An answer for my guest reviewer: Harmony likes using sigils to open up the sort of 'dimension' she created in the Between, like Leanansidhe did. She kept a trod open in the hidden camp in the Nevernever as a failsafe, and she taught Ash what the symbol was before he went back to the Iron Kingdom, in case he had to visit. (Does that help?)
Kierran's POV
Restless, I paced outside of the room where Ethan was being held. After I had gotten into the fight, I realized exactly how protective Harmony was of him. Puck stood like a sentry down the hall, tapping his foot anxiously. Whatever this stupid mission was, Ethan's life was not the only one on the line. I had the feeling that Harmony barely managed to get him home, in the state she was in.
"Kierran, you're making me dizzy," my father remarked. I halted, full of nervous energy. Ash's silver eyes were dark with concern. "They'll be okay," he reminded me. "They always are."
I swallowed hard. Something tickled the edges of my subconscious. "She mentioned a prophecy." Puck looked up at my words.
The two of them exchanged a glance, one of those that conveyed silent messages. They had the kind of partnership that I longed for. "It's not important, princeling. Just something from a long time ago."
"It hasn't come true, though," I retorted. "And… it hasn't even passed, has it? We don't know what might happen." They fell silent. Frustration boiled inside me. "I want to know. Please. If it's something I can help avoid–"
The healer walked out of Harmony's room, cutting me off. Puck whipped around. "Is she okay?" he demanded, green eyes frenzied.
"She's fine. Harmony has always healed quickly." She put up a hand to stop Puck from reopening the door. "Let her rest. She should be cleared for visitors tomorrow."
Puck emitted a strangled noise. "When was the last time you spent so long without her?" Ash inquired, surprised. Puck didn't answer. "You'll live, Goodfellow," he said. Harmony's healer entered Ethan's room, to see what she could do to help. I guessed that meant Ethan really was in worse condition. "Kierran, this isn't the time to ask about the prophecy. Meghan heard it from the Oracle, and it should be her decision to tell you."
"I'll check on Kenzie," I informed. The portal was still open in Ethan's room, in case he wanted to visit her. I headed into the manor, a dark cloud hanging over me.
The outside of her house was impeccably clean. From the last time we were here, there were more cars in the driveway. I waited just outside the front door, waiting for someone to come out. Voices drifted through the walls. If she was being made comfortable in her own home, and if her family was visiting, she had to be worse than I thought. One of the doctors came out; I took the opportunity to slip inside unnoticed.
Kenzie smiled weakly. "Hey, Kierran," she greeted.
I looked around at the bottles of pills, the IV bags waiting to be hooked up, and the heart monitor that was not yet switched on. It smelled like a hospital, more sterile than the infirmary was. The scent burned my throat.
"Is something wrong?"
My gaze fell on her, propped against her headboard. Her black hair looked disheveled, as though she'd been raking her hands through it and pulling. I had to tell her about Ethan, but she did not deserve it. Not now. Her gaze darkened in warning. She already knew that something bad was coming.
"Ethan got hurt," I told her bluntly. She sat up straighter, coughing only once. "I don't know exactly what happened, but he was unconscious from blood loss when Harmony brought him home. We had to get them both into the infirmary. The healers think that Harmony will be alright by tomorrow. I… I left before we heard what happened to Ethan. You needed to know."
"What are the chances that you'll bring me back with you?" she demanded.
I shook my head. "That isn't an option. You need to stay here where your leukemia can be taken care of."
"I need to be with Ethan!" she exclaimed. She broke into more coughing. Reaching with a shaking hand to her bedside table, she downed the cup of water that was on it. "Get some tap water from the sink."
Complying, I returned from her bathroom. It actually smelled more normal in there. "Kenzie, Harmony would never have let Ethan get so hurt that he would die. She's always been able to heal herself, even unconscious. That's probably why she will wake up tomorrow. As for Ethan, if the healers can't do anything else for him, Harmony will find a way. She always does." It was reassurance for her as much as it was for me.
However, she and I both knew that I was not certain of that.
"Kierran," she sighed. "Just be sure to keep me updated, okay? It's like a prison in here, and I need to know how Ethan is."
Hearing footsteps on the stairs, I dipped my head to her. "Of course. If I don't see you again tonight, I'll be back tomorrow." I managed to sneak past her mother and sister as they entered.
Nothing had changed when I returned, except that Puck was now the one pacing. Ash sat across from him, leaning against the wall tiredly. I glanced at Harmony's closed door before taking up my position near Ethan's. At least I knew that Kenzie was okay.
It was going to be a long night.
