by Olivia Ash
“Andreas, let’s spar,” Mica called out.
Andreas turned to face them from his perch on watch. His arms were crossed over his chest. He cocked an eyebrow and a slight smile pulled up one corner of his lips. He turned back around.
Mica and Ozul took turns egging him on. “Come on, brother, too scared to be showed up in front of your woman?” one said while the other laughed and said, “He’s too tired.”
Andreas turned around and started walking toward them. He made it halfway before he shifted to his wraith form and charged Mica, who shifted once he noticed that Andreas had.
Soon, wraiths filled the back half of the village while Mica and Andreas wrestled, waiting for their turn.
The sight was incredible, the blend of shadow and red glow, twisting in and out, pulling apart and then colliding together again. Sophia was in awe. She couldn’t make heads or tails of who was who until they shifted back with Andreas on his feet and Mica on his back on the ground.
Andreas looked around and said, “Next?”
One by one, he continued to spar with them. Sophia was captivated as he won each round. The strength he gave her continued to pulse through her, and she couldn’t seem to shake how powerful she felt just watching him wrestle with his fellow wraiths.
Andreas stood proud and tall, a big smile on his face as he turned around and said, “I’m just getting started. Who wants to take me on now?”
Edric stood and said, “I’ll take both you and Zeke on at once!”
A rush of awe rustled through the crowd and Sophia sat back, watching. Ezekiel stood and said, “Just remember you asked for this,” as he took Andreas’s side.
Edric laughed. “Oh, I will remember. Remember how I beat the two of you. But don’t worry. I’ll remind you in case you forget.”
The way the fire reflected off his smile sent an electric warmth through Sophia, hitting her hard in her core and wetness formed between her thighs.
They wrestled and it was like three men from opposite worlds were fighting it out for her hand, but all in fun. The show of the macho demonstration reminded her, with a man like Edric, she was completely untouchable, protected, and safe. He handled himself expertly, anticipating each move as though he had lived this scenario hundreds of times. Like how he dodged a blow from Ezekiel while knocking down Andreas, and still managing not to lose a beat. He rolled on the ground, climbed to his feet in one smooth motion, and avoided the kick from Andreas.
Edric laughed. “Come on! You can do better than that!”
Andreas rushed to her, picking her up from the ground and pulling her to his and Ezekiel’s side. Sophia smiled coyly and kicked Andreas’s legs from under him then spun to face Ezekiel. His eyes grew wide and he gulped as she stood her ground, facing off with him. Edric made a move to stand by her, and she made a single step backward and kicked him in his back, sending him to the ground.
She laughed.
“I thought you were on my side,” Edric said as he stood and dusted himself off.
“I saved her,” Andreas said.
“No, you didn’t,” Sophia said, and they took turns sparring with each other. She couldn’t stop smiling to save her soul, and she knew that gave some of her moves away. No matter what she did, she couldn’t become as serious as they were, though she could see the love in each of their eyes.
She knew she could never live a day without any of them. And not just because they each held a piece of her soul, which she was glad for, but because they truly completed her. Each of them added a piece to her life she was missing, and she was ever grateful to have them with her.
Despite the search for the heirs and the constant danger nipping at their heels, it was nice to take a break and just relax and have fun with her men. She was having so much fun, that when it came time to switch watch, she was saddened.
Edric walked with Sophia to the entrance of the village. He said, “Don’t worry, my love. We will have more days like this. Without the constant worry of a fight.”
“Hopefully soon,” she said and smiled. “That was so much fun. Felt like it ended too soon.”
He nodded. “Soon.”
“Do you think we are close to finding the heirs?” Sophia asked.
He shrugged. “It’s very possible. If anyone can do it, I know it’s you.”
She smiled. “I appreciate your faith in me.”
“It’s well deserved,” Edric said and pulled her into him to kiss her on the forehead.
She sighed. “Sometimes I wonder if I don’t bring more danger to your lives than good. Take the mountain for example.”
“We survived. Albeit through some rather close calls, but you have to look at the good. We found that girl. We don’t know who she is or why she is locked in the crystal coffin, but she could be important. Maybe even imperative to your hunt for the heirs.”
“True, but—”
“And we freed a bunch of people who were probably closer to death than anyone cares to admit, which gained some pretty amazing friends.”
“Again, you’re right,” Sophia said. “About the girl, though. We still need to find a way to wake her up, and I would love the chance to talk to Zeke about his findings of the map and scroll. I just can’t risk being exhausted in case of another attack.”
“Fair point,” he said. “You should let us take on some of the work though. You don’t have to do it all on your own. We are here to help you.”
Sophia grinned. “You all are incredible. I’m grateful for all that you do. I couldn’t ask you to take on more than you already have.”
“That’s what we are here for. To help you in your journey, fight with and for you. Let us do that,” Edric said, his voice was soft and kind, soothing.
She looked at her arm and decided to free Haris so he could roam. “Vocavi.”
His green mist floated from her arm, dissolving the image, and solidifying in front of her. He nudged her in thanks before disappearing into the woods without being seen by the others. He trilled in the distance. Sophia smiled.
Her mind became preoccupied with the possibility of being closer than ever to finding the heirs and hoping beyond all hope that this wasn’t just another dead end.
“What can I do to help your mind?” Edric asked.
She looked at him with a puzzled expression.
He chuckled. “I can see the gears turning in your head.”
“Do you think the nymphs will help us?” Sophia asked.
“Won’t know unless we try,” he said. “We’ll leave and make our way toward the location on the map. From there, all we can do is ask. For now, let’s focus on resting so we can be prepared for anything that comes our way.”
She smiled again and the tension in her shoulders relaxed a little. She loved how protected and safe she felt when with Edric. How not even a care in the world could ever affect her. Even the what-ifs that tore at her mind.
Chapter Six
Edric
Edric watched Sophia as she slept a little before joining his brothers, Andreas and Ezekiel. They stood watch at the entrance of the village and seemed very involved in their conversation. Ezekiel motioned with his hands and his face was animated.
“What did you say to get him started?” Edric asked Andreas. “You’ll never get him to stop now.”
Andreas chuckled while Ezekiel fake-punched him in the arm. “I’ll have you know,” he said, “we were discussing the scroll and the emblem on the map from the chest.”
Edric nodded and glanced back at the hut where Sophia slept. He turned his gaze back to Andreas and Ezekiel. “What did you find out?”
Andreas shook his head. “That’s just it. According to Zeke, it seems like it was intentionally removed.”
Edric frowned. “Where is it?”
Ezekiel pulled the map from his satchel hanging against his waist and handed it to Edric. He unrolled it and stared at the torn righthand corner. Musing to himself, he held it closer to the light of a nearby torch. While he studied th
e outline features, Ezekiel said, “The chest had a crest as well, but it was of a phoenix. The outline of that crest doesn’t come anywhere close to matching.”
Edric nodded, rolled up the map, and handed it back to Ezekiel. “I believe it is the crest of the Averells. That was a symbol of a crowned griffon. If you look closely on the edges, you can see a tip of a hind leg and the end of the tail.”
Ezekiel’s eyebrows drew together, and he unrolled the map to take a closer look at the remnants of the symbol. “Yes. I see it.”
“Question is,” Andreas said, “Why hide it in a chest in the middle of a wraith village? I can’t think of any kingdom or family crest that has a phoenix. They certainly aren’t wraith.”
Edric asked, “What did the scroll say?”
Ezekiel sighed as he rolled the map up again and tucked it into his satchel. “I have yet to decipher it. It is made to look like an enchantment, but the runes were rushed. There are a few references I could make out, but nothing to lead me to exactly what sort of enchantment it is yet.”
Edric nodded. “I suspect that the recent attacks have something to do with Sophia and the heirs.”
“Do you think there will be another attack from those assassins from the mountain?” Andreas asked.
Edric shrugged. “It is a possibility we need to be prepared for. We also need to keep a look out for the Nighthelm guard. They know we came into the woods and despite the rumors regarding the dangers of traveling into them at night, I wouldn’t put it past them to try.”
“I believe the assassins were sent by whoever remained loyal to Lady Naomi,” Ezekiel said. “However, it could be that the Blood Queen had returned and is trying to dispatch of any threats. Because Sophia killed Lady Naomi, the Blood Queen may see her as a threat.”
“Agreed,” Edric said. “The attack wasn’t random. We should reinforce our defenses, especially before we leave.”
Ezekiel nodded. “I’ll reinforce the traps around the perimeter of the camp.”
Andreas said, “And I will set up random treks around those traps with my wraith brothers. If there are any signs of danger, it will help us better prepare for the next attack.”
“Sounds solid,” Edric said.
Ezekiel left to prepare for the traps and Andreas went to send out a perimeter check. Edric was left to his own thoughts and the soft whisperings of the Witch Woods. As soon as the sky started to lighten, a sensation came over Edric. A sense of impending danger. His nerves burned like fire as his eyes raked through the shadows of the Witch Woods. Nothing seemed out of place. And there wasn’t any movement. But that feeling didn’t decrease. It only increased.
Something was there, and whatever it was, it was clever enough to remain hidden.
Haris approached and stomped his foot, sounding rather displeased instead of his happy little trills.
“Get Sophia,” Edric whispered to Haris.
He nodded his large head, antlers catching the light of the rising sun, and rushed off through the woods.
Edric looked at Andreas and Ezekiel as they returned. They were on edge as well, eyes focused on the woods and shoulders tensed.
Good.
They felt the same thing he did.
A loud howl erupted through the woods. Grimms shifted from the shadows, approaching the outline of the camp, moving about as though they stalked prey. But they stopped just outside of the traps Ezekiel had laid. Either they knew the traps were there, or they were smart enough not to approach a platoon’s worth of wraiths. Either way, they stood, glaring at him and his brothers.
As Sophia stepped up behind Edric, one of the grimms shifted.
“Her. She hurt us. Give her to us,” the biggest grimm said. The voice forced goosebumps to run down Edric’s arm. But he shoved that feeling away. They wanted Sophia. And there was no way he was going to give her over without a fight. Not even then.
She stepped forward, holding her sword and dagger at the ready. She was fierce and ready to fight despite just waking up. Edric was in awe of her and her ability to stand tall and battle ready the way she did.
“You. Why do you have sword of the great kings?” The grimm shifted to the side. “You are thief!”
The blades started to glow, and the more they glowed, the more powerful she looked. Edric wondered if the magic was channeled through the weapons as well, giving her additional control and strength. Even before, she was a force to reckon with. The way she looked, she was even more so now.
“Answer us,” the grimm commanded.
Edric stepped forward, angered and ready to die for her. They had been after his woman since before they met, and he would rather die for her than risk her being injured by those revenge-bent creatures. “You will have to go through me before you even get close to her.”
“No. We want her. Not you,” the raspy terrifying voice held a hint of anger. “We won’t leave. Not until she is ours.”
“You’ll be waiting a long time,” Andreas said. He shifted into his wraith form. Edric looked behind him, finding rows of wraiths floating like deadly, black forms with glowing red eyes.
He knew the grimms were stalling, but not why. They didn’t seem the kind to be afraid of a challenge much less the size of the army they had. And how they managed to stay outside of the traps. Self-preservation was never a concept he figured the grimms had. There had to be more to their appearance than demanding Sophia.
“I’m not leaving,” Sophia said, holding her head high. “And I’m not a thief.”
“You owe us!” the grimm said, pacing a few steps in each direction, managing to keep its wolf-like head focused on Sophia.
“Never,” she said, voice echoing through the woods.
Something caught the grimms’ attention as they all simultaneously turned their attention in the same direction. Then, all at once, they left without another word.
Edric shifted his attention to Sophia who gaped at the empty woods and shook her head, sheathing her weapons.
“That was rather underwhelming,” Edric said.
“You said it,” Sophia said. “Doesn’t make sense though.”
“No, it doesn’t,” Ezekiel said. There was something in his voice Edric couldn’t quite place. He looked to the sorcerer, finding a puzzled, almost angry look on his face.
Andreas said, “It was probably a tactic to throw us off guard because they managed to avoid the traps. Seemed like they did so with great effort.”
“Which isn’t fair. Not a single one so much as stepped a paw on a trap. I have captured countless creatures in my traps. They’ve never failed.”
Edric chuckled, “You’re getting rusty and need more practice.”
“Too much reading, not enough doing?” Andreas asked.
Ezekiel turned red in the face, fists clenched at his sides.
Edric and Andreas nodded and clapped Ezekiel on the back at the same time.
“Cheer up,” Edric said. “You’ll get them next time.”
Andreas said, “Besides, we were only teasing you. It’s so easy to do. And fun.”
“Still,” Ezekiel muttered.
“I think it’s safe to say we all agree that the grimms avoiding the traps is odd,” Edric said as they moved toward the cooking fire.
Despite nodding and seemingly improving in his mood, Ezekiel still muttered something about adding another perimeter of traps just to be on the safe side. Edric watched as he walked out of the village and wondered if it wasn’t just an added measure for safety but to soothe the wounded ego a bit.
Shaking that thought aside, he turned to Andreas and asked, “Have the wraiths returned from patrol yet?”
Andreas’s eyebrows pulled together. “No. They haven’t. They should’ve been back by now.”
On cue, the wraiths showed up. Andreas greeted them and asked, “You missed out on quite the show. Have you seen or heard anything while out? What took so long?”
They all exchanged confused glances, and the one in front said, “We did only as y
ou suggested. We did the perimeter and came back. We saw nor heard anything.”
Andreas gave them a curt nod and dismissed them. Though he seemed even more puzzled by what he learned. Edric asked him about that.
Andreas said, “Nothing about this makes any sense.”
“I agree,” Edric said.
“Wraiths are excellent trackers. They would’ve heard that howl. With how close we are to Nighthelm, I’m guessing some of the guard even heard it. Which begs the question of why they were so close to the city to begin with.”
“So, did they show up, or were they sent?” Edric asked.
“Well if you figure it out, be sure to let me know. I’m going to get some sleep.”
Edric nodded and watched as he walked off.
Chapter Seven
Sophia
Sophia twirled the dagger in her hand as she sat near the cooking fire. She stared at a spot on the ground. The words the grimms had said to her replayed through her mind.
What did they mean by thief? How could she be a thief if she was given the weapons as gifts?
Nothing of the word “thief” made any sense to her, and she wondered what made the grimms think she stole them. She shifted her attention to the sword that glowed with her every touch and wondered if there was more to the gifts that Grindel and the oracles gave her than what she originally thought.
In an effort to connect the dots, she came up with a whole lot of nothing.
The sword was a gift from the oracles, to help her find the heirs. But the dagger? That was just an expensive birthday gift from Grindel. But it also glowed with her hands as well.
The gifts puzzled her. Despite her confusion, she knew deep down that it was a sign of her destiny to find the heirs and restore them to the throne.
Sitting around and waiting for them to fall into her lap wasn’t going to happen. She stood from the ground, sheathed her dagger, and helped out with refortifying the village.
Within a few hours, she met up with her men. “Is everything ready?” she asked.
