by Riana Lucas
I block the pain that I should be feeling in my wrist and swing my other fist up to punch her in the side of the face. I am unable to use my other hand, but I still use my arm to block her from punching me. I grab her hair and yank her head back. You would think that she would have learned by now that she should not let her hair hang loose. It is a weapon for her enemy to use.
With her head forced back, her body is bowed back and I am able to get one of my legs up and plant my foot on her chest. I push back with all of my might and she flies off of me. I do not hesitate. I throw my body up and land in a crouch. I find her quickly and run for her again.
She is a few feet in front of me slumped against the wall. Her hands are at her sides and her head is slumped over. Her hair is hanging in tangles around her face. It appears she was slammed into the wall when I kicked her. I unsheathe my other dagger and hold it with the hand that is not attached to my broken wrist. I know that I am at a disadvantage, but if I can get to her quickly, I know I can kill her.
I lunge for her and just before my dagger makes contact, her head snaps up and her arm swings out to block my killing blow. I look into her eyes and they are glittering with satisfaction. Just as I register what this means, I feel the sharp pain in my side. My body freezes in pain and disbelief. She has tricked me.
I look down the see my own dagger protruding from my left side. It is buried to the hilt. There is blood quickly seeping through my clothes and forming a large stain on my side. I slump to my knees on the ground in front of Holly and wrap my hand around the dagger. I am about to yank the dagger out when I hear someone scream behind me.
“Nooo!” The voice is sharp and wracked with pain. I do not recognize the voice nor do I understand why someone would be upset that I am injured. I feel strong hands on my shoulders and I am yanked back on to the floor. I am staring up at the ceiling. Everything else around me fades. I hear muffled voices, more sound of pain and hurt, and I feel hands all over me.
But none of the commotion completely registers.
I am lying on my back looking up at the beautiful ceiling of the Seelie Queen’s Throne Room. There is a large mural above me. It is of a woman that looks identical to the Queen. She is wearing a white flowing dress that looks like it is blowing in the wind. Her hair is bound in a long braid and she looks like an angel. She is walking in a field of green grass and colorful flowers. Next to her there is a small child. The child is dressed like the Queen but that is where the similarities seem to end.
The child has dark hair with burgundy streaks. Her features are sharper than the woman’s. It is hard to tell how old she is, but she cannot be more than 2 or 3 years old. She is holding the woman’s hand and smiling up at her. Then I notice that there is one other similarity. They both have identical eyes. They are both a mesmerizing soft green.
My vision has begun to blur and my mind is telling me that there is some significance to this painting, but the pain is starting to override my brain and I can feel myself slipping away. Just before darkness consumes me, I hear a bloodcurdling scream. It does not make sense either, but my mind finally shuts down and I slip into the darkness.
“Daughter!” the Queen wails.
Chapter 15
My senses begin to return to me, but I do not stir. The first thing I notice is the magical pull of Faery.
I am home.
And then I realize I am not. The sheets are far more luxurious than the ones I have in my room at the Unseelie Court. I do not open my eyes though to confirm this. I can sense someone in the room watching me. The memory of what happened before I lost consciousness comes back to me, but parts are still hazy. I know that I am in the Seelie Court, but for whatever reason, I am not in a dungeon. I decide that they must have an infirmary and I am there. Why I am not dead is another puzzle. I know that Holly dealt a killing blow, but it seems that I have been saved.
I do not get long to figure this out. I can feel unconsciousness returning, and in the gray haze I picture Reed’s face. I wonder if he is okay and adjusting well to his new home. I feel a twinge of guilt and sorrow that I cannot be there for him right now. I hope that he is not scared.
Reed….
Poppy? Poppy, are you there? I can’t see. Something isn’t right; I’m in a dungeon. Your friend Rho is here. We need help. Poppy? We need you!
His voice seems so real, and if it were not so dark, I feel as if I could almost see him. Weakly, I answer him. I am coming, as the darkness consumes me once more.
About the Author
Riana Lucas is actually a duo of writers who are best friends, residing in St. Augustine, FL. Realizing that gobbling books like hungry caterpillars and then discussing them for hours at a time wasn’t fulfilling enough, the team decided to write their first book together. The Deadly Flowers Series was born out of a kernel of an idea and has grown into a three book series—so far. The two have realized their true calling in life and plan to make a career out of writing books with strong characters that evoke true emotion.
Riana’s other books are
Poppy:Awake
Poppy:Revealed (To Be Released June 12, 2012)
You can follow Riana Lucas on twitter, facebook, and goodreads.com.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Copyright
Dedication
Photography By
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
About the Author
