The door opened. She didn’t turn. Lidia sat next to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
“Any news?” Adela leaned against her.
“Maybe.” A light tease entered Lidia’s voice. “Damian’s awake.”
Adela sat upright, heart lifting. “Can I see him?”
Lidia’s face fell. “No, the king ordered that you two should be kept apart. Now that you are both recovering, he wants to hold a trial to find out what happened.”
Her heart sank. “When?”
“As soon as Damian is well enough. The healer says it should be only a matter of days.”
“How is he?”
Lidia paused in thought. “She said his wing would heal perfectly. She is doing her best to speed the healing of the other wounds, but doesn’t know yet if she will be able to take away the scars.”
“Can you give him a message for me?”
“Of course.” Lidia smiled.
“Tell him…” Adela fell silent, suddenly lost for words.
“I’ll say you’re glad he’s doing well and you miss him,” Lidia said.
Adela gave her a grateful look and changed the subject.
“So, you and Rafael?” she asked slyly.
Lidia blushed. “Yes, I admit that hopeless wonder has won me over at last.”
“I’m glad.” Adela nudged her with a smile.
“And since I was foolish enough to mention that I love him, I suppose he might be asking me to marry him sometime soon.”
“Please say yes!”
“Maybe not at once,” Lidia said with a playful laugh. “I can’t help it. It’s force of habit by now.”
Adela giggled, and Lidia’s grin widened.
“So what happened while I was away?”
Glad to have her closest friend back, Lidia told her everything. The ordinary life of the mountain came as a welcome relief from the current events. The two faeries sat and talked away the hours until Lidia was summoned to return to the silver shop.
Estera came soon after with the news that Adela would remain confined to the room until the trial. She had some other choice words to say about the king that Adela had thought she would never hear from her beloved caretaker.
Adela whiled away the hours as they turned to days. Lidia was a constant visitor and brought news of Damian’s continued recovery. She had given Adela’s message to Rafael to deliver to Damian, but as yet, there had been no reply.
****
Finally the healer came to the King.
“He is well enough, your majesty,” she said.
Gerard turned to his guard. “It is time. Summon the mortal.”
Chapter 11
Two days later, Damian rose slowly and dressed. For the first time, he saw the extent of the wounds inflicted by the witch. New scars crossed his chest and stomach. Turning in the mirror, he could see more on his shoulder and back.
But the most startling of all was his face.
Four parallel scars ran down the right side of his face from forehead to chin. The witch’s claws had missed his eye, but the edge of his mouth twisted into a frown.
The shirt and tunic hid all but his face. The hideous scarring would be visible for all to see. His hands shook as he laced up his boots. It was harder than he had thought it would be to see the disfigurement. Rafael and his brother had been the most frequent visitors and had tried to act normally. But even their gazes sometimes lingered over the scars.
Damian spread his wings carefully. The left wing had healed but still ached from time to time. He winced as he spread them to full length. A knock sounded. He folded his wings and hid them as Rafael entered.
“Are you ready?” he asked, barely masking his concern.
Damian only nodded. As he remembered more and more, he found he was less willing to speak. He kept seeing the battle, killing the mortal witch, and finally, the darkness. The healer told him it had only been days before he woke, but it seemed like an eternity. The thought of the endless dark still frightened him.
“The guards are waiting outside,” Rafael said. “We’ll ride to the clearing.”
Damian wordlessly took the cloak handed to him and followed Rafael outside. Soldiers and horses waited. The air held an uncomfortable chill, and Damian pulled the cloak around him. A faery soldier led a horse to him, but then a beat of wings and a whinny announced a pegasus.
Aleksy, the winged horse that Damian had helped heal.
The beast trotted forward and gently nuzzled Damian. The pegasus’ concern was palpable. He whispered reassuring words to it. Aleksy laid his forehead against Damian’s chest, then shook his head, indicating that Damian should ride him instead.
The faeries did not argue with the pegasus’ decision, and Damian slowly mounted. Then the other faeries mounted their horses, and all started off. Aleksy consented to walk with the other horses as they rode toward the clearing. They dismounted just outside the meeting place. Damian saw that they were the last to arrive.
King Gerard sat in a chair at one end of the clearing. More faeries filled the large space, Count Stefan and his guards waiting among them. The humans clustered together, overwhelmed by the presence of so many faeries.
Stefan gave Damian a respectful nod of greeting. Damian returned it and became aware of more eyes trained upon him. It was as if every living thing in the clearing stared. Damian froze at the scrutiny of his wounded face. Rafael casually stepped in front of him. The action blocked all but one. Adela still watched him. Damian turned his gaze away, unable to meet her eyes.
King Gerard rose from his seat and immediately commanded everyone’s attention.
“I have called you here, faeries and humans, in order to bear witness against two faeries who have broken and worked counter to several of our laws. Some of you may have forgotten our past but I have not, and will not doom us to the same tragic mistakes. This trial will determine the innocence or guilt of Damian and Adela.”
Queen Izolda stepped before the assembly. “For those that have forgotten and for the humans who do not know, I will tell of our past. Nearly a thousand years ago, there were no rules among us governing our interaction with the mortals. A faery named Bazyl was captured by a human, bound by dark magic, and forced to perform evil deeds. Bazyl’s brother discovered what had happened, and went to war against this mortal, slaying many humans before finding his brother. He killed the mortal and thus broke the bond over Bazyl.
The clearing was silent. Queen Izolda took a breath and continued. “When our people heard what had happened, they refused to help the brothers. Because they would not aid his brother, the faery was filled with a great hatred, and his desire for vengeance overtook him. He slaughtered those faeries who had refused to help, and then kept on killing. When Bazyl tried to stop his brother, he too was slain in blind fury. At this tragedy, the faery realized what he had done and fled to the darkest corners of the forest to join the Nameless Ones.”
Rafael stepped forward in protest. “But you don’t think that Damian will become like—him?”
King Gerard glared at him. “You have not been given permission to speak.”
Rafael retreated. The king turned back to the gathering.
“Adela, come forward,” he commanded.
Adela’s hands visibly trembled as she walked toward him. The assembly’s entire focus was on her. She bobbed a curtsey.
“Your majesty,” she whispered.
“Tell me what happened.”
Adela began recounting her capture by Malvina and the bond that had been placed upon her, as well as the terrible orders given by Marek.
“And you obeyed these orders?” he asked.
“I had to, my lord. The spell forced me to. And if I somehow disobeyed, Marek threatened to kill me and any other faery he could find. He said he could force me to tell him of our home.”
King Gerard nodded curtly.
“Damian.” Damian stepped forward, drawing his cloak more tightly around him. “How did you come to kn
ow of Adela’s situation?”
“I found her in the woods shortly after she escaped from Marek,” Damian said. “Something was obviously troubling her, so I stayed with her until she told me.”
“You were angry then, to find out about the bond?”
“Yes, your majesty, I was,” Damian replied, his stomach turning as he realized what the next question would be.
“Surely you would have wished to stop it somehow?”
“Yes, sire. I—I wanted to kill Marek. But Adela reminded me of the law.”
King Gerard’s eyes narrowed. “Yet it sounds as if you still harbored that desire.”
“Yes, it was an evil deed done to her. Marek should have paid in some way for it.” Anger began to surface within Damian at the thought of what Adela had gone through.
“What would you have done to free her?”
Damian paused for a long moment. “Anything, sire.”
The faeries whispered amongst themselves but the king ignored it, calling on Stefan. The count came forward and bowed.
“I thank you for coming, Count Stefan. This is an unusual occurrence for a mortal to come among us at a gathering.”
“I’m honored, my lord, that you would consider my words.”
King Gerard inclined his head. “How did you come to meet Adela?”
Stefan told of their meeting on the side of the road, the trip to the castle, and the healing of the land. Next, King Gerard asked of their time together, and Stefan answered.
“You trusted her?” King Gerard pressed.
“Yes, my lord, I did.”
“How did she try to kill you?”
Stefan barely flinched at the choice of words.
“I had asked her to marry me,” he replied, keeping his voice steady as a murmur rippled through the gathered faeries.
King Gerard raised a hand, and the clearing fell silent again. He gestured for Stefan to continue.
“I had announced the betrothal, and when we were about to drink the toast, Adela tried to warn me about something. At the time, I was confused as to what. Adela, still trying to warn me, refused to give me my glass of wine and then drank it herself. After that, she collapsed and then disappeared in a cloud of smoke.”
“And what did you do?” King Gerard leaned forward.
Stefan gave a small shrug of his shoulders. “Nothing. I had no idea what had happened to her.”
“How did you come to find out?”
“Damian came to my castle, told me what had happened, and how we could save her.”
King Gerard frowned. “And what way was that?”
Stefan looked desperately to Damian, who in turn lowered his eyes.
“He said that the only way to break the bond was to kill the witch,” Stefan finally answered.
“So you decided to go to war against Marek. I cannot judge your decisions, but what part did Damian play?”
Stefan swallowed. “He said he would fight the witch. We knew we had no chance against her magic unless he came.”
King Gerard turned back to Damian. “And how did you know that killing the witch would finally break the bond?”
“I think you already know that answer, sire,” Damian replied in a hoarse voice.
“Indeed I do. My domain is the entire forest and nothing goes unnoticed,” King Gerard said sharply.
A hawk came to perch by his throne. It blinked in sorrowful apology at Damian.
“Emil saw you at the border. I have one more witness to call forward.”
Damian half-turned to see a faery step into the clearing. The faery’s dark clothes appeared a stain among the bright assembly. A sneer curled his upper lip as the other faeries recoiled in fear and shock, and the Count’s soldiers laid their hands on their weapons. Damian’s father saw the newcomer and tried to come forward. His wife restrained him.
“I told you to be careful, lad,” the dark faery whispered to Damian before bowing mockingly to the king.
“Tell me of the meeting you had with Damian,” King Gerard ordered, disgust etching his features.
“He came to me and asked my opinion on dark magic and how to break a bond.” The entire gathering shuddered at his sibilant voice.
“And you told him?”
“I did.”
“Did he threaten to kill you if you did not help him?”
“I suppose he did. But it wouldn’t be the first time someone has tried to kill me. And even a Nameless One could tell that he was desperate to save the one he loves,” the faery said. “I’d be careful not to make a rash decision—your majesty.”
King Gerard glared at him. “You may go.”
The dark faery turned away. “When he came, I thought I was looking at you, Izaak,” he said to Damian’s father. “You should be proud of him, no matter what.”
Izaak almost smiled before the faery vanished from the clearing. King Gerard rose again.
“Adela, you were bound against your will but did your best to fight it. I have decided that you are free of any guilt for your actions while under Marek’s control,” he declared. “You will remain with the faeries, and I lift the ban against your journey to the Creator.”
Damian breathed out a sigh. She was safe. Adela’s wings drooped in relief, and Lydia ran forward to hug her.
“Count Stefan, your testimony here was invaluable. You will keep the blessings conferred on you by Adela and Damian and will have the aid of the faeries.”
Stefan bowed to the king.
“And Damian,” King Gerard began.
The gathering held its breath.
“You harbored hatred, threatened to kill, and spoke the forbidden name of a Nameless One. And not only that, but you also took the life of a human.”
Rafael’s head snapped up. His mouth opened, ready to speak. Queen Izolda spoke first.
“Your majesty, I beg leave to remind you that a witch is no longer completely human. An evil like that needs to be driven from the land and that is indeed our purpose here on this earth. Damian risked his life for that duty and to save Adela. Not many would give up their chance to travel to the stars.”
A glimmer of hope kindled in Damian’s chest when he heard the queen’s words. He dared to look up. The king turned to his queen in surprise.
“You would speak in his defense?”
“Yes,” Queen Izolda answered. “I see that young Rafael and Count Stefan would as well. They believe in his innocence, and I suggest you consider that.”
King Gerard looked from her to Damian. Damian’s hand twitched, betraying his desperation.
“Very well. Damian, I will grant you a conditional pardon. Because of your actions, there is a chance that darkness will take hold of you. If I see any signs, I will not hesitate to finish this trial.”
Damian nodded in understanding, not trusting his voice.
“And lastly, you will keep those scars to remind you and everyone who sees you of these events and the darkness that is always close.”
Izolda smiled and pressed the king’s hand in gratitude. Then, the king and queen left the clearing, signaling the end of the trial. Faeries and mortals began to disperse.
Stefan was one of the few to approach Damian.
“I wanted to thank you for helping us against Marek and for thinking me worthy of a blessing,” he said.
Damian nodded. “You’re welcome. I meant what I said. You’re a good man. Thank you for trying to speak for me.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t do more to sway the king, but I do have something for you.” Stefan signaled to Cyryl. The captain came forward carrying an object.
As Stefan handed the sword to him, Damian recognized his weapon. He took it hesitantly, trying to suppress a new fear that he would turn to evil as the king warned.
“Thank you. Although I don’t know if I’ll ever use it again.”
“I do not think that there will be any danger of you becoming like that dark faery. At least not while she’s around.” Stefan looked over to where Adela laughed
with Estera and Lidia.
“If she would even have me.” Damian tore his eyes away from the sight. She’d be a fool to even speak with him now. Not after what the king had said.
“I don’t think there’s any danger of her rejecting you.” Stefan smiled. “Take care of her.” He clasped Damian’s hand. “And my hearth is always open.”
“Thank you, my lord,” Damian replied. He forced a smile, but Stefan’s words did little to ease his mind.
Stefan left, and Rafael joined Damian.
“I’ve never met a human, but he doesn’t seem so bad,” Rafael said.
“No, he’s not,” Damian agreed. He held the sword, wishing it didn’t feel so familiar in his hand.
But he didn’t set it down.
*
Estera cried and even Lidia teared up. Relief made Adela light headed and giddy.
The nightmare is finally over!
She looked for Damian, but he was already gone. Rafael came over to them, swept Lidia up into his arms, and kissed her. Lidia laughed, kissing him back. He set her down and turned to Adela, hugging her. Adela looked for a place to sit and steady herself, but they were interrupted by Count Stefan.
She shyly greeted him. Lidia pulled Rafael away, and Estera grudgingly followed.
“I’m glad to see you doing well,” Stefan said.
“Well, you are responsible for that.”
“Not entirely.” Stefan shook his head. “I wanted to properly say goodbye to you.”
“So you don’t hate me for lying to you and trying to kill you?”
Stefan only smiled. “You reminded me of Daniele and taught me to laugh again, so no, I could never hate you. And honestly my head is still spinning from the whole affair. I haven’t quite made sense of it yet.”
“I can’t tell you how sorry I am for everything.” Adela twisted her fingers together and offered a shy smile. “I hope one day I can make it up to you.”
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