“If she is part of the prophecy, she might be able to help us fix the rift in the veil before it’s too late. Nyx is your servant. You have to have her with you.”
Darius repressed a sigh. He didn’t want or need a servant. Living at the palace and travelling with his parents he’d always been surrounded by servants and hated it. It offered him no privacy or independence. The last thing he wanted was to have Nyx in tow wherever he went.
“She will never agree to do anything I ask of her — you’ve seen how stubborn she is. Why can’t she stay with you?” he asked. “You can keep an eye on her and teach her at the same time.”
“Alas, I’m not immune to her powers. But I will do what I can to help her.” Ambrose sipped his tea. “She is your responsibility.”
Darius groaned. “You’re not afraid she will use her influence on you, are you?” He had known Ambrose for most of his life, and the other druid never seemed to be afraid of anything.
Ambrose chuckled. “Blessed spirits, no. I’m certain I can shield myself from that. She might have been a thief, but that’s only because she’s never had the chance to be anything else. See what she can do. You may find her more useful than you thought.”
Darius glanced over at the empty seat opposite his. “Where is she?” He had expected Nyx to come down by now. What was taking so long? “Ada?”
The Brownie scurried in, face flustered. “Aye, boy?”
“Will Nyx be joining us?” Ambrose asked. “I thought she would be hungry after everything she had to endure yesterday.”
“Aye, master. I’ve just been tending to her.”
“If you want to stop her from running away, give her a reason to stay.” Ambrose took a bite of his toast.
Darius slumped back in his seat. “Like what? She wants freedom more than anything.” He doubted she would ever truly have that. Perhaps not even after she learnt how to control her powers.
“There’s no reason why she can’t have that here. I won’t have her treated like a slave – that goes against everything we have been fighting for.”
“Isn’t there a spell I could use to stop her from running away?” Darius persisted. “I already cast a web around her, but she breaks through anything I use against her.”
“That doesn’t surprise me. Try not to use spells on her. That will only make her despise us further.”
Someone stomped in. Darius’ mouth fell open when he realised it was Nyx herself.
Her long hair now looked bright and glossy in its shade of pink, and she wore a long red tunic dress, dark hose and boots.
“Morning.” Ambrose gave her a bright smile as Nyx sat down. “How are you feeling?”
Darius couldn’t believe how different she looked. Her long hair fell past her shoulders in a thick plait. If it weren’t for her scowl, he might not have recognised her.
“Don’t she clean up well?” Ada beamed. “Pretty thing, ain’t she?”
“Indeed.” Ambrose gave an approving nod.
“Stop gawking at me, druid.” Nyx shot Darius a glare. “Have you never seen a girl before?”
Darius closed his mouth. “You look…so clean.” He knew he sounded pathetic and wondered what had come over him.
“I’m not always covered in dirt,” she retorted. “I do know how to bathe; thank you.” She frowned at all the food. Her stomach grumbled in response. “Am I allowed to eat this?”
Ambrose chuckled. “Of course, we won’t starve you, my dear.”
Nyx frowned at them. “So, what will I be doing then? Getting attacked by more hideous fae?” She picked up a piece of bread and gave a tentative bite as if she expected it to be poison.
“They’re called Sluagh, and they used to live in the wilds on Migara. They’re not the friendliest.”
“Used to? Were they extinct like mind whisperers are supposed to be?” Nyx snorted. “Why would they want to kill me? I haven’t done anything to them.”
“A lot of fae were wiped out during the great wars,” Darius explained. “Some of them are thought to be extinct while others were… forced into servitude.” He couldn’t deny the fact that both his father and many of the archdruids who had come before him had forced many races, especially fae, into slavery. Any race who had been viewed as a threat or who didn’t fall in line with the Archdruid’s rule met the same fate. If they couldn’t be useful as slaves, they were exterminated.
“Oh, that does not surprise me. I was sold as a slave and forced to work for…a horrible man for the past few years. I know how the world works, druid.” All colour drained from Nyx’s face. “Why is your father married to a fae queen then if he enslaves races? I don’t understand.” Nyx piled more food onto her plate. “If he despises fae so much why did he marry and have a child with one? I can’t imagine the Archdruid being forced into anything.”
“Because the fae and druids are close kindred. An alliance with the Archdruid was the perfect match for both Isabella and Fergus. Isabella is a Silvan, and even though they are fae, they don’t consider themselves as such. They think of themselves as the first race and see other kinds of fae as lesser races. They can trace their history back to before the dark times and have been in power since time unknown,” Ambrose answered. “One thing you need to prepare yourself for while living in these lands is prejudice from the other races. Even the ice elves consider themselves superior to others and are close allies of the Silvans.”
Darius kept his mouth shut. He had never understood why his father had married Isabella since he despised the woman. Sometimes he wondered why he didn’t just annul the marriage, but that would probably cause Fergus more problems than solutions.
“I grew up in a human tribe; I know how to deal with prejudice.” Nyx scowled. “Try being a fae among humans. They always said I was an unholy thing. They worship their own gods, but they believe in the nonsense the Archdruid spouts about certain races being unnatural.”
“Darius told you about the prophecy, yes?” Ambrose asked.
“Yes, I don’t believe it. And neither does he.”
“I never said that,” Darius insisted.
“Yes, you did. You said prophecies could be interpreted in different ways. Plus, I’m good at reading people.” She took another bite of toast. “What does the prophecy have to do with me, anyway? I don’t see how I could be part of it. I’m no one important.”
“It doesn’t matter what I believe. People have a way of making prophecies come true. And they think you’re part of it.”
“I’m a nobody. I can’t even control my curse.”
“Your curse, as you put it, makes you very desirable.” Ambrose sipped his tea. “Later we’ll get started on more tests.”
Nyx scowled. “Why? I already told you how it works.”
“And I’ve been on the receiving end of it,” Darius added which earned him another glare from Nyx.
“We still don’t know the full extent. There may be more to her abilities than we know. But first I wanted to ask you, where did you come from before you ended up in Joriam?”
Nyx shrugged. “I don’t know. I don’t remember anything before I ended up with Harland.”
Ambrose frowned. “How old were you then?”
“Around age ten, I think. Someone found me wandering around in the forest, and that’s how I ended up in the slave market.”
Darius furrowed his brow. She had been old enough to have some memories of her life before. It seemed odd she didn’t remember anything, unless something terrible happened and her mind had blocked it out.
“Whilst you are here, perhaps we can find out where you came from. We will get to work on testing your powers later today. First, you’re going to be working with Darius whilst he performs his usual duties in the Forest Guard.”
After breakfast, Darius motioned for Nyx to come with him. They took the platform out of the treehouse and down into the forest below.
She crossed her arms. “Is this my new role now? Following you around?”
“
This wasn’t my choice, believe me. We’re headed into the forest to talk to spirits.”
Nyx scoffed. “You speak to spirits? Why?”
“You will find out when we get there.”
“Wait, this won’t involve seeing the spirits of people we knew, will it?”
“No, these are different spirits. Let’s go.”
Darius just hoped the spirits wouldn’t block him from entering the grove again after bringing Nyx there.
Chapter 13
Nyx didn’t know what to expect as she traipsed after the druid. She did like all the trees here. They fascinated her. All of them were enormous, and their energy washed over her like cool water. Minds buzzed at the edge of her senses, but she couldn’t make out the thoughts clearly. It felt refreshing. More sprites danced overhead. They didn’t bother her as much this morning. This place felt so different compared to the tiny forest back home in Joriam, so alive and vibrant with energy. She had never imagined a place like this could exist.
Darius looked different too. Nyx had been afraid of Ada at first but decided she didn’t mind the strange woman after spending some time with her. She hadn’t sensed any threat from her. Nyx didn’t like having her hair combed so much.
Still, she had liked the clothes Ada had given her. Nyx had no idea where Ada had got the clothes from or how they fit her so well. Perhaps brownies could create clothes from magic. Nyx was so used to wearing the same thing all the time that it felt odd wearing different clothes. Her old clothes had been rough, woollen and homespun. These felt soft and comfortable, unlike anything she had worn before. Ada had tried to get her to wear a dress, but Nyx had been disgusted by the idea. She never wore dresses. They were such cumbersome things, and she had never liked them. They were even worse for flying.
“Why are there so many spirits here?” Nyx asked. “Is it because the veil is broken?” Fear coiled in her chest. What if she saw Harland’s spirit again? Nyx wondered if she should ask the druid about that, then decided against it. She distrusted him enough already and didn’t want to give him something else to use against her. He would probably say it was a sign of a guilty conscience. She did feel guilty over Harland’s death, but she knew she was not the one responsible for it. Nyx hadn’t killed him — wouldn’t she remember if she had?
Trees stretched out as far as the eye could see, their heavy leaves hanging down like green curtains and their blue and brown branches reaching towards the heavens. More lights swirled about, even as slivers of sunlight crept in through the heavy canopy.
Leaves crunched under her feet, and the foliage grew denser. Branches snagged her hair and clothes. “Druid, where are we?” She stopped when they stepped out into a clearing. Trees circled all around, their canopy a blanket of darkness overhead. Green orbs of light danced around, and a strange energy washed over her senses.
“What is this place?” She didn’t hear any thoughts but knew there was something here.
“This is the spirit grove. The veil is thin, and druids come here to commune with our ancestors and the spirits around us. It’s a special place — sacred.” Darius set his sword and bowed down outside the circle of trees. “No one can carry weapons here. Whatever you do, do not insult anyone.”
Nyx snorted. Even she could feel the importance of this place. Then why did you bring me here? It felt almost wrong to say anything, like breaking the silence would be a crime.
Spirits help and provide answers. I need to know what they can tell me about the darklings, Darius replied and motioned her over. “Come sit with me.” Darius sat on the ground and crossed his legs.
Nyx hesitated and slumped down beside him. Energy pulsed underneath her as Darius raised his hand. Lines of glowing energy appeared. “These are earth lines,” Darius explained. “Natural veins of magic that runs through Erthea itself. They are the lifeblood of this world. Without them, Erthea would cease to exist.” The green orbs whizzed faster and a few zipped around their heads. “If you ever need energy, this is a good way to get it. But only use it in times of dire need. Those who take energy when they don’t need it go against nature itself and that would be considered dark magic.”
Nyx reached out and yelped when energy sparked against her fingers.
Darius chuckled. “Not like that.” The lines faded.
She scowled at him.
Darius closed his eyes, and the green orbs came nearer. His mental shield dropped, and she winced as the feel of his power washed over her senses. She realised he must somehow be opening himself up to the energy around them.
Nyx wondered if she should do the same and spotted his sword a few feet away. She could grab it and kill him. There would be nothing to stop her from escaping then. Nyx scrambled up, and the orbs of light zipped around her. She bit back a cry of alarm.
“Nyx?” someone whispered her name.
Good gods, had Harland followed her here? Panic flooded through her, but it didn’t sound like him. Who else would call her? She didn’t know anyone else who had passed onto the spirit world. No one of importance anyway.
“Nyx?” The voice grew louder.
Darius grabbed hold of her hand. “Sit and listen.”
“But—” If Harland found her here, he might try to kill her again, then the druid would see it. That would only confirm his suspicions about her and make matters worse. Somehow Nyx doubted the druid would bother helping her get rid of Harland’s spirit.
“Nothing will hurt you. Sit.” Darius motioned to the ground next to him.
Nyx slumped onto the ground but didn’t relax. She scanned every direction, bracing herself for Harland to appear. What would he try to do this time? Why couldn’t he just move on and leave her alone?
“Nyx?” the voice came again, but it didn’t sound like Harland. Or maybe that was a trick.
The green orbs spun faster until they expanded into dozens of more orbs. What were those things doing?
Nyx let out a breath she hadn’t known she had been holding.
“Welcome, Darius of the druids. And Nyx, child of the fae,” a voice said.
Darius bowed his head in respect. Nyx did the same. She didn’t want to risk offending anyone, especially not any spirits. She had already seen what kind of power Harland now had in spirit form. If the spirits here had been powerful in life, Nyx dreaded to think how strong they would be in death.
“Why have you come here?” the voices asked.
Darius spoke up. “To ask for your help. People are dying, and dark things keep coming forth. I need to know how to fix this.”
“The veil between the worlds grows thin,” the voices chorused. “Those thought to be lost from this world shall once again walk free.”
“But why?” Darius persisted. “Who is causing it? How do we close the rifts?”
At least he seemed to be asking the right questions for once. Nyx wanted to know all of those things herself.
“The veil grows thin,” the voices chorused again.
Nyx repressed a sigh. I thought you said they gave answers.
They do, but they’re usually cryptic or hard to understand, Darius replied. That’s why we have to listen closely to everything they say or we might miss some key information.
Nyx rolled her eyes. “Who or what is fracturing the veil?” She had never liked cryptic messages. It was better to get to the point instead of running around in circles.
“Darkness is coming. It waits and hides behind the shadow. Only two can stop it,” the voices whispered.
“Does this have to do with the prophecy then? Is that coming to pass?” Darius asked.
Wonderful, they were talking of that damned prophecy again.
The glowing lights whizzed even faster. Nyx’s head spun at the dizzying sight.
“Welcome home, child of the fae,” a voice whispered in her ear. “You have been gone for too long.”
“What?” Nyx gasped and made a move to get up. “Who said that?”
Listen with your mind, Darius told her. Everyone hears d
ifferent messages. Listen to what the spirits have to tell you. You might learn more than you think.
Messages? Why would anything here give her a message, except for maybe Harland.
Nyx tried to settle down again. Who’s there? Harland, if that’s you, go away!
No evil can enter here, a voice said. You have come home.
Come home? Nyx furrowed her brow. What do you mean? This place isn’t my home.
You have come home…
Nyx hesitated. She couldn’t remember anything about the time before she had been with Harland, nor had he or Mama Habrid known much about it. All she had been told was she had been left under an ash tree. Ash trees were rare in the lower realm, and some of the tribe claimed the tree had appeared out of nowhere.
Odd, she hadn’t thought of that in years.
Nyx closed her eyes and her power pulsed through her. She was always aware of it. Most of the time she blocked it out or ignored it as best she could. This time she let her power flow free just as Darius did. Her power didn’t affect him, and it felt somehow natural.
Everything felt open in this place, as if walls and boundaries didn’t exist.
“Nyx?” the voice called louder this time. “Come to me.”
Where are you? she asked. Who are you?
“Come to me…”
Light blinded her, and Nyx found herself standing in front of a massive tree. Golden light danced around its branches. Power pulsed and washed over her like sunlight.
The grove faded, and Darius stood beside her.
The Calling (The Andovia Chronicles Book 1) Page 12