“Where are we going first?” Bree asked. “I mean, as much fun as it might be to ride aimlessly all around Underworld, maybe we should come up with a game plan.”
“I thought perhaps we should check out one of the nearby villages,” Eurig said, slowing his horse so that he could fall back to trot beside Bree. She was riding just a tad slower than he was. And she hoped he wouldn’t be insufferable about her slower speed. “We can see if the fae who live there have been cursed as well. If not, then we will know that it was just confined to the castle.”
“And if it wasn’t just confined to the castle?” Bree couldn’t help but ask.
Eurig fell silent for a moment, his eyes gazing at the distant horizon. “Well, then we will address that problem when we reach it. One step at a time. We do not know exactly what is happening here. Once we have a better idea, we can make a plan.”
An eerie sensation whispered through Bree’s gut. Eurig might pretend that he hadn’t considered the repercussions, but she knew he had already imagined it, just the same as she had. Silently, they reached the front gates of the castle. Eurig jumped down from his horse to unlock the gates and push them wide open while Bree led the horses to the other side. He closed the gates behind them, even though that would do little good if the Wilde Fae came calling while they were gone.
After Eurig joined Bree back on the horses, they rode down the path that Bree had first used to reach the castle with Taveon that fateful day that felt so long ago now. In fact, it felt like years. She didn’t truly know how long it had been. One month, maybe two. Three, at most. The weeks have both flown by and dragged like a chain that she worn when she first arrived. Indeed, it was hard to imagine a time when she had not lived in Underworld. The Light Fae realm felt distant, even while wearing her old fighting leathers, but her time as a human felt even further away than that. Like it happened to someone else, in a different lifetime.
And she guessed it had. Bree was no longer the human girl she had once been. This realm had changed her, and her life as a shapeshifting beast had changed her. The fae males she had gotten so close to had also changed her. Taveon had changed her, in the very opposite way she would have expected.
Sighing, Bree stared at the distant horizon, knowing exactly where the black rocks would lie down the path. The ring of rocks that could lead her straight back to her old life, to Otherworld, to the Light Fae she’d left behind.
It was strange, really. When she’d first come here, she wanted nothing more than to go back to the place she felt was her home. But now, she was on that road, heading in the very direction of the place Bree had fought so hard to return to. But she would not use the Faerie Ring to go back now. She would continue on past it, if that was where their path would lead. There was still too much for her to do for the Dark Fae before she went back.
“So, how far is this nearest village?” Bree asked after several long moments had passed by without a single word uttered between the two of them. Bree wasn’t the kind of girl to enjoy silence for too long. She babbled nonsense if she had to, a fact that got her into trouble more often than not. “Is it far?”
Eurig cast a strange glance in her direction before he focused his attention on the horizon ahead. “I am surprised you do not know this. Has Rafferty not taught you about the villages and the geography of Underworld yet?”
Bree frowned. “Unfortunately, we got a little sidetracked when it came to that kind of training. There hasn’t been much time for lessons on geography or town names or even anything related to creatures or poisons. All my training so far has been on the physical side of things. The shapeshifting, the fighting. There was the whole Battle for the Crown that we had to prepare for, and then your arrival. There’s just been one thing after another. I know Taveon always planned for me to learn more than just fighting, but we just haven’t had a chance to get there.”
“I see.” Eurig didn’t seem to approve of her training, which wasn’t particularly surprising. He didn’t seem to approve of much of anything at all. “I understand his need to make you champion, though I cannot say I approve of how he handled it. Your lack of knowledge will make this journey far more difficult than it needs to be.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Bree asked, lifting an eyebrow as she flicked the reins in an attempt to keep up with Eurig’s quick trot.
Eurig spread his arm wide, gesturing at the moonlit countryside that surrounded them. It was beautiful in a haunting sort of way. On her first journey here with Taveon, she’d been so angry, her chains rattling and her wrists stinging from pain. She hadn’t paid much attention to the scenery then, but there was no denying its beauty now. The grass was silver and green, the hues lit up by the silver glow of the orb that hung low in the sky. Underworld was always cast in darkness, but the precious hours when the moon was high in the sky was often far more glorious than any daytime Bree had ever seen.
“The first village is further than a single day’s ride. We will need to enter the forest first, and then make camp for the night.” He shot her grim smile. “It would have been nice for the King to teach you about the various creatures who call the forest home. Because there is no doubt that we will have to fight them at one point or another on our journey.”
Bree stiffened. When Taveon had first told her about the Academy, he had mentioned sessions about poisons and creatures and flora and fauna. But the full weight of it had never truly sunk in. She had been so distracted by Taveon, so enraged by his supposed cruelty. The truth was, he had always intended to teach her more, but they hadn’t reached that point yet. And now she was about to get a very hands-on lesson.
“Creatures worse than the Wilde Fae?” Bree asked with a raised eyebrow.
“The Wilde Fae are merely fae who are a bit more vicious than the rest of us. They are, simply, wild.” That strange smile of his stayed locked on his face. “The creatures, on the other hand, are something else entirely. They are like our beasts, only without that extra bit of…well, I cannot say humanity because shapeshifters are not humans, but you know what I mean.”
A shiver raced down Bree’s spine. If the forest was truly full of creatures like Bree’s beast, without the ability to shapeshift into a more human-like form, then it was chilling indeed. And slightly terrifying, though she wasn’t about to admit her fear to Eurig.
“Great,” Bree said, failing to keep the lighthearted tone in her voice.
“Don’t worry,” Eurig said with a chuckle. “I’ll keep you safe.”
Bree narrowed her eyes and shot Eurig a scowl. “Look, dude. I don’t need you to protect me. I can certainly protect myself.”
“Of course you can,” Eurig said with a slight roll of his eyes. “You have seen everything this realm can throw at you while you have been tucked away in that castle of yours and your perfect little chambers with your soft bed and warm fire and all those males who want nothing more than to protect you.”
Bree glared at him, tightening her grip on the reins. “Don’t act like you think you know everything about me. You have no idea what I’ve been through, and yes, that includes my time spent in this realm. I didn’t always have those chambers, you know. I was a prisoner when I first arrived, chained and locked away in a cage, like an animal in a zoo. Not that you have any idea what a zoo even is.”
Oh, he was infuriating. A part of her wished she could turn around and go straight back to the castle, so she could come up with a plan to save the Court on her own. But she knew that was hopeless. As much as she hated to admit it, Eurig knew far more about the realm that she did. She wouldn’t even know where to begin looking. Not that she was going to tell him that.
“I know what a zoo is. And I know what it’s like to be chained and what it’s like to be caged. Do not forget I am a shapeshifter like you, and my life has been far from perfect, too. You are not the only one with a sad story, Bree. You would do well to remember that.”
Once again, Bree cut her eyes his way, curiosity nibbling her brain. What was
his story? She hated that she wanted to know his past as much as she did. But she couldn’t help herself. There was a story there. One that she felt might mirror her own, though that was impossible. How could his life have been anything like hers? He certainly didn’t look any worse for wear.
In fact, he looked downright gorgeous. A fact that annoyed the shit out of Bree.
They fell silent for a while after that, the only sound the hoofbeats on the dirt path that cut through the vivid grass. As the moments stretched into hours, the moon began to dip low behind the horizon. Pinks and reds and brilliant blues lit up the sky like fireworks, and Bree couldn’t help stare with her mouth slightly open in awe. She had seen a moonset once before, when Rafe had snuck her out onto the highest balcony in the highest tower. It had been brilliant then, and it was brilliant now. Different but beautiful all the same.
Eurig caught her staring, and for once, his smile seemed somewhat genuine. “Beautiful, eh? I have never seen a moonset quite like this one.”
“The sunsets in the human realm are beautiful, but I have to admit they do not compare to this.”
“Well, that would be because the moon and the sun are very different beasts. Darkness and light are polar opposites, but there is great beauty in both, if one looks close enough to see it.”
His words warmed her, even with the chilly night air clinging to her skin. At the fork in the path, Eurig took the left path instead of going straight on to the Faerie Ring. They were headed away from the fields and toward the forest. A dark hulking monstrosity that rose up menacingly before them, like a swarm of shadows that would swallow them whole. As they grew closer and closer to the trees, the forest seemed to stretch out for miles on either side of them. Indeed, Bree swore she could not see a beginning or an end to them. The forest seemed unending, and it chilled her to think that they would soon ride straight into the very heart of it.
When they reached the tree line, Eurig brought the horse to a stop and jumped down off his steed. He motioned for Bree to do the same, taking her reins when her feet hit the ground.
Bree lifted an eyebrow and watched him get to work on building a fire with some twigs he found around the perimeter of the forest. “I thought we were going to camp out in the forest tonight. You said it was halfway from the castle to the village.”
Eurig let out a low chuckle and shook his head. “It would have been halfway if we had been riding at my speed. But you slowed us down. Besides, you know nothing about the forest. It will be safer for us to camp out here instead of in the depths of it.”
Bree crossed her arms across her chest. “You don’t think I have it in me. Well, I would like you to know that I am perfectly capable of going into the forest and camping out there instead of here. In fact, I insist upon it.”
“Too late, Redcap Girl.” Eurig threw some more twigs on top of the building pile and sunk down to his knees. “We’ve already stopped, and the moon will be behind the horizon within moments. It is far too late for us to ride to the next safe circle within the trees. It would take us a good two hours, and trust me, you do not want us to be riding through the forest in the dark.”
Bree let out a frustrated sigh, but she could see that there was no use in arguing with him any longer. He had made up his mind. And besides, as much as she wanted to prove him wrong, she knew he was right. The only evidence the moon had ever been in the sky was the slightest sliver of dark blue streaking across the horizon. Darkness loomed large, shadows clinging to everything around them. They needed to get a fire going and soon. It would be hard enough to see with the flames, much less riding on the path in this heavy of darkness, adding trees and dangerous creatures into the mix.
“Please. Continue to stand there, staring at the forest while I do all of the work for us.” Eurig tossed a couple more limbs onto the pile and then made magic with some grass. Sparks shot through the darkness, and soon flames had begun to engulf the branches. Bree strode over to his side and dropped down onto the grass, staring into the flickering flames of the fire.
“What is it you would like me to do?” Bree asked, hating that she had to take second in command. But she had to admit that he knew far more about this camping out business that she did.
“Stay here and stoke the fire. I will find a something for us to eat for the night.” Eurig pushed up from the ground, his muscles rippling as he moved. Bree stared after him and swallowed hard, her eyes catching on every ridge of his shoulders, his biceps, and even his back through his tight tunic. He was so strong and powerful, much more powerful than she had first given him credit for.
Eurig turned and caught her look, and then a slight smile spread across his face. “Any requests?”
Bree flushed. What was he asking? Did he really think that she would make that kind of request from him? Sure, she had been appreciating his outward appearance, but she wasn’t sure how she felt about the inner part of him. And besides, it was pretty rich of him to assume that just because they were traveling together that she would give that part of herself to him. Fully and completely, in a way she only ever had with Rafe.
His chuckle grew louder and deeper, and a thrill spread across her skin in spite of herself. “You need to learn a better poker face. Someone is very naughty indeed.”
Bree balled her fists by her sides and glared up at him, ignoring the way the flickering fire caressed his features, enhancing his already handsome face. “Don’t get so cocky. Just because I am not an idiot and I understand how the male mind works doesn’t mean I want anything from you.”
“Well, then it might be embarrassing for you to know that my male mind wasn’t thinking anything of the sort. I was asking you what you want to eat. If you have a particular food that you like best.” He winked. “I was not suggesting, as pleasant as I am sure it would be, that you should request my physical affections.”
Bree’s face flamed. “Good. Because I don’t want your physical affections.”
“Glad we got that settled.” Eurig pulled a bow from his back as well as an arrow, and then he arched a single eyebrow. “So, about that request? Is there anything in particular you like to eat?”
Bree shook her head. To be honest, she did not have much of an appetite. Her gut had turned so many times during the past several hours, after witnessing all of the fallen fae inside of the Great Hall. Carrying Rafe to his room where she had to say goodbye. Everything had happened so quickly, and Eurig and Bree had rushed out of the castle at lightning speed. It was hard to imagine eating now knowing what they had left behind.
Bree stoked the fire like Eurig had asked, anxiously awaiting his return. His warnings had put her on edge, and every crack and rustle in the forest made her jump. Finally, after several long, tense moments that felt like hours, she heard the sound of footsteps crunching through the leaves. With her heart in her throat, Bree jumped up from the ground and strode over to the tree line, peering through the thick brush toward the sound of Eurig’s footsteps.
But instead of Eurig and his golden gleaming eyes, she found herself face-to-face with the red eyes of a growling beast. She could not see the full size of it, not through the thick darkness of the forest. She took one stumbling step back, and then another, fleeing to the bright glow of the fire. In the human realm, she knew that most beasts did not like fire, and she just had to hope the same would ring true in Underworld.
With a deep breath, Bree kept her gaze locked on the glowing eyes. She placed her trembling hands behind her and curled her fingers into claws. If there was one thing she had learned in her time spent training, it was how to shift, even if only one part of her body.
The beast sniffed a long shuttering type of noise that sent chills through every part of Bree. She trembled under its red gaze. She called upon her claws, picturing the way they looked carving out from large, thick, and fur-covered fingers. But nothing happened. Her fingers remained fingers instead of morphing into powerful claws.
She took another step back toward the fire, willing her body to ch
ange. The beast charged. With a roar, he was halfway toward Bree before she knew what was happening. It was then that she got a full look at him. He was nothing like she’d ever seen before. Half tiger, half bird, with fire-orange wings spread out far on either side of him. Bree stared, swallowing hard. His wings were covered in blood.
Tears sprung into Bree’s eyes as she stared at the fresh blood that coated his feathers. Whoever’s blood that was, they had only just been killed.
“Eurig,” Bree whispered. He had gone into the forest looking for food and he must have found…this, whatever it was.
The beast roared, opening its hawk-like beak and emitting a noise that sounded nothing like a bird. More like a mountain lion. A massive one.
Bree clenched her jaw as she made one final attempt to transform any part of her body into the beast that lurked beneath her skin. But for once, her wolf had abandoned her. She was nowhere to be found, not when it truly counted.
And then the beast lunged. A sharp cry of alarm ripped from Bree’s throat. She whirled away from the beast, pounding her feet hard against the ground. Her hair streamed out behind her, the bitter wind of the dark night fighting against her skin. She pumped her hands by her sides, forcing her feet to move as fast as they could. If only she could change her legs into the powerful limbs of her wolf, this creature who chased her would never be able to catch up.
But that wasn’t happening. And she was far too slow. Something large and heavy slammed into her back, and her feet tripped underneath her. She slammed hard onto the ground and dust swirled into her face, stinging her eyes. She coughed and groaned as pain glanced lanced through her body. Through the bond, she heard Taveon roar in agony.
A Heart of Midnight (Dark Fae Academy Book 2) Page 10