by Tara Brown
I collapsed onto the bed and sobbed until I eventually fell asleep.
I woke to the sound of water and opened my eyes groggily.
Grayson looked down on me. He looked sick. I was getting tired of seeing the remorse all over everyone's faces.
“You need some water, Millia.”
I nodded and sat up.
The bed sagged where he sat and handed me the mug. I sipped it, spilling a little down my chin. He wiped and laughed but it sounded off. “Every time.”
“What happened?” I asked. “What happened to Herrick?”
“Nothing.” His eyes darted to meet mine and quickly looked away again.
“I need to know.”
He nodded and took my mug. He swallowed it in a huge gulp. “He had you on the floor.”
I shook my head. “No, before that. How did you find me?”
He didn’t sound like himself at all when he spoke, “Artan.” He looked down and muttered, “After you left me at the docks, I ran after you. I knew I had made a mistake.” He looked at me like he wanted to say something else. He stopped himself and continued, devoid of emotions. “I got here and Artan was here. I knew he must be yours—the only dragon I’ve ever seen in a city, or in my life. He came to the inn. He roared and snorted like a savage, right in the city street out in front of the inn. I knew something was wrong. My stepmother came out the door. Artan grabbed her with his talon and pinned her against the wall. Everyone was screaming and it was chaos. She sobbed. I informed her that regardless of what she said, he would probably eat her, but it would be easier to convince him not to if she told me what was going on. She told me about Herrick and how she told him that you were staying at the inn. Artan let me climb onto his back and flew like a madman.” His eyes got a whisper of humor in them. “That was interesting, let me tell you.”
“I can imagine. What else?”
“Well, we arrived at a tower with a roof made of glass. He hovered above it. We could see you pinned to the floor.” He stopped and took a breath. Veins were popping out of his neck. He clenched his jaw and continued through gritted teeth. “He had you on the ground. Artan saw it all, and the next thing I knew he was diving through the ceiling, crashing us right on top of you. He pinned Herrick to the wall. I was ripping the chains from the wall to free you, and then Herrick stabbed his sword into Artan’s foot. That's when Herrick got loose and stabbed his sword into you twice. I ran and tackled him, got a bit lost in my rage. I picked him up and smashed him off the tower wall until there was nothing but a messy stain left. Artan delicately picked you up and flew us back here.” He lifted his fingers. “He’s been circling ever since.” He looked like he was going to say something else but he didn't.
“What?”
He looked down. “Maddox was here when we returned. He and I—uh—well, we had words.” His voice cracked and that was the end of the discussion. He offered nothing else up. I sat there, watching him for a moment until he broke. He covered his face with his hands as if ashamed. “I am such a fool.” He looked desperate. “If you can consider forgiving me, I will spend my entire life trying to make up for the stupidity I displayed at the docks.”
“I forgive you.”
“No, you can’t forgive straight away like that. You have to make me work for it.” He leaned in and kissed my forehead, taking a deep inhale of me.
“I forgive you because you are my friend. I don't need a song and dance.”
“Friend?” he asked as he nodded against my forehead. “As long as you don’t hate me, I don’t care how long it takes for you to let me be more than a friend. Even if that's never.” His breath against my face made me happy. It was a small measure of happiness, but it was better than the horrors that lay just beyond my closed eyes.
I pulled him to me. “Don’t leave me.”
He wrapped himself around me. “Never again.”
Chapter Twenty-One
At the cabin in the woods Mani glanced out the window. “They're both still outside. It's going to rain. Do you want me to see if they want to come inside?”
I shook my head blankly.
Mani scowled. “I thought you forgave them?”
“I have. There was nothing to forgive, Herr—he was at fault not them or me. I just don't want to be around them. It took me a couple of days to get over the worst of my experiences. Now that I am, I don't want to be with either of them. Maddox is, as always, my devoted servant, and Grayson has the most aggravatingly haunted look in his eyes. I can’t bear to be around either of them.” I pulled on my cloak and masque, and then I lifted my sword belt up and strapped it on. I glanced back at the witches and fingered the necklace. “Thank you for making it again.”
Mani gave me an evil frown but Katy smiled sweetly and nodded. “I understand, sweet girl. Now where are you off to? Has the locket given you a face?”
“No. I’m going to find my mother. I have a twisted feeling inside me that I know where she is.”
They both frowned and shook their heads simultaneously. “No, dear,” Mani spoke and walked toward me. “You must obey the locket.”
“No, it is you that must give me this one. I cannot live while she suffers, all because of Roland.” I pointed to the door. “I'm leaving. Now, will this take me to the yard or somewhere bizarre?”
Mani laughed and put her hands on her slim hips. “Yes, it leads to the garden, saucy little thing.”
I opened the door and walked out. “Don’t wait on dinner for me. I'll be back late.”
Both faces in the yard perked up when I left the house, but I ignored them and nodded at my dragon. “Artan.”
He lumbered from the woods, making me smile, though not with my whole heart. The witches had toned down the emotion-sucking abilities of the necklace. I could feel simple emotions like small joys and slight annoyances but nothing deep like love or hate.
Watching a huge dark-orange dragon wobble from the forest was funny, no matter what emotions you were capable of feeling.
Maddox and Grayson jogged over to Artan.
I wasn't going to say anything to them, but I decided it was better than getting into an emotionless quarrel. “I'm going to find my mother. I think she is at the place I was. Herrick and Mr. D both said things before about my mom. I bet she is there.”
“I'm coming with you.” Grayse climbed onto Artan's back in front of me. They had become fast friends, unfortunately for me.
Maddox looked at the dragon and then smiled bitterly at me. “I'm not riding in the middle of you two. Move up.”
“I would prefer if you stayed.”
“Well, that's not an option, then is it? I don't think we need to discuss the last time you went running off on your own, do we?” Maddox’s voice was full of resentment.
Grayson scowled. “I don't think it even has to be referenced. She’s a big girl; she can choose what she wants to do.” He gave me a grin. “We’ll just skulk about in the shadows, like we do.”
I resigned myself to the fact that they were coming, with a sigh as I climbed on. “It's going to be much slower with you two on.”
Maddox hopped on and slid up against me, pinning me to Grayse.
“Well, that looks about right with you in the middle.” Mani chuckled as she strolled amongst the trees.
I glared at the two grinning witches and felt my mild annoyance flaring from the tiny puff it was at.
“Smart-arsed witches,” I grumbled. Artan snorted and grumbled with me.
I leaned up against Grayson and patted Artan's neck. “Please take us to the place you found me.”
Grayse grinned back at me, but all I offered him was a frown as I backed up before he decided to kiss me. I knew it would end in he and Maddox “having words” again.
Artan took a few steps and then hopped into the air. He struggled and pushed his wings hard. I could tell he was having a hard time. He fought with it until we got high enough that he could soar.
“This is incredible.” Grayson shouted and threw his arms out.
“Sit still,” I said calmly.
Maddox pressed himself harder against me. His arms didn’t wrap around me like I would have wanted them to. He kept his word.
Artan started to descend.
I could see the castle with the smashed in tower when we lowered. My skin crawled. Grayson gripped my hand that was around his waist and Maddox stroked my shoulder.
I hated loving them both. I was grateful for the necklace. Neither of them knew about it. I had sworn the witches to secrecy.
We landed with a big thud and all hopped off. I looked over at Maddox as he ran for the bushes. “Where are you going?”
He grinned. “I have to change. I'm not riding back naked.”
I didn’t understand until a moment later he came around the corner as the black wolf.
The sight of it made me jump. I pulled up my red hood, hoping to hide the fear in my eyes at seeing him as a huge wolf.
Grayse nodded at me as his eyes did their creepy slit thing. “I'll go this way. Remember not to run, okay? He can't help but chase you. It’s his nature.”
I nodded and snuck along with the huge wolf next to me. He nudged against me, and I couldn't help but run my fingers through his fur, earning myself a snarl. I pulled my hand back quickly. “Sorry, Max. I thought dogs liked to be petted and assumed wolves were the same.”
He nudged me again. I assumed he had forgiven me for overstepping my bounds.
We snuck to the side entrance, and I tried the door and was surprised when it opened. We walked into a dark hallway. I closed the door silently.
“I wonder what he is, Max? Grayson, I mean. He said he’s a vulkod—creature like you, but he just has those lizard eyes. Do you ever wonder?”
He made a whining noise and shook his head and snorted. I took it as a no.
The castle was silent.
We padded along quietly until I found a door with stairs leading down.
We slipped down them into darkness. When we got to the bottom I dropped to my knees and stared at him, just barely able to see him.
“There’s something I have to tell you, and I don't think I can say it to your face.” I reached for his fur again, gripping to him. “I love you, Max. I know you feel like you can't love me, and I know you have rules you obey, but I wish you could make me more important than those rules.” I knew it was how I felt. I couldn’t feel it fully with the necklace on, but I could say it. I looked into his wolf eyes and held his huge muzzle. “I want to say this right now. It's you I want. I know you want me too. I also know we can't be together, but I just want you to know if you ever change your mind, I'm yours. I gave you my heart too. Yes, I was only six years old, but I believe my heart was purer then, better at loving.”
He whined and started to walk again, brushing past me. It didn't hurt my feelings like it should have.
I stood and walked after him, toward a dimly lit dungeon. We paused in the hallway, not entering the enclosure. There were doors on either side, with just a single torch, burning on the wall closest to us. I reached over and pulled it from the wall mount and carried it to the first door. I lifted the torch and peeked into the grate of the cell.
“Mother,” I whispered.
Nothing. Nothing moved nor made a sound.
I turned and walked to the next one, doing the same thing. Maddox padded down the hall farther, sniffing. He whined at the last door on the left as I looked into one on the right. He scratched at the door.
I hurried to it and looked inside. I couldn't see anything so I slid the lock back and opened the door slowly.
Smells attacked instantly. I covered my nose and crept inside.
A figure lay on the bed in amongst blankets and ripped clothes.
Maddox nudged her hand with his cold nose and whined.
I dropped to my knees and gathered her into me. I didn’t care about the smell or the filmy feel of her milky skin.
“Mother.”
She moaned quietly.
“Mommy,” I whispered into her neck. Her fingers responded by digging into my skin like she was going to fight me.
I pulled my masque off and held her face so she could see me. I lifted my fingers to my throat and unhooked my necklace. I slipped it into my pocket. My heart broke a thousand different ways, but I knew I needed to feel it. She was my mother. I couldn’t be a stone in this moment.
Crippling pain was everywhere as I felt everything, but I didn’t care. I held her face to mine and soaked her in tears.
“Millia?” she whispered.
I trembled. “Mother.”
She put a hand up to my face weakly and wiped my tears. “My brave girl. I knew you would come. I tried to tell them not to let you.”
I heaved. “Mom. Hang on to me. I'll get you out.”
She nodded and gripped me. I helped her stand and wrapped her blankets around her.
I almost carried her. I wished Grayse would hurry up and find us, because she was too heavy for me.
She limped and when she did take steps her legs kept buckling, but I held on to her and dragged her from the cell.
“Don't let me die here, Millia,” she whispered.
I shook my head. “No, Mother. You won't die, not here and not at all. We'll get you to the witches.”
Maddox crawled between us and let her slump on him. He was nearly the size of a horse. She lay on his back and let him carry her. I steadied her to help keep her from falling off him.
We got up the stairs and through the halls again. The castle was unnervingly silent. The suspense was enough to drive me insane. How had we not come upon a single guard?
I opened the door we had come in originally, and held it for Maddox to carry my mother through.
In the light of day I got my first good look at exactly what had been done to my mother.
I nearly gagged when I saw her but managed to maintain my composure.
She was covered in bruises and filth, her hair matted, and her clothing ripped away.
I hated Edward.
How had he been able to let her rot away like that?
I closed the door, but as we rounded the corner, the man with the scar on his eye walked toward us from across the garden. He grinned at me. “I see you came for your mother, finally. We were wondering when you would show up. I’d lost faith you were even coming for that old thing.” He pointed at my mother who was clinging to Maddox’s back with her eyes fluttering every time he spoke.
My blood boiled. “You do not speak of the queen. You do not touch or even glance in her direction.” My words were growled as I drew my swords.
He laughed at me and pulled a single broad sword. “I have been eager for a rematch.”
Without waiting for him to move, I charged at him just as another three men came around the corner pulling swords.
I heard a smashing sound and looked up. Grayson jumped from the window above us, landing on the grass with a thud. His face looked different. He nodded at the men, tilting his head to the side and grinning sadistically. “Let's keep it fair, shall we?” he spoke through his bared teeth—no they were fangs. They were not like Maddox's. Different. He had only one on either side of his mouth. His eyes had turned blood red, and somehow his skin seemed to pale in the dim light. He was truly frightening—truly a monster. He grabbed one of the men, thus starting the battle.
I jumped into action as the man with the scar charged me. I went low but he was ready for me. I was being predictable and earned a slice for it. Luckily, I rolled to the side quickly, moving faster than him and kicking his legs out from under him as I sliced another man in the belly. I caught a glimpse of Grayse biting into the throat of the man. He made gulping noises. I got up slowly, stuck staring at him consuming the man in his arms. Something hit me in the back, knocking me forward.
The wolf ran for me, leaping at a sword that soared through the air toward me. I rolled again as it narrowly missed me. I glanced at Grayson just as he tore out the throat of the man I
had stuck in the gut.
When I looked back at Maddox he had the man with the scar on the ground. I leapt up and ran to where he was pinned. “What is this place?” I asked, putting my sword next to his face.
Maddox growled.
The man laughed. “The true king's father owns it. He's coming for you, Princess.”
I lifted my sword into the air and brought it down on his heart. “I look forward to meeting him.” I twisted the sword, making him scream, begging for mercy. He died slowly, just the way I had intended. It was a dissatisfying death; I wished I could have made it last longer, but my mother didn't look like she had much time left.
I glanced at Grayson who was licking his fingers and wiping his face clean. His white fangs glistened where the blood droplets hung from them. A horrified expression was pasted to my face when his blood-red eyes darted in my direction. “I told you I couldn't explain it.”
I bit my lip and nodded. He was right.
Maddox whined and ran to my mother who he had placed next to Artan so he could fight with us—or save me rather.
I sheathed my swords and ran to where she lay. Artan was nudging her. “Her heart still beats,” Grayson spoke softly as he crossed the grounds to where we were. When I looked up at him he looked normal again, even though he had heard her heartbeat from all that distance.
Maddox ran to the bushes and shouted from the woods as he changed. “Me and Grayson will stay here. Fly to the witches with your mom so they can heal her.”
I looked at Grayson. He nodded and scooped my mom up. I climbed on Artan and put my arms out. He lifted my mother, and I pulled her into my lap.
Artan jumped before I was even really ready. I gripped her and him for my life as he flew faster than I'd seen him fly in ages.
I held her and closed my eyes, terrified to look but more so to let go.
He landed with a thud and roared a strange sound. Whatever it was it brought the witches running out of the cabin.
They put their hands to their faces and screamed when they saw what I had. They ran to my side, catching her as I lowered her and hopped off. Immediately, Artan shot back up into the air and flew off. They dropped to her side, grabbing and holding her. It wasn't the reaction I had expected.