Fenrys spoke with Aelin while Nascha waited just outside the palace, accompanied by Lysandra and Elide. The day had finally come for them to travel to Arcelia. Nascha had woken in a terrible mood, which was progressively worsening. Fenrys held little hope that it would improve when they reached Arcelia.

He'd spent hours the night before going over maps of Terrasen with Rowan. They were going to ride to the foothills of the Anascaul mountains on horseback. Once they reached the mountains, Fenrys would teleport them to Arcelia. He'd booked a room for them at a lavish inn under the false name Aelin had created for him. He would be called Oden Tierney and Nascha was to be passed off as his wife, Ophelia. She didn't know that yet, of course.

"Here." Aelin pressed a small pouch into Fenrys' palm. "Extra money, in case you need something while you're there. You know what to do if things go wrong?"

"Yes, your Majesty," Fenrys teased. "We must've gone over contingency plans at least two hundred times."

Aelin squeezed his hand, even as she rolled her eyes. "Good luck."

"Thanks. I'm going to need it." Aelin dropped his hand as he headed out the palace doors. He approached a stable hand, holding the reins of a large chestnut stallion. Fenrys swung himself into the saddle and offered a hand to Nascha.

"I am not riding a horse with you," she barked.

"You are, or you'll be walking to the foothills."

"I'll fly."

"I'm not giving you the opportunity to shift anytime soon. I don't trust you right now."

"I've never trusted you."

"You can bicker later," Elide cut in. "Get on the damn horse, Nascha. You're making things difficult for everyone."

Nashca's features melted into a cold glare. Elide remained unconcerned, even as she stared up at the formidable Fae. Nascha begrudgingly took Fenrys' hand and situated herself in front of him. "Why can't I ride behind you?"

"You might jump off and run away, or shift. Like I said, I don't trust you right now. I want you where I can see you." Fenrys tapped his heel against the stallion's side and they set off.

"What route are we taking?" Nascha asked. "It used to take us three days, sometimes four, to reach Orynth, starting in Arcelia."

"We're cutting straight through the Oakwald Forest and I'll teleport us to Arcelia once we reach the foothills of the Anascauls."

Nascha didn't say another word as they rode through Orynth. When they were safely through the city, Fenrys allowed the stallion to move from a walk to an even canter. Fenrys shifted the reins into one hand and tucked his free arm around her waist. Nascha tensed instantly. "What are you doing?"

"Relax," he replied. "I'm making sure you won't fall off."

"I'll be fine without your help," she snapped.

"You should consider improving your mood before we enter the forest. I know you've heard the stories about that place. Its denizens might not take kindly to some loud mouthed, disgruntled Fae."

"In that case, we should probably turn around."

Fenrys shook his head. "You can't wiggle your way out of this, Nascha."

"I'll try."

"What do you have against Arcelia? Why don't you want to go back?"

She blinked rapidly, hickory eyes shining with unshed tears. Concern pricked at Fenrys. "Would you want to go back to Doranelle after everything that happened there?"

"No," he admitted, "but I think the circumstances are slightly different."

"They aren't. My good memories of Arcelia are just as painful as your bad ones of Doranelle."

"You don't want to go back because you don't want to remember?" Nascha didn't reply. Fenrys thought for several long minutes. Gradually, the grassland around them gave way to a thick forest. "There was a time when I could have left Doranelle and never returned."

"What do you mean?"

"I never wanted to be blood-sworn to Maeve. I wanted to travel to Terrasen and serve in Aelin's Court when the time came. I held to that resolve when Connall and I first traveled to Doranelle. We were just thirty at the time. Maeve coveted us for our strengthened powers as twins. Connall swore the blood oath at once, but I refused."

"I was selected for an elite fighting unit instead, and went away to war. When I returned, I learned that Maeve was using my brother as a bedroom partner." Fenrys swallowed and breathed a small sigh. "I could've left Doranelle and spared myself. I didn't have to take the oath. But..."

"You couldn't let her use Connall like that," Nascha murmured.

"Yes. I swore the oath and took his place in Maeve's bed. Con... He resented me for it. He always felt like he was hidden by my shadow. He believed Maeve was giving him a chance to prove himself, and I took that chance away from him. I tried to tell him that I was protecting him, but it didn't matter. We still loved each other, but it caused a rift between us that never healed."

"I could have left and made a new life for myself," Fenrys continued. "I could've turned my back on Maeve and never sworn the blood oath, but doing so would've cost me my brother. So I stayed. I swore the oath. I let her use me however she pleased. I killed, tortured, and destroyed for her."

"It cost you Connall anyway."

"And many others besides." His thoughts drifted to Seraphina, and the child he wasn't sure even existed. "Sometimes we have to go back. Sometimes we have to stay and do things that make us wish to tear ourselves apart. Sometimes, that's what is best." Nascha gave no response. She stared vacantly at the trees ahead. They rode on in silence.

◦ ~ ❘ ☼ ❘ ~ ◦

Nascha did her best to hide her trembling as she dismounted from the stallion. Fenrys joined her, passing the reins to the male who would be caring for the creature while they were gone. In just a few minutes, Fenrys would teleport them to Arcelia.

Nascha's stomach churned with anxiety. She had to get away. She couldn't go back to that city. She couldn't. She couldn't! She... Fenrys touched her shoulder. Before she had a chance to protest, wind roared around them. They landed in a clearing and Fenrys took a few minutes to catch his breath. They teleported once more.

This time, they landed in a familiar city, carved from the summit of a mountain. "Wow," Fenrys breathed. Nascha gazed at the city, unable to speak.

It was exactly as she remembered. The sky was a brilliant azure blue overhead and filled with puffy white clouds. Mossy gray stone formed jagged walls around the city, mimicking a mountain peak. Red roofs and whitewashed chimneys added a splash of color to the city.

Fresh air carried the scent of heath. Ivy vines wound up the sides of buildings. Flowers blossomed around the base of bubbling fountains. Bridges extended over flowing streams, where people were fishing and several children took turns throwing rocks. Flags bearing the official crest and colors of House Makatza, as well as Terrasen, flew from almost every building.

"Our inn is this way," Fenrys said, motioning for Nascha to follow.

She pulled her gaze away from the city and trailed him through the streets. Fae, Demi-Fae, and Humans alike called greetings to one another as they passed by. Nascha was quick to lower her head, hoping they wouldn't notice her family resemblance.

Fenrys shifted closer to her, using himself to partially hide her. "Your fake name is Ophelia," he murmured. "Mine is Oden."

"Last name?"

"Tierney."

"What's our relationship?"

Fenrys smirked. "Married."

Nascha grunted in disgust. "Can't we say we're siblings?"

"Do you see any resemblance between us at all, besides being Fae?"

She sighed. "No."

Finally, they reached a large welcoming building. Fenrys held the door open and Nascha entered.  They approached the front counter and a middle aged woman turned to greet them. "What can I do for you?" The Human asked.

"I wrote to you a few days ago about reserving a room?" Fenrys said. "It should be under Tierney. Oden Tierney."

The woman flipped open a record book and skimmed through the names with her finger, until she found the right one. "Here you are." She took a key off the wall and set it on the counter, before ringing a bell. A young Demi-Fae scurried into view. "Tilly, you'll be attending to Mr. and Mrs. Tierney during their stay. Please escort them to their room. Do you remember which one it is?"

Tilly curtsied. "Yes, of course, Madame Kludik." She motioned to a spiral staircase winding into the upper levels of the inn. "This way, please."

Nascha begrudgingly followed the maid up the stairs. They didn't stop until they'd almost reached the very top floor. Tilly pointed to a room and Fenrys unlocked the door. He stepped inside, sliding his hands into his pockets. Nascha joined him, letting her gaze sweep over their surroundings.

"Can I get you anything?" Tilly asked.

"No, that will be all," Nascha replied.

"Feel free to pull that rope if I'm needed." Tilly curtsied once more and closed the door.

Nascha wandered around the room, eyeing every inch of it. It was built in a wide circle, giving the area an open feeling. There was a bay window on the far side of the room with bookshelves around it. A few worn volumes rested in the wooden cases.

Cushioned furniture surrounded a broad fireplace. The fire wasn't lit, thanks to the warmth of the spring weather. Arcelia rarely received snow this late into spring, though snow in the early months wasn't uncommon. There would be frequent showers of rain instead.

The four postered bed was carved from mahogany and draped in white sheets. Gossamer curtains hung around it. Paintings and candle fixtures decorated the walls. Nascha pushed open another door, leading into the adjoining bathroom and closet. Sunlight streamed from a wide window down to the sunken tub, which closer resembled a small pool.

Fenrys joined Nascha at the window. "The view is spectacular from up here."

    "It is."

    "What do you think of the arrangements?"

"I think these people might believe we're on our honeymoon."

"They might," Fenrys chuckled. "But we won't be here long enough for them to ask many questions." Nascha nodded. "Now, where would you like to go first?"

"Don't you have an agenda?"

"This is your city. You lead the way."

Nascha swallowed and loosed a heavy breath. "All right."