Santino came to stand before me and took my hand in his, looking me straight in the eyes. “Do you know what happened on the night when the Silver Swords heard about your battle with the Shadow Guard?”
I looked at my feet. “I was told many people called me a monster and beseeched the King of Eldoren to send me back to Morgana.”
Santino smiled. “A few of the Eldorean rabble, no doubt.” He lifted my chin with his finger to look at him. “But in Illiador, in your kingdom, in the rebel camps and in the streets of various towns and villages, fires were lit all the way from the Darkwood to the shores of the great Western Sea, passing the word that their queen, Aurora Firedrake, had finally returned and was coming to take back her kingdom. Music and dancing flowed through the streets for the first time in a decade, and fires lit up the skies over Illiador.”
He grasped my arms gently. “You have given them hope, Aurora. A reason to live on, to fight for their freedom from Morgana’s tyranny.” Santino’s sharp eyes narrowed. “Do you know what your people are calling you?”
I shook my head, a knot in my chest clenching as an unfamiliar feeling rose and took hold.
Santino smiled, his amber eyes twinkling. “It looks like you have a new title, Aurora Shadowbreaker.”
The knot in my chest got tighter, and tears pooled in my eyes as I took in what he was saying. Listening to Santino speak about the Silver Swords, about men, women, and children, my people, who were willing to follow me into battle and help me fight for my right to my father’s throne, humbled me to such an extent a tear finally leapt free and fell on my cheek. A single spark of hope ignited in my chest.
My decision was crystal clear.
I would fight for my kingdom. I would fight for my parents and everyone who had ever believed in me. I would fight because that was who I was. Aurora Firedrake was not a monster curled up inside of me waiting to be set free whenever I took off the amulet. She was the strength within me, the one who would never back down, even in the face of death. My magic was not a burden to be bound and stifled. It was a gift, it was my destiny; it was what made me Aurora Shadowbreaker.
I had kept that part of me hidden for so long, because somewhere deep down I was afraid of what I was truly capable of. It was time to embrace my fate, move forward, and grow into the woman I knew I could be, one whom my parents would be proud of.
Aurora Darlington was gone. Nothing in the world was going to change that. I was Aurora Firedrake, and I was born to be a queen.
The people of Illiador needed me, my people needed me, and this time I would not fail them.
Iris
Dawn had arrived.
I finished packing my little leather satchel; I didn’t have much to take with me. I carefully sheathed my daggers and strapped the sword Rafe had given me on my hip. “I’m ready.”
Santino walked me to the gardens where the fae and their griffins were waiting. I stared in awe at the mighty creatures, their gold feathers glinting in the light of the rising sun. The fae-warriors paced in front of their massive mounts, eager to get in the air.
They stopped when they saw me. Tristan’s eyes darkened as he looked me over. “I am glad you had the sense to change into appropriate riding attire, Princess.”
I glowered at him. “I’m not completely new to this, you know.”
“You could have fooled me.” He turned to check the saddle on the griffin. “We must be on our way—the longer we are away from Elfi, the longer the kingdom remains unprotected.”
“Modest much?” I muttered under my breath.
Tristan turned and glared at me.
I rolled my eyes. Of course he could hear me with that immortal fae hearing of his.
“So, who am I riding with?” I looked around. Aiden ignored me, and I was glad for that. Cade and Farrell smiled and got onto their mounts.
“Griffin riding can be dangerous for an inexperienced rider like yourself,” Tristan answered. “Your mount has been arranged.” He jumped onto his griffin’s back in one fluid motion.
I drew my brows together. “My mount?”
Just then, a musical tinkling voice filled my head. “Do not fret, little princess, I am here.”
My heart leapt, and a broad grin spread across my face.
Snow!
I looked up. The white pegasus flew out of the sky, her iridescent wings bigger than before, and landed amid the griffins, stamping her hooves and shaking her magnificent mane.
I ran to Snow and hugged her neck. It was so good to have her back. “I missed you,” I said through our bond.
“I did too, little princess,” said Snow. “Get on, these griffins look like they are raring to go.”
I smiled, and Santino gave me a leg up as I jumped onto Snow’s back. The fae had fitted her with a beautiful light leather saddle, which was far more comfortable than riding bareback as I had been doing until now. I said goodbye to Santino and waved as Snow broke into a canter, spread her massive wings, and shot into the brightening sky. The griffins leapt into the air after us, quickly getting into formation around Snow and me.
We flew over the vast deserts of Brandor and onward toward the towering Wildflower Mountains surrounding Elfi. The wind whipped through my hair as Snow easily kept pace with the powerful griffins and their riders.
I told Snow all that had happened, and she updated me on what she knew about the state of affairs in Eldoren. It was much more convenient speaking to Snow in my head; we were traveling so fast our voices could not be heard over the sound of the wind. “Has there been any news about Aunt Serena and Erien?”
“Not that I’ve heard.”
“And Rafe?”
“The prince got back to the palace a day ago. He was the one who informed me where you were and sent me to you.”
“Is he all right?”
“He was when I saw him.” Snow soared on the wind as we rose higher and higher into the clouds. “He also sent word to your grandmother about what happened. When you removed your amulet, we could sense your exact location. That is how the fae-warriors and I found you. Prince Rafael has been worried about you and wanted to make sure you got to Elfi safely.”
My heart shifted and the familiar ache returned. I missed Rafe and his cheerful confidence. He was my anchor in a sea of troubles, and when he was around I knew he always had my back. Even when he was far away, he watched over me. I wished I could go back and help him.
We left the desert behind us, the endless sand dunes of Brandor giving way to patches of foliage and tufts of trees as we approached the base of the Wildflower Mountains. The slopes spread out in all directions as far as the eye could see, guarding Elfi from the outside world.
The sun had started to set as Snow and the griffins climbed higher over the towering peaks, soaring through the clouds and flying into a narrow gorge past thickly forested mountain slopes. Finally, we emerged in a lush valley covered with a carpet of wild green grass and heather, strewn abundantly with wildflowers.
In the middle of the hidden valley, the brilliant fae capital city, Iris, came into view. It was the most breathtaking sight I had ever seen. The Crystal Castle was built into the face of the mountain. Slender towers spiked through the night sky and glittered brilliantly as the moon rose overhead, dazzling the whole city with its silver light. Clear streams cascaded down from the mountains around it, sparkling as if the water itself was filled with stars.
A gigantic wall enclosed Iris, protected by powerful magic. The fae-warriors could not fly over the city. We landed in the valley outside the city gates where twelve proud centaurs stood at attention. Half man and half horse, the fae creatures bowed low when they saw who rode the griffins. Most of them had their long hair tied back from their rugged faces, and each of the centaur guards wore two massive swords strapped to his back alongside a quiver of arrows and held a huge yew bow. Six of them moved forward to open the city gates for Izadora’s elite band of warriors.
As the great golden doors to the fae capital opened in
ward, the fae riders got off their griffins. I did the same with my mount; the griffins and the pegasus were not allowed inside the city.
“I will be gone for a while,” said Snow. “I must journey to the Old Forest and find out what happened to my family.”
I hugged Snow and patted her neck. “I understand. I hope you find them. Be safe, and come back soon.”
“I will,” Snow said in my mind as I walked forward, surrounded by my escort, and entered the fae city of Iris.
We strode through the cobblestone streets and up the main avenue to the Crystal Castle. A towering white stone structure embedded into the mountain, I’d read that the outer walls were made entirely of a rock-hard fae crystal found only in the southern mines of Elfi. The fae queen’s palace gleamed in the distance as the moon rose over Iris. Opulent mansions of the nobility descended into the valley from the foothills of the castle, surrounded by flowering grottos and shaded paths that led down to the city, which spread out in a wide semicircle around the palace.
Most of the High Fae shuffled out of the way as the fae-warriors passed. Others gawked at Tristan and moved over to the opposite side of the street. He sauntered like a stealthy predator, his sapphire eyes constantly scanning the crowd for threats.
We crossed white marble bridges shimmering above small streams and glittering waterfalls that ran down from the mountains. Glass orbs floated through the air, lighting up the city. A haunting melody rose to my ears as fingers danced on harp strings in the starry night, filling the city with their lilting song.
Here within the confines of their own land, protected by the magic of their queen, the fae seemed to move about their lives without fear. I was glad to see one place that was still safe from Morgana’s evil, which had started to claw its way into every kingdom in the north and west and was now looking to the east. Eventually she would move south to Elfi; it was inevitable.
“How things have changed,” Aiden muttered to Tristan as Cade and I followed behind them, past the palace gates and through the vast open halls of the Crystal Castle.
Tristan glanced at him. “What do you mean?”
“How can you be okay with this?” Aiden asked, obviously unconcerned that I could hear him. “I thought you hated mages.”
“I do hate mages,” said Tristan. “But she’s only half mage and not a threat. She’s weak and her magic isn’t strong.”
“Not strong?” Aiden looked incredulous. “She’s Aurora Firedrake, the most powerful fae-mage to be born in thousands of years. You’ve heard the stories about her!”
“Exaggerations,” Tristan shrugged. “She can’t be as powerful as they say she is. I saw her fight, she’s untrained and clumsy with her powers.”
“She could be here to spy for the mages.” Aiden’s voice was low but dripping with malice. I could still hear him and he knew it. “Did you think of that? The queen is taking a big chance letting this one into the city. She could turn on us at any time.”
Tristan nodded. “It’s possible. No mage can be trusted. But the queen wants her here and there is nothing we can do about it right now.” He lowered his voice, but I could still hear him faintly. “Hopefully she will be gone soon and we won’t have to see her ever again.”
Aiden looked back at me and scowled. “I hope so.”
I scowled back at him and stepped closer to Cade, who coughed and flicked a glance at me. His eyes pitied me, and I knew he, too, had heard what Tristan and Aiden had said. Did all of them hate half fae? Maybe Cade did too and was keeping quiet about it.
We entered the throne room, a grand hall lined with marble pillars and huge arched windows fitted with fae crystal that glinted in the moonlight. I followed Tristan and the others, their boots clumping loudly on the smooth marble floor. At the very end of the room, standing before her throne, was Izadora, queen of the fae, my grandmother.
She stood regal and elegant on a raised dais, dressed in a gown of pure silver that flowed around her body like a shimmering mist. I thought she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. Her hair was the color of spun gold, entwined with silver cascading down to her feet. Her eyes were the most startling shade of gold, and she radiated a glow unlike anything I had seen before. On her head, she wore a crown of pearls set within a carved circlet of silver. The queen of the fae was over a thousand years old, but she didn’t look a day over forty.
All the fae-warriors bent their knees and bowed when they saw her.
“We have done as you asked, Your Majesty,” Tristan said, his voice low. “The princess is safe.”
My grandmother looked me over. “Thank you, Tristan, you all may go. Aurora and I have much to discuss.” Her voice was cold.
The fae-warriors turned and left the room without a word. Izadora’s gold eyes met mine and I smiled, stepping forward to hug my grandmother.
Immediately a wall of magic slammed into me and knocked the breath right out of my lungs.
“We do not show affection in my court,” said my grandmother with an immortal stillness as I stood gasping for breath. “Kindness and love, which the humans prize most, is a weakness. It is a noose around your neck waiting to strangle the life out of you.” She paused, assessing me. “I know you have grown up in the human world, and I don’t know why your mother chose to send you there. But let this be your first lesson. Life is hard, and everything comes at a price. The sooner you learn that, the better. Understand you are not here because of some grandmotherly affection I feel toward you. You are here for a purpose, and that is all.”
I reeled from shock. I thought my grandmother would be happy to see me. But she was as cold as the winter snow, an ice queen without emotion. What exactly was I getting myself into? But it was too late—I was here, and this was my last chance to prove myself.
I clenched my fists and straightened my spine. “Then why did you send the fae-warriors to bring me here? You should have let the Drakaar kill me.”
“Don’t be so dramatic.” The queen of the fae waved her hand and turned to go and sit on her throne. “You have your uses, and I do not let my feelings get in the way of what has to be done. The mages have created a mess I must now clean up. Morgana has ruled long enough, and I cannot let her reign of terror continue, not when she dares to threaten the borders of my kingdom.”
“And what about the other kingdoms?” I spat out. Didn’t she care about the rest of the world? Was she so heartless that she would let others suffer if she could help them? “People in Illiador are dying, children are being torn from their parents, unimaginable terrors walk in the northern kingdoms, and you sit here on your comfortable throne and tell me you have decided to stand up to Morgana because she threatens your safe little part of the world?”
Her immortal stare was cool and calculating as she assessed me. “The rest of the world is not my concern.”
“Morgana killed your daughter. How can that not be your concern?” I snarled.
“Killed?” Izadora said coolly, her one eyebrow arching in a perfect bridge.
My mouth dried up. She knew!
“You knew my mother was not dead but trapped in the Dagger, and you did nothing about it?” I struggled to keep my voice even. I could not let my anger take hold of me—not here, not now. I clenched my fists. “You left her to rot inside it for fifteen years.”
“Elayna knew what she was getting into when she married your father.” The fae queen’s voice was icy and without a drop of emotion. “I warned her against marrying outside the fae court, and she married a mage, of all things. She thought she was in love and gave up her immortal life to save her mortal half-breed child. She deserved her fate.”
“How can you say that about your own daughter?” My body shook as my magic tried to break free. I dug my nails into my palms and willed myself to stay calm, pushing it back down. I never imagined my grandmother could be so cold-hearted. “No wonder my mother left you—at least she had a few years of real love.” I tried to keep my voice from breaking.
“And what did
it get her?” my grandmother snapped, her gold eyes flashing.
I pursed my lips, my blood boiling, but I held my anger in check. She was an immortal and much stronger than I was. I could not let my anger get in the way of what I had to do. I needed her and she needed me. And I had to make the most of what I had.
“One day, I will free my mother,” I vowed.
“Without my help, you will never succeed in defeating Morgana or getting close to the Dark Dagger,” said the queen coolly. “While you are in Elfi, you will abide by my rules. Remember you are only here because I permit you to remain.”
I pursed my lips and contained my anger. I could not afford to lose Izadora’s help.
“Be not mistaken,” the fae queen continued. “You are not my heir, nor will you ever be named as such until you prove yourself. You are a fae-mage and thus a half-breed,” she sneered. “The High Fae will never follow you. Fae-mages are abominations of the natural order of things; your powers are unpredictable and largely unmapped territory. Your magic needs to be controlled and given direction. Containing it will eventually end badly for you and for the rest of the world. Therefore, I will allow you to stay in Elfi and train with my warriors. The magic within this valley is concentrated with all the powers of the fae. It is only here you will be able to tap into your true potential and find the real depths of your powers if you so wish. Once you are ready, I will provide the resources you need to take back your father’s throne and end Morgana’s rule for good.”
Izadora’s help would be invaluable when it came to the final battle to retake Illiador; without her and the fae-warriors of Elfi, even if I secured the Silver Swords’ assistance, I would only be leading a band of rebels to their deaths. If I made it to that point. This was an offer I couldn’t refuse, and she knew it.
But she needed me too. If I refused to fight for my throne, Elfi would eventually be swallowed up by Morgana’s growing empire. I knew the fae queen valued strength above all, and she wanted me to prove I was worthy to be her heir. I would do it, starting now.
The Rise of the Dawnstar (The Avalonia Chronicles Book 2) Page 13