“J-Jinx?”
I heave a sigh of relief. We’d found him. And he’s alive. Although from the sounds of it, he’s not doing well. “I’m coming, Dad, just hold on.”
After what seems like an eternity, I’m able to stand in the cave. I step to the side so the light from the hole the guys are steadily opening wider can wash over the scene in front of me.
The man has the same face and build as my father—if he were a half dried up old prune about a thousand years older than he actually is. Where there once was corded muscle and broad shoulders, they’re now hunched, and his clothes hang off of him. His normally bright gold eyes are dull, and there’s dried blood on his wrinkled forehead.
Around his wrists, ankles, and throat are bands of metal, chains attached to each of them and anchored into the floor behind him.
“Gods above and below, Dad.” I step forward and pull at the chains, but they don’t even budge. “Shit, I’m going to need a pick axe or something to break these.”
“You think I didn’t try that already?” he whispers, his voice breaking every few syllables.
For a moment, I just stare at him, trying to process the sight of my normally tough as nails, sturdy looking father looking as though he hasn’t had anything to eat for weeks.
“Has being in the human realm for so long rattled your wits, girl?”
The tinge of his usual grit in his tone shocks me into motion. “No, Dad, I’m going to get you out of here, and then we’re going to figure out who the fuck did this to you and use his intestines as tinsel on the tree for Yule this year.”
“The chains are bewitched,” he says, the corner of his mouth curling in disgust. “Every time I tried to break out of them or free myself, they sapped a bit more of my magic and essence into them.”
“Great, I can’t do anything about that.” I rub at my forehead and send a rock skittering into the wall of the cave when I kick it.
“You really have been gone for too long… I said I can’t break them or free myself.”
Realization dawns and instead of facepalming myself, I crouch next to the narrow hole I crawled through to get here. “Hey! Someone send an axe this way!”
Someone blocks the entry to the tunnel, eliminating any and all light we had to see by. “What did you just say, Jin?” Kapriel calls, his voice booming in the confined space.
“I said send an axe this way so I can get him loose, please.”
Kapriel’s voice is muffled for a few moments, and then I hear him shout, “She wants us to throw an axe at her!”
This time I do slam my palm into the side of my head. “I didn’t say at me, you moron. I said to me.” I struggle to hold back the desire to stomp my feet a few times and instead inhale a deep breath through my nose. “Just give me something sharp that will cut through metal and keep digging us out, you slackers.”
“Jinx? Step back, I’m going to fling it down the tunnel to you.” This time it’s Draven’s voice, and his calm and assured tone saps some of the tension out of my shoulders.
I step to the side, and my father presses himself back against the wall, and I shout, “Okay, do it!”
Metal clangs on stone as it slides down toward us quicker than I had anticipated. I step on it to stop it from flying into the dark depths further inside the cave, and pick it up. Without wasting a moment, I turn toward my father and toss the axe over my shoulder before bringing it down on the chain connected to the ring of metal around his neck.
It takes two more strikes, but finally, the chain breaks. I make quick succession of the rest of them so he’s no longer tethered to one spot.
He stumbles, and I catch him, ducking my shoulder under his arm and wrapping an arm around his waist. “Just a few more minutes, Dad, and they’ll have a hole big enough for us to walk out of here.”
The man who I’d idolized my entire childhood stares down at me, a weak smile on his face. “I didn’t think it would be you who found me.”
I roll my eyes. “Yeah, well, no one else seemed to be able to. And I’m kinda partial to you as my father, so there’s that.” He chuckles, but it quickly turns into a coughing fit, and I pound his back. “I’m not sure how we’ll get those bands of metal off of you, but I’m sure someone will be able to remove them.” All I know is I’m sure as hell not swinging an axe near my father’s throat. Patricide would defeat the entire purpose of me returning home.
“Ron will be able to do it.”
I don’t bother asking him who Ron is as the guys clear the last layer of rubble separating us from freedom. “Dad, before we join the others, do you have any idea who did this to you? Bartol had said that you told him to leave that night…” I trail off as he shakes his head and waves me off.
“He didn’t do this.”
Before I can refute his assurance with the pile of evidence Draven and I had come up with, sunlight washes over us, and we’re both blinking rapidly, trying to adjust our eyes to the brightness.
Bartol and Draven rush forward the moment they lay eyes on my father, both of them bending a knee in front of their leader.
“King Gwyn, thank the gods you’re alive!” Bartol’s voice is full of appreciation as he dips his head and waits for my father to motion him upward.
With a flick of his fingers, both men rise in front of him. Draven hands him a glass jar of what looks to be water with some herbs floating in it. The moment my father places it to his lips, Draven turns on his heel and starts issuing commands like he’s the one who’s in charge here.
“Ready the horses. We ride straight for Castle Tor.” He glances back at my father, who’s licking his dry lips. “Are you well enough to ride, my king?”
My father squares his shoulders. “Aye, I’ll ride with Jinx.” Already his voice sounds stronger than it had five minutes ago. I’m not sure if it’s due in part to the water he just gulped down or the removal of the chains, but either way, the sound of it is reassuring.
I keep my arm around him as we walk toward the horses, and try to keep the emotion out of my voice when I say, “I’m glad we found you, Dad.”
The terrifying feeling of not knowing if the last thing I’d ever say to my father was five years ago when I told him that I don’t accept being heir to his kingdom, and then I’d left without saying a word… It had all hung heavy on my shoulders.
As we climb up onto Shadow’s back, with my dad sitting behind me, I make a vow to myself that I’ll spend more time with him. With all of my family. Because not knowing if I’d missed the chance to say goodbye, or even bye for now, is not something I ever want to wonder about again.
* * *
We’d stopped once on our way back to Castle Tor so the horses could get a few minutes of rest and we could stretch our legs, and then we’d ridden hard throughout the afternoon. By the time we cleared the trees of the forest surrounding the castle, the last red tinges of sunlight were dropping below her sharp turrets, painting the black glass castle a bloody red in welcome.
The entire way back, no one had asked my father if he knew who’d done this to him. Instead, we’d been mostly quiet, determined to get back and bring whoever did this to justice. I’d opened my mouth to ask him about his comment about Bartol in the cave a thousand times, but each time, the thought of those surrounding us catching wind of my suspicions held me back.
We come rumbling into the cobblestone courtyard of the castle and stop next to the stables, dismounting amongst the shouting that the king is back and someone should fetch Queen Olwen. I offer up a hand to help my father down, but he doesn’t accept it.
Instead, he slides off Shadow’s back and calls Edern to his side. “My son, stay close to me,” he says and heads straight for the blacksmith. I chew on my lip as I watch my father and brother closely. When I’d left, they’d barely been able to be in the same room with each other after Edern had been passed over as heir.
“Tend to the horses and find the queen,” Bartol barks out, and the men in our party other than Kapriel scatter
to do his bidding. “And someone bring a damn healer!” Bartol shouts after their retreating backs before following behind my father, and I push the questions about my father and brother suddenly being close out of my head for the time being. For all I know, they’d made amends after I left and were closer than ever now.
I watch their group go, keeping an eye on them, and wave both Kapriel and Draven over to me. “Oy, you two, with me for a moment.”
We step away from the small crowd that’s gathered to watch as the smithy starts in on removing the shackles from my father, and I lower my voice so only they can hear what I’m about to say.
“My father told me it wasn’t Bartol who did this.”
Draven frowns, and the sounds of metal clashing against metal fill the silence before he replies, “And when exactly did he tell you this? I rode beside you both the entire way back.”
“Just before you guys cleared the rocks from the cave’s entrance.” I bite at my lip, not liking the most likely scenario now that Bartol has been cleared by my father. “Although it appears as though he has a head wound; he could be mistaken.”
Draven snorts. “I doubt it. If he had even one shred of doubt about Bartol and his loyalty, he’d have cut him in half before we left that clearing.”
Kapriel holds up his hand like a schoolboy waiting to be called on. “Uh, for those of us that are clearly missing something, if it’s not Bartol, then who the hell did it? It’s not like the king left a note claiming we’d never find him in time and chained himself up in there just for kicks.”
Draven and I just stare at Kapriel.
“Don’t look at me like that,” Kapriel snaps at us. “You both said that this had to be someone close to your father. Someone who knew his habits. Someone he would trust.”
Draven rubs his hands over his face as though he’s scrubbing dirt off of his skin and sighs. “I hate to be the one to point out the obvious, but we found him in Redcap territory. It’s only logical to think this was either a play at his crown or your brother’s future crown once Isa ascends the throne.”
Kapriel whistles, rocking back on his heels. “If that’s the case, that person would have to be connected or at least well known enough that no one would question their coming and going between kingdoms.”
“Fuck.” I roll my shoulders, preparing myself for the confrontation I’m about to have with my eldest brother and his wife who’d just given me an open invitation into her future kingdom and home. I’d been gone for too long and had no idea who would have that kind of clout these days, and if I started poking around asking questions, it could tip the culprit off.
“You’re about to go in there without a plan and just light people’s shit on fire, aren’t you?” Kapriel drawls, cracking his knuckles.
“You think I’m going to enjoy the show I have to put on next so I can fool whoever did this into thinking that I don’t actually suspect them but someone else entirely?”
“What show?” Draven asks cautiously, but I don’t dignify his question with a response. “Wait, just to clarify, I don’t think Isa or your brother did this.”
“Neither do I, but that doesn’t mean what I’m about to do isn’t going to happen.” I take off in the direction of where my brother and his wife should be, knowing both Kapriel and Draven will follow me just to make sure it’s a fair fight should something happen. The only way I’m going to know if Isa is protecting someone in her kingdom or if she or my brother knew anything about what happened to my father, other than he was taken, is if I surprise them.
I’m almost one hundred percent sure that it wasn’t them, but in order for whoever did this to pull this stunt off, they’d have needed the help from someone familiar enough with Redcap lands and our lands to make it work.
I don’t have to walk far as both of them trail behind my mother, whose head is high, her face composed, as she does her own version of a speed walk toward my father. I wait a moment and then step right in their path.
“Your plan failed. He’s alive and well.” I spit the words out harsher than I’d intended, but Isa rears back as though I’d slapped her, and Gerant’s mouth flaps open.
“Jinx?” My mother calls my name, and I curse under my breath.
She’d heard me. Too late to turn back now. I keep my focus on the couple in front of me.
“How did you do it? Did you pay someone to leave the note? How many men did it take to overpower him and get him into that cave just on the other side of the border?”
Isa is the first to compose herself, resting a hand just below her neck. “Jinx, have you lost your gods damned mind? How could you think either of us would do something like this?”
“Draven, go get Gwyn and bring him here, please.” My mother’s voice is soft, but the steel in her tone is anything but. The crunch of gravel under his boots is the only indication that Draven is no longer standing behind me, but now that I’ve started, I can’t stop mid performance.
I don’t wait for my father and his entourage to arrive before I continue. “Because you were conveniently ready to be on your way here the moment you found out about it.” I tick things off with my fingers as I continue, my voice rising as my ire at the entire situation boils over. “You are next in line to the Redcap throne, and with that child you’re carrying, you’ve got a vested interest in not one kingdom, but two. And last but not least, he was found on your lands. Which is a bit obvious if I do say so myself, but then again, you so graciously told us we could look wherever we pleased…so we did.”
“Jinx, stop!” My father’s warning bellows out through the courtyard, but I can’t trust his instincts right now, and I can’t stop my accusations. I’m not even sure if I can trust my own gut after suspecting Bartol and being wrong about it, but I’m going to keep my cards close to my chest on this one and work every possible angle…even if they’re uncomfortable.
One thing I do know is that I’ve got to get an open invitation into their territory with the ability to move about freely as I figure out who did this.
“And if we hadn’t heard him in that cave you shoved him into, we might have given up the search even with Ambush and Grave’s singular focus on that pile of rocks.”
“Jinx, that is enough,” Gerant growls, fury in every syllable.
Isa steps forward, resting a hand on my brother’s arm to stop him from stepping in front of her, her stare steady on mine, unflinching as she says, “Neither I nor your brother had anything to do with this. But if you’re unwilling to take our word for it, I am more than willing to let you search every inch of the Redcap Kingdom and question any being who calls those lands home in your quest for answers.”
“I can assure you that won’t be—”
I cut my father off, not thinking twice before I reply, “Excellent! We’ll leave at first light.” I move past both of them, unwilling to say another word until we’re standing on the grounds of Breakneck Keep.
I stride up the steps and into the hall, ignoring the offended tones of my mother’s voice and the deeper ones of my father as I walk away from them. My only thoughts are on the preparations needed for hunting down a traitor.
Kapriel walks next to me, doing a sort of jog to keep pace with me. “Uh, Jinx, I know I haven’t been here long, but even I know it’s bad form to accuse your brother and his pregnant wife of plotting to kill the King of the Wild Hunt in a courtyard full of people.”
I laugh mirthlessly. “Don’t worry, Kap, you’re getting your wish.”
“I’m sorry, my what?” he asks.
“Your longing to see where your people come from, of course.”
“I hadn’t exactly pictured it would happen like this, Jin.”
I bare my teeth in a vicious sort of smile as anticipation pumps through my veins. “Well, prepare yourself because we’re headed deep into the Redcap Kingdom, and I’m going to show you how a huntress captures her prey.”
The End… for now!
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Prologue
Four Hundred Years Prior
Excerpt from the Declaration of Light Elven Breeding
As of this moment, inter-breeding of any Goblin and Elven species is considered treason against the Light Elven Kingdom. Any interaction of intimate nature between Goblin and Elf will be punishable by death for both participating parties. The abomination of the crossing of both species has produced a new branch of horribly unpredictable creatures that are too unbearable to look upon, let alone live within our society. Any fraternization or suspected fraternization will also be punishable by death. Any children previously born of one Goblin and one Elven parent will be allowed life outside of the Elven Kingdom, but not inside its walls or inside the walls of Kingdoms allied with the Light Elven Kingdom. Those of sullied blood will be exiled forevermore as will any found to be hiding or aiding them. Children born of any union between Goblin and Elf will be sentenced to death upon birth if death before birth is not achievable without harm to the Elven mother. We must strengthen our own kind, and sullying bloodlines with impure Goblin blood will only lead to the destruction of the Elven Kingdom rule and the end of our race.
King Bale McEver
Three hundred and seventy-seven years later, reading the declaration again, Callista knew only one option remained. She must keep her precious child hidden from discovery. Think, Callista, think. She couldn’t leave the child at the Goblin Kingdom, for surely those brutes would destroy the babe for being weak. The horror stories of babies not surviving long there unless they were born to cruel and harsh parents were numerous and she couldn’t damn her child to an existence of fighting for her life. Her child was forbidden. Her sullied bloodline considered treason. No one could ever know what she was. Callista, would bear this secret for the rest of her life, and the father would never know of their child. Now she must ensure that her little girl kept the appearance of a normal full-blooded Elven baby.
A Reluctant Huntress: Tales of the Wild Hunt | Book One Page 15
