by R L Medina
“Will Des and Sacha be okay?”
Her nostrils flared. “Yes, but Sylvain will answer for this.” Fire danced in her eyes.
Dread filled me. “He sent them?”
“No. He wouldn’t do that, but it is his fault his court has grown so wild.”
Leaves rustled behind us. My heart leapt into my throat. Aunt Cindra turned, lighting fire from her fingertips.
Des and Sacha appeared. I sighed in relief. My eyes fell on Sacha’s bare chest. A large, gash oozed with blood. Bile rose. Any deeper and it would have sliced into muscle. His eyes met mine and he nodded, as if to assure me he was okay.
“Let’s go before more show up,” Des commanded, taking the lead.
I gaped at him. He didn’t have a scratch on him. Had he killed the monsters?
We huddled together and kept walking. Silence stretched around us. My eyes darted around the trees, worried we’d be attacked again. As the trees thinned and birds started singing, I relaxed. Soon we’d made it to another large clearing. I stopped abruptly. A giant tree stood in the middle, golden bark glistened in the sunlight. Power emanated from it. Raw and overpowering. Wind swept through the leafy branches like a song. Nestled into the blue-green leaves were balconies and at the bottom of the massive trunk, a staircase was carved.
“The Palace.” Sacha’s voice held the same awe I felt.
Eyes fell on us, making me flinch. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Des vanish into the shadows. Aunt Cindra strode forward as a group of elven guards approached us out of nowhere.
“Princess Cindra of the Court of Flame,” they announced and bowed.
I cowered behind her as they parted for us. My eyes landed on the beautifully carved wooden throne beneath the palace steps. A large, scruffy elf sat upon it, bushy brows furrowed in displeasure. I steeled myself. Uncle Sylvain, prince of the Green Court. Power radiated from his intimidating form. Long, blondish curls framed his scowling face. Curls that would look sweet or angelic on someone else, but on him just added to his air of wildness and strength.
“Sylvain.” Aunt Cindra’s voice hardened.
His brown eyes narrowed on me. I drew myself to my full height, refusing to tremble beneath the weight of his stare.
“Cindra.” His voice boomed. Deep. Powerful.
Sacha hadn’t stopped bowing, his body tense. Fear trickled in. Would my uncle welcome him into his court? Could Aunt Cindra stand up to him if he didn’t?
She lifted her chin. “Do you care to explain why there were bone breakers on the fae trail?”
His eyes snapped to hers. Surprise flickered but was quickly masked in a scowl that I was starting to think was a permanent fixture.
“Is that why your carriage arrived without you? You were supposed to let her go alone.”
I gasped. The monsters were meant for me? Realization hit me. It had been a test. To see if I could navigate the fae trails on my own. That’s why we hadn’t taken the carriage directly to the palace.
Fire lit in Aunt Cindra’s hands. “You never specified that she walk the trail alone. Do you deny knowledge of those creatures? How many more are you sheltering, Sylvain?”
The ground shook beneath us. Uncle Sylvain stood, wind whipping against his feathery robe. Fury rolled off him in powerful blasts. I shrank back.
“You dare accuse me, in my own court.” His voice was low. Dangerous.
Sacha tensed beside me. My eyes darted as more elves approached. His courtiers. Curiosity and excitement danced around them. I shuddered. They wanted to see what he would do to us. Unfazed, Aunt Cindra stood her ground, fire leaping from her hands. I held my breath, gripping my charm. My eyes snagged on the carriages. Grimera and Mag peered out of a window. Mag’s wide terrified eyes met mine.
I glanced away, hoping no one had spotted them. Everyone watched my aunt and uncle as they faced off. Wind ripped through the forest and the ground quaked beneath us. Scooting closer to Sacha, I fought the wave of panic.
Please, don’t hurt us.
The wind stopped, and the ground stilled. My uncle’s eyes fell on me. I sucked in a breath as he studied me.
“The slaves will show you to your room. You have today to prepare yourself for the trial. Tomorrow it will begin.”
I blinked in surprise. Was this a trick?
He turned to my aunt. “Come, Cindra. We have things to discuss.”
She tilted her head in acknowledgment and waved for me to follow. I scanned the disappointed faces of the courtiers and motioned for Grimera and Mag to come with us. They hurried over as a dryad ushered us up the stairs after my uncle.
Unlike the other rooms I’d been staying in, this one came with no walls and a terrifying view. A wooden floor and rails carved into the wide branch made it more of a deck than a room. For a bed, I’d been given a pile of feathery pillows and blankets stacked in the middle.
I didn’t dare move toward the edge. Giant, blueish leaves nestled around the room-balcony and if I peered closely, I could see the ground below. Above me, another branch stretched, the leaves forming a leafy canopy over mine. Mag stood by the railing and pointed out the silver lake that separated the Green from the Gray Court. I didn’t dare look, afraid our dizzying height would make me sick.
Grimera arrived with word that I’d been ordered to remain in my room until the trial. Not surprisingly, my uncle wouldn’t give any details about the trial only that I would do it alone. I shuddered as an image of the bone breakers popped into my mind. Would I have to fight one of those things off? If I did, could I control its mind like I’d done with the siren? Guilt filled me. I should have tried when they’d attacked instead of running like a coward.
She and Mag left to bring up my trunk, leaving me alone in my thoughts. I sat on the pillows, knees pulled up to my chest. How could I sleep out in the open like this?
“Princess?” Sacha’s voice made me jump.
I glanced around and spotted him, peering up from the steps that led to my room. I stood and motioned him up. He walked towards me, a bandage made from leaves covered his chest.
“Are you feeling better?” I motioned to his injury.
He smiled, dimples flashing. “Much better.”
I stood beside him, close enough to feel his warmth. His eyes searched mine. A question written on his face.
“Did you use your magic… on the prince?” He leaned in closer.
“I don’t know. I think so.”
His eyebrows knitted together. “You’re stronger than before. You used it to command the siren too?”
I nodded.
He blew out a breath. “That’s amazing.”
I scoffed. “It wasn’t on purpose. I didn’t even know what I was doing.”
His eyebrows shot up. “That’s even more impressive. You should be teaching me.”
Waving away his compliment, I shook my head. “No, Sacha. I don’t know what I’m doing. It just takes over… and what if I can’t control it?”
“You can learn. More practice will make you stronger.”
I sighed. “I don’t want to get stronger. This isn’t like the other magic. You said so yourself, Sacha. That few can survive this power.”
“You’ve survived so far,” he challenged.
Irritation flared. “Yes, by luck. I can make mental shields, unlock them, read minds, and now I’m compelling people. Isn’t anyone else concerned that I have this rare ability? I’m not even fully elf. How is this even possible?”
His lips pursed together. “Magic doesn’t have to explain itself, Princess. Humans can have magic, too. Why are you fighting it so much?”
I threw up my arms in frustration. “You don’t understand. I don’t want to read people’s minds or know what they’re feeling. I just want”—I shrugged helplessly—“to be normal.”
He scoffed. “You would deny a part of yourself to be… an ordinaire?”
My jaw hardened. “You don’t understand.”
His coiled hair moved as he shook his head. “
No, I don’t, Princess. We can’t deny who we are. No matter how much we’d like to.”
A sad smile spread on his face. Regret radiated from him, making me cringe. I saw it clearly written in his eyes. Longing. Insecurity. Stuck in his caste, but eager to be free. To be more.
I wrapped my arms around myself, unsure of what to say. I had no words of comfort and as tempting as it was to brush away his pain, I didn’t want to use my power on him. It felt wrong.
“Do you think I’ll have to face those bone breakers for the trial tomorrow?” I changed the subject.
“Des killed them. I helped too.” His chest puffed up.
I shuddered. “I don’t think I could kill anything.”
“You passed the first test. You can do this. I know you can.”
I shook my head. His words meant to encourage me only made the pressure grow. The worry of letting him, letting Mom, letting them all down weighed on me.
“I’m not some hero, Sacha. I’m the girl who sits quietly in class and minds her own business. Not a warrior. I can’t even fight. Without my magic, I’d be defenseless.”
His gaze intensified. “I know who you are, Ren.”
My eyes snapped to his. It was the first time he’d used my name.
“You can’t hide behind this insecurity. Look what you’ve done already. Survived and succeeded when the odds were stacked against you. You are your mother’s daughter.”
Pain blossomed in my chest. If there was any part of me that was a fighter, it was because of Mom. Mom who still needed me.
He reached out a tentative hand and brushed a strand of my hair out of my eyes. I stilled, shock coursing through me at his gentle touch. Heat rushed across my skin and my heart raced. My eyes snagged on his lips. Full and inviting. His gaze locked onto me, those hazel eyes bright and intense.
“Princess.” Grimera’s voice broke the tension.
Sacha withdrew, back stiffening. He quickly recovered and took my trunk from the dryads. He bowed and retreated, my uncle’s dryads following. My face flamed under Grimera and Mag’s stare as I watched him leave.
“Renée.” Grimera spoke again.
I turned towards her and smiled awkwardly. “Oh, thanks for bringing my stuff up. Should we eat now? I’m hungry.”
Mag gaped at me and glanced at Grimera.
“You must be more careful, Princess. You may not be fully recognized as royal now, but things will not be forgotten when you are.”
I flinched at her harsh tone. The warning clear. A hot flush of anger filled me. They had no right to dictate what I could do and who I could be friends with. What did they care, anyway? I would never be one of them, no matter how many trials I won.
Instead of arguing with her, I just nodded in acknowledgment. We sat in silence, Mag and I sharing the food Grimera brought up, despite her silent judgment. Eating meals with a slave was also on the list of things I couldn’t do. But I didn’t care. Bending to their laws when they were determined to kill me off, seemed stupid. If I won the next trial, I determined I’d follow my own rules and not let them push me around anymore. And if I didn’t win… well that was a fear, I tried to bury before it took control.
Whatever it took, I had to survive. For Mom. And for myself. I refused to die at sixteen. My thoughts along with the foreign sounds of the forest kept me awake long into the night. When I finally closed my eyes, it was Sacha’s face, not Mom’s that greeted me. A seriousness clouding his face as he warned me. You must survive.
20
A trilling sound filled the air around me. I sat up, blinking. Moonlight poured in from the giant leaves, casting a bluish glow on my surroundings. Mag lay fast asleep on her cot, curled into a little ball and Grimera was nowhere to be seen. Where had she gone?
Renée.
My heart skipped. Mom. I stood up and searched for her.
Mom? Where are you?
Come to the forest. I’m waiting. Come alone.
I hurried to dress and slip on my shoes, careful not to wake Mag. A warm breeze tickled my skin, carrying the scent of honeysuckles and ripened berries. My thoughts whirled together. How had Mom escaped? Was she hurt? I fought down the nausea as I stepped down from the platform and felt my way along the carved stairs.
Excitement stirred inside me, growing as I passed the other balconies and the giant wooden throne at the bottom of the palace. I took off toward the trees, heart thundering. A starry sky shone down on me as I cut across the clearing. I pushed my way past the tall grass and flowers. Earth magic stirred around me, brushing against me.
Mom? I’m coming. Where are you?
Here.
My eyes traveled along the forest edge and snagged on a shadowy outline. Mom? I ran forward.
I’m here.
She stepped into the moonlight, and I sucked in a breath. Her long waves hung down around her and her eyes glistened with tears. A smile spread across her face. Mom. My heart constricted, so tight it felt like it would burst. When she opened her arms for me, I flung myself at her.
The smell of warm spices and vanilla engulfed me, and I bit back a sob. My body shook as her strong arms held me close. I clung to her, never wanting to let her go.
“How did you escape the Goblin King?”
“He let me go.”
She shifted, and I glanced up at her. Still smiling, she stroked my hair. Questions raced inside my head. So many questions, but they could wait. Now that Mom was back, everything changed. No more trials. No more fae. We could leave. Go home.
“Let’s go into the forest. I want to show you something.”
I let her lead me, her hand gripping mine so tight as if I’d slip away from her. The woods were strangely quiet. Where were all the lesser fae and dryads from before? Or the animals? The hair on the back of my neck bristled.
Something was wrong.
“Mom?”
She turned to me just as something whizzed through the air and landed with a loud ‘thwack.’ Her eyes widened. Something protruded from her neck. My body turned to ice. The tip of a knife. Blood pooled from the wound. No. Her hand went slack, and I watched in horror as she fell.
A scream tore from my lips, echoing through the trees.
“Mom!” I collapsed by her side.
“Get away from her.” Des’s voice came from the shadows.
I whipped towards him, body shaking. My emotions clashed together. Shock. Horror. Anger.
“You.” I rose to my feet, ready to unleash everything I had at him.
He lifted his hand toward me. “That’s not your mother.”
My eyes jumped back to Mom. Her body shrank and bones shifted under the skin. Where my mom’s face had been, a gaping black hole appeared. I reeled back. The clothes were replaced with a patchwork of skin hung on a thin, bony frame and pieced together by poorly sewn stitches. Bile rose up inside me. A pungent smell of rancid meat filled the air. I retched, skittering farther from the creature.
Covering my nose and mouth, I turned away as Des walked up to inspect it.
“What is it?” I asked through my hand.
He glanced up at me. “Changeling.” He shook his head. “I thought they were extinct.”
I shuddered, remembering its perfect replication of Mom. How? It had even carried her scent. How was that possible?
“What did it want with me?”
“To eat you.”
I glanced at its shriveled body. The gaping black hole that stood in place of a face stared back. I fought off a wave of nausea. What other nightmarish creatures lurked the forest?
“What are you going to do with it?”
Des shrugged. “Leave it for the trolls.”
“What do they want with it?”
He walked towards me, pale white hair peeking out from his dark hood. “To eat it.”
Nausea rolled through me. Gross.
Des loomed over me, his eyebrows drawn together. “What made you think sneaking out of the palace and wandering the woods alone was a good idea?”
<
br /> My cheeks flushed. “I wasn’t wandering. I was asleep in my bed when it called me… I thought Mom had come back for me.”
He scoffed. “You left your mind open?” Shaking his head, he groaned. “Have you learned nothing?”
I bristled. “It wasn’t open. I locked my thoughts.”
“Apparently not good enough. Go back to the palace before they miss you.”
My lip curled at his dismissal. Anger sparked my magic into action. Warmth rushed through me and my fingers twitched, urging me to make Des cower. Make him obey.
His eyebrow arched in challenge. “Go ahead. Do it. Use your power on me. The more you give in to the magic, the more you become like us, Princess.” He smiled. “Not human.”
I turned away, releasing my breath. His words cut right through me. No. I wouldn’t let it control me. Change me.
“Only the strong survive in Feylin, princess. If you refuse to grow stronger, then you are already dead, and your aunt will have sacrificed herself for nothing.”
Anger coiled in my gut. I drew myself up and faced him. “I have grown stronger, and she’s sacrificed nothing. I’m the one who has to do these stupid trials. I’m the one who’s life is on the line.”
His eyes narrowed to slits. “She has given you her protection. Despite her court’s objection and the Queen’s wrath. If you lose, so will she.”
I threw my arms up. “I never asked to be brought here. For any of this.”
He tensed. “It doesn’t matter what you want, Renée. Stop whining and do something to change your fate. Starting with returning to the palace.”
I frowned and stared down at my slippers. What could I do to change anything? It all seemed hopeless. I bit back the argument hanging on the tip of my tongue and turned back toward the giant tree. A warm wind tickled my skin as Des’s words rang in my ears. Change my fate? Impossible. The image of the changeling flashed in my mind. I shuddered. It had looked just like Mom. Pain radiated through me.
I miss you, Mom.
The next day, I woke to the sound of voices singing. I blinked against the sunlight pouring in from the treetop and sat up. Grimera glided over with a tray of fresh sugary buns. I breathed in the heavenly aroma of honey and sighed. Birds flew past, belting a joyful song as little pixies raced after them, excitement radiating in the air around them. I scoffed. Despite the cheery scene, dread coiled in my gut. Today, I’d face another trial.
