I could tell Meghan was about to protest, but Keirran stepped forward at that moment, drawing the Wolf’s baleful glare. A low growl rumbled in the air between them, making me tense. It was just a warning; I knew the Wolf wouldn’t directly attack Keirran while I was standing right here, but a threat from one of the most dangerous, primordial creatures in the Nevernever was nerve-wracking all the same.
Keirran didn’t pause or hesitate, as he joined Meghan in facing down the huge predator. Watching him, I felt a flare of pride. Keirran couldn’t have known it, but this was probably the best thing he could do; the Wolf respected strength, and showing no fear in the face of an obvious threat would establish him as a hunter and not prey.
“I know you don’t think much of us,” Keirran began, which made the Wolf snort. “And I know you probably consider me an enemy, because of what I’ve done in the past.”
“Don’t flatter yourself, boy,” the Wolf rumbled with a glitter of fangs. “If I considered you an enemy, you would be nothing but a few scraps of bloody bones waiting for the scavengers to claim you. You think that I was concerned by what you did?” He sniffed, tossing his head. “You were like a rabid cub, lashing out at those more powerful. Be thankful that your sire and your dam have my respect. In a pack, those that turn on their fellows are immediately put down.”
“I know,” Keirran almost whispered. “I know I have a lot to make up for. I know that the rest of Faery will never fully trust me again. But the Forgotten shouldn’t have to share my punishment. I...” He hesitated, wincing, then continued in a steady voice. “I knew what I was doing in the war. I was fully aware of my choices. The Forgotten had been manipulated and deceived by the Lady. They were only trying to survive a world where they were destined to Fade away. The Lady promised she could save them, and they followed her because it was the only way they knew to keep existing. I know it’s not an excuse, but it was a matter of survival.”
“I can understand doing anything to survive,” the Wolf said, his tone still flat and unconvinced. “But I am not in the habit of helping those who cannot help themselves. If the Forgotten are destined to Fade and cannot change that fate on their own, then they should accept it. The strong survive, and the weak perish—that is how the world works. I will not protect the weak on sentiment alone.”
“Then do it as a favor,” I said quietly. “For a fellow pack member.”
The Wolf snorted. “I have no pack.”
“We traveled together,” I continued, holding his gaze. “You, me, and Goodfellow. We journeyed together all the way through the Deep Wyld, past the Briars, and to the End of the World. We have fought together, killed together, faced unspeakable danger together, because it was the only way we would have survived. We are as much a pack as any of your cousins that roam the Nevernever and the wyldwood.
“This is my kin,” I went on as the Wolf continued to give me a baleful stare. “He may only be a cub, but he is mine. He is part of our pack, and the pack protects its own. I am asking you, as a friend who accompanied me to the End of the World, will you help us? Will you make the Forgotten your pack, and protect them until they can return to their own territory?”
The Wolf bared his fangs, then let out a long-suffering sigh. “Fine,” he growled. “For you and your mate, not him. The Forgotten are welcome here, temporarily. I will make sure nothing hunts or troubles them while they are within the Deep Wyld. But you owe me a favor, prince.” He curled a lip at me. “We might be pack, but as I said before, I am not a guard dog. I don’t make a habit of defending the sheep from the wolves. I am usually the one that must be defended against.”
I nodded, and Keirran visibly relaxed. “I’m grateful,” he told the Wolf. “You have my thanks, and the gratitude of the Forgotten. Maybe someday we’ll be able to return the kindness you’ve shown us.”
“Keep your gratitude, cub.” The Wolf shook his head. “It means nothing to me. Actions are what speak loudest in the Deep Wyld, and yours have shown me all I need to know. I don’t expect that you or any of your Forgotten will repay me anytime soon.”
“He is still young, Wolf,” Meghan said quietly. “We have all made mistakes, and Faery is a harsh teacher. How long are we supposed to punish someone for the past, especially if they are trying to change?”
“I do not know,” the Wolf replied. “Nor do I care. Regardless...” He narrowed his eyes at Keirran. “I have given my word. Go fetch your Forgotten—I will protect them while they remain in the Deep Wyld. However, if they leave, they are on their own.” He sighed and looked around the ruins of the castle, then shook his shaggy head. “I suppose they will have to stay here. Two legs seem to be illogically attached to having a roof over their heads.”
“Slight problem,” Puck said, and made a walking motion using two fingers. “Our ride in seems to have walked off. How are we going to get back to the real world?”
The Wolf sighed and pointed his muzzle at a path that led out of the ruins. “There is a trod on the other side of the forest,” he said. “I never use it, but it goes to a place in the mortal realm.” He glanced at Keirran. “If I take you to the human world, you can get to your Forgotten from there, is that right?”
“Yes.” Keirran nodded, and turned to Meghan. “But there’s no reason we all have to return to Ethan and Kenzie’s,” he said. “I can do this myself.”
Puck frowned. “Trying to get rid of us, princeling?”
“The Forgotten aren’t the only ones in danger,” Keirran went on, ignoring Puck. “These creatures, whatever they are, are getting more numerous every day. They’re already roaming the Between and the human world. What happens when they make their way into the Nevernever itself? The rulers of Faery need to know about this, before it’s too late and the wyldwood is swarming with these things.”
“You know these creatures are after you, Keirran,” I said. “If they find you again and we’re not there to help, you could find yourself in the same predicament you were in earlier.”
“I will take care of my people,” Keirran said, sounding more like the King of the Forgotten now. “If the Wolf accompanies me, there isn’t much that can threaten us. We will get the Forgotten safely to the Deep Wyld, have no fear of that. But we’re going to need all of Faery standing together to fight these creatures. We don’t even know what they are, or where they’re coming from, but we do know they spread rage and hate. What happens when they invade the Nevernever? You saw what one of them did to Touchstone. Imagine if it got into the Summer or Winter Courts. Faery would tear itself apart.”
Meghan sighed. “I know,” she said. “You’re right, I think it’s time we warned the other courts. It’s not just one monster, anymore. All of Faery will fall to chaos if even a few of those creatures cross into the Nevernever.” She glanced at Keirran, a mix of pride and concern crossing her face. “The Forgotten King will go to the mortal realm, gather his people, and bring them here to the Deep Wyld. The rest of us will return to the Nevernever. It’s time to call a meeting with the other rulers of Faery.”