by K.N. Lee
She grabbed her cloak, opened the window, and sat at the edge, her legs dangling over.
He stopped, as if hearing her, and looked over his shoulder.
With a single nod, he gave her the confidence boost she needed.
Exhaling, she let herself fall.
Her hair and clothes billowed as she made her descent from tower. it was exhilarating, frightening, and euphoric at the same time. And, when she fell into the white, puffy snow, her heart leaped into her throat and she lay there for a moment, making sure this was real and not a dream.
Alexi came to her, standing over her, his bright eyes checking her for injury.
Then, he spoke, and her legs tingled with something she couldn't decipher. Heat filled her thighs, and core, and up to her lower belly.
“Follow me, little wolf.”
She followed him, into the dark, her heart thumping in her chest like a drum.
How could she make sense of it—that she'd follow him to the gates of death, and beyond?
For all eternity.
Perhaps it was as he’d said. They were connected on a soul level. Her soul sought his, and vice versa, and they’d made a pact.
They made their way through the forest, and Elle sucked in a breath at what she saw laying in the snow, blood outstretched all around its dead body.
“A serpent,” she gasped, and Alexi stood, shifting into a human again.
He nodded, and looked down at the creature, whose black wings were open, and lifeless golden eyes staring toward the moon.
The scales glistened under the moonlight, even as snow flurries fell and swirled around them from wind that blew in all directions.
She knelt down to it. “This is what attacked Etian?”
Again, he nodded, his hair lifting from his shoulders as the wind increased in speed and force.
“Serpents aren’t supposed to be in this territory,” he said. “They keep to the skies.”
“I know,” she said. “At least, that’s what I thought it should be like.”
“Right, but something is off. This creature was here for a purpose.”
She lifted her gaze to him, brows lifted. “What purpose would that be?”
He looked back toward the monastery. “Someone called it here.”
Coming to her feet, she stood beside him and followed his gaze. “Why do you think that?”
He snorted. “I suspect someone isn’t as holy as they claim. Someone has been praying to the Serpent. Someone made it feel welcome here.”
She swallowed a hard lump. She had a feeling she knew who that person would be.
They buried the body of the serpent and stood over the packed dirt.
When he took her hand into his, a small smile came to her face, and she turned her body into his, her face pressed to his chest.
Something extraordinary had happened in such a short amount of time. For once, her world started to make a little bit more sense, and with Alexi by her side, she was ready to face it all.
Chapter Twelve
When they returned to the monastery, Alexi joined Elle in their shared bedroom.
She climbed back into bed, and to her surprise, he climbed in with her.
Every breath was shallow, as his presence behind her was all that filled her mind.
It consumed her.
When his arms wrapped around her, she melted into him, in a place of bliss only he could show her.
She whispered to him, staring into the dark, and out the window as the moon shed the tiniest sliver of light into the room.
“Alexi,” she called.
“What is it, Elle?”
His voice was warm on the back of her neck, and she scooted back into him, making sure there wasn’t even an inch between them.
“How did you find me? I mean—how did your soul reach out to mine?”
When his hand began to stroke her arm, she chewed her bottom lip, desperate for more.
“I have a gift,” he said, simply. “Something my brothers don’t have.”
She turned to face him, brows furrowed. “I don’t understand. Why me?”
He traced her cheek with his thumb, and their eyes locked. How his eyes could be so blue and cast an image of a sky full of clouds, was a mystery, but she found herself lost within them.
“It has something to do with the curse,” he said. “When the Serpent Sisters cursed the humans and the wolves, it was mostly directed to my clan. And, since you come from our rival clan, there is a flaw in the magic. Somehow, you change things.”
She nodded, staring at his lips as he spoke.
“Do you feel the magic, whenever we are near one another, or when we touch?”
“Yes,” she said.
“It can be quite maddening, especially since I’ve felt it from afar, before we even met.”
“Uh-huh,” she said, having lost track of the conversation as his hand found itself into her hair, and laced within the strands.
Dizzy, she licked her lips, and when he leaned closer, all of her senses ignited.
He kissed her.
First, it was soft, and sweet, and her eyes fluttered closed.
She’d never kissed anyone before, and this was unlike anything she could have imagined.
Her heart raced as the kiss deepened, and Alexi parted her lips with his tongue. She sucked in a breath as he caught her bottom lip with his teeth, and devoured her mouth.
As his kisses trailed to her neck, and throat, and collarbone, all thoughts in her head were a jumbled mess. Her core throbbed, and her chest heaved.
His hands explored her body, and hers touched the muscles she’d eyed when he’d taken off his shirt.
When he stopped, she sighed in disappointment.
“Sleep now,” he said, and kissed her on the lips once more. “We’ve much to do.”
She nodded, eager for what the future would bring.
They fell asleep then, wrapped in each other’s arms, and her heart was full for the very first time.
Chapter Thirteen
The next day, Elle’s back had healed almost completely. She left the safety of the private room she shared with Prince Alexi, and sought out one person she needed to make amends with before she left.
She crept down the steps, checking to make sure Father Lewis was nowhere to be found, and hurried off to the main dining hall for breakfast.
As she stepped into the room, a hush rose from the others. All of their eyes looked to her, staring in awe.
She wasn’t there for them.
And, the only person who didn’t stare at her, had her eyes downcast.
Claire.
Elle crossed the room, her breaths quickening. For some reason, she knew what she was walking to, and it didn’t give her any confidence. Instead, her stomach churned with dread.
But, this was the girl who had stuck by her side when she had been brought there. They shared everything; clothes, secrets, food. This business with the prince shouldn’t change that.
She stood at the table, looking down at her best friend in the world with tear-filled eyes.
Claire lowered her spoon and lifted her scowl toward Elle. “Did you need something?” she asked, they titled her head. “Your highness.”
Elle frowned. “Why are you behaving this way? I didn’t ask for any of this.”
“No, Elle, you just somehow have all of the luck in the world,” she said. “You knew I wanted to be chosen, and you ran out there to meet him before they even got a chance to make it to the blasted monastery.”
She couldn’t believe Claire thought that of her, but it made sense, because it could easily be perceived that way by others.
“Claire, that isn’t true,” she said. “I was trying to escape this place! I had no intention of meeting the prince.”
“Likely story. And, now, they only want you. You stole every girl’s shot, Elle. You selfish mixed-blood.”
Elle’s eyes widened. Her cheeks turned crimson. Her hands balled into fists at her side.
“I told you I didn’t want to be considered for a mate to the princes,” she said, hoping she could change her friend’s outlook.
“Yet, you’re leaving with them in the morning. Funny how that happens,” Claire said, looking away. “Good luck, Elle. If you see my sister, tell her I hate her for leaving me too.”
The words stung. She couldn’t blame Claire for feeling hurt, but it wasn’t her doing.
Still, she honored her wishes and left her table. She avoided the looks from the other girls as they stared at her, whispering.
After the night with Alexi, she didn’t need them anymore.
So, that’s how it would be. She came to the Crystal Keep without friends. It seemed she would leave that way as well.
Chapter Fourteen
That afternoon, she was summoned. She walked down the stairs to Sister Sophia’s private sitting room, her eyes landed on Prince Etian.
Breathing in, she looked past him at Prince Alexi, Brother Dava and Sister Sophia as they sat at a table, having tea.
“Come on down, dear,” Sister Sophia said, nodding for me to join them at the table.
If it wasn't for the array of biscuits and sweets, Elle might have turned on her heels and headed back to her room. She didn't need to be there for the bargaining, but it seemed her Elders knew how to bribe her.
She sauntered down the stairs, eyes locked on the sugar-encrusted scones when Prince Etian and Prince Alexi stood from their chairs.
Alexi cast his bright, otherworldly, blue eyes on her, and she blushed.
But, Etian’s gaze stopped her in her tracks. A sharp gasp caught in her throat. For a moment, time didn't exist.
He was healed. And, now, she saw him for the marvel that he truly was. With dark, auburn hair that was worn long on the top and short at the sides, he was much different from Alexi, but carried himself with the same confidence.
“The girl who saved me has arrived,” he said. A slow smile came to his full lips as he bowed to her, and pulled out the chair to his right. “Come, sit with us.”
She walked to her seat, and sat down, smoothing the skirt of her dress.
"We are pleased to introduce you to one of our purest wards. Elle of the Forn Valley.”
“We know of her purity,” Prince Alexi said, and her cheeks went hot and red.
Sister Sophia noticed, but looked back to the prince. She cleared her throat. “Then, you must also know that Elle, here, has extraordinary powers.”
“The moment we claimed her from her grandparent's farm in the Forn Valley. They were quite clear about the fae magic in their bloodline,” Brother Dava said.
“And, the bloodline of the Giran wizards,” Sister Sophia added.
Her heart ached for them, for the last of her family line. The only people to love her more than her parents had.
Brother Dava nodded. "We knew she was the perfect match for your line, but weren't sure if the fae side would taint her. Your father being against fae magic, as it is."
"No," Alexi said. "We could use a bit of magic around the palace."
Though he spoke simply, she suspected there was something more.
Something they were hiding.
Brother Dava nodded. “You can see the magic in her eyes when she's angry, or afraid.”
"Or sad," Sister Sophia said, quietly.
Elle flinched. “I’m not that transparent,” she said. “I’ve been so careful to keep my abilities secret."
“Aye, Elle,” Brother Dava said. “You’ve done quite well. But, Father Lewis suspects what you truly are. It is best that you leave as soon as possible.”
“If the prince still believes you are a perfect fit, he will be taking you away to the Davidian Palace,” Sister Sophia said. “There, you will wed the princes, and further their line.”
She nodded, in agreement, and gave the princes a small smile. She’d already made up her mind, and didn’t need one more word of convincing.
“When do we leave?”
Chapter Fifteen
While the princes acquired horses, Elle stood outside, her one bag of personal belongings packed and fur-lined cloak secured across her throat and over her shoulders.
Though all she had was an old doll her mother had made for her when she’d been born, the pearl necklace her grandmother had passed down to her, a few frocks, an extra pair of slippers, and a dull knife she’d kept under her pillow, she was beyond prepared for the journey ahead.
Nothing waited for her inside that dark and dreary place. All that she would miss were the memories of Magda, her friendship with Claire, and the motherly love Sister Sophia tried to display against all odds.
A faint smile came to her face. She'd even miss Brother Dava's ramblings about his time as a sailor.
Her future finally looked a little brighter. Freedom was attainable.
Just the day before she’d been against marrying any man, but after meeting the prince, her outlook had drastically changed.
They were nothing like she’d imagined. Though, she still had two more to meet—two more princes to convince of her worthiness to be plucked from the Crystal Keep when so many other girls were available.
Still, it was better than going to Pruth and digging into black soil for the rest of her days.
She watched as the princes return to the front of the courtyard straight onto black horses and trailing along one brown mare for her.
Her heart pattered in her chest they approached.
Etian glanced at her before leaping from the saddle. "All set, Elle?"
She nodded, eager to leave. She hurried down the stairs and stepped right past him to pull herself into the saddle.
He lifted a brow, looking up at her. She blushed, realizing that he had tried to help her up.
With a lopsided grin, she shrugged her shoulders. "I've ridden horses all my life, your highness," she said.
He chuckled, glancing at the surly Alexi who looked unamused by the entire exchange.
Etian cleared his throat, mocking his brother's seriousness, and shielded his eyes from the sun as he peered up at her with those enchanting hazel eyes with flecks of gold.
Why did her heart race whenever either of them looked at her?
For once in her life, she actually cared about her appearance, and brushed a fallen lock of hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear. Every inch of her body tingled as the seconds passed while their gazes locked.
"Let's get a move on," Alexi said, leading his horse toward the gates. "Better put some distance between us and this horrid place while we have ample sunlight to do it."
Their gaze broke and Elle, held the reigns of her horse. She nodded, ready to get as far away as possible from Father Lewis' hateful glare.
She knew he watched her from the tower, and gave him one final scowl.
I've won.
She only wished she could have said those words to his face.
That was in the past. It was time to look ahead.
And so, she rode behind the Davidian princes, the steady gait of the mare unmatched to the thumping of her heart.
The smile that stretched across her lips as they crossed through those gates made her cheeks hurt. It remained there for some time as they trudged through the thick snow, and along the main road that led to the villages, where the crossroads gave way to two possible routes that led to the major cities of Vallon.
In silence, they rode for what felt like hours, and before long, her inner thighs were sore. Still, she didn't dare complain. She'd take sore thighs and an aching back over the Monastery of the Wolf any day.
Toward midday, Etian spoke. "Best to stop now," he said to Alexi. "The girl will be hungry. She must keep up her strength for the journey."
Alexi gave a single nod, and stopped to turn his horse back toward Elle.
She stiffened as he approached, and lifted a brow when he simply handed her a pack of dried meat and a flask.
"Eat," he said, and turned back to lead the way.
Etian gave a ne
rvous laugh, shrugging a shoulder.
Elle didn't complain. Though she could use a break. They went on at a steady pace as she tore into the dried meat with her teeth. It was thick, and encrusted with spices. Then, she took a swig of the contents of the flask. She nearly spit it out, as it burned her mouth. Her eyes watered, and she realized that it must be some sort of ale or mead.
Instead of wasting one drop of it, she swallowed it, her throat burning as it slid down.
She'd hoped that neither noticed, but the sound of Etian's chuckle proved that he'd witnessed it all. She sighed, taking another hearty gulp, and tightened the lid.
Finally, out of sheer boredom, she rode ahead, and fell into step beside Etian.
“So,” she began, mustering her courage to strike a conversation with the man whose life she’d taken part in saving. “Are you two not hungry? I have plenty dried meat left.”
She started to hand it to him when he held out a hand, stopping her.
His brows furrowed and he shook his head. He made a face as if she’d offered him a handful of live worms.
“No, thank you. We hunt,” he said, and her face flushed.
She put the leftovers in her pack. “Of course. How silly of me.”
“No, don't worry about it. We do eat like normal humans, but after a hunt, we don't necessarily need to for quite a few days.”
“Oh,” she said. “Grandfather would always sit at the table for a meal, and eat a much smaller portion than my grandmother and I.”
He gave her a sidelong glance. “I’m sure he did it for the tradition of a family meal, for time with you two.”
She smiled, remembering those times. There had always been laughs and stories.
How terribly she missed them.
“Do you think I'll ever see them again?”
It took everything to ask the question, but it was so important that she couldn't miss the opportunity.
He looked ahead. “I cannot make any promises,” he said, and rode ahead.
“This way,” he said, and Alexi and Elle quickened the speed of their horses.
