(Start Here) Prologue - 1892

Darmelion watched on with mixed emotions as his cousin slipped a large, emerald ring onto the bride’s finger and vowed to have and hold her for all the time forward.  The couple beamed at each other with unconcealed happiness, while a pit of doom grew in Darmelion’s belly, and he quietly wondered what price they would all pay for this forbidden union.

To look at them, no one would guess they shouldn’t be together, as couples go; they were almost uncomfortably perfect. 

The bride, Abigail Snowe, was a stunning beauty, with icy blue eyes and dark mahogany hair that flowed in long waves down her grandmother’s antique wedding gown.  The groom, Prince Kahren of Silvers, dressed in all black attire looking ruggedly handsome.  His pale silver hair matched his pale silver eyes; and Darmelion could only begin to imagine what their future children might look like.

“If they live to have children,” he mumbled to himself grimly.

The ceremony itself was a hideously long affair, the officiant tediously going over every legal precedent he could think of if the wedding were ever challenged later – which it would be – they all knew that. 

And then thankfully, albeit very reluctantly, he finally announced them husband and wife.

The applause was pitiful because there were only five souls in attendance, including the bride and groom, and the sound rang flat through the night air in the back garden of Alicia Lacey’s grand mansion.  But it didn’t seem to bother Alicia a snap, her frail hands clapped even louder and harder trying to make up the difference.

“Oh, Abigail!” she gushed with misty, crinkled eyes and shuffled forward, “You are the most beautiful bride!  Your mother would be so proud!” then beamed at the groom in the flickering torchlight, “And Kahren, I’ve never seen you so handsome!  Your father is a fool and an idiot!  And I can’t wait to say that to his face someday!”

They both laughed, and Kahren kissed her cheek, “Miss Alicia, Abigail is blessed to have you as a grandmother,” then turned and graciously bowed at the officiant, Binsburry Fortright, “Magistrate, thank you for presiding over the ceremony, I know your loyalties are torn over the matter.”

Binsburry’s tall, slightly stooped frame, straightened a bit, “We both know my time as Royal Magistrate is nearly over, your higness.  Retiring away will help us both at this point and while I am torn over the legalities of what we have just done, please know that my heart isn’t,” and offered up a thin hand.

Kahren clasped it with both of his and smiled warmly, “You’ve been a fair-minded mediator between my father and I for so many seasons… I will miss your counsel above all else.”

“Your life has been a difficult one, young prince, but the wisdom you’ve gained will see you through this next bit, of that I have no doubt!”

“By Junipers deepest roots, I pray you’re right!” then excused himself and headed straight for Darmelion.

“Well, cousin, the deed is done.  My father can’t undo any of it now.” Kahren announced as they stood facing each other at exactly the same height, and nearly the same build and then feigned a frown, “Should I be annoyed that you couldn’t even dress up for my wedding?”

“Congratulations, cousin,” Darmelion replied with a quick smile and offered up his hand as well, “I didn’t dare grab up any finery or my steward would have been suspicious, so I’ll apologize for my drab, brown jacket and slightly stained breeches.” 

Kahren shook his hand and grinned, “The Paths are dirty business anyway.”

“They are, and it’s a shame that your choice in a wife won’t allow us any further adventures together through those Paths!” 

Kahren scowled a bit, “Blame King Trayden then and his rigid rules and absolute resistance to my Abigail…otherwise, who knows what kind of mischief we could have unleashed here in the Earth Realm, never mind back home.”

Just then a slow-moving, and solitary butler appeared with a tray of refreshments and offered them some champagne, they both accepted and Darmelion frowned after the aging man as he tottered away, “I’ll offer you a solitary toast, cousin, because I doubt that Mr. Christy has the stamina to bring us another round!”

Kahren threw his head back and laughed, “That poor bastard is probably fuming that it’s an hour past his bedtime!”

“It’s nearly 7pm, so more like two hours ago!”  They disintegrated into laughter until Darmelion grew serious and held up his glass, “You are my most beloved cousin and have been my partner in crime since we were both in diapers…and I shall cherish those memories as you leave to create a life with young Abigail.  And because I believe in the love you share and I will do everything in my power, going forward, to allow you that chance.”

Kahren lifted his glass as well, “I couldn’t have done any of this without you, dear cousin, and if it weren’t for our adventures – I never would have met Abigail and fell in love with her.  So, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything.”

They completed their toast and downed the contents as Kahren chucked his chin at Darmelion and said, “Now I have to wonder, which of us has the greatest adventure to take on yet, you or me?”

Darmelion shook his sandy-brown colored head, “You, hands down.”

Kahren looked unconvinced, “You’re going back to the lion’s den.  My father will be unhinged… his first order of business will be to interrogate your father – and then you!”

Darmelion shrugged, “I already have alibis in place…I was nowhere near Boston or you or anywhere else on this side of the Paths tonight.  I will have nothing to offer.”

“And Binsburry?”

“You think his loyalties are torn, but they’re not.  He hasn’t agreed with the king’s handling of you for centuries, besides he’s shrewd and has been well paid.  I believe he’ll do exactly what he plans; retire from royal office and avoid the Silver’s Bastion every day for the rest of his life.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“I am right on both counts.  Besides your next adventure is far more daunting than mine!  All I have to do is dodge questions while getting yelled at, you, on the other hand, have to disappear so that your father can’t find you!”

“My plan will work.”

“I pray to Juniper that it does,” Darmelion answered solemnly, his dark green eyes trying to look hopeful, “If the Mender keeps her trap shut and the Guardian Grass proves to be the protector’s you believe they will become - once fully grown - you should be able to keep Abigail safe until your father calms down and accepts her as your wife.”

“He’ll need to change our laws to formally accept Abigail, and that will delay things… his pride is enormous!”

“So is yours!”

“Yes, but in this circumstance, I’m right and he’s wrong!”  Kahren added with a huff.

Darmelion wasn’t so sure, but kept his misgivings to himself, “Is everything going to plan then?”

“Yes.  We’ll leave for New York City tonight and then on to Syracuse where we change trains again to arrive in Rochester.”

“At a late hour, I imagine.”

“Very late, there shouldn’t be a soul on the platform when we get there.”

“And then a hired livery to take you on to?”

“To the middle of nowhere!” Kahren laughed lightly, “But another forty miles and likely two full days of travel before we meet Shade at the designated area.”

“And if the Mender doesn’t show up?”

“She will.”

Darmelion looked unconvinced, “You need a contingency plan, Kahren, in case she changes her mind – or worse – gets caught!”

“That’s where my pet Prigg comes in.”

“Rampage?  Where is that little shit anyway?  I figured he’d be skulking in a corner all annoyed because he can barely breathe here.”

“Above you,” Kahren grinned, pointing to the top of a small weeping cherry tree behind them.

Darmelion turned about and saw a vicious looking owl glowering down at him, “Sorry about that, Rampage,” he called, “I didn’t mean to call you a little shit – even if you are one!”

The owl screeched loudly and spun its head around and ignored them both.

“If he stays transfigured, it does help with the air, but not with his attitude,” Kahren admitted, giving the owl a sour look.

“He’s never taken well to servitude - you should have just sent him back to Baylor’s Moon when you had the chance.”

“And be pronounced unworthy like you were?  Hell no!”

“My Prigg is living a happy and free life now,” Darmelion shrugged, “but enough of my old failures, what have you got Rampage set to do if Mender Shade doesn’t show?”

“She will.”

“And if?”

Kahren gave him a stiff nod, “If it all goes to shit, then the Prigg will present a written note to my father, and I will surrender myself and Abigail to wherever his wrath leads.”

“It will lead you both to the Shadowlands, idiot!  Trayden will have no choice!  You are a royal, marrying a lowly Human, our laws are specific, it won’t matter what he wants!”

Kahren’s face grew stiff at the reminder, “I do mention in my note that he should consider petitioning to change the laws before sending his personal guard after us.”

“Clever.” Darmelion admitted with a worried smile, “And I hope that it’s enough if Mender Shade doesn’t keep up her end of things.”

“She will.”

“Saying that over and over doesn’t actually convince me.”

“I know her, you don’t.”

“Very well, cousin,” Darmelion finally relented and shook his empty glass, “I don’t suppose you’d mind having some Maple Wine before you go?”

“You brought some with you?”

“Of course, who knows how long it will be before you’ll be able to indulge again?”

“Don’t remind me!  So, pray to Juniper, my father comes to his senses sooner rather than later so that my days of hiding with Abigail are few and numbered!”

“I’ll pray every night, I swear!” Darmelion laughed, slinging his arm around his shoulder and turning him toward the others, “now let’s see if Binsburry feels like a glass or two as well!”