Ascension

by Jennifer Ann Reed

  “Kitten?” Caden lifted my chin. “They’re beautiful.” Truth shone on his face.

  “But I’m not me.” They didn’t understand what I’d lost.

  “You’re still the same Kitra you were yesterday.” Ryn also tried to reassure me. “Your fairy side is just shining through.”

  “Kitra.” Austin said from behind Gwen. “You’re still a Dire Wolf. This doesn’t make you less of a Frost.”

  “Is that what has upset you?” Uncle Kalen pulled me away from Caden. He saw my tears and wiped at them gently. “You will always be your father’s daughter and mine. This doesn’t change anything.” He kissed my forehead and squeezed me tight.

  “Thank you.” I squeezed him even harder and moved back from his embrace. He was right. I was still me.

  “Time to pack up and move on.” Lucian put out the campfire as Caden moved back in front of me. The others made quick work of tearing down their tents and getting ready to go.

  “Kitten, I want to promise you something.” Caden lowered his gaze down to mine. “No matter what happens or what changes you undergo, I’ll always stand by you. That’s one thing that will never change.” He gave me a quick peck on the lips and moved on to disassemble his tent.

  My heart warmed at his declaration and my worry lessened. I turned back to help my uncle with my tent and paused when I again saw the same shadow moving away from our camp. Trepidation shook my hands as vines slithered in to replace the shadow. I may not have changed internally, but my world had both literally and figuratively changed. Whatever awaited me at Aunt Mauve’s palace couldn’t be worse than this.

  Chapter 2

  T RUDGING THROUGH A FOREST should have been an easy task for a group of shifters, but this forest, where the plants moved, proved more difficult. Our steps were slowing. More than once, we had to find ways around new obstacles, and frustrations slipped past several sets of lips in huffs of air and mumbled words. Gwen and her mother, Lilly, refused our assistance when the passages became treacherous. They assured us that Supernatural hunters could handle themselves in any situation, but Gwen’s lolling head told the true story. They were tiring fast and if we didn’t break from the tree line soon, we’d be spending another dangerous night under the migrating canopy.

  “How much farther?” The complete exhaustion in Gwen’s lyrical voice halted our progress for another water break.

  “We’re not far.” Austin passed Gwen his canteen after realizing she’d drained her own. “We’ll reach the edge of Queen Mauve’s territory in a few more miles.

  More of our group dropped their packs and settled into clusters while we waited for Lilly and Gwen’s breathing to slow. I walked a few paces ahead and breathed deeply. The sensation that I belonged to this land had intensified since my partial awakening and I wanted to engulf myself in my surroundings. Nature called out to me with a pulsing tingle which crept to my fingertips as I drew closer to a leafy green plant with red buds. Every fiber in my being wanted to skim the silky teardrop shaped leaf, no matter what consequences the action might hold.

  Where the others saw danger, I saw enchantment even in the miniscule things around us. If I stared at a certain spot for too long, my eyesight zoomed in, magnifying the objects within the vicinity to a crispness I’d only witnessed when using a microscope in biology class a couple of years ago. My wolf sight was keener than a human’s eyesight, but nothing in comparison to what I now witnessed. I wondered if Ryn, Allie, and Austin experienced the same or if it was my own uniqueness. Whatever it was, I wanted more.

  The need to touch the plant in front of me surpassed the point of return and my eyes zeroed in on a thrumming beat within the slightly purple veins. The shortening distance sent my heart into overdrive as it pounded against my ribcage in a frenzied beat. A small sigh fluttered from my mouth when my fingertips finally traced the outer edge and an unseen weight lifted from my soul.

  “Kitra?” Ryn’s panicked voice startled me from my entranced state. “Let the leaf go and move over to me slowly.” He held out a shaky hand for me to grasp.

  Clarity broke through my foggy brain and I realized I’d pressed the leaf to my cheek. I let it go and my body locked into place. I didn’t want to leave. Why was Ryn always telling me to leave the comfort Faerie’s nature gave me?

  “I’m fine, Ryn.” My arms crossed over my chest when I gave him my best death glare. “Nothing perilous happened. Maybe I’m getting more in tune with Faerie since my awakening.” My hand inched for the leaf again.

  “Kitra.” Austin inched forward. “That’s a Siren plant. It lures you in; filling you with the need to be around it before it strikes. Please back over to us.”

  Caden frowned at Austin’s insight and stepped towards me. Twisted yellow vines covered with small bumpy protrusions slithered from underneath the base towards my ankles. I leapt away at the same time as a pair of hands yanked me backwards. The vines released a hissing noise and rose into the air, speeding towards the tree canopy while blocking our path.

  “Um…guys?” I pointed at the living wall. “How do we get past that?”

  “We don’t.” Allie lifted her bag over her shoulder. “We backtrack and go around. Fighting a Siren plant only leads to its belly being full.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding me!” Zander kicked the tree trunk next to him. One of the lower branches swung forward, clopping him in the head before we could warn him. He dropped like a bag of rocks, and the others slipped away from the branches reach.

  “Is he okay?” I rushed to his side, ignoring the potential danger as Lilly landed at his other.

  “He’s got a good-sized lump.” Her fingers moved through his dark highlighted hair, searching for blood. “He’s stirring.”

  Zander groaned and blinked his eyes open. “What happened?”

  “You tried to take on a tree and lost.” Linc struggled to get out and covered up his laugh with a cough, but he made no movement to get closer to us. “Big chicken.”

  Zander lids fell to half-mast and he pulled his leg back to abuse the tree once again.

  “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” Curtis moved between Zander and his opponent. Finally, one of them decided it was safe enough to be concerned for their friend. “Do you want to be smacked by a limb again?”

  “No.” Zander pushed from the ground, rubbing the shrinking lump on his head. “Stupid fairy tree.” He and the rest of us ducked as several branches lashed out over our heads. “Sorry!” The tree creaked as its motion stalled.

  “Let’s get out of here before we’re eaten by Kitra’s plant or Zander insults the forest again.” Allie motioned for us to follow her. “I’m ready to get home.”

  We backtracked over a mile and wove our way around the area containing the snakelike vines. We had traveled for another hour when I saw a shadow mirroring our movements in the foliage. I wanted to point it out, but Gwen collapsed from exhaustion and was now being carried by Linc, I didn’t say anything. We had to get to Aunt Mauve first, then I’d mention what I saw. Maybe it was nothing to worry about, but after seeing it, my internal alarm had spiked.

  Another mile ahead, the trees began to thin, and the shadow melted back into the forest. I took my first relieved breath of air. The large sun was beginning its slow descent past the horizon when we approached the edge of the forest. Ryn signaled us to get down. Ahead, the clops of hooves thundered against the ground. A lone figure atop a raven steed galloped up and down the dusty road. Light reflected from the silver armor adorning the rider and long locks blew in the breeze. Ryn drew his sword and burst from our hiding spot, knocking the person from his horse.

  “Commander? Commander, it’s me! Bretton!” A silky voice with warm undertones grunted against the dirt.

  “Asher?” Ryn helped the armored man to his feet. “I thought you were someone sent by a Council member. My apologies, soldier.”

  “No need, Commander.” The long-haired man’s head bent, and he stood with his feet shoulder width apart and his rig
ht fist over his heart.

  “At ease.” Ryn clapped him on the shoulder as I observed the similarities between both of their attires. The light danced like a billion diamonds in reflection from their armor surface and their blue capes whipped in the increasing wind. “Why are you here?”

  “The Queen has had me searching our borders since yesterday.” Bretton Asher raised his head and I swore I heard someone swoon. The man before us had lustrous hair gliding past his hips. He reminded me of an ancient Viking warrior. His locks were rich toffee showcasing his unusual amber eyes and his lean, muscled frame soared over my small stature. “She said you’d be coming, and she felt the arrival of our Princess.” Ryn waved us forward.

  “Let me introduce you to my mate and the Princess of our court.” Ryn pulled me into his side. “This is Kitra Noel Frost.”

  “Your Royal Highness.” With a practiced flourish, Bretton bowed at the waist.

  “Please stand.” His show of deference made me uneasy. I hated to be put on a pedestal. It made me feel different from everyone else. I wasn’t raised as royalty and I didn’t want to be treated as such.

  “You should tell Bretton the whole truth.” Austin joined us and peeled me out of his cousin’s clutches before Ryn started a fight with the growling Caden behind us and my sour Uncle Kalen.

  “What’s Austin referring too?” Bretton’s brows furrowed when he watched our interaction. “And why is he pulling your mate from you?”

  “I’m her familiar.” Austin’s proud statement brought a smile to my face.

  “The mute? A familiar?” Bretton threw his caramel face back and shook with laughter. “That’s the funniest thing I’d heard all day!” Austin’s white-hot rage filled my heart at Bretton’s words and overshadowed my own ire. No one spoke about any of my friends that way.

  “I’ll have you know Austin is more than any of you will ever understand. I wouldn’t want anyone else as my familiar and if I ever hear the term mute again, you’ll have me to deal with.” I marched over to Bretton, jabbing my finger into his armor-clad chest with each word. “I can promise you won’t like it.” Bretton’s face reddened and his mouth dropped into a pout as he rushed to apologize.

  “Please forgive me.” Bretton’s head bowed. “I will not utter another harsh comment against anyone dear to Her Royal Highness.” I wasn’t sure if I liked this new fairy guard or not. So far, I thought he was a pompous jerk and memories of Florian flooded my mind. Florian was the first fairy guard my aunt had sent to keep me safe and look how that turned out.

  “How about we play nice, Kitten?” Caden’s growling was barely noticeable as he bared his teeth in Ryn’s direction. “Wouldn’t want anyone to lose an arm.”

  “Only if you will.” I strolled over to Caden and placed a hand over his heart to appease his troubled wolf. Bretton’s brows touched his hairline.

  “She has two possible mates.” Ryn rubbed circles into his temples. Bretton opened his mouth, but firmly shut it without comment. Smart fairy. “Can we just get to the castle? I don’t like standing here exposed to threats. Lilly and Gwen can ride the horse.” Ryn helped lift Gwen in front of her mother who’d already mounted the horse at the Commander’s words.

  Bretton held his arm out for Ryn to take the lead. My counterpart glanced back in my direction before stomping ahead when he realized I wouldn’t be joining him. Ryn knew I hadn’t made any decisions between him and Caden, and I wasn’t planning to choose anytime soon. We had to find the weapon which would help us get rid of Aelfric and the Dark Ones. I joined Allie in the middle of our entourage and locked arms with her while she prattled away about all the exciting things I was about to experience in the castle. The mischievous glint in her eyes was my only warning of some secret plan which was turning the wheels between her ears.

  Our travels were much less adventurous on the short road which took us to a dense copse of trees. They were like oaks, but the leaves were broader than the Earth tree. Ryn motioned for us to follow him and Bretton grabbed the lead of the horse from Lilly.

  “We have to send him home another way.” He helped both ladies down and smacked the horse’s rump. “Our entrance is this way and it isn’t passable for my friend, but no worries. He’ll go straight to the barracks.”

  “How are we getting to the palace?” Gwen rubbed her heavy eyes. “And how much longer will it be? I’m pretty much dead on my feet.”

  “Only a few minutes more.” Bretton held his elbow out to Lilly while Austin helped Gwen. “Past the trees is a secluded cave entrance underneath the castle.”

  We formed a single file line behind them and kept an eye on the treetops. We were apprehensive after our last venture in the woods, but we quickly made our way through the trees without another hindrance. A gasp left my lips when I looked up at the sheer rocky cliff in front of me. The stones were stacked tight and I searched for the entrance Bretton alluded to but failed to find it. Farther down to the left, the grass and reeds ended, giving way to a white sandy beach. Rolling cobalt waves crashed against the sand, sending a frothy mix rushing up the shore. A sparkle caught my eye and my breath hitched.

  The palace stood sentry atop the highest point on the cliff. Beams of auburn sunlight kissed the many facets which glowed over the snowy surface. It sent arcs of color through the air as if it was covered in diamonds. Seahorses were carved into the stony posts at each corner and several turrets with silver coated roofs stretched to the heavens from various points. This sight reminded me of every fairytale I’d read as a child. It was the most beautiful structure I’d ever seen, but the walls seemed to be cracked. Areas of bulging bumps rose and fell, giving the wall a strange texture. As I studied each divot, I realized the walls weren’t fractured, but were molded into the shapes of seashells to match the oceanic theme.

  Ryn didn’t give me or the other shifters time to gawk at our surroundings and kept marching towards the rocky barrier of the cliff. I paused as he slid around an enormous boulder and disappeared. The closer I got; I saw the hidden entrance to a dark cave which held a stone staircase leading into the dark abyss.

  “What about guards?” Uncle Kalen and Lucian shared a look as we followed Ryn. “Shouldn’t Mauve have this entrance covered?”

  “No need.” Bretton moved inside the cave with Lilly behind him. “The late King had it warded. Anyone wishing harm to the kingdom cannot pass without suffering an agonizing death. And it doesn’t hurt that many don’t know of its existence, so keep it quiet.” He winked and moved away from Lilly.

  The cave tunnel was pitch black except for the light which stemmed from the entry. My eyesight was better than Gwen and Lilly’s and I could see with ease, but I worried about their ability to climb the treacherous stairs which twisted around the cave walls. I was about to voice my worries when Bretton’s entire body lit in a blue fire. It cast the tunnel in a low glow.

  “What in the world?” Gwen’s hands covered her mouth. “Why isn’t he burning?” Glancing at all the shocked faces from the shifters and Lilly, it was safe to assume the same question was filtering through all our heads.

  “It’s my gift.” Bretton’s voice leaked pride and his lips curled into a smirk. “My magic materializes as flames.” Linc nonchalantly tried to poke at the fire. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” Linc dropped his extended hand and pretended his boots were more interesting as he bent down to swipe at imaginary dirt. “My magic doesn’t hurt me, but anyone else won’t be as fortunate.” Bretton glanced at Linc. “What can you do besides shift into a beast?”

  “You sure you want to find out?” Linc’s chest puffed out at Bretton’s insult of our second nature. “I can assure you it won’t be pleasant.” Linc’s head tilted and his voice lowered. “Turn off your nightlight and let’s see if you can call it back before my beast rips your throat out.”

  “Can we stop with the peeing contest?” Ryn gripped the sword attached to his hip. “We have more important things to worry about than arguing over which species is better.”
Ryn’s gaze brushed over my heated one as my chest rumbled with the others. “Besides, Kitra has taught me that shifters are our friends and equals.” Bretton’s mouth gaped as he floundered to make a sound at Ryn’s words. “You better learn that quickly if you want to keep helping us.”

  Curtis clapped Ryn’s shoulder and followed the Faerie Commander into the cave’s abyss.

  With Bretton’s light and silence, the ascent to the castle took less than fifteen minutes and I was happy for it. The cave’s dampness caused our human counterparts to shiver more with each minute we were underground. A heavy wooden door sat at the top of the stairs and Ryn rapped out a series of short and long knocks with the tail of a silver seahorse door knocker. The door opened into a circular room lined with silver doors. It reminded me of my time spent in the Council’s dungeon and my spine prickled.

  A robust fairy soldier stood at attention when he realized who was before him.

  “Commander.” He mimicked the same stance Bretton assumed earlier and unease lifted the hair on my arms.

  Where Bretton and Ryn were ethereal beauty incarnate, this man was rugged and broad. He reminded me of the burly mountain men portrayed on TV or the stereotypical lumberjack. A long, brown beard reached almost to his belly and I never thought armor could appear strained, but his girth almost burst it at its seams. He turned molten gold eyes in our direction and the corner of his mouth lifted as those liquid pools glinted with something mischievous.

  “Dannick.” The stout fairy shifted his gaze back to Ryn. “Tell the Queen the Princess has arrived.” Dannick’s gaze landed on me and he smiled. It lit up his face and ended the heavy feeling which sat in my gut and told me to run.