Ascension

by Jennifer Ann Reed

  Frost Legacy:

  Ascension

  (Frost Legacy Series Book 3)

  *This is a work of fiction. The characters, place, and time are completely fictitious. Any resemblance to any place or person, living or dead, is purely coincidental.*

  Reproduction or copying of this work is prohibited without express permission of the author.

  Cover Photo by Oliviaprodesigns

  All rights reserved. Published in the United States

  Kindle Direct Publishing in August 30, 2019.

  Copyright © August 30, 2019

  Frost Legacy: Ascension

  (Frost Legacy Series Book 3)

  Jennifer Ann Reed

  Also by Jennifer Ann Reed

  Frost Legacy: The Inheritance

  Frost Legacy: Crossroads

  For the Class of 2019 and the ones, we lost.

  Chapter 1

  N OTE TO SELF: ALL individuals potentially traveling through a portal between worlds should be required to receive sufficient training for their trip. No one warned me about the sensory overload I’d endure. Nothing about the simple act of walking through the veil to Faerie was what I expected. My pores pebbled into a trillion tiny mountains and my hair flapped in all directions as I was sucked down a long narrow space. The area was the size of a school hallway and pulsed with pure white light. Between flashes, fuzzy gray silhouettes stretched into thin threads as we drew closer to Faerie.

  My eyes clamped shut and I struggled to regulate the short puffs of oxygen which escaped past my lips. One tremor led to two and with each new tremble, the weight on my chest grew into an immobile anvil. The only things anchoring me to sanity were the hands clasped in each of mine. Caden and Uncle Kalen stepped through the portal with me as we left Brannon Bishop, the leader of the gray wolf shifters and one of my allies, behind. We were near the Council’s estate when we escaped from their clutches after they wrongfully sentenced me to life in prison after the Gate of Aramath was cracked open. It didn’t matter that it was Jessie Danvers, Aelfric’s mate and the only other hybrid in the world, who had used her blood to open it. It didn’t even matter that I’d been forced to kill her in order to keep the gate from bursting totally open. In the eyes of the council, I was still a threat and a means to their end. If there wasn’t a hybrid, then there would be no worries about the end of humanity. For them the solution was easy but thankfully my friends and Uncle rushed to my rescue.

  Cold chills raced down my spine and I gripped the fingers of both Caden and Uncle Kalen to the point that my hands turned numb. I was no longer imprisoned in my small stone cell beneath the Council’s estate. Instead, I was now spiraling to a new world which pulled at the inner light my wolf still struggled to embrace. A world which part of my soul longed to call home.

  The light behind my closed lids intensified as my ears popped and filled with a thunderous roar. My equilibrium was thrown off balance and bile rose into my esophagus, singeing the lining. Another note to self, when I cross from Faerie to Earth, I am requesting sunglasses and maybe some earplugs.

  Just as I was positive my insides were going to make an appearance; the sudden motion came to a halt. I know I must have resembled a colt attempting to take its first steps because my legs became jelly. At least I didn’t vomit when the ground rushed forward. The faceplant I braced for didn’t come as I hovered with my small button nose a mere inch above a packed dirt road. My arms protested the awkward angle in which the men behind me held them in order to prevent me from performing one of my graceful falls.

  “We need to get moving.” Ryn Ralodi’s long shadow darkened the ground below my dangling form. Uncle Kalen and Caden bent to lift me to my feet. Ryn’s worried eyes met mine just before he spun on his booted heels. “The Council may not be too far behind us.” The sandy blonde fairy’s gaze searched our surroundings as he turned his slightly freckled nose and cheeks back in my direction. This guy was a work of art molded by the Creator himself, but so was the Dire Wolf who stood beside me.

  Sapphire orbs as clear as ice collided with Ryn’s forest green anxious gaze. My head tilted when I noticed Caden Grey’s lips were thinning into a hard line, clenching the chiseled jawline carved by Greek sculptors. His tense muscles rippled as a growl rumbled in his chest. Both boys were mine, two mates chosen by destiny. Thinking about making a choice between the two wasn’t something I wanted to linger on. With Aelfric and now the Council after me, my love life was at a standstill. My focus was on ending Aelfric’s threat to the world and clearing my name.

  “Which way is the palace?” Lucian Grey, Caden’s father, strode forward and two gigantic palms rested on his hips. Gunmetal gray eyes roamed each direction of the road as his black hair and scruffy beard darkened under the glare of the harsh orange sun overhead.

  “East.” Ryn pointed in front of him.

  “Does the road circle around that way?” Lilly Herne, a Supernatural Huntress, joined us. She pulled her long brown hair over her toned shoulders and braided the loose strands. High apple cheeks were made more apparent by her sharp jaw and crystal blue eyes as she finished her task. I’d once thought she was a Supernatural creature herself because of her inhuman beauty, but instead she was just a mortal. She was trained to kill rogue creatures whose intentions were ending human lives.

  “We’re not taking the road.” Ryn scratched the back of his head. “The Council won’t anticipate that we would travel through the forest. They won’t follow.”

  “Is it safe?” Gwen Herne, Lilly and Brannon’s daughter, wrapped her slender fingers around Austin Richmond’s forearm. Gwen’s long dark locks and beauty came from her mother, but her smaller stature and golden-brown eyes were inherited from Brannon Bishop. She had become a fast friend and was fiercely loyal to our group.

  Austin, my familiar, pulled her closer to him and shook his head. Brown hair curled over the tips of his ears and his cocoa eyes softened. My friend was a complete boy-next-door and worshipped the ground Gwen walked on. He’d recently come into his fairy powers after years of thinking he was a mute. When Gwen was injured during an attack from Aelfric and the Dark ones and he’d thought he had lost her, his power to heal came through. Even now Gwen did not know how badly she’d been injured or how her healing had occurred. It was a secret only Austin and I shared, and we would keep it that way to keep Austin safe from those who’d use his ability for their gain.

  “We can handle the forest if we’re careful.” Allie Jacobs, my flaming haired friend skipped forward with a willowy grace I’d never accomplish. Her fair arms lifted, and she twirled, closing her blue eyes. “It’s great to be home. Austin and I haven’t been back for what’s felt like ages.” She and Austin came to Serenade Falls. They befriended me and assisted me as I got acquainted with my fairy powers.

  “Let’s shift and get going.” Uncle Kalen’s chestnut hair glowed, and his emerald green eyes danced back and forth as he and Ryn both surveyed the area. “I don’t want Kitra out in the open any longer. Once we’re with Mauve, she’ll be safer.” We were always mistaken as father and daughter because of our shared hair and eye colors, but I was short where he was tall. My rosy lips spread as I watched him take charge where my safety was concerned.

  “You can’t shift.” Austin moved away from Gwen.

  “Why not?” Zander placed his beefy hands on Allie’s shoulders. The tall shifter was all corded muscle and scary mass, but the shoulder length blonde was a complete teddy bear and the voice of reason for the group of Guardians, who were bound to protect me. Cobalt eyes squinted as one hand formed a visor against his forehead.

  “Before now, no shifters or any other Supernatural creatures have been admitted into Faerie.” Ryn drew his double-edged longsword making his Royal Guard armor creak as he studied the for
est. “Your presence will create quite a stir and shifting might have serious consequences in this forest. We need to move quickly, but we need to be shadows. That’s why everyone is dressed similarly.” We all wore cloaks that were slightly muted shades of green. The ladies’ cloaks were trimmed with copper around the hem, hood, and bell sleeves while the men’s cloaks were one solid color over brown trousers and leather boots of the same hue.

  “Well then, you and Caden should definitely stay away from each other and Kitra.” Linc Thomas sauntered over to us. His hazel gaze gleamed with constant mischief as his tan hand passed through brown hair spiking what had become pressed down. “We’ll never make it if any of you are within touching distance of each other.” He ducked out of the reach of Curtis who tried to swat him in the back of his head. This sudden movement revealed a glimpse of the tattoo which peeked from the collar of his cloak.

  “Can we just get going?” Zander Castille, the last of my Guardians, paced back and forth. “I don’t like standing here waiting to be captured.” Inky lashes framed irises as dark as the pupils they surrounded, and his gaze watched the forest with unease. “This forest isn’t right.” His blonde highlights were starker in the peachy glow cast on the road.

  I hadn’t paid much attention to my surroundings until Zander voiced his concerns. I’d been so preoccupied with traveling to Faerie and listening to our plans that I’d missed its unfathomable radiance. A large apricot star shone brightly. It took up a large portion of the daytime azure sky. The grass and leaves of the trees were dark jade and lush, in contrast to the multicolor of the fall season I’d left behind. Everything was crisp and clear. The air smelled so sweet as if sugar danced on your tongue. My breath hitched when I noticed movement in the trees. Had the Council found us already?

  “What’s that?” I pointed the slight shift of leafy vines.

  “Let’s go.” Ryn swiped his sword in an arc. “The forest is getting restless and the more it moves, the worse our travels will be.”

  “Wait.” Caden’s brow rose as he studied the trees. “Plants move? On their own?”

  “Welcome to Faerie, my friend.” Austin clapped Caden on the shoulder as he fell in line behind his armored cousin.

  Stunned silence fell over our group while I was shuffled to the middle and we walked in a single file, following Ryn into the migrating forest. Overhead, the normal chirping of birds combined in unison with the rigorous buzz of insects. Shades of colors I’d never seen before littered vibrant buds all around and one in particular caught my gaze. The broad leaf was mostly white, but magenta and turquoise veins wove intricate patterns over the delicate threadbare surface. My hand rose on its own accord and stretched forward. I knew when my fingertips grazed the leaf, it’d feel like the softest silk in existence. When I was within centimeters of making contact, a pale hand held mine at bay.

  “I wouldn’t touch that one.” Allie’s stern gaze reminded me of some of the mothers on the TV shows we watched. “Our suffering will all be for naught if you do.” Her warning was clear. Touch the leaf and die.

  “Thanks.” I withdrew my fingers and held them against my chest. We had been through a lot over the past couple of days and had lost a close friend when the Gate of Aramath cracked. Chad Dawson’s wide smile and bald mocha head filled my thoughts. He’d given his life to save Lilly and died at the hands of a Shadow Death Dealer, a wraith type mist that fed on Chad’s essence and reduced him to nothing more than a husk. Chad had been loyal to my father and came to my aid when he was needed. Losing my life simply because I couldn’t resist touching a flower would’ve been a blight to his memory.

  For the next hour, we traveled without the slightest hindrance and everyone’s shoulders were as tight as drums in apprehension of what might happen. I was tired. No, tired wasn’t the right sentiment. I was weary and my head pounded out its own beat with each of my footfalls. Small, quick pricks of pain began behind my eyes and I knew a migraine was forming. I rubbed my temples in circles as the rhythm in my head increased.

  Kitra? Is everything okay? Austin’s voice in my mind was almost my breaking point. My teeth clenched and air hissed from between them as searing heat spread from my temples to my eyes. Normally, I’d welcome the telepathic link we shared through his familiar bond, but today it was murder.

  Just a headache. I’m fine. I wanted nothing more than blessed silence. I would say anything to keep the havoc his booming mind caused at bay. It’s a migraine and I’m getting sensitive to sound.

  Austin granted me my wish and remained quiet. I tried to focus on slow even breathing, pushing past the increasing heat melting my brain. Nothing helped. My steps faltered and I swayed reaching out for something to brace myself against, but all I found was air when the face plant I’d missed earlier finally happened and I slammed against the rough dirt. Several shouts and gasps filtered to my ears, but it was as if I was under water. Now, the entire right side of my face throbbed from the impact, but it couldn’t compare with the liquid fire leaking into my eye sockets. Moaning, I curled on my side while hands searched my body for injuries. Feather light touches traced my cheek, but they were focusing on the wrong area.

  “What’s wrong with her?” The voice was garbled making it unrecognizable.

  My lids were clamped shut and I began to claw at the offensive orbs. What was wrong with me? Wetness leaked from both corners and the salt glued my lashes to my cheeks. My wolf clawed her way to the surface and downy white hair erupted from my pores. Her pain mirrored my own and she was ready to battle whatever was hurting us, but the violet warmth in the center of my being washed away her fears, telling her all would be fine. I wasn’t so sure I agreed. Fingers prodded in an attempt to pry open my eyes. Explosive pressure hammered with each tiny contact and I fought whoever touched me with any energy that remained in my body. If I was going to die, I didn’t need them to add to my pain.

  “Move aside and let her be.” Another voice warbled. “She needs space.” A new set of hands cupped my face and my heart fluttered with a sense of belonging: Ryn. More fingers brushed through my hair filling me with impression of home: Caden. Both of my soulmates gave me comfort while I withered on the ground.

  “What’s happening to her?” The roar in my ears was beginning to dissipate and I heard Caden’s question.

  “Her awakening has begun.” Ryn reached for my hand. “I didn’t think it’d start this soon.”

  “What’s an awakening?” Gwen asked from somewhere on the left.

  “Fairy royalty undergo a metamorphism to enhance their powers,” Austin explained as I felt his mind probing mine to make sure I was okay. “It helps to give them the additional strength needed to rule. Otherwise, constant wars for the right to the throne would occur.”

  “No one thought to prepare her for this beforehand?” Uncle Kalen’s growl almost got me to open my burning eyes.

  “I thought we would have more time. Once a royal comes of age in Faerie, the process starts, but it’s not completed until their coronation.” Ryn’s grip grew tighter. “I’d hoped it wouldn’t start until we got to the palace. Let’s make camp. We have traveled far enough into the forest to not be easily found. Kitra is going to need the rest.”

  I was lifted into Caden’s arms and the swift movement sent my stomach rolling. I hoped I wouldn’t vomit on his feet. The flames behind my eyes grew and pain spread from my face into my neck. It was then that I lost the ability to stay awake.

  **********************************

  I rolled over, trying to get comfortable. My back and shoulders were stiff, and movement only made the feeling worse. Faded voices pulled consciousness closer to the surface and I slowly opened my heavy eyes. Thoughts of the pain I should be feeling filled my head but then I realized my only discomfort was the ache in my bones. I stretched and my mouth extended into a silent yawn as I blinked the sleepiness from my foggy brain. Something was different.

  Every image was clearer and more defined than it had ever been. It was as if
my wolf sight was in full use without having to shift. I was able to detect the bumps on the seams between the stitching of the sleeping bag which wrapped my body. Maybe it was just an over sensitive reaction from all the pain I had suffered yesterday. I threw back the sleeping bag and crawled out of the small tent. I was still dressed in the same sheer white dress which I’d been forced to wear at the Council’s estate. At least my cloak covered the corset and low-cut top that verged on indecent. I smoothed the wrinkles out the best I could and walked toward the voices.

  My uncle and the rest of the group were gathered around a small campfire eating breakfast. I heard a sudden rustle of leaves behind me and my attention was pulled to the trees. A large shadow darted deeper into the forest. I almost followed in its direction, but then I heard someone calling my name. I turned to my Guardians and friends.

  “You’re up!” Allie pounced me and I shifted my feet to keep her from toppling us over. “Whoa!” Her red brows touched her hairline.

  “What?” My own brows drew together as the others gawked and stared while they made their way towards us.

  “Your eyes.” Gwen reached to touch my face, but I dodged her fingers.

  “What’s wrong with my eyes?” I searched the shocked faces of the others and fear pooled in my stomach.

  “They’re violet.” Linc whistled. “It’s pretty hot if you ask me.”

  “Nobody did.” Ryn glared while Caden smacked his friend in the back of the head.

  “My eyes are a different color?” My breathing picked up as Allie passed me a mirror. The person staring back at me was pale, enhancing the delicate features of her face but her purple eyes glowed fiercely. The mirror fell from my fingers and my head dropped. Gone were the green eyes of my Frost heritage. They were now replaced by the shade I remembered my mother had, the same color Aunt Mauve, who was the Faerie Seelie Queen had. I’d lost a part of myself, a part of my father.