Scarlet Forest

by Jennifer Ann Reed

  “You’re his Champion.” Uncle Kalen pulled me into his arms. “War always has casualties. You only have to remember what you’re fighting for. Don’t lose your true focus.”

  “I won’t.” At least I’d try to keep my promise, but each death did burden my soul even if they didn’t happen at my own hands.

  We exited the room and followed Lira through the corridors until we reached the trial room. The Spell Dancer approached Aerolynn’s chair and whispered in her ear. The color of the Council leader's face paled before she looked at me. Her forehead wrinkled as she accessed me. Was she looking for evidence of the fire on me? Did she even believe Lira’s story?

  Aerolynn’s fear morphed when her eyes met mine. She darted glances between Lira and me as the Spell Dancer continued talking. Aerolynn’s posture stiffened, and she nodded once. Then, she dipped her chin in my direction.

  “On behalf of the Council, I want to say I’m sorry for what you’ve endured inside our walls.” Aerolynn looked out among the curious stares from the other members. “Malachi sought revenge for Josiah’s death and planned to murder Kitra. He chose to take justice into his own hands and attacked Kitra on his own volition.” Gasps filled the air. “He paid the price for his actions. His death is justified as self-defense. Any objections?”

  After quietly chatting with each other, no one raised a challenge. Several members regarded me with raised brows or openly stared. Brannon scratched his chin while Amara smirked with her arms crossed.

  “Now to the matter that brought us together again.” Aerolynn placed her hands with palms down on the table. “In exchange for their ability to destroy the Gate of Aramath and their willingness to do so, we hereby pardon Kitra Frost and Julia Hughes of all charges that have been placed against them by this Council. We, the Council, pledge an alliance with the Dire Wolves. We also pledge to destroy the Order stating that mixed relationships among Supernatural races are unlawful and punishable by death. Do you, Kitra Frost, Luna of the Dire Wolves and Seelie Princess agree to these terms?”

  “I do.” My body trembled. Some of the weight I’d carried lifted, and I locked my knees to keep from collapsing. I blinked stinging tears from my vision and released the breath I held.

  “We can prepare all of our troops in a few days. When will you need them?” Brannon leaned back in his chair.

  “I’ll send Elder Dylan with the date and time after I have the final plan laid out. I will still need a Spell Dancer for the gate’s destruction.”

  “I’ll do it.” Lira stood and joined our group.

  “Why would you volunteer?” Austin moved beside me and Linc mirrored his movement. “You haven’t hidden your hatred for Kitra.”

  “I want to right the wrongs I’ve committed.” Lira turned to me and grasped my hands. “I never should have allowed your trial in the first place. I should have protected you from Josiah instead of turning a blind eye to his intentions.”

  My eyes widened and my stomach clenched. Why would the most powerful Spell Dancer readily volunteer to assist me if she hated me? “How can I trust you?” If she had her way, I wouldn’t even exist.

  Lira’s grip tightened on my hands when I tried to pull away. “I’ll make the life oath.”

  “Lira, what are you doing?” A pregnant female Council member struggled to her feet. “Council members never make life oaths.”

  “I want to make this one.” Lira’s right hand grasped my left forearm, and she motioned for me to do the same. “I, Lira of the Storm Spell Dancers, make a life oath with Kitra Frost. I vow to help her destroy the Gate of Aramath. If I betray her loyalty or break my vow in any way, my life is forfeit.” Her fingers performed sweeping circles over our clasped grips, and a white rope of light wove around our arms. The light brightened as her fingers dipped and swirled. When she stopped, the rope disappeared into our skin. She let me go, but I felt a teether still binding us together.

  “What is this?” I rubbed at the tingles under my skin.

  “A life oath.” Lira rubbed at her own arm. “If I deceive you in any way, I will die. You can trust my intentions now.”

  I didn’t know how to respond to what she did. Why would she put her life in danger to get me to trust her?

  After Lira’s oath, we made plans to stay in touch with the Council through Elder Dylan and waited for Lira to pack a bag. I didn’t know how the pack would respond to our new guest. I hoped I wouldn’t have another fight on my hands when they saw her.

  Chapter 15

  Kitra

  I WAS WRONG TO HOPE for a peaceful return. Not only were my friends ready to kill the Spell Dancer, but the Dire Wolves almost revolted when she stepped from the car. It took more time than I care to admit, calming the fear among the masses. The only thing that kept blood from being shed was the revelation of her life oath to me. When I was sure everyone had quieted, we got Lira a room ready. Her oath may have settled them, but it didn’t stop the glares and growls she received when she entered a room.

  Finally, I gave everyone jobs to complete. I sent Sable and Jacob out with the men and women to train while my friends and I turned the main house upside down in a search for information on the weapon. Once the place looked like it had been ransacked, we threw in the towel and worked to put everything back in its proper place. By the time we were finished, it was time to eat. Then, we helped clean the kitchens and do laundry because Uncle Kalen said our penance for leaving without alerting the adults hadn’t been paid yet.

  I shuffled down the hall and saw Elder Dylan. “Elder Dylan?”

  He stopped and turned towards me with the light reflecting off the silver in his hair. “What can I do for you, Kitra?”

  “Have we had any word from Faerie? Did Aelfric return to the Unseelie Court?”

  “We did.” He put his hands in his pockets. “There haven’t been any signs of Aelfric, King Roland, or the Dark Ones.” His gaze narrowed as I twisted my hands in front of me. “What are you really asking?”

  “I.” I bit my lower lip and dropped my gaze. What was I trying to say? “We’re not ready.” Elder Dylan raised a brow. “We’re running out of time and we’re not anywhere close to being able to defeat Aelfric.”

  “Do you truly believe that?” He leaned against the wall. “Or is this your worry talking?”

  “I don’t know.” I mimicked his posture against the opposite wall. “I want to have faith that we’ll succeed, but I feel like we’re lost at sea on a raft without oars. I feel like we’re about to be swallowed by a whale and never spit back out.”

  “Kitra.” He stood to his full height and towered over me. “I have faith. I have faith in you and what you have yet to do.”

  “But there are too many variables in motion for me to see the big picture.” My hands waved in front of me as my voice pitched higher. “Even with everyone’s help, I can’t find Aelfric. It’s as if he disappeared and stole Caden forever. The Dire Wolves checked the caves after we rescued my aunt, but there are no signs of him anywhere. I wish Ryn was here, but I can’t trust him.” I clasped my hands in front of my stomach and closed my eyes. “I haven’t been able to find the weapon either. All I can do is destroy the gate, but Aelfric and his followers will still be a problem. What do I do?”

  “Breathe.” Elder Dylan grasped my shoulders and dipped his head. “We will find him. If we don’t, we’ll lure him out. Your plan is a good one. Don’t second guess yourself.”

  I took the breath he wanted me to take, but it really didn’t help. “I’ll try not to.”

  “Give these fears to the Creator. You’re his Champion. Ask for guidance.” He hugged me. “You can do this.”

  “Thank you.” I pulled back.

  He smiled as I stepped past him. I dragged myself upstairs to Caden’s door. I reached for the doorknob and took another deep breath. My wolf perked up and sent her agreements with the Elder. She had full faith in us. Why couldn’t I?

  The door swung open. “Aunt Mauve!”

  She sat on th
e end of the bed with Hattie standing next to her. Her bruising had faded to yellows and greens, but her violet eyes shone brightly when she saw me. She held her arms open, and I rushed into them.

  “It’s good to see you too.” She laughed against my hair when I squeezed her. “How are you doing?”

  “How am I doing?” I sat back and shook my head. “I’m more concerned with how you’re feeling.”

  “Almost back to normal. I’m stronger than I look.” She narrowed her eyes. “That brother and nephew of mine should have known I wouldn’t break easily.”

  “She’s a strong woman, Your Highness.” Hattie curtsied to me, and I narrowed my own gaze. She tilted her head towards my aunt, and I kept quiet.

  “I wanted to speak to you about Ryn.”

  I coughed, choking on the breath that went down the wrong way at her words. “Why?”

  “Kitra, he’s not a bad person.” She tried to hold my attention, but I picked at the blanket we sat on.

  “I don’t want to talk about it.” My eyes stung. “I can’t talk about it.”

  “Well, I’ll talk, and you’ll listen.” She raised my chin with her hand. “I have known Ryn since he was a child. He’s loyal to a fault.” I began to interrupt her, but I kept my lips sealed when she gave me her legendary stern look. “He’s sacrificed so much in life for his home and for those he loves. I know what he did seems like a betrayal, but I also know he’d give his life for Faerie. For the crown.” She grabbed my hands. “And for you.”

  “Then, why did he do it?” A tiny droplet fell from my chin.

  “I’m sure he felt it was the best choice. If he saw it as the only way to save you, he’d move mountains no matter the consequences.”

  “But he still sees my wolf as a lesser being, Aunt Mauve.” She sat back as if I slapped her. “He said so himself. He acts as if I’m an inexperienced child.”

  She took a minute before she responded. “He’s still in the process of accepting it all, Kitra. You can’t change things taught from birth overnight.” She squeezed my hand. “Remember, he’s the Commander of the Royal Guard and has been since before you were born. But don’t forget you are his equal. You’re his soulmate.” Aunt Mauve smoothed my hair. “For him to catch a glimpse of the capable young woman you are, he’ll have to stop viewing you as a tiny girl needing his guidance and protection. The circumstances between you two and Caden isn’t something any of us have seen before. None of us know how to handle it and jealousy will get in the way sometimes. Just don’t give up on him yet. I’m sure he’ll find his way.”

  “Okay.” I hugged her again.

  “There’s something else.” I sat back as she nodded to Hattie. The brownie disappeared from the room. “I’m abdicating the throne.”

  “What?” I scooted away from her. “You can’t.”

  “I may be in the process of healing, but my power is no longer responding to me.” Now, it was her turn to pick at the blankets.

  “What does that even mean?” My hands shook, and I shoved them under my legs.

  “It means that in my current state, I’m not fit to rule the Seelie Court and the throne is in jeopardy. I don’t know if or when I’ll ever get my full power back. I still feel the flicker when I search for it, but I can’t call it forth.” She placed a hand on my knee. “Faerie needs a strong ruler now. They need you. If you rule the Seelie Court, Roland or Aelfric can’t take the throne. Faerie would be enslaved or destroyed in days. I can’t let that happen.”

  “But I’m not that person.” My hair whipped around as I shook my head. “I barely run the Ranch and you want me to rule Faerie too.”

  “You can do this. I know you can.” Aunt Mauve stood when Hattie popped back into the room with the Faerie Bishop in tow. “Dannick can still manage things there for you in your absence.”

  “But what about later? I haven’t made my decision yet.” I stood on trembling legs.

  “Later on, if you choose the human world, you can declare your heir even if it isn’t a blood relative and abdicate like I’m doing tonight.”

  I joined her as she signed her throne over to me. I wished I had more time to think about what she was doing… what we were doing. I bit my cheek as I signed my signature with her’s. The bishop asked me the same questions he had asked during my coronation as a princess and I repeated my answers. Then, he placed a new crown I’d never seen on my head and declared me queen.

  After Hattie took the bishop back to Faerie, I removed the crown. As I looked at it, a new weight was added to my shoulders. The silver metal wove into flowers which held up violet gems shaped into seven wolves. At the front point, two of the wolves rose on their hind legs and supported a diamond crescent moon.

  “Each new ruler has a crown fashioned for their powers. This shows Faerie has embraced your hybrid nature.” Aunt Mauve pulled me into her arms. “I’m sorry for doing this to you. I wouldn’t have abdicated if it wasn’t necessary, Kitra. Remember, your dual nature makes you a part of two separate worlds and I know you’ll protect them both.” She kissed my forehead and left me standing to stare at my additional set of chains.

  I tried to sleep, but I tossed and turned. My world had turned upside down once again. So many people relied on me… on my decisions. All I could think about was what a mess I’d make for everyone. My last thought before sleep claimed me was how much I had to lose. I had to stop Aelfric and his Dark Ones.

  ***********

  The wind howled a mournful song and my soul wept. I was curled in a ball on the wet forest floor with my knees pressed to my chest. The white nightgown I wore didn’t stand a chance against the icy temperatures. My tears joined the chorus of the sorrowful song as I stood and wrapped my arms around myself.

  The trees were bare, and their leaves had been long forgotten. The bark on each was scorched and blackened. I turned in a full circle. This was the forest behind Frost Manor. What happened here? I ran towards home and skidded to a stop at the edge of the treeline.

  My home was smoldering rubble. Nothing but the foundation was left. A shriek pulled my attention to the sky where black shadows soared above the trees. The herd of Shadow Death Dealers screamed as one and I pressed my palms over my ears. They zoomed through the air and out of sight. What was going on? Why were they out of the prison?

  I ran past the fallen manor and down the driveway. At the end, I turned in the direction of where the school stood. Cars were abandoned on the streets with their doors ajar. Their owners’ belongings were discarded on the asphalt. The somber wind pushed me onwards, and I kept watching the sky for signs of the Shadow Death Dealers.

  I slowed down when the school came into view. Tall fences were erected around the perimeter. Inside the massive barrier, beings with oily red skin and black eyes whipped at the lines of people carrying supplies into the building. It took me a moment to realize these people were actually Supernatural beings. Where were the humans?

  Abaddon stood at the door on hoofed feet. His ebony body was clothed in silver armor and the horns adorning his head dripped in blood. Aelfric passed through the doorway, cackling as another person was whipped because they dropped a box. The Supernaturals were now enslaved? How did this happen?

  All movement stopped and everyone turned as one in my direction.

  “You did this.” Abaddon’s gruff voice echoed around me. “You couldn’t stop us. You set me free.” He stomped towards my hiding place. “You will join us. It’s inevitable. Nothing you try will save either world. Their fates are your hands.”

  A sword swung at my face and I screamed.

  ***********

  I rolled out of bed and thumped against the floor. I scrambled to my feet and flipped the lights on. My chest heaved while I searched my surroundings for the Destroyer, but I was still in Caden’s bedroom. I slid down the wall and put my head between my knees. How was I going to defeat Aelfric? How could I stop my dream from becoming a reality?

  “Wait and be still.” The Creator whispered across th
e room. “Follow the path I have set forth in order for the goal to be reached.”

  I crawled back into bed. I had to wait. If I learned anything about myself in the past, it was how impatient I could be. This was truly a test of my faith.

  Chapter 16

  Caden

  I SHIELDED MY FACE FROM the bright light, and a new prison materialized over the former black abyss. I waited for Apollo and the Aswang to appear, but the landscape remained a silent red dusty bowl covered in stumps where trees once thrive. Between my unconscious nightmares and the living ones I awakened to, my resolve was breaking. How much longer would I have to endure Aelfric’s torture?

  Sweat dotted my brow, and I surveyed my surroundings. Nothing moved. I was alone. It was a small mercy since enduring hours of Kitra’s torture and murder. After the first 100 times of this repeated horror, I sat and bowed my head while the ghosts taunted me and spewed their venom.

  I dropped to the ground and filled my hands with the red earth. The mirage was so real. Each handful separated into individual grains and the heat beat down upon my head. Even the air tasted stale and devoid of life.

  I don’t know how long I sat, but when I was drenched in sweat, I second-guessed myself. What if this wasn’t another dream? No specter haunted me. What if Aelfric had released me in a desert? Could I finally go home?

  I pushed to my feet and searched the horizon for any movement or structure I’d missed before. To my left, something sparkled in the orange light and I set off in that direction.

  The object ended up being a dilapidated shed on the edge of someone’s property. The white paint on the siding of the two-story farmhouse in front of it peeled, revealing the material underneath. My feet kicked up dust as I walked to the back door hanging from its hinges. The more I took in the property, the more I realized I actually knew this place. This was my father’s advisor’s house. Where was Sable? What happened here?