by R L Medina
We made our way past the macabre art gallery my aunt was so proud of and past the giant, empty throne room. My mind raced, trying to come up with an escape plan. It wasn’t like I could summon an enchanted carriage without anyone noticing. Especially not Sacha. I glanced over at him. How would I get away from him long enough to run?
I could try to convince him, but I doubted anything I could say would be enough to sway him to let me go, and I certainly couldn’t wait for the others to return. If they returned. I frowned at the morbid thought and pushed it away.
“Should we send for another messenger? To check on the Red Court?” Sacha’s question startled me.
“Oh. Yes… I… okay.” I tripped over the words.
His dark brows furrowed, but he didn’t question my awkwardness.
I blushed. Awkward was my usual state, but at least now it worked in my favor. He didn’t suspect me of scheming.
As we entered the great hall, noise echoed around us. Humans and goblins sparred with each other. Their swords clanked together, and boots shuffled across the stone floor. I blinked at the scene before me and shook my head. It shouldn’t have seemed strange. Not after everything I had seen in Feylin, but it was.
Humans. Goblins. Together.
The image of the frozen bodies in the White Court flashed in my mind. The last humans. I shuddered, banishing the horrific images from my memory. Had some of these people lost loved ones to the queen’s cruelty? I stared at them, wondering if they knew who I was or if they hated me for my relation to the royals.
Eyes glanced in my direction and I was tempted to probe their thoughts, but I couldn’t bring myself to disrespect their privacy in such a way. If they hated us, they wouldn’t have come. They were here to fight with us. We were on the same side.
Though judging by their medieval type garb and expert sword skills, these humans had little in common with me. Were any of them related to my father?
My eyes scanned their faces, looking for a freckled one like mine. A pair of dark coal eyes met my gaze. B’Zahir. I stiffened as he walked toward us.
Sacha caught my movement and stepped in front of me. The memory of the Goblin King’s deep voice in my mind made me tremble. I knew he wasn’t the enemy—he’d never been the enemy—but there was still something about him that drove fear right through me.
Power radiated from him, pulsing and bright, but there were no emotions coming from him and maybe that was what unnerved me the most.
I couldn’t read him.
“Ren. Sacha.” He nodded at us.
Hearing my nickname on his tongue made me cringe. He didn’t know me. Why did he think he could call me that?
Sacha inclined his head toward him, and the uncertainty rippling off him matched my own. We’d never interacted with him without the others.
He glanced from Sacha to me, his lips pursed. His armor covered his muscular towering frame and his jet-black hair was tied back, revealing his pointed ears. I couldn’t help but think he didn’t look much different from the elves. Just a larger, greener version.
“We were going to send a message to the Red Court.” Sacha’s eyes flickered past him.
B’Zahir’s head cocked to the side. “I see.”
His eyes returned to me and I fought the urge to squirm underneath his stony stare. The idea that my father was somehow still alive, trapped inside the goblin made my stomach churn and left feelings I wasn’t sure how to decipher.
A part of me yearned to ask questions, to know the man Mom had loved and given up everything for, but I couldn’t bring myself to talk to him. Or to accept him as anything more than the Goblin King who’d stolen my mom and forced me into this world.
He was the reason we were there torn from our home.
“I understand your concern but be wary of your words. The Red Court is not our ally.” His rough voice made me bristle.
“Aunt Cindra is family.” My jaw clenched.
More than you could ever be. I wanted to add, but I let the words die on my tongue.
His head jerked slightly to the side, my meaning hitting its mark. I should have felt guilty for my insinuation, but I didn’t. Instead a cold numbness filled me, followed by a fearful thought. How could I go so fast from feeling everything so strongly to feeling nothing at all?
Recovering quickly, he straightened. “War can make many enemies.”
I frowned. “War? I thought… that was on hold while we were trying to reseal the abyss.”
The room grew silent.
Eyes fell on us and their thoughts jumbled against my barrier. I pushed them away and steeled myself, fighting off the wave of nausea as everyone watched me. Heat spread through me at their unwanted attention.
B’Zahir scoffed. “Do you think she will stay her hand because of the abyss? We must remain true to our goal. Now is not the time for weakness. We must strike again, and we must strike hard.”
Murmurs of approval rippled across the room. Sacha straightened beside me, a sign of assurance and strength—he was on my side. His silent support boosted my confidence.
I glared at the Goblin King. “Now is not the time for war. Not while everyone is in danger. We need the elders and the royals to stop the destruction.”
His eyes narrowed on me. “The last time I showed mercy to the royals, they killed everyone I loved. My children’s blood is on their hands.” His voice hardened. “And they will pay.”
Shivers crawled up my spine at his words. I didn’t know the whole story of how the elves had taken power, but I didn’t doubt the truth of his claim. I’d seen how cruel the queen could be.
Swallowing my fear, I met his hardened gaze. “And I’m sure there will be plenty of time after for whatever you’re planning, but we have to seal the abyss first. That’s why Aunt Maloret and Mom went to the White Court. To form a truce. We need them.”
His eyes darkened. “They did what?”
I glanced at Sacha and hesitated. No one told me it was supposed to be a secret. Why hadn’t they told him?
As quickly as his anger lit, it faded. He shrugged carelessly and turned to address the gawking crowd. “The more time we have then to plan our next attack. We can strike while they’re not expecting it.”
Murmurs of approval echoed across the room and my heart sank. Their emotions blurred together and filled the air. Excitement. Anticipation. Satisfaction at the promised violence.
They were ready. Ready for war.
Not wanting to be a part of it any longer, I motioned for Sacha to follow me as I headed from the hall. My heart pounded loudly in my ears. The voices faded as we walked further away.
Sacha turned to me, concern lighting his eyes. “Are you alright, Princess?”
I bit my lip and nodded. More than ever, I needed to find a way to contact Aunt Cindra. My plan to escape came to my mind and though the idea of what I had to do to achieve it made me sick, I had no choice.
“Can you find a gargoyle to take a message to my aunt?” I forced myself to hold Sacha’s stare, though I worried he heard the tremor in my voice.
He bowed. “Yes, Princess, but I’d feel more comfortable if you waited in your room while I fetch someone.”
I nodded in agreement and led him toward the rooms. Sweat grew on my palms as I ran over my plan again and again. Instead of walking to the end of the hall to my room, I stopped at Belle’s room.
Sacha paused and gave me a curious look.
I smiled, hoping it wasn’t a grimace. “No one would look for me in here.”
He nodded and returned my smile. “I will return, Princess.”
My chest tightened at his dimpled cheeks and the trust I saw burning in his gaze. Trust and admiration that I was about to betray. Pushing away the guilt, I gave him a nod and shut the door behind me.
I waited as his footsteps faded away. I had to get to the courtyard and find a way to the Red Court before Sacha returned. The image of him returning to find me gone made me wince. What if my leaving got him in trouble?
I didn’t want Sacha to be held responsible for my choices, but I couldn’t wait for anyone’s permission.
I had to do this.
Creaking the door open, I glanced around. Empty. Not wasting any more time, I fled down the hall in the opposite direction Sacha had gone. That wing of the castle was empty, but my heart raced with every step, fearing I’d run into Sacha or B’Zahir at every turn.
As I entered a dark corridor I didn’t recognize, I stopped and groaned. Lost. I’d gotten myself lost in the castle. Embarrassment flamed my face at the thought of Sacha finding me now. I shook my head at myself and tried to retrace my steps back.
The hairs on the back of my neck bristled. I froze. A coldness spread through me as I slowly turned around. There was nothing there. Just an empty hall. I tried to shake the feeling off, but as much as I tried, it persisted. A strange presence followed me as I hurried down the dark stone hallway. Power, bright and strong emanated from a metal door at the end of the hall. All my senses flared to life as I paused outside the closed door. Though everything inside me screamed to turn away, my hand reached out on its own accord and tugged at the handle.
Locked.
A relieved sigh escaped me. I shuddered. I didn’t want to see what my aunt kept locked in her castle. Something told me it wouldn’t be something I’d want to find. Shaking off my unease I marched past the door, the strange presence fading as I got farther away.
The hallway led into a darkened staircase and having no choice, I braced my hand against the cold stone wall as I stepped into the blackness. The stairs leveled out into a large landing and a door. I ran my hands along it, searching for the knob.
It clicked open on its own, making me jump. Sunlight assaulted my eyes as I pushed the door open farther. My heart leapt.
I’d made it outside.
Feeling hopeful, I stepped into the sunlight and found myself on a balcony. At the back of the castle. My heart deflated. How was I supposed to get down to the courtyard? Angry tears threatened to spill free as I took in my surroundings.
From my vantage point, the black sand spread around us, giant dark cliffs in the distance. A wall of dark thorns sprang up around the back of the castle and reminded me of a fairytale I’d read long ago where a princess had been trapped inside a castle guarded by a dragon.
It was Sleeping Beauty, if I remembered correctly and the thought made my nose crinkle. I didn’t want to be that princess—useless and helpless. I sighed in frustration. Who knew what was happening in the White Court now? Had my mom made it there safely? And what about Aunt Cindra? Worry filled me at the horrific scenarios playing in my mind.
I had to do something.
What good was all my power if I was stuck in a castle? Blinking away hot tears, I took a deep breath and glanced down at the thick green vines beneath the balcony. They looked strong enough to hold me, but the thought of climbing down from this height made my stomach churn. Heights were not my thing.
Steeling myself, I approached the edge of the balcony and looked down. Big mistake.
Dizziness hit me. The ground was too far. I’d fall to my death.
I blew out an exasperated breath and glanced back at the door to the castle. By now, Sacha would have returned. Did I dare try to find my way to the courtyard again? The thought of passing that strange door made my skin crawl.
Before I could make up my mind, the door swung open, making me jump.
Sacha.
His eyes widened in relief that quickly morphed into anger. “What are you doing up here?” Sacha’s harshness startled me.
I fidgeted with the hem of my sleeve, face burning red. “I… I wanted fresh air.”
His lips flattened. He wasn’t fooled.
“The gargoyle is awaiting your orders.”
“Okay. Thank you,” I finished lamely, following him back into the castle.
We walked in uncomfortable silence.
I turned to him. “How did you find me?”
He cast me a sidelong look. “The slaves told me where you were.”
I frowned. Slaves? What slaves? I hadn’t seen or sensed anyone, but apparently, I’d been spotted. Wandering the castle… no getting lost in the castle like an idiot. My face flamed.
Ignoring my embarrassment, Sacha paused and sighed. I couldn’t see him in the dark, but I had no doubt he could see me. Clear as day.
“Princess, I can’t let you leave.” His voice softened.
I glanced down. “I have to go, Sacha.”
“It’s too dangerous.”
I growled in frustration. “So is everything else I’ve done. The trials. When have I not been in danger?”
He flinched, face turning away at my words. It was the truth—and he knew it.
“We should wait for Princess Aubri.”
“And if that’s too late? I have to go. Now.”
His voice hardened. “I can’t let you do this.”
My magic stirred within me. I let it course through and fill me with its strength and warmth.
He couldn’t stop me.
I continued walking, pausing again as I came to the strange metal door. The power still buzzed from it, but it wasn’t as strong as it had been before.
Sacha stopped beside me and frowned. “What is it, Princess?”
“I… I don’t know. Something is in there, I think. Do you know where that door leads?”
“No, Princess.”
Shaking off the creepy feeling, I walked on. Sacha matched my strides, his boots echoing against the stone. We walked on in silence and my mind raced as I tried to come up with another plan. The one thought that replayed again and again made my stomach ill.
Use your magic. He can’t stop you.
But if I did, where would it lead? What would I become? My heart thundered in my ribcage. I was so wrapped up in my thoughts that I didn’t realize we’d taken a turn and somehow ended up back near the throne room.
“The gargoyle is waiting in here.” Sacha’s voice echoed off the stone.
My heart leapt into my throat. It was now or never.
“Wait!” I reached out a hand for Sacha.
He paused and turned to face me, his brows furrowed in concern. Guilt pricked at me, but I waved it away, refusing to let it take hold. Now wasn’t the time for guilt.
“Princess?”
My magic flared to life inside me, a warmth spreading through me and settling on my skin. The familiar energy and buzz washed over me and I couldn’t help but embrace it. It had become my armor, giving me strength and power.
Sacha’s eyes widened as I raised my hand in front of him. Hurt flashed across his face, but he didn’t turn away. He held my stare, challenging me to do it.
I ignored the tightness in my chest and threw my power at him.
“Help me find a carriage. Please.” My words sounded hollow.
Sacha stiffened. His accusing eyes glazed over. It was like a flip had been switched, his thoughts emptied. I pushed down another wave of guilt threatening to rise. He turned back toward the throne room and marched for the courtyard. I followed, our heavy footsteps ringing in my ears.
Nausea churned in my stomach. Everything that made him Sacha was gone. His mind was completely void, waiting for my next order. He was in my control—both mind and body would obey. The realization of what I’d done to him—to my friend—made me tremble.
The worst part of it was, a tiny part of me liked it.
I’d never felt more powerful.
3
As we entered the throne room, servants fell silent. They sent curious glances our way as we walked past. The gargoyle Sacha had summoned stood in the middle. His giant, inky form made me pause. Large, fathomless eyes peered at us from his monstrous face and before he could approach us, I ushered Sacha to the door. My heart raced as I scanned the hall for guards.
Empty.
Sacha continued, his face a blank mask. I fought the urge to release him from my power, but we were so close now. A fear struck me. What if my m
agic caused him permanent damage? I halted. No, I dismissed the morbid thought. If Mom had used her power on me all those years, it couldn’t be that dangerous.
I glanced at him. Would he remember what I’d done? Would he forgive me? I lowered my eyes to the stone floor and ignored the pain spreading through my chest.
This felt far worse than how he had betrayed me.
Two armored ogres stood at attention and pushed the doors open for us without a word. I stared straight ahead and walked with Sacha, pretending not to see their curious looks. If they were suspicious, they didn’t voice it. Maybe my aunt had told them to let me go as I pleased. That made things easier.
The sun shone brightly and there were no carriages within sight. I bit my lip, wondering what my next move would be. I couldn’t hold Sacha captive for much longer. Though the thought of releasing him and facing him after what I’d done made me shudder.
“Your power is strong.”
I jumped at the deep voice. Turning slowly, I pushed down my fear. We were alone with the Goblin King.
B’Zahir frowned. “Do I frighten you?”
“No.”
We both knew it was a lie.
Despite the black shirt and pants he wore now, I still found him intimidating.
He spread his arms and stepped back as if I were a spooked horse. I snorted. Maybe to him, that’s what humans were—scared animals.
He nodded toward Sacha who stood staring blankly at us. “What have you done to your friend?”
My face flamed. “Nothing.”
“Hmm.”
I bristled at the judgment lurking behind his hmm. It wasn’t like Sacha had given me a choice and who was he to judge me?
“I know you don’t know me, but you should know that your father’s soul—”
“Is trapped inside you. I know.” Even as I said the words, I cringed. How did one even wrap their head around something like that?
“Well, yes. And he doesn’t approve of what you’ve done.”