his foul ways.”
“He was cursed by another, but it was his actions preceding the placement that created this curse and strengthened it. He used his magic to alter the shapes of his army into beasts, not permitting them a choice, nor offering a chance to return to normal.” He bypassed a rotting log with a simple sidestep, centipedes and spiders scurried from his path. “The curse was never meant to spread beyond him.”
She avoided looking at the bugs that she could ride; she would be a lovely snack for them. “I always wondered why Astan would place a curse that jeopardized innocents.”
“It was an error he regrets to this day. Every one hundred years, the seal weakens and must be recreated. During that time, power awakens within a faerie of royal blood that will assist with the resealing.”
“And you believe this to be me?” She wrinkled her nose. “I don’t feel different.”
“Most do not. I do believe you are the one, and their persistence on capturing you confirms this. Regardless, I have been watching you since birth, and…”
That should have scared her, but for some reason it didn’t. “And?”
“Whether you are the one or not, I will not allow harm to befall such beauty; I will protect you.”
She blushed. “Thank you.”
4
She was unsure of when she had fallen asleep, but the haze around her vision suggested she was dreaming. The marble room surrounded her, the light from the floating crystal brighter than before. Yet when looking upon the object, it seemed to have shrunk. A quiet humming filled the air, loud enough to acknowledge its existence, but too subtle to identify.
“You return. Will you accept my assistance?”
A spin on her heals brought her face-to-face with the dark faerie. She gasped and stumbled back. “Who are you? What do you want?”
“I am an ally, and what I desire is freedom.” A wave of his hand directed her to the crystal. “For him.”
“Him?” Her eyes widened as realization struck. “Is this the seal that holds Gratain?”
“It is.” He stared as if searching her soul. “He is not the evil being you are led to believe. He made mistakes, but should that condemn him to eternity sealed? Aware but unable to move? To live?”
“I don’t believe you.” She straightened, trying to seem confident though she wanted nothing but to wake up or flee. “You sent the Whyre to kill my people; I can’t trust anything you say.”
His lips drooped. “Sent? Nay, I followed their trail and subdued them.”
She placed all the heat she could muster behind her glare. “You controlled them and sent them after me.”
His hair slid over his shoulder as he shook his head. “I do not deny that I tamed them, but they moved on their own accord. They are drawn to you.”
A step brought him before her. She tried backing up, but struck the wall. Trembling, she met his gaze and swam in the blue ocean, ensnared. His fingers brushed her cheek and she shuddered in both fear and twisted attraction.
“Release the lies and deception. Come with me; all you need do is accept my hand.”
“No.” And then she awoke.
5
The walls released an eerie red glow, pulsing as if breathing though the cold stone didn’t move. Broken rocks and boulders littered the floor, the carpet browned from dirt and filth. There lacked any smooth surface to the ceiling and walls, and both held holes and dark stains that Lily refused to identify. Stale air assaulted her as she flew beside Esmond’s head.
Esmond stopped and lowered his head. His body quivered, waves of energy flowing over his coat. “I suggest you turn else you witness the transformation.”
“You are a changeling?” She obeyed his command, landing to prevent her wings from tiring. “Will you revert to your true form?”
“Yes, but I am not a changeling. I will explain,” he grunted, “after. Please remain as so until I speak again; shifting does not permit clothing.”
Heat rushed her cheeks. “Promise.”
Lily covered her ears, but the sounds of his alteration bled between her fingers. His rapid breaths paused only for grunts and growls of pain. After numerous pops, sounds of stretching, and even a few tearing noises, all grew quiet. His breathing steadied and he released a sigh of relief before scurrying down the hall, feet shuffles trailing.
Her hands fell to her sides, fear of being alone causing her to jump at the unnamed sounds of the ancient castle. The chains rattling and metal scraping almost made her turn and flee to where ever Esmond hid. She clenched her jaw and fists and waited, not wanting to break a promise.
His approach was so quiet that she didn’t know he returned until he touched her shoulder. An arm folded around her abdomen and a hand covered her mouth before she could scream. “You do not want to draw attention. The Whyre will be gathering. I will lower my hand now. “
Fear ebbed while in his embrace. “Sorry. You startled me. May I turn now?”
“You have my apologies.” He released her and stepped back. “You may turn.”
Unsure of what she would find, she was slow to move. She flushed and gaped at him. Blond hair, full and long, flowed down either side of a muscular torso covered with an opened doublet. The green and brown of his outfit complimented his golden irises, a color that carried to the outline of his white translucent wings. He wore a faint smile that accented his broad face and made her heart leap.
“I seem to have startled you again.”
“I didn’t expect you to be…” She couldn’t finish the sentence; if she blushed anymore she might erupt in flames.
“A faerie?”
He offered the perfect escape from an embarrassing confession. “Yes. I have never known a faerie to shift forms let alone into an animal a thousand times his size.”
“I am this size for your sake.” He offered his hand. “We should take more accommodating sizes; that gifted by our heritage.”
Her hand slid in his. “You know about that? Are you a relative of mine?”
“Nay. I come from a different family, but of the altered bloods. Grow as we walk; we have strayed too long.”
Their size increased at a steady pace. Lily never enjoyed the cold flow and the feeling of being stretched. Her nerves tingled at every bend, but it always passed fast, and being in the large form felt more normal than the small. “This would have been more convenient during the run.” Her voice cracked, not yet caught up with her form.
He frowned. “There was no time. I apologize.”
“Forgiven if you smile again.” She watched as his lips lifted, her heart beating out of control. “Better.”
The smile held as they continued. “The seal is in the southern tower.”
“What am I to do?” She paused when they came upon a vast stairway. Portions of the red carpet lacked dust, each shaped as large reptilian feet. She swallowed hard and allowed him to lead her upward.
“It alters every century. The power is within your core; you will know what to do when before the seal.”
She grew quiet as they climbed, and the silence followed until they reached the top. A hall lined with windows stretched before them, the reptilian prints led into a large archway in the left wall. As scared as she was, she couldn’t help but examine the room as the passed, and in doing so, she stumbled and halted. Wide eyes viewed the devastated throne room accompanied by crawling flesh and a churning stomach.
To say that the room had been torn apart would be an understatement; it had been demolished. Rays from the morning sun beat down on the rock-strew floor through the missing ceiling. The walls had been torn, holes everywhere, and heads of statues lay with the debris. What once was a mighty throne lay in charred pieces, a pile of ashen stone. A black haze hovered.
Esmond stared into the room, all emotion fleeing at the hands of frigid anger. “This was the location of his last stand.”
She shuddered. “Was this also where the curse was placed?”
“No; that occurred on the battlefield.” He cl
enched his jaw. “I realized our error immediately. The curse transformed before my eyes, stretching out to everything, deforming all life. When it took hold of me, all I knew was pain, but I could not relent; I could not permit our error to claim more souls. I found strength and utilized it to conquer the curse. I rose as a valiant unicorn under the clear night sky.”
Her mind stumbled over the information. “I—then you are Astan?”
His muscles relaxed and he turned to her. “I forfeited that name long ago; he died on that battlefield.” He began to walk, gently pulling her forward. “Come. We must make haste in strengthening the seal.”
“Yes…”
Still looking back, she stumbled. He caught her and settled her on her feet, his face a mask of guilt. “I apologize. I should not be pushing you this hard. Are you weary? Hungry?”
She smiled, warmed by his concern. “Yes, but I am fine. We should see to the seal, no?”
“We have time. There is a room near where you may rest. Shall I carry you?”
It was tempting to be held by him, but she felt that she would never stop blushing were she to accept. “I can walk. Thank you.”
They began walking, and each step made her head lighter until dizziness set in. She used Esmond’s arm as a crutch, leaning on it while trying to remain strong. The promised room seemed years away.
6
The magical rush struck fast and furious, pulling Lily into a void before she could cry to Esmond for help. His calls followed her through darkness and into the subconscious world. She expected to be in the marbled room, but instead found herself standing