Chapter 2

We had emerged onto the parapet, an area a hundred feet across and covered in ice sculptures. The last time I was here it reminded me of a prison and I had found the last winter knight in eternal torment from Mab's displeasure. I gulped down hard before I noticed some subtle changes. Whereas before, when it was just a prison for Sidhe and mortals alike, it was now converted into a grotto with a banquet set right in the middle. Most of the more ugly sculptures had been removed for space needed for guests and yet, the horror frozen on the faces of those who remained chilled my heart every time my eyes fell on them.

Amongst the imprisoned people entombed in ice, there were about 50 Sidhe lords milling around the scattered tables, upon which food and drink now lay. Though the food looked enticing beyond reason, to my stomachs growing pleasure, I remembered the time when a young werewolf and I last got offered food at a gathering of the Winter Court. Sure enough, as soon as the memory came forth, the Winter Lady herself, Maeve, appeared beside me in a similar outfit to what she wore last time; a shirt revealing far too much of her abdomen and a pair of jeans cut up to reveal more leg than I deemed appropriate for someone who resembled a teenage youth.

"My, my, look who came in from the cold Wizard Dresden", she said as she stopped in front of me and ran a lacquered fingernail down the front of my shirt; my skin tingling as her touch passed across it.

"My Lady," I replied with as much irony and sarcasm as I could manage as I pointedly looked her over from top to bottom.

"I see you still deny your deepest desires, my dear Knight. Jenny has asked me to remind you she still wishes you to take up our offer of a night together. I'm sure your new position as Winter Knight would give you the stamina to make the event last so much longer and more memorable, "she added, her voice seeming to caress my whole body as her touch reached my waistline.

I grabbed her hand before she could continue her downward movements, my body screaming in protest as erotic images flashed behind my eyes of me bedding the two Sidhe women.

"I don't know about that, my succession to my present position was topped off with some alone time with Mab and I haven't fully recovered from that yet. I also wouldn't want her thinking I need to go elsewhere for more satisfaction, it might give her the wrong idea." I said with a touch of venom in my voice, Maeve's beautiful face marred for a second as anger flashed across it.

"Be careful with your words, Knight. I still have not forgotten your rudeness the last time we were amongst members of my court. You may find that many of my Queens subjects do not hold you in the same esteem as she does and may challenge you if you show this kind of contempt in front of them." Maeve retorted angrily, as gazes shifted our way in response to Maeve's raised voice.

Hah, Sidhe lords who have it in for me, that's new I thought to myself. I did however force myself to adopt a straighter pose and acknowledged Maeve's warning with a tilt of my head in her direction accompanied with a small smile. I already have enough enemies and the Sidhe are enough trouble as it is without me insulting them whilst surrounded in the present company, I reminded myself.

Our conversation was cut short by the return of Mab, who had been talking to a Sidhe Lord that had followed us up from the battlements. The winter Queen clapped her hands together and marked the arrival of a fresh flurry of snow falling from the sky, as the guests all bowed their heads in our direction and cleared a path to the tiered platform in front of us.

As Mab looked at me pointedly, I offered her my arm and as she took it we walked graciously (in her case anyways) towards the food-laden table and the throne that stood beyond it. As we took up our places, I held the chair out for Mab as everyone waited on her to seat herself before taking their own seats. The moment she did, the guests attacked the food with gusto as a band came out from behind a veil and struck up a chord. More mortals who obviously regret whatever circumstances brought them here, I thought.

Although I refrained from eating the food in front of me, I was famished from my six month diet of an IV and little else, Mab noticed me eying the food with longing. "The food is not tainted you know, there is enough work for you to do without being glamoured over some morsels of food."

"What work? I told you I won't be bound like a common mortal my Queen. I need to return to Chicago and my other friends and allies. They all think I am dead and they need my help." I said as I finally reached for some food and eyed her suspiciously.

"For one, I still have not found out who attacked Arctis Tor before you and your allies!" Anger creeping into her voice and her appearance as she bit off that last word.

"I have my suspicions already. One of the Fallen known as Thorned Namshiel is looking a likely candidate, not to mention others like Tessa Imariel and Rosanna." I supplied, as I watched for Mab's reaction to the news whilst stuffing food in my mouth; I had forgotten how hungry I was, and fae food or not it was really good.

"Hah, those pretenders of Old powers. It had to have been several in order to cause destruction on the scale that they did, maybe they all took part in the attack."

"Either that or they had help from some mortals with major league talents. It would not be the first time that we have seen a traitor on the White Council, one that has remained well hidden in the past."

"You would name yourself and your allies as suspects?"

"No, I wouldn't and neither should you. The only reason I'm here to begin with is because I have to put out the fires these people start. Besides, I don't know everyone on the Council and can only vouch for a handful anyways."

"So you have kept your eyes out too? I thought you might've out of all your kind, except maybe that old desert fox that sees most things and misses little," Mab mused, more to herself than to me. "I know what they say about me, even amongst my own court, about how I'm going mad and going the same way as your godmother did not so long ago."

"And is what they say true then?" I asked, fearful of her answer and of my own impudence at asking such a question.

Mab's eyes flashed with anger, "If anyone else were to ask me such a question, they would soon be sorry they did." The fire in her eyes died a little as a hint of a smile crossed her face, "However, you are right to ask. The answer is no, I am not going mad. I have had to distance myself from my own subjects after I have felt someone try to gain access to my mind a few times amongst recent events. After learning what I needed from your godmother, I was prepared for such a futile attempt from within these walls where I am strongest in both will and body."

My eyes flicked across all the guests in attendance before asking, "And where is Lea? Surely you would not deny her the chance to see me led about on your arm where she failed to?"

"Your godmother goes where I tell her to; evil things stir even now in the mortal world. Your victory over the Red Court displaced so much power from your world that powers and beings even the Fae Courts have reason to fear have begun to awaken. Right now your godmother is fulfilling her duty as teacher to your apprentice to still the tides of change."

"Even more reason for me to get back to Chicago and aid in restoring order. What else could you want from me?"

"I don't just want you my dear Dresden, I want your allies too" she replied smugly, as though this is the turn in the conversation she was expecting all along.

""What do you mean?" I asked in surprise and suspicion.

"You will go to the White Council in Edinburgh as my Emissary. Once there you will find out all you can about the threats they are dealing with and as much as you can about these Fallen. I also want you to go to those you trust and convince them that I can be a valuable ally to those who would stand side by side with you at Chichen Itza."

"Is that all Mab? You are the least trusted of all the Sidhe queens and you would ask this of me, your latest victory?"

"You will do this. It is in your nature and the balance of power must be restored to what it was if your mortal realm is to survive. Remember, it was you who asked for freedom in all your tasks and thus do I give it to you."

"What? I go about my business as I did before? Without being bound in any way?" I asked.

"Think of my capacity in this like you would a client, as if this is one more favour for me. In return, I would owe you a small repayment for services rendered." Mab replied with her arms out at the sides in a token of truthfulness.

I was silent for a moment. Mab was bound by the laws of her kind to speak only truths and yet I had reason to be suspicious, but I could think of no way in which to justify it. She had spoken plainly throughout the whole conversation which was odd enough and now she had agreed to remove me of my shackles but not of my power.

After thinking it over I asked, "When do I leave then?"

"Soon, Wizard. Midsummer has come and gone and now Winter gains its strength again as it always has. You on the other hand must rest. Your injuries may not pain you now but a short sleep will ensure they do not return as you leave this place. I will personally ensure you are not disturbed for the duration of your all-too short stay here."

Though I stumbled over the thought that Midsummer was in late June and I had not realized that time was passing all too quickly for my liking, I could also sense truth in her words. Expanding my wizards senses slightly, I could tell there was a subtle exchange of energies between me and the surrounding area. The mantle of Winter Knight was helping me recover more quickly amongst the, almost alive, symbols of Mab's power, energy flowing all around me helped displace the aches and pains of a gunshot wound that I had basically asked for myself.

With that Mab rose from her seat, everyone else hastening to imitate her as she descended from the table and led me back to the tower at the end of the garden. After being led into the darkness of the tower, we descended to the courtyard and into another concealed entrance in the surrounding walls. We were also now joined by a pair of Sidhe guards who eyed me as though they had drawn the short straw with assignment duties. Finally Mab stopped outside a short section of wall that opened up into a small room with little more than a cot and a sink.

"These are your quarters for when you stay here at Arctis Tor. Anything else you need, just ask the guards and they will see to it. Now though you must rest, when you wake up you will set forth from this place and seek the Council as I have asked. I know of your mothers gift to you and the knowledge within is sufficient to keep you from straying onto darker paths in the Nevernever and will give you a straight line to Edinburgh." She paused as she eyed the pentacle around my neck before turning and saying "Good luck, Wizard and may you find what you seek." With that, she spun around and was soon lost to a turn in the corridor.

I acknowledged the two guards with a graceful nod before entering the small room, the door automatically shutting behind me as I passed through. I didn't even bother removing my clothes or releasing my grip on my grandfather's staff before I fell on the bed in a heap and passed into the realm of dreams.

My last thought being of my family and friends who thought I was dead and wishing I could be back at my apartment with the comfortable weight of Mister and Mouse nearby.