Wren’s small hand slaps on my thigh and squeezes. “Gods above, would you quit that?”
I cut her a sharp glance. “You would be antsy too if you were going home for the first time in five years, after half your family disowned you for leaving.”
She tilts her head to the side. “Touché.”
I sit up in the leather back seat as we pull up to the same gate I’d run through all those years ago. Nothing’s changed. It’s still an old stone doorway, covered in vines, randomly placed between two giant oak trees.
You can do this. It’s not that big a deal. It’s just like you took a vacation and are coming back now.
I rub my hands together as I give myself a pep talk, trying like hell to get excited about seeing my family and the kingdom I’d left in my dust five years ago. I’d missed them all, and there is no way to describe the ache that had settled deep in my chest at the thought of never walking through the gates of the Kingdom of the Wild Hunt again, but returning home to face them still sits heavy on my shoulders.
On top of leaving my family, I’d left behind another part of my heart: my hounds. I’d left Ambush and Grave in the care of Wren, which had almost torn my soul to shreds, but it’s not exactly like snowy white and coal black beasts, larger than most sports cars, with glowing purple eyes wouldn’t raise eyebrows in the human realm.
I jump out of the car, biting my lip as I grab my bag from the back and slam the door shut with a loud thud. Half of me is more than ready to return home to the familiar, the other half is jumpy and expecting the good china to be thrown at me.
Wren places her hand on my shoulder, and I startle, jumping about three feet to the left, slamming into Kapriel.
“Are you ready?” he asks.
I laugh mirthlessly. “I’m ready to duck and roll.”
“Isn’t the saying rock ‘n’ roll?” Wren asks, leading the way toward the gate.
“Yes, it is. But I meant that quite literally. I’m sure half the court won’t be pleased I’m returning, let alone Dad’s guards and everyone else who took it personally that I left the Wild Hunt.” It’s not like our people are shrinking violets. We don’t run away from a fight. We run toward it. And to most of the people in the kingdom, I’d run away from my responsibilities.
Wren cringes. “I wish I could say you’re wrong, but you’re probably spot on.”
“Should I put on a bullet proof vest for our arrival, Jin? All this talk is making my trigger finger twitch,” Kapriel drawls.
“That is a good question, however, they would attempt to maim you if you pulled a gun in Faerie, so I’d stick to just strapping on a few extra knives and staying liquid as we settle in.”
“Stay liquid. Got it.”
“We ready?” Wren asks.
I wave my hand, inching closer to the entrance into the home of the Wild Hunt. “Yeah, yeah, let’s get this over with so I can get cleaned up and get some rest so I can start fresh on the trail this afternoon.”
We both close our eyes, clasp hands with Kapriel, and mutter the incantation that will get us home. With a flash of light and the smell of a hellfire, we’re no longer in the middle of the forest but standing at the entrance to Castle Tor.
The front gates are comprised of black glass spikes with skeletons from those captured in the hunt impaled on them, as well as the heads of traitors and oath breakers. It’s a grim sight, but after years of seeing it on the daily, you get used to it.
After all, no one likes a liar or a cheat. And those who are up there knew what would happen if they broke their word, but they’d still gambled that we’d never track them down.
The towering gates open with a squeak of old metal and the groan of worn wood, and the peaks and rough black blocks that are stacked on top of one another to form the fortress that is Castle Tor greet me like an old friend.
We walk up the main hill, the ever present mists surrounding the castle swirling around our legs, and I smile. To my right, the crystal white waters pour from the White Spring, and to my left, I can see the Chalice Well and its red waters flowing into the buckets of everyone that lives within the walls of the kingdom. The waters represent both life and death, man and woman, and despite their odd coloring, are as pure as any mountain spring.
The obsidian glass castle glimmers in the early morning light, the residual stars still lingering before the sun breaks over the horizon, twinkling like fairy lights on the surface of Tor’s walls.
Warmth flows through me as I glance around the courtyard. To my right, steeds so black they disappear in the dark of night neigh and stomp their hooves, their coats glistening in the early morning beams of orange sunlight. To my left, the blacksmith forges another set of weapons for a new member of the Hunt.
Howls and vicious snarls sound ahead of me, and my face splits in two as a grin stretches across my lips. Ambush and Grave are barreling toward me full speed, howling, yipping, and growling.
I drop my bag and sink to my knees as two giant hounds pounce on me. I laugh as they lay me out flat and nip my jaw and then slather my face with doggy kisses. I dig my hands into rough fur at the scruffs of their necks and coo to them.
“I missed you, my babies.” They grumble as they do, telling me stories and giving me the business for not taking them with me.
“They have been absolute trouble since you left,” Wren huffs, hands on her hips as she shakes her head at their antics. A smile is on her lips though, so I know that she managed them just fine.
“When was their last hunt?” I ask her as I push them off me so I can stand back up. They each take their places at my sides, leaning their heavy weight against me.
“Probably right after you left. They won’t respond to anyone else. They’ll go hunting on their own, so they’re still sharp, but when I tried to take them out with my hounds, they almost ripped them apart.”
I whistle low. “Sorry about that. I should have warned you they don’t take well to other hounds on their hunts.” I hadn’t trained them that way, but I’d quickly found out, after they’d caught the trail of whoever or whatever we were after, they were unstoppable forces and didn’t let anything get in their way other than me.
“No problems, I just let them have free rein and told the other hunters to leave them be or suffer the consequences.”
I nod, a glimmer of metal catching my eye. I turn my focus to the double front doors, framed in cold iron, both with the bones of the hunted hanging from the circle of metal that would serve as the knocker.
One by one, my family emerges from the depths of the castle. My mother stands there, a formfitting black dress clinging to her every curve, hands clasped in front of her, her lips pulled down in disapproval. Her hair is still raven’s feather black, her downturned eyes just a shade lighter, and her olive toned skin is decorated with more tattoos than I remember.
Behind her, my second oldest brother, Edern, crosses his arms over his chest as he gives me a dismissive once over. Despite his height and girth, my brother never frightened me. In fact, I know all those muscles he’s worked so hard to gain are a detriment to his speed. And the brain hidden under his short golden hair isn’t as sharp as it was when we were children. That’s what happens when you party too hard with the Goblins.
“Ah, some things never change,” I whisper to Wren.
She nods. “Edern had hoped that father would turn the throne over to him when you left, as he was the second son and oldest…but father refused. You know father always favored you as the heir after Gerant.”
I hadn’t known that before our dad announced it to the kingdom, although I’m sure that hasn’t earned me any warm feelings from Edern. We’d been thick as thieves, always together, always training, always causing trouble. Right up until I’d left and hadn’t told him why.
I scuff the toe of my boot as I think of the eldest of us all. He’d abdicated the throne to follow his heart and marry the princess of the Redcaps. I couldn’t fault him for that. However, my father did, and family functio
ns had been a tense and uncomfortable event since. Whereas he’d mucked up the family order, at least he’d stayed in Faerie. I’d taken off to the human realm to live amongst the mortals. Old prejudices die hard around here, and I’m sure I’ll get more cracks about living with the humans than I’ll be able to stand, but I don’t regret my decision.
At least, I don’t at this very moment.
Edern had assumed that he’d be next in line, as had I, but when my father had named me heir and announced his intent to hand over the throne to me, so began a tension between my brother and me that had never been there. He’d sworn up and down he was happy for me and that I’d be a great ruler, but I could tell it upset him that he’d been passed over. I’d tried talking to our father, begging him to change his mind, but he’d stood firm and refused.
That tension and the attempts on my life had been a large part of me leaving. I hadn’t told my parents that was the reason though. Instead, I’d told them I just needed to find myself and let loose before I took the throne and I’d be back soon. But the longer I’d been free of familial duties, the expectations of an entire kingdom, and the pressure of ruling over the toughest and deadliest of all the Fae, I hadn’t wanted to come home.
I know I’d been selfish in that regard, but honestly, between my combat training from the time I could walk, the lessons on how to handle diplomatic situations with other courts and kingdoms, and the constant weight of political bullshit, I’d deserved a gods damned vacation. Even a five year long one. It’s not like I’ll only live to a hundred years as humans can. It’s more like I’ll be around for millennia, and five years in the scheme of things is like a long weekend to most Fae.
I walk forward as my thoughts swirl around my head like the well of the damned that sits in my father’s office, and raise a hand to wave at my mother. She cocks her head to the side in response, and I shift from foot to foot as I wait awkwardly for her to acknowledge me as every pair of eyes in the courtyard stares holes in my back.
“Welcome back, Jinx. So glad you could join us.” Her tone is as stiff as her posture, and I try not to flinch at the verbal slap.
“Of course, mother. I’m happy to be home, and rest assured we’ll find Dad in no time.”
“Who is your friend?” Her gaze shifts to Kapriel, and I introduce him.
“It’s an honor to be here, ma’am.” Kapriel bows low in respect.
She grunts and steps to the side so Edern can move closer to me. I’m the shortest of my siblings at five feet eight inches, so I don’t have to crane my neck as I meet his glare with an unimpressed look of my own.
“Brother.” I step forward, holding out my arms for a hug.
“Sister. So delighted to have you back at last.” Sarcasm drips from his lips, and he doesn’t step forward to embrace me. Not exactly the warm welcome I’d dreamed of while I was gone, but it wasn’t a punch to the face either. I could work with this. I’d wear him down and explain everything once we found our father. I’d make my favorite brother love me again before it was time for me to leave again, if it killed me.
Edern takes two giant steps back and opens the door into the castle, waving me inside. “Welcome home, Jinx.”
I ignore his gruff manner and instead try to focus on the positive. I’m here, reunited with my pups, I’ll get the chance to come clean about why I’d really left, and we’ll find my father safe and sound so he can resume ruling the kingdom.
I ruffle both Ambush’s and Grave’s fur on their heads and step forward, both of them in sync with my every step as though I’d never left. “Good babies.” These two had been with me since I was five years old. I’d stumbled into the hound stables and found their mother ignoring the pair of them, pushing them away from the rest of the pups and refusing to nurse them.
My father had told me that their mother didn’t see them as strong as the rest of her litter due to how small they were, and hounds were a perfect example of survival of the fittest. I’d begged him to let me keep them, promising that I’d be responsible for their every need, training them, and caring for them.
He’d picked them up by the scruff of their necks, one snowy white, the other black as coal, and they’d growled at him, trying to swipe at him with their paws, their ice blue eyes barely open yet. He’d chuckled and said that at the first sign I wasn’t doing right by them, he’d take them away. Then he’d thrust the wiggling pups at me, and I’d held on tight.
Brother and sister, they’d never been separated, and under my care, they’d grown up as two of the best the Wild Hunt had ever seen. I’d had more offers from other hunters—and even kings and queens of other kingdoms—for them than I could count, and I’d turned down each and every one.
As that human saying goes, I’m not sure who rescued who, but I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have survived my childhood with all the trouble I got up to, if they hadn’t been there to quite literally catch me when I’d fallen.
I look around the great hall, and familiarity warms my belly. Not a single thing has changed. There’s still a stack of wood next to the two story fireplace, my father’s giant throne is situated right next to it, and there’s still a crack down the back of it from when we’d overturned it as kids.
“When is Gerant set to arrive with Isa?” I look over my shoulder at my mother as I ask the question, but she’s speaking quietly with a maid.
“They should be here shortly, actually,” she replies, waving the maid away before cutting a sharp glance at Wren. “Since we didn’t know you were coming, your rooms are not prepared. I’m having them made up now.”
I shrug. “That’s okay, I can make my own bed and light a fire. I’m quite self-sufficient. So’s Kapriel. We can bunk together.”
My mother presses a hand to her chest in affront, and I wince. Shit. I’d forgotten some of the finer details of etiquette in Faerie, one of them being that members of the royal family aren’t to be seen doing things the staff should be doing. I’ve always found that rule antiquated and ridiculous, but it’s not like this is my castle.
I hold up a hand and dip my head in apology. “Sorry, Mom, I’ve forgotten what it’s like to not do everything for myself. I meant no offense.”
Kapriel’s face is stuck between confusion and glee as he takes in the castle and tries to understand why my mother is so offended at the thought of me making my own bed.
“I’ll explain it later,” I whisper under my breath to him, and his face morphs into one of pleasantry as he stands there, taking up a good amount of space.
My mother’s shoulders deflate, and she tips her head toward me in acknowledgement that she accepts my apology. Not even five minutes in the door and I’ve already offended my mother, pissed off my one brother just by breathing, and I haven’t even run into any of the other hunters yet. I press my palm into my forehead and rub at the headache I’d known would appear.
Welcome home, Jinx. Try not to get yourself killed by offending anyone before nightfall.
5
Small talk aside, we all went our separate ways, Kapriel trailing behind me with his mouth hanging open as he took in Castle Tor. My overnight bag is now hanging down from Ambush’s mouth. It would appear she isn’t going to let me out of her sight, and I can’t help but laugh at her antics. Some things never change, and I am thankful for that.
Early on, I’d decided to move my rooms to the second floor, closer to the rest of the hunters than the royal quarters, as I’d never really fit in with all the courtly ladies and visiting dignitaries. These hard-asses, though, were my real family.
“I hope you don’t mind, Kap, but I don’t stay in the royal quarters…” My feet drag down the hall as we head toward where the important guest quarters and hunters’ barracks meet.
A scuffle sounds before I can finish my sentence, and I crouch low as instinct kicks in. A whoosh of air sounds just past my ear, and I spin, following the sound to see an arrow, still quivering, protruding from the stone wall.
A fraction of a second later,
I throw a knife, striking true as I hit my target.
“What the fu—” Kapriel shouts.
“Son of a…” The voice trails off as the archer’s golden gaze finally meets mine, and his face splits into a shit eating grin. “About fucking time you came home, you lazy sow.”
“Jin, you know this fool?” Kapriel asks, a blade in each hand as he warily looks around.
I rush forward and hug my old hunting partner, Maxen. Only now he’s twice the size he used to be. “Why the hell are you shooting arrows at my back?” I slug his shoulder.
“I had to see how soft you’d gotten out there in the human realm.” He shrugs and pulls my knife out of his sleeve, frowning at the gaping hole the blade has left.
I purse my lips. “It would seem you’re the one that’s gotten lax. You didn’t hit me, and if you hadn’t flinched at the last second, I’d be stitching up your arm right now.”
Kapriel clears his throat, and I swivel so I can see both men. “Oh, right! Maxen, meet Kapriel. Kapriel, meet Maxen Hellguard!”
Maxen and Kapriel size each other up but shake hands until Kapriel frowns.
“Are you really trying to squeeze my hand that hard right now?”
Maxen shrugs. “Sorry, man, I just had to check and make sure you’re good enough for her.”
“Oh for goddesses’ sake.” I slap Maxen’s chest with the back of my hand, and he grabs me into another hug, picking me up off my feet and shaking me around like a rag doll.
“It’s so good to see you, Jin. Gods, it hasn’t been the same since you left.”
“Put me down, you big oaf.” I clip out the words quickly so I don’t bite my tongue off between shakes. “It’s good to be back. Or well, so far it is. So long as you don’t try to maim Kap. He’s one of the only reasons I survived as long as I did in the human realm. He’s good people. Don’t mistake his lack of retaliation for weakness…got it?”
A Reluctant Huntress: Tales of the Wild Hunt | Book One Page 3