by Brenda Trim
“I can try. I’ve never been able to make a connection before,” she warned him.
“You can do this. I don’t sense any evil intent from the animals, and I will not slaughter without reason,” Ryker declared.
Maurelle’s shoulders went back and her chin went up. She wouldn’t be part of killing an innocent creature either. Brokk, Sol and Daine placed themselves so Ryker and Maurelle were largely hidden from view. Calla stood behind them shaking.
Before Maurelle could do anything, several students ran toward them brandishing their swords. They were attacking a couple Unicorns. Brokk jumped into the fray and bumped into one of the males chasing the animals. The Unicorn they were approaching ran off, making Ryker try to intervene to save the ones being chased.
“What the fuck? Watch where you’re going,” the male shouted after he landed on the ground.
“Sorry. I was hit from the side. Come on. Let’s go,” Brokk replied and held his hand out to help the male up. Once he was on his feet again, he was running for the middle of the quad again.
Ryker continued toward the other animals and the males chasing them. He winced when one of the males swung his sword and sliced through the flank of one of the animals. His wings fluttered uneasily at his back, echoing his need to take action.
A loud whinny echoed through the area. Silver blood dribbled down its side while it continued to run as fast as possible. Ryker’s anger flared. It made no aggressive move toward them, and still the Fae were cutting them down.
Ryker ran up behind the male about to strike out against the animal again and shoved him to the side. The male shouted as he flew toward a tree. Daine was there, adding another shove to ensure he hit the tree hard. The blow made him pass out. Ryker prayed he didn’t remember what happened when he woke up.
The Unicorns turned suddenly and started back toward Ryker. He couldn’t dodge out of the way in time and a hoof kicked him in the side, sending him sailing through the air. When the blow landed, pain stole his breath and he heard a loud crack. Landing roughly on the ground, Ryker pushed himself up by the hands and groaned.
Probing his side, he winced when he touched a tender area. Given the pain and the fact that he could barely breathe, he guessed a rib was broken. Chaos reigned throughout the quad. Countless unicorns lay struggling to get up while others were unnaturally still.
The grass was covered in red and silver in a macabre scene. Fae limped toward the dorms and med bay, no doubt. Ryker couldn’t see Maurelle anywhere. Jumping to his feet, he stumbled as agony shot through his chest.
Maurelle crouched behind the tree and tried to still her hands, and stomach. The sight of silver blood pouring out of wounds on the unicorns rivaled the walking wounded students. Most of the golden horns were now coated in red blood. Her stomach rebelled again, sending bile to the back of her throat.
With a hand on the tree, she peeked around the trunk searching for Ryker or Brokk or one of the others. Calla took off running shortly after they made it outside, but Sol, Daine and Brokk were helping Ryker. Now, there was too much going on for her to find them.
Ryker was convinced the animals meant them no harm, and Maurelle was determined to find out. Avoiding the spotlight, she kept to the trees and continued away from the quad where there was less commotion.
A Fae male was swinging his sword at a unicorn but wasn’t skilled enough to land a blow. Maurelle gasped when the animal huffed out a breath and charged the male. “Watch out,” she cried out and ran toward him.
She didn’t make it to him before the animal and watched as the unicorn lowered its head and tossed the male over its back. The golden protrusion came back tinged with red, telling Maurelle it injured the male. The scream was cut short when he hit the side of the building. Maurelle had no idea if the male was still alive and didn’t have time to investigate.
Her heart stuttered and the sweat on her skin froze. Having the full attention of the animal was unnerving. She swallowed hard and immediately tried to focus and communicate with it.
Like before, she called to her core and searched for a connection to the beast. It stopped running toward her and watched her carefully. Sinking back into her body, she focused on telling the unicorn she meant no harm.
When it didn’t move, she took that as a good sign. Unsure if it understood her words, she sent calm along with the words and added that she wanted to help. She kept repeating, ‘I mean you no harm. I want to help you. What did you come here for?’
Lacing her message with peaceful feelings, she nearly gave up when the animal took a step then bent its front legs and bowed its head to her. ‘We come to find the Fae King.’
Maurelle’s head jerked in surprise. ‘The Fae King was killed decades ago.’
The unicorn shook its head and Maurelle swore it growled. ‘Yes, but the new Fae King has been unearthed and will usher in peace in Mag Mell. We are here to help.’
“Who is the Fae King? Can you take me to him, and I will help you talk to him?” Realizing she said that out loud and unsure if it understood, she sent it mentally as well.
‘We are searching for the King. When the mantle settled inside his being and he accepted that power, it sent shock waves throughout Mage Mell, but we do not know who he is. I sense his power here but cannot pinpoint it.’
Maurelle’s mind whirled as she recalled the events of the past few months. So much had happened, but one thing stood out in her mind. The night Ryker made love to her she felt power concuss out from their joined bodies and swore the earth moved.
She’d dismissed it as the most incredible orgasm of her life. The sex was the best of her life and made her fall just a bit more for Ryker. Now, she had to wonder if there was more to it. Could Ryker be the Fae King?
“What are you doing?” a male voice barked, making Maurelle jump. Wrapped up in her conversation with the unicorn she didn’t hear the male approaching them.
Her stomach dropped to her feet when she looked over and noticed a guard standing there with a scowl on his face. ‘Take the other unicorns and escape or you will all be killed. Go to the ocean and find a way to safety. Don’t go toward Bramble’s Edge. There will be guards ready to kill you. I will find the King and send him to find you.’
The animal nodded once then took off running away from her. Maurelle started forward and stumbled as she wondered how she was going to get out of this mess. “I dropped my sword,” she muttered.
The guard narrowed his eyes and sauntered toward her. “I can see that. What were you doing standing here with a unicorn?”
“I’m not a fighter. I didn’t know what to do.” It was the truth. She didn’t have to add that she had no desire to harm the animal.
Hoof beats pounded the ground, drawing both their attention to the side. Unicorns were running toward the ocean. The male quickly jumped into action and started for the animals.
Maurelle couldn’t allow him to harm another and started running after him. Her shoulder bumped into him, making him stumble. “Fuck,” he cursed and turned toward her.
“Sorry. I didn’t…” her words cut off as her throat dried up. Her heart kicked up a notch from its already frantic rhythm.
The male twirled his sword and swung it toward her a second later. She fell to the ground and screamed. He was going to kill her and there was nothing she could do. The hair on the back of her neck prickled and she rolled as she saw the metal heading toward her.
She was on her knees, panting heavily when she realized he was too fast for her. The weapon was already headed for her neck. Another scream left her involuntarily and she threw her hands up to ward off the blow. Her wings fluttered at her back, lifting her off the ground by an inch or so.
In the next instant she saw a blur of movement before the male guard grunted and his aim went off its mark. Metal cut into the top of her shoulder the same second a heavy weight slammed her into the ground. Her wings were pinned painfully behind her back and her head bounced off the hard ground.
Her
vision went fuzzy and the last thing she heard before darkness stole over her was Ryker cursing. Fitting, she thought. The last voice she heard should be his.
Chapter Eighteen
Ryker lifted his hand and knocked on the door to Maurelle’s room. The smile drained from his face when a barely dressed Dani opened the panel and leaned into the frame while her wings lifted into the air before settling against her back once again.
“Ryker. So good to see you. I was actually going to look for you. Since we have the day off, I was hoping to entice you to join me for some ale in the Edge,” Dani said while running her palm down her side. Her hand brushed over her bare hip which she pushed out even more.
Ryker made a point to take note of her actions using the periphery of his vision and kept his eyes trained over her shoulder. This female was as dense as they came. She kept trying to seduce him, but it was never going to work. She was too shallow and simple minded for him.
“Um, yeah that’s not going to happen. I’m not interested. And, I will repeat. I never will be. I’m here for Maurelle.”
The female glared at him before turning and slamming the door in his face. He stood there shocked that she’d done that. As he was about to knock again, Maurelle opened the panel and made the entire unpleasant incident disappear with a smile.
“Your charm is still luring all the females, I see,” she teased.
He chuckled and placed a palm over his heart. “I can’t help that I was blessed with such brawn. They can’t get enough of me. You ready?”
Rolling her eyes, she nodded and closed the door behind her. He noticed her wince when her arm stretched behind her back. His hand went to the bandage at the base of her neck. The weather was cold, but it shone like a beacon above the collar of her jacket.
“Are you sure you’re up for a visit to the Edge? We don’t have to go,” he offered.
She lifted her arm as if to wave it but ended up lowering it instead. He was certain he’d never get another good night’s sleep with how often she seemed to be injured. This time he had been able to get to her and save her from a mortal injury, but he still saw the blade landing a blow and her blood spurting.
Ryker reacted on instinct when he’d heard her scream and took off toward the sound. Thankfully he wasn’t too far from her and was able to knock the guard off course. At the time all he remembered was thinking he failed her again and he pummeled his fists into the guard’s face over and over until the male went limp.
Brokk must have heard her scream, as well because by the time Ryker turned around, he had Maurelle in his arms and was lifting her from the ground. His hand was pressed over a wound on the top of her shoulder.
“I’d rather leave campus than stay here. I want to see the festival in the Edge, and get a drink, but you’ll have to be patient with me. I’m moving slower than normal.”
Ryker wrapped his arm around her shoulders and tugged her close to his body. “You’re the strongest Fae I know. I doubt I would be moving the day after taking a blow like you did.”
“Attending the Academy is a hazard. If I don’t suck it up and go regardless of how I feel I would never leave my room. I started in the infirmary and I swear I will graduate from one of those beds,” she replied as she leaned on him for support of their way down the stairs.
“You make a good point, but I’d really like you to stop getting hurt. I hate seeing you in pain,” he admitted.
When she turned her head up to him, he took advantage and kissed her lips. It was a brief melding and over before it became heated. Well, any more heated, he thought. One touch from her and his libido raced out of control.
“I’ll try, but at this place it’s not easy. So are the others meeting us there?” she asked, changing the subject.
“Yeah. They left when I came up to get you. Brokk said something about not wanting to see the mushy gushy exchange between us.”
Maurelle chuckled and sucked in a breath when the cold air hit them as they exited the warmth of the building. He drew her even closer to share their body heat. The day was foggy, and it tasted like snow was in the forecast.
“He’s just jealous because he wants what we have. Whatever it is,” she hastened to add. “We should grab Calla and encourage her to join us,” Maurelle suggested in another change of subject.
“Calla is already there with Brokk. He’s smitten with the female,” Ryker admitted.
“I suspected. I hope they hit it off. Both deserve to have something good amidst all this crap we’re being put through.”
The number of students entering the Edge was bigger than Ryker expected. It made him relax. No one discovered he’d beaten the guard, and he had yet to wake up. But many were suspicious.
Ryker was too worried about getting Maurelle help to worry about being seen running from the area where the injured guard was later found. Knowing the academy trained assassins was enough to make him kick his own ass. He should have been more careful.
Maurelle hadn’t been at death’s door like before, but he didn’t know that until he got her to Titania. The smell of roasting pig wafted on the breeze, distracting them both.
Have you ever been to the solstice celebration before?”
Cocking her head, she looked at him with one corner of her mouth twisted. “No. I’m so excited and can’t believe I’m going with a gorgeous male like you. I’m such a lucky female,” she said in a high-pitched voice as she batted her lashes at him.
“Okay. Stupid question. How about this. Ever been without your parents?” He hadn’t. Each year he and his mother attended the festivities and joined in the fun.
“No,” she said as she lost the smirk on her face. A genuine smile replaced it and lit up her entire face. Her nose and cheeks, rosy from the cold matched the bright shine in her grey eyes. “They’ve always taken us. I’m excited to go without them, but at the same time I hope I see my father and sisters.”
Stalls lined the streets as they passed through the path cut out of the brambles. The cold weather suppressed the normal smell of decay, urine, and mold that permeated the slums where Fae lived. During solstice it was further depressed by the smells of so many foods being prepared and shared.
Ryker wished he had money so he could buy her a trinket to remember their real first date. At least Brigsby would give them ale and food and allow Ryker to work it off later.
As soon as they entered the crush of Fae, his blood bubbled with anticipation and his chest swelled with pride and joy. This is what Fae were meant to do. They were a passionate species, full of life. Celebrating felt right to him. Not working themselves to the bone and rarely ever experiencing enough emotion to make them smile.
Maurelle’s feet danced as they walked. A laugh bubbled out of her and she lifted her arms until pain throbbed through her wound. The stitched skin stretched, making her lower her arms and dance next to Ryker without them.
“Where are Brokk and the others?” she asked, wanting to be with friends.
“Likely already at Devil’s Bane.”
“I finally get to see the infamous bar,” she said dancing around him. Music filled the air complimenting the scents of all the delicious food.
“Ryker, Maurelle. So good to see you,” a familiar female voice called out. Maurelle turned around and was surprised to see Shiloh, the owner of the brothel Sinful Delight standing on the corner.
“Shiloh,” Ryker replied as they made their way to the female. “It’s good to see you, as well.”
“Looks like you guys are having fun,” Shiloh said with a chuckle.
Ryker smiled and twined his fingers with Maurelle’s, making electricity sing through their connection. “This is what we are meant for. Celebrating together.”
“You’re right about that. I remember the time when my sister and the King hosted massive events quarterly and invited everyone in Mag Mell. They would last for days. We would drink, eat and fuck. Life wasn’t always easy, but it was never as difficult as it has become.”
M
aurelle’s face heated and she no doubt turned ten shades of red when the brothel owner mentioned fucking. Fae no longer talked about sexuality so openly, but there was no doubt it was a vital part of their genetics.
Maurelle’s parents told her the burning desire that derailed her ability to think when she went through puberty was completely normal. They helped her embrace what she was feeling and safe ways to get pleasure. That didn’t mean she wanted to talk about it with a female that owned a brothel when the male she was falling for was present.
Ryker closed the gap between them. Fae drank and danced all around them. Kids went running by, chased by their parents. The laughter that echoed in their wake told Maurelle they were playing a game, rather than being in trouble.
“We’ve noticed a lot wrong with how life is in the Edge, particularly at the academy. None of it is right. We want to make a change,” Ryker told the female.
Maurelle thought he was taking a major risk, but kept her mouth shut. The female had hidden them from assassins and warned them. It’d likely saved their lives that night. She was trustworthy, or more so than most staff at the school.
“Gods you look like Dracon and my sister, Sydney,” Shiloh murmured as she stared at Ryker, her face a mask of hope and heartache. “I believe you will be the one to bring about change. I’ve told as much to the Rebellion.”
Ryker’s gaze jerked to Maurelle before returning to Shiloh. “How can we join? How can we help?”
“Today is for celebrating. We can discuss that more later.” She extended her hand with her palm down. When Ryker put his out palm up, she placed several coins inside his hand and curled his fingers around them.
“What’s this?”
Shiloh gave him a smile that was both sad and hopeful. “It’s a gift. You remind me of my nephew. He would be the only family I have left, so please allow me to act like an aunt to you. I have no one else.”
