Witch Queen

by Kim Richardson

  Fawkes was silent for a moment and then added, “It could have been worse.”

  “Worse than being escorted to a stinking dungeon?”

  “We’re still breathing, aren’t we?”

  I nodded. “You have a point.”

  I sighed heavily again. We were all still alive, even the men, and that in itself was a miracle.

  “I’m not sure I could have survived another hit of his magic. It was unlike anything I’ve felt before, infinite and dark. But it’s not black magic. It’s something else.”

  The coven guards flinched at my reference to black magic and their king, but they kept on walking.

  “The witch king is from a long line of dark witches. He’s the most powerful witch of that clan and has been for centuries.”

  “So he could kill you?”

  Fawkes was the strongest witch I’d ever known or seen in action. But then again, I hadn’t seen much, and I knew even less when it came to witches.

  Fawkes blinked at me. “Yes. Yes, he could.”

  I didn’t like to think about a witch king with such power. Only a seriously deranged witch would be sick enough to put human hides on display like trophies. I didn’t want to think about what other atrocities he had committed in the name of war and magic.

  “But he didn’t,” I continued. “At one point he wanted to kill you. I saw it in his eyes. But he didn’t.”

  Fawkes shook his head. “Obviously.”

  “Why not?”

  I saw Fawkes fold in on himself again, like he’d done in the mountain pass, and I knew he wouldn’t answer.

  “So why did you come,” I asked, trying another approach. “If you knew how he’d react when he saw you. Why risk it?”

  “Because it was a risk I was willing to take. I’d vowed never to come back, but you needed my help. Without me, you would have never made it past the gatehouse. Because I knew that the darkness the necromancers were conjuring would spread to Witchdom, too. I know you think that all witches hate humans, but not all of us are that way. There are still witches out there who believe.”

  “Believe in what?”

  His expression tightened. “In the old ways, the old teachings, and the laws of magic. That we can still live in peace with humans. That magic is a natural part of this world, and that we shouldn’t tamper with it. Conduits are not part of natural magic. They corrupt and twist. They shouldn’t be.”

  I had no idea what he was talking about. “What are—”

  “Do you think they’ll give us some water and maybe something to eat?” Leo interrupted.

  I slowed my step and waited for him to walk beside me.

  “I’m not sure. But if they want to keep us alive, then I imagine they’ll have to feed us.”

  “I wouldn’t trust anything they might give us,” barked Nugar.

  His eyes were wild, and I feared he might hit one of the coven guards.

  “It’ll be poisoned. I’d rather starve.”

  “I wouldn’t,” said Will. He looked dejected, and I could see dark circles had stained the skin below his eyes. “I’ll eat and drink whatever they give me.”

  “Me, too,” said Lucas. I was surprised. The strain in his voice was apparent, and I almost felt sorry for him, almost.

  We took a left turn. The smell of smoke from braziers, mildew, and damp stone greeted us. The air had shifted and become much cooler than the rest of the fortress, as though a window or door had been left open to the outside. But the air wasn’t fresh. It was stale and cold.

  Eventually there were no more windows, just endless walls of black granite. And then the wall sconces grew scarcer, and we were sunken in an almost unbearable darkness.

  Then I smelled rot, piss, the coppery tang of blood, and unwashed bodies. It hit me like a slap in the face. It was revolting and yet familiar. It was the same putrid smell I remembered from the prison in the high priest’s golden temple. It was the smell of prisoners who had been forced to live in their own filth.

  The coven guards led us down another narrow and dim corridor until we arrived at a larger chamber. It was still dimly lit, but at least it was spacious. I could see manacles that were mounted on the walls and long tables with a collection of sharp tools and weapons. The floor was filthy and covered in maroon stains.

  In the middle of the room was an opening, a great circular hole in the floor. Unlike my little secret trapdoor under Rose’s living area, this opening was large enough to fit three men. And from where I was standing, I couldn’t see the bottom.

  Before I even registered what was happening, the guards’ pendants glowed with yellow power, and filaments of black and golden energy shot through their fingers. I flinched, but their magic passed right by me and grabbed Leo, Will, Nugar and Lucas. It pulled them forward and dropped them though the hole in the floor.

  I heard the horrifying snap of bones as their bodies hit a hard floor far, far below.

  “No!” I ran forward, but I was hit in the stomach by something hard. I went sailing back and hit the wall behind me with a horrifying crack. I slid down the wall. I could feel that the back of my throbbing head was moist with blood.

  I shook my head and tried to blink the black spots from my eyes. I could hear the moans coming from below. Fury took control, and I sprang to my feet again.

  “I’m going to kill you, bastards!”

  But as I lunged towards them, the guard closest to me sent another jolt of magic, and I went crashing on the floor. The hard granite cut into my hip, and I hissed at the pain.

  But I was on my feet again, boiling with anger.

  “What are you waiting for? Come on, you spineless pricks. Let’s see you try that again. Go ahead. Come and take me, you weak, branded bastards.”

  The coven guards growled, and their pendants flared with power. I braced myself for their next attack, and I hoped they couldn’t kill me.

  “I’m not sure that’s very helpful, Elena,” said Fawkes.

  His eyes gleamed in the darkness, but I could see that the strain of having spent all his magic on us meant that he couldn’t fight these guards. But there was something so disturbing about being thrown into a hole in the ground that I wouldn’t go without a fight.

  “Human filth belongs in the oubliette,” said the coven guard who had attacked me. He smiled at my distress. “By order of the witch king, you and the elemental witch are to be kept in the upper chambers of the west tower.”

  My face fell. At first I was relieved, but then I was ashamed that I wouldn’t be in that stinking hole with the others. A moan from the oubliette reached me, and I cringed. I made my way towards the hole carefully and peered down inside.

  The oubliette was a black hole, and I couldn’t see anything but darkness. The smell of feces, piss, and vomit made me gag. I covered my mouth, and my eyes watered at the stench. It was like peeking into hell.

  “Leo? Will? Guys? Are you all right?” I lowered myself to my knees, but I couldn’t hear anything.

  I whirled on the guards. “You’ve killed them. The king promised he would spare their lives.”

  “I assure you they are very much alive.”

  “Elena?” Leo’s faint voice rose from below.

  “Leo!” My heart slammed against my chest. “Are you hurt? I can’t see anything. You sound so far away…”

  Silence, and then Leo’s voice sounded again. “Still alive.”

  His voice was so faint that it was obvious it had taken him a great effort just to speak.

  I angled my head over the edge of the oubliette. “I’ll get you out of there. I promise.”

  I waited, but he never answered back.

  “Leo?” I called. “Did you hear what I said? I will come for you. I—”

  The trap door over the hole closed in my tear-stained face with a last disgusting waft of putrid feces.

  I glared at the guard who had closed the trap door. “Will they get food and water?”

  “They’ll live,” said the guard. “Now move.”


  The guard grabbed me by my upper arm and dragged me to my feet.

  I didn’t fight back.

  He dragged me out of the chamber and back into the hall. I was numb with shame, and I barely registered my steps as I walked clumsily after the guards. Fawkes was a few steps behind me and was eyeing me warily lest I collapse. I was ashamed that I had abandoned the men. I’d been stupid not to trust Fawkes.

  Rose had always told me. Listen to your elders’ advice, not because they are always right but because they have more experiences of being wrong. Learn from the people who have walked the path before you…respect them.

  I couldn’t help but feel that I had betrayed Jon in abandoning his closest friends. I had somehow let him down, and part of him was also lost in the oubliette.

  CHAPTER 20

  THE COVEN GUARDS LED us up a flight of stone steps and down another dim and narrow corridor. The guard had let go of my arm, but I could still feel the soreness of my bruised flesh and the heat from my healing magic. And although we’d left the oubliette behind, the smell still clung to me like the spray of a skunk. It wouldn’t let me forget the men in that stinking black pit. And rightly so.

  Fawkes kept casting nervous glances at me, which only made me more uneasy.

  “They’ll be fine, Elena,” his voice was gentler and kinder than I’d ever heard from him. “I’ll see to it that they get food and water. You have my word.”

  The change in him was surprising, but it made me nervous.

  I kept my head down and followed the guards. I couldn’t despair, or all would be lost. And so I prayed to the Goddess for the strength and wisdom I needed. I had to be confident in my quest. I had to finish what I had started.

  I would do the witch trials and pass whatever tests the witch king threw at me. Then we would get the help we needed and leave this wretched place for good. Just the thought of leaving kindled a spark of hope in my chest. But first I needed to get through the damn trials.

  We all walked in deathly silence. The guards didn’t engage us in conversation, nor did they threaten us. And I didn’t care. There were no more lush tapestries or paintings here in the west tower. A coating of dust and dirt dulled the floors. The shine had gone from my heart, too.

  The coven guards finally stopped in front of a large wood door with intricate carvings in Witchtongue all around the edges. I wanted to understand their mystic language. I stole a look down the hallway, but I couldn’t see if there were any more rooms on this floor.

  Two of the coven guards moved to stand at attention next to the door.

  The guard who’d bruised me turned and said, “You are to be confined to these chambers. Meals will be brought to you. You will be allowed out only for the witch trials. Coven guards will be stationed at your door; so don’t even think of trying to escape. You’ll be escorted to and from your trials. Try to leave and you’ll be punished severely. Be ready two hours after sunup. Your witch maid will have everything prepared for you.”

  I raised my brows. “My witch maid?” I knew I’d be kept under heavy surveillance, but a witch maid?

  The guard opened the door, and I peered into shadow and darkness. The guard grabbed my arm again and twisted it hard to make sure it hurt. I reacted instinctively and kicked him hard in the shin. He let go with a yelp. I couldn’t help a smug smile as I slipped away from him.

  His face reddened with rage. With a flick of his fingers, a string of magic caught me in the chest and shoved me into the room. I staggered backwards, but I managed to stay upright and spared myself further humiliation.

  Fawkes’ face was drained, and he looked years older.

  “Try to get some sleep,” he said. “Rest because I have a feeling you’re going to need it tomorrow.”

  The guards snickered, and my suspicions that the trials would be torturous became all the more real. I swallowed hard and stilled my temper.

  “Will I see you tomorrow?” I asked Fawkes. Knowing that Fawkes would be somewhere near me during the trials brought me some much-needed comfort. Hell, just having someone near who didn’t openly despise me did a lot for my ego.

  Fawkes smiled kindly at me, but his green eyes were haunted. “I don’t know, Elena. I don’t know what the witch king intends to do with me, but I’m sure I’ll know soon enough. Just get some rest and restore your strength and your magic. You will need all of it.”

  I narrowed my brows. “You know what these trials are, don’t you? What sort of tribulations I’ll face? I can see it in your eyes.”

  Fawkes said nothing, but a storm of emotions crossed his face. “Just stay alive and alert. You’ll do well enough tomorrow. I have faith in your abilities.”

  Although Fawkes looked worried, I could see that he was trying to calm us both.

  I stepped forward and asked no one in particular, “Where is his chamber? Maybe we can have our meals together—”

  The guard slammed the door in my face, and I was plunged into complete darkness. I was tempted to kick the door.

  But then the air moved behind me, and a soft golden light spilled from a fire in a large stone hearth.

  “Hello,” said a female voice.

  I jumped back in surprise. “I didn’t see you there,” I said. My face was flushed with a sudden rush of blood. “Are you the…”

  “Your witch maid, Mistress Elena.”

  So the witch knew who I was. She didn’t smile as she looked straight at me. Her plain face was without emotion.

  I didn’t know what to say. She looked to be a few years older than me, but not by much. She wore one of the same shapeless linen gowns I’d seen on the witches in Gray Havens, and not one of the fine gowns with clan colors like the witches in the king’s chamber. Her auburn hair was pulled back neatly into a soft bun. She wasn’t beautiful, or even fair, but her large hazel eyes were kind. I liked her immediately.

  “Since you know my name, may I know yours?” I said finally.

  I didn’t know if I should shake her hand or something, but as I spoke to her I thought I saw a tiny smile. It was gone in a flash.

  “It’s Celeste.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Celeste.”

  Celeste looked me over, and I thought I saw a hint of sympathy in her face.

  “Well, Mistress Elena,” said the witch maid, “you smell and look dreadful.”

  I grinned sheepishly.

  “I’ve taken the liberty of drawing you a bath.” She pointed to a doorway on my right, and as my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I could make out a round wooden tub.

  I sighed. “I won’t pretend that I don’t smell like I’ve been sleeping in the horse stables. A bath sounds heavenly.”

  Celeste moved about and lit four more sconces on the walls. I took a moment and looked around. The bedroom was larger than Rose’s entire cottage. It had an attached bathing chamber and a dressing room. The four-poster bed was piled high with blankets and embroidered pillows, and a dresser stood next to the wall. There was a table with a collection of books, a platter of food, and tall jug of water. I blinked, disoriented for a moment, and let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

  I’d never had a room of my own, let alone one with such fine furniture. There was no doubt this room wasn’t the best in the fortress, but it was a hell of a lot better than the oubliettes. If I didn’t know that the two coven guards were posted outside my door, I would have felt that the witch king was treating me like a guest.

  But why had they not thrown me in the oubliettes with the men? They could probably still have retrieved me every morning for the witch trials. So why the room and the witch maid? Why the food?

  Perhaps it was because he had seen my mother in me. I remembered the way his eyes had rolled over my body, and although the thought of him admiring me turned my blood cold, I suspected that was the reason I was being hosted so well.

  I practically ran to the table and grabbed handfuls of cheese, bread, and delicious spiced meats. I ate some raspberry tarts and washed
it all down with clear cold water.

  I heard giggling and turned to see Celeste shaking her head.

  “Slow down, or you’re going to choke.”

  But as I savored the goat cheese and the moist bread filled with nuts, I thought of the men. There was enough food here for all of them.

  “Is there a way to send the rest of this food to the humans in the oubliettes?”

  I wiped my tears away quickly, but I knew she saw. I was surprised how much these men meant to me. Part of it was the connection they had with Jon, but it was also because I’d grown attached to them. How could I eat when they were starving? It wasn’t right.

  I thought she’d spit at me for suggesting something like that. But she surprised me.

  “I’ll do what I can.”

  I didn’t understand the genuine concern that she showed, nor the flicker of dark resentment that flashed in her eyes.

  “It’ll have to be at night when the west tower is quiet, when most of the witches are asleep,” said Celeste. “But I’ll bring them this food and water, that way the kitchens won’t notice any supplies missing. Yes. I think I can manage that.”

  She appeared to take me into her confidence when she spoke.

  “I can usually slip in and out of the halls without anyone ever knowing. I can choose to be invisible at times, but mostly I am invisible.”

  I wasn’t sure what she meant, but she had lifted my spirits, and I put the remainder of the cheese back on the platter. There was enough food here to last them for a few days. If Celeste was honest about helping me, and I truly believed she was, then we could feed the men. And that thought filled me with renewed hope and courage.

  I would get through these witch trials.

  “Thank you,” I said to Celeste.

  It felt strange to smile.

  “Are you a shifter witch then? Is that how you can become invisible? Changing into something else? A rat maybe? Things would be different if I could do magic like that.”