Four elven mages crested the bridge lowering staves in our direction. From behind them, stepped an elf in metallic armor, not quite full-plate, but shining crimson in the bright light above us. He wore no helmet and he grinned evilly as he stepped in front of the mages. He gave a small clap and struck a pose on the bridge.
What a douche.
"Greetings, brother." His eyes narrowed at Jaeren.
King Renlynn.
Chapter 17
For the first time in my life, I wished making Jaeren into a guardian had given him the ability to speak to me as my familiars did. I didn't know what to do.
I decided to take stock. Dar still hadn't rejoined us. I prayed he was okay. Dar. If you can hear me, stay away.
Why?
They ambushed us. I might need you, but not yet.
I have just lost the guards, I shall remain hidden.
"Shea, get ready to shadow walk everyone back to the camp." Apparently, I had a plan in my head, I just didn't know what it was yet. The only thing I was certain of was that I needed to get to the castle. I could let myself be taken prisoner, but everybody else… That wasn't happening. Renlynn was too much of a sociopathic unknown to risk the lives of my family. And the elf next to me.
"But," Shea started to protest.
"I trust you. This is one of those times where the outcome outweighs the risk."
"Yes, Lady."
"Welcome to Elfhame Autumn Glade. I must say, I should be surprised to see you walking freely through my kingdom. A situation that is now remedied. You are now my prisoners. What say you?"
"Everybody, touch Shea."
Renlynn looked at me confusedly. "Pardon?"
"Now, Shea."
I didn't have to turn around to know they disappeared into the shadows. Renlynn was going to have to be satisfied with just one prisoner and judging from the look he was giving me, he was disappointed.
"That was…most unwise."
Instead of giving him a witty retort, I held out my wrists like I was returning a volleyball serve. The universal symbol for, "I give up, please shackle me."
Sure, I could have fought. I might even have won, but I needed to get to the castle anyway, might as well go with an armed escort.
Renlynn stomped forward, his metal boots hardly making a sound against the stone road. "Where? Where did my brother go!"
He was pissed and nearly foaming at the mouth.
"Back to the human realm. They were merely an escort."
"And the demon dog you unleashed upon my city?"
"That was an illusion to get your guards away from the gate."
He narrowed his eyes in suspicion. It didn't make him any less unattractive. I'll admit it, his features, had he been remotely sane, probably would have been prettier than Jaeren. The anger and hatred had completely distorted them, making him look sinister, evil, and crazy.
"I'm to assume it was you?"
"Me? Me who?"
"Opened the rift, destroying half of the castle and killing my father?"
"No. That was some sort of freak accident. I'm the one who closed it."
"Pity. I was going to thank you for ridding me of my father and giving me the throne."
"Uh…okay."
"As thanks, I was going to free you."
"Still wasn't me." I didn't trust him. 'Freeing me' probably meant freeing my head from my shoulders. I'd seen too many movies to fall for that shit.
He snarled in outrage.
Called it.
"Bring her," he said to someone, I'm assuming more elves, behind me.
I was grabbed roughly from behind. An elven mage stepped forward and stopped before me. Holding his staff out before him, he touched my wrists and blue smoke coalesced at the tip, encircling them and binding my hands in blue crystal. I was encased from fingertip to forearm. Surprisingly, there was little weight. It had the density of Styrofoam but was probably much stronger than that. I'd bash it against a wall later to test my theory.
By then, every resident in the sleepy city was leaning out their windows or lined up in the streets to witness the spectacle of the king himself arresting the treacherous intruder. It was in front of them that I was unceremoniously paraded and marched past as we made our way through the winding elven streets.
Are you okay?
At least I had Dar to keep me company. Yes.
Thank the night. Yuki joined the conversation.
Shea's shadow walk was successful?
Yes. We're back at the clearing.
Don't stay there. It's not safe without my shield and I'm sure that will be the first place they look. Renlynn isn't as dumb as I expected.
Where should we go?
Home. Go home. If I'm not back in a day or so, we'll worry about mounting a rescue. Dar can stay with me. I could feel her formulating the words of an argument. This is not a request, Yukina. I command you as your master to go home and take the others.
That's not fair, but I will. No promises on the elf, though. He…isn't happy.
This is his world, his king, and his people. Let him stay if he wishes.
As you wish.
Thanks, Westley.
Huh?
Never mind. Tell Shea thank you for saving everybody.
He's crying. So is Candace.
Tell them I allowed myself to be captured. I'll be okay. I needed to get to the castle so we could all go home.
There was a moment's pause. They nodded, but that didn't shut off the water works.
Best I can do for now. Take them home and put them to bed.
Okay. I'll take care of the Keeblers.
Oh, that's funny.
I know.
I'll see you soon.
You better. Because if I have to bust a hole into fairy and knock down a castle to come get you, I'm gonna be pissed. Judging from her tone of voice, she would do just that.
Thanks, Yukina.
Don't die. And don't take too long, or I'll die.
I won't.
Without another word, she was gone. I don't mean out of the conversation, I meant I couldn't feel her anymore. They had gone back through the gate and would be home in time for margaritas. I sighed in relief. Which ended up with me getting pricked by the pointy end of a sword behind me. I glared over my shoulder and the elf just chuckled.
I bumped him up to the number-two spot on my squish-list.
I am guessing you do not wish to be rescued.
No, Dar. I'll holler if anything changes. Stay hidden for now.
No need. I am wandering the streets in my dog-form. There are many animals about. In fact, I can see you.
I glanced around and saw him beneath the awning of the building we were passing on our right. He seemed to be watching the procession with little interest.
Geez, talk about hiding in plain sight.
I turned my head back to the front and cast a seething glare at the elf king. He turned and gave me a grin. I couldn't wait to wipe the smirk off his face with his severed arm.
Not soon enough, we past the last building and the street faded away, becoming a winding crystal pathway supported with white marble pillars leading up another fifty feet to the gates of the elven castle. All I could picture is how it would make an awesome waterslide if it ever rained.
The landing would suck. Does it even rain in Faerie? Inquiring minds wanted to know.
I needed to stop talking to myself. Dar was one thing…
The castle portcullis rose when we were close enough, and instead of a draw bridge, a path of light extended from the castle connecting to the crystal walkway. I was completely in awe and debated the feasibility of installing one back home. I'd never have to shovel a driveway of light. Plus, a moat would be nice to deter nosy neighbors.
"Take her to the dungeon," King Renlynn said to the guards as soon as we were inside. I didn't even get a chance to gasp at the shimmering alabaster glory and blue-hued tapestries before Mr. Pointystick started jabbing me in the back, ushering me to a stai
rcase off to the left of the main entrance.
He jabbered something in elvish.
"I don't speak, Legolese."
"Move, bitch."
"Oh."
Jab.
I was going to need a new hoodie and he was going to need a new sword because I had grand designs of smelting it into a big silver dildo-sword and I knew exactly who the sheath was going to be.
The glimmer walls became darkened stone as we approached the massive wooden door at the end. I thought it was kind of funny they put an entrance to the dungeon right off the main room of the castle, and I wasn't wrong. We were at the servants' level. Elves, brownies, boggles, fairies, and everything else imaginable were scrambling about, preparing for the day. I tried not to stare as we walked along the wall to another staircase leading further down into the bowels of Castle McDickhead.
This one didn't even get the musty gray stone of the servant's level. Black, green-mold covered, wet looking rough-hewn rock was the motif. Either the servants had servants, or we had reached our destination.
When one of the guards broke ahead of us to unlock the iron door, I kind of figured this would be the last staircase. As soon as I was alone, I would try to break free of my crystal cuffs, find a way to break out of the dungeon, search the entire castle for an unknown something, hopefully undetected, kill the King, and be home in time for biscuits and gravy. Piece of cake.
When Pointystick pushed me into a cell, he whacked me across the back of the head with the flat side of his sword and I fell to the ground unconscious.
∞ ∞ ∞
Candace woke me up with coffee. When I was in the mortal realm. Underhill, some asshole with pointy ears figured a bucket of water was all I deserved. At least I hoped it was water. I sniffed my arm as I got to my feet. Thankfully, my vampiric healing took care of any headache I might have woken up with.
"Thanks," I said to bucket woman.
"You are thanking me?" An elf in a pretty pink dress stared at me incredulously.
"Yeah. I didn't want to sleep too long. I might have missed breakfast."
"You are a strange creature."
"Hi. I'm Dot. And you are?"
"Glabrielle."
"And you just threw water on me, why?"
"I wished to speak with you."
"Oh. Pull up a chair," I said sarcastically and leaned against the wall. Two guards I hadn't noticed yet stepped closer to the elven lady. And a lady she was. She was even wearing slippers.
Some kind of royalty.
"I only seek news of my brother."
"Your brother?"
"Jaeren."
"So, you're Renlynn's sister, too."
"Unfortunately," she said with a little more ire than I was expecting. Apparently, she was just as appalled by his behavior as her brother was. Relaxing, I slid down the wall and sat on the floor.
"Are you unwell?"
"Just exhausted. Getting arrested and hit in the head takes a lot out of a girl."
"You will stand before the princess!" Guard one stepped forward, but she stopped him with a hand on his arm.
"We do not have much time, Thoryn. Let her be."
"As you wish."
I kind of liked the princess. Out of respect, I stood up. "Sorry, Princess. I should be a little more respectful. Just haven't had many pleasant dealings with your family."
"Jaeren went to kill you. Apparently, he did not succeed. Is he still alive?"
I nodded.
"Where is he?"
"I sent him back to the clearing with the rest of my friends when Renlynn ambushed us."
"He got away?"
"Yes."
Her sigh of relief was genuine. One of the guards steadied her as she swayed on her feet. "You have my thanks. He is our only hope."
"Why?"
"Renlynn has… He's gone insane."
"He wasn't always?"
She shook her head. "He was a good brother, the eldest of us. A few moons or so ago, he changed. Started arguing with father. Drinking. We watched him turn into a monster before our eyes. When father was killed… He couldn't wait to be coronated and begin his rule."
"I'm sorry."
"You are the witch responsible?"
I shook my head. "Jaeren thought so, too. It was an accident that tore apart the town where I live, as well. My coven and I fought very hard to seal the portal."
"Is that why he let you live?"
I wasn't sure how far to trust her, but it wasn't like I had anything to hide. "He had me, but the goddess herself intervened and told him what had happened. She sentenced him to be my guardian for a hundred years."
"She did?" I saw the life drain from her face.
"It's not that bad. I'm not mean to him or anything. Most of the time."
"It is not that. Without him… Even if Renlynn fell, we would be without a king."
"But not a queen? What's wrong with you?"
"I am… I am, not a suitable candidate. Not fully elvish."
"Daddy had fun with a human? You don't look like a half elf. You look just like your brother, but prettier."
She smiled in thanks and let the illusion drop.
Her skin looked minty, a greenish tinge that even affected her eyes and hair. She was still absolutely gorgeous, just kind of unripe.
"Woah."
"My mother was a dryad. My father an elf."
"Why the illusion, though? You're still beautiful and obviously elvish."
"Father feared the court would not take kindly to a mongrel, but he loved me. I've worn that illusion since birth."
"Well, we'll think of something. I won't be here long, I just need to find something and get out of here."
"I cannot help you. My brother, even if we share the same blood, would kill me without hesitation if he even learned I had questioned you. I must be going."
"Take care, princess. I'll help you find a solution if I can."
She nodded and gave me a small, sad, and doubtful smile before leaving me alone in my cell. The guard even closed the door with a small click.
They could have at least 'forgotten' to lock it.
Chapter 18
I sucked at planning anything, a fact that had become abundantly clear during our foray into the land of elves. Thankfully Jaeren had been there to help guide me, but at least I had become painfully aware of my weakness.
Finally, a permanent solution presented itself to help me combat my shortcomings. I learned to deal things with one step at a time. Work on one problem, usually the largest, and then tackle the one after that when it was done. I'd figured that one out on my own. I was a little proud of myself.
Right now, my most pressing problem, other than being locked in a castle in a foreign world, was the crystal encasing my hands and wrists. I had a horrible itch on my nose that wasn't going away despite rubbing it against my soft hoodie.
I gathered some of the magic around me and tried to liquify it. No luck. It was magic resistant, just like the portcullis at the city gate. It was almost like a shield. Any magic directed at it, curved around it, not letting it take hold.
When I beat my hands against the floor, a chip of stone flew and hit me in my noggin. My brain must have just needed a little nudge, an idea formed in my head. They were obviously magic…maybe I could pull the magic from them. Even if they were ordinary crystal after, it was better than unbreakable magic crystal.
I closed my eyes and concentrated on the material enveloping the hands I desperately needed. The magic was there, swirling purple around me, and I could see it, but when I tried to pull it into my palm, the crystal prevented it from escaping.
Damn it.
There was only one other way.
When I was a child, we had gotten ahold of some human fireworks during the towns Fourth of July celebration. Not knowing what they did, I held a firecracker in my fist as I lit the fuse with the finger of my other hand. It had been the dumbest thing I had ever done. Luckily, I was young and had many, many more years to
do much stupider things. My screams had brought the entire coven rushing to my rescue. My fingers were charred and black, one of them had been blown completely off, and there was blood all over my red, white, and blue witch's outfit. The strongest of our coven had me healed before my mother even saw the damage. She changed my name to "Statistic" for a year after that, though.
Now, staring at my bonds, I was going to willfully do the same damn thing to both of my hands. I just hoped my vampiric healing including growing fingers back…
The other concern was the noise.
I walked over to the door and couldn't feel any protections cast upon it. Guess they weren't worried about any magic users busting through it if their hands were encased in crystal. Instead, I cast a quick reinforcement on it, not wanting it to blow off into the corridor and bring half the castle down to the dungeon. Once that was dealt with, I whispered, "Ciúin," to keep the sound of the explosion inside the room. Hopefully I wouldn't have to heal my ears, too.
I braced myself and concentrated on my hands, gathering magic from around me and trying to judge how much power I would need to blast the crystal apart from within. I really didn't want to have to do this twice.
"Pléascadh!"
If I were a smart girl… I would have put some sort of protection between my hands and my face and chest. It worked. Holy shitballs, did it work. The crystal cracked and exploded, sending razor sharp shards at my face, neck, and chest.
I lay there on the ground, broken and bleeding, with two charred stumps smoking heavily in the air above me. I didn't smell yummy, barbequed. Nor did I make a relaxing incense.
I groaned, sputtered, and spit as my nerve endings were literally on fucking fire. Finally, I passed out from the pain but eventually came to, still alone and wholly healed.
"That wasn't so bad." I cried just remembering the pain.
I stood up and felt the crystal that had been shot into my body slide down the inside of my still bloody shirt and collect in the elastic waistband of my hoodie. Flipping the bottom open, I danced around getting them all out. Getting jabbed in the stomach every time I moved wasn't an option. Plus, I didn't want any of the little bastards working their way down into my jeans. Ouch.
Fourth Rite: A Reverse Harem Tale (Lovin' the Coven Book 4) Page 18
