Free The Seven Year King (The Faerie Ring #3) by Kiki Hamilton Page B

two Macanna arrived, as well.
    Tiki jumped to her feet and jerked around to face Callan. “How dare you! What right do you have to treat me like that?”
    “Majesty.” Callan bowed his head, several braids of his brown hair falling forward. “I apologize, but you were in grave danger. The liche has powers that could harm you, and I couldn’t take that chance.”
    She propped her hands on her hips and glared at the huge man. “What powers?”
    “Mind control, for one.” Callan motioned toward Fiona. “Did you not see your friend’s reaction? It’s why the liche targets young girls. They are the easiest to bend to his will.”
    “Teek.” Rieker’s voice had a calming influence on Tiki. He stepped close and ran his hand down the back of her arm. The three Macanna shifted their positions and glanced at each other, unsmiling. “Remember what you said the Dryads told you and Dain? To kill the liche you have to burn his body on a stake of Ash. I don’t know what that means, but we weren’t in the best position to defend ourselves there. We didn’t even know what we were up against, plus, we were surrounded by goblins who didn’t sound too friendly.” His voice softened. “The first rule of war is to know your enemy.”
    Tiki hesitated, her anger melting away. Rieker was right. She couldn’t just go barging forward against magic she didn’t understand. Especially when she didn’t even know what she was capable of doing herself.
    “You’re right.” She glanced over at Callan. “I’m sorry. You did the right thing. Thank you.”
    The relief in the room was palpable. All three of the Macanna visibly relaxed and a broad smile broke across Callan’s face. “It is my job, Majesty.”
    “Where are we?” Fiona sat on the floor gazing around the opulent room with her mouth ajar.
    Tiki whirled toward the girl. She hadn’t had time to process the fact that she’d brought Fiona into the Otherworld.
    Fiona looked up at Tiki, comprehension dawning in her eyes. “We’re here, aren’t we?” She pushed herself to her feet, her voice becoming more excited. “We’re in Faerie.” There was a note of awe in her voice. She raced to Tiki and grabbed both her hands. “I want to go see Johnny, right now!”

Chapter Fourteen
     

    “I thought that was you I heard.” Larkin marched into the room, her golden hair swirling about her hips. Her gaze raked over Tiki. “And dressed to impress, I see.” She curled her nose in distaste. “You’re back sooner than I thought. Did you miss me?” She bit the corner of her lip and batted her lashes at Tiki in a coy expression.
    “Hardly,” Tiki muttered, releasing her dark hair from her cap.
    “Ah, guttersnipe, you’ll come to love me one day.” Larkin’s striking blue-green eyes narrowed as she spied Fiona. “You’ve brought more of your little rag-tag band of thieves here?” She planted a hand on her hip and cocked her head at Tiki. “Or perhaps you’ve come to your senses and realized she is the bait we need to lure the liche to us?”
    “Bait?” Fiona echoed, looking from Larkin to Tiki.
    “Don’t start on that again, Larkin,” Tiki snapped. “I’m not in the mood for your twisted humor.” She hardly drew a breath. “We want to see Johnny, the boy the liche brought here when he ran from Hyde Park. Where is he?”
    “In the zagishire, of course.” She crossed her arms and gave them an appraising gaze. “Are you sure you want to see him? He is very sick.”
    “Yes.” Tiki and Fiona spoke at the same time.
    “Very well.” She motioned toward the Macanna who stood at attention nearby. “Callan or Toran can take you. After you see the dying mortal I need to speak to you about some other matters.”
    “Dying?” Fiona squeaked.
    “Larkin, could you be civil for once?” Rieker said in a disgusted voice.
    Larkin lifted her chin in an arrogant fashion. “The truth is the truth, William. One grows stronger facing the facts rather than living in a