by Alexia Purdy
Shade waved at him as he disappeared over the hill. Smiling, she resumed grooming Lily, avoiding Dylan’s surprised look.
He was getting nice and comfortable around her without Soap to contend with, apparently, along with the promise she’d made to marry him. It felt more natural to see him seething with jealousy than relaxed and unworried.
“Hey, you ready for another journey?” Dylan snickered, knowing Shade would groan about the journey part. He didn’t seem to want to talk about Nautilus’s advances toward her. So like him to change the subject, Shade thought.
“Yeah, like I’m ready for an arm to get ripped off.”
Dylan chuckled, patting the horse as he finished adjusting the saddle. Nautilus had been quickly dismissed from his thoughts. “Well, at least we can have some time to chat during this trip. It’s a straight shot down to the Southern Realm. It’s far from the Unseelie Realm, too, so I don’t expect too many problems.”
Shade peered over toward him, nodding, but lost in her thoughts. “Even the Seelie are not always so kind, though. I’d trust no one,” she muttered. Nothing could have sounded more jaded than that. Shade hid her solemn face as she turned to pick up her pack and swing it onto her back.
“You know, not everyone in Faerie is evil. It may seem that way since that’s all we’ve run into lately. But I think you’ll see there’s still good in the world, more so than evil. It’s just hard to notice it, sometimes, since it’s so surrounded by filth.” He pulled his own horse from the stall and began brushing it, throwing glances at her every now and then. Shade’s sanity was a bit better since she’d left the desolate beach where she’d recovered, but darkness was still there, swimming just beneath the surface and threatening to overtake her.
“When is Soap getting here?” she asked.
“He’ll be joining us later. He’ll be too far behind to catch up to us, so he’s already headed toward the Scren Palace. Brisa’s with him.” The last part made Shade freeze. Brisa was coming? She’d thought her friend would be back at her apartment, safe and sound and going to college. How could she give up on that?
“Why’s she coming? She has classes to make up at college.” Shade waited for Dylan to answer but felt that there was something he wasn’t telling her.
“He sent a message a few days ago. She’s coming with him. She wanted to.”
“Was that all he said?” Shade played with the frayed end of her shoulder strap, avoiding looking up at Dylan while asking about Soap. She hadn’t seen him for over three weeks. Now he had Brisa attached at the hip. She wondered if there was anything going on between them. She hadn’t exactly been the best girlfriend, and it was no secret how Brisa would stare longingly at Soap any time he was around.
“He wanted to make sure you knew that he was relieved that you were okay and that he couldn’t wait to see you again.” Dylan finished strapping the saddle onto his horse and motioned for Shade to come over. “I want you to meet Danther. He’s been my horse for long time now. I missed him terribly when I was away. It’s good that I get to take him out again.”
Dylan offered a carrot to the horse, and the animal snatched it up with a quick snap of his jaws. He wasn’t going to give Dylan a chance to take it back. They both laughed, enjoying the warmth of the sun beaming down on the stables. They were located outside the caverns, which was her favorite place now. The claustrophobia of the caves made her want to run out of there as fast as she could, especially when she’d had to deal with the growing crowd of suitors.
“He’s beautiful.” She reached out to stroke Danther’s long black hair. It felt like silk of the softest kind. Nowhere had she ever seen such beautiful horses. Faery horses were stronger and could run twice as long as regular horses without tiring. Their magic was earthy, mingling softly with her own and tingling along her skin.
Her power had amplified since her stay at The Great Divide. She wondered if it was because she was now in control of Corb’s power. She turned to watch the Ice King readying his horse nearby. It seemed odd to see him without his Kelpie demon horse, but he couldn’t ride it into Seelie territory without causing a panic. Still, even without his black riding outfit and his hellish horse, he was going to be an eyeful for those who recognized him as Aveta’s lieutenant. He was going to cause more than one flare-up amongst the Seelie fey along the way to the Scren Palace. Hopefully, his binding bracelet would be proof enough that he had been subdued.
Corb looked up, feeling her eyes on him. Quickly darting them away to focus on the saddle, she mounted the horse and gave Lily a gentle pat on her neck. The land and its creatures were comforting to her, and she actually felt more alive now than she had in months. Somehow, things had finally begun to fall into place. She hoped it wasn’t short lived and that tragedy was not, yet again, just a step away as it had always been since she’d come to Faerie. Brushing the negativity away, she pressed her heels into the horse’s sides and trotted forward, bringing her around to stop by Danther, who had Dylan riding proudly atop him. He was already awaiting her and threw her a wide smile, filling his face with light, like he was made of it. Which he technically is, Shade thought, but he looked brilliant to her nonetheless.
“You look radiant, Shade,” Dylan said. “You always manage to, even on long, rugged journeys.”
“Well, you don’t look so bad yourself.” She laughed, elated to see Dylan in an excellent mood. Even the presence of Corb couldn’t dampen their spirits. Corb’s blank face remained unchanged as he guided his horse over toward them. The white and black spotted stallion he was perched on wasn’t exactly happy about the arrangement but distracted itself by chewing on some hay from a nearby pile.
“Ready for a long ride, Corb?” Shade inquired.
“If you want to know how I am, just ask me. Otherwise, don’t bore me with incessant, forced small talk.” He kicked the sides of his steed, and the horse protested with a huff before it took off onto the trail out of Teleen. Shade was stunned by his attitude but tried to shrug it off.
“Ignore him. He’s just mad because he’s got his hands tied behind his back. Dose of his own medicine is just what he needs to figure out just what a prick he is.” Dylan winked at her and took off down the trail behind Corb. Shade shifted on her saddle, leaned forward and whispered to her horse.
“Alright there, Lily, time to get this wagon train moving.” With that they took off after the others, letting the wind rush past with an exhilarating roar.
*****
SUMMER WAS APPROACHING for a scorching wind and a dry tickle in the throat met them soon enough. Like the ever-changing seasons in Faerie, here the summer was milder than it should’ve been. The wards around the Seelie court remained intact, but for how long? Rumors were running rampant across the land that Aveta was working with someone to bring them down. Who this partner of hers was remained a mystery.
The days ticked by. The sun scorched overhead during most of the journey, and dust stuck to everything, making it uncomfortable for them all. The group chatted every now and then, but for the most part, they were silent. Only the clicks of the horse’s hooves broke the monotony. The others in the group—Benton, Jade, James, Anna and, at last minute, to Dylan’s dismay, Nautilus—had joined them on the trek. James was ecstatic to be riding his own horse, a smaller pony runt named Wren. They’d hit it off right away, trotting up and down the line of warriors as if too proud to ride alongside just one person. James avoided Corb, though, who mainly took up the rear.
Shade laughed at her younger brother’s exuberance. It did make for a lighter mood, at least. She’d never traveled Faerie alongside her family, but she’d never felt safer. Jade, Benton and even Anna had spent several months training hard in the elemental witchcraft arts. Fire was their affinity, but they were witches nonetheless, just like Shade. Every day, they surprised Shade, pushing their powers to the limit and becoming an intricate part of the group.
The sun was setting in the west, making the sparse forest turn into an array of golden colors
, vibrant oranges and a touch of violet. They settled at the bottom of a small mountain where the dirt was thick with pine needles and pine cones. It took some time to clear the forest floor of loose rocks, but it was well worth it. The horses were tied to one side of the encampment and the center was dominated by a roaring fire. The days may have been scorching, but the nights had a definite chill. It didn’t bother too many of them, but Shade still felt it. If she didn’t use her fire powers, she’d be shivering. James was too young to produce any such heat, so he remained close to the flames of the campfire, happy to roast marshmallows over it.
Leave it to Mom to bring s’mores, thought Shade. It made her shake her head but smile as her mom handed her a large, fluffy marshmallow. It was sticky but good and the small treat elevated the mood of the group. Everyone except for Corb, of course.
“What’s his problem?” Benton plopped down on the ground next to her, sitting Indian style as he reloaded his roasting stick. “Ah, his loss, right?” Blowing out the burning glob, he slapped it in between two graham crackers with chocolate and squeezed it tightly to let the slurry of goo slip out. He licked it off and proceeded to bite off a huge chunk and chew with his mouth smacking as he opened his jaw with every chomp. Shade stared at him, appalled by his manners. At least he’d loosened up quite a bit since she’d last hung out with him.
The days of sitting on the back porch staring at the tree line which led to Faerie were over. Somehow, it made her sad to think about it. Nothing would ever be the same, would it? They’d all grown into different people—even her mother would never be the overworked soccer mom who’d always forget to pick Shade up from school. No one was left untouched by Faerie. It left its mark tattooed all across one’s skin no matter how much one tried to avoid it.
Shade glanced down at the faded black circle where the darkling had marked her in its death. Rubbing it with her fingers, she felt it heat up and respond by pulsating. Staring at it, she swore she saw it spread slightly, like a halo and tangle of veins spread out across her skin and up her arm every time it pulsed. Pulling her hoodie sleeve down over it, she hugged her arms to her chest, afraid someone might’ve seen the abomination living on her skin. She didn’t know what it meant. Even though the poison was dormant and wouldn’t kill her now, what had been left behind? What was a darkling anyway? She knew she had to discover everything she could about them, for if what Ilarial had told her was true, the darkling’s magic was now part of her, whether she liked it or not.
Watching as the fire crackled and roared, she let its burning heat embrace her, making her numb in a comforting way. Though she was close to everyone around the camp—except for Corb and Nautilus, of course—she felt so out of touch, out of sync in so many ways. She watched her mother prep a tent for her, Anna and James. Jade had figured Shade would want her own tent and hadn’t even asked her to join them. It was just as well. She was right. Shade hadn’t felt close enough to anyone besides Dylan to share a tent with them. Even then, she didn’t think it was appropriate, even if they were considered engaged by Teleen standards.
We’re engaged. Why did it still feel so shocking?
Dylan was busy getting the horses fed and watered. His muscles rippled under the loose sleeveless tunic he had tucked in at the waist. His leather belt held his sword, but he usually wore it across his back. Long black hair grazed his shoulders and reached to his shoulder blades. It was extremely easy to watch him; he was definitely savory eye candy. She couldn’t believe she’d told him that she’d chosen him back at the Teleen caverns. It was a relief, yet it made her insides turn to gelatin. Where do we go from here? What happens now?
Turning back toward the pops of burning wood, she knew that reaching the Scren Palace was the only thing on the agenda right now. Maybe after she took the throne back, things would fall into place. Maybe they could delay an actual marriage bond for a while before the Teleen became suspicious that they would never marry. It wasn’t that she never wanted to—it just wasn’t something she could yet fathom. How did anyone get married at eighteen? She still felt so far from that, but it was closer than she could’ve imagined.
“An audience with you, Princess.” Corb’s voice interrupted her thoughts and she threw him a quick nod as he proceeded to sit next to her. Benton huffed, springing up from his spot and heading toward where the tents were being set up. He had his own setup to attend to.
“What’s up?” Why did that feel so informal? Being around Corb and his flat stoic ways made her feel so young and unschooled.
“When we arrive at the Scren Palace, will you be releasing my bonds?”
“I can’t release you. Faerie binds you, not me.” Shade sighed, watching the flames and ashes rising into the night sky. “I would if I could.”
She could see Corb nod slightly in her periphery, his own moonlike eyes taking in the campfire. “Well, I propose that you don’t marry that common Teleen guard. I would marry you myself, if you’re willing. It’d be much more agreeable to the Seelie counsel.”
She stared open-mouthed at the Ice King. Was he nuts? “No way. Why the heck would I marry you? You’re Unseelie….”
“I’m actually Seelie. There is only one Unseelie Kingdom.” He pointed out, his blank face never changed as he watched hers morph from shock to disgust in mere seconds. “And I don’t rule there.”
“Still. Um, no thanks. I’d rather marry a ‘common guard’ than you. No offense, but you’re not my type.”
Corb sat in silence for what seemed like forever before bursting out laughing. Everyone turned to see what the ruckus was about but went along their merry way when they saw that it was Corb. To Shade, it was the rarest of sights. She’d never seen him laugh, only grimace and snarl at people.
“What’s so funny?”
“You’re so oblivious to your needs, Shade. I see why so many fall over themselves to be the ones to hold your heart. Only one holds it, and he is the biggest fool of all. You think that being who you are, so human and vulnerable, you’d realize how important power can be. Now you remember what it was like without it. Never refuse power. The more you possess, the more you can survive this world.” With that, he stood up and walked toward his tent.
She sighed, scratching her head and confused at what he’d said. He’s insane. Certifiable, she thought. Nothing he said ever made sense to her, not back when he’d trapped her in his castle, not now when he was virtually powerless and an unwanted companion.
“What a year,” Shade muttered before getting up to grab her pack off the forest floor. She yanked out her tent and headed to one of the cleared spots near the other tents. Choosing a spot between two scraggly trees, she went to work setting it up. The task quieted her mind, and her body let her know that it was time to rest once more. It ached and burned as she moved about, reminding her that she’d have to take a moment to heal before sleeping. She slipped in between the flaps and pulled her pillow and blanket out of her pack. Lying down, she nestled into the makeshift bed as her eyes quickly succumbed to sleep.
Chapter Twenty-One
A RUMBLE OF the earth shook her awake. Shade hated mornings more than anything, but the sudden jolt was enough to make her scramble to her feet, pull out her sword and shoot out of her tent. She scanned the encampment and saw that she wasn’t the only one who had been awoken in such a brazen manner.
Surrounding them was a group of warriors on horseback. They each had long hair pulled into thick braids hung over slick metal armor with a crest stamped into the front of the breastplates. Shade expected women, but the warriors were all men, all with long, thick black hair and tanned skin. To her they looked almost Native American in appearance but without the intricate feathers and leather moccasins.
Shade held her sword up, locating the leader as he made his way toward the front of the group. A ring had formed around the encampment, making it impossible to escape in any direction.
“Name yourselves and your destination.” The leader was marked by a bold tattoo covering one si
de of his face, making him look fierce. Underneath his set stare, his eyes were a brilliant amber-green hazel which stood out against his tanned skin like fire.
“We travel to the Scren Palace, seeking to return the rightful heir, Shade, to the throne,” Dylan offered while still not lowering his blade. “We’re her escorts.”
Shade glanced toward him, knowing that he, of all of them, would know when to back down.
“The Scren Palace is far from where you come, northerners. Not usual to have company heading that way.” He eyed Corb intently, suspicion growing in his eyes. “Who is the pale man? He is not from any northern tribes I’ve encountered.”
“Corb. I am the Ancient Ice King of The Great Divide.”
With that, the group burst out laughing, shaking their heads as they murmured their jokes amongst themselves.
“I highly doubt that. The Ancients have never been seen amongst us.”
Corb narrowed his gaze and the air dropped several degrees. Shade felt her insides tickle as she felt him draw off their joined power. She could stop him—the bind let her do so if she so wished—but she didn’t. Let them cower in fear, she thought. Looks like they need a wakeup call on who is really boss here. So she let him use his power, eager to see what he was up to.
The dirt and piles of rock all around them crackled into frost as a thin layer of ice expanded from Corb outward, until all the land in sight was frozen solid and the horses whinnied in protest at the magic vibrating in the air. The trees, saplings, fallen leaves and wood were all crackling slightly as the thin layer of ice spread over everything. It even made Shade shiver slightly, but she gripped her sword more tightly to hide the movement.
