I nodded and accepted the handkerchief she offered, wiping my cheeks dry. Taking one more look in the mirror, I stood and placed a smile on my face, walking out of the room and towards the man who would soon be my husband.
Zeph stood from his chair, a brilliant smile illuminating his face the second I entered the dining hall. His father Doniath, Earl of Quoisa, and his mother Istar sat next to him, talking to King Laeroth and my parents. They wore their formal outfits, draped in white and emerald green silk, including the burnt gold sash over their chests.
I hated green.
The others rose when they noticed me, and I reached Zeph’s side. He leaned closer to kiss my lips, but I turned my head giving him my cheek instead. I smiled brightly, so the others wouldn’t notice.
“Avrielle, you look gorgeous as ever,” King Laeroth said, motioning me to sit at his side of the dining table next to my parents and in front of Zeph.
“She certainly does, my king. My son couldn’t have been luckier.”
“Thank you, my king… earl.” I nodded to the maid who offered me wine, and I watched as she poured it into the crystal goblet, trying to ignore Zeph’s extended hand over the table—waiting for mine.
“Well she is my daughter after all,” Mother said, only half joking and the others laughed.
“She is indeed,” Father answered, kissing her hand.
“Avrielle,” King Laeroth called, and when my eyes met his, he motioned to my future husband.
“Oh, I’m terribly sorry,” I said, faking ignorance and placed my hand in Zeph’s. He grinned, his light pear green eyes sparkling in contrast to his stark ebony hair, blissfully unaware of the mixed emotions raging inside me. He stood, bringing my hand to his lips. My heart constricted. It wasn’t his fault I had fallen in love with the wrong man. He let go of my hand and we all toasted with the king to our upcoming nuptials, then began to enjoy our dinner.
*
“I have spoken with the earl, and both he and his son have agreed that after the wedding, Zeph shall live in the castle with us so that Avrielle can remain my High Counselor.”
King Laeroth announced as we entered the throne room with the others. The wine continued to be poured in celebration, and I took a small sip, as all I could think about was how much this would hurt Kyr. Having to see my fated and me here in the castle, every day for the rest of our lives would probably wreck his spirit.
“That is wonderful news,” I answered, looking at Zeph as we stood near the throne, his arm draped around my waist. “I’ve lived here all of my life, and I can’t imagine being anywhere else. Everything I love is here, and I wouldn’t be myself if I had to leave.” My words were sincere, yet there was another reason that kept me here.
“I would never do anything that hindered your happiness or who you are, my love.”
“And I would skin you alive if you ever did. I’m sure it would make a nice addition to my precious collection,” King Laeroth casually said, drinking his wine, but everyone in the room knew by the glint in his eyes that he wasn’t jesting.
Zeph slightly shuddered beside me as his gaze instinctively flew to the king’s cloak, but he covered it well as everyone laughed. I felt awful for Zeph. The king would keep his word, not so much to defend me—although I knew he held me in high regards—but because of the pleasure the feat would give him.
The tension once again disappeared as the conversation took a much lighter turn, and Zeph’s pear green eyes filled with adoration while he looked at me. In spite of everything, I hoped one day I could love him. He was a good man, witty, incredibly handsome—with one of those chin dimples women loved so much—he had nobility and good stature. Any woman would be lucky to have him as her fated. I should feel blessed he was mine. He slowly leaned into me, as though silently asking for permission, and this time I allowed him to kiss me. I wanted to see how it would feel. A slow tingling ran through my body as the taste of him mixed with his scent.
It was faint, but it was there.
Applause broke around us as our parents cheered and our king raised his glass in a toast. “The wedding preparations shall begin at once.”
“Will the Princes be at the ceremony, my king? I’m surprised they are not joining us tonight.” Istar, Zeph’s mother, asked and I tensed.
“They are on a quest, but we can have the wedding in a week when they come back.”
My pulse raced at our king’s words. “Can we have it before they are back? I’m sure such triviality won’t be important to them,” I offered, hoping he would listen.
King Laeroth’s laugh filtered through the hall. “Triviality? You grew up in this castle; they consider you a sister, Avrielle. They would be heartbroken if they weren’t part of the ceremony. I’m sure Kyr will offer a special toast in the celebration. No. I’ve made up my mind. We shall wait until my sons return.”
Dread traveled through my veins while the conversation continued. The wedding preparations began to take form, as my mother spoke to the palace’s event coordinator the king had called to the throne room, and I got lost in my thoughts.
Zeph’s arms wrapped around me fondly, bringing me close, I rested my head on his chest, willing myself to feel him. Only him. His lips placed a tender kiss on my forehead while his warmth enveloped me, but before I could allow myself to enjoy it, it was gone; replaced by another man’s touch.
The memory of Kyr’s strong arms embracing my body returned, and I felt him hold me through the night, never wanting to let me go.
My heart squeezed, calling out to him.
KYR
*
My brother’s blood drenched my body as I walked through the village with him in my arms.
Doors slammed in my face as I asked for a healer, yet I wouldn’t give up until I found one. I couldn’t give up. I was Kyr Gaerrath, Prince of the Winter Court. At least that was what they whispered all around us as I walked. It didn’t make any difference here though. The Golden Elves were so self-centered and arrogant that they couldn’t set aside our differences for a second. Not even to save my brother’s life.
I stepped into the main plaza, leaving a trail of bloodied steps in my wake. I would curse the day I took on this quest, but a part of me knew that Avra would never send us to our deaths. He had guarded my family for thousands of years and killed his own kind when they abandoned their vow to protect this realm and its people, deciding to destroy men.
He would never betray us like this.
My gaze fell to my brother as whimpered protests left his lips. His skin held an ashen shade I’d never seen before, and he was barely breathing. Pain like I had never felt coursed through me and I let out a ragged scream. “I need a healer!” I roared, looking all around me.
The Elves continued to walk away without a second look. Rage replaced my agony; I wanted to kill them all. I fancied creating an illusion in their minds, so terrifying that it would scar them for life. There was no time for that now… my little brother needed me. My gaze fell on a tavern, and I dragged my feet to its entrance. Crossing through the doorway, I placed Nyx’s body on an empty table and felt the music and talk cease all around us at once. “I need a healer!” I announced looking at the people around me. “Is anyone a healer here?”
People turned their backs, and continued their drinking as though I hadn’t even spoken. I fought to calm myself. “Do you know who I am?!”
One of the patrons of the tavern turned to look at me. He was a slim man with short red hair, giving me a vast view of his small yet pointed ears. A beer-soiled apron covered his humble clothes. “Yes, we know who you are. Oh high and mighty Prince of the Winter Court, but look around you. There are no Fae here, and in case you haven’t noticed, this is not your land. We could care less what you need. You and your Dark King don’t rule us.”
I clenched my fists as I stepped closer to the Elf. Unlike my people the Elves all shared the same appearance, although they may have different shades of red in their hair, their buttery yellow eyes seemed mad
e of pools of gold. They were tall but not as much as my brothers and I, and had fair skin covering their slender bodies. It was not by size or physical ability that they remained a strong race, but by their powerful magic.
“If my brother Nyx dies here today, Father and I will declare war on you and incinerate your land until there is nothing left!” I bellowed, trembling with desperation as I towered over him.
He huffed amused. “Perhaps that is the reason why we have alienated you and let your brother bleed out before us. You, like your king, think the realm belongs to you, and we should all bow and fear you. You are so high on your thrones, so focused on the supremacy you possess over everyone, that you don’t even bother to look outside your land to the terrors and suffering of others. Do you think you are the only lad who has lost a brother? The only one who feels the pain of lost love?”
I stepped back as his words found their mark. How did he know? Had his magic let him read me?
He chuckled humorlessly, drying his hands on his apron. “What makes you so special, that the life of your brother is more important than ours? You come here barking orders because you are the prince, and expect us to what? Kiss your feet?” The laughs of the others reverberated through the bar. “Get the hell out of my place.”
I swallowed, looking at him and the faces that surrounded me. Reluctantly, the reality of his words settled on me. “Please.” The word left my mouth barely above a whisper.
“I’m surprised you can say the word without it burning your tongue,” the patron spat, and the door behind me flew open. “I said, get out!”
I nodded, resigned to the fact that no one here would help us, picked up Nyx’s unconscious body, and stepped out of the bar. I wandered the streets lost. My arms trembled, struggling to hold my brother as I continued forwards, the words of the man reverberating in my ears.
“You, like your king, think the realm belongs to you, and we should all bow and fear you. You are so high on your thrones, so focused on the supremacy you possess over everyone, that you don’t even bother to look outside your land to the terrors and suffering of others.”
I continued to walk, while the people on the streets scurried out of my way. With my next step I fell to my knees, and my gaze focused on Nyx. His eyes rolled back as his head lolled with each movement. Tears filled my eyes, burning my skin as they dripped onto him. I cradled him to my chest while a scream left me.
“Please…” I begged, holding him tighter. “Please, Avra… don’t abandon us now.”
My gaze lifted as a shadow reached my peripheral vision. I turned to find a hooded man to my right. The cloak he wore hid all of him but his eyes, and although I couldn’t confirm it, I knew he would help me. His golden eyes seemed to glow as he waved me closer and disappeared between two houses. I stood as my heart began to slam against my chest. I looked all around us thinking I had imagined him, but as I started to walk, he reappeared by the corner of a building and motioned for me to follow quickly.
My feet slapped the ground as I began to run towards him.
The man took me away from the main city, and with every step, I feared my brother wouldn’t be saved. Before I realized it, we reached a small house on the outskirts. He opened the door, waiting for me to enter. When I did, I noticed it was a modest and humble place, with one bed and a table. A hearth was in the corner, and a couple of chairs rested against the wall.
“Set him on the table,” the man instructed, speaking for the first time in a younger voice than I had expected. Without questioning him, I set Nyx on the wooden surface. The man hurried to the bed pulling a small iron chest from underneath it, much like the ones in our castle, and set it next to my brother. When he opened the lid my eyes widened. Two glass vials lay inside it, the azure blue liquid and silver particles in it sparkled and swirled as though it were alive. It was dragon blood.
More specifically… Avra’s blood.
I watched, frozen, as he poured one of the vials over Nyx’s chest, directly on the slashes his skin had suffered and lifted his head feeding him the second one. I blinked as my brother’s skin slowly began to close once again.
“Tell me who you are,” I ordered, stepping closer to the table. “What is your name, and how do you have dragon blood?!”
The man sighed, and his hands slowly removed his hood. My eyes widened as a strand of his sleek red copper hair fell over the golden filigree crown on his forehead.
“I am Theodwin Reyfier. Prince of the Eternal Outlands and your friend… and I have the Dragon Lord’s blood, because you gave it to me.”
*
I gripped Nyx’s hand tightly between mine, as I sat next to him and waited for his eyes to open. He lay on the bed now, and the wounds of his chest had healed, but his breathing and pulse were still weak. I couldn’t think, and I sincerely doubted I had blinked in the last hour. Theodwin’s voice was muddled in the background. Nothing mattered then, but my little brother.
The Golden Prince sighed and stood from his chair, walking to the small kitchen area. “I’m sorry I wasn’t able to get to you sooner, Kyr. I left the castle undetected and reached the village as promptly as I could, after news arrived that you were here and asking for a healer. I should have been prepared, but I wasn’t sure when you would return.”
I ignored him, checking Nyx’s pulse once again. A plate appeared in front of me with a peculiar food on it.
“Do you fancy some?”
My eyes finally went to his, as the smell of fish reached my nose, and my stomach instinctively protested. It had been at least a day since I’d had any food. “What is that?”
He took one of the golden brown sticks off the plate and bit into it. “This delicacy is called Fish n’ Chips. It’s all the rage in Britain.”
“Britain?” I asked, unable to stop myself from reaching for one.
He chuckled. “On Earth. I have a servant bring me one each day. It’s delicious.”
I nodded, swallowing and reaching for the glass of water he had served a while ago. “Thank you.”
I briefly looked at him, observing his appearance. Unlike my race, the Elves were immortal, which made it impossible to tell his age by merely looking at him, but he seemed young, like Nyx. It probably meant he was twice my senior since they aged much slower than we did. His sleek short, copper red hair was brushed back, but there was volume to the front where his strands were longer. One fell casually over the tanned skin of his forehead and golden crown, but it somehow seemed neatly placed there. His platinum raw silk suit had been hidden under the cloak before, but I could see it perfectly now that he had removed it. Gold embroidery of leaves adorned his lapel and cuffs, while what seemed like diamond buttons provided closure for his coat.
“So I was here before?”
He looked kindly at me, and placed the plate before me. “Yes, and you did the one thing your father has not been able, or interested in doing for over ten thousand years. Ally with me.” His buttery golden eyes gleamed with sincerity, and I took a deep breath leaning back in the chair.
“Why would I do such a thing?”
An amused smile stretched his lips, and he sat in front of me once again. “Let me tell you a story. A month ago, the Beisht Kione attacked two of our Elves. The same sea monster that has terrorized travelers in the Lagoon of Shadows, and my people, for centuries on end, and the one I assume you killed on your way here.” He motioned towards my brother, and I nodded. A knowing gleam entered his eyes. He seemed pleased. “The woman traveled with her brother in law during the night—when the monster was usually asleep—hoping to reach the land of harvest for provisions and return undetected. Unfortunately, they were not so lucky. The monster awoke as they passed and… well, you can imagine the rest.”
I nodded, looking at my brother, Nyx, once more as my hand wiped the sweat from his forehead.
“Needless to say, the husband was devastated as he lost his wife and the mother of his three children, as well as his brother all in the same night, while he was i
ll in bed.” Theodwin’s hand reached for my shoulder, and he looked straight into my eyes. “When the Dragon Lord sent you here, we were in the middle of the village’s mourning ritual, and as you saw the pain in the children’s eyes, you said that no child should have to suffer the pain of losing their mother, and you swore to avenge her.”
A heavy sigh left my lips as I processed his words. Leaving the daggers behind had been a tactic. I asked the Silesta to safeguard Ash, and brought with me the only person who could assist me in accomplishing such a feat. It had all been a well thought strategy. I could use my illusions to slip undetected by the monster as many times as I wished, but I had meant to kill it and I knew I needed Nyx for that. My gaze went to the empty glass vials on the bed. I had even anticipated us getting hurt, and secured Avra’s blood to cure us. I sighed again, dragging my hands down my face.
“Why would I tell you about Avra, Theodwin? I would never betray his trust that way.”
He smiled. “Because he sent you to me. And please, call me Theo.” The prince pushed the plate closer, silently urging me to eat. I complied. “When you arrived, I was as filled with hatred and reluctance as the Tavern’s owner. We’ve had many years to cultivate our dislike for your king and the Winter Fae… but when we spoke, and you mentioned the Dragon Lord, I was shocked. Then you allowed my mind to connect with yours, and I saw for myself that it wasn’t a ruse. I couldn’t refuse you. My people have believed for many years that one day Avra would return to us… and now he is here.”
The conviction and awe in Theo’s voice were undeniable. There was a passion for change there that almost resonated inside me, but for what? My goals remained the same; our kingdom was to rule the entire realm one day. Was that why Avra wanted me to ally with the Golden Elves? I pondered that for a moment. If that was Avra’s plan, it was brilliant. Nevertheless, I knew Father would never go for it—wanting to maintain command himself. This place was unlike our kingdom where a king and queen upheld the hierarchy, followed by the oldest son in line for the throne. Instead, the Elves had only one ruler—an immortal one. The Golden Prince. And Theo had the most powerful kingdom aside from ours.
Forgotten Kingdom (The Winter Court Chronicles Book 1) Page 15
