by Maya Daniels
“I wouldn’t go that far, human.” Fern nudged her with his shoulder and Iris tried not to show how much it affected her.
“Of course, you wouldn’t, elf.” She stuck her tongue at him. Everyone laughed, but Fern zeroed in on her mouth, and when his gaze locked again on hers the undeniable hunger there made her shift uncomfortably.
“All that happened because of who you are.” Ivy killed the little joy that had crawled back inside Iris. She just couldn’t leave the talk alone. “Humans act possessively because your magic makes them feel good.” Iris frowned, and Ivy continued her explanation. “Subconsciously, your magic, who you are, made them feel good, happy. When you give your full attention to someone, if you are in a good mood, it feeds them happiness and life. Humans become addicted to it, so they crave it and become obsessed if they don’t have a constant supply. They turn possessive and controlling. That only makes you unhappy and feeds their misery. It’s a double-edged sword, but you are a creator, after all.”
Iris thought about the couple of men she’d dated and the changes in their behavior. Ivy’s words were the closest thing to an explanation she had ever heard. Could it be that it wasn’t her pushing people away or her being hard to be with? Could the answer to her misery be in her genetics?
“You guys are not acting like that.” Iris gave a last-ditch effort to argue the point. “Fern even hates my guts. My magic disgusts him.”
“What?” Fern pulled back like she had punched him and looked at her incredulously. “I don’t hate you!”
“Mmhmm, could’ve fooled me, elf.” It was apparent by the look on her face she didn’t believe him, and his heart sank.
“Come,” Ivy grabbed Iris’s hand and dragged her out of the room. “Let me show you something.” Artemis and Raphael followed, but Fern couldn’t move from the spot.
“Artemis,” he called, and both her and Raphael looked back at him. “Can I have a word… please.” Her eyebrows hit her hairline and he grimaced. “I’ve said please before.”
“What’s wrong?” After pushing Raphael out of the room, she returned to Fern.
“I think I fucked up.”
“What’s new?” she crossed her arms, looking down her nose. He ground his teeth.
“I fucked up with the witch. There is just something about her that makes me irrational. It makes me… I don’t know what it makes me. Help me fix it? You can gloat later.”
“I never thought I’d see the day.” A wicked smile bloomed on her face, and he groaned. “You will owe me big time for this!”
“Why are we here?” Looking around anxiously, Iris tried not to show how freaked out she was at being in the same spot where the shadow attacked them.
“Breathe, witch. I won’t let anything happen to you. Artemis will be very upset if you get hurt on my watch.” Raphael patted her shoulder awkwardly.
“Thanks, boss man.” She gave him a tight smile, acknowledging his effort even though he was weird around people. He beamed at her proudly, and she couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Look!” Ivy almost vibrated with excitement, pointing at the lawn.
“I see nothing.” Iris looked at Raphael for help, but the vampire looked just as confused. It was still strange to see him standing outside in daylight, but in this realm, it didn’t seem to bother him.
“Look down, Iris. Look at the grass.” Ivy pointed, bouncing on her toes like a child.
Following Ivy’s finger, a frown formed on Iris’s face before her stomach dropped. A small circle of blackened earth stood out in the middle of the lush green grass like a sore thumb.
“Is that…” Iris felt faint. “Did I do that?”
“Yes!” Ivy’s smile was so big Iris couldn’t help staring at her openmouthed. “When you were scared you took life!”
“I’m not much of a people person, but even I know that’s not how you go about it,” Raphael muttered under his breath, rubbing his hands over his face.
“This is proof!” Ivy glared at him. “She is a creator. If she can take life from this realm, she can also give it!”
“Hold on just a minute!” Iris took a few steps away from Ivy. “You want me to give life to what exactly?”
“To the realm, of course.” Ivy looked at her as if she was stupid for not getting it straight away.
“The entire realm?” The Fae were all crazy. “How exactly do you expect me to do that? Should I walk around pointing at things telling them to live?”
“There is no reason to be a smartass,” Ivy told her primly. Raphael snorted, covering it with a cough. Iris glared at him. Flicking her fingers, she zapped him with a current of electricity, making him bare his fangs at her.
“See, it comes so naturally for you to manipulate the energy around you. You just need to find the first secret, and you’ll know how to help us.”
“Where do I find it? Is it written somewhere? Do I need to do research in the library? Because I’m totally up for that.” Iris perked up at the idea of hiding from everyone behind a pile of books, especially Fern.
“No.” Her heart sank at Ivy’s words. “From what I’ve glimpsed and what Lazarus told Artemis before he died, you need to go to the caves. That’s where you’ll find it.”
“What caves? And your face when you mention them is not giving me the warm fuzzies to go there, just so you know.”
“I don’t think Artemis will be happy with this information.” Raphael pointed out, folding his arms, and Iris wanted to hug him for it. She did not want to go to any caves.
“It’s a good thing it’s not up to her, now isn’t it?” Placing both hands on her hips, Ivy glowed brighter.
Iris’s head ached from all the crazy going on around her non-stop. Her temples throbbed, and it felt like someone was sticking icepicks at the back of her eyeballs. Taking a deep breath, she held it in as long as she could before releasing it slowly in hopes of not emptying her stomach where she stood. She felt his presence before she heard his footsteps. It was almost as if they were connected by some unseen cord.
“Are you okay?” Fern’s voice washed over her. His warm palm wrapped around her arm and the headache disappeared like it had never existed. Alarms flared up inside Iris.
“Peachy.” Pulling her arm from him, she stepped away, making him frown. “I need to go to some caves then give life to an entire realm. A walk in the park, right?” She smiled tightly, giving him a thumbs up.
“What did you do to her?” Fern whirled on Ivy and Raphael. “She seemed better, now you’ve broken her again. She doesn’t make sense.”
“Whoa there, buddy! I’m standing right here, so don’t talk about me like I’m some kind of an idiot.” Glaring, Iris pointed a finger in his face. “And I have no obligation to make sense to you! So, mind your own business. Go play with the other elves or something.”
“Damn, you even make me look good when you open your mouth.” Raphael laughed at Fern’s confused face. “They say I’m bullheaded and not very observant, but you, my friend, take the gold on that one.”
“What did I miss?” Artemis walked over, and Raphael pulled her to his side, wrapping his arms around her.
“What do you call it?” He tilted his head left and right as if thinking. “Aha! Yes! You missed Fern putting his foot in his mouth.” Even Iris and Ivy chuckled at Raphael’s excitement.
“According to Ivy, I need to go to some caves and find the first secret.” Iris repeated everything that Ivy had said. Artemis listened intently, unblinkingly, making Iris feel better about the whole thing. At least one of them didn’t think she was weird or crazy. “So, I guess that’s the only way to help your realm, and I think I owe you that much for keeping me here away from Claude. I have no other choice but to go. I’m just not sure everything Ivy is hoping is true, will be the actual truth. I don’t want to disappoint anyone.”
“Iris.” Pulling herself away from her mate, Artemis placed both hands on Iris’s shoulders. “You have been through so much ever since Raphael found you,
even before that with Ivy visiting your dreams. I’ve never had a high opinion of humans, but you changed that. If anyone can do this, there is no doubt in my mind that it will be you. You are a loyal friend and a strong woman. I don’t have to think twice about placing the fate of my realm and my people in your hands because you have proven yourself worthy of that trust. There is nothing you can’t do if you set your mind to it and you will never, ever disappoint me unless you give up on yourself and who you are.”
“Thank you!” Iris choked the words out and wrapped her arms around Artemis. She couldn’t stop the tears that trickled down her cheeks, and she didn’t want to.
“She can’t go by herself,” Ivy started, but Fern was already speaking over her.
“I’m going with her.” Crossing his arms over his chest, he glared at all of them as if daring them to try and stop him.
“You are going regardless.” Ivy dismissed him, but Iris jerked her head away from Artemis’s shoulder to glare at the Dreamweaver.
“What do you mean, he is going? No, he is not!”
“After you passed out from holding the shield against the shadow, the only thing making you calm down and get better is his presence. He is going.” Ivy’s voice allowed no argument.
Iris thought back from the time she woke up until just now when she had the headache standing in the grass. A sinking feeling told her Ivy was right because every time she experienced pain or panic, only Fern calmed her down and stopped it.
“Maybe it’s because I kept him alive in my realm. My magic could’ve connected with him somehow.” She searched Ivy’s face for anything to deny her words but found nothing.
“Whatever it is, I’m sure we can fix it after you come back. I’ll do everything I can to help.” Artemis told her, and Iris felt better instantly. She would find a way not to depend on the Fae, especially since he couldn’t stand her.
“Okay, let’s get ready and go.” Iris started walking towards the palace, not waiting on anyone.
“Now?” Fern was right on her heels as if she’d escape if he couldn’t see her.
“The sooner I go, the sooner this crap fest will be over. No time like the present,” Iris told him over her shoulder, and they both disappeared through the double doors.
“That was very nice of you to tell her that. She needed to hear it.” Ivy walked up and stood next to Artemis. “I thought she’d refuse to even try.”
“If anything happens to her in those caves, or she doesn’t come back,” Artemis locked her violet glowing eyes on Ivy’s, and Ivy shivered at the promise she saw there, “I will kill you.”
With those words, Artemis grabbed Raphael’s hand, and they strode towards the palace, leaving Ivy watching their retreating backs. She prayed with all that she had that she hadn’t made a mistake by sending Iris to the caves so soon. Maybe she should’ve waited until later, but too late for second guessing now. As things were, they’d either all be saved, or Ivy’s days were numbered. There was no doubt in her mind that Artemis would keep her promise.
The knock on the door pulled Iris from the internal panic that she was fighting. Sitting on the edge of the large bed with her face in her hands, she was trying her best to get in a positive mindset about this whole cave business. She hated closed spaces. Even more, she hated dark closed areas, especially caves. They made her feel like she was buried alive and she was willing to do anything not to put herself in that kind of situation. Well, almost anything. Letting down people who counted on her was not one of them.
The knock came again. Groaning, she lifted her head and pushed herself off the bed. With cold, sweaty hands, she reached for the door, knowing it was probably Fern asking her if she was ready. She was so not ready, but she’d never tell anyone that.
Yanking the door open, all she could do was blink slowly. Twice. At first glance, she thought Fern stood at her door. The angular face with a straight nose and full lips that a woman could die for along with the same shiny, long black hair. The tips of the pointy ears sticking up through the silky strands were the same, too. Her gaze traveled from black leather boots, up the muscular thighs wrapped in black fabric, to a trim waist and chiseled bare torso that looked like it was painted from a woman’s wild, wet dreams. Then her gaze locked on citrine eyes that looked at her with curiosity and amusement.
That snapped her out of her stupefied state. Her hip and the side of her waist jabbed with burning pain. She hissed and took a step back from the Fae standing at her door.
“Are you okay, human?” the Fae spoke in that musical quality voice they all possessed and reached a hand to catch her if she stumbled. Iris took another step back.
“Who are you?” Suspicion gnawed at her, and she shook her hands, preparing to blast him to kingdom come if he tried anything. “And what do you want?” She couldn’t explain her unease. She wanted nothing else but for him to go away.
“Oh.” Chuckling and shifting uncomfortably he looked at her through thick lashes as if embarrassed. It confused the hell out of her, especially after his reaction when she saw him at her door. “My name is Darion. Artemis sent me to give you this.” Thrusting his hands towards her and making her flinch, which she hated, made her realize he was holding a bundle of clothing, which he offered her like it was some holy sacrifice. Iris had no idea how she’d missed it.
“Umm…” Shaking her head, feeling confused at her reaction, she snatched the clothing from his hands as if he might bite her. “Thanks.” Giving him a tight, uncomfortable smile, which probably looked more like a grimace, she hugged the clothing to her chest like a shield.
“We’ll be leaving in few blinks, so I’ll go and wait in the courtyard. Meet us there when you’re ready.”
“Ah, I’m sorry, we?” Darion was turning to leave, but her words stopped him mid-turn.
“Yes! I’m coming with you to the caves.” He gave her a bright, excited smile that would’ve made another woman swoon, but Iris felt like she was going to faint. “Don’t worry, I’m an excellent guide and tracker. I’ll get us all there in no time.” Darion gave her a reassuring smile, leaving her to stare at the muscles on his back that bunched and twitched with his every move as he walked away.
“What the hell was that?” Groaning, Iris buried her face in the bundle of clothing. “Well, at least I won’t be alone with Fern, so there is that,” she murmured before closing the door so she could get ready.
Standing in the hallway not far from the room, Fern seethed with his fists clenched at his sides. He’d gotten ready as fast as he could, dressing in a hurry, yanking strands off his hair as he tried to brush it quickly so he could return to Iris and make sure she was okay. When he saw Darion knocking on her door, like a coward, he slipped behind one of the statues Lazarus had left all over the place before he died.
Fern and Darion had been friends since they were younglings and he considered him a brother. Neither had families and they were raised for the hunt. Never in his long life did Fern think that he would hate the other male, but at the moment, he wanted nothing more than to wring his neck. His heart beat faster at Iris’s reaction, until Darion said that he would be going with them. He had seen his friend around women, and they were never able to resist him for long. Darion was easy going and funny, everything Fern was not. And now he would be close to Iris for the fates knew how long. Still fighting his feelings, Fern convinced himself that he only cared that the witch lived and was safe because she might be able to heal his realm and help his people. He had no other reason to care about her at all. She was an abomination that shouldn’t even exist. Still, unable to help himself, he rushed after Darion.
“Darion, hey!” Jogging up behind his friend, he slapped him on the back. “Where are you going?”
“Didn’t Artemis tell you?” Darion gave him a huge smile, not slowing his stride. “I’m going with you! And the human.” He wiggled his eyebrows, excitement evident on his face.
“No, she didn’t.” Fern couldn’t keep the bitterness from his voice.
“I didn’t think we needed help; I’m enough protection for a human.”
“No offense meant, my friend. I think she was worried because of everything you’ve been through lately. There is no harm in having someone watch your back.” Darion looked so earnest and apologetic that guilt stabbed Fern’s gut. “Besides, no one’s been in those caves in centuries, as far as I know. Who knows what we’ll find there?”
“That’s a good point.” Slapping Darion on the back one more time and giving him a strained smile, Fern changed direction, calling over his shoulder. “I’ll meet you in the courtyard; I forgot something.”
Nodding, Darion continued down the broad stairway while Fern, in his anger, almost sprinted to Raphael’s and Artemis’s room. Without knocking, feeling like a man possessed, he barged in, making the heavy door bang off the wall and almost hit his shoulder on the way back. His arm shot out, and his palm slapped hard, stopping the large piece of wood from knocking him off his feet. Raphael was leaning his back on the large window with his arms crossed over his chest. Artemis stood, proud and regal in the middle of the room, with her violet eyes glowing. Her purple hair fell like a curtain down her back, and her hands were planted on her hips as if she’d been waiting for him. They stared at each other for few moments, until she lifted one of her eyebrows, daring him to speak.
“He is not going!” Fern flinched internally at the way he’d snapped at her, but he was beyond reason or logic when it came to Iris.
“Who is not going?” It sounded like Artemis was suppressing laughter and it pissed him off even more. Raphael sounded like he was choking, then he placed his fist over his mouth and coughed. Fern couldn’t care less at this point.
“Darion!” Swinging his hand in a cutting motion, he puffed up his chest. “He is not going. I don’t need him.”
“It’s a good thing that it’s not up to you then, isn’t it?” Glaring, Artemis kept her intimidating gaze on him. “You might not need him, but Iris does if she is to be safe. He is going.”