Just as Trik opened his eyes, another body came out of the mirror and then Syndra’s arms were wrapped around her.
She tried not to cry out in pain but there was no holding it back. Syndra pulled back. She looked into Cassie’s face and Cassie felt the Light Queen probing her mind.
“NO!” Cassie yelled and pushed herself from her. She fell to the ground and scrambled backwards, putting space between her and the two elves.
Trik watched in horror as his Chosen shook all over, her face was white as snow and the pupils in her beautiful eyes had n early covered all of the color. He took a step towards her and she screamed out again and held up a shaking arm to keep him from coming closer. Trik fought every instinct he had to keep from denying her wish and pulling her into his arms.
“Cassie love, let me help you.” He spoke softly and knelt down so that his face was level with hers.
She shook her head and her eyes were wild and unfocused. “Th-th-there is n-n-n-no help f-for me. You heard what Lorsan said.” Her words came out in a string of stuttering and she growled in frustration.
“Trik,” Syndra pulled his attention from Cassie. The Light Elf Queen’s eye shined with unshed tears. “It’s the Rapture?”
Trik nodded.
“What does she mean there is no help?”
Trik bowed his head as he thought of the King’s words. “He said the addiction to it was too much for the humans, and the withdrawals were more than their bodies and minds could endure. Already some have killed themselves because they couldn’t get any more of the drug.”
Syndra’s hand came up to her mouth as a small gasp escaped. She looked over at the once full of life, fiery human and saw that the withdrawals were killing her.
“Syndra, I must ask you to leave us and do not allow anyone to come here. She would not want anyone to see her like this.”
“What will you do?” She asked him cautiously.
“Whatever is necessary.”
“Trik,” Syndra knew what he meant and she also knew that there was nothing she could say that would sway him from his decision.
She knelt down and looked at Cassie. Cassie saw no judgment, no pity in the Queen’s eyes and it made the tears she had held onto fall.
“Cassie, fight! You are loved, you are needed. You will fight this and you will win.” Syndra stood and left without another word. She had total confidence in her commands, as if Cassie had a choice in the matter.
Trik sat down on the floor as close to her as he could without her going into a fit of hysterics. He watched her tremble and longed to hold her.
“What can I do A'maelamin? Tell me what to do.” Trik felt like his heart was being ripped out all over again as he sat helpless to comfort his mate.
Cassie hadn’t spoken in so long that he thought she might have fallen asleep but then she looked up at him. He had never seen Cassie look at him like that, a predator hunting its prey. Under different circumstances it might have made him feel differently, but seeing that look in her eyes now made his stomach clench.
“Get me what I need, Trik.” Her voice was a purr as she unfolded herself from her sitting position and began to move towards him in a sultry crawl. “If you will get me the Rapture, everything will be fine, I will be fine.”
Trik knew this wasn’t his Cassie speaking. He knew that it was the drug in her, the addiction. But to see her like this, attempting to seduce him into doing her will, it broke something in him.
“I can’t do that, Cassie, you don’t need it,” Trik told her firmly. “I’m here. We can get through this, beautiful.”
Once she was within touching distance, she ran a finger up his stretched out leg and Trik caught it before she could go higher than his thigh.
“If you will just get me my drink, then we can do a whole lot more than just get through this.” Cassie reached up to untie one side of her dress and Trik stopped her.
Her eyes snapped up to his. “You don’t want me?” Outrage and hurt quickly distorted her face but then the sultry smile was back.
“I can make you want me, Trik. I can dance for you. The others liked it when I danced for them, but for you it will be special.”
Trik bit the inside of his mouth so hard that he tasted blood. It’s the drug, he told himself over and over again. He pushed the image of men leering at her perfect body while she danced for them from his mind and focused on reaching his Cassie. But he had no idea what he was in for and he prayed to the Forest Lords that they both would make it through the battle for Cassie’s soul.
Chapte r 19
Rescue mission advice #1: Have a plan. Rescue mission advice #2: Have a plan…Rescue mission advice #142: Have a plan.
You would think that would be a no-brainer, right? Tell that to the two humans and five elves that went traipsing off into the dark elf realm hell bent on rescuing the King and Queen, dispensing justice where it was needed. Ask them how that worked out for them once they get their own asses rescued. ~ Elora
“Lisa, if you ask me if we’re there yet one more time, I swear I’m shoving you through some reflective surface and back to the human realm,” Elora growled as they walked through the dark forest. Tamsin, Beleg, Nedhudir, Rincavornon and Sidhion, which were four of Tamsin’s strongest warriors, along with Lisa, and Elora had all set out together. Syndra had stayed behind at the command of the King to keep an eye out for Trik should he return. They had been walking for two days and Tamsin had finally seen fit to tell them that Lorsan could hinder their progress by shifting the realm so that they were literally going in circles.
Since then they had been marking the trees with strips of fabric as they walked, hoping that if they passed the same tree again they would know for sure that Lorsan was at work.
The night of the second day they were all sitting around a campfire. Tamsin, Beleg and Sidhion had gotten them dinner in the form of some strange birds. Elora had made it a point to step away from the camp while they prepared the meal and was trying to keep from picturing the birds strung up while she ate.
“So can I ask something that I’ve been dying to ask?” Elora looked at Tamsin and then at each of the elves. They all nodded. “I don’t promise an answer,” Tamsin added before she asked.
She waved him off as she swallowed her last bite. “It’s not anything top secret.” She cocked her head to the side as she looked at the five male elves. “Then again, as strange as you guys are it may very well be a matter of life and death.”
Tamsin and his elves waited patiently.
“Is there a competition amongst your parents to see who can give you all the most difficult name to say and spell? Or do your parents just hate you?”
There was silence as the five elven men stared at Elora. Lisa’s mouth dropped open and she started to stand, thinking she just might have to protect her from the good guys when the five men erupted into laughter.
It was several minutes, while Elora stared at the beautiful elves with weird names, until they found their composure.
“Our names have meaning,” Tamsin told her as he wiped his watery eyes. “They are not just picked for how they sound. They are chosen based on their meaning.”
“Huh,” Elora nodded. “Okay, let’s hear’em.”
Beleg was the first to answer. “My name means strong . No hidden meaning for why my sire and mother named me that. It’s what they wanted for me; to be strong.”
Rincavornon spoke next. “My name means quick moving .”
“Did they think you were going to be chased a lot?” Elora asked with a straight face.
The other elves laughed and nudged him.
“Like you have room to laugh,” Rincavornon gestured to Nedhudir.
Nedhudir made some of his own hand gestures, all the while spitting out what Elora guessed was elvish profanity.
“Wait, wait,” Elora held up her hands. She looked at Nedhudir and a wicked grin spread across her face. “Come on, pretty boy, what are they ragging you so hard about? What does your name
mean?”
Nedhudir glared at the four elves who were failing miserably to stifle their laughter. He looked over at Elora and she had to lean forward to hear his muttered answer.
Her mouth dropped open as she sat back and stared at him wide-eyed. “Shut-up! You’re parents gave you a name that means cushion? As in a place to set your butt after a long, hard day?”
Nedhudir stood and walked over to a tree away from the fire. After several minutes, Elora composed herself and looked over at Nedhudir. She felt slightly bad for teasing him, sort of. Okay who was she kidding, his name was freaking cushion , how could she possibly feel sorry for laughing about that.
She watched him as he stood there, quietly looking out into the forest. He didn’t look mad, just thoughtful. It was then, as she stared at him, that she realized that he was every bit as beautiful as Trik, only different. The elves no longer bothered to hide their true form from her so she saw them all now in their Elfin form and she had gotten used to the odd eyes, and out of a box colored hair. Nedhudir’s hair was long and he wore it in a braid down his back. He was blonde, not dirty blonde, but truly blonde and it shimmered like golden threads had been weaved into the strands. He wore a band around his forehead that should have looked odd, but somehow looked right on him.
His eyes were light blue and shined like glass. He had a straight nose, high cheek bones and a square, strong jaw. Typical of his race, he had pointed ears. Elora didn’t know how he didn’t look feminine with pointy ears, but Ned was anything but feminine. Ned, she thought. Oh hell, I’m giving him a nickname.
He was tall, and a little wider than others of the Elfin who tended to be leaner. Where they were more swimmer builds, he was closer to a linebacker. He wore a green vest, leaving his arms bare. He was muscular, and very, very intimidating.
Elora walked up to him and he slowly turned his head. He looked down at her, and with a small nod said, “Elora.” And then went back to staring at the forest.
“Okay, so maybe I shouldn’t have laughed at your name, but you have to admit being named after a butt pillow is just a tad hilarious.” Elora waited for his response but he didn’t even acknowledge her words. “I feel like I should disclose to you that I intend to call you Ned, or Cush, haven’t fully decided, but in your case a nickname is a necessary evil.” Still no reaction. Elora rolled her eyes and turned to walk away. “Glad we got that cleared up,” she called over her shoulder. She swore she heard a chuckle and quickly turned, but he stood, stoic as ever, without even the slightest smile.
The next day was as uneventful as the first two, until after their third break. Tamsin and the other four elves suddenly all unsheathed swords, some of which Elora had no idea that they even had. Tamsin pushed Lisa to the center of the circle that the elves were making. Nedhudir grabbed Elora’s arm and pulled her behind him. Elora tried to quiet her breathing as she looked out into the foliage and forest around them. Tall trees towered above them and rich greens of all shades covered the leaves, the blades of grass, and the shrubs. She looked for anything that didn’t fit with the green and still she saw nothing.
Then Tamsin made a motion with his hand and spoke words that Elora didn’t understand. Slowly they began to move, Lisa and Elora in the center of their elven shields, being herded to the cover of the trees. They didn’t make it.
“Well the day wasn’t a total loss.”
Elora’s head swung around as a deep voice resonated behind her.
“Lorsan,” Tamsin growled and it was a sound worthy of a pissed off lion.
“It’s been a while, Tamsin.” Lorsan stood casually, his shoulder leaned up against a tree. He didn’t seem worried over the very sharp swords pointed at him, or the very fierce elves that held them. “I’ve lost a prisoner and a dethroned King today, and thought that it would end without anything being accomplished and then this little gift is dropped in my lap.”
Elora looked around Cush. That’s what she finally settled on for the name that most suited him. She looked at Lorsan and threw her hands up in the air. “Are you kidding me? We’ve been going in circles for days, trying to get to your jacked up castle to rescue the two love birds and you’re telling me they escaped? And now instead of rescuing them, we are being captured?”
“Elora when did you get so snarky?” Lisa asked.
“When elves invaded our lives and drug us into their centuries old useless battle. That tends to make a person a tad snarky.”
“A tad?” Cush asked her as he looked at her from the corner of his eye, his sword still held high and at the ready.
“Oh, now you decide to talk to me? Really?” She crossed her arms over her chest and turned back to glare at Lorsan. “Let’s get this over with already. I’m tired, I stink, and I’m sick of the bad guys winning.”
Elora felt Cush nudge her with his shoulder and felt something at her side. She looked down and saw he was handing her a dagger. She smiled wickedly.
“Do not hesitate,” he told her firmly.
“You don’t have to worry about me, Cush. I have about as much sympathy as a rabid dog on crack.”
“What?” He asked, clearly unsure of what Elora had meant.
“I’m mean; that’s all you need to know.”
“Noted,” he replied.
Tamsin turned to look at his warriors. Something he did must have been a signal because his warriors roared in unison and rushed the Dark King. Elora looked over at her mom.
“We can go down fighting or crying? What’s your vote?”
Lisa pulled a dagger from under her shirt where a sheath had been tied.
“You had to ask?” She snorted at her daughter. They both turned to see that Lorsan was no longer alone. Warriors dressed in black had joined him an d were fighting Tamsin and his elves. Elora felt a battle cry well up inside her and, though she didn’t understand why, it felt right. She ran with her dagger held high, her mother beside her, both yelling at the top of their lungs and plunged into the fray.
Life or death, they had decided they would fight. They would fight for the good left in the world, in theirs and in the Elfin. They would fight for Cassie and all she had been through. They would fight for Trik, the King who had found his Chosen and found love again. They would fight because sometimes a few must make sacrifices to save many.
Ch apter 20
I told Tamsin that I didn’t believe in happily ever after anymore. I believed my heart was broken beyond repair and that anyone this broken could not possibly be happy and, therefore, never have a happy ending. I believed Trik was gone, that he had chosen a life of darkness over me. Turns out I was wrong, not about the happy part, but about Trik. He had chosen me. He saved me, or what was left of me. But I have not chosen him. I can’t. He is not what I crave and what I crave I cannot have. So I can’t choose Trik, and all that is left for me to choose is existence or death. Flip the coin, tails stares back at me. Death it is.
~ Cassie Tate
Trik ducked as a lamp flew past his head. He heard it crash into the wall behind him but he didn’t dare take his eyes off of Cassie. They had been through the attempt at seduction, and bargaining, and now she had moved on to anger.
“If you cared for me at all you would do this for me!” She yelled at him. “You see that I’m hurting, you see what it’s doing to me and yet you do nothing.”
More objects flew at him. Collateral damage, Trik thought.
“Cassie, I do care for you, more than anything and that is why I cannot give you what you want. I love you.” Trik told her for the umpteenth time. And still she raged.
Finally, after more than an hour, she collapsed. Her breathing was labored and he saw her shoulders shake as she wept.
“Trik,” he heard the small voice and felt the pull. Her soul was reaching out to him. It had pushed through the raging addict. He rushed to her side and pulled her to him as he had been longing to do.
“I’m here, beautiful, I’m here.”
“Trik, please.” He thought that she was
going to beg again for the Rapture but what she asked for was worse. “Please kill me.”
Trik closed his eyes and fought to keep his own composure. A world without Cassie was not an option and never would be.
“I can’t do that, my love,” Trik smoothed her hair back from her face and kissed her forehead gently.
She looked up into his eyes and he saw his Cassie staring back at him. She was afraid and lost. She didn’t understand who the person was that scream ed at him, that threatened him, and she didn’t want to be that person.
“It’s not you, Cassie. It’s the drug.”
He saw her thoughts, uncensored because she was so weak. He saw that she was ashamed and that she didn’t want him to see her this way. She felt like she should have been able to fight Lorsan and keep from drinking the Rapture. She should have been stronger. He saw deep into her soul, the light that still shined there, the hope that was Cassie. The hope gave him strength.
“You never have to feel ashamed with me. You cannot comprehend all of the atrocities I have committed in my long life, and they were my choice. This, Cassie, this was beyond your control. It was not your choice, nor your fault. The fault lies with me and me alone.”
Cassie was shaking her head as tears fell down her face.
“I should have listened to you. I threw a fit like a spoiled child and, oh god,” she groaned at the memory. “I hit you.” She looked up at Trik as horror filled her eyes. “I’ve never hit anyone in my life and I hit the man I love. What kind of person does that?”
“The kind whose heart has been broken. I do not blame you, my love. I should have gone after you. I should have made you listen to me. Of all the times for me to not do what I wanted to, I picked a very stupid one.”
Cassie shook in his arms as the pain continued. She didn’t know how much more she could take. She hurt all over. Breathing felt like work and with every breath she was tempted to just not take the next. She was beginning to sweat again, a cold sweat that chilled her to the bone. As Trik held her, she shivered as her clothes became drenched. Trik pulled back and looked down at her, taking in her appearance. Her lips had a blue tinge to them and she had grown paler.