The Sweet Series Box Set: Books 1-4

by Bailey Ardisone

  And so I let the blackness of night descend into my heart. I was angry—Angry with Ray, Nikolai, Ohtar, and especially King Aglar. Angry with the damn hunter who pulled me back into Luïnil just as I had escaped.

  The vexation kept me awake through most of the night, until I did as I had promised myself and thought of nothing but Mycah and Rydan for the rest of the hours that ticked by silently. I pretended I was out of this cage, and instead of lying on a wooden bench alone, waiting for my death, I was with the two most incredible elves in existence.

  Natural light slowly began its battle with the dark, and I watched with heavy eyes as it won. A soft, hazy glow filled the cell I was locked in, extinguishing every bit of night. It was warm even still and never seemed to get cold, but that didn’t matter. I shivered anyway. Maybe it was more out of fear than anything else. I didn’t want to be afraid. I didn’t want to be a coward. There had to be a way out of this. I couldn’t just die without saying good-bye to Rydan. To Mycah.

  The jingle of keys at the bars of my prison sent me jumping upright. I hadn’t even heard anyone approaching. It was the silent-walking trick I had been so fond of before. I quickly realized I only liked it when it was my own quiet steps and not by ones who were suddenly my enemies.

  “The stone awaits your head,” the guard announced.

  Yeah, I was sure it did. I, on the other hand, was not looking forward to this little meet-and-greet. I delayed standing up, buying a bit of time, even if it was only seconds more of life. The guard wasn’t having it, though. Reaching inside, he yanked me out of the cage and immediately tried putting my hands behind my back. I struggled against his hold, refusing to cooperate, but he was much too strong. He tied my wrists together, then shoved me forward.

  “You don’t have to do this,” I made yet another plea for freedom. “I’ll leave and never come back. You won’t ever have to see me again.”

  “There are none concerned with only having to see you again. It is the allowance of your existence that we abhor and refuse to accept,” the guard rebutted. “There is no difference where you would choose to dwell; your life is the very thing we cannot condone.”

  “You’re being ridiculous. All of you,” I bit out, anger flaring like a fireball in my chest.

  “Insulting our principles and loyalty to our king is petty and disgraceful. How dare you question what we hold dear.” The blond-haired elf steered me down the stairs, squeezing my arm tighter as we conversed.

  “How dare I? How dare you take my life for such a silly reason! Maybe if I actually deserved this execution, I could accept it. But I have committed no crimes against you or this kingdom, and until yesterday, I fought brutally to defend it. The disgrace is on you, not me.” I ripped my arm out of his hold, but he only caught it again with the flash of his hand.

  “Silly reason? You have committed crimes. You have dishonored our king, our people, and above all this you tainted our sacred Ëlemmiire. It is not to be used lightly, and yet you treat it like your personal property,” he countered equally as angry as I had become. We were close to reaching the bottom of the stairs.

  “What the heck is the thing there for if not to use? Why is it such a big deal to pass through it?” I scoffed, missing the point entirely. None of these rules and principles made sense, and no matter what, I would never agree to someone dying over breaking them. That was a bit extreme, in my opinion.

  “You possess not the slightest knowledge of our ways,” he said in return. Uh, duh. I held back nodding my head dramatically. “It is forbidden to use the Ëlemmiire, for it is sacred to our people. It is there for our protection and magic. You needn’t concern yourself with the reasons, traitor. We obey the laws of our kings and queens of old. That is solely what you must know of it to understand.”

  When we stepped into the courtyard of the city, I was struck with awe—but not the good kind—at the crowd that engulfed the spaces around the beheading stone. There it sat, right in the middle of a platform that had been set up for this very occasion. It hadn’t been there yesterday. It was all for me.

  Yay.

  The guard led me through the pressure of bodies that stood in anxious excitement at my impending doom. My heart hammered so hard, I worried I’d pass out before I made it to the white rock that sat waiting for my arrival. I swallowed the large lump that had gotten lodged in my throat. Lissë was antsy as she stomped all over the place in the stall that they locked her in. She bucked and reared, neighing and kicking. It had to have been some sort of enchantment to keep her secure. And I knew after my last breath was taken, she would be next on their hit list.

  That idea alone caused tears to swell in my eyes. I didn’t want to think of her being killed so heartlessly. It made my bones ache with all sorts of grief. I didn’t even care about myself anymore, all I could think about was her and what she’d be left with after I left this cruel realm.

  With one swift kick behind my knees, the elven guard had me right where he wanted me—kneeling before the glittering stone that would serve as my last bit of comfort before the lights went officially out for good. But it wouldn’t be soothing. It would be the complete opposite.

  As he pushed my head downward to lay my cheek on the cold, lifeless rock, I found that it was neither here nor there. I didn’t even pay attention to it. I couldn’t feel the rough, scratchy surface, or the cool wetness of the morning dew that coated it. My mind had gone completely numb once my eyes had laid upon two figures watching from a high balcony to my left.

  My grandparents.

  There was no doubting that it was them. Döron, my grandfather, watched with anguish twisting his face. His shackled hand covered another belonging to a beautiful lady who stood next to him, also shackled, with tears slipping down her cheeks, but her expression was stoic, not revealing any emotion. I knew she was my grandmother, because I could see myself in her features. Her waist-length hair shimmered in a color matching rays of the sun you only ever saw painted in the dawning sky.

  Her lips trembled as I continued staring into her teal eyes, wishing I could convey to her the magnitude of how much this privilege of getting to see her before I died meant to me. It made everything seem okay. I was grateful and honored, and suddenly filled with warmth and love, just knowing that I had a grandmother who watched over me in this frightening moment.

  So I gave her a loving smile.

  Only mere minutes had passed since I was taken to this spot, but they were ones I was appreciative of. A booming voice gave me a start, breaking my eye contact with my grandmother. “You have been found guilty of heinous acts of treason. You will not be given the high courtesy of speaking any last words or sentiments.”

  From the corner of my eye, I watched intently as a tall elf dressed in black made his way near me, holding a glinting axe. He took the position to my right, opposite of where my eyes were turned, so I could no longer see him. Oh, but I could certainly feel his presence like a looming cloud of destruction.

  I refused to beg for my life even just one more time. I was done begging. Any of my pleas previously had fallen on deaf ears, and as I stared into the hate-filled eyes of the people watching on, I knew it would be no different now.

  A sweet requiem began to play from a spot I couldn’t see from this position of restraint. It was melancholy and sad; a song given explicitly for my death. My eyes shot back to my grandparents, who currently appeared to be arguing with King Aglar. Guards had weapons pointed at them, though I didn’t understand why. They were already shackled at the wrists. I hoped with all I had in me that they weren’t going to be executed next.

  “By order of our glorious Majesty and Sovereign of the Kingdom of Lassaira, King Aglar, I hereby grant your life forfeit and release,” the same voice rang out firmly. Deep drums reverberated along with the melody that had already been playing, and I knew it was coming. Though the sun shone brightly in a clear, cloudless sky, it was the complete opposite of the dark, heavy clouds I had billowing in my head and soul. I imagined a
darkened sky instead, matching my demise.

  Not even a second later, like the burning sunrise after a pitch-black night, hope flooded in around me and filled up that darkness growing in my mind like a lamp. The executioner tasked with my beheading suddenly fell down dead next to my side with an arrow right between his two eyes. I sucked in a large gasp as my eyes widened in shock and disbelief. In just one instant, it seemed death’s door was slammed closed like a gust of wind on a mission. I had no idea how or why, and not even the tiniest inkling of the source of that arrow, but I couldn’t control the huge burst of anxiousness exploding in my stomach. It gave me enough momentum to rip away the bonds I had around my wrists.

  Cries and outbursts echoed across the disrupted crowd. I sat up the instant I realized I could. My head immediately searched for the cause of my sudden spared life, and once my eyes lay upon it, I fell limp, utterly spent and astonished. I clutched the cold stone before me for support, relief coating my insides.

  No, it couldn’t be. It couldn’t be him.

  Chapter Ten

  ~Naminé~

  I awoke with a start, the light of dawn just ascending over me. Oh, no. I had fallen asleep out here with Lómë and Calen, for I did not wish to leave them alone. There was no time to dwell on that anymore. It was imperative I return with the borrowed horse as quickly as I could in hopes it would be before Anna or Darren awoke.

  “Lómë, if there is any possible chance you could shift smaller so I might carry you on this horse, I could bring you to Rydan’s house. Please, if you could try.” I caressed her back softly.

  She seemed to have gained a small bit of strength, for with a moan, she certainly did shift into a smaller form of herself. Quickly and carefully, I picked up Calen to set her on my shoulder. Taking Lómë, I held her in one arm as I pulled myself up onto the back of the dark brown horse. I set her in my lap and held Calen against my chest, then took off toward Rydan’s house with speed. As fast as the horse was able to run, we flew with the sun chasing our backs.

  I exhaled a breath strongly, relief filling my chest upon arrival at the O’Malleys’ land. Hastily, I placed Lómë in a secluded, hidden spot amongst the trees near the house. She immediately resumed her original form the moment I set her onto the ground.

  “I shall return to you both constantly. You only have to rest here until we are able to return to our homeland. If I can contact Falla, I may have a way to help the healing process faster. For now, I must go.” I kissed them both before leaving and slipping the horse back into its barn.

  My heart pounded against my ribcage as I took quiet steps into the darkened house. Cautiously, I resumed my position inside the room Anna had provided to me. I let out a tight scream once I realized someone was there on the bed already, staring at me. But it was only Ender.

  “You gave me a fright.” I uncovered my mouth I had been squeezing tightly with my fingers.

  “Forgive me. I have been waiting the whole night for your return. What happened? Were you in danger?” Ender asked quietly.

  “No, I apologize. There was no danger. I fell asleep unexpectedly. I did not intend to worry you. Lómë and Calen are fine. I moved them just outside here into the woods so that we had easier access to them,” I explained a bit breathlessly.

  “Well done. I shall return to my room then, before the humans awake. Oh, but before I do.” Ender cleared his throat before speaking again. “There is one matter I wish to discuss with you, Naminé.”

  “I am listening.”

  “It shall not be easy to hear, and yet I must advise you before it is too late. I am not oblivious to your budding feelings toward Prince Rydan. Naminé, whatever are you thinking, child? You know his mother will not approve.”

  “Ender, please.” My skin grew hot perceptibly fast, my heart fluttering. I was taken by surprise over his bluntness. “I do know this. I am but a servant. It would be foolish of me to give in to such fantasies. You do not have to worry.”

  “It did not appear that way before he left in search of Nariella. You two are much too close as it is, I fear.” Ender cleared his throat yet again, and I went silent. The memory of my first kiss with Rydan became forefront. Rydan may not have been aware of my status as a servant in that moment, but if we were to return to Aselaira it would certainly become known to him. I could not keep it secret any longer.

  I nodded respectfully, and he left the room without much more than that.

  I crawled beneath the covers that lay atop the soft mattress. Since the sun was rising quickly, Falla should just be drifting into sleep. Now was my chance to dream-weave with her and find out what I could about helping Lómë and Calen.

  Inhale, exhale. Inhale, exhale. Slowly, I breathed deeply and evenly to relax my mind and body. Clearing my thoughts, I created strands of images to be used in a dream world that I would then connect to Falla’s mind. With her face and name forefront, I was able to reach for her. The link was affirmed, though it was difficult and painful to keep it stable. Images skipped and flashed, as if jumbled. I focused harder, but it was much too fizzled to make anything out.

  “Falla?” I called, but I did not hear my own voice. I tried again. “Falla!”

  I spun in circles, searching for my Maite’Ona Animal Healer friend. She was completely unaware that I was a fellow Maite’Ona, such as herself. I had kept it secret from everyone, afraid that if I had been found out, I would be forced to use my gift in service of the false king. And it was never known what he would ask of you. Even if it were for evil means, you would have no choice but to obey. Therefore, Falla had no knowledge of my dream-weaving ability.

  Finally, I did see her in the dream I created. “Falla!”

  She gazed upon me with confusion in her eyes. She mouthed a word, but I could not hear what she had said. It was plain as day that we could not openly communicate, just as I could not when I had been dream-weaving with Remycah and Rydan.

  My only option was to send her images, much like Remycah had instructed me to do with him the first time we dreamed together. He had still been in the Earthly realm, unaware of where the Lassaira Ëlemmiire was located so that he may return home to us. We could not speak, and therefore, he signaled for me to send him images of what I had wished to say. I did not know then if it had worked, but it clearly did, for soon after, he found Rydan here in this town I now dwelled in.

  Closing my eyes, I focused my thoughts on Lómë’s bloodied body and Calen’s broken wing. Falla would be confused, I knew she would be, and perhaps it was foolish of me to send her images of the Ëlemmiire, but I wished to portray that I was not home in Aselaira. That we were out of our home realm in a foreign place that did not offer aid of healing or grace—That I needed her utmost guidance in giving care to Fëa without the use of our traditional elven medicines.

  I gazed upon Falla once more, seeking confirmation that she understood what I had been trying to portray, but she only shook her head and lifted her shoulders. I dropped to my knees, my hands crossed in front of me. I mouthed, “Please help.”

  She took steps closer to where I knelt, but the instant she did so, the dream world started to collapse. I held up my hands in protest, halting her in place. She looked around, understanding finally registering in her expression. This was no ordinary dream. This was conjured.

  Quickly, she plucked a leaf from a tree that was off to the side and mouthed a word, but I was unable to understand. She mouthed it over and over, slower and slower, until I could finally see she had been saying “Ëlemmiire.”

  I nodded my head triumphantly—A leaf from the Ëlemmiire. She then crushed it between her palms until it was a paste. Looking around, she waved her hands about, as if trying to figure out a way to explain the rest. She grabbed a stick—

  A stabbing pain in my temple had me throwing myself up right in bed. The dream with Falla was completely gone. Massaging the ache in my head, I took deep breaths to calm myself. Quickly, I tried to recreate the dream with Falla, yet it would not connect. She was lo
st to me.

  Suddenly, I heard muffled voices through the walls of my room. “But who are they? How do we know we can trust them?”

  Darren’s voice. Anna responded, “You talked with them yesterday. You saw for yourself they are harmless.”

  “But to invite them into our home like this? We don’t even know how long they’ll be staying for. You didn’t even discuss it with me before deciding on your own to bring total strangers into our home.”

  “Shh! Keep your voice down. I don’t want to wake them.”

  “How do they not know anything about where Rydan is?”

  “I believe them. It makes sense what they said about him always on the move. Nariella told us he was with his brother looking for their birth parents. Let’s just trust our son, okay, honey? They had his most prized possession. He would not have given that up so easily if he didn’t want us to help them.”

  “They’re so secretive, though. I just…I don’t know about this, babe.”

  “It’ll be fine. I know it will be. Now hurry up, Marie is waiting for us. Don’t forget your cell.”

  They continued talking up until the point of when I could no longer hear them. The sound of a vehicle starting and then slowly leaving had me sighing in relief. Anna had explained yesterday that this would happen. They had work to tend to, but Ender and I were welcome to come and go as we pleased. There was no time to waste, and so I made my way to Ender’s room. I told him what Falla had shown me with the Ëlemmiire leaf. Being that he was still recovering from his own injury, I would be carrying out this task alone.

  Before racing to Lómë and Calen’s side, I gathered a bit of food and water for them, not to mention a little for myself as well. With haste, I ran to their place of hiding, eager to do what I could and ease their suffering. Lómë was in the same position I had left her in earlier, only this time, she was moaning in pain. Calen was cuddled at her side, and my heart utterly snapped in two at their quandary.