Taking a break from my training with Callum, we stop for a bite to eat that Kalli has prepared for us. We sit back down around the fire. The teen is tearing into his meal.
“Hey, new guy. What’s your name? Have you decided if you want to travel and train with us?” I ask.
“Yes, Princess, I have. My name is Zach, and I would like to join you and train. I will avenge my family’s deaths.” he replies.
Chapter 11
“Well, Zach, I am Liauna. Princess of the Western Fae Kingdom. This is Evans, Anton, Callum, and Kalli. Welcome to our group. We are heading north, to meet the Fae there. Evans and Anton will train you with a sword, and Callum will cover hand to hand combat. Kalli can help you train with your Fae powers, if you wish.”
“Thank you, Princess. Thank you all.”
“Don’t thank us yet, kid. Training hasn’t started.” Evans smirks.
I return back to my own training with Callum. I’m dragging my ass, but I just keep telling myself must kick Evans’ ass, must kick Evans’ ass over and over again as I practice the motions.
After a few more rounds of kicks and a refresher on the punches, Callum shows me mercy and orders me to bed. I would love nothing more then to curl into a ball where I stand and sleep there. The thought of walking to my tent is a form of torture in itself, but I suck it up and head towards my sleeping tent for the night. Zach and Kalli are training still. He is hanging on her every word. I smile. It makes me happy to see that he is so intent on learning. My heart breaks at the thought of the losses he has endured.
I open the flap of the tent to find a shirtless and snoring Anton.
Lucky Dog.
I remove my boots, kicking them to the side and crawl under the blanket. I snuggle next to Anton, his cool chest feels like heaven after that sweaty training session. After listening to the owls hoot, and the crickets chirping I almost forget my mission for just a minute. To enjoy where I am now, in this moment. Just when my eyes are about to close, I spy Callum poking his head in the tent.
“Oh, just wanted to tell you, I have first watch. Evans will be in after he gets Kalli and Zach settled. He isn't a fan of Zach following her around like a lost puppy.” Callum grins.
He steps in, kisses my forehead, and disappears out of the tent. I sink back into my comfy spot next to Anton, and I'm done.
Instead of peaceful sleep, I drift into a nightmare. Bodies of fallen Fae litter the battlefield among the creepers. Black and red liquid run like a stream. I hear sobbing, and that spurs me forward to find the source. I walk to find that it’s myself who is crying, my head on Anton’s chest as he breathes his last breath.
With that, I startle awake, breathing heavy. I look at Anton, and he eyes me with concern.
“What is it, love?”
“Just a horrible nightmare. I am much better now that I’m awake and know we are all safe.” I whisper.
“Want to talk about it?”
“No, not yet, can we wait till we are all together? I’d rather not have to replay it over more than once.”
He sits up, and wraps his arm around me. The sparks from his touch are just what I need to calm down. He kisses my cheek and lays us back down, his arms still holding me tight.
“Lets try and get more sleep. We will have to leave soon.”
I snuggle next to Anton, but I can’t seem to get my brain to stop going over that nightmare. It was so real, I felt the pain and heartache as if it really happened. Everytime I close my eyes, all I see is Anton’s lifeless body. Carefully I untangle my arms and legs from Anton’s, and step out of the tent.
The fire crackles, and embers float into the sky, I take a seat on a log that was pulled up to act like a bench. After a few minutes, I get up and take a few steps closer to warm my hands. Pleasantly hot hands start to rub my cool arms. I don’t have to turn to know it’s Callum, that woodsy scent giving him away.
“Couldn’t sleep?” he asks.
“No, nightmares are keeping me awake. The images are etched in my brain. The worst one reappears when I close my eyes.” I reply, leaning into his embrace. “Where is everyone?”
“Evans and Zach are walking the perimeter, and Kalli is asleep in her tent. I was coming to wake Anton for his turn on watch.” He says as he leads me back towards the tent.
“Anton, up dude. It’s your turn for watch.” Callum whispers, and kicks Anton's boot.
“Why are you whispering?” I ask.
A reply comes from Anton, “He is testing my hearing, if I had to guess.” He stretches as he stands, and his shirt lifts enough to give me a peek at his hard stomach.
I guess I stare too long because I hear him say, “I can just take the shirt off if you want a better look.” He shrugs as my eyes meet his.
“Ha ha, go take watch. I’m gonna stay here and snuggle with Callum.” I reply before I stick out my tongue at him.
I kiss Anton on the cheek and whisper, ‘Be careful’ as he exits the tent.
Callum is already snoring as I lower myself to the ground to lay next to him. This time, I fall into a dreamless sleep.
I wake up still tired. Pulling off the blanket, the spot where Callum was laying is cool to the touch. He must have left the tent a while ago. I start to fold up the blankets and shove them back into the packs. I run a brush through my long hair, braid it, and roll it up into a bun. I return my brush back to my bag, throw on my boots, and head out to help.
The fire is extinguished, and Kalli’s tent is packed up. All that’s left of camp is the tent I just exited. Kalli is over at the stream collecting water, and I head towards her. My foot steps on a twig, snapping loudly, and Kalli whirls around with a knife in her hand.
“Geez, Kalli, I’m not going to eat you. Relax.” I chuckle.
“Oh, I’m so sorry, Princess! You can’t be too careful these days. The guys will be back soon. They had an early morning training session with Zach. They went down stream a ways to freshen up.” She reports, putting her knife away.
“Well, please wake me next time. I want to pull my weight and help too, Princess or not.” I tell her while we walk back to the tent.
After we get the last tent packed up, I look up and see my guys and Zach returning. The sun is glistening off Evans’ hair, water droplets are still falling from the dark ends, and I think to myself that it’s odd to see him not all put together. He is looking straight at me, and I use one finger to motion him to me. He raises his eyebrow in question, but follows my silent request. As he steps up to me, I call on my air magic and dry his hair.
He grins at me when I’m finished, “That tickles.”
“Shut up, and let’s get out of here.” I laugh, and punch him playfully.
Man, he is wearing me down. When’d he get so sweet?
One last sweep of the camp, and it’s time to head out. I shoulder my backpack, and follow the others, heading north as we follow the stream. Still on high alert, we walk in silence. After a while, Callum stops and growls.
“Callum, what is it?” I whisper.
Anton is the one that answers my question. “It’s a horde of creepers. Stay here, and we will scout it out.”
My anxiety rises as I see them run off. As much as want to call out to them, I don’t. I walk up to Evans, and he holds a hand out for me. I take it, last nights nightmare at the front of my mind. As if he can sense my thoughts, he pulls my chin up and says, “They will return to you. Have no fear, my Princess.”
After what seems like an eternity, I see my chocolate wolf and my hybrid running back. I release the breath I was holding and try to smile.
They report that the horde is one hundred strong, heading straight for the Northern Kingdom. Our only option is to try to outrun them, getting to the Northern Kingdom first, and warn the Fae.
Chapter 12
Anton jogs up to me. “Princess, I can carry you if you don’t want to run.” He offers.
“Thank you Anton, but I think I’m gonna teleport. Will you run with Zach and make sure he get
s there ok? It will be good practice for him. I’ll take Callum with me.”
“Sure, take the shifter, not the hybrid.” He jokes.
As he turns to walk off, I grab his shirt, and pull him in to me for a kiss.
“Stay safe.” I tell him.
“Anything for you, Princess.” He winks. He heads over to Evans and the others, and I watch the rest of our party rush towards the Northern Fae Kingdom as Callum takes his place in front of me.
“Got one of those for me?” Callum asks with a grin.
“How much do you trust me?” I inquire, raising an eyebrow.
“Oh no, what do you have in mind?” He asks, turning mock serious.
“Teleporting, you and me.” I smile weakly.
“You better love me for agreeing to this!” He jokes.
I pull him in close, getting a whiff of his woodsy scent. Him being so close helps to calm my nerves. I take a deep breath, close my eyes, and concentrate on Evans and Anton.
When I open them, Callum and I are standing in between my other two guys. The Northern Fae are staring in surprise as I untangle myself from Callum.
“I’m sorry about just popping in like that! Cardio and I are not friends. I am Princess Liauna of the Western Fae, and my father is King Roman. He sends his regards.” I announce.
“Welcome, Princess. We have just been briefed of the horde that is heading this way. We will escort you into the castle. You’ll be safe there.” A male guard informs me as he begins to head towards the castle doors.
“No.” I tell him, the authority in my voice giving the man pause.
“Excuse me, Princess?”
“I will stay here with my men, and I will fight. I will not be separated from them again.” I tell him.
“As you wish. My king will not be happy with this news.”
“Please, tell your king to send his most skilled fighters. The horde of Creepers headed this way has already attacked the Eastern Fae Kingdom, and they will be here soon. Please make sure all the other Fae are safe within the walls of the castle.” I dismiss him, and turn to my guys, Kalli and Zach.
“Evans and Callum, please check all the local shops and farms for Fae, make sure they are headed to the castle. Please, hurry back to me. Kalli, please help me with my armor. Zach, would you please help Anton watch for the approaching creepers.”
Kalli steps forward with her pack and starts unloading my armor. Anton and Zach run a few yards away, still in view but far enough to warn us when the creepers draw closer.
I thank Kalli for her help while I return the favor helping her put on armor to match my own. As we are putting the last of her armor on, I see my guys and Zach running towards us.
“Bad new, Princess. More creepers have joined the horde. There has to be over two hundred now, at least.”
“We will just have to fight harder. Evans, are all the Fae safe?”
Nodding, he steps up and takes his place beside me as the guard returns with only a handful of Fae warriors.
Where are all the Fae warriors? Why aren’t there more?
As they line up behind us, I turn to greet them, but all eyes are on Evans. So I elbow him, and whisper that he needs to instruct them. Instead he looks at me, uncertain, and then looks back at warriors.
“This is my Princess Liauna, and she will command you. She is one of the most skilled creeper killers I’ve ever had the pleasure to fight beside.” He shouts.
Evans takes a step back, leaving all the Fae to look at me. The way they unquestionably look to me to lead them causes a bundle of nerves to build in the pit of my stomach. For a moment, I’m not sure what to say when I remember Kalli’s words during my first few days in the Fae realm:
‘You have to believe in yourself. No self doubt. Especially with your new mission, your powers, and your men, most importantly my brother. You need to believe that with them, you will succeed.’
With that thought, I push down my nerves, take a deep breath, and address the patiently waiting Fae.
“Do not underestimate our enemy. They may not carry a weapon, but one bite, one scratch, and they can, and will, spread their sickness to you. Watch each others backs out there. We will triumph, and we will protect this city.”
I turn to talk to Kalli, Zach, and my guys.
“Zach, you may hate me for this, but I want you and Kalli behind those palace walls. I know you are eager to prove yourself, but this battle is not the right time. I want you to train for longer than a day. Please, do not argue.”
Zach started to protest, but I raise a hand to stop him.
“Please, just do as I say. If any creepers get past us, you two will be our last line of defense in protecting the King, and the other Fae inside those walls.”
Kalli grips his hand in hers, stopping for a moment to grab our bags, and they make their way behind the palace walls.
“I think that was a wise move, Princess.” Callum whispers.
“If you do, then why are you whispering?” I counter.
“Kalli scares me. She’s a badass.” He laughs.
“Agreed.” Evans and Anton say in unison.
Just then, the first of the horde appear out of the trees. Black veins and tattered clothing can be seen from where we stand. And the smell, it brings tears to my eyes. The more that approach, the stronger it gets.
My men and I are the first line of defense. We are fighting for Fae we don’t know, risking it all to keep them safe. Behind us are just the few warriors that came to help us fight. I don’t like our odds, but I push that to the back of my mind, as I run and behead a creeper.
I’m grateful for the training with Evans, my sword feels lighter in my hands. I can swing it more effectively and with less effort. With each approaching creeper, I am able to end them with ease. One after another, swing after swing, head roll after head roll, I lose count of the number of creepers I have taken out. Headless bodies litter the battlefield, and so far all the warriors are holding their own.
The next creeper limps up to me, one eye missing along with half of its face. I can hear it grinding its teeth as it nears me. I arch my blade up, landing my blow at the base of the neck, feeling the vibrations reverberate through my arm when I cut through the bone. When I pull my blade through, the head detaches from the body, thudding to the ground and sending a splatter of the rancid blood onto my boots. My blade too, is now stained with its black blood, but I only spare a second to wipe it off as I step away from the pool starting to form at my feet, as another takes its place.
I readjust my stance, readying myself to take on the next creeper. Just as it starts to attack, I hear a bloodcurdling scream, and the blood in my veins turns to ice. I quickly dismember the creeper that stumbled before me, it's head falling to the ground, and I take off to the gates to find the source of that scream.
Kalli gets my attention as she points to a nearby tree. There is a young Fae girl pinned by a creeper, it’s rotting teeth inching closer by the second. I rush to her aid, beheading the creeper from behind. While the head falls to the ground, the body follows, spewing black blood on her from head to toe.
“Sorry about that,” I say as I extend a hand, “we must hurry and get you through the gates. I must get back to the battle.”
I take her right hand in my left, and we jog towards the gates. With my sword in hand, I am able to cut down creepers as needed. Approaching the gates, Kalli runs out to meet us, taking the poor girl’s hand and leading her inside. Once the gates are closed, I take a moment to concentrate on my guys, wanting to teleport back to them.
I arrive just in time. Callum is swarmed. I start beheading creepers, slowly breaking my way through. I breathe a little easier when I can finally see him, his black stained hands are still ripping heads off.
He winks at me and says, “It’s about time your ass came to my rescue.”
Damn him. This is the worst time, but Callum has me smiling.
“Shut it, and keep your head in the game. Kill now, flirt later.” I tel
l him.
I reassess the fight as soon as I see that Callum isn’t overwhelmed anymore. I take my spot back in the middle of the battlefield, beheading creeper after creeper. With each attack my sword grows heavier. Even with all of my recent training, it didn’t prepare me to fight for this long, and with such little help. After I cut down the creeper in front of me, I am able to see that we are almost through this horde. Sighing a little in relief, I pull up my reserve of determination and get back to the task at hand.
After we dispatch the remaining creepers, the first thing I do is check over my men. They moan and groan that they can take care of themselves, but I stomp up to Callum, look him dead in the eyes and remind him, “I just saved your ass less than 30 minutes ago, so quit your whining mister.”
I move back to Anton, checking every square inch of his exposed skin, and repeat this with Callum, and lastly, Evans.
“Once we are alone, I’ll do a more thorough check.” I wink.
I lead them to check over the Fae, and once I’m pleased that all are uninfected, we start the clean up. I will not leave the bodies littering the grounds of the palace gates. It’s hard and dirty work, but Kalli and I help the others, doing more than most of the Northern Fae. We pile the bodies into a canyon to the left of the palace, and then set the mountain of bodies ablaze.
Blood soaked and stained, my guys and I enter the palace gates, tailed by Kalli and Zach. Not really how I wanted to greet to the King.
Yay, I stink, and I’m covered in blood and guts. Let’s meet this King.
The guard I was talking to before the battle is the one leading us to the castle. He ushers us to guest corridors to freshen up.
Thank goodness.
After the fastest shower of my life, I sit down at the dresser and brush through my hair as Kalli showers. When I’ve finally brushed out the numerous knots in my hair, Kalli reappears, already in her dress and ready to help me slip into one of the dresses she packed. After sliding into my dress, I retake my seat to let Kalli braid my hair.
Curse of the Fae (The Creeper Saga Book 2) Page 7
