by R L Medina
“Des and I will be watching out for you.”
“And I as well.” Sacha straightened, determination written on his brow.
Des smirked. “You’ll have the White Court shivering in fright, elfling.”
Sacha’s lip curled.
I wrapped my arms around myself and pushed away dark thoughts. Even with their help, it was risky. But what other choice did I have?
“What if I fail the trial?” I stared at my hands in my lap, not wanting to see the truth in their eyes.
Silence.
“Then you die.” Des’s words rattled me.
I glanced up to see him shrugging off my aunt’s glare. At least I could count on him to not sugar coat anything. As vulgaire, he’d seen more horrors than I had. Probably more than any of us had.
The rest of the flight, I asked as many questions as I could think of to prepare myself. Nobody knew what the trial would be, but everyone agreed it would be the hardest of all. Aunt Cindra reiterated the importance of not drawing too much attention to my magic and to find a way to win my grandfather over. Clearly, the chance of bonding with my grandmother was impossible.
As we passed over the Gray Forest, I chanced a glance out the window. My stomach lurched as we flew above the treetops. Wind whipped around us, and in the distance black sand and dark boulders loomed.
“The Black Court?” I asked, nodding towards the blackened area.
Aunt Cindra nodded. “At least we don’t have to worry about a trial there.”
Des and Sacha grunted in unison. I bit my lip. Aunt Maloret had given me a trial. To read the Queen’s mind, but I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to tell anyone. The rest of the trip, I tried to listen to Aunt Cindra’s instructions, worry creeping in. A cold wind blew into the carriage, making me shiver.
I shifted closer to the window and held my breath as we passed over white capped mountains and forests of dark green pines. A wave of homesickness fell over me. Would I ever see Colorado again? As we flew closer, my heart raced. The Court of Frost. What would it be like? Soon we sailed over glittering ice domes and buildings that dotted the ground.
“City d’Hiver.” Sacha pointed. His face held the same awe that I felt.
Beyond the city and the inner golden gates, the Palais de Glace shone bright, sunlight glinting off the icy turrets.
I gasped. “It’s beautiful.”
Des scoffed. “Don’t let looks deceive you.”
I bit my lip. What kind of horrors would I find at the White Court? How would I face the King and Queen? By their law, I would be an abomination. My very existence a crime. I rubbed my unicorn charm, realizing I’d summoned my magic. When had I done that? Energy thrummed inside me. I let it course through and sooth my nerves and fears. Closing and opening my hands, I reveled in the power. My power. My own and they couldn’t take it away from me. The Queen knew I was coming, and she would be ready. And so, would I.
I would bring them all to their knees.
“Are you ready for this?” Sacha’s voice interrupted.
I nodded, though inside my emotions swirled around. My heart leapt into my throat as we landed. I took a steadying breath and steeled myself. Des disappeared with a wave and Aunt Cindra straightened, chin lifted.
The carriage doors swung open, and I tumbled out after my aunt. Cold air swirled around us and sunlight glinted off the frosty tops of the thorny hedges and frozen pools and ponds. I sucked in my breath, taking in the splendor. Towering ice sculptures surrounded the gardens and courtyard.
With the giant, white stone castle in the backdrop, I felt as if I’d been dropped into a fairytale. I scoffed at myself. As beautiful as the architecture and landscape was, this was no fairytale.
Stern faced guards bowed to my aunt as we moved past the courtyard and up the massive steps towards the palace. My heart beat wildly, and my breath puffed out in little white clouds. Power thrummed around me. Cold. Hard. Ancient. I used my own magic to quell my fears. More guards waited for us at the top and bowed as they opened the massive golden door to the palace.
My eyes widened as we entered. White marble floor and walls stretched before us. More guards stood, lined against the walls, the crystals on their blue and gold coats twinkling like stars. I stared, mouth open, as we passed towering ice sculptures, twisted in strange shapes and figures. Above us, bright colors clashed on a gold painted ceiling. Elves fighting green skinned creatures. Goblins, I realized.
I paused to study the violent scenes depicted. In the middle, a muscular, long, black haired goblin stood out, a silver crown upon his head. My blood ran cold. The Goblin King. His dark, soulless eyes stared down at me. I shivered. This was who had captured Mom?
A nudge snapped me out of my musings. I glanced around, finding no one behind me. Des, I realized. My shoulders relaxed, the knowledge of his presence comforting. Aunt Cindra waved me forward and motioned for Sacha to stay. I hesitated, not wanting to leave him out there. He shook his head so slightly, I almost missed it.
Trusting he’d be ok, I went and stood beside my aunt as the guards bowed once again and pushed the doors open. Power blasted into us as we entered.
My eyes shot to the massive thrones in the middle of the room, where two elves sat. The King and Queen. Their power radiated from them and filled me with unease. The idea that I could hold my own against them, laughable. I didn’t stand a chance. Aunt Cindra stiffened beside me and led me closer to them. I pushed back the fear and panic starting to rise, our heavy footsteps echoed around us, matching the beat of my heart.
The King’s blue eyes bore into me, his face set in stone. Silver hair fell in soft waves, a contrast against his ebony skin. His body filled the giant throne and the power that surrounded him pulsed with a life of its own. I swallowed hard. This was Mom’s father? Was he as cruel as the Queen? I didn’t dare look at her. Already, I felt her hateful stare.
Silence filled the large room. Aunt Cindra stepped forward and bowed. I followed suit.
“Welcome, halfling. Daughter of Aubri. Welcome to the Court of Frost.” The King’s deep voice startled me.
“We didn’t think you’d survive this far.” The Queen sniffed.
My eyes met her piercing gaze. I shivered. There was no warmth in her. Nothing human.
“No. We did not,” the King agreed.
I glanced at him, unsure of what to answer. Their emotions and thoughts were well guarded, no crack or weakness in their shields. My only consolation was that they couldn’t read my thoughts either. Aunt Maloret’s trial came to my mind. I bit my lip. That trial could be the hardest one yet.
“Bring it out.” The Queen stared past us: her thin pink lips curled.
Aunt Cindra frowned as a fairy appeared and bowed before the King and Queen. On her hand, she carried a fluffy golden pillow and on top of it sat the most dazzling choker necklace I’d ever seen. She held it aloft towards me. I stared, mouth slack as the little tiny diamonds sparkled. Aunt Cindra’s brows knit together, her mouth pursing in wariness.
“Put it on,” the Queen commanded.
Nerves rolled through me, but I obeyed. The metal clasp was cool against the back of my neck and the diamonds felt heavy against my throat. A sharp pain shot through me, making me wince. I glanced down at my hands, a strange numbness filling me.
The Queen smiled. “Just a precaution.”
My eyes snapped to her. Horror flooding me. What had she done?
“For what?” Aunt Cindra’s voice darkened. Her face contorted with an anger, I hadn’t sensed. Couldn’t sense, I realized.
I clenched my fists and tried to summon my magic. Pain drilled into me, making me gasp.
Aunt Cindra’s nostrils flared. “Take it off, Renée.”
The Queen laughed. “It won’t come off. Not unless she passes the trial.”
Her words struck me like a fist. Without my magic, how could I pass? Fear wrapped itself around my heart, tightening and squeezing.
Aunt Cindra turned to the King. “You deny he
r the right to use her magic?”
He waved a hand towards me. “Humans have no right to practice magic.”
“She is halfling.”
The Queen sneered. “Abomination. She’s lucky that we allow her a chance to live at all.” She stood and motioned the guards closer. “Show her to her… room. You may follow if you wish, Cindra.”
Aunt Cindra glared at her. I followed them through a side door and out into a narrow hall. The footsteps bounced off the walls. My thoughts whirled in my mind. How was I going to win with no magic?
As we turned a corner, Aunt Cindra halted, and I stumbled into her.
She turned to face the Queen. “Where are you taking her?”
A smile lit her cruel face. “You know where.”
Fury danced across Aunt Cindra’s face. “She is your daughter’s blood.”
The Queen laughed. “The King has agreed to allow her a chance to win the trial to prove herself. Did you expect more?”
I tried to focus on their words, to make sense of the riddle. What was happening? As we made it to the end of the hall, more guards took up the mantle. They opened the metal doors and watched impassively as the Queen led us down the stairway into darkness.
The stench hit me first. Waste, blood, and death. I covered my mouth and nose with my hand. Pitch blackness surrounded us, and whimpers bounced off the walls. Flames came to life in Aunt Cindra’s palm. The soft glow, revealing what I’d already realized.
A dungeon.
She was putting me in a dungeon. Nausea rolled through me. Silence filled the room as we passed the metal cages. Cages full of fae. Some watched with vacant stares while others laid, unmoving. Horror rose inside of me. I couldn’t stay here. Panic swirled to life. My chest tightened and my mouth grew dry.
“Welcome to the Court of Frost.” The Queen smiled and motioned for a guard to unlock a cell.
Aunt Cindra shot her a venomous glare, flames dancing around her. The guard waved me forward. I didn’t budge. I tried to summon my magic, but pain burst, tearing up my insides.
“No.” I turned to my aunt.
A look of hurt flashed across her face, but she did nothing as the guards dragged me forward. They shoved me back and slammed the door shut. Terror washed over me. No. I had to get out.
“Don’t worry. We’ll bring your slave and tutor down too. They can have the cell next to yours.”
“For how long?” Aunt Cindra’s voice rose.
“I don’t have to answer to you, Cindra.” The Queen’s voice was soft, but deadly. “And if I find that vulgaire, I have a special cell just for him.”
Fire leapt from Aunt Cindra’s hands. Fury written on her face. The Queen smiled and glanced back at me.
“Enjoy your stay.”
“The King won’t allow this.”
The Queen’s cold, harsh laugh echoed around us. “The King has already given his approval. She will be released to face the trial. When I say it is time.”
Aunt Cindra pressed herself against the bars and reached out a hand to me. I grasped it, trembling.
Her golden eyes bore into mine. “Everything will be okay. I promise you, Renée. I’ll be back to check on you. You will be okay.”
My heart dropped. She was leaving. A fresh wave of fear filled me.
“How touching.” The Queen’s eyes narrowed. She motioned the guards forward and walked away, without another glance back.
“The fire will go out when I leave, but I’ll be back with torches for you. And blankets and food. I’ll talk to the King and make them move up the trial. We’ll get you out soon. I promise.”
I bit my lip as she squeezed my hand and let go. The flames flickered out as she left, plunging me back into the darkness. Hot tears streamed down my face.
A whimper escaped me, echoed by the other prisoners. Guilt flooded me. How long had these poor fae been here? Was this the same one Grimera had spent years in? I took a shaky breath and wrapped my arms around myself. The necklace itched against my skin. I shook my head at my stupidity. Why had I put it on?
“Charming, isn’t it?” Des’s voice cut in.
Yellow eyes flashed outside my cell.
“Des!”
“Shh,” he hissed, moving closer. “Don’t be so loud.”
“Are you going to let me out?”
He huffed. “No. You can’t escape now, Princess. You heard the Queen. Wait for the trial. If I let you out now, they’d only kill you.”
I scoffed. “And how am I supposed to win another trial with no magic?”
“I don’t know, but at least you have the chance to earn your freedom. And she won’t dare to torture you right now with the other courts approval.”
A shudder ran through me. “That’s supposed to make me feel better?”
“It should.” He sighed. “We’re all doing what we can. Your aunt… we won’t let you rot in here forever.”
Tears sprang up. “I can’t do this, Des. I just want to find Mom and go back home. Go back to being normal.”
He cocked his head. “I don’t remember you being so normal in the Outer World either.”
I cringed.
“There is one thing I miss from the Outer World, though.” His voice softened.
My head shot up in surprise, meeting his eyes. “What?”
He stared back at me, serious. “Driving.”
I arched a brow at him. “Driving?”
A smirk spread on his face. “Yes. When you win the trial and become a true Princess of Feylin, maybe your Aunt Maloret can arrange for a little visit to the Outer World. You never did get your driver’s license. Of course, you’ll have to study first.”
I gaped at him, stunned. Des was offering me driving lessons? The absurdity of it almost made me laugh, but the horrors of the day’s events sobered me. How terrible things had gotten for Des to be the one to cheer me up.
“Deal,” I said.
He inclined his head toward me and stepped away. “I have to go, but I’ll be back. You won’t be alone, Renée. Just… remember that.”
Without another word, he was gone. Sadness filled me, but his words lingered in the air. No, I wasn’t alone. I sucked in a deep breath.
I’m going to make it, Mom. I’m not giving up yet. I will see you again.
To be continued…
Thank you for reading!
About the Author
R.L. Medina was born in the Amazon, adopted and raised by two upstate New Yorkers. At age six, she vowed to hate reading forever. That hate quickly turned to love/obsession and by age eight she was filling every notebook with story after story. Now a mother herself, she juggles her time between a busy toddler and the stubborn characters that demand her time. When she's not exploring all the Sci-fi/Fantasy worlds in her head, she enjoys life with her family in Florida.
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www.rlmedina.com
Acknowledgments
A big thank you to my editor, Caitlin from Cate Ryan Editing. She was truly a fairy godmother when it came to this book.
I also want to thank my family who supported me every step of the way and were very understanding when I shut myself in a room, only making brief appearances for the occasional snack and coffee break.
Thank you!
Also by R. L. Medina
An Inner World Prequel
Feylin
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