It appeared to have various entrances, reachable by a few hanging bridges that extended from smaller structures all around it, which mirrored the architecture of the main building. Further behind it, was an exact replica of the main palace, but unlike the other, this one was accessible by a single bridge that projected from the center of the fortress. The whole place had flower-covered vines sneaking onto it, which appeared to have grown with the structures, adorning them in an enchanting way, and allowing the harsh gold to somehow blend with its natural surroundings.
“That is Theo’s kingdom,” my brother, Nyx, announced over his shoulder, and initiated his descent towards the main gate. It suddenly dawned on me that I didn’t know how to land.
“Well, here goes nothing.”
*
“Welcome to my humble home.” A red haired man with buttery yellow eyes that seemed to glow in the sun greeted us with open arms, while we finished crossing the bridge into the main entrance.
A gold filigree crown rested on his forehead. His hair was short, and styled back high, and although tall, he was shorter than my brother and I. He was maybe around six feet, when we stood a full foot taller. I could see the definition of the muscles of his slender body, slightly straining against the elegant two-piece suit he wore. It seemed made of red silk as the fabric had a subtle sheen to it, with delicate leaves embroidered around the lapels. The black velvet loafers he wore, and the bejeweled rings on his fingers completed the outfit.
I rubbed my elbow, and limped faintly towards him, after my not so gracious landing. I had taken the brunt of the hit to protect Marigold, and the woman hadn’t even said “thank you”. Instead, she smacked my arm, and cursed at me for almost giving her a heart attack. Women.
“Humble?” I asked the prince, not too delicately, as we stopped before him. The gold exterior of his “home” stared back at me. The man laughed wholeheartedly—eyes twinkling with amusement—and clasped my brother’s hand, pulling him into a half hug.
Nyx smiled, turning towards me. “Theo, this is my older brother, Ash.”
“We are well met.” I smiled, shaking his hand. “Thank you for taking care of my brother while he was injured. I truly appreciate it.”
“Pfft.” He waved a hand dismissively at me. “It was my pleasure. I rarely get visitors here, and we had very stimulating conversations.”
“He reads about Vampires too,” Nyx added ecstatic. “Wait until you see his extensive collection of—”
“You don’t say,” I said sarcastically, interrupting Nyx. I loved messing with my little brother. “He gets overexcited,” I explained to Theo, while Nyx gave me the evil eye. The Golden Prince chuckled at our exchange.
“They are Vampires! What is there not to get excited about?” Theo answered with a grin.
“They are a myth. You know that, right?”
“You shut your mouth!” Both Nyx and Theo said in unison, completely appalled. I snickered, just as a loud throat clearing interfered with our conversation. Theo looked behind us, as Princess Aura pushed Nyx and I aside, and walked past us to stand regally in front of our new friend.
“I am Princess Aura Lenora, only daughter of Queen Abella Lenora, ruler of the Summer Court, and rightful heir to her throne.” She graciously extended her hand towards her friend. “And this is my lady in waiting, Marigold Blueflowri, Viscountess of Bosreoce.” Theo’s amused gaze went to my brother, me and finally returned to Aura as she delicately lifted her hand for him to kiss it.
I reached out to pull a twig from Marigold’s hair. She smacked my hand without even turning to look at me.
Theo leaned forwards, taking the princess’ hand and kissed it, then lifted his hand to her lips so she would do the same. “I am Theodwin Reyfier. Rightful Prince of the Eternal Outlands, and ruler of the blah, blah blah, blah blah blah.”
A loud gasp resounded around us as Aura took a step back. “How dare you mock me? I’m the Princess of the Summer Court!”
Theo’s eyes widened and he clutched his chest, seeming appalled. “I’m not! I would never dare mock you. I truly am the ruler of the blah, blah blah blah!”
I laughed and Marigold smacked my arm again. I turned it into a cough.
“So, are these your prisoners?” Theo asked, twirling the ruby ring that sat around his index finger with a calculated gleam in his eyes.
“They are Kyr’s prisoners but Nyx and I left the castle in seemingly bad terms, and we didn’t want to leave them behind to be punished by the Dark King.”
“I don’t blame you, he’s already called a search for the ‘lost princes’ and promised his wrath would be felt across the lands.” He snorted. The women gasped, taking a step back, in fear. “Don’t worry, darling, no one gets through our wards unless I want them to; our magic is stronger than you’ve been told.” Theo added, for Aura’s benefit with a wink, then his gaze settled on me. “Dungeons?”
“No!” Nyx and Aura protested, then frowned when we all looked at them. “I mean, whatever.” Nyx added, shrugging, and fixed his glasses.
I ignored him. “Kyr had them in the castle, and assigned someone to take care of them. He wanted them unharmed.”
“Right,” Theo exhaled, and lifted a bejeweled finger.
Four men stepped forward. I assumed they were his servant’s since they all wore the same buttermilk tone outfits, with the crest of the Golden Elves on the lapel. My eyes widened when I noticed there was a human among his men. He stood on the right side of the Golden Prince, leaving the others behind him. I didn’t have anything against humans—I particularly loved the women—but they weren’t exactly welcomed in our realm. Theo whispered something to the mortal, and the man turned to face the others.
“Prepare a chamber for the Summer Princess in the guest’s towers, and tell Crystalys I require her in my office. I’ll need her to assemble a team of ladies to take care of the Princess and the Viscountess.” I frowned when the men bowed to him and the prince, then hurried to complete their task. The human smiled at us with a half bow and casually walked back into the castle. He seemed to be Theo’s right hand man. No doubt an impressive position for a human to hold in our world.
Theo kindly smiled at Aura, offering her his arm like a true gentleman. “Shall we?” He chuckled as she arched a mistrusting eyebrow at him but accepted his arm nonetheless. The prince winked at her and turned, guiding us into the castle.
*
“These are my chambers,” Theo announced as we entered the smaller secluded castle I had seen from above.
Night had already fallen in the land, and the midnight sky filled with a million stars that shone brightly through the large floor to ceiling windows. The Mountains within Theo’s kingdom were the source of all gold in this realm. The Elven magic fed from the mystical mountains, and in turn, the Elves nourished the peaks making the otherwise natural resource endless, through a continuous regeneration. A cycle, which made the Elves both incredibly powerful, and wealthy.
We accepted the wine and the appetizers his servants offered, while we waited. His chef and kitchen staff were preparing a special dinner for us under the prince’s orders, and I was truly grateful because we were starving. Theo leisurely walked around the room while his human servant handed him a small crystal bowl, filled with what appeared to be squared food pieces, which seemed very juicy by the expressions they both made while chewing it.
“Starburst?” Theo asked, offering the glass canister to me. Several red squares filled it. He smiled. “I prefer the strawberry ones.” He offered it again and I shrugged, taking one. It was like an explosion of flavor in my mouth.
Strange music continued to echo in the background. A type I had never heard before, while a man sang about the November Rain. I didn’t know much of the human world, other than the small pleasures I had allowed myself to indulge in during my visits—women and liquor for the most part—but I knew November was a month in their time measurement methods. Apparently, the rain was crucial during that month, because the m
an sounded truly sad about it.
My gaze continued to roam the place, until I saw a statue made of gold, which sat in a corner of the great hall we currently stood in. The moonlight that filtered through the window illuminated it to its full grandeur. It was an exact replica of the Golden Prince, and its body was draped with a white robe. I realized then it was his height too. Princess Aura walked straight towards it, taken aback by the sight.
“It’s you…” She said, amazed as her fingertips traveled over his features.
Theo grinned, pleased by her admiration. “It was commission by my people as a gift. I posed for the artist, allowing him to make it anatomically correct… everywhere.” He pulled at the robe, opening it, and all of our eyes inevitably went to its crotch.
The women gasped, while my eyes widened. “Damn, congrats.”
“Thanks.” Theo said proudly, and took another sip of wine.
Aura whirled around mortified; sporting the deepest blush on her cheeks, while Nyx just frowned seeming half confused, half pissed.
The Golden Prince grinned at them, stepping closer to Aura. “In our lands, we celebrate the true beauty of our nature. The things that would bring shame or coyness in others, we Elves accept freely. It is nothing but the beauty our race.” He gently caressed Aura’s cheek as though her blush was endearing. “Our sexuality, our bodies, are all part of our Goddess’ flawless design, and as such, we should embrace it and celebrate it to the best of our ability, not be held back or embarrassed by it.”
Theo looked at me and chuckled. “I guess John was correct in covering the statue, so it wouldn’t make our guests uncomfortable.” He moved to my side, taking another sip of wine, his gaze settled on the human, and mine followed. “Puzzled to see one here?” The prince asked, knowingly.
I nodded. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to stare.”
“Oh, he doesn’t mind.” Theo waved a hand dismissively. “He likes being the center of attention. Isn’t that right, John?”
The man laughed. “Sure, why not.”
“He’s my best friend. I brought him here around twenty years ago after I finally decided to venture into Earth. We formed a bond he and I.” Theo spoke so fondly of the man that I briefly wondered what they had been through. It seemed deeper than just a chance encounter.
“Forty years ago—human time” John added. “My parents had just died in a car accident to which I was the only survivor. We were in the middle of the countryside, somewhere in Washington State, near the border with Alaska. Road trip. My parents had saved for a while to make it happen, they talked about it none stop. It’s the only thing I remember.”
His eyes glistened with the memory as he slowly shrugged.
“I walked away from the crash, crying, calling out for help but there was no one to be found. I had no idea where I was or where to go, so I got lost in the forest soon after. Theo happened to cross over to my world right before a savage wolf attacked me, and scared him away with his magic. Once he got me to calm down, he said I could live with him in a magical land, where I would be safe and never lose anyone ever again… and here I am. I was six years old then.”
“I made him immortal after he reached adulthood,” Theo looked at me and winked. “I couldn’t have him looking older than me.” Nyx and I chuckled. “Now he’s my right hand man, and he is even married to a Pixie.”
“Wait, you can make people immortal?” Aura asked, perplexed.
“Why yes, such is our Eleven Magic,” Theo answered, unapologetically bragging. “Of course, only I can perform the ritual as the Elven Prince, and it involves drinking from a special cup, my blood, a shining crescent moon, a mystical elk—which are very difficult to catch—and a willing participant.”
She looked at him, mouth slack, and swallowed. “Okay.”
“I begged him to make me immortal since I learned he could do that—I was ten years old—but Theo said I should wait until after I became a man. That it would be much more enjoyable that way.” John added, amused. “He was right.”
Theo leaned closer to me as though to share a secret. “Wild companions in bed, those Pixie women. Have you ever been with one?”
I grinned. “Not yet, unfortunately.”
He grunted appreciatively. “You have to, my friend. Trust me.”
“How do you manage that, though?” I asked, when curiosity got the best of me. “I mean, I can shift so it doesn’t matter that they are small, but you?”
Theo’s laugh rang through the halls, dancing around us. “You don’t know your women as well as you should.” He winked, and looked at John who was eating the starburst now. “Call Jade here, will you? Tell her I want to introduce my new friends to her.”
John chuckled, handing him the glass container again. “Sure. Hold this though. If my wife finds out I’ve been eating candy before dinner, she’ll serve my head on a platter.”
Theo popped the last red square into his mouth as we watched the human leave. “His wife is our chef.” He explained, and set the empty bowl on the console next to the window behind us.
When his friend returned, shock stiffly traveled through me. The woman on his arm was around five foot tall, much taller than the Pixies I had known. They usually fit in one’s hand. Her hair was a hickory brown, and she had coral hued irises with a thick brown ring around them. The color was bright, contrasting against her soft tanned skin and her dark hair. The smile that curved her lips was genuine and kind.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Prince Ash. I’m Jade.” She slightly bowed, and I could instantly tell she was affected by me. I repressed my smirk.
“The pleasure is all mine.” I kissed her hand softly, hearing her whimper in response to my attention. Her husband forcefully cleared his throat. I chuckled. “Don’t worry, I know she’s taken.” My gaze returned to Jade and found her blinking, trying to regain her composure. “I’m sorry for the question, but I wasn’t expecting you to…” I trailed off, not sure how to phrase it.
“Be taller than a few inches?” she offered, suddenly amused.
I nodded. “Are you a shifter too?”
“No. We Pixies possess malleable bodies, which means we can limitedly modify an aspect of ourselves when needed, but only for short periods of time, so we must choose wisely. In this case our size, and wings. This is actually our real form; the small delicate shape you are used to is only used as a defense mechanism. It allows us to slip by unnoticed, hide, or fly away and evade others easily. It gives us an advantage, especially during a prank.” She grinned at me mischievously and I stared at her in shock.
“Wow, I had no idea,” Marigold added, moving closer.
John nodded. “Not many are entrusted with this secret, so I would appreciate it if you protect it.”
“Of course,” I promised, as the others did the same. I watched amazed as John turned and walked towards the doors, ushering his wife away.
“Oh, and stop eating candy, Theo! The meal is almost done,” Jade warned from the door and we all chuckled.
“So.” Theo faced me. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?”
I let out a heavy breath, and gripped the leather pouch that hung from my belt. “Kyr trusted you, so I shall too. I need you to please watch over Nyx and the princess. I’m hoping they can stay here for a few days.”
His right brow arched, and he twirled the ring on his index finger. “Not you?”
My gaze briefly swept over Nyx, and found him staring Aura down. “No.” I shook my head, looking into the prince’s eyes. “I need to finish what my brother started.”
Chapter 4. Twice The Charm
It had been four days since I left Theo’s castle in search for… what? Answers? I wasn’t even sure what I was looking for, but somehow I knew with absolute certainty that I was meant to do this. This place was where I was meant to be.
The Dragonash Graveyard.
I was caught off guard by the emotions that traveled through me; the sight of the Broken Idols at the entrance of
this place shook me. My eyes stung as I focused on the face of the priest’s statue to my left. Half his features were gone. Fractured by a past filled with ambition, hatred, rage love and a vow to protect the very symbol the statue stood for. My chest constricted fiercely as I stood there.
There wasn’t much left of the three-hundred-foot tall holy man, except for the shadows that covered his remaining features, and the cloak that conformed his body. My jaw strained while I walked closer. Dragon ashes floated around me as though they were snow, falling from the sky, while I approached the base of the figure. Remains lay at its feet—after the fight knocked them loose—now conforming boulders and rocks all over the side of the mountain and ground. I bent down as a large rock called my attention and my hand brushed the dirt and moss away from its surface, I realized then it wasn’t a rock at all. I stared at it, as the eye of the stone priest stared back at me, and it suddenly dawned on me why I felt this way.
Like the priest, I too was broken.
Unlike him, my cracks weren’t visible on the outside—I had tried very hard not to let anyone in—yet I was still half the man I should be. I spent half of my life craving attention from a man who made me feel like I wasn’t enough, only to discover he wasn’t even my real father. The other half I had spent admiring and resenting my older brother simultaneously, because although he was the one to raise me and always be there for me, he reminded me of everything I wasn’t. Everything I would never be good enough to achieve.
Taking a strained breath, I blinked the moisture away from my eyes and reached for a small rock that fell from the statue. Taking it into my palm I gripped it tightly and stood, looking at it as though it possessed the answers I searched for. My gaze roamed the desolate land before me, and without wasting another moment, I placed the rock in my pocket and began to walk, crossing the entrance of the graveyard.
*
My feet sunk into the layers of ash that made the ground of this place. It almost reached my calves, and I tried not to think about what it represented, while my thumb rubbed the rock in my pocket over and over again. The land before me was painted in grays, blacks, and whites. They mixed with the bones that protruded from the ashes. Sets of ribcages lay abandoned on the ground, with partially shattered dragon skulls.
Broken Kingdom (The Winter Court Chronicles Book 2) Page 7
