by Jaymin Eve
Nikoli, who was still recovering from yesterday’s attack, whispered a few words and his disguise was back in place. A little less complete than the one he had been using before, his skin was not as dark, hair not quite so different, but it was enough to hide him for a quick trip through a town.
We were silent as we made our way between the pass. The light grew dull as the mountains blocked out the natural illumination. It fell well below freezing, and I was once again shivering in my furs. Slipping my fingers deeper into my thick, lined pockets, I actually started daydreaming about the summer in the city – hot, humid days … ice-cream … walks through Central Park…
I missed my boroughs and my people. I missed being queen, even though it had been such a short time. And I especially missed Winnie. My little sister had better be okay when I got home or I would bring our entire world down in one crumbling heap.
In my musing daze I hadn’t been paying attention to the outside world, which was a rookie mistake when traveling through dangerous lands. Lucky for me my mate was always on the ball. He yanked me out of the way as a huge boulder tumbled from above and almost squished me flat. As more tumbled down the cliff, all of us pressed ourselves to the wall.
I craned my neck to try and see what was happening high in the mountains. Was this a natural rockslide, or more sinister? We could have easily been killed; some of the boulders that had fallen on our group were as big as my torso. The timing alone had me thinking attack, but sometimes Mother Nature was just doing her thing.
Nix took off from Kade’s shoulders with a loud, echoing squawk.
“Wait!” Kade’s voice was stern as he tried to halt his familiar, but she was having none of his over-protectiveness. You go, girl! It hadn’t quite been twenty-four hours since Nikoli had given her a flying ban, but she looked to be moving easily. She was probably dying to stretch her wings.
The valley was wide enough that she could flap her huge wings, ascending rapidly, zooming from side to side so as not to make an easy target. Rocks were still falling, most situated where we were standing, but also a few more up the path, which would make running very difficult. I leapt to the right when a huge boulder crashed close to my legs, before it bounced off the wall.
Nix screeched again, this time much duller. She sounded like she was way up the mountains.
Is she okay? I checked in with Kade and Finn, both of them able to communicate with her easily.
There are bandits in the mountains. Kade’s mental voice was growly. She said they have a full setup up there … they must take out travelers and steal their possessions.
Smart. If Kade hadn’t sensed that first rock falling and yanked me out of the way, I would have been squashed, and then when my friends tried to help they all would have been too.
A shout rang through the valley and another object dropped from above. This time it wasn’t a boulder, nope, it was some little green fae with leathery skin, pointy ears, and huge bulbous eyes. Well, they looked bulbous with him splattered across the rocky floor.
His death was followed by three more. Nix was cleaning up shop and she was taking no prisoners. “What are they?” Monica asked, poking her head out around Blaine so she could see better.
“I think goblins.” Okay, that was a total guess. I didn’t know every single creature who made up the inhabitants of this world, but the treeling had given me a solid overview. I knew goblins were green, and kinda evil, so it made sense.
After ten minutes, the rocks had stopped tumbling down and so had the goblins. Nix had brought down four of them; none of them were moving from where they had tumbled. Thankfully their skin seemed to be even tougher than leather, because there wasn’t a whole bunch of blood or guts spilled everywhere. They remained intact. Flat and intact. Still pretty disturbing.
As soon as Nix made her way back down to rest on Kade, it was safe for us to set out again.
“Nix can have my beef jerky ration tonight,” Blaine said with a grin.
Everyone chuckled, and Nix gave Blaine a head dip, her majestic and wise eyes unblinking.
Our laughter disappeared as we focused on getting out of Death Valley without further incident. I was really relieved to see the end closing in, and then we were out and winding our way down a long path. In the far distance I could see some gates and small buildings.
The village.
It took us a bit of time to finally make it down, but when we did I fell a little in love with the quaint township. The huts were modest and the village folk looked like a mixture of fae, but none of the crazy, giant ones. We kept our heads down and only nodded or gave a polite smile when necessary, not wanting to draw too much attention. I almost failed at remaining undetected when we passed a food cart. I had to physically restrain myself from begging them for a taste of the meat being butchered and prepared, before being tossed onto a skillet. The animal looked a bit like a rabbit – whatever it was, it smelled delicious.
Did we have anything else to trade? We didn’t bring any modern jewelry, like watches, for fear of being recognized, and I wouldn’t dare part with my furs. Sweet shifter gods I was hungry. It worried me that we might have to steal, because our rations were not going to last until we got to Violet. I had no doubt that to successfully rescue her, we would need our full strength. I hated the thought of stealing from people who looked like they didn’t have much to give, but it was life and death for us, and I would find some way to pay them back.
Stopping in what looked like the town square or center of this village, we huddled together trying to decide if we should camp here for the night or pass right through. Everyone was tired and hungry, but we hadn’t actually walked very far today. We would probably have to press on. I was just about to mention stealing some food before we left when I felt a tap at my back.
I spun quickly, my hand already closing around the hilt of my sword, ready for a confrontation. I stilled as I found a little boy before me. He stood no taller than my waist. On Earth, I would have put him at the age of eight. Here, I had no idea. His big brown eyes were locked onto my elven blade, wide and fearful. His pointy ears peeked up out of his matted mess of hair; he was covered head to toe in dirt. I immediately took my hand off the blade so as not to spook him further.
With a shake of his head, he took a deep breath, leaned into me, and whispered so low I could barely hear: “Arianna?” He seemed unsure.
What the actual freak? I’m sure my eyes went as wide now as his had been when staring at my blade. Kade, sensing my shock through our bond, stepped closer to me, ready to protect me if needed.
The boy was still waiting for an answer, so I nodded. Without another word he turned and ran, making his way down a nearby alley that passed between two of the taller huts. I swiveled so I could see Kade. His brows were raised with a what-the-hell-is-going-on-here look.
I shook my head. I had no answer. But this child knew my name. Which meant we should follow. Right?
Chapter Four
Help is only a flower call away.
Before I could move, the boy caught our attention again, reappearing close by and waving us on.
“No way,” Kade said. His hand had not moved from his sword. “This is probably a trap. How does he know your name?”
I shrugged. “I have no idea, but Baladar did say help was coming … maybe this is it. I’m willing to take the risk.” Before anyone else could protest, I took off after the kid. Kade’s groan followed me, along with the sounds of our people grabbing their stuff and hightailing it after me.
The boy took a left at the end of the alley, I kept a reasonable distance between us as I followed. I might be willing to take a risk, but I wasn’t planning on being completely reckless. I kept him in sight, but left enough distance to give me warning of an ambush. Finn was at my side, his warmth comforting.
Turning another sharp corner, I paused at the same time as the boy. He slowed to a walk, crossing to one of the larger, more square style huts. He held the door open, waving us all inside.
Kade’s hand came out to stop me before I could cross and enter the building.
His bear-like focus went to the child. “Who sent you?” His words weren’t cruel, but there was a sense of power behind them.
The young fae did not hesitate. He was clearly not worried about revealing any secrets. “Some lady sent me to lead you here. She is not from this court. She smells of warmth and flowers. Come on or I won’t get my meal.”
The boy disappeared inside. None of us moved for a moment. Inside was a complete unknown and it could definitely be a trap. Still, the smells of sunshine and flowers thing had me hoping it was a Summer Court fae.
Kade pulled his sword and strode toward the door, making sure he was first. Always the protector, it’s what made him such an amazing mate and king.
I hurried up behind him, but before we could step through Finn blocked both of our paths.
Let me go first. They won’t expect a familiar and may not attack. They’ll think I’m a stray wolf.
Um, pretty sure they’ll attack you even if they think you’re a wolf. Food and fur is pretty valuable in this world.
Finn’s rumbling bark of laughter echoed across my mind. I’m hard to kill, Ari. Let me at least scout it out before all of you serve yourselves up into a trap.
With a sigh, I nodded, relaying the plan to Kade. He didn’t look any happier about Finn going in than I was, but he said nothing as he held the door open for him. It was agony letting my familiar go in first, but I had never and would never be the type to over-protect him to the point he had no rights or choices. He wasn’t my pet. If he felt he could do this, then I would let him.
I raised to the balls of my feet, weapon in hand, just waiting for any sign of trouble. I’d be in there so fast, and whomever had hurt my friend had better hope they killed me. Otherwise I was going to destroy them. Close to my side Kade, Monica, Blaine, and Victor all had their swords at the ready.
Within moments of entering, Finn’s presence in my mind relaxed. There was a sense of shock there, and also happiness, before he said: Come in. It’s safe.
“It’s safe,” I said, stepping forward and pushing the door wide open.
On the inside, I realized this was the back entrance to an inn or tavern of some sort. I passed a bathroom door, then the kitchens, the smell of something tasty, maybe a stew, teased me and my wolf. Stepping into an open dining hall, I scanned the room for Finn, finding him near a back corner booth. And he was with someone I recognized. A smile broke out across my face. Thank you, Baladar. Dalia, the Summer Court fae I had met in Astoria Park, was sitting in a corner booth, another hooded fae at her side – who had their face well hidden beneath the shadows of the cloak.
Dalia stood as we approached her table, and gave me a nod before putting a fist across her chest and bowing low.
“Arianna, well met.” Despite the formality of her gesture, she had only used my first name, her eyes darting around. No doubt she wouldn’t want to call me Your Highness, for fear others would hear.
I gave her a warm smile. We were sorely in need of some assistance, so my joy in seeing her was genuine.
“Well met, Dalia,” I said, before she gestured to the chairs around the long table she had chosen. More than large enough to accommodate us all.
We wasted no time taking our seats, and my stomach let out a massive rolling growl when a server approached us with a huge tray filled with steaming bowls of something delicious smelling.
“Thank you,” Dalia said as she gave him a polished gold coin. Then she added a second shiny coin and waved toward the rest of us. “Room and board for the night as well.”
The server bowed lightly and pocketed the coins. “I’ll get the rooms ready.”
Grabbing one of the bowls, I dropped it down to where Finn was resting beside my chair. He was just as hungry as the rest of us, and Kade took a bowl out for Nix, hiding on top of the building, keeping watch. The stew was not either of our familiars’ favorite meals, but it would do in these circumstances.
Dalia’s friend still hadn’t said anything, but as soon as Kade was back at the table she lowered her hood and her very pale face came fully into view. Magic born.
When she finally did speak, it was quietly, her voice low and husky, tingling with energy. “You may speak freely. I have spelled this corner of the room.”
Her words were like magic in themselves; mecca dripped from each syllable and I felt my own energy respond. I had been getting used to the loss of power in the Otherworld, the weakness of the mecca, but having a source like this at the table with me set off a ricochet of energy through my gut, reminding me of all we’d left behind.
The magic born sat forward in her seat, allowing more of the cloak to fall from her shoulders. She was a tiny thing, even though she was sitting. I would guess she didn’t stand any taller than five feet. Her hair was white, but with a tinge of silver to it, like strands of the metal were woven through the long fat curls that tumbled over her shoulders. She had light eyes, but instead of the usual magic-born-pale-blue, hers were almost purple.
She was all perfect, porcelain, and doll-like. She looked like a little fairy or angel that would sit atop the Christmas tree. Shifter females in general did not possess the ethereal sort of look, we were strong and robust, able to kick butt with a single bound. There was nothing robust about this fae, and yet I sensed an inner strength that would probably match any shifter’s.
Nikoli was blinking dazedly at the pretty magic born. He dipped his head. “I’m Nikoli.”
She smiled sweetly, full rosy lips and dimples on display. “Rowan.”
I didn’t want to be rude, but there was no way I was going to let this soup go cold. Not while I was still freezing and starving from our travels here. Finn was already halfway through his bowl.
I smiled at Dalia. “Thank you for the privacy and the meal.” I then held up the spoon that had been resting in my bowl. “Please excuse our rudeness. We are half starved. Is it safe to eat?”
She would know what I meant by this. Finn and Nix were creatures of the Otherworld – as apparently were shifters to some degree – but I’d still remain cautious about what we ate here.
Rowan and Dalia nodded, and that’s all it took for all of us to dig into our bowls. Oh. My. gods. The salty broth slid down my throat and I stopped just short of actually moaning. Kade was inhaling his beside me. After a few huge spoonfuls, I slowed down and took my time, chewing the meat and juicy vegetables, savoring the delicious offering.
Bread arrived to the table, and before I could control my wolf, she’d taken over, snatching up one of the rolls. Pushing her back down with the promise of more food soon, I dipped the bread into the stew and let it soak up the remaining broth. Sir Baladar had probably saved our lives with this aid. I was definitely getting him out of his prison now. Somehow I would find a way.
The food warmed and filled my stomach; contentment like I hadn’t felt in days flooded through my body. I would have loved to curl up and go to sleep, but there were some questions I needed answered first. Turning to Dalia – she was eating, but with far less ferocity than the rest of us – I said, “Baladar sent you?”
She nodded. “He spoke with Prince Caspien, told him that the only way to fix the mecca was to get your friend back.”
Smart of Baladar, and pretty much true. We did need Violet to fix the mecca, and it would help to motivate the Summer Court in helping us.
“Yes, we believe she’s being held by the Winter Court.”
Dalia nodded, looking less concerned than I had expected. “We can get you inside the Winter Court. Rowan here has been infiltrating their securities for many years. The prince wanted to come himself, but the king decided that with the current perilous nature of the peace talks between our courts, it was better to stage this to look like a rogue attack and not an orchestrated thing. A resurgence of the war with the Winter Court at this time would ruin our people.”
I nodded. “I understand. I’m glad to hear there is le
ss fighting and more peace talks going on for you all.” The last time the prince was on Earth, he had spoken of the bitter war between the summer and winter courts. Something had changed in that short time.
I was so grateful to him for his help. We had learned much from the gnomes, but they did not know a lot of the inner workings of the courts. So having a chance to talk to Dalia and Rowan, who could hopefully advise us further about the terrain, dangers, races, and the safety of food, was a huge advantage. I was feeling slightly more confident in our plan already. Plus, with another magic born, we had hugely increased our odds of getting Violet back safely.
For the rest of our time at the table we made small talk, aware of the many fae around us. Winter Court spies would be everywhere. At some point a second bowl of stew was brought to our table. I picked out the chunks of meat and fed Finn under the table. My familiar required a lot more food than me, and needed the extra protein. When the darkness crossed the land, and the hour grew late, we gathered our things to leave.
Dalia waited near a wooden staircase. “We have rooms for all of you. I’ll be staying with Rowan in a room just down the hall.” Our own rooms. And hopefully a shower. I knew from the gnomes village this was a technology not widely available in the Otherworld, but there was something similar they used called a waterfall bath. I had my fingers crossed there was one in this inn.
All of us trudged up to the second floor. Dalia pointed out our rooms. “We will meet you here just after sunrise,” the summer fae said. Rowan nodded, standing cloaked at her side. “After a morning meal, we’ll set out. There’s no time to waste. The Winter Court are not known for their leniency to prisoners.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat. I couldn’t let myself think about what Violet might be going through. I would actually lose my mind. I kept my focus on rescuing her. Nothing more important than that.
The summer fae disappeared into their room, and I turned to my friends.