by Dawn Brower
The prince held his bow up and gestured toward Cale. “What about him? He said I could.”
“If anyone receives that pleasure, it will be me,” Elodie said vehemently. “Now go before I decide to slide one of my swords in your gut.”
Daire lowered the bow reluctantly and stepped beside Kalypso. They started their trek through the valley of death. It didn’t look like it had the capabilities of killing anyone. Lush, green fields as far as they eye could see spread out before them. Flowers of varying shades glittered over the landscape, beckoning them to run through them. Perhaps that was the trap itself. It wouldn’t be the first time they had come across murderous flowers.
“Would you really stab me?” Cale asked.
Daire and Kalypso were several feet in front of them. They were out of earshot, and it was unlikely they would pick up on their conversation. Elodie was slightly amused he had waited until then to ask. Did he think she had a bloodthirsty streak running through her? On that point, she supposed she did.
“Not unless I have to,” she said. “I don’t want anyone’s death on my conscience.”
“Good to know,” he said. “I’d hate to figure out what circumstances would require you stabbing me though.”
Elodie didn’t want to contemplate what any such situation might be. All she wanted was for them to make it through the valley and find their way home. It seemed like a monumental task, and they’d fought through each obstacle. She had a feeling the biggest battle was yet to come. Malediction was toying with them and gathering information—testing their mettle. When it fully understood them, then would it unleash its full repertoire.
“Let’s not travel down a road best not crossed,” she replied. “One step at a time until we reach our destination.”
He nodded. “There are some things you should know.”
That was a conversation she was not entirely ready to have. She was already well on her way to forgiving him. He had been instrumental in aiding in her survival thus far. He may or may not have betrayed her before. When they returned home, that might make a difference to her. In these moments though, they were not important.
“Don’t,” she said. “Tell me when we’re safe.”
He shook his head. “I’m afraid that is not something you will ever be as long as you’re queen.”
A valid point. She would always have adversaries. However, she could not let that rule her emotions or prevent her from doing her duty. Her people were counting on her, and she refused to let them down. Escaping Malediction was her only option.
“I was referring to when we left here,” she replied. “Whatever is going on in Zelnon doesn’t matter until we make it back. Save what you have burning on your tongue for a later time.”
Silence filled the air around them once they stopped talking. It was eerie not to hear anything around them—not even their own footfalls on the ground. Shouldn’t there at least be echoes of sound to greet them? Cale remained quiet for several heartbeats. Elodie had started to believe he agreed with her and decided to keep his peace. It would be better if he had, but his next words told her he had too much running through his head to let the matter drop.
“Leaving you was never my intention,” he said quietly. “But sometimes life doesn’t give you the choices you want.”
Hadn’t he said something similar before? She could not remember exactly, and really she didn’t care. “Cale,” she said with irritation. “I don’t want to rehash what is, at this point, ancient history. What happened before we landed here will not help us now. What will is us working together toward a common goal. Can I count on you for that much?”
He stopped and glared at her. “This is important, and I need you to listen to me.” Cale reached for her hand and she yanked it away. “Please, Ellie, I have to say this.”
Why was he being so stubborn? What could be so darned important anyway? He had been planning to leave her. Did the reasons really matter? She thought she’d known him and his deepest secrets. Her feelings for him had consumed her in ways she didn’t fully understand. It had been a star burning bright in the sky and shining light down on her in a moment of glory. But all that’s dead and gone now. She closed her eyes and remembered for a moment what it was like to embrace those moments of joy. It would be a long time before she experienced anything like it again—if she ever did. Cale would always hold a piece of her heart. It was hard for him not to, considering she’d given it to him willingly and faithfully. She had been prepared to offer it all to him after she reached her majority.
“I wish you wouldn’t,” she said sadly. “The time for confessions has come and gone. I do not need words. Actions speak far louder.”
She stomped away from him and closed the distance between them and their other traveling companions. Kalypso and Daire were quite far ahead after that little stunt from Cale. Elodie quickened her pace and raced toward them. Cale sprinted forward to catch up.
“Don’t run from me,” he exclaimed. “Please…”
“I’m not doing anything of the kind,” she retorted. “Can’t you see how far Kalypso and Daire are ahead of us? We can’t become separated in here.”
She wanted to smack some sense into him. His regrets were no concern of hers. He had made his decisions and he had to live with them. They did not have anything to do with what she planned going forward.
“I’m sorry,” he said petulantly. “I didn’t mean—”
“You never do,” she cut him off. “Stop trying to explain yourself. I understood perfectly. I didn’t mean as much to you as my stepmother’s plans did. Your choice was clear, as is mine.”
She turned away from him and stormed away. He was so frustrating and arrogant. He thought he knew what was best for her. The fool didn’t understand a damn thing where she was concerned. How could she have believed she loved him? Elodie stopped short when she realized she could no longer see Daire or Kalypso. Cale ran smack into her and almost knocked her to the ground.
“What the hell,” he grumbled. “Why did you stop?”
“Do you see them?”
She had been so angry with Cale and lost track of where she was heading. Had she somehow made a wrong turn? No, that wasn’t possible. There were no turns to be made. It was a huge valley—a never-ending one, really. All she could see was green. Measuring the distance to cross it was impossible.
Cale stared past her and shook his head. “They can’t have gone far.”
That was the thing—they really couldn’t have. Were they somehow sucked into a magical storm of some sort? Did it trap them or pull them into a place that made them un-seeable?
“I don’t understand,” she said. “They were just here.”
“I know,” he replied. “Malediction has decided to join the party, and this doesn’t look good.”
Elodie frowned. “Kalypso is our guide. Where do we go from here?”
Malediction appeared to say: You thought you were leaving. Think again. Now they had to figure out how to outsmart something that saw everything. She narrowed her gaze and made a snap decision.
“We keep moving forward. At this point, we have no other choice.”
Maybe they would find a bit of luck and locate Kalypso and Daire. It could happen. She mentally rolled her eyes. That, and she could find a hole in the ground that would take her home with the snap of her fingers.
“This might sound crazy,” Cale said. “But I think we should hold hands.”
“So we’re not separated?” she asked.
He nodded. “I don’t know what happened to them but I refuse to lose you too.”
She placed her hand tentatively in his. He clutched it tight and pulled her closer. He stared down at her with a pensive expression. Her stomach pulled tight and butterflies danced across it. He glanced down at her lips and then back up to her eyes. Did he mean to kiss her? Why now?
Cale leaned down and placed his lips on hers. She wrapped her arms around his waist and held on as if she’d fall to her knees withou
t the anchor. It was brief and over before, she had a moment to protest. He lifted his hands and cupped her cheeks in his palms. Something flashed in his eyes and he dipped his head again to capture her lips with his. This kiss was entirely different. A fire engulfed them and kept her enthralled. His lips held a bit of magic of their own. Elodie started to think she could kiss him all day and never tire of it. Then she snapped out of it and pulled away.
“Why did you do that?”
“In case I never get the chance again,” he said softly. He lifted his hand and brushed his thumb across her cheek. “Now isn’t the time to have any more regrets. For a little while, I believed I could have it all. Now I realize how foolish that was. I promise you one thing—I will do everything in my power to see you out of this world.”
Elodie frowned. Just like that, he gave her a reason to love him again. Why did he have to say sweet things and kiss her as if she was the love of his life? That was not the way to put distance between them. She wanted to give in and enjoy what they could have—even if it was doomed to end. Claiming him as hers… She closed her eyes and smiled for a brief moment, rejoicing in the idea of it. When she opened them, she was stunned by the fierce look on his face. Instead of giving in to the melancholy filling her heart, she smiled up at him and said, “We are all leaving this world. I won’t have it any other way.”
They turned and took a few steps forward. Then her stomach became a knot of queasiness as they fell down a steep incline. The field ended and they were falling down a rocky hill. Pain plastered itself over her body like honey and refused to wash away. When they hit the ground, agony speared through her like molten fire becoming a constant and overbearing ache.
Lulu rolled free of the pouch Cale had been carrying her in and landed at her feet—Cale tumbled shortly after. Elodie picked Lulu up to check on her. For a moment, she’d forgotten about the bird. Her eyes fluttered open and she yawned. The silver on her wings had spread down part of her body and stopped short of her tail. She hopped up and bounced on Cale’s head.
“Ouch,” he said. “Must you do that?”
“Yessss,” she chirped out. “You saved me.”
They must be away from the valley of death for her to be so chipper. “Where are we?” Elodie asked.
“It’s a dark place,” Lulu said. “Up to your feet. We have to keep moving.”
Elodie and Cale slowly stood. Every muscle in her body hurt, and she had bruises on top of bruises. If she had a way to look at herself, she would stare at them all and determine which shade of purple looked best.
“Which way?” Cale asked.
Their options were left and right. Lulu hopped down and landed on a paw print. “The tiger went this way. She left a clue with her paws. Only she is strong enough to leave a mark.”
That must be why she needed to come along. Lulu had said they needed her claws to get past the valley of death. “Then we go right,” Elodie replied.
Cale reached down and took her hand. “I’m not letting go of you for any reason.”
He was either being sweet or stupid. She was not sure which. It was probably his overprotective streak running wild, but she didn’t blame him. After Kalypso and Daire had disappeared, there was no helping it. They walked for a while. Her feet were so numb she no longer felt pain in them. Lulu fluttered, happily chirping away. She had made it, and for that, Elodie was grateful. Now she wished she could find a way home.
Finally, they stepped out of the pathway into another valley. This one was surrounded by large cliffs on all sides. In the center, a white statue resembled a dragon. Around it, red and orange stone, licked with blue, almost looked like a ring of fire. Could it be what they were searching for? Lying in front of it, Kalypso lounged with Daire beside her. One thing was settled—they had located their missing companions. The rest though, Elodie was not so sure about. It was time to find out if they had located their way home.
Curses Come in Twos
Elodie stepped toward Daire and Kalypso. The prince hopped to his feet and strolled in their direction. His golden locks had come undone and flowed over his shoulders. She glanced down, appreciating how handsome he was. Kalypso had called him pretty, and in that regard, she was correct. His physique was not merely handsome but beautiful to behold. She tilted her head and frowned. Once he joined them, she asked, “What happened to your dragon insignia?” Seeing the statue behind him had reminded her he’d been wearing it the night of the ball.
Daire patted his quiver and frowned. “It’s not there,” he said absentmindedly. “Where could it have gone?”
Elodie stared at the space where it had been previously pinned. “Do you remember having it when you arrived here?” She was missing her locket and apparently, Daire lost his family crest.
He shook his head. “I don’t know.” Daire turned his attention to Kalypso and asked, “Do you remember seeing it when you had me tied up?”
She lifted her head up and yawned. Then smacked her lips together loudly as she flashed him a look of annoyance. “Why would I care about a stupid piece of jewelry?”
Daire clenched his fist at his side. Then said through gritted teeth, “Did you see it or not.”
Cale stepped forward and put himself between Daire and Kalypso. He placed a hand on Daire’s shoulder and leaned down to whisper something in his ear. Elodie wished she could hear what he said. Whatever it was calmed the prince down.
Kalypso licked her paw and didn’t bother to look up at Daire. After a moment or two, she replied, “I don’t recall. As I said, I don’t have an interest in such things.”
Daire closed his eyes and sighed. “I wish I had noticed sooner. That particular insignia had belonged to my father. It meant a lot to me.”
“I’m sorry,” Elodie said in completely understanding. Her locket meant so much to her, and losing it was a devastating blow. “If I could find it for you I would.”
He brushed away from her. She started to go after him, but Cale blocked her path. “Move,” she demanded.
“No, we’ve all lost too much already,” he replied. “Let him go—he’ll get over it eventually. We have more important things to discuss.”
She lifted a brow. “What have you lost that you can dismiss so easily?”
He glared at her and the muscles in his cheek twitched. Elodie was perverse enough to want to poke at him and see if he would erupt with anger. Cale appeared to be barely hanging on to his control.
“What did you lose?” she asked again. “Why was it important to you?”
“I told you,” he said heatedly. “It doesn’t matter. This place it…” He took a deep breath and then continued, “Things can be replaced, but people can’t. If something happened to you, then I would be devastated. My stupid ring dagger—that is nothing in comparison. I carry it with me everywhere. I had it sheathed at my side the night of the ball.” He frowned. “I noticed it missing immediately but didn’t care. I still had a weapon available.”
Elodie gulped down a lump in her throat. The way he was speaking made her think that every action he took was for her. If that were the case, why would he willingly leave her side? A flash of memory crossed her mind. When she had been sick from the river monster, she had heard him speaking.
“Who did you make promises to?” she stalked forward. “What have you done in the name of protecting me?” She was a bloody fool. He’d tried to tell her everything and she pushed him away.
He stared off into the distance. There was a faraway look in his eyes with a hint of pain reflected in them. Elodie could relate to that a little bit. His perceived betrayal had gutted her. What she did not understand though was what could have driven him to that point. Why would he willingly promise anything regarding her? What did he hope to gain in return? Cale shook his head and finally met her gaze. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you,” he said vehemently. “But right now, if we are all to survive this, we have to figure out Athair’s clues. I promise I’ll tell you it all once we are on the other sid
e of this. I tried to tell you earlier when we had more time. Now time is running out.” He gestured toward the dragon statue. “Do you think that is the ring of fire we need?”
She nibbled on her bottom lip and contemplated his actions and words. He was always stepping on her toes and preventing her from doing things. One day she would truly put him in his place for his domineering behavior. However, he was right about one thing: they did have more important things to figure out. Home could be in their grasp if the dragon was the key they had been searching for. When they reached Zelnon, she could interrogate him at her leisure. She turned to look at the dragon and the wall of stone fire surrounding it.
“I don’t know what it means,” she finally said. “It could be what we are looking for. Lulu has been more herself since we arrived, fluttering around without a care in the world. Kalypso seems more or less ready to take a nap. There is something they both find peaceful here. What that means, I don’t know.”
He nodded. “Do you think we can climb over it and reach the dragon?”
Elodie stared at the wall encircling the dragon. If they found a way past it, would the dragon be the answer they sought. Was this the dragon Paige had been talking about in her prophecy? The wall was several feet high and taller than every one of them. The only one who could actually get over it without much help was Lulu. Elodie glanced up and caught sight of the bird as she flew alongside the wall’s edge. “Lulu,” she called out to her. The bird’s silver wings sparkled as she dipped down toward Elodie.
“Yes, princess,” she said. “What can I do you for?”
Elodie tilted her head to the side. “Pardon me?” That was a weird placement of words.
“What do you require?” Lulu asked this time.
Elodie’s lips tilted upward. The bird was always so energetic, and more often than not, willing to help. She wasn’t sure if they would have made it as far as they had if not for her. The fire-colored wall might be the last obstacle they had to tackle before returning home. Lulu might be the one capable of finding a way for them to get over it.