Entrapped (Cursed Magic Series

by Casey Odell

  “As well you should!” Claire smiled, but she doubted it would lessen the teasing any.

  Farron stood then, pulling her up along with him. “We should get back,” he said. “You must be starving.”

  As if prompted by his words, her stomach growled, furious at her for ignoring it for so long. “You can cook?” she prodded. “You’re one of many talents, aren’t you?” He continually surprised her. Who would have known the Scourge of Shadows was so domestic?

  “It’s a wonder, really, how you were so resistant to me, Claire,” he said, a sly smile playing on his lips.

  “Well, let’s just say you weren’t always so charming.” She gave him a quick once over. He was markedly different from when she had first met him. He used to be so cold, distant… Definitely not the one she thought she’d end up with. It was still strange at times when she really thought about it. But life was full of surprises. Especially hers lately. “I’ve been thinking,” she said on a more serious note. “About what you said earlier. I’m not going back, Fare. Not to that place. That’s my choice.”

  He nodded quietly, weighing something in his head.

  “But— and I’m not just saying this to push you away or anything— I want you to think about it. What it’ll mean for you. I need you, but I won’t force you to take such a risk.”

  He drew her close and kissed her softly on the top of her head. “You act as if I really have a choice.”

  She drew back to look up at him. “You make it sound like I have a knife to your throat.”

  “I would be safer without you,” he said, making her frown. He looked out towards the valley, a faraway haze to his eyes. “But what would be the point? Without the sun, the land would be a cold and dreary place. Lifeless. It needs the sun to thrive.”

  “Well, when you put it like that…” She could feel her cheeks flushing. It was surprisingly poetic, what he said, especially for him. And sweet. She had wondered before what he would be like if he ever fell in love. At the time it was just a musing thought when she still assumed his heart was made of ice. Never had she thought that she would experience it for herself. Or that she would like it. She had grown so close to him so fast, it was rather terrifying. Falling for the Ice Prince, who would have thought?

  “But don’t think I’m some sort of noble hero.” He glanced at her, grinning. “I’m doing it for entirely selfish reasons.”

  “How romantic,” she said, rolling her eyes. And just like that, the spell was broken. But only slightly. She was growing used to his arrogant ways.

  He pulled her into a tight embrace and said softly, “It’ll be alright, Claire. Besides, I’m not so easy to kill.”

  She hugged him back, reveling in his warmth and strength. She needed him as much as he did her. But more than that, she wanted him. She was being selfish as well. She just hoped it didn’t get him hurt or killed.

  “Come on,” he said softly, pulling away. He turned his back to her and crouched. “We should head back before it gets dark. Hop on.”

  Claire hesitated for a second but shrugged and did as told, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. A startled yelp escaped her lips as he grabbed her legs and hoisted her up, before settling her on his back. Her hands gripped tight, digging into his chest. “So this is what the air is like up here…” she said, trying to make the comment sound light.

  He only chuckled before setting out down the slope.

  After a few minutes, Claire began to relax. The elf’s footing was solid and sure, even with the additional weight. At least her fears of them tumbling down the mountainside were put to rest. And with that, she breathed a little bit easier. Not that she had any doubts. But still… All it would take is a loose pebble.

  “I was thinking,” Claire said to distract her mind from improbable disasters. “That we should go to Uru Baya. It would be a good place to start to find out more about the mark, and maybe how to stop it.”

  “You haven’t given up then?”

  “No,” she answered him, her voice soft and solemn. “Not quite yet. I’m sorry about that, about me being so reckless. It’s easy to give up hope when you don’t think you have a future.”

  “Don’t give up hope, not yet, Claire.” His hands squeezed her legs in a reassuring gesture. “It’s as good a start as any, especially since that was our original destination when we first set out from the forest.” A short laugh burst from his mouth. “Just think, we would have been there already if…” He trailed off suddenly, but Claire knew where that was going.

  It had been her fault that the mission had been derailed. She wouldn’t be in this mess if it weren’t for her foolish decision. They would have made it to their destination and learned about the mark and maybe even all its secrets. But she would have still been a prisoner of the elves. Or would Farron have gotten her out? “Would you have tried to get me out if I hadn’t run away with the General?” she asked, now curious.

  He was quiet for a few moments. “I would have tried,” he said finally. “I would have asked you first, though at the time I don’t think you would have agreed to it. As I recall, you didn’t like me as much then.”

  Claire thought about that for a second. He was right, though. Back then, if he were to offer an escape, with him, she wasn’t sure if she would have trusted him enough to take it. However, she had been desperate enough to consider it, at least. “How times have changed,” she teased.

  “That they have,” he said, a wistful note to his voice.

  After spending the rest of the hike in a quiet reverie, thinking about all the what if’s and what could have beens along her journey, Farron set her down inside the kitchen in their temporary shelter.

  “You should eat,” he said. “Gather your strength. If your mind is made up, we shouldn’t stay here. Not for much longer. I’ll go try to find that contraption you spoke of. Will you be alright here by yourself?”

  Claire just nodded, the weight of another big decision already settling in on her shoulders. A life on the run. From everyone. Could she do it? Did she have a choice?

  After a quick kiss on her forehead, Farron slipped back out of the door. His back was free of his daggers, but she knew better now. He was always armed.

  Claire sighed and turned toward the simmering soup, hoping it was edible. Farron was good at a lot of things, but she still wasn’t confident about his culinary skills. Even the thought of him cooking was enough to bring a smile to her face. At least it smelled good. She found a bowl and a large spoon and was just about to sit down at the simple table when she felt his presence. She stiffened. There was no use running. Even if she were to escape now, he would only follow her.

  “I suppose you are here to take me back,” she said, her back still to him.

  “I do not have much of a choice, me chaqana,” Razi said, a solemnity to his voice she hadn’t heard before.

  She turned to look at him then. The look on his face matched the tone in his voice. Perhaps he had found out the truth. Or at least confirmed it. “And if I refuse?” she asked carefully.

  He shook his head quietly, the look in his eyes all the answer she needed. She was going back. There was no choice in the matter. She still didn’t have to be happy about it. He crossed the small kitchen in three quick steps and then his hand was on her. Wind rushed around them and the room faded away. What seemed like only moments later, she was back in her gilded cage.

  Gray skies matched her somber mood. A cold breeze swept through the empty courtyard, the entrance to the palace and the great clock looming up before her. It looked more ominous than ever before.

  She snatched her hand from Razi, glaring up at him. “Did you find out the truth?”

  He looked away from her, uttering a simple, “Yes.”

  “And yet you still work for them?” She let the anger show in her voice. “Why?”

  “They have them, my family.” He turned back to her, returning her anger, but it wasn’t exactly aimed at her. “They took them when they learned I went
to help you, as a way to ensure that I wouldn’t turn against them. They said I would be able to see them, to know they were unharmed, if I brought you back.”

  “Razi…” Claire reached out and touched his arm. She couldn’t blame him after hearing that. Not entirely.

  “They gave me everything,” he said, his ire softening into something sadder. He had been betrayed by the very people that had promised to help him. “Only to take it away again.”

  “I’m sorry,” Claire said. She couldn’t help but feel partially responsible for his current predicament. It was because he’d come to help her that he’d found out the truth. A dangerous one.

  “Do not be.” He gave her a hint of a meager smile. “You just finally opened my eyes. I will find a way to get them out. One way or another.” He touched her hand on his arm and gave it a squeeze. “I just need to play along with their game for a bit longer.” He stepped away then, wind starting to swirl again in dark wisps. “And whatever you do, do not tell your little elf lover he was right. I do not think I could live with the shame.”

  And with that he was gone, leaving Claire alone in the dreary courtyard. The Council had made yet another enemy. A powerful one too. But as long as they held his family Razi couldn’t make any moves against them. At least it was comforting to know she had another ally in a world where she was becoming more and more surrounded by enemies.

  Claire turned and just stared at the palace for a while, gathering the strength to take the first step. What would she find in there? Had Lianna and her mother been successful? Would she be welcomed or thrown in the dungeon? Could she live with the guilt of delivering the other Star Children to such a place, from one evil to another? In any case, she wouldn’t find out just by staring at the palace, no matter how much she wanted to.

  With an adjustment to her robe, she walked into the palace her head held high and her stomach full of dread.

  Much to her surprise, and great relief, she was not thrown into the dungeons when she entered the palace. In fact, she was not greeted at all. It was as lifeless as when she had left it. After some searching, she found Lianna in her garden with a few new additions, enjoying the same welcoming tea party she had thrown for Claire what felt like ages ago already. Lin sat on the grass next to a blonde girl not much older than himself, playing, though half-heartedly. Not that she could blame him after what he had just gone through. In fact, he looked much better than she’d thought he would. Another woman sat across from Lianna. A bright orange silk shawl contrasted against her dark brown skin. Her hair fell around her shoulders in dozens of tiny braids.

  The sun hung low in the sky, finally peeking out from behind the clouds, not yet dipping below the horizon. It was strange seeing the same sunset twice. The time difference only served to show how long of a distance she traveled in such a short time. And how much was now between her and the elf. He would worry for sure. Would he know where she went? What had happened? He would figure it out. And then he would come for her.

  Lianna rose from her seat when she spotted Claire and rushed over to her, sweeping her up in a tight hug.

  “You are alright?” Lianna asked, holding Claire back at arm’s length so she could look her over. “I felt it, when you lost control…”

  Claire nodded. “As much as I can be.”

  Understanding touched Lianna’s face and she glanced down at Claire’s mark.

  “I see your part of the mission went well,” Claire said, nodding toward the others.

  “All except for one…”

  “Be glad you didn’t encounter him,” Claire said, recalling the madman.

  “Yes, I heard about him and what happened from Razi. I can feel him on the edge of my mind, like a distant storm. Let us just hope he stays there. It is vexing me that we never sensed him before… but it seems there are ways to hide even from us.”

  Claire nodded. She was referring to how the Syndicate had hidden her and the other Star Children. Did Bahkar have a way as well? With him, there was no telling. “Did you have any problems finding them?” Claire glanced toward the others.

  “Not really,” Lianna replied in a nonchalant way. She grinned and it was as mischievous as it was cocky. “We made a good team, your mother and I.”

  Claire shivered slightly. She could only imagine.

  “She asked about you, of course,” Lianna added. “Almost incessantly. But I assured her that you were fine.”

  “You didn’t mention…”

  Lianna shook her head. “I figured it would be better for her to hear it from you.”

  Claire nodded. That was one less thing for her mother to worry about. How the mark was slowly consuming her… “How is she?” Claire asked. She hadn’t had enough time with Marion to ask. “Did the Syndicate do anything to her?”

  “Nothing that she couldn’t handle, I believe were her words.” Lianna gave her a reassuring smile. “She seems tough. Besides, her greatest concern is for you. She didn’t need much convincing to help find the other Star Children when I told her it was for you.”

  A decision she herself was still struggling with. But it was too late to beat herself up over it too much. The others were already in the palace.

  “Come,” Lianna said, taking Claire’s hand. “Meet the others.” She led Claire over to the table set with tea and cakes.

  Claire ran a hand over her hair and robe. Why was she never presentable when meeting new people? At least she wasn’t meeting royalty this time.

  “Meet Maya,” Lianna introduced her to the woman sitting in the chair.

  The woman’s dark eyes swept over Claire in a dismissive manner. “Another prisoner, I see,” Maya said sitting back in her chair.

  Claire remained silent, not knowing what to say to that. Guilt twisted her stomach into a knot.

  “Guest,” Lianna corrected her.

  The woman shrugged. “Call it whatever you want. The Syndicate, a palace. We are always prisoners. At least this place is nicer.” She took one of the sweets and took a small bite.

  Lianna sighed and turned Claire toward the kids. “I hear you have met Lin.”

  The boy just looked up at Claire and she could see the puffiness from the tears he had shed, the circles under his eyes from sleepless nights. She nodded a greeting to him, not knowing what she could say to him to make him feel better. Or if anything even would. As with her, it would just take time to lessen the pain.

  “And this is Leah,” Lianna said, motioning with her hand to the girl.

  Upon closer inspection, the girl was like a miniature version of Lianna. Wavy blonde hair framed a freckled, pretty face. Deep blue eyes looked like the only difference between her and the older woman. Claire wondered briefly if she would grow up to look as stunning as Lianna. Some girls had all the luck…

  The girl smiled up at Claire in an unsure manner. Claire smiled back. Perhaps Lianna could instill some of her confidence on the girl, like Marion had done with Claire and her stubbornness.

  Claire wondered if the other two had spent their life in the Syndicate’s possession like Lin had, or if they’d been allowed to have their freedom like her or even Lianna.

  But unfortunately, she had other matters to attend to first. It was her turn to take Lianna aside. When they were a safe distance away, she said in a hushed voice, “I need to see the king.”

  A flash of confusion flicked across Lianna’s face and she opened her mouth to say something, but changed her mind, nodding instead. “I could arrange that,” she said finally. How much did she know? Was she still in the dark about the centaurs and the attacks?

  “No,” Claire said a little forcefully, letting her anger fuel her. “I need to see him now. Where is he?”

  Lianna’s eyebrows rose in shock at Claire’s tone. “I believe he may still be in his study, finishing up matters.”

  “Good,” Claire said. She nodded toward the others. “Look after them, will you?”

  Lianna nodded, narrowing her eyes as she studied Claire.

 
; Claire spun and stalked away to go find the king, possibly walking to her own doom.

  It was dark by the time she found the study. Getting slightly lost only helped fuel the fire growing inside of her, giving her time to fume over the king’s and the Council’s deception. She was nervous, of course. Confronting a king was never a good idea, no matter who did it. But she couldn’t let the matter go. She wouldn’t.

  Without hesitation, she flung open the door and stepped into the shadowy room. Dimly lit with only a few lanterns, it was more intimidating than she remembered, though the circumstances could have something to do with that as well. The king looked up from his desk, eyebrow raised, eyes glaring, clearly not happy about her intrusion. But he didn’t seem too surprised to see her. Perhaps he’d expected this little encounter. He set his pen down and slowly rose and came around the desk.

  “To what do I owe the pleasure?” He was calm and poised, his face blank.

  Claire took a deep breath and clasped her sweaty palms into fists. “You used me,” she came right out and said it.

  The king only narrowed his eyes at her.

  “You and the Council. You never had control of the centaur horde, did you?” Her voice rose gradually. “Did you?”

  The king stepped slowly up to her, until he was uncomfortably close and peered down at her, his expression cold.

  Claire’s heart leaped in her chest. But she stood her ground. She couldn’t lose her nerve now. She was already in too deep. “You lied to me to get what you wanted. You used me!”

  The king’s hand shot out, grabbed her chin, and yanked her head back, forcing her to look up at him. “I am the king!” he growled, his voice sharp and commanding. “I do what is necessary for my country, my people, and if that means using you to get what I want, what I need, then that is what I’ll do.”

  Fear spiked inside of her followed by the heat of anger. Her magic stirred inside of her and she could feel a light sting along her scar. “Get your hand off of me.” Her voice only trembled a little, surprisingly. Her knees on the other hand…