”
“Exactly,” Dad said. “Maybe she won’t let you back out.” We all thought about it, then Dad said with reluctance, “You and McKale will go together. That’s your best shot. She knows her father will expect you both back for the binding.”
We were all silent, staring around at one another as the change of plans set in. McKale and I were going into Faerie. Being that it was our only chance—our last hope—a strange sense of calm determination shrouded me.
“Let’s get wires on Robyn, too,” Dad said. “Just in case.” His voice was strong, but I could see the panic behind his eyes as he jumped into action. He glanced over at the celebrations where the Fae and Leprechauns were busy, paying us no mind.
Mom stood still with a hand covering her mouth. She’d almost lost me to the Fae as a baby, and now my fate would once again be in their hands.
“Shitballs. You can’t go in there,” Cassidy whispered, thinly veiled panic in her voice.
Mom, Cass, and I faced one another in a triangle.
“We’ll be fine,” I whispered. “Everything will be okay.”My words did not relax them. Dad came up behind me and started hooking wires under the seams of my dress.