by Sarah Bale
The Enchanted Fields were ahead and they hummed with energy as the flowers shook and erupted. This time there were plenty of people around, waiting for the flowers to set off their drug. Why had Ian not seen it before—that they were being fooled?
She was so caught up in her thoughts that she didn’t notice someone blocking the path in front of her until a hand grabbed her by the arm. She tried to pull away and realized it was Hank.
“What are you doing? You’re supposed to be at the Witches’ palace.”
Her eyes narrowed and she asked, “Is that what their plan was when you led us into a trap?”
“Yes. No. I don’t know. All I know is, you’re the only one who can save him.”
“I tried to save Ian and led Andrew right into a trap. That’s why I’m out here. I need help because apparently I can’t do anything right.”
Hank closed his eyes and replied, “I’m not talking about Ian. I’m talking about Brian.”
“I don’t know a Brian—”
He cut her off. “I know you don’t, but I do.” His eyes scanned the fields and he nodded as if deciding something. “Do you trust me?”
“Uh, not really.”
His lips lifted into a smile. “That’s fair. Would you trust me long enough to show you something that may help you save your Ian and my Brian?”
At this point, he was probably her only hope. There was no telling how long it would take her to get back to the compound. And even if she made it, there was no guarantee she would get help.
She nodded. “Okay.”
He began walking and she followed him. They were getting so close to the fields that it was starting to make her nervous. Moans filled the air as people got high and she was afraid she would inhale some too.
As if sensing her thoughts, Hank said, “Don’t worry. I won’t get that close to the fields. It wouldn’t do me any good for you to be overcome.”
“Thanks, I think.”
There was a trail that led away from the fields and Hank took it. It was overgrown and Lexi prayed she wasn’t making a mistake.
“Most people don’t know about this trail. They can’t see beyond the flowers and their desires.”
“How do you know about it?”
Hank glanced over his shoulder. “My desires have changed over time. This is how I was able to be on the other side of the fields when you and Ian were just going through it.”
A lone flower grew ahead and seemed to come to life as they got closer to it. It bowed in the wind almost in a welcome of sorts.
“This is something else that most people don’t know. The flowers tend to stray from the fields and grow on their own. If you know where to look, you can always find one, even miles from this area.”
He reached down and plucked the red flower from the ground. She held her breath, expecting it to release its powder but it didn’t.
“There are some things that you need to know before I show you this. How much do you know about the queen?”
She honestly didn’t know very much and replied, “Only bits and pieces I’ve heard. I know Ian feels responsible about something.”
Hank nodded. “They all think that my lover, Brian, was the one who betrayed the queen. A note with his signature was found on the ground at the last place she was seen alive. Ian blames himself because he was supposed to be guarding her that day but he was handling some kind of personal emergency.
“The day she was killed was the Witches’ way of sending a direct message. They wanted King Loren to be afraid but he was not. Instead, he waged war on them. So we have been at war all these years because neither side can win and there is no end in sight. Not until you arrived, at least.”
She thought back to how angry King Loren had been with her. Even though he didn’t think she was the One, it had still enraged him to find out he was correct. And yet he had done nothing to try to win the war.
Hank went on, “Brian was sent to death for betraying the queen and his country without even getting a trial. Oh they said they were trying him but they didn’t. They killed each and every one of his precious animals and then he killed himself because the sorrow was too much. I am sure if King Loren knew how much he loved me that I would have died that night too.
“But there is something I recently discovered and that is where you come in. My Brian is alive and he says you are the only one who can save him.”
“How did you find out he was alive? Where is he?”
A gleam lit Hank’s eyes and he pushed his long hair from his face. “That’s what I’m going to show you.”
He held the flower up and used his fingernail to cut the root open. Slivery liquid oozed out and he motioned her to get closer.
“I promise you won’t be hurt. Just do as I do.”
He leaned down and inhaled the liquid. Eyes closing, he pushed the flower into her hand. Ian’s warning danced in her mind. If she inhaled, she would be addicted for the rest of her life. But what would she be losing, really? She had nothing to go back to and she wasn’t sure of Ian’s fate.
Taking the flower, she leaned forward and inhaled just as Hank had done. The liquid burned her nose for a moment and then her throat began to tighten. Hank’s hand wrapped around her arm and he pulled her to the ground. Though he was far gone, he still didn’t want her to fall.
The earth felt different beneath her body. It was soft and airy, just as it was meant to be. The sky above changed shades of blue to match the chirping of the birds. Lexi took in a deep breath and was shocked when she could smell Ian’s skin. Her head turned in slow motion as she looked for him. But he wasn’t there.
Next to her, she heard Hank moan out a single word, “Brian.”
“I’m here my love.”
She was hearing another man’s voice but she couldn’t see him.
“Lexi, I don’t have much time. I’m Brian and everything my Hank has told you has been the truth. You have to come back to the Witches’ castle and beat them or Ian will be lost. He is close to giving into them. Once he does everything will be over.”
Hearing Ian’s name made her heart ache in ways she didn’t know was possible.
“But I don’t know what to do. I tried to get into the palace but was stopped by the guards.”
“Then you need to think outside the box.”
Everything began to feel different and she knew what she had to do. She stood as the drugs left her body in a rush.
“One final warning. You will go through hell to get Ian back.”
She replied, “I am willing to do whatever it takes. And I won’t let you down.”
Hank was still on the ground, lips moving as if he were talking to someone. He would never be strong enough to help her. A face danced through her mind. It was risky but he might be the only one who could help her. With a final glance at Hank, she turned and strode away.
It was time to start taking chances.
Chapter Twelve
The sky was turning dark as the sun set. Rowdy voices sang as their owners left the Wooden Brothel and Lexi watched from the tree she sat under. No one had bothered her and she wasn’t surprised. Without Ian, she wasn’t considered a threat. And she was sure news of the king’s treatment of her had made its way to the brothel.
The doors swung open and she finally saw the person she had been waiting for. Colleen sauntered out yelling a goodbye to someone inside the bar. She was surprised to see the woman wearing a dress that covered her body and a cape, much like the one Lexi wore.
When Colleen saw her sitting under the tree, she whistled. “So it’s true? Ian has been captured and the king sent you away? I thought Matthew was just high but I guess I was wrong.”
Lexi stood and said, “I need your help.”
“Now, why would I help the likes of you? What’s in it for me?”
Lexi grabbed onto the woman’s arm and saw her most hidden thoughts. An infant, probably a few months old, lay sleeping in a crib in the back of a small house. Colleen had lied to every
one, saying she had gotten rid of the child. But she hadn’t. She had kept the baby, hoping that one day she could take care of her away from the Wooden Brothel and all its sins. Lexi wasn’t above using blackmail to get what she wanted—Ian safely in her arms.
“Because you don’t want anyone to know about the baby you’re hiding at your house. That wouldn’t be good for business, now would it?”
Colleen’s eyes widened and she looked around to see if anyone had overheard.
“What do you want?”
Lexi said in a low tone, “Take me to your house. I don’t want anyone to overhear us, despite what you are thinking at this moment.”
Colleen nodded and led her down a narrow path. She would have never seen it if it hadn’t been for the other woman. They soon approached several small homes, if they could even be called that. They reminded Lexi of shacks, barely providing enough shelter from the elements.
“Why do you live like this? The homes in Sapphire City are built to be sturdy.”
Colleen huffed and replied, “We don’t choose to live like this, lady. We live like this because it’s our only option. The king made sure we’re punished in every way imaginable.”
King Loren controlled what goods left Sapphire City Lexi realized after seeing some more of Colleen’s thoughts. He was intentionally sending out the minimal so that those who questioned him suffered. Her body shook in anger. How dare he abuse his power in that way?
“I had no idea. I apologize.”
“Don’t feel sorry for us. We find our own ways to get by, which pisses the old man off, I’d imagine.”
Colleen led her inside the last shack. A dim light flickered in the room and Lexi wondered how that place could be the same place she had seen in Colleen’s thoughts. It was empty, except for a chair by the window. Colleen strode to the rug on the wooden floor and moved it aside revealing a hatch.
“King Loren thinks he is punishing us by controlling our supplies. What the old man doesn’t realize is that the soil is more than willing to provide us with the shelter we need.”
She opened the hatch and stepped aside so Lexi could go down first. Stairs made of hard packed clay descended into darkness but she wasn’t afraid. She walked down until she reached the bottom. A lit candle sat on a shelf waiting for them and she picked it up.
“My neighbor always makes sure there is a light ready for me. I don’t know what I would do without her.” Colleen said.
They reached another door and Colleen opened it, revealing the home from her thoughts. It was warm and cozy and reminded Lexi of her old home back in Oklahoma.
“Do you want me to get the baby?”
Fear rippled off Colleen and Lexi shook her head, feeling guilty.
“No. Please forgive me for using your child to scare you. I desperately need your help and it was the only way I could get you to cooperate.”
Relief danced across Colleen’s face and then she asked, “How did you know about my baby? Not even my closest friends know I kept her and believe me, it wasn’t an easy task to accomplish.”
Lexi knew she could trust the woman and replied, “I saw her in your thoughts.”
“You can see my thoughts?” When Lexi nodded, Colleen went on, “Then I will surely help you.”
“I need to find a way to get inside the Witches’ palace. Preferably without being captured.”
Horror danced across Colleen’s face and she exclaimed, “But that’s impossible. You have to know this.”
“I think there may be a way, which is why I wanted your help. What do you know about the Witches’ army?”
“They are men who have been captured by the Witches and trained to do what they are told without being questioned. They cannot be trusted.”
“But what if I told you I found a chip in their armor? Something the Witches didn’t think about that is going to work in our favor.”
Colleen’s eyes lit up with understanding and she replied, “Then I would say you just might have a chance.”
“I thought so. Do you know where they stay when they aren’t on duty?”
Colleen stood and strolled to a small bookshelf. She pulled down a parchment and unrolled it.
“This is a map of Sinoda. If King Loren knew we had it he’d be furious.”
“What King Loren doesn’t know won’t hurt him.”
Colleen grinned and pointed to the map. “Look it over and tell me what you see.”
Sapphire City was in the center of the map but what she noticed right away was the design.
“It’s a square.” Brian’s words echoed in her mind. “Or a box…”
Colleen nodded. “Yes. King Loren thought it was safer to build the realm like this but he was wrong. This layout has made him a prisoner in his own city. He can’t travel anywhere because it’s not safe.”
“Where is the Witches’ palace on the map?”
“Right here.”
Colleen pointed to the north of Sapphire City. The area was called Stone Canyon and Lexi could see why after visiting there.
“And this is where the Witches’ army lives.”
On the outskirts of Stone Canyon was a small town. It was so insignificant that it could be easy to miss.
“The head guard’s name is Carter. He is Ian’s equal in every way and he is the one you will need on your side.”
“I think I met him today. Does he have a scar on his face?”
Colleen nodded. “Yes. He got the scar the day the Witches tried to force his younger brother into joining them.”
Lexi didn’t have to ask what happened. The brother had died and Carter’s scar had been a small taste of the pain he had gone through for defying them.
“I have to warn you, though. Carter won’t be easy to win over and you will more than likely get hurt in the process. Pain is his specialty.”
She shivered as she remembered his green eyes. “I’ll do what I have to.”
“Then I want to offer you something that might help you.”
Colleen led her into the back room where a small baby slept in a crib. Lexi was surprised when she could see the child’s dreams.
“She is happy and she loves you,” Lexi said.
Colleen’s eyes filled with tears. “Thank you. I try my best for her.” She went to a chest and pulled out a dress similar to the one she wore at the brothel. “If you’re going to face the Witches’ army then you’ll need something different to wear.”
Colleen turned so Lexi could get dressed. Lexi took off her clothes and slid the dress on. The rose-colored dress was see-through in all the right places. It was probably the sexiest thing she had ever worn in her life and made her feel empowered.
“Very good. They won’t be able to resist you.”
She wondered what Ian would say if he could see her now but shoved the idea away. She couldn’t think of him. It was too much of a risk and made her vulnerable. Something she couldn’t afford right now.
“Thank you for your help, Colleen. I hope I can repay you one day.” She paused then continued, “But I have one more favor to ask of you.”
Colleen helped her put her cape on and replied, “I think you’ll help us all in ways you can’t begin to understand. And I think I know what you’re going to ask. Let me leave my baby with my neighbor and then we can leave.”
Lexi nodded as she waited for Colleen to make sure her child was taken care of. When she returned, the two left the tiny house hidden under the earth. The dark air enveloped them as they stepped outside and Lexi knew she had only a short amount of time to find Carter. Her entire plan depended on it.
Chapter Thirteen
The path toward Stone Canyon was surprisingly easy to follow even in the dark. With each step she took, she felt a change coming. She might not be the One but she was going to make the Witches fight to bring her down.
Lights ahead alerted her that they were almost to the tiny town that the army lived in.
Colleen said, “The guards work in twenty-four-hour shifts.
Carter should be somewhere in the town. His next shift starts when the sun rises so we don’t have much time.”
“Are you sure you want to do this? I know I’m asking a lot of you.”
Colleen smiled. “I’m sure.”
Lexi put the hood up on her cape and made sure her dress couldn’t be seen. She didn’t want to be recognized.
A man stepped in front of them and said, “You must be lost. There is no way in hell someone would come here willingly.”
Colleen stepped forward. “That is where you’re wrong. We’re looking for Carter.”
A surprised look flashed across his face before he laughed. “Then let me show you the way.”
He grabbed Colleen’s arm and pulled her roughly down the dirt path. Lexi followed, her heart pounding in fear. She prayed this was a good idea. Men stepped from their tents to watch. They seemed surprised to see two women in their small city. Thoughts of longing and desire drifted toward her and she forced herself not to get lost in them. They were all so very lonely.
Instead of taking them to one of the tents, the guard led them to an opening in a cave. Though she couldn’t see him, she could hear Carter’s thoughts inside. He was thinking about their encounter earlier that day and how much he had wanted her. What an interesting twist of fate.
“Carter, you have some visitors,” the man yelled out, his voice echoing off the walls.
“I specifically said I didn’t want to be bothered.”
“You’re going to want to see this.”
Carter came around the corner. She was surprised to find he wore only a loincloth of sorts but even more shocked to see what a beautiful, chiseled body he had.
“I thought I told you not to show your face around here again.” To Colleen he said, “And you…I told you I don’t pay for sex.”
Lexi tried to ignore the murderous vibe he was putting off and replied, “I was hoping we could talk about that.”
Carter stared at her and then said to the man, “Leave us and see that we aren’t disturbed.”
