Corb shook his head, refusing to budge. “No.”
“Don’t make me.”
“I make you do nothing, Oracle. Now make her live, or I will have you as my next victim,” He snapped at her.
Rela was not so easily scared. She narrowed her eyes toward the Ice King and pressed her lips tightly together. “Very well, Ancient one. I need your dagger. You must mix your essence with hers to save her. With this, I will bind your power to her with a serpent clasp if you wish to stay. Otherwise, I’ll have to banish you, and she will die.”
“What?” Dylan didn’t understand what she was saying. He flicked his eyes between then, watching their silent exchange until Corb held out his arm with his elven dagger dangling from his fingers.
Rela took the dagger and immediately sliced his wrist. The wound didn’t even make him flinch as his dark red blood dripped onto Shade’s abdomen. The healer produced a metallic bracelet fashioned like a silver snake and clamped it over the wound. The metal hissed and dug into his arm, making him hunch over this time, groaning in pain as the blood sizzled against the metal. It was most likely embedded with iron, causing him excruciating pain.
“I bind you, as the Land of Faerie binds you. Your life essence is connected forever to this human mortal faery. You cannot harm her, and you’ll have no power over her as she now has power over you. Only until Faerie deems you worthy are you released of your eternal bond.” With that, she dropped the dagger and slumped back on her feet. She was panting and drained, but she managed to crawl over to Shade to check her.
Soft, slow breaths came from her chest. Though she was still quiet pale and her lips were a soft pink, she now looked peaceful. Dylan ran toward her, scooping her up in his arms, kissing her forehead and pulling her close.
“Shade, it’s going to be alright. I’m here.” He felt her pulse, slow but strong under her chest, making him feel a wave of relief in his own. He watched Corb as he sat kneeling on his knees and staring expressionlessly at Shade.
“Is she better now?” Corb whispered.
“Yes. No thanks to you,” Dylan snarled back at him. Corb just gave him a nod and stood up. The metal on his arm had stopped hissing, but the skin around it was raw and an angry red. Drips of crimson blood spattered to the floor from the wound, spiraling down from his fingertips. He stepped back, giving them space as Dylan picked Shade up into his arms to carry her away to the infirmary. Corb followed close behind, looking at Rela, who slowly made her way behind Dylan.
Somehow, the tables had turned, but who was at the head now?
Part III
The Scorching Scren
Chapter Eighteen
MUSIC ECHOED, LIKE a happy childhood memory. Her father was taking her in his arms and swinging her around while cherry blossoms floated in the air and pollen dusted everything in the bloom of spring. It stuck to her clothes and tickled her nose, but it didn’t matter. Her father made her giggle until her eyes were watering with laughter, and her sister pushed at his side, desperate for her turn in his arms.
Benton would stand to the side, rolling his eyes at their giggles, feeling too old to cherish such things anymore. He’d sit on a fallen log near the forest and dig into the crevice under the log with a stick, fishing out grubs and nightcrawlers from their sweet, cold, damp slumber. Their mother, Jade, would be waving them back over for the outdoor picnic she had set up, her worn jeans and button-down shirt tied at her skinny waist. Her long, dark hair was pulled back with a red and white bandana with sweat reflecting off her brow from getting the food all set up and ready to go.
Her family walked away from her, toward the picnic table, and sat down, chatting up a storm as they passed the paper plates around and dug into bowls of potato salad and spinach dip. Shade found herself staring at them, like an outsider looking in on a family meal. She missed them immensely—had she been gone so long? She silently prayed that she could remain there just a bit longer, aching to watch their happy faces as they laughed and ate.
And yet, hadn’t they noticed she was gone? Hadn’t they noticed that Dad was dead, and it wasn’t possible for him to be eating outside with them?
The blue sky above morphed into the dark grey of an angry storm, sending her hair flying up into her eyes and making her shiver from the frigid wind. She glanced back toward the table, now finding no one there. It was sitting there, abandoned with a layer of dirt clinging to the top while leaves cluttered around the legs.
Shade clasped her arms around herself, shivering, and walked toward the house. No one lived there. The screen doors hung from the hinges, and the wind made the shutters slam back and forth until one of them flew off and crashed into the ground. She spun around, seeing nothing but overgrowth and neglect. What was this? What was going on?
She knew her family wasn’t there in the house. They had fled into hiding after Shade had been snatched from there and taken to the Unseelie Castle. But nonetheless, she ran up the steps and pushed the front door open, pulling it closed behind her as she took a deep breath in.
Inside, it looked pretty much the same. The couches, the chairs and tables were still there. An array of boxes sat partially packed, and the lights were off. She flicked the switch on and the lamps flooded the room with their brightness. She made her way to the couch where a lone blanket lay neatly folded over one of the arms. Pulling the soft material over her body, she shivered in the cold of the abandoned house. Homesickness flooded her senses and tears prickled at her eyes. How she longed to see her family sitting with her once more, laughing and talking loudly over dessert with a sitcom blaring from the TV. Here there was nothing but silence and cold.
“You’ll see them again.” Shade jumped to find Kilara sitting in the recliner next to the couch. She looked so out of place in her ethereal gown and long, flowing honey-brown hair draped over her shoulders. Her amber-brown eyes watched Shade fidget on the couch before speaking again. “Thank you.”
“Thank you? I didn’t do anything.”
“Yes, you did. You kept your promise to me. You never told Corb where I am.” She smiled, flashing bright, white teeth at her. “You’re stronger than I could’ve imagined. I’m impressed with you, Shade.”
“I almost died! Where were you then? I remember everything now, but I’m not sure I want to remember. All I see is pain. All I see is torment. He wants you. Only you. And he’ll do anything to get to you.” Her voice quivered as she stared hard at the Summer Ancient. “What good is it to remember such horrible things?”
“You have your power back. Don’t feel so emptied and desolate. You have more than you know. More than most can claim in this world.” Kilara paused, studying her further, like a pinned butterfly. “I know he wants me. But I will return in my own good time.”
Shade gulped back her sobs, realizing how foolish she was being. Nodding, she wiped away the wetness on her cheeks with the blanket. “So what now? What’s going to happen now?”
“Oh, Shade, if only I could tell the future. It’s so vast and full of misdirection that no one—not even a seer or an oracle—could fathom each and every road we must cross. You’re safe for now. You’ll recover. And know that you have all your powers back. Corb is powerless to hurt you now. I never foresaw this happening.”
“What happening?”
She laughed, looking mischievously happy. “Corb getting bound to a mortal! It inhibits his abilities to use his magic without your permission. How the magic has shifted so. I thank you for that, too.” Kilara stood up, walked about the room and peeked at the family photographs framed along the walls. “With him weakened, I can safely awaken from my slumber and place him into his own sleeping prison forever, just like the Unseelie King Arthas.” She made her way back toward Shade and sat next to her on the couch.
“Arthas?”
“Yes. He’s the Unseelie King. The Eastern Realm was his, but now it’s ruled by Aveta. His absence has been good for the land, though. He withers anything he touches. He’s in a deep slumber in which Corb, my
sister Rowan and I put him in. Corb shall join them and I will rule Faerie from now on. I’m just saddened the other two couldn’t cooperate enough to let us rest longer.”
Shade shifted on the couch, trying to take in everything Kilara was telling her. She looked over toward the Summer Ancient. There was nothing more she wanted than to be with Dylan again. He felt more like home than this image of her house.
“What am I supposed to do now?”
“You get better. You’ve been through so much already. I can’t imagine the agony you’ve been experiencing lately. I’m sorry there wasn’t more I could’ve done for you.” She hugged Shade tightly, rubbing her arms as though soothing a child who’d lost her puppy. “You always persevere, of that I have no doubt. But now, once you’re better of course, you must go to my palace in the south. The Scorching Scren Seelie court is yours, rightfully. I want you to assume the throne and once you have settled there, I will come to you and you will awaken me.”
“Why not now?”
“I don’t want Corb to know yet. He may be restrained, but he has cunning ways to get things done when he wants something badly. For now, I keep you in the dark. It’s best this way.”
Shade nodded, feeling like a pawn in someone’s game. She rubbed her arm where the darkling had touched her. The spot was still there, but significantly faded. Kilara, who was watching her closely, also noticed it.
“A darkling’s touch is lethal. You were able to heal from it, enough to live without any ill effects. It’s a rare ability.”
“But it’s still there, the mark.” Shade held her arm out for the queen to examine.
“Yes. One thing about a darkling is that once you are marked, you will forever be. There is no changing it. The darkling is part of you now. How you choose to use its dark essence is up to you.”
“I can use its powers?”
“Yes. It died giving you its powers. It kills most people, but you lived. You subdued the poison. Its powers are there for you to use at will. However, be careful how you use it, for the darkness is very hard to return from.”
Shade rubbed the spot again, feeling it tingle slightly under her fingers. What can a darkling do? What sort of darkness was she talking about?
Kilara stood up, offering a hand to Shade. She took it and watched the queen head toward the door. “It’s time to wake up. Don’t forget what I’ve told you.”
“Okay… I won’t.”
*****
“WHY DOES HE have to be here? This is absurd! He almost got her killed!” Benton’s familiar voice echoed in the room as Shade pretended to remain asleep. Her brother was here, which meant that the rest of her family was also possibly there, waiting to greet her when she awoke. Her heart hammered in her chest at the thought of it, elated for the chance to see them once more. But first, who was he talking about?
“If it was up to me, he’d be dead. But Rela, the healer, bound him to Shade somehow, and he won’t leave without speaking with her first.” It was Dylan who responded, making her wonder how many people were sitting in the room while she slept.
“Well, I say we fry the Ice King. What do you think about that, Corb?”
At that, Shade shifted in bed, hoping to draw their focus and ease the tension in the room.
“She’s awake!” Benton jumped to one side of the bed and grabbed her hand. He looked delighted to see her, making her smile at his goofy grin. “Hey, Sis, how’s it hanging?”
“Hey, Benton.” She tried to sit up but found her body was aching all over. She winced, shocked to find her mother, Jade, stuffing pillows behind her back. “Mom. How’d you know I was here?” She looked around, confused. “Where am I, anyway?”
Dylan, who had also approached her bed, slid down to hold her other hand in his. “We’re in the Teleen Caverns. The Great Oak Tree brought us here. You’re going to be okay, Shade. Do you remember anything?”
She nodded, smiling at the handsome warrior. “Yes, I remember everything now.” Tilting her head, she cherished the recognition in his eyes. “How about you?”
“I remember all of it, too.”
His eyes shined as he grinned, squeezing her hand firmly. She felt his warm heat radiate down her arm, feeling cozy and comforting. Her eyes traveled to the fourth figure in the room, who was now slowly approaching the bed. Corb. He was wearing all white, like he had when he’d been relaxing at his castle. One arm of his outfit was torn all the way up to expose the muscle and lines of his white skin. On his wrist, he wore a cuff, thin and made of shiny metal, fashioned into a serpent. Raw, red and angry-looking skin swelled around it, as if it was digging uncomfortably into his arm.
Corb’s outfit was dirty, streaked in mud and dusty, and he looked like he hadn’t slept in days. She didn’t know why, but it was disturbing to see the Ice King in such a state. He was always so poised, so together.
“What’s Corb doing here?” Never removing her eyes from him, she waited for someone to answer.
“Rela, the Teleen healer, had to use his essence to save you. The power of the memory ampules mixed badly with Corb’s enchantments, and you would have died if you hadn’t been removed from the Ice Castle. You were fading quickly, so she had to use his magic to revive you. He’s bound to you, Shade. The bracelet on his arm holds his magic in check while he’s here. Only the land of Faerie will release him now. But you control his powers.”
Shade gawked at Dylan, shocked at what he’d said. “What? Are you kidding me? Not another bind! I’m sick of being attached to people, especially one that would rather see me dead!” She leaned back on the pillows, feeling slightly dizzy and overwhelmed. “How can this happen?”
“It was the only way, Shade. I’m not happy with the way things are either,” Corb offered.
“Oh, who cares what you want? No one wants you happy. You’ve taken Shade twice now. I say we off him while we can.” Benton pulled out a sword and pointed it toward the Ancient. Corb stood there, looking bored and unconcerned.
“Benton, put that away. We’re not killing anyone. Shade needs her strength and then we’ll be on our way to the safe house.” Shade looked up at her mother, thankful that she was always so in control. Jade looked a little bit older since they’d last seen each other. But she also looked more slender, and her muscles were more defined. She’d obviously taken advantage their time in exile from their home and turned herself back into the warrior witch that she had once been. Shade could feel the power radiating off her as she bested the men in the room.
“Mom, I have to go to the Southern Realm,” Shade told her. It was Jade’s turn to be surprised.
“What are you talking about?”
“I have to go claim my throne in the Southern Realm. The Scren court is mine. They need me.”
Jade shook her head, kneeling down to be at her daughter’s level. “I don’t think that’s a good idea right now, Shade.” She shushed Shade as she continued. “I know you want to take back your rightful throne, but now is not a good time. The wards are falling all around the boundaries of Faerie. We have to go back to the safe house and figure out what to do.”
“But this is what I have to do. I have to go there and get it all together to fight Aveta. We have to fight, Mom. We can’t just hide in some house out in the wilderness. We have to stand against her. Or else….” She sighed, feeling her body craving sleep again. “Or we’ll always be running. We’ll always be afraid. This doesn’t end. You as well as I both know it will continue until she’s shackled in iron.”
Jade studied her daughter’s face, thinking hard on her words but finding it tough to swallow. After what felt like a long, torturous moment, she gave her a quick nod. “Okay. We’ll all go the Scren Palace. But if anything looks off, we leave, you hear me?”
Shade smiled, hugged her mother and sighed with relief. She couldn’t tell her exactly the reason why she had to go south, not with Corb in the room, but she’d have to remember to pull her aside later and fill her in.
“Is Icy King here coming
, too? He might not like the weather down south, might be too warm and happy for such a glum popsicle.” Benton snickered, eyeing Corb with daggers in his gaze. “I’d be happy to send him on his merry way.” He juggled a small ball of fire between his two hands, toying with the thought of tossing it toward the Ice King.
Everyone turned toward Corb, wondering the same thing. “I will remain at your side, Shade, until this wretched thing comes off,” Corb stated. His stoic features made him look almost like a statue. Shade sighed, slid down into the bed and let her eyes slip closed. She’d deal with him tomorrow. Right now, a nap was in order.
“Guys, she’s exhausted,” Jade said. “Why don’t you all go get some rest, too. Especially you.” She waved Benton away. “And you, Ice King, go change or something, you look downright frightful.”
Corb glanced down at his attire, baffled by the boldness of her words.
“I’m staying here in case she needs anything,” Jade said.
The men shuffled around the bed, saying their goodbyes to Shade before they left the room. Dylan was last to leave and only agreed to do so once Jade had agreed to get him if there was anything wrong. After he clicked the door shut behind him, Shade finally drift off to sleep, listening to her mother settle into the chair next to her and flip through a book she’d been reading.
If only the silence was an omen of good things to come and not filled with dread and the unknown. This was Shade’s last thought before she drifted off to sleep, which sent her only bad dreams and restless hours.
Chapter Nineteen
PALE MOONLIGHT FILTERED down into the Teleen Caverns from large cracks in the overhead rock. Shade sat near the edge of the underground lake, dangling her legs in the cool, mountain spring water. It was inky black, but the light from the moon illuminated the room brightly with well-placed mirrors and light stones embedded in the rock.