“How do I return to the court? I’ve betrayed their faith in me.” It was probably hopeless. Who would let a traitor return to the court?
“Queen Gretel and Queen Zinara have agreed to allow you sanctuary once more within the Seelie courts, but only if you help us defeat the Unseelie army. We need your inside information… only you know every trick and plan they have to wage war on Faerie and the human world. Will you do it?”
Evie let the torrent of thoughts fill her head, flashes of what her life under Unseelie rule had been. The warm moments of her love with Jack hit her like a freight train. To have that back, wouldn’t that be what anyone would want? Love and a mended heart?
It didn’t take long to decide, for she was exhausted and determined to help her niece. “Yes, I’ll help you. I’ll help the Seelie defeat Arthas and Aveta. Faerie is dying because of them. I’m an elemental, and I feel it like death seeping into my bones. They can’t be allowed to continue what they’re doing.” She sighed, letting Jack help her up from the floor. His touch was warm, and she could feel the hum of fire under his glamoured skin. The blue-white flame underneath his skin was burned into her mind, and she hoped she’d get to see it again. Maybe someday.
“I’ll help you burn them all to the ground.”
Chapter Eighteen
Lovers & Allies
SOAP SLIPPED HIS hunting knife into a sheath at his belt and flexed his fingers. The night was creeping up and overtaking the horizon’s light with the dark navy coloring of the evening sky. It was a new moon tonight, and the darkness was impenetrable outside the boundaries of the light cast out from the Scren Palace.
“Where are you going?” Brisa hugged her arms as she stepped in from the balcony. The nights were getting cooler, and without Shade here to keep the weather temperate, the freezing air from the North and the Unseelie Kingdom had crept into the Southern Realm, killing off the lush greenery. Nothing was spared its wrath.
“I have to take one of the witches in the Scren coven to seal a breach in the wall of Faerie. There are reports of people wandering into Faerie without even knowing it. We border Mexico City, and it’s full of people. We don’t want any getting far enough to reach us. The local wildling faeries are loving to torment the ones they get ahold of, too. Can’t have that in Shade’s kingdom.” He winked at her, pulling his long honey brown hair into a taut ponytail.
Brisa nodded, the look of worry etched on her face. “How long will it take to get to the border? Do you have to go now?”
“The sooner we seal it up, the better. One of the outlanders sent a message today, and I couldn’t leave until now.” He pulled her into his arms and stroked her hair. His fingers were gentle and soothing. “I’ll be back straight away.”
She stepped back, shaking her head. “I’m going with you. I’m useless here.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why not? I may be human, but I’m trained in martial arts. I’m pretty tough when it comes to fights, totally can handle myself. I’ve been schooled on faery fighting, too, you know.” She crossed her arms and glared at him, daring Soap to challenge her request. She could be quite stubborn.
Soap rubbed his face. He didn’t want to argue. He knew what she said was true. He’d watched her train in the long days as they waited for Shade to return. The loss of Benton and Shade made for a lonely stay in the Scren Palace, especially for Anna and James, who occupied themselves with the palace functions. He was pretty sure Brisa was going stir crazy, too.
“Okay, fine. But let Princess Anna know. She’s in charge while Shade’s gone, and if she tells you no, then I can’t challenge that.”
“Oh, she’ll say yes. She knows how I don’t take no for an answer.” This time, she gave him a playful wink before she spun on her feet and started for the door. She came to a halt at the door, standing pensively. “Who’ll keep watch over Anna and James while we’re gone?”
Soap pulled his pack around his head and hung it diagonally across his chest. “Nautilus told Shade he’d stand guard over Anna and James while she was gone. I’m sure we have nothing to worry about. He’s been training both of them in more elemental fire magic. They’ve taken to him well.”
Brisa lit up. Her twinkling chocolate eyes shined in the torchlight of the room, and it made Soap grin, always elated to see her happy. Her long brown hair shined with golden highlighted threads strung through it. The palace faeries had fun dolling her up with sparkly necklaces along with gold and silver threads braided through her tresses.
He had to admit, he liked to see her so prettied up. She was beautiful without all of it, but it brought out her natural charm as well. Nothing made her eyes shine more than the faerie glitter sprinkled on her cheeks and the red shimmer of lip gloss. It took his breath away each time he looked at her, and it made him wonder if she had magic of her own that he didn’t know about. Either way, the feelings she evoked in him were a comfort, even if they were a bit unsettling. He was falling hard for Shade’s stubborn friend.
“I’ll get some weapons from the armory, then. See? Your sword fighting lessons will finally come in handy!” She rushed out the doorway, leaving Soap with a ball of worry on his head. Brisa could handle herself, but she was still human, with no magic that he knew of. If anyone harmed her, faery or not, he’d dispatch them before they could even take another breath.
He’d met his match with Shade’s friend. Her wits kept him grounded, and her volatile temperament drove him insane. It made him want her even more. He followed her down the hall to the armory to help choose some weapons for her. Unlike most girls, he was sure this was more to her liking than shopping. It made his heart swell to watch her excitement as she tested out the swords, knives, daggers, small spark flints and smoke bombs she could use to confuse her foes if needed.
Brisa didn’t have a lick of magic in her, but she was magical no matter what. Her efficiency handling the enchanted charms and small armory of curses and ticker balls, which exploded on impact and incapacitated foes with a splash of iron powder, made his respect burst over the brim for his very human girlfriend. It helped that she was immune to many of his charms but still loved him back.
“Got enough thorn grenades?” he asked her as he stuffed twine-wrapped bags of the tiny bombs into her enchanted pack.
“Yep. Oh, did you add a food bundle to yours? You always forget something.”
He laughed and nodded. “That I did. Thanks for the reminder, though.” He paused, pulling out a necklace from his pocket. It was a glamour charm which Dylan had worn when he and Soap had ventured out to save Shade from the Unseelie Palace. It’d taken a ton of his magic to use it, but Ilarial had constructed it as a way to channel his changeling magic and cloak another person with it when they were not too far away from him. It had worked well enough for Dylan to sneak into the castle as Corb and whisk Shade away.
It’d taken Ilarial days to fuse the magic into the charm, making it an ideal projection of amplified changeling glamour magic. It’d been so effective, Shade hadn’t been able to sense Dylan underneath the shield of glamour until he’d let it fall away. Soap hoped it would help Brisa just as much if she’d ever come to need it.
A glance down at the charm brought somber memories of that day back to him, and he felt his heart lurch at the memory of Shade so thin, so tortured and broken. She was healthy now, stronger than ever, but to have seen her destroyed and shattered had made him want to nurse her back to health, to keep her safe forever and avenge her. Even though he’d lost her love to Dylan, he still had a definite soft spot for her. That would never change.
“Brisa?”
The girl turned toward him, swinging her pack on. “Yes? I think I’m ready.”
He held out the dark blue charm. It consisted of a darkly swirled crystal strung on a soft hemp rope. “I want you to have this. Can you wear this for me? It will allow me to disguise you if necessary. That way no one will know you’re human if we have to hide you from other faeries or anyone
that wants to hurt us.”
Brisa grinned and accepted the necklace. “Wow! It’s pretty! Thanks so much. It sounds like a useful charm.”
“It helped us save Shade from the Unseelie.”
Brisa looked up sadly then returned her eyes to the crystal. Its magic tickled her skin, which comforted her immediately. She snapped the necklace securely on, smiling at Soap. “Wow, a proven device. Nothing better than what has saved my best friend. I feel honored to have it.” She winked, shaking off the forlorn feeling trying to settle on them both. She took her fill of his disarming green eyes and golden brown locks then stepped forward, falling into his muscular chest, pulling him tight against her and breathing in his heady scent.
“We can do this, Rylan. Everyone has a role in this war. I know what mine is, and it’s to help you and keep Shade’s family safe. Let’s do this.”
He stroked her hair and kissed the top of her head, letting her soft honeysuckle scent fill his nostrils. “All right. Just stay near me, and we’ll be fine. Time to go.”
Chapter Nineteen
Reconnaissance
DYLAN ROUSED CAMULUS from sleep, waving him over to a secluded part of the forest where Ursad waited. It was past dusk, and full dark had taken over. Dylan let some of his blue fire leak through his glamour to allow them a bit of illumination in the inky blackness.
“It’s time to go. Once we’re in inside, head toward the northwest tower. That’s where Shade was held before. Though she might be in a different cell this time, that’s where the prison cells are.”
“What’s the plan once we get there? Is Benton waiting for us?” Ursad shifted on his feet, wringing his hands and nervously twitching his fingers. They were all dressed in black, and he’d had to glamour his long mercury-colored hair to appear darker grey-black. Otherwise he’d reflect any light with his silvery locks. He looked even paler with dark hair, and his striking green eyes flashed brighter under the blue of Dylan’s fire.
“We’ll have to separate. Camulus, you’ll go with Ursad. If you find Shade and Rowan, take them out of there immediately, back to the Seelie camp. Camulus can return for me. I’ll concentrate on finding Benton. He’ll probably know a way if we have to get out by ourselves.” Dylan snuffed the fire of his skin as his glamour wrapped around him tightly. His steel-colored eyes glowed in the darkness, and his hair blended in well with the black night. He gripped Camulus’s hand as the Elven-Pixie teleporter reached out to both men.
Once linked, they gave a nod to Camulus, who immediately let his magic encircle them and fling them into a swirling oblivion. Ursad detested the feeling. He made it a point to avoid using Camulus for transportation, but this couldn’t be avoided. His stomach lurched as the world flung past them in a roaring rush.
A moment later, they were inside the Withering Palace. The torchlight flickered as they unlatched their hands and spun around, taking in their surroundings. Echoes of wails and screams bounced off the walls. Harsh voices followed, some talking with murmurs and some yelling at whoever was screaming. The place was rank, and even with the torches lit, the walls still appeared to suck at the light, engulfing its glow radius a lot more than usual.
“This place reeks.” Ursad wrinkled his nose as he whispered. His heart hammered in his chest as he pulled his sword out. He’d only fought in practiced combat, not ever in a real war or reconnaissance mission. Feeling mightily inept, he backed up closer to the other two warriors.
“Shhh….” Dylan placed his finger to his lips and crouched forward, peeking around the corner to survey the hall. Satisfied, he stepped back and motioned them closer. “I’ll take the corridor toward the screamers. There’s a branch off the right, which looks like it’s also part of the prison. If you see anyone, throw some glamour on to look like a guard as quickly as you can. I’ll get Benton, who’s probably stationed near Shade’s cell. If you find one well-guarded, check it out.”
“Got it.” Camulus pulled out dual daggers, looking hungry for a fight, and started forward toward the hall on their right.
“Wait. What if we can’t find her?” Ursad’s fingers twitched on his sword, his palms so clammy he was afraid it would slip from his hands. He gripped it harder, wiping each palm on his soft pants.
“We meet right back here either way, in one hour.” Dylan turned away and headed off toward the screams, quiet and swift.
“All right, then.” Ursad let out a breath as Camulus shrugged. He let the Elven-Pixie take the lead and tried to keep his eyes open. He’d never been anywhere near the Unseelie territories, let alone inside the Withering Palace, of all places. It smelled rotten, like old food and lingering death. He swallowed down the bile crawling up his throat and prayed he wouldn’t lose it before he could get out of there. This was no time for cowardice, and as a Prince, he had to show strength. It was now or never.
Just find Shade… we can do this. Just find her.
BENTON STOOD GUARD at the end of the hall, where Shade and Rowan were housed. He shifted on his feet, bored out of his mind. Picking the dirt from his nails, he waved a hand to light the torches lined against the walls. They kept going out whenever anyone opened the door to the prison section of the palace. This place was so behind the times, he wished for more decent lighting for once. He’d been lighting up long strands of straw to pass the time, watching them curl up and wither until they nearly touched his fingers. He’d then toss them to the floor and smother the flame with one stomp of his boot.
How much longer was he to play guard? He prayed it wasn’t that long. He’d lose his bloody mind if he had to stay one more night in the filthy prison. The stench was unbearable, and the wails and screaming made his blood curdle. Luckily, his post didn’t require much on his part, and all he had to do was stand there and make sure no one left their cells. Not too hard.
Still, he was itching for action.
He was about to walk down the hall one more time when a noise caught his attention. A sparrow’s whistle echoed and bounced against the stone walls, making his chest surge. Dylan and the others were there! He’d never felt more relieved to hear his comrade’s call. He promptly whistled back, pulling off his helmet. Dylan emerged from the only entrance to the prison, looking just as relieved to find Benton awaiting him.
Throwing the familiar Teleen warrior a wide smile, Benton gave him a hard clasp around the shoulder.
“’Bout time. I was afraid if I’d have to eat the sludge they claim is food here one more time, I’d lose my mind and turn cannibal.” Flashing his gleaming white teeth, he pointed down the hall. “Shade’s down at the end, but I suggest one of us stay here for lookout. It’s a dead end, and we don’t want to get bottled up in there.”
Dylan nodded and motioned for him to go unlock the cell door. Benton ran down to the last door at the end of the hall and slipped his master key into the lock. It turned with a resounding click, and he shoved the heavy wooden door aside.
Shade hung her hand over her eyes, adjusting to the light seeping in through the crack. It was another soldier, but a familiar shape came into focus, and she grinned up at her baby brother.
“Hey, brat.” She pulled herself up onto her stiffened legs and headed over to hug him. She stopped at the end of the chain, which was still strapped to her leg and pulled taut. She almost fell on her face from its stiff yank.
Benton caught her and laughed. “Whoa, watch it, Sis. Give me a sec.” He set her to the side and kneeled down to the undo the metal cuffs anchoring her. “There.”
Shade rubbed her ankle and motioned toward Rowan, who was bundled into a tight ball in the opposite corner, honing in on them like a frightened cat. “Unlock hers, too.”
As he approached the fragile-looking Ancient, she narrowed her eyes and hissed, scuttling backward to press her back against the wall. Benton halted in his steps, confused. He threw Shade an inquisitive look but didn’t move any further, for the air was vibrating with a static current, making his hair stand on end.
Her enchanted chains melte
d to the floor, as if the enchantment to suppress her had disintegrated. She could’ve escaped at any time, Shade thought. Why hadn’t she?
“Rowan, it’s okay… this is my brother, Benton.”
Rowan’s wild eyes calmed, and the magic hovering in the air dropped like a curtain, no longer popping with static electricity. The tiny Ancient straightened up slowly, her long, stringy hair draped over her, shielding her face. “’Tis unwise ta venture from ‘ere.”
“Oh, drop it, Rowan. We need to get out of here before morning. Kilara is going to blow this joint to smithereens, and since you tossed our only chance to escape out the window, this is our ride home. Move it.” Shade was tired of the Ancient’s strange antics and reached out to tug on her ragged dress. She was in no mood for protests.
Luckily, Rowan complied without further comments, her bare feet padding across the cold stone and out the cell, following the small group. She kept her head down and her mouth shut.
“How are we getting out, Benton? Where’s Dylan?” Shade asked.
He pointed ahead toward the outline of a man near the end of the hall. Shade’s heart swelled, and the ring on her finger flared to life. She ran toward the familiar shape, never feeling more eager to wrap her arms around the one man who sent her emotions reeling. She crashed into Dylan, and he slipped his solid arms around her tightly and brought her closer.
“Dylan!” Her lips were stopped by his, and she let his kiss overtake her. The heat from his lips made her melt inside. She desperately wanted to drown in them forever. This was bliss. If only they were somewhere else.
“Shade, I knew you’d be okay.”
“You, too.” She turned back to Benton, grinning widely. “Thanks.” She reached over to pull him into a fierce hug, even over his groaning protests.
“Watch it, you’ll ruin my hair.”
She laughed and went on to ruffle his dark locks. “So lead the way out, baby brother.”