I shall see to it that those guards are severely punished! He fumed. He’d given them a direct order, one in which they blatantly disobeyed. They would never have disregarded my father’s orders.
An ache throbbed in the center of his chest. They didn’t respect him. Didn’t care he was their leader. Maybe he didn’t care either. So many times he’d considered just leaving. Running away from the responsibility. The pressure. The memories. But it was all for Ever. To protect her. She would rule the city one day—as long as Malus never knew of her existence.
The Garden
Gossamer mist lingered over a cobbled walkway leading into the garden. Velvety crimson petals clung to a vine of jade as it wove around a wrought iron archway. A forest of varying plants hugged either side of the narrow path while long, feathery fronds swayed like a mossy drape, courtesy of an ancient willow. The ceiling, capped by an artfully painted dome, stretched for what seemed like miles above them.
The central source of light, brilliant and warm, hung from the arched ceiling as though imitating a silvery moon. Flooding the entirety of the garden with a pearly hue, it sparkled and flickered like an alabaster disco ball.
Trees of all shapes and sizes filled every available space, some blossoming with a myriad of flowers while others were pregnant with ripened fruit. While Fate recognized many of the trees from the Surface, a vast majority were unlike any she’d ever seen. Pink, blue, and even lavender leaves decorated the branches of many. Some even shifted colors like a prism.
Mood trees, Fate mused.
Humidity clung to the atmosphere, filling Fate’s lungs with thick, warm air, mingled with the fragrance of a thousand flowers.
Speechless, she absorbed the ambiance of the room. Breathed it in. Even on the Surface, she was certain her eyes had never beheld such beauty. Every corner, every inch of it was spellbinding. The more her eyes drank in, the more her heart swelled.
“Oh, Ever,” Fate whispered with a reverent hush. Ever smiled in return. A knowing smile. As though she agreed completely.
The garden had no end to its riches. In a distant corner sat an enormous gilded cage, not unlike the cage Ever had delivered the infant phoenix in. Tiny fireballs scored the air within the domed enclosure. Baby phoenixes zipped from left to right, then up and down. Dozens of flames shot about the pen, pinging off the bars, then repelling in another direction. But it was the large orange figure perched elegantly in the corner that caught her attention.
A matron phoenix nested upon a stone pedestal. She was simply statuesque. Regal. Tucked safely beneath her were two tiny amber eggs, glowing like embers. Her lengthy red and gold tail feathers fanned over the entirety of the cradle, protecting her unborn babies with a wall of fire. Ink-black eyes bore into Fate’s, her elegant head cocked to one side. Inspecting her.
“That’s Cinder,” Ever spoke quietly, stationed to Fate’s left side.
They watched in awe. Neither moving, just observing the blazing beast as tendrils of flame rippled over her body like streams of lava.
The sound of trickling water stole Fate’s attention from the phoenix. To her right was a make-shift waterfall, cascading into a pond made of grey marble.
Moving to its side, she gazed into the dark blue waters. Beyond the undulating reflection of herself, Fate could see a multitude of rainbow fish gliding beneath the surface. Their skin glittered with an iridescent hue. Prismatic against the quiet light bathing them from above.
“That light.” Fate raised her face to the soft orb. “What is it? It looks like…a crystal of some kind.”
Nodding, Ever lifted her ivory profile. “Yes, it’s a special kind of crystal. Piezoelectric. It’s what powers our kingdom.”
Perfectly round and polished like a crystal ball, the sphere not only cast a gentle, white light, but soothing warmth as well.
“Ouch!” Fate exclaimed suddenly, a sharp pain biting her shoulder blade. Spinning around, she witnessed a tiny blur whiz away and escape into a nearby shrub.
“Pixies,” Ever stated with a roll of her sky-blue eyes. “They’re jerks.”
Fate nodded in agreement, the sting on her back throbbing.
A throaty growl resonated from a distant corner. Deep and rumbling like a storm cloud. Her interest piqued, Fate wandered the winding path. Pushing aside several lazy branches, heavy with leaves, she finally spotted the source of the guttural voice.
Seated in the heart of a yawning cave-like structure, was the most magnificent creature Fate had ever seen.
Where are they?
Panic prickled through Kane’s system. What if Fate had led Ever to a remote part of the palace and…he couldn’t think about the possibilities. Couldn’t think of losing Ever. Especially the same way he’d lost Seren.
Forcing himself to calm down and walk at a less hectic pace, he asked each demon he passed if they’d seen the girls. With every answer that resulted in a ‘no’, he became more frantic.
I must have been out of my mind to bring a shade here. What was I thinking?
As if his own consciousness answered him, a series of images flashed through his thoughts: the way her shy star-like eyes lowered when she was embarrassed, followed by the rush of rouge that painted her cheeks. The way she cuddled and babied Ick. The way her silken white hair cascaded over her petite shoulders and fell between her shoulder blades.
A flutter of something warm wandered through his heart and over his soul.
It was hopeless and he knew it. He couldn’t talk himself out of it any longer. He had feelings for her. Feelings that bordered on wrong, yet he simply couldn’t deny them. Demons and shades were simply not meant to be. Were they? How could two different races come together? They were sworn enemies.
His thoughts shifted to Ever. He just knew, deep down, that she was safe. Fate would never hurt her. She didn’t want to be a monster. She wasn’t a monster. She was an angel cursed. Cursed by his own mother.
He exhaled, his heart torn between loyalty and feelings he didn’t want to acknowledge.
Suddenly, the gruesome image of Seren’s chest cavity ripped open, her soul stolen, seized his thoughts. His father’s blood pooled beneath his cooling body. He simply couldn’t allow it. Couldn’t allow the feelings to cloud his judgment.
“No,” he growled through gritted teeth, recalling the wise words of the Oracle. “Shades can’t be trusted.”
Every individual scale shimmered with the essence of a sunset. Copper, gold, red, and even a hint of violet. His massive horned head tipped in her direction, watching her every move through fiery amber eyes. Long black talons adorned the tips of his gnarled, russet digits. Vast, membranous wings sprouted from his back. Not unlike bat wings, they had intermittent ribs held taut by dense, coral flesh.
Thick steel bars enclosed him. Imprisoned him. While Fate understood it was for his own good, that Kane wanted to preserve the last dragon in existence, she couldn’t help but feel saddened. Something so beautiful, so powerful, should not be kept locked away. A shortened life would be better than none at all, wouldn’t it?
“His name is Arcanum,” Ever offered.
“Arcanum?” Fate paused, a memory emerging from the depths. She fought to recall. His name meant something. Something she knew from the Surface.
“Yes,” Ever turned to Fate. “The king—my grandfather—found him dying in the desert shortly before he… ” The princess stopped and looked away.
“Before?”
“Before he died,” Ever blurted dismissively. “His name is Arcanum,” she said quickly, changing the subject.
“Arcanum,” Fate repeated quietly. The word ricocheted inside her head like a song you can’t help but sing over and over. His name meant something in her human tongue. But what? As if pushed from the depths of her memory by an angelic source, it surfaced.
Secret…his name means secret.
She prided herself momentarily for the recall, then glanced back at him before following along behind Ever. The old dragon gave a deep sigh
, then laid his formidable body down, a wisp of smoke rising from his snout. His eyes stayed locked upon the girls as they passed by his cage. An ancient wisdom lurked behind them, veiled with sadness.
Ahead, Fate could hear commotion. Amidst the foliage, a great cacophony. A shrill whinnying. Without even seeing him, Fate knew right away who the perpetrator was. Ever had already mentioned him.
The Night Mare.
Night Mare
Tightness spread across his chest. How could he have betrayed Seren’s memory like this? For a shade, no less? Distressed by his own lack of sensibility, he marched through the corridor, still searching for Ever. Maybe they weren’t even together. Maybe Fate had wondered from her room and…his heart did an uncomfortable flip flop.
What if Syphon got a hold of her? What if he’s hurting her?
Again, his true feelings surfaced. This strange and inexplicable desire to protect the shade. Why did he deem her so important? Other than the fact that he needed her to collect the remaining scrolls, and hopefully the stolen ones, he had no use for her. Her kind killed his father. Her kind murdered his wife. Why was this even an issue? A consideration?
He had to harden his heart. Block her from his thoughts. Clenching his fists and gritting his teeth, he furled his brow with fresh determination.
Nothing should come between his responsibility to his people. He had a job to do. He had to find the scrolls, use the shade to retrieve them, then—dispose of her.
It was a beast the shade of pure midnight. Sleek as black velvet—except for the fire. A willowy ribbon of flames rolled over his crest, down the back of his neck, and ended at his brawny shoulders. His lengthy tail, grazing the floor behind him, burned with the same fervor as his mane. Even his hooves brandished a blaze.
“Don’t look him in the eye,” Ever warned, keeping her chin tucked into her chest as they stood before the fiery horse.
“Why?” Fate whispered, lowering her eyes to the ground, glancing up with caution to steal an admiring look at him.
“He’s very unpredictable. You never know what his mood is going to be like,” Ever explained.
Not unlike a lot of males around here. Fate rolled her eyes, thinking of Kane and his pendulum of sociability. One minute, warm and engaging, the next, aloof and unreceptive.
“Not to mention,” Ever continued, “his gaze can hypnotize you.”
“How?”
“He was born of black magic. He’s not like the other creatures here.” The demon princess had a low, cautionary tone.
“Not like the others?” Fate reiterated, thinking of the sulky dragon and the elegant phoenix.
“He didn’t come from the Surface. He was conjured.”
“By whom?” The dark horse dragged an ember hoof along the floor of his pen, drawing a long line in the dirt. He lowered his head and gave a grunt, almost as if he was answering Fate in his own language.
Ever shrugged. “We don’t know. He’s not supposed to exist.”
“What’s his name?” Fate allowed her white eyes to linger on the great horse. Nearly twelve feet high, he was simply colossal. But strangely, she wasn’t afraid of him. Only captivated.
Again, the pale princess raised her shoulders. “We just call him Night Mare.”
“Ever!” a Baritone voice thundered through the garden, startling the two girls. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you!”
Kane’s large black form stormed through the foliage, leaving a trail of torn leaves and broken branches in his wake.
“Father?” Ever responded calmly, her blue eyes puzzled. “Are you alright?”
“No! I am not alright! I ordered the guards to keep you away from…that.” He fired a cold glare in Fate’s direction.
Her blood ran cold, the sting of shock spreading through her body.
That.
He’d said it with such disgust. Such hatred. Fate was glad for the mask shielding her mouth. It prevented Kane from seeing her bottom lip tremble.
Ever’s blue eyes shot bullets in her father’s directions. “Daddy! How can you be so…”
“Ever,” he interrupted, taking her arm, “Shades can’t be trusted. She could…kill you.”
She ripped her arm from him, leaving his large hand empty and hovering mid-air. “She healed you. And if she wanted to kill me, she would have done it already. She’s had plenty of opportunities.”
Tears welled into the corners of Fate’s eyes. “I…should go,” she forced the words out, hoping they didn’t sound as strangled as they’d felt. Turning to leave, she walked quickly away from father and daughter.
“Wait!” Ever called. “Fate!”
As the first tear rolled over her cheek, Fate stopped walking—and started running.
“How dare you!” his daughter’s blue eyes iced over. Hands on her hips, she glared up at the seven foot prince. Her white wings twitched whilst her long tail flicked irritably beneath her gown.
Regret overshadowed the anger that had owned him but moments ago.
“She’s my friend,” the princess waggled an ivory finger in his face, an angry crease woven into her forehead. “And she’s not dangerous, you above all people should know that. She’s had plenty of opportunities to hurt both you and I. But did she? No!”
Kane sighed. “You’re right,” he stated honestly. He’d been an ass.
She immediately silenced, her reprimanding hand falling limply to her side. “I am?” Her eyes widened and she gaped at her father. Never before had he conceded so quickly—if at all.
“Yes.” Kane nodded, raising a large, black hand to his daughter’s pale, satin cheek. “You’re right. I shouldn’t have spoken to her like that. I was just…so worried about you.”
An expression of pure understanding eclipsed her face and a smile graced her lips. Patting his hand as it held her cheek she gave him a firm stare and then pointed her finger in the direction of Fate’s room. “Good. Now go and apologize.”
Kane rolled his eyes and gave his daughter a wide grin. Turning, he made his way out of the garden and headed for Fate’s room.
His stomach fluttered with nerves. He didn’t intend on just apologizing, he was going to tell her everything.
“It’s obvious I’m not wanted here,” Fate sniffed, gathering a few items from her room and tossing them into a burgundy pillow case she’d hijacked from the bed. Her tears had ceased halfway to her room and morphed into an angry burn smoldering within her chest. She seethed as she recalled Kane’s venom laced words. “He doesn’t want me here. They don’t want me here.” The image of the demons and their hateful stares fueled her anger further.
She’d made her decision. She was going to find the one person in Dark World who wanted her.
Malus.
Ick whined, wincing each time she stuffed an article into the bag, pounding it for good measure.
Taking last inventory of the room, her gaze fell longingly on the tiny phoenix watching from within his gilded cage. While she desperately wanted to take him with her, it just didn’t seem feasible.
“Unless…” Fate murmured, eyeing the little fireball.
She recalled a time from the Surface that she’d gone to the zoo. There, one employee had a falcon on his arm, talons wrapped tightly around a long, leather glove that nearly reached his elbow. At first, she wondered how he’d gotten the falcon to stay perched there. The bird’s amber eyes were wild and it often stretched and fluttered it wings as though threatening to take flight at any moment. Then she noticed a thick rawhide ribbon dangling from one of the bird’s legs, the other end gripped tight in the man’s fist. A leash.
Fate scanned the room quickly, looking for something that would work for such a tiny bird. Then she saw it. A thin red strip of fabric held back an ivory drape. She moved swiftly across the room, untied it, and brought it back to the cage.
The little bird peeped nervously as Fate tied the thread around his left leg. Tiny flames rolled over the phoenix and licked at her fingers while she gently formed
a knot. She’d honestly expected more of a fight from him, but strangely, he seemed to understand what she was doing and cooperated.
Setting the phoenix upon her shoulder, leash in hand, Fate gathered her bag and gave a quick look at Ick, who was watching her with a wary expression.
“You ready to go?” she inquired, her hand clutching the door knob.
If she didn’t know better, Fate was sure she saw him shake his head no.
Part Three
Twist of Fate
Storms
The Nephthys River sloshed and burbled, its thick current wavering like a stream of ebony ink. A distant geyser fired a canon of scalding vapor high into the air, announcing the late hour.
His master would be waiting for him.
Though it had been ridiculously easy to steal the scroll from the demons’ lair, Vale was forced to hide out in the mountains for a few days before making his way home.
Very carefully, he pulled the page from his jacket pocket. The crisp, ancient paper protested as he unraveled it from its deep sleep. No one had read these words for over two hundred years. The scrawls and swirls penned in golden ink waltzed across the page, leaping out at him as he read the passage left by the demon king. Lucifer.
What a pity he made such a mess of things. His curse would have worked…if he’d done it right.
No one was supposed to be able to touch the scrolls. But something happened. Something was done wrong. Now, the demons couldn’t lay a hand upon them or the enchantment would come alive and steal one thousand years of their life. No race could handle the scrolls—except shades.
Rumor was, Malus had learned that the hard way. His eyes narrowed. He knew better. Dark World was rampant with her minions spinning lies.
Dark World (Book I in the Dark World Trilogy) Page 14