Julie Kagawa - Winters Passage

Keeping Promises

In the shadows of the cave, I watched the Hunter approach. Silhouetted black against the snow, it stalked closer, eyes a yellow flame in the shadows, breath coiling around it like wraiths. Ice-blue light glinted off wet teeth and a thick shaggy pelt, darker than midnight. Ash stood between the Hunter and me, sword unsheathed, his eyes never leaving the massive creature that had tracked us for days, and now, had finally caught up.

Meghan Chase. Its voice was a growl, deeper than thunder, more primitive than the wildest forests. The ancient golden eyes were fixed solely on me. Ive finally found you.

My name is Meghan Chase.

If there are three things Ive learned in my time among the fey, they are this: dont eat anything youre offered in Faeryland, dont go swimming in quiet little ponds and never, ever, make a bargain with anyone.

Okay, sometimes, you have no choice. Sometimes, youve been backed into a corner and you have to make a deal. Like when your little brother has been kidnapped, and you have to convince a prince of the Unseelie Court to help you rescue him instead of dragging you back to his queen. Or, youre lost, and you have to bribe a smart-mouthed, talking cat to guide you through the forest. Or you need to get through a certain door, but the gatekeeper wont let you through without a price. The fey love their bargains, and you have to listen to the terms very carefully, or youre going to get screwed. If you do end up in a contract with a faery, remember this: theres no way you can back out, not without disastrous consequences. And faeries always come to collect.

Which is how, 48 hours ago, I found myself walking across my front yard in the middle of the night, my house growing smaller and smaller in the background. I didnt look back. If I looked back, I might lose my nerve. At the edge of the woods, a dark prince and a pair of glowing, blue-eyed steeds waited for me.

Prince Ash, third son of the Winter Court, regarded me gravely as I approached, his silver eyes reflecting the light of the moon. Tall and pale, with raven-black hair and the unattainable elegance of the fey, he looked both beautiful and dangerous, and my heart beat faster in anticipation or fear, I couldnt tell. As I stepped into the shadows of the trees, Ash held out a pale, long-fingered hand, and I placed my own in his.

His fingers curled over mine, and he drew me close, hands resting lightly on my waist. I lay my head against his chest and closed my eyes, listening to his beating heart, breathing in the frosty scent of him.

You have to do this, dont you? I whispered, my fingers clutched in the fabric of his white shirt. Ash made a soft noise that mightve been a sigh.

Yes. His voice, low and deep, was barely above a murmur. I pulled back to look at him, seeing myself reflected in those silver eyes. When Id first met him, those eyes were blank and cold, like the face of a mirror. Ash had been the enemy, once. He was the youngest son of Mab, queen of Winter and the ancient rival of my father, Oberon, the king of the Summer Court. Thats right. Im half-feya faery princess, no lessand I didnt even know it until recently, when my human brother was kidnapped by faeries and taken into the Nevernever. When I found out, I convinced my best friend, Robbie Goodfellwho turned out to be Oberons servant, Puckto take me into Faeryland to get him back. But being a faery princess in the Nevernever proved to be extremely dangerous. For one, the Winter Queen sent Ash to capture me, to use me as leverage against Oberon.

Thats when I made the bargain with the Winter prince that would change my life: help me rescue Ethan, and Ill go with you to the Winter Court.

So, here I was. Ethan was home safe. Ash had kept his side of the bargain. It was my turn to uphold my end and travel with him to the court of my fathers ancient enemies. There was only one problem.

Summer and Winter were not supposed to fall in love.

I bit my lip and held his gaze, watching his expression. Though I had once viewed it as frozen solid, his demeanor had thawed somewhat during our time in the Nevernever. Now, looking at him, I imagined a glassy lake: still and calm, but only on the surface.

How long will I have to stay there? I asked.

He shook his head slowly, and I could feel his reluctance. I dont know, Meghan. The queen doesnt disclose her plans to me. I didnt dare ask why she wanted you. He reached up and caught a strand of my pale blond hair, running it through his fingers. I was only supposed to bring you back, he murmured, and his voice dropped even lower. I swore I would bring you back.

I nodded. Once a faery promises something, hes obligated to carry it through, which is why making a deal is so tricky. Ash couldnt break his vow even if he wanted to.

I understood that, but I want to do something before we go, I said, watching for his reaction. Ash raised an eyebrow, but otherwise his expression stayed the same. I took a deep breath. I want to see Puck.

The Winter prince sighed. I suppose you would, he muttered, releasing me and stepping back, his expression thoughtful. And, truth be told, Im curious myself. I wouldnt want Goodfellow dying before we ever resolved our duel. That would be unfortunate.

I winced. Puck and Ash were ancient enemies, and had already engaged each other in several savage, life-threatening duels before I was even in the picture. Ash had sworn to kill Puck, and Puck took great pleasure in goading the dangerous ice prince whenever he had the chance. It was only because I insisted they cooperate that they had agreed to an extremely shaky truce. One that wouldnt last long, no matter how much I intervened.

One of the horses snorted and pawed the ground, and Ash turned to put a hand on its neck. All right, well check on him, he said without turning around. But, after that I have to take you to Tir Na Nog. No more delays, understand? The queen wont be happy with me for taking this long.

I nodded. Yes. Thank y I meanI appreciate it, Ash.

He smiled faintly and offered a hand again, this time to help me into the saddle. I gingerly picked up the reins and envied Ash, who swung easily aboard the second horse like hed done it a thousand times.

All right, he said in a faintly resigned voice, staring up at the moon. First things first. We have to find a trod to New Orleans.

Trods are faery paths between the real world and the Nevernever, gateways straight into Faeryland. They can be anywhere, any doorway: an old bathroom stall, the gate to a cemetery, a childs closet door. You can go anywhere in the world if you know the right trod, but getting through them is another matter, as sometimes theyre guarded by nasty creatures the fey leave behind to discourage unwanted guests.

Nothing guarded the enormous rotting barn that sat in the middle of the swampy bayou, so covered in moss it looked like a shaggy green carpet was draped over the roof. Mushrooms grew from the walls in bulbous clumps, huge spotted things that, if you looked closely enough, sheltered several tiny winged figures beneath them. They blinked at us as we went by, huge multifaceted eyes peering out from under the mushroom caps, and took to the air in a flurry of iridescent wings. I jumped, but Ash and the horses ignored them as we stepped beneath the sagging frame and everything went white.