by E. A. Weston
“Prince?”
“Yes,” I call back with a groan.
“Come now brother we are waiting,” Avery chuckles.
Pulling on my training gear, I meet him outside. “What is it?” I ask.
“The scouting party is ready for your orders,” Avery tells me.
“Good, let us go,” I reply walking towards the training field. Once we arrive the four fairies that volunteered to venture to the castle are waiting.
“Thank you for volunteering,” I nod to them. “This is just an information gathering scout,” I explain. “You are not to engage with the castle guards but gather as much information as you can. Find out if the lady Reagan is being held there and where. Be safe,” I end with a look to each of them.
“Yes my prince,” they reply bowing before leaving.
Avery and I watch as they run through the magical barrier that hides Tenebrosi from other fairies. I hope with all my heart that they come back with good news for me.
“Have we heard from any of the other scouts?” I ask turning to walk back to my dwelling.
“Not yet, I expect their return by nightfall,” he replies.
“Good,” I sigh. “What of the armory?”
“It is stocked and ready when you are. We have had progress with weapons but many fairies will be carrying a staff and small dagger. Most warriors will have a sword,” Avery answers.
“Good, we need as many as possible.”
“Indeed brother, I fear we may not have as much as we need but there is not much to be done,” he frowns.
“I know Avery, I know.”
Leaving him, I step inside my small living space and look over the map. I don’t really need to see it because I know every inch of my homeland but having the map in front of me gives me something physical to stare at. My finger trails over the castle and I wish I had have told Reagan about how I left in the first place. Maybe she would be able to use the secret passage to flee back to me. Goddess, I just want her back. Why is loving her so damn hard?
Taking my sword, I practice alone, giving myself time to readjust for the weight and length of it. With each swing I picture my girlfriend’s perfect face, pushing me to move faster and be stronger for her.
“Killian,” Avery calls out to me a while later.
Walking from the trees, I approach him, “yes?” I answer.
Spinning around he laughs holding his chest, “I fear you have frightened me, Killian. We have news of the first scouting party, they are gaining ground and should be here soon.”
“That is good news, let us eat while we wait,” I answer, returning my sword to my room. We eat out in the open with some of the other fairies while we all wait for news. It is not long after that the party returns they walk straight over to me and bow.
“Welcome back,” I tell them.
“My prince, we have some good news,” Orin answers. He was first to volunteer to go out seeking help from more fairies. “We were able to gather another fifty warriors, we located them in hiding on one of the small islands. They did not believe that the prince had returned,” he says.
“Really, how did you convince them?” I ask, crossing my arms.
“With some difficulty but some of them said they had trained with you when you were here,” he waves around the camp.
“When will they arrive?” I ask. This is great news, finally Avery, and I will have fairies that know the way of Tenebrosi.
“They will travel in groups over the next three moons. I have set up a meeting place for the first group on tomorrow’s moon,” Orin says.
Nodding my head, I dismiss him to eat. Avery smiles at me when I sit back down.
“This is good news, Killian.”
“Yes, it is,” I sigh. “I just hope we will be ready soon,” I answer, looking around the camp at the few hundred fairies that call this their home.
“What is it?” Avery asks in a lower voice.
“Everything,” I smirk at him. “I miss Reagan. I miss my home, my parents, and sister. I want to kill the fairy that is responsible for all this,” I say waving my hand around. “It is difficult Avery, I have missed so much over the moon’s sometimes it feels like taking back the kingdom will prove impossible.”
“Yes, it may appear that way, Killian. But you are who you are and we both know that you are still one of the best warriors ever to live, even if you have been in the human realm. We will take back the kingdom and rescue Reagan, together brother. I swore to you my sword and I intend to avenge Aurelia’s death too,” he whispers the last part.
Reaching out, I squeeze his shoulder, “I understand Avery. Together we will take back our homeland.”
Soon after we have eaten, I take my leave and walk back to my place. The dwellings of Tenebrosi are small and uncomfortable but they are dry. It is not yet snowing, thank the Goddess, but being here is bringing back memories that I had buried a long time ago. Memories of my father and our late night talks each time I returned from here. It also makes me feel lonely like I was in Faircrest before Reagan came into my life.
I made her a promise to find her parents but I have failed at that and now she has been kidnapped after dying and set to the pyre. I have failed her so badly it angers me. I have no doubt that she may very well ask me to leave this place and return home. That is my biggest fear, losing her to the human realm and being so far apart. If that is what she wants, though, how can I refuse. If I truly love her like I know I do wouldn’t I do anything to make her happy?
Yes.
Even if that means returning to Faircrest without me?
Yes.
I am selfish when it comes to Reagan Lunasa, all I want is, her. I want every inch of her body and soul with me. I want to bond with her completely in every way that fairies do even though she is not but I don’t care, she is my reason for living.
“Father, Mother, if you can hear me I could really use some guidance,” I sigh into the empty room. Reaching for my throat, I realize the pearl that has been my companion for over one hundred years now resides on the neck of my beloved.
“Keep her safe for me,” I whisper again, hoping that someone, somewhere, hears my plea.
Chapter 21
Reagan
* * *
I have been tossing and turning all night long waiting to hear anything of Aurelia. The room is stuffy and the ache in my body is wearing me down. Rolling off the bed, I get dressed and open the window shutters, revealing the still dark morning. The door to the room squeaks open slowly, causing the hairs to rise on my neck. Spinning around I watch as Brokk creeps inside.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
He lifts his head in surprise grinning at me. Brokk closes the door and walks toward me carrying two swords.
“I must hide these here for our escape,” he whispers.
Nodding my head I help him look for a hiding spot. We check in drawers, the closet and in the bathing room.
“They are too large,” he sighs.
“How about the old fashioned way?” I tease and lift the mattress from the bed.
“Of course, you are most clever Reagan,” he laughs quietly.
We arrange the swords beneath the mattress so that they aren’t noticeable. Brokk leaves the room telling me he will be back with some more items. I have no idea what he is doing or why he is putting everything in here. I watch as creeps back into the room a while later carrying two staffs and a small bag.
“What’s in the bag?” I ask.
“Clothing from Ari’s room, I will gather some of my own later,” he answers.
“Okay, is she back?” I ask, turning to glance out of the window.
“No,” he shakes his head. “I have had word that the hunting party is returning this morning,” he says.
“Oh okay, at least, we know she is safe,” I tell him while helping to rearrange the bed.
“For now, I fear Connor is up to something and I do not wish to be here when it happens,” he sighs.
“H
e really is an ass. How could the king have him as a guard?” I ask.
“I do not know. I was not here at that time. I have learned that Connor gets what he wants even by means that are untoward,” Brokk answers.
“Yeah, like how he got Aurelia.” Leaning on the windowsill, I look out over the meadow. I can’t imagine what Aurelia is doing right now and more to the point what Connor is doing to her. I really hope she is okay, Killian and Avery will hate me if anything happens to her.
We hear the sound of marching coming closer, the thump of boots as the guard appears from the tree line. Brokk sighs and leaves to meet with Connor and Aurelia. I on the other hand just stay where I am away from him. The group is large, there looks to be about fifty or sixty guards and behind them a smaller group. Then I notice that there are two figures trailing the small group who are tied by their wrists.
I watch as they march into the courtyard and then, my view is obstructed by another building. Turning away from the window I pace the room, wondering what happened out on the hunt and what exactly were they hunting for. A few minutes later one of the servants brings me some food. They don’t ever speak to me and I wonder if that is Connor’s doing or they just don’t like humans.
“Thank you,” I tell her anyway. Sitting down to eat, I pick at the fruit and bread. I am able to stomach a little more than I had before but still all the pain in my body puts me off food. Biting the bread, I chew slowly, thinking about how the hell we can escape from here and how can we get away. My mind drifts as I nibble on the food when the doors burst open with force and bangs off the wall. Aurelia stands in the doorway looking like a crazed maniac.
“Hey, you okay?” I ask, standing slowly.
Slamming the door behind her she marches into the room, “I must leave now,” she whispers. Her pacing is getting faster as she moves from one side of the room to the other. “I must, I cannot wait, Reagan, we have to go soon,” She says.
“Okay Aurelia, calm down. Tell me what happened?”
“A hunt!” she growls. “I expected to hunt for animals, not fairies. Oh, how Connor has disgusted the fairy race with his wretched behavior. Jealous…hateful…” Aurelia breaks off her rant to breathe. Grabbing my water she chugs it down. “We must leave, I fear things are getting worse here,” she looks me dead in the eye.
“I’m down but what about Brokk? Are you asking him to come along and where are we going?” I ask.
“Of course, he will join me, he is my guard. We left the location up to you Reagan, don’t disappoint me,” she says. “I will bring some clothes to this room and we shall leave at nightfall. Please stay here today, I do not wish for Connor to see you. I fear he may turn against you,” she gives me a sad look on her way out.
Okay, so that was intense. Leaving the rest of the food, I open the drawer to get my own clothes ready. I don’t have anything here that belongs to me so I have no need to take anything, although, I wish something of Killian’s were here so I could have that. Grabbing the tray of food, I leave it outside the door so no one will have to come inside and wait out my time.
I try to remember where Killian and Samiel took me when we arrived. I know we passed a ruin and got a boat to the fire isle but after that, I’m lost. I was passed out in Killian’s arms. I wish I were there now, I miss his strong arms around me, and his gentle lips, on mine.
“Reagan,” Brokk calls as he enters the room. I look at the clothes in his hands as he shoves them into the drawer. “Lunch will arrive soon if it pleases you I will join you,” he says.
“Sure,” I nod. I feel like all I do here is eat and sleep, or, at least, try too. Brokk closes the drawer just as another servant enters the room carrying a tray filled up with food. I spot meat, bread, and some fruit. Brokk dismisses her and closes the door once she leaves. He grabs two of the loaves of bread shoving them into the drawer with the clothes.
“For our journey,” he whispers.
“Okay but what about the bonding? We will not be missed if we leave tonight?” I ask.
“Yes but we have the night to travel. Connor and Aurelia do not share sleeping rooms,” he says.
I remember the rule and that makes it a little easier to breathe. “Why are we putting everything in here? Don’t we have to leave from the bottom level?”
“I do not know, Ari instructed me to bring everything to this room,” Brokk replies. “Come, Reagan, eat well for this may be our last feast.”
Sitting down beside him I try to stuff as much food inside my belly as possible. The meat is juicy and tender but I can’t eat too much. The bread and fruit are about all I can eat. We sit in silence for a while and I watch as Brokk clenches his jaw a few times.
“Brokk, what did Connor bring back from the hunt?”
With a heavy sigh he looks over at me, “he found two fairies in Bonfire Hills. They tried to run but the guard captured them.” He looks worried.
“What will he do to them?” I ask.
“He will do what he always does,” he replies with anger.
“Torture them?” I guess.
“Yes, he will torture them and kill them if they refuse to join his side,” Brokk sounds sad now and I can’t blame him.
“What about you, I thought you were one of his dungeon guards?”
“No, that was only because you were a female human and I am Aurelia’s guard. I apparently have a way with females,” he answers.
“Really,” I tease. “I never would have guessed,” I smile at him.
“You wound me, Reagan,” he says putting his hand over his heart.
The movement reminds me of Killian so much that I drop my piece of bread. Damn I miss that fairy boy so bad.
“Are you well?” he questions.
I wave it off, taking my bread again and blink back the tears that are threatening to fall down my face. Brokk recommends that I take a bath before we leave and to get some sleep because we will be traveling soon. Once he leaves, I sink into the water allowing it to cover my whole body and head. This plan to escape is so not ready to put into action but here we are on the cusp of breaking free and getting back to Killian, at least, that is what is getting me through this.
When I walk back into the room, there are two guards standing waiting. My eyes widen as they step closer to me. One of them takes me by the arm leading me out of the room. The other one, I notice is the fairy that was in the attic room training with us. Is he really on our side or is he a spy for Connor.
“Where are we going?” I ask.
Neither of them answer’s me as we walk down a dark stairway and into the dungeon. Shit! I try to pull away but my escort holds tighter, digging his nails into my arm. Connor strolls into the walkway from one of the cells, he wipes his hands on some cloth before throwing it aside.
“Reagan, how wonderful to see you again,” he says.
My skin crawls when his eyes take in my dress that is clinging to my body. I really hope Killian rips his eyes out. He smirks at me before turning to look back into the cell. With a smile Connor beckons me over, I don’t move and stay where I am but my guard shoves me closer to Connor.
“Do not be afraid Reagan,” he says with a smile. “Look,” he waves his arm toward the cell. “This could have been your fate but my dear princess wanted you,” he sighs.
Stopping in front of the cell I peek inside but all I see is blood. With a gasp I step back wanting to be sick, why would he do this? Connor grabs my arm hauling me back inside the cell where two fairies lie on the ground. Tears spring to my eyes when I see the broken, ripped wings, and the blood spraying the walls, the coppery smell assaulting my nose.
“What did you do?” I ask, pulling my arm out of his grasp.
“Now, now Reagan. This is what happens when you are a traitor. Are you a traitor?” he questions, stepping closer.
“What! No, why would ask me that?” I shout at him.
His black eyes look empty and soulless as he grips me by the back of the neck. His face looms closer to mine and I
smell his rancid breath. My chest heaves with anger as I try to pull away from him but he is stronger and holds me in place easily.
“You are human,” he snarls. “You have no right to be in Avalon. I will find out how you entered our realm once my bonding is over and I have the royal power. I will break you,” he whispers so close that his lips brush off mine. “That is a promise,” he says, before pushing me on top of the broken fairies. Connor leaves the cell as I try to get up away from the blood. One of the fairies opens his eyes and gasps.
“R…Rea,” he sputters.
“No!” I whisper shaking my head. Standing up, I leave the cell with the help of a new guard. He escorts me back to my room, leaving me just inside the door. Once he leaves, I hear the lock click from the other side. Tears run down my face as I gag trying to get the clothes off me. I can’t manage to get them off before I fall into the bathing pool, turning the water red. My throat aches from crying as I struggle with the dress. Finally, I manage to pull it over my head and drop it onto the slate floor.
I know that fairy, I remember him from Tenebrosi when Killian and I arrived. How can this happen? Does Killian know that his fairies have been captured and beaten bloody? Climbing out of the water, I dress in the training gear Brokk had left for me earlier. I can’t sit still my nerves are jumpy and I am beyond angry. I have to get to Killian fast and tell him what has happened. I know he and Avery will be shocked seeing Aurelia but we have no choice, we have to go to them.
I’m like a caged animal prowling the confines of my room. No one tries to come in and I can’t get out. Opening the window, I look out at the ledge gaging how high up I am. I doubt I’ll survive if I jump, as tempting as it is. With a heavy sigh, I resume my pacing and sliding my chain back and forth across my chin. I hate this waiting, what is happening with Aurelia and Brokk.
