Enchantress

by Christine Schumaker

  Her stomach growled as she remembered instead the castle breakfasts which she had avoided, in favor of her early morning rides. Privy Spillings! Self-pity seemed likely to engulf her this morning. Perhaps the effects of that ghoul attack were to blame. No, Serese knew that hunger pangs made her irritable. Of course, the chance of finding game in these desolate rocks was not likely. Truthfully, there was too little to like about this entire expedition. Except for Lord Forn’s company.

  Frowning, thoughts of her sister filled her mind; she could not forget seeing Claudine lying sprawled in her nightgown on her chamber floor, her hair strewn around her, blood trickling from her arm. What had Serpentine done to her bossy older sister? Serese feared her mother’s twin was on a rampage at her family home while she herself was stuck on this frozen rock, waiting to kill her.

  Serese smiled wistfully as she recalled how Claudine had never let her be the faerie queen when they had theatricals in the gardens. Instead, Serese had been the helpless shepherdess or the innocent milk maid. She had seen too many milk maids dallying with stable boys to believe they were the bastions of virtue Claudine had insisted they were. But Claudine had long finger nails and no qualms about using them to get her way.

  Serese knew something had happened to Claudine; a pool of worry flooded her heart. She felt more frantic with each passing moment.

  Then, Serese felt herself being watched. Glancing up, she saw a silvery-robed young man, staring at her and she was startled. She stood hurriedly to her feet and looked for her companions. Cat’s claws! They were all asleep! Serese squared her shoulders and tried to appear intimidating.

  The man was perhaps twenty summers old and handsome in an ethereal way. His blonde hair was white like bleached muslin, falling to his shoulders in a wispy waterfall. His eyes were a light clear blue, but he lacked color in his cheeks. He was dreadfully pale. But something in his eyes mesmerized her and she felt she wanted to trust him, whether she ought to or not.

  Serese asked, “What is your purpose here, stranger? Whom do you serve?”

  The pale young man replied with a soothing voice, “My lady, I was sent to escort you and your party to my king. Word has reached us that you desire an audience with him. I am not aligned with the deceitful queen of these parts, but my people have traded with her in the past. We keep to ourselves and others keep away from us. My name is Perseus.”

  Serese rose to her feet and her amethyst and emerald belt shifted into sight. Perseus saw it, exclaiming, “That belt is the workmanship of my people—only royalty can afford such craftsmanship! You must be the missing Princess Serese who was stolen away in the night. Perhaps you will be our next queen. We are sorely in need of one.”

  Serese blinked in consternation and said, “I am pledged to another, Perseus.”

  “No matter, engagements are easily broken.”

  Lord Forn had awakened and overheard their conversation. He hurried over to Serese and laid a possessive hand on her shoulder. “This young woman is pledged to me, Pale One. She is my fiancée.”

  Serese said, “He will escort us to his king. It is a thoughtful gesture but I wonder if perhaps we should continue on our own.”

  Lord Forn drew Serese to his side and spoke into her ear, “This man is one of those creatures, or on his way to becoming one. I do not trust their king, not if he is occupied with procuring a bride for himself. You offer too tempting a prize, Serese. I am afraid you do not know the extent of your charms.”

  “But he has offered to bear us directly hence; we need not scout out the way to the Night dwellers. We need their soldiers if I am to vanquish Serpentine. Do you think Perseus intends ill?” Serese waited for Lord Forn’s opinion.

  “I am wary of gestures of kindness from them. Their generosity comes at a great price. At the same time, it would save us some trouble if we take him up on his offer.”

  Serese thoughtfully nodded before she asked, “Perseus, is your king trustworthy?”

  “I cannot speak for our leader. I only know his heart is broken. He seeks another to assuage his loss. He is not in the habit of stealing other men’s betrotheds,” this last remark he uttered in an aside to Lord Forn.

  Lord Forn chuckled, “I seem to recall a king who helped himself to whatever he wanted.”

  Perseus sighed and a pained expression appeared on his face. “Time has softened his hardness, Lord Forn.”

  “We shall see” Lord Forn replied. “I have had too many dealings with him. You are soon to be changed. Were you taken willingly?”

  Perseus replied, “My end was near. I asked for more time. My skill with gem-cutting made me an asset. Come, let me escort you and your lady to my home.”

  Serese noticed Lord Forn, who stood with his arms folded, staring at Perseus. She put a calming hand on her beloved’s arm, “Are your people kind-hearted, Perseus?” she asked.

  Then Lord Forn answered for the pale man, “There are good and bad among them. But I have found them to be chiefly bad.”

  Perseus looked sad, “My lord, you are correct, but we do have good immortals among us. We live similar to your kind. We are excellent jewelers and traders.”

  “Is it true you kidnap beautiful girls to serve as slaves? My nanny insisted I was going to be traded to one of you, whenever I misbehaved, which was often,” Serese admitted.

  Perseus chuckled, “No, to my knowledge, no beautiful girls have been forced into servitude. But we have many come to us, wanting to be changed. We generally send them back to their villages, after telling them to face whatever it is they are seeking to escape. We are not a nunnery, after all.”

  “Forgive me for staring Perseus; I have heard many stories about your kind. I never thought I would meet a pale face.”

  “There is nothing to forgive, my lady. I am honored to meet the violet rose. For I recognize the mark of the ancients on your neck. The prophecy is known to us and we have desired to see the wicked Balzac queen meet her comeuppance. She has toyed with too many of our brothers.”

  Serese bowed her head in acknowledgement. “A mighty Night dweller army would put the odds more in my favor,” she suggested with a sweet smile.

  “I am certain he will want to offer you much more. May I lead you, and your companions, to him?” Perseus asked.

  Serese’s betrothed said, “I do not doubt your king will be charmed—but he will need to set his desires aside. This princess is mine. I will not relinquish her.”

  Serese blushed and playfully smacked Lord Forn on the arm, “Darling, I am not a tidbit to be fought over. I too, have chosen you, please do not forget it.”

  Lord Forn placed his thumb and his forefinger in his mouth and whistled. Serese winced at the shrill sound as Sir Roan came bounding over to them.

  The wolf glanced reproachfully at the lord, “Yes, I can sniff him and tell you if he lies or not. But must you summon me like a common dog?”

  The wolf king smelled the partial night dweller thoroughly, walking entirely around him. Then he sat on his haunches and said, “His heart is pure but his mortal body will soon be lost. I smell no deceit in him. I believe we will be safe enough in his company.”

  Serese’s eyes widened at this new display of Sir Roan’s abilities. She wished she had known him when she was a child. He would have prevented her parents from hiding the truth from her. How comforting it must be, to be able to tell who was trustworthy and who was not, merely by sniffing them. She recalled that Sir Roan had given Jonathan a thorough once-over with his nose but she had thought it only a doggy tendency. She wished she knew an elf that would gift her with such a useful skill.

  Meanwhile, Jonathan had packed up, joining their new guest, with whom he did not feel at ease. He had witnessed the remains of his village after a Night dweller renegade slaughter. They had rebuilt, but he would never forget the unnatural husks of the bodies whose blood had been completely drained. Or the screams of the women, for their blood satisfied the wretched Night dwellers in ways the blood of men did not.

&nb
sp; But if Sir Roan trusted the soon-to-be Night dweller, then he would be civil as well. He kept a good distance between himself and the pale man.

  The princess and her companions followed Perseus as he led them around hazardous rock formations and through a hidden pass. After what seemed like aimless wandering for half the day, they reached a hidden cave, tucked underneath the Balzac Mountain.

  A large, white, quartz boulder lay across its entrance and sunlight danced on the stone’s surface. The boulder stretched as wide as four fat men and Serese wondered how they would manage to move it. It seemed impossible.

  Her question was answered when Perseus set it aside like it weighed no more than a child. Serese could not help but be impressed. “Are your kind all so strong?” she asked Perseus.

  The pale man grinned and replied, “I am not fully changed yet. The others are even stronger.”

  Lord Forn rolled his eyes while Jonathan stifled a laugh. Serese wondered what else these other worldly beings were capable of. Her curiosity would soon be satisfied.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Serese and Jonathan gazed in amazement as they entered the dim cave with its smooth quartz floor and torch-studded walls. The cave’s interior revealed a civilized and well-thought out design. It resembled an underground chapel more than a cave and Serese was reminded of the many times she had missed confession.

  Serese marveled at the cave walls, set with various gemstones arranged in a floral design. The leaves intertwined with enchanted creatures of every sort. Elves frolicked among the flora while faeries floated beguilingly above them, their diamond wings spread open.

  The further they ventured down the gently descending path, the more detailed the walls became. The carved trees were especially eerie; the branches held nests of marble baby squirrels with black onyx eyes. The lifelike carved kits stared down at her with playful glances which only depressed her. These Night dwellers must long for the daylight world which was denied them.

  Every ten paces, flickering iron torches highlighted the radiance of the gemstones embedded in the cave walls. Serese whispered to Jonathan, “Have you ever seen the like?”

  “No one in my village will believe I have ventured into the domain of those who live beneath the Black Mountain. I only hope leaving will be as easily accomplished.” Jonathan glanced at Lord Forn who was frowning.

  “You are right to be concerned. Their king was married to a cousin of mine and she was murdered. I have not yet forgiven Azrael.” Lord Forn clenched his jaw as he followed Perseus.

  Serese shuddered then but she knew she must enlist the help of these people if she were to defeat Serpentine. She suspected that her aunt would deal dishonorably with them and she knew mighty reinforcements were essential. If she could enlist these creatures’ aid, they would prove a most favorable ally.

  “Is there no other fighting force whose help we might seek?” Serese asked, for her nerves seemed likely to fray if she ventured any further into this tomb.

  “It is too late to reconsider. Besides, these Night dwellers are not ordinary knights; their strength is nearly limitless.” Lord Forn said a bit testily.

  “That is my fear. How shall I influence them if they go against our wishes?” Serese asked.

  Jonathan laughed bitterly, “It is too late to be discussing that. We must make the best of it, come what may.”

  That is specifically what worried the princess. This underground kingdom was unchartered territory and she hated surprises. Serese missed her mare. She wondered how her family back at Argot fared. What would her father do if he were in her place?

  He would seek these fickle fighters’ aid, knowing their strength could turn the tide in her favor. Serese must go forward even when her lungs could not seem to draw in enough air in the dank cave. One would have to be dead to tolerate being trapped within the belly of a mountain.

  Jonathan remained close to the wolf. He wanted to turn back and wait in the daylight but he kept walking, despite his misgivings. One of these days, he feared he would regret not listening to that warning voice in his mind.

  Lord Forn did not trust his old acquaintance. Not where Serese was concerned. He squeezed Serese’s hand and the warmth of her touch comforted him. A sudden protective instinct overwhelmed him and he knew he would kill anyone who tried to take her from him.

  They were led deeper into the cave, until they reached an iron door with a large golden knocker. Perseus lifted the handle and pounded three times upon the iron plate beneath it. The sound reverberated throughout the cave. The echo seemed to fill their souls with its plaintive gonging, making Serese feel sad.

  The young night dweller who opened the door wore blue breeches with a silver vest over a white linen shirt and grey boots. He had a silver cloak fastened about his shoulders. His hair was dark and his eyes were kind. His skin was so translucent, his veins revealed themselves.

  The attendant who accompanied him was a blonde gentleman and similarly attired, but he wore no silver cloak. Both men nodded respectfully to Perseus, waving him and his guests inside.

  The royal receiving hall was as large as that of Argot castle and marble benches were carved into its walls. Luxurious silver painted furnishings gave the rectangular room an airy look.

  A white marble throne presided over the entire hall. Behind it, hung elaborately woven tapestries. Diamonds had been sewn into them, which cast shiny bits of light through the hundreds of flickering candles resting on every available surface.

  The Night dwellers moved with panther-like grace as they stared curiously at their visitors. Their eyes haunted her; they seemed wild somehow. Serese felt as if they wanted to overtake her but something restrained them. Their intense gazes disarmed her; it was most disconcerting.

  A tapestry behind the white throne was moved aside by a pale hand and the Night dwellers turned of one accord to their leader. An imposing dark-haired man entered and sat wearily upon the throne. All of his people bowed and curtsied, in perfect unison. Their precision was unnerving. Serese could not stop the wild fluttering of her heart. This King Azrael radiated strength and manliness and she blushed at Lord Forn’s curious glance.

  The king wore a silver cloak and grey breeches with a white linen shirt. His silver crown was set with diamonds. His dark hair was shoulder length and his frame was broad, but it was his deep black eyes which Serese could not look away from; they perused her with an intensity which made her feel naked. She blushed as his gaze swept first up her form and then back down in a slow examination. He smiled then and it seemed as if all the sadness of the world was in his smile. As well as an unspoken promise which made her shiver.

  He nodded to the travelers who stood before him. Lord Forn acknowledged the king with a noticeably small nod. Serese was too occupied with staring at him and did not. Jonathan suffered under the same curiosity and failed to pay homage as well.

  “I am surprised your companions do not have better manners, Lord Forn. Is it not their custom to pay their respects to royalty?”

  “I am afraid the lad is suffering from an overdose of surprise. The lady Serese is a princess and need not curtsy to anyone. How fares your kingdom, Azrael?”

  “I am troubled by treachery. My Captain of Arms has abandoned me. The loss of my Clarissa continues to prick my heart. The villagers wish me to choose a bride from among their virgins. But enough about my woes. Word has it this delightful creature at your side has come to vanquish Serpentine. It is quite a fearsome task for such an unparalleled beauty. I am quite overcome by your loveliness, my dear.”

  Serese curtsied then, “Thank you, your highness. I have come to offer you a lucrative trade agreement in exchange for the services of your knights.”

  “What need have I of another trade agreement? I need a queen. The sight of you warms my cold blood. Would you promise yourself to me, in exchange for my help?” The king rose and approached Serese, inhaling her scent. He lifted her thick braid with a white hand and held it to his nose.

  “I
cannot. I am promised to Lord Forn.” Serese blushed as King Azrael stared at her bosom. Lord Forn’s color rose but he remained silent as he glared at the king. It was not the time to make a scene. He knew Azrael was goading him. He refused to take the bait.

  King Azrael smiled, “For you, I would risk my soldiers. But I am afraid I no longer have compassion for mortals and their toils. I have seen their wayward hearts and their good intentions too often fail to deliver what is promised.”

  The Night Dweller King turned his head away, staring wistfully into the distance. Serese slowly ascended the steps to his throne. Her opal had given her an idea. She shook her head to discourage Lord Forn who followed her. Puzzled, her beloved stayed behind but his hand strayed to his dagger.

  Sir Roan whined and trotted to Serese’s side. He sniffed King Azrael’s leg, which seemed to calm him, and then he sat at the Night dweller’s feet. The wolf’s eyes never wavered from watching the ruler. Serese made a soothing gesture with her palm and Sir Roan shook his head as if to argue but he remained silent.

  King Azrael stared at her ravenously. He watched, transfixed, as Serese withdrew her dagger from her boot and cut a small incision in her left wrist. She knew how to dress game and did not puncture her vein too deeply, just enough for a small trickle of blood to flow.

  Then the princess did a most surprising thing. She held her wrist up to King Azrael’s mouth. He looked helpless as he held her arm with both of his pale hands. Everyone in the hall stared transfixed as he fastened his mouth on her wrist and drank.

  Lord Forn approached the throne, a murderous rage in his eyes but a look in Serese’s eyes commanded him to stay away. The frantic lord paused, unsure, but he heeded Serese’s unspoken request. Only the glowing opal, visible as it had fallen out of her bodice, kept Lord Forn from attacking King Azrael.

  Jonathan had notched his bow and a Night dweller man held the squirming shepherd as the boy tried to evade his grip.

  Serese sank into the king’s lap and still he drank. The king closed his eyes in ecstasy as he swallowed the nectar flowing from her vein. Serese’s head now lay dangling over the ruler’s knees, her eyes closed in semi-consciousness. The tingling sensation surrounding her reminded her of napping in a meadow on a summer day. She felt like a cat asleep in a patch of sunlight shining through a glass pane.