The Seven Year King (The Faerie Ring #3) Read Free Page A

known as the Cup of Plenty—one of the legendary Four Treasures of Faerie. The Cup is said to hold the four essences of life, one of which is healing. Legend says that drinking from the cup will heal any ills.” Her nose curled in a sneer. “Perhaps it will even cure those of a mortal.”
    Fiona put her hands to her mouth and turned toward Tiki with wide eyes. “We can save him, Teek.”
    “No, you can’t.” Larkin flicked a long strand of hair over her shoulder and raised her chin in an imperious gesture. “Don’t waste your time trying.”
    “Why not?” Tiki asked. “Tell us where the cup is located and we’ll go get it ourselves and bring it back to Johnny.”
    Rieker’s arms were crossed over his chest and his jaw was set. “Remember, you want something from Tiki, Larkin. It’s only fair you give her something in return.”
    Larkin glared at Rieker before she turned back to Tiki. “You won’t be able to find the cup to help your thief friend because the cup is inaccessible.” Her voice grew stern. “Leave it alone.”
    “What do you mean ‘inaccessible’?” Tiki’s brows pulled down in a frown.
    “The goblins have it.” Larkin snapped. She raked Tiki up and down with a scathing look. “And they won’t give it up—not even to the Queen of the Seelie Court.”
    “The goblins…” Tiki repeated faintly, giving Rieker a distressed look. She’d heard how vicious the goblins could be.
    “I must insist that we go now .” Larkin strode toward Tiki. “It’s time for you to learn to travel through the gates on your own. Ridiculous,” she muttered under her breath, “a queen who doesn’t know how to transport.”
    “Queen?” Fiona repeated, looking at Tiki with a confused expression. “What is she talking about, Teek?”
    “Nothing,” Tiki said. “I have to help Larkin with a small matter right now, Fi and—”
    “But what about Johnny?” Fiona wrung her hands together. “He’s hurt. He needs us!”
    “As soon as I get back, we’ll talk more about how to help Johnny.” Tiki rubbed Fiona’s arm. “Can you look after Toots and Clara while I’m gone?”
    Fiona jerked her arm away. “I always do, don’t I?” The bitterness in her tone was unmistakable. “How long will you be gone this time?”
    Guilt churned in Tiki’s stomach. There was an accusation in Fiona’s words that Tiki didn’t want to acknowledge. “Not long,” she said, “I promise.”
    Fiona’s eyes filled with tears again. “It’s not only Johnny.” Her voice broke. “Clara needs you, too.”
    “I know.” Tiki bit her lip. “It’s just—”
    “Clara will be fine,” Larkin interjected, putting her hand under Tiki’s elbow and drawing her away from Fiona. “The child is adaptable.”
    Fiona jerked toward the door, a loud sob ripping from her chest. Tiki started to follow but Rieker put an arm out and stopped her. “Let her go, Teek.” He pulled Tiki close. “Words aren’t going to help Fi right now. Best to get on with what needs to be done.” He pressed his lips to Tiki’s temple. “After that, we can focus on how to help Johnny and Dain,” he said softly.
    Tiki sagged against Rieker’s hard chest. He was right, of course. The Seelie Court had been at war with the UnSeelies for centuries. Losses had been great on both sides, but the last few years, Donegal, the Winter King, had turned the tide in a very deadly manner—against the Seelies. Finding the Cloch na Teamhrach was the first step in returning the Summer Court to power and reducing the threat to the British royals, as well as to the safety of England.
    Tiki’s heart tripped in her chest as a sense of responsibility settled on her shoulders like a weighty mantle. An image of the little man who had spoken at Westminster Abbey when the stone had roared filled Tiki’s head. ‘Donegal’s killed our loved ones, our families. He’s taken our homes and possessions. Enslaved some of us. We don’t want peace,’ he had said. ‘ We