by R L Medina
I paused outside Aunt Cindra’s room, the memories of when it had been Grimera’s flooded me. She’d been in her human glamour then and I’d called her grandmere. A sad smile spread on my face. I missed the days when life was that simple, but I was happy the dryad had returned to her true form. She deserved to be free. But for how long? What if the spell had already waned, and the abyss was at that very moment ripping through the rest of Feylin?
Dismissing the dark thoughts, I knocked on the door. No answer. Was Des in there?
Opening it a crack, I peered inside. No one was there. Feeling nostalgic, I let myself in, making sure to shut the door behind me. I peered around at the large wooden bed and simple décor. Had Grimera been happy in the little cabin? I tried to remember, but it was hard to see her in my mind. I couldn’t remember her being sad and even if she had been, it wasn’t like I could change the past now.
All I could do was save the future.
Footsteps sounded, growing closer. I dove behind the bed. My heart raced. Aunt Cindra entered, a serious look on her face. She glanced in my direction and before I could think of what I was doing, I threw my magic up.
Don’t see me!
I wasn’t sure if it worked, but she showed no sign of spotting me. Pain speared through my temple. Mom had warned me not to use my magic, but the pain ebbed, and I didn’t feel any different. I watched as Aunt Cindra moved toward the back of the room to stare at her reflection in the floor-length mirror. I shifted, trying to debate if I should stay or try to sneak out.
The door cracked open further. Des appeared and scanned the room.
Don’t see me. I’m not here. I ducked lower behind the bed.
His eyes met mine and my heart thundered in my ear.
No! I’m not here. Don’t look.
He glanced away.
Dread coiled in my gut. My magic. I’d commanded him not to see me, so he hadn’t. A shiver ran up my back. I’d never done that before. Had cracking my mind somehow given me access to more of my magic?
“Were you happy?” Des’s voice filled the room—cold like ice.
Aunt Cindra continued straightening the hem of her shirt with a frown. “What are you talking about?”
Des moved toward her. “When she threw me into the abyss. Were you happy to finally be rid of me?”
His words echoed around us. Anger and hurt radiated from him. He’d been holding this in for a while, I realized. I moved closer to see Aunt Cindra’s reaction.
She stood frozen in front of the mirror. Her eyes flashed as she met his in the glass.
He gave a harsh laugh. “Were you relieved when you saw me vanish? A convenient way to be rid of this bond, no?”
She whipped toward him. Fury danced on her face. “I tried…”
Des was in front of her in one move. “Don’t say it. Don’t tell me you tried.” His words were low and laced with threat.
I shifted on my feet, debating if I should step in or not. Des was angry… furious even, but he wouldn’t hurt her, would he?
“After all I’ve done for you. You would abandon me at the first chance.”
Aunt Cindra’s jaw clenched, her nostrils flaring. “You’re no longer under oath, Des. Nobody asked you to stay.”
He flinched. Pain poured off him in waves. Pain. Longing. Agony. My fingers twitched, fighting the urge to comfort him. The same pain radiated from Aunt Cindra though her face was a mask of regal stoniness.
I opened my mouth, wanting so badly to scream at them. Why did they insist on torturing themselves? It was clear they both held the same feelings. What was stopping them now?
“As you wish, Princess.” His words were soft but filled with resolve.
Des turned and headed for the door.
Goodbye. His thoughts echoed in my mind.
I gasped. He was staying behind when we left.
“Renée? Were you hiding in here the whole time?” Aunt Cindra’s voice startled me.
My face reddened as I stood up and tried to think of a good excuse. Giving up, I shook my head.
“He’s staying.”
She frowned at me. “What are you talking about?”
“Des. He wants to stay in the Outer World.”
Her nose scrunched up in confusion. “What do you mean he’s staying? Why would he want to stay here?”
My eyebrow arched. “Because you haven’t given him a reason not to.”
“What are you talking about?”
I threw my hands up in exasperation. “He’s your bondmate. Everyone knows. Why can’t you just accept that?”
She stiffened. “It’s not… that easy.”
I scoffed and folded my arms across my chest. “But it is. It really is. He loves you and you love him. Who cares what the others think?”
She shook her head. “You don’t understand.”
My lip curled. “Then let him go. He wants…” I stopped myself. If I told her Des’s wish to erase his memory of her, would she approve?
Her eyes searched mine. “He wants what? To be with that… elf.” Her lip curled.
Irritation flared inside me. “Gena? No, of course not. He wants to be with you, just like you want to be with him.”
Her mouth opened, but I cut her off. “Don’t. Don’t bother to deny it. I can read emotions and thoughts.”
She folded her hands together and sighed. “Then you know that our bond would be impossible.”
Anger stirred inside me. “Why? Because he’s vulgaire? Then I hope you’re happy living the rest of your long life without him.”
She flinched. Not wanting to waste another minute listening to her, I turned and fled out the door.
“Renée!”
I didn’t stop.
The front door slammed shut behind me. I ran toward the gardens and collided with a solid body. I fell on my butt, pain shooting through me.
“Princess! I apologize. I didn’t see you coming.” Sacha’s eyes widened. “You’re awake!”
He reached a hand down to help me. I took it and let him pull me to my feet. My heart pounded as his eyes searched my face. I could still feel his hurt at my betrayal, but there was something else there too—joy, relief, and forgiveness.
“Sacha?” I bit my lip.
He gave me a small smile. “Yes, Princess?”
I hesitated, unsure of how to bring up the painful subject. Did the forgiveness mean that he still wanted to be my friend? Could we still possibly even be… more?
Swallowing my fear, I stared straight back at him. “I’m so sorry. I betrayed your trust.” I choked up.
His face softened. “I know and I forgive you.”
I threw my arms around him. “I promise I’ll never use my magic to control you or manipulate you again.”
He hugged me back and sighed. “Thank you, Princess. That doesn’t matter now. I was so worried you’d never wake up.”
Joy burst within me. A smile spread on my face. Sacha wasn’t mad at me anymore, and it felt like everything was right with the world again. His warmth engulfed me, and I never wanted to leave his arms.
“I see you’ve solved your squabble.” Des’s cold voice made me jump.
Sacha released me and straightened to attention as the assassin stood, arms folded across his chest. My face reddened. Had everyone known about it?
“No, please. Take your time. It’s not as if the end of the world is upon us or anything,” he scoffed.
“I didn’t know everyone was ready.” My words came out in a rush.
His eyebrow arched. “Just waiting on you two.”
Sacha and I exchanged embarrassed looks and followed Des as he led us to the van, muttering under his breath. I ignored his complaining and smiled at Sacha. He returned it with one of his dimpled smiles, making me blush.
Des glanced back at us and shook his head. My eyes drifted to Aunt Cindra who stood waiting, refusing to meet her bondmate’s gaze. I frowned. Her pride was going to push him away; this time, he wouldn’t give her another chance. He
’d be gone and though it was partly for selfish reasons, I didn’t want that to happen.
I would miss the surly elf.
22
Denver was the same as I remembered. Busier than the rural towns, but everyone moved at a comfortable pace. People were still friendly.
Aunt Cindra frowned. “So many humans.”
Des scoffed. “Yes. They like to breed.”
Their lips curled in unison, making me chuckle. If there was one thing they could agree on, it was their distaste for human culture. The others weren’t so disgusted. Sacha, Mag, and Fearless were bursting with excitement that made me smile. I glanced up at the dragon, so sure that any moment the cloak would fade, and people would freak out.
Des led the group, and it surprised me to see how comfortable he was in the city. I guess it made sense, since he’d lived there for a long time when he was my stalker. I shook my head. That felt like a lifetime ago.
It was strange returning to the city. I kept looking around to see if I saw anyone that would remember me, but it was as if I was invisible. Unlike the others, I didn’t need glamour to hide myself, but it felt as if I was someone else. I was seeing the city in a different view. It didn’t feel like home anymore and though I’d never been miss popular, what little connection I’d had with the city and its inhabitants was gone.
I wasn’t one of them anymore. It was a sad realization, but also in a way relieving. I never would have fit in with them anyway, and now I didn’t care.
Des stopped abruptly, making me run into Sacha.
I blinked up at the sign. “This… is a diner.”
Des grunted. “Astute observation.”
I glared at him. “I mean, what are we doing here? I thought we were supposed to find this Baba Yaga person.”
Ignoring my question, he pushed through the front door. The rest of us filed after him. I glanced back at Fearless. Worry filled me. Would the dragon be okay?
Do not worry, little halfling. I will explore the city and stay close in case you need my assistance.
I smiled and waved as he flew away. People paused and gave me a strange look, making me flush. One day back and I was already the weird girl again. Sighing, I turned around and followed the others into the restaurant.
Heads turned as the bell rang announcing our entrance. I could only imagine what they thought of our strange group.
There was no hostess, so Des led us to an open booth.
I slid into the red faded seat and shrank into the corner, trying to make room for everyone to squeeze in. Sasha slid in beside me followed by Mag. Des motioned Mom and Aunt Cindra into the other booth and took the outside seat. Gena grabbed a chair and sat herself at the head of the table.
Sacha picked up a menu and frowned. “What is this?”
I smiled. “A menu. To order food. Aren’t there any restaurants in Feylin?”
Des scoffed. “Not for lower castes.”
Right. Cringing, I tried to change the subject. “The apple pie looks good,” I finished lamely.
Sasha smiled. “Sounds delicious.”
Des rolled his eyes.
My lips twisted. Why couldn’t this have been my life? A normal girl with a normal family and… I glanced at Sacha. A boyfriend. Not that the Outer World was perfect, but we would be far from the danger. Guilt pierced me. Here we were, sitting in a diner while the others left behind were trapped in time. Or worse. What if the spell hadn’t held and Feylin was being torn apart at that very moment? Dread coiled in my gut.
“What is it?” Sacha’s soft voice startled me.
I shook my head. “Just thinking about how we’re going to get back.”
“The portal.” Aunt Cindra frowned at me, not understanding my concern.
Mom shot her a glare. “Shh.”
Aunt Cindra returned her glare. “Well, where is it, Des? I thought you said you knew where to go.”
Gena smiled. “He does. Just wait.”
Aunt Cindra huffed. “Wait for what? I highly doubt there’s a portal in this disgusting establishment.”
One of the waitresses glanced over at us at her words. She exchanged a look with her fellow waitress and walked past us.
Great I get the snobs. The woman’s voice echoed in my mind as she returned to the kitchen.
I threw up a stronger mind shield, afraid I’d be bombarded by more thoughts and emotions. When I’d left the Outer World, I had barely begun using magic and I hadn’t needed to block anyone’s thoughts or feelings, but now my magic was strong, and humans were open books.
Mom shook her head. “You have no idea how to blend in, Cindra.”
Aunt Cindra’s eyebrow arched. “Blend in? I’m a princess, Aubri.” Her eyes slid to Gena. “Not some commoner.”
Des stilled. “Is being common such a crime, Princess?”
Her mouth parted, uncertainty flashed across her face. There was a battle raging within her. She was torn between the beliefs and traditions she’d clung to forever and the possibility that she’d been wrong. That scared her. I could see it in her haunted eyes. With her court gone, she held tighter to the past. It was her lifeboat, but I knew there was a part of her that realized that the safer choice wasn’t always the right one.
If Des was leaving, and she did nothing, she’d have to live with that choice for the rest of her life.
“Ah. Right on time,” Des broke the heavy silence.
He glanced at us. “Do not speak. Or stare. Her herald is here.”
My nose scrunched. “Herald?”
He shot me a flat look. “Messenger. Now be quiet.”
I turned to see who he was talking about. A skinny boy dressed in black cargo pants and a gray hoodie walked toward us. His pale blue eyes met mine.
A kid. He didn’t look much older than ten. My eyes squinted as I tried to read him. He was human. Just a normal, human kid.
“That’s her herald?”
Des’s eyes narrowed. “Be quiet.”
I frowned. “I just don’t see it.”
His eyes flashed. “Shut. Your. Mouth.”
Sacha tensed beside me, his anger radiating hot. I laid my hand on top of his and shook my head. It’s fine.
He relaxed at my assurance.
“You. You the elf?” the boy stopped beside our table.
My brows shot up. Did he seriously just ask that aloud in front of everyone? I glanced around at the other customers, surprised to see them minding their own business.
“Yes,” Des replied evenly.
The boy held out a hand. Des pulled something out of his pocket and placed in the boy’s open palm. I peered across everyone, trying to see what it was. Before I could get a glimpse, the kid pocketed it and leaned closer to whisper in Des’s ear.
We watched, all of us straining to hear what he’d said. With a final glance at me, the boy shuffled toward the door, leaving the way he had come.
I whipped to Des. “So? What did he tell you?”
Des sighed. “Baba Yaga isn’t interested in helping us.”
Aunt Cindra gasped, clearly offended. “What? Why didn’t you keep that human from leaving?” She tried to shove past Des.
“He’s just a child, Cindra.” Mom frowned.
Des held a hand up. “No need for that. The herald said Baba Yaga will speak to Renée. Only.” His eyes snapped to mine. “You’ll find her at home. She will show you the way, but you have to go alone.”
Mom bristled. “Absolutely not.”
I rolled my eyes. “Mom, please. This is our only shot. I can handle some old witch.”
Gena chuckled. “Careful of your words. She has spies everywhere.”
Oops. I glanced around nervously, hoping no one had overheard.
“We don’t have much time,” Aunt Cindra insisted.
Mom shook her head. “I don’t like this.” She looked to Des. “You’ll follow her with your shadow magic?”
Des grunted. “Of course.”
Sacha nodded. “I will come too.”
I tapped my fingers on the table. “She said to come alone. We can’t lose this chance, guys. Follow, if you want, but not too closely.”
Worry emanated from Mom. She bit her lip and looked at me. “Don’t use your mental magic, Renée. You must rest. And do not, do not let her into your mind.”
She fell silent as the waitress returned, her notebook in hand. Her eyes roamed over us, her lips spread into a fake smile as she introduced herself and asked for our order.
Aunt Cindra frowned. “I don’t think we’ll be ordering food after all.”
Mom shot her a dark look. “Don’t listen to her. We will be eating here. Thank you.”
The waitress scribbled on her pad as Mom and Gena gave her their orders. Aunt Cindra’s nostrils flared in impatience. I pretended not to notice her stare. I knew she wanted me to hurry up and find Baba Yaga, but it had been ages since I’d eaten in a diner and I was hungry.
“We’re going to share the loaded fries and give us three, no four slices of apple pie.” I motioned toward Sacha, Mag, and myself.
The woman’s eyebrow arched as she wrote our order down. Aunt Cindra refused to order anything and Des, to my astonishment, ordered himself a hamburger.
He scowled at my stare.
Once the food came, the conversation died, but Aunt Cindra shook her head at us as we ate, muttering how we were wasting everyone’s time.
I wrapped up the last piece of pie and a few fries in a napkin for Fearless. Dragons had to eat too and hopefully he hadn’t chosen anyone’s pet for a snack.
After full bellies, we paid and left. I gave Fearless his treats and smiled at his delight at trying such ‘tiny’ human food.
“Well? Do you feel anything?” Aunt Cindra’s voice caught my ear.
Everyone’s eyes fell on me. Heat rushed through me. Why did it always come down to me?
I sighed. “No…” I paused.
My head turned toward a side street. An invisible force tugged at me, beckoning me closer. The witch? I glanced back at the others. “Yeah. Yeah, I feel it now. I’m ready.”
Mom’s forehead wrinkled with worry. “Don’t let her into your mind, Renée.”
I nodded. “Yes, Mom. I got it.”
Ignoring my pounding heart, I followed the pull. The others walked with me, throwing glances around as we got deeper into the city. In one step, the feeling stopped abruptly.
