by Valia Lind
I pause again, trying to get a hold of myself. It's more difficult than I thought it would be, as I force myself to swallow the tears. Aiden doesn't comment, giving me the time I need to process my own emotions.
"I miss them so much, Aiden," I finally manage, looking up into his face. "My family. But most of all my dad. Because at least I know my sisters and mama are safe. But daddy, he's out there, somewhere, being held and maybe tortured maybe....I don't know. And all this time, I've neglected looking for him. I've neglected doing my part and I don't know if I can ever forgive myself for that. Not if something has happened to him. Not if I'm too late to help--"
My voice trails off into hiccups and then Aiden is there, pulling me into his arms and I tumble against his chest, grabbing his shirt as I pull myself closer. When my grip tightens even more, he lifts me right off the ground and into his lap. I burrow myself into him, as if he can protect me from every bad decision I have ever made. He doesn't offer words of comfort, just makes trails up and down my spine as I cry myself out. The solidness of him around me is everything I ever wanted and I feel at home in his arms.
I'm not sure how long we sit like that. Now that he's holding me, the world doesn't seem as bad, and my tears slow. When I finally loosen my grip, I wipe at my face with my free hand.
"I know you want to say something," I say, not meeting his eye, my head still on his chest. The beating of his heart is calming, just like the patterns he makes with his hands. "It's okay. I can take it."
"I have nothing bad to say, duchess," he replies softly and this time, I do look at him.
"Then say whatever else is on your mind."
He stares at me for a long moment, and I'm sure I look like a mess. But I don't pull away, letting him glimpse every part of me, raw and open.
"I can't tell you how to feel, Maddie," he begins, sighing a little, "but I wish you wouldn't blame yourself for making decisions that would make your dad proud."
"What do you mean?" I sit up more fully, needing to understand what he's trying to say.
"He raised you to be a strong woman, powerful with and without her magic. The kind of person that befriends strangers and takes care of enemies. You haven't looked for him as much as you think you should've because you've been too busy keeping all of us alive and safe. If your dad could see you now, he'd be proud of the person you've been come. He would've blame you for doing the exact thing he taught you to do."
Aiden's words are so matter of fact, it's like he's talking about the weather. He's not trying to convince himself or me that this is truth. He already knows it is. That brings fresh tears to my eyes.
"Thank you." I whisper, leaning my head back against his chest. Exhausted from the day's events, my eyes close on their own, and then I feel Aiden's lips against my head. Or maybe I imagine that. But the next thing I know, he's lowering both of us to the ground, me still cradled against his chest, the warmth of his shifter magic encompassing the two of us.
"You are always welcome, duchess." I hear Aiden whisper, right before I slip off into a dreamless sleep.
16
I'm awakened suddenly, pulled from my sleep at the tug on my magic. Aiden sits up right away, glancing at me in question. But then, it's like he feels it too. I grab for my sword, just as he shifts into his wolf form. Once again I'm amazed at just how beautiful he looks, but I push the thought away quickly, focusing on our surroundings.
Not daring myself to speak, I call on the magic inside of me, but only slightly. If push comes to shove and I have to battle with it, I will risk it. But for now, I just make sure it's there, ready to go. I stand with Aiden beside me, my sword in one hand, battle magic ready at another, as the space in front of me shimmers.
Confused by the phenomenon, I watch it closely, before I take a step back. Whatever this magic is, it's not like anything I've seen before. I have no idea how to protect us from it.
"Get ready to run," I whisper, barely making any noise, but Aiden's supernatural hearing picks up every word. The space in front of us shimmers ones more, and I prepare myself to move when I'm suddenly pulled into the magic. A scream rips from my throat as I hurl through the air. I think I'm about to slam into the other side of the rocks, but then I'm landing on a floor, in a well lit room. The impact knocks the wind out of me, but I don't rest, getting to all fours, just as Aiden lands beside me.
"How nice of you to join me," a voice above me says and I don't have to look up to know who's speaking. First, I check on Aiden, as he shifts into his human form. He gives me a quick nod and only then do I meet the eyes of the Oracle.
"Welcome back, little witch. I believe you owe me a spell."
The anger I feel at being pulled away from my mission once again is almost overwhelming. Getting to my feet, I'm still gripping my sword and I'm more than tempted to use it on the fae in front of me.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," she wiggles her finger in front of her, glancing ever so briefly at Aiden. But I catch her meaning immediately. There's more on the line than just me here.
"What do you want?" I ask, knowing full well I can't plead with her to let me go. If I bring my dad up, she'll just remind me that he's the reason I'm here in the first place. She's the one who revealed he was in Faery.
"A spell. I heard you managed to get the plague removed. Soulmate magic is something, isn't it?"
Aiden's head whips towards me immediately, the questions on his lips before he can help himself.
"Soulmate?"
I don't turn to him, keeping my eyes on the fae, as she glances between the two of us. The mischievous sparkle in her eyes tells me this is exactly the response the expected.
"Ah, Maddie here hasn't told you everything," the Oracle says, getting up from the couch she's been sprawled over. "How typical of her."
"If you know so much, then you know I was on my way to find my dad. So can we get this over with?"
"Little witch, you really don't understand what is right in front of you, do you?"
"What does that mean?" Her insistence on using riddles and questions instead of coming straight out and saying what she means is infuriating. She can tell it's frustrating me, and she's enjoying my response immensely.
"I will tell you, after you make true on your promise."
The glare I throw her way is deadly, but she doesn't care. She finds me as amusing as a bug on a windshield. Aiden moves closer to me, standing right behind my left shoulder and I can feel intensity coming off him in waves.
"Don't keep me in suspense. What is it you need?" I sheath my sword at my back, placing my hands on my hips. It's the best power pose I know and the Oracle doesn't miss the strategic move. At times, I truly think she seems impressed by me. But then I remember that she's fae. They're not impressed by anything except themselves.
"First, I'd like to know who got the dosage of my special medicine," she glances over at Aiden again and I move ever so slightly to put myself more fully in front of him. I don't like the way she keeps eyeing him.
"Headmaster Marković," I reply, and the Oracle's gaze jerks to mine. If I haven't been watching her so closely, I would've missed it. The quick twitch around her mouth, as if she's genuinely surprised. There's a moment of silence, just a second of time, but I realize she thought I'd give it to Aiden. She planned on me giving it to Aiden.
"Not who you expected," it's not a question, and she doesn't bother answering. She recovers from her surprise quickly, already back in charge of the situation.
"It doesn't matter, little witch. I'll make do with what has been given to me."
Her words are confusing and I have no idea why it matters who received the elixir. The sickness is gone. I could've waited and not given it to anyone.
"Whatever that means, I don't care. Can you make your wish already so we can be on our way?"
"You have really become something, little witch," the Oracle comments, as she begins walking around me in a wide circle. Her eyes roam over me, as if she's cataloguing every feature. I w
ant to squirm under the gaze, but I keep myself firmly planted on the ground. No need to show her how she unnerves me. Aiden growls beside me and I reach out, placing a hand on his arm. He calms instantly, and the touch sends sparks up my skins immediately. I try not to shiver under the sensation but I have a feeling he felt it too.
"So interesting," the Oracle comments, stopping right in front of me. "A part of me wants to commend you on your bravery. You sure have learned how to hold your own."
"You know nothing about me," I snap, fire in my eyes.
"Oh, you'd be surprised."
She turns suddenly, making a beeline for a cart full of glasses on the other side of the room. Pouring herself a drink, she gives me a mischievous smile as she sips. I'm getting really sick and tired of this show.
"Are we getting on with this or what?"
"I wonder if you'd be so eager if you knew what I'm going to ask of you."
"If you tell me, we can both find out."
Honestly, I have no idea where all this bravery is coming from. But I'm not backing down. Maybe I cried all of my cowardliness out when I was in Aiden's arms, but this is one fight that I'm not losing. Whatever she does next. Her grin is almost blinding as she takes a few steps toward me. She truly is a beautiful creature, all poise and venom, rolled into one.
"I want you to tell me a story with your magic," she pauses for dramatic effect. "Of how the Spring Court fell."
"What do you mean?" I ask, when I've processed her request. In my mind, there's only one thing she can be asking for. She wants me to strip the court of all the defenses placed on its borders. That's the only way it can fall. Which means it would leave Thunderbird Academy unprotected.
"Exactly what you're thinking, little witch." She smiles again, pleased with herself. "Strip the court of all its protective barriers. May there be nothing between the court and whoever deems it their desire to cross the borders."
"Why? Why would you want your own court to fail?"
"Who said anything about it being my court," she snaps, her voice as cold as ice. Sometimes when she talks, I can almost forget she's a powerful fae. But just then, I see the darkness in her. The darkness the fae carry right underneath their pretty exteriors.
There's only one thing that can drive someone to such hatred. One mission that overshadows them all.
"It's revenge." I say, looking right at the Oracle, "A vendetta against the court and its queen. Why?"
"It is not up to you to ask the questions, little witch. It's for you to deliver on a bargain. Or I can go ahead and take back the memories and the shifter."
"Maddie, you don't have to do this," Aiden speaks up, a feather of a touch on my hand. I still haven't looked at him, afraid that I'll blurt out all the things I've been keeping inside. How do I make him understand that I have no choice but to follow through on the bargain? I can't stand to see him hurt.
"I do," I reply, my eyes on the fae. "The words were spoken."
The Oracle nods in approval, her eyes shining with excitement. I dare one glance at Aiden, and find worry there. All directed at me.
"I can do this," I feel the urge to insist.
"Of course you can," he replies without hesitation. "You are more than capable. But the consequences of what you're about to do..." he trails off because he doesn't need to continue. We both know what could happen. But just like he has faith in me, I have faith in him. We can fight whatever battle comes our way. But I can't do that if he's in the Oracle's clutches.
"I know," I say, my gaze steady on his, "But we'll get through it. Together."
Just one word, but I think he sees the true meaning behind it. And just like always, he gives me the freedom to do what I deem is right. Even though my decision making has left us on the wrong side more than once. He's still trusting me.
When I turn back to the Oracle, that curiosity is back in her eyes. She's been watching our exchange, and I wonder what she sees. But I won't be asking her any more questions. I just have to deliver on this one bargain and then I'm done.
"I'm not sure my magic will answer when I call," I let her know, because it's the absolute truth.
"Give it a try, little witch. No hesitation. No caution. Trust that the magic inside of you knows what you are asking of it."
The instructions feel strange coming from her. She says it like my sister would, and I'm not sure how to take it. I guess we're about to find out.
Taking a step into the center of the room, I close my eyes. I can feel Aiden's gaze on me like a hot touch and when I open my own, I see his eyes are on me. There's no need to coax the magic awake, it's been shimmering under the surface this whole time. I'm never too sure what to do with my story spell casting magic, but it always seems to deliver. So I do what I always do. I ask it to tell me a story that I can tell the others. It seems to take forever, the buzz growing stronger over my skin by the minute, but finally, the words come.
"Once upon a time,
the court's walls stood high.
With buds of leaves,
And blooming flowers to the sky.
Then the knocking came,
To open the door.
It was up to the queen to let them in,
And having no choice,
She opened from within.
The door stood ajar,
The wall no longer a barrier.
The borders were open,
So the land was less merrier."
The moment I utter the last set of words, my magic burst out of me, draining me to the bone. I stumble forward, and if Aiden wasn't here to catch me I would've face-planted.
"Interesting choice of words," the Oracle comments, watching me with that unblinking gaze of hers. "There sets instead of one continuous rhyme. Curious, little witch. I'm very curious."
"Happy to be of service," I spit out, leaning heavily on Aiden. The weariness I feel after using story spell casting is so intense it's becoming pain. Gripping Aiden's arm, I try to push it away. I can't fall apart in front of the fae.
"You were of service, and a great one at that." There is evil lurking in her smile, and it sends a chill down my spine. I fear she'll keep me here, keep us both here, to chain me to do her bidding. But then, she glances at me, speaking again. "I can almost taste the magic at the tip of my tongue," she says, running a finger over her lower lip. "Such a lovely taste. One day, it'll be intoxicating."
"I did what we agreed upon," I say, before she plays more word riddles. It's getting harder and harder not to pass out, but I need to get us out of here first. "Let us go."
"Oh, I will. Don't you worry about that, little witch. I just want to enjoy you for a little while longer."
"Let us go," I grit my teeth, the full extent of my hatred for her displayed in my eyes. There's a flash of something in her gaze, and at first I think she'll keep this up, but she surprises me. The Oracle comes to stand right in front of us, reaching for my face and bringing it level with hers. Aiden goes rigid and I know it's her magic keeping him from attacking her.
"You amuse me, little witch. And because of this I will give you one tidbit of advice. Your father is much closer than you think. The gorgeous flower can hide a variety of sins."
The shimmering starts up again, this time to the left of us. I want to ask her what she means by that, but I'm barely hanging on to consciousness.
"Until we meet again, little witch," and then, with a wave of her hand, Aiden and I are falling back through the portal. And then everything goes black.
17
When I come to, it's Aiden's voice that I hear first.
"Duchess, come on. Wake up."
Opening my eyes, I squint up at him, as he comes into focus. We're still in the forest, the sun now shining through the trees, and I'm laying half on the ground, half in his arms.
"What happened?"
"The fae pushes us through the portal and you passed out." Aiden replies, as I push myself to a sitting positions, with his help. He guides me up, hand on my back, peering down
into my face. "You were out for at least an hour."
"What?"
The sharp turn of my head sends the pounding to new levels of annoying and I place a hand against my temples to off set the pain.
"It's the magic. It drained you," he's not asking, because he already knows. He looks at me in that way that's somewhere in between wanting to strangle me and wanting to protect me. I feel like this is becoming a standard response I receive from people.
"I'm okay." I manage, finally meeting his eye straight on. "Just tired."
Aiden watches me steadily and that's when the reality of what I've done finally settles. I brought the barriers down. Spring Court is now open for business and once again, I'm the one responsible for the mess.
"You had no choice."
"When does that excuse lose its value?" I snap, but I'm not mad at Aiden. I'm mad at myself. I'm mad that I couldn't find a way out of the bargain.
"You did it to save Liam and me. Would you have done things differently?"
"No." The answer is instantaneous and I see Aiden grin out of the corner of my eye.
"See, then there's nothing to regret. We'll get through this. Whatever comes next."
I want to believe him. The way he's looking at me, and the gentle way he's been holding me, it's difficult not to give in to the pull of him. But I have to stop this.
"Where are we?" I ask instead, getting to my feet. Aiden helps me up, before he takes a step back from me. "Wait, I know these woods."
I do a slow spin, studying the trees around us.
"Are you kidding me? She dumped us right by Liam's house."
"Why would she do that?"
"Because she's diabolical."
If I keep trying to find a reason in everything the Oracle does, I will drive myself crazy. For a second there, I thought I knew what her intentions meant, but then she throws all of that out the window. At this point, she has set me up to take the rap, and there's really nothing I can do about it.
