“Are you ready to leave?” He asks as we arrive at my door.
I shrug, “As ready as ever.”
Evans stops, pulling me into a hug. His embrace is just what I need, offering me a moment to forget all the worries. In this moment I get to be me, Liauna. I’m lost in Evans’ hug when I feel a set of cool arms wrap around me.
Ah, Anton.
“Ok, let go of Liauna before you smother her.” Kalli laughs. “Everything is packed and ready at the palace doors.”
As both sets of arms release me, I sigh. What I wouldn’t give to just have a normal day, to be carefree. Enough being selfish, we have an evil king to defeat and a witch to find.
We follow Kalli to the doors where Cait, Metis, Eli, and Ender are there waiting for us. I spot Zach loaded down with gear, ready to go. One person I don’t see is my Callum. Just as I start to worry, I see a chocolate blur running toward us. In his wolf form, Callum tackles me, licking my face as I fall to the land against the soft packs. He must have planned that, the thoughtful pup, I think.
“Yuck, Callum! I’m glad to see you but did you have to lick me?” I laugh, as I squirm to get away from his wet kisses.
Anton brings forward Callums clothes, he takes them in his mouth and heads to change. Anton reaches his hand down to pull me up.
“I must say, Princess, your team is full of surprises. I wish you all a safe journey.” The King says with a last goodbye. With that we head to the gates, Callum, now changed and in his gloriously sexy human form, is running to catch up.
“Eli and Ender, you lead the way, please.” I tell them.
They take out their swords and start cutting down trees.
“I thought you knew the path to the Eastern Kingdom? Why are you cutting down these trees?” I ask, confused by their actions.
Eli stops, “We do, but this forest is cursed. As soon as you make your way through it, it changes to confuse you. Even if you just cut the branch, a tree will grow in its place. We need to stay close and walk fast.”
We all pick up the pace. We stay quiet and on high alert, listening for creepers as we go. After a few hours we emerge from the forest. I am grateful for the sun and sightline. I can hear a roaring rush of water that will be a nice place to rest.
Evans and Callum lead us to a stream connected to a waterfall. I find a big boulder and take a seat. My feet ache already, but we still have a ways to go so I will just have to suck it up and continue.
“Zach, can I talk to you for a minute?”
He awkwardly nods at me, and comes to take a seat on the boulder with me.
“Yes, Princess, have I done something wrong?”
I turn to face him, “No, Zach not at all. I would like to teleport you back to my kingdom, so you can train more before you are to be placed in a battle.” He starts to protest. “Hear me out, I’m not saying you aren’t capable, or wouldn’t help us in a fight. I am your Princess first, and friend second. I want to do this so I know that you’ve received the training you need, and that I didn’t neglect my duties because we are friends. Your safety is my number one concern. You go, train, and as soon as we return from the Southern Kingdom, you will join us. I’m not leaving you out of everything. I just know this is the right path for you. When you are ready, tell everyone goodbye and we will go.”
“As you wish Princess, as much as I’d love to tag along, I understand what you're saying, and I accept.”
Zach says his goodbyes quickly, and returns to me carrying his pack.
I hop off the boulder and approach Zach. “Ready?”
He nods his head, and I wrap my arms around him. He does the same awkwardly, and I chuckle. I clear my mind, thinking of my father, of the throne room.
As I open my eyes, that’s where we land. Untangling myself from Zach, I stand to see the throne is empty.
That’s weird, being this time of day Father should be here.
I hear the teleport alarm sound, but no guards rush in. Without saying a word I head to the front doors, my sword drawn and ready.
As soon as open the doors the odor hits me. My blood runs cold, then I hear the sound of metal hitting bone. I run as fast as I can back to Zach.
“I have to get the others, stay here. The palace in under attack.”
I do my best to calm myself, thinking of Callum, Evans and Anton.
I’m back, I run to Evan wrap my arms around him, and teleport him to the kingdom. I leave him there and hope that Zach will fill him in. I teleport back and forth till our little party is all in the Northern Kingdom.
Eli is the last I teleport back.
“I have to find my father.” I yell as I exit towards the front doors.
Everyone follows, swords at the ready.
We fight our way through the creepers that have invaded the palace. I don’t think of anything but finding my father. I am numb, the blood that just splattered on my face doesn’t faze me. I wipe it away and continue on my mission.
I behead the creeper in front of me, as its body falls to the ground I see her. Alix, she is dragging my unconcious father behind her. I almost breath easy, until I see she’s headed the wrong way. She’s heading towards the portal, not the palace.
As soon as she spies me, she lifts my father over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes and runs.
I take off after them, forgetting I can teleport. Cardio isn’t my strong suit, but that is all but forgotten. The stitch in my side reminds me that I’m half human, but I will not stop.
I catch up with her just outside the portal. She stops and looks at me.
“Nice try, Princess, but he is mine.” She snarls.
“What do you want with my father, Alix?” I demand.
“Oh, you sweet girl, you really haven’t figured it out yet, have you?” She smirks. As she spoke those words, her appearance starts to morph. Her hair turns from blonde to black, black veins under her eyes, and her skin a pale gray color. “I am Haila, you silly girl, the witch you have been seeking.”
Then she turns and takes my father into the mortal realm.
I almost follow them, but then I remember that I must return to the fight. I need to save our people. If she took my father he must play a part in her plan.
I calm my thoughts as best I can, and I think of the front doors, and opening my eyes, I push through them.
I scan the battle field that is laid out before me. My eyes stop on Anton just as he is bitten. My heart stops. I can’t move. A paralyzing fear has spread through me.
I scream and run to Anton’s aid.
How the hell did they bite him? His skin is rock hard!
Bite and all, Anton is still taking out creepers. I join him as we fight back to back. We behead all the closest creepers, then head to help take out the rest. As we fight, I can see the black veins climbing Anton’s arm, spreading up his neck and to his face.
I want to be selfish and tell him to stop fighting, but I know he will not. Beheading the last creeper, its rotting head thumps to the ground with a deafening sound.
Anton falls to the ground. I drop my sword and rush to him. He is holding the forearm that was bitten, his breathing labored. I take his head in my lap. He looks at me and smiles.
“I’m sorry I failed you, my Princess. Know that if I had the choice, I would always pick following you. I love you, Liauna.” He says as his eyes close.
“No, Anton! You can’t leave me! I need you! If you die a part of me will die too. I know that’s selfish, but it’s true! I love you! I don’t want to do this without out.” I cry.
Tears stream down my face, and just like in my nightmare, I’m crying on his chest, holding him.
What I don’t notice, is that where my tears land on Anton’s bite, it has started to heal.
…
To be concluded in Redemption of the Fae…...
Also by Jenee Robinson
The Creeper Saga
Fate of the Fate
For Melissa Anthology
Typical Hunter Day
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br /> Acknowledgments
Thank you to my family. You unending support is just what I needed to complete this book.
To all my friends, thank you for checking up on me and not letting me lose sight of what I needed to do.
To all my indie author friends, thank you, for always being there to answer any question I may have. Your love and support has been amazing.
To my betas: Caitlin, Becca, Jaime and Amanda! You ladies are amazing!
Kassie, A.K., Genni, Sandra, Amanda, Pike, Caitlyn, Sosha, Leslie, Madison and Crystal. Thank you for taking this wild ride with me!
Thank you, Madison Ryan for editing it for me.
Thank you, Kassie Morse for formatting.
Thank you Bella Emy Graphics for this amazing cover.
About the Author
Jenee Robinson released her first novella, Fate of the Fae, May 1st, 2018. She has completed series short stories, releasing soon. She is busy writing more, as well as more novellas and books.
She is married and has three ornery girls.
Other than writing, she loves reading and photography.
She’s a Harry Potter Nerd and loves the show Supernatural.
Find Jenee here:
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Curse of the Fae (The Creeper Saga Book 2) Page 9
