Princess of the Elves

by R L Medina

  Aunt Cindra’s nostrils flared. “How is she supposed to find the dead queen? They’ve been hiding her body for centuries. It could take her days to find.”

  My uncle shrugged. “Then I suggest she start looking.”

  Something cracked inside me. My blood turned cold. This was an impossible task. I racked my brain, trying to remember the history books Grimera had given me. Siren queen? I didn’t remember reading about her at all. How was I going to find her and how was I going to survive the freezing water?

  Uneasiness rose inside me. Mom, how am I supposed to do this?

  All my bravado from the previous day disappeared as I stared into the murky water. I grasped my unicorn charm, willing my nerves to settle. Taking off my cloak and slipping out of my shoes I ignored the cruel sneer on my uncle’s face.

  Everyone’s eyes fell on me. A clash of emotions radiated from the crowd. Delight. Excitement. Pity. They didn’t expect me to make it.

  I whipped towards Aunt Cindra. She nodded encouragingly, but her brows knitted together in worry. Dread coiled inside me. Sacha bowed and pierced me with his gaze. An ‘I know you can do this’ message written on his face. I shrank back, wanting to run.

  “Now,” Uncle Mortemer hissed.

  He waved a hand and the sea leapt up. The waves stretched into arms and hands. I yelped as they grabbed my ankles and dragged me to the edge. My body hit the wooden dock with a loud thud. Pain bloomed.

  Aunt Cindra’s hands lit with fire as she glared at my uncle. Head spinning, I flailed and sucked in a breath as the watery hands pulled me off the dock. My heart jumped into my throat as I flew through the air and plunged into darkness.

  Coldness seeped into my bones. The sea released me. I blinked against the stinging saltiness. Nothing but darkness surrounded me. Why wasn’t it clear like the day before? Pressure built inside my head. Where did I go? I would need air soon. How long would they give me to find the shell? I didn’t even know if I could resurface without it.

  This would be my grave.

  Dismissing my morbid thoughts, I pulled out my enchanted rock and kicked against the water to propel myself forward. Air. I needed air. My shell charm flickered on, and I felt air rush into my lungs and a warmth spread through my body. The stinging from my eyes disappeared. I gasped and sent a silent thank you to my aunt. Maybe this wasn’t so hopeless after all.

  Ahead, a giant bulk lit up the water. Swimming closer, I realized it was the remnants of some type of building. A castle maybe? Could it be that easy? I glanced at the shell on my hand, wondering how long the enchantment held. Trying to stay positive, I dismissed my worries and headed for an open entrance.

  Please be there. And please let there not be any sirens.

  Glittering gold coral surrounded me. A crumbled city forgotten and abandoned. Sadness filled me. What had destroyed it? Giant sea grass swayed in my wake as I pushed on. When I came to the first siren, I stopped short. At first, I thought she was sleeping on the sand, but as I swam closer, I noticed a gaping hole in her chest. Bile rose in my throat. A faint purple glow emanated from her scaled skin and even in death, her beauty was otherworldly. Unlike the mermaids I’d seen depicted in movies or books, her hands were webbed, and her glittering purple tail covered in some green fungus. Her delicate features and silky black hair made her look so young. Too young to be lying there dead.

  I scanned the ground and gasped. More sirens. Chills crept up my back. What was this place? A graveyard? My heart sank. How would I know which one was the queen? Movement caught my eye ahead, and I propelled myself forward. Nestled in the sea grass, little crabs blinked up at me. Some scurried out of my reach.

  An idea sparked. I carefully broke down my mental barriers and called on my magic to help me. It rushed through me, warming my skin. I swam closer to the little crabs.

  Hello?

  They snapped their claws at me and crept away. A snort echoed in my mind. I turned around but couldn’t find its source.

  I’m over here. By this rock, said a strange, deep voice.

  I whipped my head towards the rock and blinked in surprise. A giant, brown spotted turtle watched me.

  Why were you talking to the crabs?

  My eyebrows shot up. I’m looking for the siren queen. Do you know where she’s… kept?

  Yes. Why?

  Excitement bubbled up. I need to find her. Can you show me?

  But the guardian will catch us.

  Just tell me where to go then and I’ll go alone.

  His big black eyes blinked at me.

  I will show you, but you must take care not to wake the guardian.

  I won’t.

  The turtle moved forward, gliding through the water with a grace I’d never possess. I followed him, excitement stirring inside me. I could do this. The trial would be over. We swam past the broken city and more bodies. I stared straight ahead, not wanting to see their lifeless eyes. Where were all the other sirens? I’d heard their humming from shore, so I knew there were still some living.

  Slowing down, the turtle nodded his head toward the tall, green kelp that floated ahead of us. They sparkled and glowed, but something told me that something dark lurked deep within them.

  In there.

  I bit my lip. Of, course. Just when I thought it would be easy.

  Thank you.

  The turtle bobbed his large head at me and turned away. I gripped my bracelet and swam forward. At least I wouldn’t need my stone to see anymore. I shoved it in my pocket and used both hands to brush aside the sea plants. The kelp stiffened at my touch and before I could move, the long tendrils whipped out and snaked around my arms and legs. Their leathery grip tightened, making me wince.

  Trying to kick and yank out of their grasp, I gritted my teeth. They grew tauter, pain blossoming in my arms and legs. Panic swirled up. Stuck. I was stuck in their hold and soon I would need air. I tried desperately to kick them off, but they wouldn’t let me go. I opened my hands and summoned my magic. It coursed through me, heightening my senses.

  Let go of me!

  They released me, and I sighed in relief, rubbing my sore arms. Before they could recapture me, I swam past and tried to avoid touching more of them. I propelled myself down and scanned the sand for the siren queen.

  There. My eyes landed on a glowing blue siren. Her long body spread across the sand and pale white hair floated around her. A shudder ran through me. She was terrifying and easily twice my size if she’d been upright. Unnerving clear eyes stared back at me from her pale blue face and her lips were parted, revealing rows of sharp, tiny teeth. Armor made of golden shells covered her chest and her giant blue scaled tail. I swam down the length of her and spotted the oyster shells on her tail. One on each fin. Did I grab both?

  A humming echoed around me. Fear shot in my veins. The guardian. I searched frantically, trying to figure out where the voice came from. Just get the shells and go. I dug my nails into the first fin and tried to pry it loose, but it didn’t budge. I met the dead queen’s eyes and shuddered.

  “I’m sorry,” I whispered as I yanked off the shells and shoved them in my pocket. Her fins tore apart as I pulled the shells off.

  I turned to swim back the way I’d come. The humming grew louder. My heart pounded. I kicked harder and made my way out of the kelp bed.

  In front of me, swam a large siren. Her black eyes pinned me to the spot. Red lips parted to reveal her sharp teeth. I shuddered. She motioned me closer with her webbed hands, an innocent gesture, but I sensed the menace behind it. I turned to swim away. A sharp, cold hand wrapped around my ankle. I yelped, kicking furiously. My lungs expanded. Water flooded my nostrils.

  No. I was running out of air.

  I kicked and tried to pull myself out of her grip. She wouldn’t let me go. Panic roared inside me.

  I would die on the bottom of the sea.

  No. I couldn’t give up that easily.

  Let me go! Help me!

  I let the magic seep into me and channel my
thoughts.

  The siren paused. She let go. Had I done that? Had I commanded her?

  Hope stirred. The desperate need to breathe rattled through me. I glanced at my shell charm. The glow was fading.

  Get me to the surface. Now. Hurry.

  Her face blanked. With a tight grip on my arm, she raced upwards. Water choked me. I kept my eyes shut as we traveled. Pain blossomed in my lungs. So close to bursting.

  With a loud whoosh, we broke the surface. She released me and dove back down without a glance back. I gasped, sucking in the air.

  “There!” someone’s voice called behind me.

  I turned and spotted the dock. I kicked against the water and made my way for it. My body trembled, feeling weak and my eyes stung. I coughed up water as I tried to swim. A loud splash startled me. Someone was swimming toward me.

  Sacha.

  He was there in an instant and I sagged against him in relief. Water burned my nose and eyes and the coldness spread through me, but I kicked as he helped me to the dock. He hoisted me over and I bowed over in a fit of coughs and gags. Water sputtered from my mouth. I shivered. Cold. Freezing cold settled into my limbs.

  “Renée!” Grimera rushed towards me. Aunt Cindra close behind.

  Groaning, I flattened myself on the ground and shook. A blanket wrapped around me.

  “Did you get the oyster shell?” Uncle Mortemer demanded.

  Aunt Cindra shot him a dirty look.

  He scowled. “Well that was the trial.”

  I dug into my pocket frantically. Please, let it be there. Let it be there. I shut my eyes in relief as my trembling fingers closed around the object.

  Feeling brave, I pulled it out and threw it at his feet. He sneered, waving a slave forward to retrieve it.

  My teeth chattered in my head as I was unceremoniously hoisted up by the guards and carried into the castle. The voices were drowned out and all I could think about was a fire. I needed to get warm.

  After they dropped me into my room, the guards left Grimera and my aunts to look after me. They wasted no time in stripping me of my wet clothes and I was too drained to care about the fact that I was naked in front of them. Aunt Cindra lit a fire beside my bed. It hovered in the air, inside a dark bubble Aunt Maloret had formed. Grimera held up a steaming cup of tea to my lips. I sipped it, letting the warmth run through me.

  Despite my tiredness and soreness, I smiled.

  I did it, Mom. I passed the trial.

  18

  Clear, dead eyes stared back at me. A mouth opened in silent fury, displaying razor sharp teeth. My heart leapt into my throat. A webbed hand shot toward me. I screamed.

  “Princess?” Mag stood beside me, trembling in fear.

  Heart racing, I glanced around. Blue and gold walls surrounded me. A nightmare. Just a nightmare. I shuddered and sucked in a ragged breath.

  “Should I fetch Grimera?” Mag’s voice caught my attention.

  I blinked at her and shook my head no. Sweat gathered on my forehead and armpits. I threw off the covers and swung my feet around to dangle off the bed. Early sunlight streamed in and the smell of fire lingered in the air.

  Mag hurried over to the far end of the room and grabbed a pitcher off the side table. Her curly bob stuck out in all directions without her hat to hold it down. She carried a small cup of water back and offered it to me.

  “Thank you.” My voice came out hoarse.

  How long had I been screaming and why didn’t anyone else hear me? I sipped the cool water and shook the image of the siren queen out of my head.

  “Princess Ren, Prince Mortemer summoned you before his court. After you eat.”

  I stifled a groan. What did he want now? I’d passed his stupid trial. Didn’t that earn me a day off?

  My head throbbed, and I glanced at the bed, tempted to crawl back under the covers. The thought of facing him and sneering courtiers made my stomach curl.

  “Grimera and the princesses will want to see you as well… and your friend.”

  My head cocked. “Friend?”

  A blush covered her face as she averted her gaze. “Pardon me, Princess. I don’t mean any offense. The pesan elf. He’s been asking after you.”

  Sacha.

  I smiled and waved away her concern. “I’m not offended Mag. When was Sacha here?”

  Relief radiated from her as her furry, pointed ear twitched. “When you were sleeping and again just a few minutes ago.”

  “Everyone wants to hear about the trial. It was very brave of you to swim down there.” Her eyes widened as she spoke.

  The dead sirens flashed through my mind, making me cringe. Would I ever be able to forget their faces?

  “Weren’t you scared, Princess?”

  “Terrified.”

  She clasped her four fingered hands together. “How did you escape the guardian?”

  I hesitated. “She let me go.”

  Mag gaped at me, wonder written across her face. I turned away from her stare. If I told her the truth, would she still look at me the same? No. It would only frighten her. It frightened me. This power to control someone else. First with Des and now the siren. Sacha’s wary face when he discovered my trick popped in my mind along with his warning. Few elves survived this rare ability.

  As the sun rose higher, Mag helped me get ready and Grimera brought my tray up. I swallowed down lumps of something similar to oatmeal with hot tea. Aunt Cindra entered as I finished off the last bite. After regaling them with my heroics during the trial, I held my breath, waiting for their judgment. Grimera said nothing, but my aunt voiced her surprise and fear. If my power was growing stronger, what did that mean for Mom? Was she already passing on her magic to me?

  I tried to dismiss the gloomy thoughts as I followed my aunt to the throne room where my uncle waited to present me to his court. I’d passed the trial and earned the pledge from the Court of Tides. Though I still had the Green Court and Black Court to win. And the White Court. Nausea rose at the thought of facing the King and Queen. What would the trial be like there?

  I squared my shoulders and used my power to calm my nerves as the throne room doors opened for us and the guards announced us. Courtiers dressed in blue and gold bowed as we walked past. I strengthened my mental walls, keeping their thoughts at bay, but the emotions swirled around me. Surprise. Anger. Resentment. I’d won the trial, but I hadn’t won their hearts.

  Uncle Mortemer sat on his throne, not bothering to stand for us as we approached. His green eyes narrowed on me and his lip curled into a sneer. I bowed.

  “Face the court.” He waved a hand towards the crowd.

  I glanced at my Aunt and she nodded as she moved away. Steeling myself, I turned and forced myself to hold their stares. My eyes landed on Aunt Maloret. She winked and smiled at me, easing my nerves.

  “I present to you, Princess Renée, daughter of Princess Aubri of the Court of Fur. You will acknowledge her as a Princess of Feylin.” His voice boomed behind me, a silent fury threading his words.

  My chin lifted, and I couldn’t help but smile. He thought, they all thought, I wouldn’t make it, but I did. Silence filled the room as they bowed in acceptance. Their emotions rushed over me. Anger. Hatred. Hot and simmering. My jaw clenched. Angry that I wasn’t dead? My own fury rose inside and before I could stop myself, I summoned my magic and threw it over them, blotting out their emotions. Their faces and bodies relaxed into blank stares and submissive bows.

  I blinked in surprise. My hands trembled by my side. How had I done that? Dread coiled in my stomach. A pounding started in my head and I forced myself to release my magic.

  Not seeming to notice what had happened, my aunt ushered me beside the throne as we waited for slaves to carry in jeweled cushioned seats for us. Aunt Maloret joined us, flashing me a knowing smile. My heart raced. Had she seen what I’d done?

  Music started up and trays of food and drink were passed around by the dwarves and fairies. I sat numbly, sipping on wine and watching as the cour
tiers laughed and danced, oblivious to what I’d done.

  “How did you escape the guardian?” Uncle Mortemer’s voice startled me.

  Aunt Cindra nodded at me encouragingly.

  I swallowed another drop and turned to face them. “She let me go.”

  He scoffed. “Impossible. Why would she do that?”

  “I asked her to.”

  His brow furrowed. “Why would a siren guardian obey a halfling?”

  Aunt Maloret clucked her tongue. “Maybe she has water magic that we don’t know about.”

  Fury flashed across his face. “Impossible.”

  Aunt Cindra frowned at him. “Calm yourself, Mortemer. Maloret’s only teasing. Renée shares Aubri’s magic. And what are sirens but overgrown fish? I’m sure it was nothing to command its mind.”

  I bristled at her harsh words but said nothing. We had to downplay my power though I was certain I couldn’t fool my Aunt Maloret. She chuckled, dark eyes twinkling in delight. Uncle Mortemer’s lips pursed, but he said nothing.

  Satisfied, they ignored me and went back to drinking and eating. I listened as they discussed my next trial in the Green Court. All agreed my Uncle Sylvain’s challenge would be harder though they didn’t know what it would entail. With mom stripped of her title, the prince of the Court of Life was the Prince Royale, next in line for the throne. Which probably made him as much of an ass as Prince Sylvain, if not more.

  The day wore on and my butt grew numb as we watched the drunk noblesse and bourgeois courtiers sway to the music. A group of elves showed off their water magic. They created towering waterfalls in the middle of the room and formed shapes out of the glassy liquid. I watched in awe but couldn’t help but think that my magic was stronger. They could control water, but I could control their minds and emotions.

  Aunt Maloret left first, claiming she was needed back at her court. The Court of Shadows. Where I hadn’t been invited, and where Aunt Cindra claimed I never needed to go. What would it be like there?

  Grimera told me there were gargoyles, and the fae under my Aunt’s rule were especially wicked. Images of her shadow creatures filled my mind. I hadn’t spent much time with my aunt, but she’d helped me in the first trial, and she was helping to track Mom. Despite her actions, something about her calculating eyes unnerved me. I didn’t know if I could trust her one hundred percent.