Betrayals of Spring

by L. P. Dover

  “What can we do to help?” Griffin, the elder leprec-haun, asks. They all nod their heads enthusiastically hoping to help, but I honestly don’t think there is anything they can do. Their willingness to help warms my heart and I wish to the stars there was a way they could help.

  A little leprechaun boy runs forward holding some-thing in his hand. “What about this? Will this help?” he yells.

  He puts something in my hand and I instantly recognize it as Kalen’s thistle birch cord. My eyes instantly water and I clutch the cord tightly in my hands. These brown leathery cords are made from thistle birch trees found in the Winter Court. They are supposed to provide strength and luck to warriors in battle. All of the Winter warriors wear them, and I know Kalen always wore his.

  “Thank you, little one. This will most definitely help me along the way,” I answer with a smile. His grin is huge as he saunters off back into the crowd. I take the cord and I secure it around my wrist. This will give me strength and luck in my search for him. I turn my attention back to Griffin.

  “Thank you, Griffin, for your help, but…” I hold my arm up where the cord is tied snugly to my wrist, “This right here is all the help I need.”

  He nods his head and motions to the village.

  “How can you fix what the dark sorcerer has done? The land is dead.”

  I open my mouth to answer, but Ashur silently interrupts, “Can you really do this, Meliantha?”

  I respond without looking at him. “I hope so.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll do all that I can,” I reply to the leprechaun.

  I look around the crowd at their hopeful faces and I pray that I don’t let them down. Ashur and Finn look worried, but I smile to reassure them. I walk away from the crowd to the center of the village. The life and energy of the land is suffocating from the black magic. I can hear their screams as I bend down to touch the ground. It rips at my heart and the tears automatically begin to flow. The pain of the land is my pain, and it’s eating away at my soul.

  With both hands placed firmly on the ground, I call upon my magic and it instantly begins to surge beneath my skin. The power blasts from my fingers and into the ground. I can see it spreading throughout the land and everything that had turned black from the poisonous touch of the dark sorcerer is now vibrantly green and splayed with flowers. The village bursts with color. The sounds of the leprechaun’s cheers bring me joy, and I revel in their happiness.

  “Meliantha, that’s enough! Stop!”

  I can hear the screams from Ashur and Finn, but I am too drawn into my magic to stop. My body is warm and light making me feel as if I’m floating above the ground. Using too much power can make you drunk off of it, but I think I’m way beyond drunk when the pain starts. My muscles begin to ache while the power inside me dissipates. Dizziness overtakes me and my eyes begin to lose focus. I fall over, expecting to hit the ground, but instead I’m scooped into Ashur’s arms and cradled against his chest.

  “I told you to stop!” he screams inside my head.

  I look around the village and a sigh escapes my lips. “It’s so beautiful,” is all I can say before exhaustion takes over my body.

  - Dark Sorcerer -

  “What the hell are you doing?” Breena screams as the fae surround her to take her away.

  “Something I should have done a long time ago,” I sneer at her. Her eyes go wide when the realization hits her that I will not save her this time. Her piercing screams echo in the night and fades the farther I walk away. It feels good to be rid of the worthless bitch. She has caused nothing but trouble since the day she opened her legs to me. I have endured too much of her whining and complaining, and no amount of fucking is worth all of that. Now that I have Meliantha’s power flowing through my veins it feels like there is nothing I can’t do. Thinking of the way Breena’s face looked as I left will always stay with me. I laugh thinking about it because now she will spend the rest of her life doing what she does best- screwing everything that walks by her path. I find the outcome fitting.

  I deliberately made my way through this part of the Mystical Forest for two reasons: One, to get rid of Breena, and two, to torment Meliantha. Meliantha will soon realize I am leading her around in circles. Destroying the leprechauns land was easy, but now the fun will begin. Once she follows my trail, she will fall prey to the fae that live in these parts. Due to their possessive nature over women, they will not let a prize like her go. They will have a feast with her and Breena because in these parts it’s rare for these men to get a hold of a fae woman.

  I would love to see how she gets out of this without becoming victim to their power. It’s almost impossible. Her companions, no doubt, will have a say about it and will most likely be killed if they interfere. I strongly believe my game will stop here, but I’ve been surprised before. I plan to make one more visit before I put this game to a close. The most terrifying group of fae creatures will be in this village I plan to go to next. I have several of them in my army and I have seen what they can do. They can be brutal when provoked, and they make the best killers. I would love to have more in my army and I plan to get more of them tonight. These creatures live to kill and if Meliantha makes it past my last stop then there is no way she’ll survive where I lead her next.

  I have lain low the past five years, but now is the time for me to grow. If Meliantha makes it past this last stop, then she’s much stronger and wiser than I anticipated. If it comes to that, I will finish her off myself. I will give her a taste of the prince, and then break her down to nothing when I kill him before her very own eyes.

  “Never again, Meliantha,” Ashur chastises me. He climbs up on his horse with a scowl on his face while Finn walks up behind me and lifts me onto Prince Ashe. I don’t need the help but he insisted that I take it.

  “You had us worried, Mel. You’ve never done that before and we didn’t know what to do to help you. Please don’t do it again,” Finn begs, looking concerned. I don’t want to put them through grief and worry, but I have to do what I can to help. If that means going crazy with my power then so be it.

  I feel a little weak, but looking at the village around me I do not regret a single thing I have done. The land is healed and its joy is coursing through my veins bringing me a new surge of hope. I give Finn a reassuring smile, “I’m okay, Finn. It just took a lot out of me, but I’m fine now. Trust me.”

  Ashur snorts and Finn raises his eyebrows in disbelief. His skeptical glare is penetrating, but then he nods his head and leaves me to mount his own horse. I panicked when I found out I slept for twelve hours and that it was late in the afternoon. My healing dilemma has set me back farther than I wanted. The longer the dark sorcerer has a chance to get away, the longer it’ll take to get Kalen back.

  My things had already been packed and ready to go for when I woke up and I was amazed to find that the leprechauns had prepared us a grand feast before we left as well. The food was amazing and they also sent us some for the journey ahead.

  “Be careful, Princess. We all bid you a safe journey and a fond farewell,” Griffin announces.

  All the leprechauns in the village have gathered to see our departure. Ashur, Finn, and I were each given a four leaf clover for luck and were told to keep them on us at all times. I entwined mine with Kalen’s thistlebirch cord that I have now wrapped around the braid in my hair.

  I address the crowd, “Thank you everyone. Remember what I said, if you need protection, I’ll gladly offer it to you.” I look at them all and say, “Farewell my friends.”

  They shout their goodbyes and I wave them farewell as Prince Ashe leads me away. Even though I hate the circumstances of my visit, I am glad that I had the opportunity to meet them. Today makes the third day we have been on the hunt for the dark sorcerer. I wish I knew what the courts were doing right now, and if they have sent warriors to find us. I honestly hope they haven’t, but I’m sure that with me and the prince missing they will most definitely have a search out for us.

&
nbsp; Aki is running with great speed while the rest of us follow closely on his heels. The farther I go in this journey the more my stomach twinges in fear. The first stop with the leprechauns is going to be but a taste of what the dark sorcerer has in store for me. I fear for Kalen’s safety and I believe with all my heart that I can save him, but I also fear for my own safety and the safety of my friends.

  This twisted game the dark sorcerer has conjured is only going to get tougher. I had thought the dark sorcerer would lead us to the Black Forest, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. The path we are taking is moving us away from the Black Forest, and it’s looking as if we’re headed in circles. I’m determined to remain strong, but leave it to the dark sorcerer to screw around with me any chance he gets.

  We’re riding hard and swift, and thankfully, Prince Ashe doesn’t appear to be tired at all as we make our way through the forest. I worry that I may be pushing him too hard. I know what I’m doing is putting everyone through hell, but they have to understand that I refuse to give up.

  “Don’t be mad at me, Ashur,” I plea silently.

  He glances over at me and his expression softens.

  “I am not mad at you, just worried. You will kill yourself trying to save everyone and everything, Meliantha. You need to take care of yourself for a change.”

  He does have a point, but it’s in my nature to want to protect the people I care about. It is my duty to protect all fae creatures of the land. If I have the power to help them, then I need to help them.

  “I know, Ashur, and I promise to take care of myself. I just want you to understand that I will do anything to save Kalen. I’m sure you would do the same for Elissa if the situation were switched.”

  He sighs.

  “You’re right, I would. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for her, but I am your Guardian and it is my job to protect you. I am going to repeat what I said earlier…NO MORE! Do we have an understanding?”

  “Yes, Guardian,” I reply sullenly.

  “Thank you.”

  I know he worries about me, but I know how to take care of myself. I tell him that constantly, but he never listens to me. Ashur is an amazing guardian and I am honored to have him by my side. Truthfully, I don’t know if I can keep my end of the bargain, but at least I didn’t make a promise. Promises are sacred and all I agreed to with Ashur was just an understanding. I’m hoping he doesn’t pick up on his mistake.

  I notice the land beginning to change and I can see an opening where a huge lake lies up ahead. There are several different types of fae creatures that inhabit the waters in the Land of the Fae and most of them are ones to steer clear of. I don’t want my warriors to be swept away by sirens or water nymphs.

  “Stay away from the water!” I yell.

  Ashur and Finn look amused, but I don’t think they would have those smiles if they met a watery grave. Aki skirts alongside the water banks and stops when he reaches the bridge. The bridge expands across the water to the land beyond where a dense fog has taken over. The fog makes it to where we can’t see the end of the bridge or what might be waiting there when we cross.

  “Are you sure you want to cross here, Meliantha? I don’t think it’s a good idea if we can’t see what we are heading into,” Ashur points out.

  “I agree with him, Mel. I don’t like the way it looks around here at all,” Finn agrees.

  If we don’t follow the dark sorcerer, I will lose Kalen forever. I have to go across this bridge. What lies ahead is going to be a challenge, but I am ready for it.

  “I have to go,” I say to both of them, pleading. “I have no choice.”

  They both sigh and shake their heads.

  “Well, at least let me go first,” Ashur snaps. He trots along not waiting for a reply, and I quickly follow him while Finn trails along behind me. The bridge is wide enough for us all to ride side by side, but I know Ashur doesn’t want me in front in case there is an attack. We are edging towards the end of the bridge and Aki impulsively jumps through the fog. He starts to growl menacingly and that can only mean one thing…danger lies ahead. I’m not leaving here without him.

  I nudge Prince Ashe firmly in the ribs and he bounds past Ashur into the fog ahead. I hear his protests behind me, but that is the least of my worries right now. Once the fog clears I am abruptly aware of why the dark sorcerer led me here; unfortunately, it is not to use my healing abilities. I’m slowly being surrounded by a dozen men and they are closing in fast. Chills spread throughout my body and the realization of why I am here fills me with dread. I can hear Ashur and Finn yelling as they come through the fog behind me.

  “Meliantha! Close your eyes!” Ashur demands silently.

  Finn’s response is just as fast. “What the hell?” he screams. Our situation just became monumentally bad, and I fear that our chances to get out of this one are undeniably slim. What am I going to do? I close my eyes tightly while gripping onto Prince Ashe’s reigns with all my strength. Keeping my eyes closed makes me feel vulnerable, but I don’t have a choice. If I look at these men in the eyes my life will be forfeit.

  “Whatever you do, do not open your eyes. That bastard led you right into the hands of the Tyvar,” Ashur says desperately in my mind.

  I knew who these men were, but deep down I was hoping it wouldn’t be so. My palms begin to sweat and my heart is beating out of my chest. If I don’t stop my erratic breathing I am going to pass out on my horse, and passing out around the Tyvar is a very bad idea for a woman. The Tyvar are extremely handsome faerie men and are very enticing to the female eye. They admire the pleasantries of the female body and will lure women away from their homes with their powers of seduction. Their powers are strong and can turn any woman into a sex slave just by a simple glance. Also, the women they take never survive long.

  With the Tyvar being only men, the women they have captured are usually passed along endlessly from man to man, wearing them out quickly. Since a lot of fae women aren’t around this part of the Mystical Forest, the Tyvar usually find their captives in the mortal realm. But with me being a fae, and being stronger, their nights of pleasure would last a hundred times longer than it would with a mortal. Is this what the dark sorcerer had in mind for me, to be a sex slave for the rest of my life?

  My eyes are closed but I hear footsteps coming closer to me. I gasp when I feel large hands encircle my waist and pull me smoothly down from my horse. I’m surprised by his gentle touch, but I did learn that these men take care of their women when they capture them. It still doesn’t make me feel any better. The Tyvar’s voice sounds smooth and seductive when he murmurs, “Well, well, what do we have here?” I almost opened my eyes to see what he looked like, but then remembered I have to keep them closed. This is going to be harder than I thought.

  “There are too many, Meliantha. They have us surrounded. What do you want us to do?” Ashur asks hesitantantly.

  “I want you to stay calm, Ashur. I don’t want you or Finn hurt, and if you fight...”

  I can’t finish the thought because the Tyvar who helped me from my horse starts to trail his hand along the side of my face and down my jaw to my neck. I shiver under his touch, but not with pleasure. I think he mistakes it for pleasure because he moves closer. I take a step back, but I am blocked by Prince Ashe, and can move no further. Aki is growling down by my side sounding like he is about to attack, but I hastily send him a mental message to stay calm.

  “Get your fucking hands off her, now!” Finn yells.

  I hear him pull his sword so I yell, “Finn, stop!” I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to him or my guardian. The Tyvar laugh all around us and I can hear them apprehend both Ashur and Finn by the sounds of flesh hitting flesh and their growls of anger.

  “Come with me,” the Tyvar fae utters. He takes my elbow and pulls me gently along beside him. I know they will not intentionally harm me, but now my fear lies with what will happen to my men.

  “Where are we going, Ashur?”

  “It looks lik
e we are headed straight for their camp. There are so many of them, Meliantha. If they pull you under their power, there is no way I can save you. I would rather die than see what they do to you.”

  The sound of his voice in my head breaks my heart and it takes all the strength I have to keep my chin from quivering. I don’t want Ashur and Finn to see me turned into a sex slave, but I also don’t think the Tyvar will let them go either.

  “There has to be a way out of this. Being a sex slave is not my destiny and I refuse to give in to it. I will find a way,” I encourage him.

  “Well you better find a way fast because we’re approaching the center of their camp and there has to be over a hundred Tyvar gathered around.”

  Damn it! What can I do to get us out of this mess? The Tyvar fae guiding me still has a hold of my elbow, so I decide to ask him.

  “Do you mind telling me where you are taking me?”

  “I am taking you to our leader, Bayleon,” he replies in a low voice.

  “Why?” I ask curiously, but I have a feeling my fate has already been decided. I want to know what’s going to happen to me because not knowing is going to make everything so much worse.

  The Tyvar answers, “Any female we capture gets taken by our leader first and foremost, and then to me next since I am second in command. It is the way of our people.”

  I try to act calm as the realization of what is about to happen to me sinks in. On the outside I think I am playing it off well, but on the inside I’m screaming. “ASHUR, they are taking me to their leader to give me to him, as in...give me to him in the sexual sense. Then after that I will be passed to the man holding onto me. I don’t know what to do!”