by Dyan Chick
Hoping he could sense how I was feeling, I cleared my head, focusing on the fact that at least right now, I was safe. Nothing was chasing me, no one was trying to kill me, I wasn't even at risk from the elements right then. If anything, this was the least danger I had been in practically since arriving in Faerie.
I squinted into the horizon, completing one more small circle before I decided which direction to walk. Opposite the grove of trees, I could just make out the lines of what looked to be a road. Roads meant the possibility of civilization. I might be able to ask someone for directions on how to reach the palace. I knew it was risky to hope I'd run into someone after the attack at the Winter Court, but I had to hope that most of the Fae didn't know who I was or what I looked like. Add in the fact that I was no longer traveling with an entourage of princes and my ruined clothes made me look more peasant than princess. I cringed at the word. I knew it wasn't an accurate description of what I was by birth, but the pet name from Tristan was closer to the truth than I had imagined.
Steeling myself, I walked toward the road. Ethan, whenever you're done, please come find me. With any luck, he'd find me before I ran into anyone who would harm me.
Hoping there were more good Fae in Faerie than bad, I walked toward the road.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Like most of my travels through Faerie so far, the road was occupied by nobody but me. The pressed dirt road was well groomed, another sure sign that I was in Autumn Court. Now that I had reached the road, I had another decision to make. It stretched out as far as I could see in both directions. Neither giving me a clear indicator of which route I should take. I watched as the wind blew through the tall grass sending it rippling across the fields. The scent of wood smoke carried through the air and I turned toward it as a flicker of recognition flashed through me. Smoke was a good sign of civilization. Or at least a cottage burning a fire. If for some reason, Ethan couldn't find me before nightfall, I would need shelter. While I knew we weren't in the Winter Court, It would likely get very cold after the sunset.
I dropped the bundled fabric of my skirt that I had been holding as I walked through the tall grasses. Now that I was on a road, I felt like I'd have a better chance of convincing someone to help me if I looked like a girl from some money who lost her way. I laughed to myself as I considered how true that likely was now. If I was the daughter of a Queen, it was possible I could ask her to pay someone for helping me. But first, I'd have to find help.
I wondered how far I'd have to walk before I found someone who could help or before someone found me. How long did it take to seal a tear to the Under? And where had Cormac, Tiana, and Tristan gone? I tensed at the thought of Tiana. I hadn't stopped to consider the fact that if she was nearby, she might try to harm me again.
I looked behind me, nervous at being so exposed in the open. My only other option was to hide in the grass or run toward the woods and wait for someone to rescue me. I really didn't want to be the ‘wait to be rescued’ type. I had a feeling waiting would be more dangerous than moving.
Cormac told me to follow my instincts so that was what I was doing. A sinking feeling in my gut told me I was at risk no matter what choice I made. That's how it had been since I arrived here. I'd been on the run from monsters and now I had the angry sister of the Queen, my apparent birth mother, trying to finish me off. If it weren't for meeting the princes and finding absolute joy in their company, I would take my chances back in the human realm.
The fancy slippers I'd been given to wear didn't protect my feet the way the boots I'd been wearing had. I felt every pebble and every stick and every uneven patch of ground as I walked. The next time I got dressed up, I was keeping the boots. Looking down so I could see where I stepped, I avoided pebbles and loose rocks that were in my way. I glanced back up, trying to keep my eyes fixed on the source of whatever was burning while also paying attention to where my feet were going to land.
So far, the smoke didn't appear to be getting any nearer. It might be farther away than I suspected. With a sigh, I continued walking, loneliness sinking in. I hoped I'd be reunited with the others soon. This time, I didn't have a doubt that we would meet again. This time, I knew they were looking for me. Last time I had been separated from the princes, I had just met them, I didn't know if they would spend their time searching for a stranger. We weren't strangers anymore. I knew they were a part of me and I was a part of them. There was something that told me the times we would be away from each other would be far fewer than the times we would be together.
The smell hit first, sending a chill straight down my spine. I would know that smell anywhere, the scent of death. I hadn't heard the creature approach, but I knew when I turned around I was going to see the monster. Clenching my hands into fists I braced myself for a fight. Slowly, I turned around and the fear that had been a trickle turned into an explosion, setting every nerve on fire as a scream got caught in my throat. This wasn't just one monster, at least a dozen giant, overgrown hairy bat creatures were snarling at me. Against one, I felt confident that I had a chance. What could I do against this many?
My magic clawed at my insides, sending pinpricks across my skin. It was flaring in a way I hadn't felt until the tests with Tiana and I wondered if she managed to unlock something that I hadn't tapped into yet.
Even with magic charging through me, I didn't know how to use it. But if I didn't do something, I was going to end up in a shredded pile of skin and bones after the monsters picked me clean. Reaching inside, I used every bit of my inner strength to unleash the part of me that wanted out. A booming sound echoed through the emptiness as the blinding white light I'd grown so familiar to seeing filled my view. Dazed, ears ringing, and terrified, I turned to where I hoped was the opposite direction of the creatures and I ran.
My heart thundered against my ribs, my breathing was strained, my arms and legs burned in protest against the tireless exertion of pushing myself to run faster than I ever had. I had to get somewhere where I could hide from these creatures or find someone who could help me fight them. Even with a weapon, even with being able to control my magic, I wasn't sure I'd stand a chance against this many beasts alone.
The edges of my vision blurred as I struggled to see through the white light. I wasn't sure if the light was fading for me or if my eyes were adjusting, but I knew I was running out of time. Trusting only my instincts I continued to run forward, losing both of my shoes in the process, but pressing on anyway.
My feet had taken quite a beating over the last several days and they still weren't healed fully, but there wasn't time to think about the pain in my feet. I just wanted to live.
Gasping for breath, I kept running even as I stumbled over my skirts. I picked myself back up off the ground and continued forward. By now, the light was fading and I could hear the snarls and roars of the creatures as they clambered forward, following my scent. My eyes darted around, searching for any sign of hope, anything that could help me.
Ethan, if you can hear this, I need you. Mentally calling out to him was a move of desperation, but I was out of ideas. In front of me I could hear noises as if a large group was moving in my direction. My chest tightened and I worried that I got turned around, and somehow was running straight into the monsters instead of away from them.
I turned and ran away from the sound, hoping I was cutting through the field instead of sticking to the road. Then something inside me told me to look back. I ignored it, but the thought wouldn't leave. Slowing down, I risked a backward glance at the fading white light to see a group of what looked like soldiers or guards making their way toward the Sodalis.
I stopped and fell to my knees as the guards intercepted the beasts, weapons extended in front of them. Tears streamed down my face as relief flooded through me. I didn't know who these guards were or why they had come, but I knew I would be monster food right now without them.
Exhausted, and emotionally drained, I watched, feeling helpless and hating every second of the feeling.
Part of me longed to jump into the fight, but the guards were practiced with their swords and were eliminating the monsters efficiently. If I jumped in, I'd be an unarmed distraction, someone they'd have to protect or watch out for. It was possible I was likely to be more of a risk by jumping in than by staying back.
Again, the desire to learn how to use my magic and the desire to fight was rekindled. I didn't like the feeling of helplessness I was forced to hold onto as I watched these male and female Fae guards attack the monsters.
Where had they come from? Why were they here? I studied them as they parried and dodged and sliced the creatures with expert level precision. I narrowed my eyes, studying them. Their tunics were burgundy and they wore leather armor over their chests with a gold painted insignia I didn't recognize. All of them wore tan trousers and tall black leather boots.
They reminded me of the guards that had attended Tiana. My pulse, which I just recently begun to settle, climbed again. If these were her guards, were they here to capture me? Would they turn on me as soon as they dispatched the creatures?
I wiped the tear streaks off my cheeks and squared my jaw as I stood. I wasn't going to stand there and let them take me. They were distracted right now so this was my only chance. With a backward glance at the fight, I took off running through the field, hoping to find somewhere I could hide before they finished with the creatures.
The field seemed to expand forever around me, reminding me of the space we'd passed into before going into the Winter Court. As I raced through the grass, I scanned the scene looking for anywhere I might be able to hide.
"You, stop!" a voice called after me.
I didn't stop. I didn't even turn around. Tiana had already tried to kill me once and she was out there somewhere. It was possible she'd even sent these guards after me.
"Stop," the voice called again.
I ran harder.
Until I slammed into something and fell back onto the ground. Spots danced in front of my vision and my head throbbed from where I'd smacked the ground. The world spun as I sat up. Looking ahead of me, I could find no sign of what I'd run into. There was nothing there.
Frustrated and feeling like maybe I was losing my mind, I stood and extended my hand out in front of me. Despite the fact that it looked like nothing in front of me, there was a wall I couldn't see preventing entry. My heart felt like it fell from my chest as I realized I must be at an entrance to the Winter Court. And I was locked out.
Chapter Twenty-Six
When the guards grabbed me, I didn't even resist. The fight was gone and for the first time since I arrived here, I felt defeated. I'd been able to pass into the Winter Court before. Why would it change now?
I kept my gaze down as the guards on either side of me guided me back to the road. I wasn't even sure how many of them there were. All I knew was that there wasn't much hope for me to escape them.
My feet dragged as I followed them. Ethan hadn't come for me. Nobody had come for me. Exhaustion seemed to be seeping into my bones as hope faded. Whatever these guards wanted from me, they were going to get it. My willpower felt like it had been stripped from me, leaving me an empty shell of someone who once had goals and hopes and dreams. Now, I was just a changeling who was at the mercy of this group of Fae.
"Hurry up," one of the guards said as he tugged on my arm.
I glanced up at him, but hardly even registered what he looked like. All the guards seemed to be blending into a blur of burgundy and gold. My vision felt like it was swimming with color and I was struggling to focus on anything around me.
"Ease up," someone said. "You're going to kill her at this rate. The Queen wants her alive."
The mention of the Queen sent a pang through me that cut through the hazy feeling. I stopped walking and turned to the guard on my right. "We're going to the Queen?"
His brow furrowed. "Where else would the Queen's guard take you?"
"Where are we?" I asked.
He shook his head and tugged my arm, forcing me forward.
Feeling more alert than I had since hitting the invisible wall, I looked around and noticed that we weren't headed for the road. We were trudging through the tall grass. Ahead, I saw a large black gate standing in the middle of the tall grass. Had that always been there or had it just appeared? There was nothing else around. I would have noticed a gate in the middle of a field.
As we drew nearer to the gate, some of the guards ran ahead and to my surprise, the gate began to open.
"Are we at the palace?" I asked, already knowing the answer. The invisible wall I'd encountered hadn't been an entry to the Winter Court, it was a barrier hiding the Queen's Palace. Cormac's insistence that we approach the palace and seek a formal invitation made a bit more sense now. I wasn't even sure how you'd find the entrance if you weren't invited.
As the guards half pushed me through the opening, I wondered if I'd been dropped here on purpose. If Tiana had done something to prevent Cormac from reaching this place, had he been able to send me along on his own?
The gates swung closed behind us with a clank and as soon as I heard the sound, the field we were standing in vanished. We were now standing in an open stone paved receiving area. A row of stables was on my right. To my left were several carriages and carts parked in a line. Fae walked back and forth through the space with purpose, not even pausing to gaze at the newcomers. All of them were wearing the burgundy and gold that I'd come to associate with Tiana. Perhaps they weren't her guards in the first place. She must have borrowed guards from the Queen.
In the distance, I saw a towering gray stone castle. We were still a fair distance from it, but we were here. A sobbing sound escaped my mouth as a mixture of relief and fear tumbled through me. I wanted to meet the Queen. I wanted to ask her if Tiana's words were correct. Was the Queen really my mother? It would explain so much. But I was afraid of how she'd react after my experiences with Tiana.
We walked past the stables and the rows of carriages until we reached another gate. This one was connected to a wall that enclosed the castle beyond. At the gate, two guards waited at attention.
"We've got a prisoner for interrogation," the guard holding me said.
"Prisoner?" I realized I'd never explained myself or asked what they were planning to do with me. "No. I'm here to see the Queen."
The guard holding me looked like he was holding back a laugh, but didn't respond to my words. "We'll take her to the holding cell."
"No," I said. "No cell. Take me to the Queen, now."
The guard tugged my arm, pulling me closer to him. "We don't take orders from traitors."
"I'm not a traitor. I don't understand what's happening," I said. "Please, I just need to speak to the Queen."
"I understand you have a prisoner to process?" a new voice asked.
I looked up at the gate to see a guard standing behind the gate. "I'm not a prisoner."
He lifted an eyebrow. "Where did you find this female?"
"She slid right in front of the Palace entrance and then called to a dozen Somalis. I think she meant to attack the Queen," the guard holding me said.
"Open the gate," the new guard said.
"Please," I tried again, "I'm here to see the Queen."
"I know you are," the new guard said. "And you will. Let her go. You all return to your posts. I'll take her from here."
"You want to take the glory from me?" the guard holding me tugged my arm so hard I grunted against the strain.
"Let go of me," I said.
"Let her go, private," the new guard said.
Reluctantly, the private let go of my arm. "Yes, General."
"My lady, I apologize for the reception you received, the Queen is ready to see you now." The General inclined his head.
I heard the gasps and shuffling feet behind me as the guards who had collected me backed away from the General. Not looking back at them, I walked through the gate.
The General offered his elbow to me and I accepted. "Thank you."
My jaw dropped open at his words. "You know who I am?"
"Of course," he said. "I arranged the payments to your father to keep you hidden."
I stopped walking. "You did that? For how long?"
He turned to look at me. "From the day Nani arrived. She didn't exactly look human when she first arrived in the human realm."
My chest tightened. "He knew the whole time? You were paying him the whole time?"
"With bonuses every year on your birthday," the General said.
My throat tightened. I'd never been treated the same as Rose. And he was in a rush to marry me off before her, but I didn't realize he'd known for so long. All this time, the wealth he had, the status he was buying, the business decisions and closed-door meetings had been a lie. "How much money?"
"Enough to keep you happy and cared for," he said.
"Enough to help my father climb the social ladder," I grumbled.
"None of that matters now," he said. "Now, you're here. Everything is about to change for you."
"It already has," I said.
"Come, time for you to meet the Queen."
I took slow breaths in and out and focused on setting one foot in front of the other as I walked alongside this stranger. That was what my life had become. A series of exchanges with strangers. Even the family I'd thought were mine were strangers now. My heart ached for someone who would make me feel like I wasn't so alone. I needed my princes.
I stopped walking again. "I was with the Autumn Prince and the Winter Prince when I was sliding. Something happened. Have you heard any word on them?"
