“Of course, Noctus!”
He wove his hand around my waist as we danced among the other dancers in the hall.
“I wanted to tell you how awful I felt that we were separated that day in the forest. I am thankful you were safe.”
I thought back to the day that we traveled to see the Fae in the woods, when my mare took off running. While I had been frightened out of my mind, I was grateful that I met the shapeshifters that day. If it wasn’t for my mare taking off, I would have never met them.
“Please do not feel awful, Noctus. All is well now.”
He nodded and asked, “Where are the shapeshifter Fae you met that day?”
I laughed. “Oh, you’ll see soon.”
The dance ended, and I planned to mention how dashing Noctus was to Gray as soon as I could get a moment alone with her. She was busy guarding me and watching the room for threats, so I decided I would do it later when she was free.
The door to the hall opened and the announcer went pale in the face. He looked terrified.
“The—” he coughed loudly. “Announcing friends of her Royal Queen?”
He was struggling, and I knew why—my new allies had arrived. I walked toward the doors and the whole room stilled.
“Boar, Vulture, Wolf, and Ram.” Everyone gasped as my new friends walked into the room wearing the same clothing they had on the day we met. I locked eyes with Boar and smiled. Showtime!
“My friends!” I exclaimed. “Welcome to my home.”
They all bowed low to me, and Boar kissed my cheek making everyone gasp and screech. I just smiled. I knew how their reactions would be and it was almost perfect that they all acted this way. It only resonated how much I needed to rally our people together and change the way they all treated the Fae.
When the yelling began and I started to see anger on their faces, I knew it was time to speak. I couldn’t let this get too out of hand.
“Your Majesty, what do we do?” Boar asked, looking like he was having a fight-or-flight moment.
I raised my hand and waited for the crowd to simmer down. Slowly they started to hush, but a select few still shouted.
“My loyal court, subjects, and allies, it is my decision and mine alone for who attends my coronation. I wish that you’d all listen to what I have to say before you get so upset about my new guests.”
They all quieted, signaling the time to tell them my plans to join our armies, to strengthen our kingdom. I expected for some outrage and even some to leave, but I hoped for more understanding. I had a plan for our kingdom, and all they needed to do was listen.
****
Merryweather
Merryweather didn’t expect to wake and see a whole army of soldiers standing over them as they slept. She jumped upright and clung to the small blanket that barely covered her in her nightdress. A small squeak had escaped her lips, and it woke Aiofe. Aiofe shook off her blankets and rose to standing when a soldier moved forward and placed a sword to her throat.
“Oh dear!” Merry squealed.
“You are trespassing on Bordell’s property. What is your business here?” the soldier demanded.
Aiofe stood strong and stared into his eyes and said, “We have no business here. We are merely passing through.”
“What is your final destination, traveler?”
“We are on a quest for Queen Aurora. Please, we’ll be on our way and you won’t see us again,” Merry pleaded.
The soldier lowered his weapon and stepped back.
“The Queen of Ancora you say?” the soldier inquired.
Merry nodded, hoping they’d let them go. If she knew they were bedding down on Bordell land, she would have moved swiftly. Knowing Queen Hilde was a wretched woman, she prayed that these soldiers took mercy on them.
The soldiers all looked at one another as if trying to decide what to do.
“Gentlemen, if I may?” Aiofe said moving forward. “Did anyone besides you see us here?”
“No, just us guards. We are on patrol.”
She nodded and smiled. Her eyes lit up and the soldiers seemed to fall under a trance due to her beauty. Merry saw how they looked at her like she was the most beautiful fairy they had ever seen; however, she probably was one of the most striking women she’d seen besides Aurora.
“Well, it seems that the choice is yours then, isn’t it? You know you can watch us leave … if you’d like.” She smiled so brightly that Merry felt joy in her chest from it. Aiofe had a strange effect on people.
“I guess you’re right,” one soldier commented. “We saw you and no one else. So we can watch you go.”
“That’s right,” Aiofe said, keeping her smile bright. “Just watch us go. We’re leaving right now.”
She snapped her fingers, and Merry and Flora collected their things as fast as they could. They didn’t even bother changing into regular clothes.
Aiofe walked backwards, while keeping her megawatt smile on the guards, and waved to them. They all waved back with goofy smiles on their faces.
Once they were out of sight and off Bordell property, Merry turned to face Aiofe.
“Were you ever going to tell us you had a gift?” She’d met plenty of fairies who had the gift of beauty, but Aiofe was the very first with the gift of persuasion that she’d ever come across.
Aiofe blushed. “I don’t like to use it often. I hate to use it actually. It makes me feel dirty or wrong.”
Flora laughed. “I don’t think dirty is the word I’d use for what you did back there. You saved us. Goodness knows what Queen Hilde does to trespassers.”
Aiofe smiled. “I appreciate your kind words, Flora. But I only use my gift when I’m in dire need.”
“We were in dire need, trust us.” Merry hurried to put on her dress as Flora tied Aiofe’s dress up. The fairies needed to hurry to Aurora. Time was wasting, and Sawyer needed their help.
As they walked, Merry thought about what needed to be done to help him, and she felt different today about what that meant for Fauna. She knew that it should be her to die instead of Fauna, since she gave him the gift of sleep, even if Fauna placed him under the spell. She just didn’t say as much to the others. She hoped it mattered when it was all said and done that she could take Fauna’s place. Merry had lived a full life. She wouldn’t be saddened by her choice to sacrifice herself for Sawyer’s life.
“You’re thinking about it again, aren’t you?” Flora asked as they crossed a bridge.
Merry gave her a stern look. “No. I’m just thinking about getting to Rory.”
“Liar.”
“We have to do what needs to be done,” Merry stated, and she was done talking about it. “Now, let’s hurry up. If we keep this pace, we will reach the Fae Woods soon.”
Chapter Eighteen
Raven
Raven never expected to see the lights in New York City look as they did. She had heard tales of other Fae who came to live in The Big Apple. They spoke of the city’s splendor, but she never thought she’d actually enjoy it like she was. Holly stayed close to her side like she was afraid of everything she saw, which annoyed Raven to no end.
Regretting her decision to take Holly with her every minute of every day since she killed her parents, she really should have killed her along with them, but it was too late now. She thought there was a good chance she’d lose her in the city, but with the child’s constant clinging, that wasn’t happening. Killing her in the open wasn’t an option; it was too risky.
“Hey, Holly. Want to play a game?”
Holly’s sad eyes lit up instantly.
“I like games.”
“Okay, I know New York isn’t like Connecticut and you feel a little scared, but this game will be fun!” Raven hated playing nice with this brat, but in order to be convi
ncing she had to sound fun. “It’s like hiding and seeking.”
Holly rolled her eyes. “You mean Hide-and-Go Seek. I love that game.”
“Good! Then, you hide and I’ll find you.” Raven was sure this plan would work, but Holly stayed put. “Go on, hide!”
“But … but I’ll get lost. It’s the city and it’s dangerous.” Her lip trembled. “I want my mommy and daddy.”
“Ugh! You’re mommy and daddy are dead, you wretched thing. You want to be with them?”
Her voice echoed across the street surprisingly. She couldn’t stand this brat and she was counting the minutes until she could get free of her.
“Hey! What are you doing to that little girl?” Raven looked up to see a large woman walking their way. Finally, salvation!
“This girl, you mean? Why, she’s not mine; I merely found her here.”
Holly looked forlorn and confused as she looked from Raven to the other woman.
“What you been doing to this child? Come here, honey child, I won’t hurt ya,” the woman pleaded. She had kind eyes and Raven hoped Holly would see that and go to her.
But Holly looked at Raven and said, “But you said I could be with you and go to the magic place.”
Raven sighed. “Look, I hate kids. I hate a lot of things, actually. I lost my queen and thought you’d fill a void in my heart. And to make matters even worse, I have power running in my veins that I can’t use here in this miserable place. Now go with this woman and find help.”
Holly’s lip trembled and tears ran down her face. “You killed my parents. I’m all alone, like you are. Now, I have a hole.” She placed her hand on her chest where her small heart was.
Raven felt the pain in her heart return. This kid was going to be the death of her.
“Look, I’m an awful person. I’m mean and I can’t take care of you. Don’t you have other family?”
Holly nodded and backed away from Raven.
Finally!
The woman took Holly into her arms and began yelling at Raven about cops and jail, so she did what she should have done hours ago; she shifted into her raven form. The woman stopped yelling and instead stared in horror as Raven flew away.
She landed on top of the largest structure in the whole city and watched over the city’s people like small ants. Humans were such mindless creatures. How could she ever think that she could take Holly on as an apprentice? She missed Millie so badly. She never needed her more than that moment. What was she to do now? Aurora was probably watching and waiting for her return. Once she entered Ancora, she was sure to be captured as soon as someone saw her. At least she could enter without that brat knowing she was there and try to find a place to hide away for a while. She’d just have to stay in her raven form longer. Once Aurora forgot about her, she could go to Queen Hilde for temporary shelter. If Hilde was willing to let her leave Ancora, surely she would hide her away in Bordell until she had a plan. She’d have to build an army against Aurora—there was no doubt Hilde had one formed already and was ready to pounce.
Raven would need to learn how to wield the sleeping power within her. She couldn’t let it waste away here.
Needing to speak to her contact tonight and see when it was safe to pass through the portal entrance again, she left her perch and flew to his homestead just outside the city. He was an old acquaintance, but not a friend—she didn’t have friends.
Dwyer’s house was a strange looking place. It was covered in wood and held far too many windows for Raven’s taste. She entered through a small open window and flew to his kitchen table where he sat eating.
“What the hell!” He grabbed a newspaper and swatted at her. “Get out of here!”
She shifted and laughed as his face turned from rage to shock.
“What are you doing in my home, Raven?” She noticed he sounded greatly annoyed by her presence and that made her incredibly happy.
“I want to go back to Ancora,” she said as she took a bite of his food. “Mmm, what is this?”
“You killed a man and his wife two days ago, didn’t you?” He sat the newspaper down on the table in front of her. A picture of the man and woman who owned the farmhouse appeared on the cover. “I know it was you, Raven. I recognize the way you kill your victims. You always loved slashing throats didn’t you? The feathers are a bit odd, don’t you think?”
Raven laughed. “I do so love to do that, don’t I? I thought I’d leave a memento.”
“By sticking your feathers in their mouth? That’s wicked, Raven.” Dwyer shook his head in disgust. “I think you need help. Millie changed you.”
She took another bite as she read the article. “I’m going to pretend you didn’t insult the former queen, Dwyer. She did so much for me.”
“Yeah, I can see that.” Dwyer began collecting the food from the table. “I’ll get you back in if you promise to make sure the girl is safe.”
Raven shot him a look of hatred. “I did do that. I’m not a monster.” But deep down, she knew she was lying. A monster lived inside her; she could feel it. Its heart beat in time with hers, just waiting to be unleashed.
“Good. I’ll contact my source, and you can cross the portal in three days.”
She stood fast and the chair went flying. “What!? Three days is too long. I need shelter and food. I need to go back now!”
“Too bad. Three days, no earlier or it’s your own funeral.”
“Fine! I guess I need to find a place to hole up.” She looked around his house at his nice things. She would enjoy staying here for three days, but she knew she couldn’t live alongside him without slicing his nice white throat. She could imagine doing it right then and there.
“No, Raven. You need to be close to the portal. When the time is right, it will glow.” He explained the rules to her slowly so she didn’t mess up, but it was simple to follow really.
The portal is located on an apple orchard in Connecticut. When a queen grants permission to enter Ancora, an apple on a tree begins to glow. Raven will have to find the apple and pull it from the tree. Once it is in hand, she must bite into it and she will be transported to Ancora.
“If you don’t bite the fruit while it’s still glowing, you’ll miss your chance, Raven,” Dwyer informed her.
“Fine, I’ll go. But be sure you don’t tell anyone, but the Queen and your source, got it?”
Dwyer nodded. “You have my word, Raven. Now fly, I have company coming. A girl is expected here soon, and I don’t want you scaring her away.”
Dwyer was a handsome looking fairy. She was sure he did have company, but it wouldn’t be a girl. Dwyer always liked the boys best.
Raven laughed and flew out the window. She did notice a car had arrived, so she perched on a tree to see the handsome “girl” that was Dwyer’s company. It was indeed a girl exiting the car, which shocked Raven. She had long, black straight hair and fair skin. Raven hated her for her beauty instantly. But the girl’s attire was not pretty, instead her clothes were all black and her boots were military style. She kept playing with a silver thing in her lip and Raven wondered what it was.
Dwyer opened the door and beamed. “Aspen! Took you long enough, come on in.”
“He wasn’t that nice when he saw me. Jerk.”
She took to the sky and flew away from Dwyer, hoping he’d keep his promise and get her back home.
Chapter Nineteen
Rory
I gently eased into my lavender bath that was waiting for me when I got out of my gown. The water caressed my skin and washed away all of the stress from the day. Finally, my coronation was over, and I was now Ancora’s queen. I could finally prepare for battle and rule my kingdom the way a queen should.
Closing my eyes, I began thinking about Sawyer and the plans I would make for our future.
Onc
e he was awake, I would gift him knighthood, so that he could help Gray lead my army. I couldn’t imagine two better people protecting Ancora. Maybe that would also appease the council and people of the village who thought I should marry a prince.
Was I thinking too eagerly? Did he want to marry me? I was only seventeen after all, and I had just become queen. Maybe waiting a while was best, even if I did want to be Sawyer’s wife someday.
“Your Majesty. I’m sorry to bother you, but I have urgent news.” Fauna stood over me with a smile. Anytime Fauna smiled it was good news.
I was thankful for the many bubbles in my bath, but Fauna didn’t care either way. She was not shy when it came to me.
“You’re not a bother, Fauna. What news do you have?”
“I just heard from our source,” she said excitedly. “Raven will be crossing in three days Human Realm time, which means one day our time. You need to prepare and ride to the portal to be ready for her; now’s the time to strike her down. She’ll arrive tomorrow night.”
I sat up, totally ignoring my recent shyness and grabbed a towel. This was great news. No, this was fabulous news.
“Get Gray and tell her for me, will you? Then ask the kitchen to prepare meals for us. We will leave tomorrow for the border. I want to make sure and arrive early.”
“Of course. I promise to take care of Sawyer and to greet Merry and Flora when they arrive.”
I had forgotten about their arrival upon such wonderful news. They’d be here soon, probably while I was away.
When I had the dagger in hand, Sawyer would wake. I needed to see him at once.
“I’ll go get Gray for you,” Fauna said as I dressed in my nightdress.
I thanked her and grabbed a candle from my nightstand. The hall was quiet except for the soft snores of my guests.
I found Sawyer’s room and pushed in the door gently. He lay in the exact same position as before and it pained me to not see his eyes open in greeting. I couldn’t wait to tell him everything that happened today.
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