by Lynn Landes
The serpents turn and slither up the wall and through the ceiling. They return to their place, on top of the fountain until needed again. Bastian looks at Jazmin as he stalks toward her. “What was the name of that song, Jazmin?”
“It is called the Nightingale,” she says, smiling at him.
“You will sing it at our wedding,” he orders.
She smiles, and tears of joy break free joining their brothers on the floor. “I will sing it at our wedding, Bastian.” He cups her face and pulls her close, kissing her softly.
They are shocked when the chandelier explodes with a bright blue light. It begins to spin, faster, and faster illuminating the chamber. Blue mist ricochets and the sound of metal hitting tile resonates throughout the room.
They stand stunned, clinging to each other, staring at the key on the floor. Jazmin is the first to move; she walks slowly forward and picks up the silver key. “We did it, Bastian!” she exclaims.
Chapter 14
From within the vale, Caderyn screams as Drake’s soul is ripped away from her. She fights to keep him with her, but she isn’t strong enough. A blue mist shoots from the globe in the center of the village and seeks its victim. It finds Drake’s soul and drags him inside.
Caderyn stumbles outside still weakened from her attack, she watches as the globe swirls blue and she sees the star that is Drakes soul, fighting to break free. “No more!” She runs at the globe just as the mist shoots out and pierces the glass with the bronze dagger. The explosion throws her twenty feet into the air, landing amongst the debris.
Drake breaks free and shoots across time, racing to get back to his body. The little hummingbird zips to the Queen alarmed that she is no longer moving. They place her body back in the healer’s home, guarded by the strongest Fae. Concerned for the Queen, no one sees the shadow pick up the bronze blade.
Bastian feels the Holy presence before he enters and drops to his knees in reverence. An Angel flows through the floor of the chamber, stopping before him. Jazmin stares in awe and joins Bastian in a bow.
“You’ve done well Child of the Light.” The brilliant angel says, “In saving your Kings soul, you have protected humanity as well. Jazmin is your reward, a treasure far greater than gold, cherish her.”
“I will,” Bastian says rising up and pulling Jazmin close.
“The key, Jazmin,” the Angel asks with his hand outstretched. She steps forward and places the key in his hand, and he touches her tear stained cheek.
“I don’t understand,” Jazmin says.
“The true key was your tears.” He takes her hand and says, “A tear of determination,” dropping a tear-shaped emerald in her hand. “A tear of fury,” and places a red ruby. “A tear of betrayal,” he says as he gives her a blue diamond. “And a tear of love,” placing a diamond in her hand. He covers her hand with his, smiling he fashions it into a bracelet and secures it on her wrist. “A gift for a gift.” He grins.
Jazmin gasps, “You helped us! You were the little boy?” He ignores her questions.
“Humans are gifted with such beautiful emotions. If ever you should have need of me, Jazmin, call and I will come. You have protected the weak and destroyed the evil that was growing here. The protection of Heaven will be yours,” he says bowing to her.
“Thank you,” Jazmin says, stepping back to Bastian.
Next, the Angel takes the key and walks over to the floor. He pushes one of the inlaid tiles and the mosaic floor, turns into a staircase. The Angel steps down into the earth and returns carrying the body of a large blonde male.
“My King!” Bastian says, hurrying forward. He takes the body and places it on the floor, as the Angel turns, to go back beneath the tomb.
“Will he be okay, Bastian?” Jazmin asks.
The Angel returns carrying another body and places it on the ground next to the King. “You should back up, your King comes,” the Angel tells them.
An explosion rocks the fountain above, a brilliant star falls through the ceiling, ricocheting off the walls, causing Jazmin to scream out in alarm. With a swift motion, the Angel catches the star and whispers to it and then returns the Fae King’s soul to his body.
Drake begins to breathe, a strong, steady rhythm, but still, he does not wake. Bastian looks at the Angel, and he says, “Patience, my friend, he was gone a long time. His body will awaken when he is healed. I will meet you at the Vale,” the Angel says, and he takes the two male Fae and leaves.
Bastian looks at Jazmin and pulls her close, following the Angel. They land softly, both caught up in emotions they cannot define. Bastian feels fear for the first time.
“Jazmin, once you cross the Vale, you can’t return to your world. I will not force you. The Fae mate for life, an immortal lifetime is a true eternity.” Dropping to one knee, he looks up into her eyes, “Jazmin will you be mine for eternity?”
The Fae step up to the Vale and watch, waiting for her answer. The Angel softly steps through the mist, carrying the body of their King. He leaves the other male lying outside the Vale, on a bed of soft grass.
Jazmin looks behind Bastian and sees a world she does not know, but in his eyes, she sees forever. Her heart sighs, as she smiles and says, “I already am, Bastian.” He leaps up as the cheer echoes throughout the Vale. He kisses her in front of the Angel and all the Fae, swinging her up into his arms, and he carries her home.
A small hummingbird zips away from Caderyn and sees the Angel carrying the King. He dashes in front of him and flits away calling for him to follow. He leads him to Caderyn.
The Fae Queen is shattered, her soul fragmented from the pain of her failure. Caderyn wanted to save him, but she was too late. Alone with no will to return, she waits to fade.
Back in his body after five hundred years, Drake feels heavy. He struggles to return, his soul was close to fading, but she needs him, he thinks. “Caderyn?” He calls but gets no answer.
The Angel places Drakes body next to Caderyn and steps back with a frown.
“Perhaps if we work together?” Morgan rains down angel dust over the two bodies and the Fae healers join in adding the healing power of the sun.
The warmth seeps into his bones, healing his body from years of abuse. Strengthened by the power of the angel dust, Drake slowly opens his silver eyes. “Caderyn?” he calls.
“King Drake!” Bastian bows low. “I am Bastian your Master Guardsmen. Welcome home.” He looks at the woman standing beside him, and she smiles. “I am Ja...”
“Jazmin! Where is Caderyn?” He demands stronger this time.
Jasmine’s eyes flick away, and he turns his head slowly. The healers leave to spread the news of the King’s return, and Jazmin moves forward.
“She thinks she failed you, it was her greatest fear. I’ve tried talking to her, but…” she starts to cry. Bastian wraps her in his arms and pulls her back.
“Caderyn does not respond to us. When we try to get near her spirit, she flees. We are afraid to push her. Afraid that we will damage her soul. We will let you rest,” he says guiding Jazmin outside.
Drake sits up and reaches for Caderyn’s hand. The depth of her beauty stuns him. She is dressed in the way of his people, a long white dress, with her long dark hair free around her. He stops just short of touching her, and the Angel watches closely. Silver eyes snap to his, as he waits for the room to stop spinning.
“Why is an Angel helping the Fae? Are we not enemies?” he asks quietly.
“My name is Morgan. We are not enemies, Drake. Both our races were betrayed, yours by a Queen and mine by an Angel. I am here because of Caderyn. She fought for you, with no thought for her own safety. Her courage freed your soul and exposed the true depths of the betrayal. We have been betrayed, and I’m afraid the danger is not yet passed.”
“Walk with me, and tell me,” Drake says rising. He is tall and muscular as all Fae; his wounds have healed, and his strength is returning quickly. Before leaving, he kneels by her bed to stare once more, “You will awaken so
on Caderyn!”
“She is human, her wounds were grave. She risked much to save you,” Morgan reminds him.
“Tell me what you know, Angel. I need to be amongst my people.” Together they walk, and Morgan tells him of the Queen’s betrayal. He tells him of the conspiracy of the Angels and shadows working with her.
The hummingbird zips back through the Vale outraged that they would leave her unprotected. “Teuuuu, Teuuuu,” he calls and zips in front of Drake, poking at his shoulder with his beak.
Morgan snatches the little bird out of the air, and laughs, “Don’t worry Reese, you have not been forgotten.”
He holds the little bird tight, and steps through the Vale followed by Drake. They walk to his body, and the guard’s part to let him through. Morgan says, “You are free at last. Time to come home,” he throws the bird straight at the body. A white light explodes as his soul adjusts to his old form.
Drake struggles with his desire to kill the one he thought betrayed them all. He glares at Reese, reminding himself that this Fae was innocent.
When Reese opens his eyes, he looks into the silver eyes of death, and he readies to fight. Drake is ready to strike, but stops when Reese asks, “Caderyn? Did she survive?” he demands and struggles to a standing position. He looks past them through the Vale, searching for a sign of his Queen.
“You may not speak her name, Betrayer!” Drake yells stepping forward. Morgan’s hand on his chest stops him.
“Betrayer! How many lifetimes will you call me that? I betrayed no one, I am the reason you are alive, Drake!” he spits. “I have spent an eternity living with the lies and betrayal!”
“He is the reason Caderyn found you. Reese is innocent and has lost more than any of you! You owe him a debt of gratitude,” Morgan explains.
“I’m sorry.” Drake struggles to understand all that has happened. “If this is true Reese, I’m sorry for all you’ve lost. Thank you for protecting our Queen.”
Reese smiles as his eyes dart past him and Morgan smiles too.
“Drake!” Caderyn calls out struggling to stand on her own. His answering roar of joy rips through the Vale. He flashes to her, sweeping her up into his arms. Drake’s laughter rings out, as he lifts her up above him and spins. Caderyn laughs and cries at the same time, unable to stop touching him. When silver eyes, meet brown, the laughter fades, replaced by need.
“Caderyn?” he asks and finds the answer reflected in her eyes. In a moment, they are gone, shielded from view by all. He needs to touch, and she needs to feel. Drake takes her to the healer’s hut.
Drake is larger than she imagined, with overlong blonde hair. He towers over Caderyn, at least six and a half feet tall with long legs and strong hands. The Fae King is huge, yet gentle with her. He cannot seem to stop touching her as if he’s afraid that she will disappear.
Caderyn looks into his silver eyes and finds a deep intelligence and strong character. He smells like the forest, and she trembles with her need to taste him. “Drake, if you don’t kiss me soon, I will fade!” She pleads desperate for his mouth.
“As my Queen demands,” he says lowering his mouth to hers, kissing her with a fierceness that heats his blood to boiling. Caderyn opens her mouth and accepts his assault, praying that it will not end. She wraps her arms around his neck, pulling him close, and cries tears of joy as he lifts her body from the floor.
Drake tries to stop kissing her, but she tastes like sunshine and feels like heaven. When he feels the first tear, he forces himself to pull away, but he still does not leave her. He rains kisses over her eyes, her wet, salty cheeks, her nose, chin, and throat, then back to her mouth.
“Caderyn,” he says pushing her away gently, “Why do you weep?” he asks looks down at her. She is more beautiful than he could have imagined. Her need is reflected in a flash of silver deep within her chocolate eyes.
“I am a coward, Drake. I almost gave up…,” she says afraid to look at him.
“Never say you are a coward again, Caderyn.” He sets her on her feet. “Never say it again!” He drops to his knees in front of her and smiles, “You are a warrior, albeit a tiny one! You fought for me, saved my people and gave your humanity to protect a race you know nothing about! I am indebted to you my Queen.”
“Drake, when this is over, will I wake up and find this was all a fairy tale?” She asks terrified of his answer.
“No, my nightmare has been five hundred years long. You freed me, but we are not yet safe from the danger. I will have retribution against the ones who killed my sister and tried to kill my mate.” A flame appears in the silver of his eyes as he stands.
In a blink, he is dressed in armor fit for the King of the Fae. His crown is silver and gold, and he wears armor with a Celtic cross in the center. Caderyn finds he has fitted her in a long empire style golden gown, fit for a Queen. Her hair is up, and she wears no jewelry, but she has been fitted with a sword worthy of the Queen of the Fae. It is a small golden sword, with an emerald in the hilt. She smiles up at him, and his heart stops for a moment as worry clouds his mind.
In his hand he holds, a matching crown, “Caderyn will …” a scream splits the air, and they rush outside. Drake rushes out followed by Caderyn and draws his sword. Bastian leads the guardsmen, and they fall into formation around the Drake and Caderyn. Jazmin runs to Caderyn.
“What’s happening, Jazmin?” Caderyn asks.
“Look at the shadows, Caderyn!” Jaz points.
Hundreds of darkened shapes some dressed for War, some dressed in cloaks, but all are showing anger and hurt in their eyes. Angels, vampires, beasts, and dark Fae, all glowering at the Vale and those who hide behind it.
“You have my sword, My Queen,” Reese says, stepping to her side, followed by the Angel, Morgan.
“Reese!” Joy explodes when she realizes he is free. Reese bows and turns back to look at the threat.
“What are they?” Caderyn asks staring at the shadows beyond the Vale.
“They are the fallen Fae who’ve returned for retribution,” Morgan says with fury in his eyes.
The sound of Drakes’ voice rings out, “Brothers and sisters of the Vale, you see before you the shadows of what used to be Fae. They betrayed my sister, to her death! They conspired to kill my mate, your new Queen. Now, they come to attack our children, our families and destroy our race. Show them no mercy!” he roars. Their voices join the King ready for justice.
Reese watches and knows what they do not, the numbers are too great and the betrayal deeper than they realize. He stays close to the Queen.
Caderyn watches the Guardsmen join their King as they prepare for battle and she looks at Reese. How many of the shadows were innocent like him? He was betrayed by his people, lost his mate and children, yet here he stands, protecting his Queen once more. Loyalty and honor, that is what she sees in the Fae.
She flashes in front of Drake, “Do you trust me, my King?” Caderyn asks.
“With my life,” he states with no hesitation. Her beautiful smile could light the universe he thinks.
“Ask me now, Drake.” She says looking at his crown.
He drops to his knees, and a matching crown materializes in his hand. “Be My Queen Caderyn, My Mate, my Life and guardian of our people?”
Caderyn drops to her knees, “I will be your Queen, your Mate, and you will be my life. I will protect our people with my life and always put them first.”
Drake lowers the crown to Caderyn’s head and leans to kiss her. Just before his lips touch hers, she whispers, “Catch me, my love!” and she launches towards heaven.
The King is startled for a moment but quickly takes up the chase. Two shooting stars dance, twirling across the sky. This is no ordinary dance amongst the cosmos; this is a call for help. Caderyn shows Drake her plan, with a smile, he takes the lead, and she follows.
Chapter 15
The shadows watch as the King and Queen abandon the Vale. Shock rumbles across the crowd and Bastian moves forward with the Guardsm
en, ready to fight. “Let me reason with them,” Reese pleads. Bastian agrees and gives the order to wait as Reese steps through the Vale to face the enemy.
“You have come to your people with the false information,” Reese yells to the gathered. “Our Queen accused you of crimes you did not commit, betrayed you, and forced you to leave your families. This was the result of one sick Fae, not an entire race. She has been punished for her crimes. I tell you there is another way. War is not the answer!”
One of the shadows steps forward wearing a long black cloak. She pushes the hood back revealing long blonde hair, and emerald green eyes. Doubt fills her eyes, “I am Aiden. Can we come home, Reese?”
“We will discuss our options when the King and Queen return. Right now, we need to focus on the present moment,” Reese explains.
Another shadow steps out yelling, “It is as I thought. Half-truths and empty promises! Why would we go back to being prisoners? Out here we are free!”
Aiden steps to the Vale afraid to touch, but longing fills every fiber of her being. She sees home and on the other side, family and friends. “I want to go home. I am not shadow!”
Her pain beats at Reese, “I understand Aiden, and you will not be alone anymore. We will figure this out together, as a people. United, not divided!”
The sound of clapping echoes throughout the Vale. “That is a perfect speech, truly, but we are through hiding from humanity!” Fallen angels land, shadows of what they once were. All beauty, light, and peace are gone; replaced by rage, lust, envy, and greed. They are demons, shaded by hate and hungry for immortal blood.
“We no longer need to fear the Vale!” The Shadow screams as he reaches inside of his cloak and jerks out the Khae-Tri!
“We now hold the power to cross the Vale!” A resounding cheer flows from the shadow ranks, and Reese stares in horror at the Queen’s dagger.
The shadow leaps at Reese, intending to plunge the dagger into his heart, but Aiden screams and throws her body in front of his. She takes the blow meant for Reese, and he catches her in his arms lowering her to the ground. His rage knows no bounds; he wipes her beautiful tears and pulls the Khae-tri free, launching himself at the Shadow.
