Discipline (Omega Queen Series Book 1)

by W. J. May

  The vampire stood with his arms folded, watching his friend storm back and forth.

  “You of all people should know the power of a rumor,” he answered calmly. “Perhaps the claims are exaggerated. A campfire story told to scare children.”

  The fae stopped pacing, staring back with a glare. “You mean all those children who went into the mine and never returned?”

  “Landi, it’s not like—”

  “You remember what happened the last time hundreds of people set off somewhere, never to return?” the fae interrupted. “It was the Red Knight’s army—trapped in the forest by a curse.”

  Asher cocked his head with a sarcastic smile, appealing to the fae’s pride. “You really think the mine is cursed? Is that why you’re too scared to go inside?”

  Not good. Not good at all...

  Ellanden stepped right up to him, staring into his eyes. “I think we don’t know what happened in the mine, or why every single year it manages to claim more lives. If you want to be next—go ahead. It isn’t cowardice to refuse, it’s sanity.”

  “Except that we can’t walk away.”

  The princess had kept her opinion to herself thus far, letting the men fight it out among themselves. But as soon as the argument reached its peak, she seized the opportunity.

  “Ellanden, you’re absolutely right.” She paused, well aware of the temper flashing behind his eyes. “But Asher’s right, too. It’s the only way to get to the library without being caught.”

  The vampire let out a quiet sigh of relief, while the fae paled in astonishment.

  “Evie...you can’t be serious.”

  “What other choice is there?” she asked quietly. “The main road? The forest? Do you really think our parents won’t search those places themselves? Do you really think we stand a chance?”

  “And why do you think they won’t check the mine?” he fired back. “Because every single person who’s slipped past the iron gates has died. And you’re volunteering to be one of them!”

  “I’m saying we don’t have a choice,” she corrected sharply, throwing a nervous glance to the kitchen window where Pete and Rebecca were idling inside. “Give me an alternative.”

  He wanted to. Desperately. He wanted to more than anything he’d wanted in his entire life. But the longer he stared off into the trees, an imprint of that map permanently burned into his brain, the more he didn’t see any way around it. Even if it was suicide. Even if it meant certain death.

  “This is a mistake,” he said quietly, staring at them in turn. “Mark my words, we’re going to regret the moment we made this decision.”

  Evie clapped him on the shoulder. “Then we’ll regret it together.”

  The fae merely shook his head, watching as they made their way into the house.

  “We’re going to die together, too.”

  Chapter 12

  As it turned out, the old trader and his wife were more generous than the friends could have possibly hoped. In addition to giving them food and shelter for the night Rebecca packed them three days of lunches, while with great ceremony Pete bestowed upon them his treasured map.

  “We couldn’t,” Ellanden said quickly, shaking his head as the worn leather was pressed into his hands. “Please—you’ve already done more than enough.”

  “I have no need for it anymore,” the old man responded, tapping the side of his head. “The whole thing is memorized up here. Besides, you kids look like you could use a bit of help.”

  Rarely had the fae found himself so touched by the actions of a mortal. The façade fell away, and for a split second he stared at him with a look of genuine respect.

  “How about this...we’ll return it to you. When we pass this way again.”

  The old man smiled, deepening the crinkles around his eyes. “It’s a deal.”

  The two of them shook hands, both liking the other more than they’d ever say, then the prince took a step back to allow the others to say their goodbyes as well.

  A few minutes later, they were out on the open road.

  Evie couldn’t help but smile as they wound their way along a tiny country path, shielding their eyes occasionally from the glow of a brilliant sunrise. Yes, they were heading towards a shadowy realm that promised certain death. And yes, the prophecy had already stated that not all of them would return. But how long had she dreamed of this moment? How many times had she imagined the three of them finally getting their chance—heading out on their own?

  “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

  The princess bit her lip, peering up to see the vampire’s incredulous smile. “...maybe a little.”

  He chuckled softly, tossing back his dark hair. “Me, too.”

  Ellanden shook his head, picking up the pace. “You’ve both gone mad.”

  “Oh, come on,” Asher coaxed, jogging up beside him with a little smile. “You can’t tell me that you’re not having even a little bit of fun.”

  The two might have been fighting back at the house, but they loved each other like brothers and could never stay angry with one another for long.

  “I’m not,” Ellanden said shortly. “Don’t talk to me.”

  The vampire bit back another smile, sighing theatrically instead. “But that just leaves me with Evie. Surely even you wouldn’t stick me with the likes of her.”

  The princess ignored both of them, staring with a contented smile at the clouds.

  “Serves you right,” the fae answered stiffly. When that wasn’t enough, he gave his friend a sharp look. “Maybe if you hadn’t suggested Aluthan’s Hammer.”

  “Can’t you just call it ‘the mine’?”

  “No.”

  For the next few hours, it was more of the same.

  Then the friends stumbled across an old scarecrow and decided to take turns shooting at it. Then they left the countryside entirely and headed back into the forest. Then they realized the sun was already directly above them and the three of them settled down for lunch.

  “That woman is an incredible cook!” Evie had been expecting what she could best describe as ‘peasant food’, and was overjoyed to find the mutton was just as delicious as the stew. “We really should have considered taking her with us.”

  They’d been delighted to realize that their three days of lunches actually constituted far more, given that one of their number wasn’t particularly inclined to eat.

  “I still can’t believe he gave us the map,” Ellanden murmured, smoothing the leather in his hands. “He’d had the thing for years.”

  Asher flashed him a quick smile, watching as the others indulged. “He didn’t give it to us, he gave it to you.”

  “He’s right,” Evie said through a mouthful of biscuit. “You made the guy feel seriously nostalgic for a younger time. I think he was on the verge of giving you the mule.”

  The fae rolled his eyes with a grin, carefully tucking the map back into his cloak.

  “You know, for how long I’ve imagined myself doing something like this, I never considered the possibility I might end up with the likes of you.”

  She smiled sweetly, reaching over to steal his roll. “Feels pretty good, doesn’t it?”

  He speared it with his knife, taking a large bite. “Let’s take it one day at a time...”

  FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS, the three friends did exactly that. They camped together, hiked together, slept together. They had regular evening fights about whose turn it was to keep watch.

  Before they knew it, a full week had passed and they’d fallen into a kind of rhythm.

  Each morning, Asher would get up before dawn and do a quick perimeter check to make sure they weren’t being followed. Then Evie would head to the nearest source of water to fill their canteens, while Ellanden pulled out the trusty map and plotted out the day’s course.

  Considering the fact that all of them had grown up in a palace or castle, they felt like they were doing rather well. They hadn’t spent any money. They were making good time. Every
evening, either the fae or the princess would bring back another piece of game. It felt more like being on a charmed camping trip than a mission to save the world. Of course, they hadn’t run into any trouble yet.

  But on the eighth morning, all that changed.

  They stumbled into it quite by accident. Thus far, they’d been keeping to the forest slopes and avoiding every major path. But after hiking out of a deep ravine, they found themselves standing on the edge of a mountain path. And there in the middle were no fewer than a dozen armed men.

  It was hard to say who looked more surprised—the friends or the band of travelers. But the travelers certainly recovered first, moving forward with matching smiles.

  “Well, good morning,” the man in the middle called out cheerfully, closing the distance between them at the same time. “And what might you three be doing in the middle of the woods?”

  In hindsight, they should have come up with a better story. They should have said that they were part of a larger hunting party, or scouts for a clan, or literally anything at all to make it seem like they weren’t out there alone. But they said none of those things.

  Their social reflexes had slowed and the lies didn’t come quickly—having not spoken to anyone but each other for more than a week’s time.

  “We’re, uh...travelling to meet family,” Ellanden finally managed, a variation on the same story he’d told the old trader a few days back. “And yourselves?”

  The man smiled wider, sensing easy prey.

  From there, he launched into a full story. One designed to ease tensions and relax peoples’ guards, while his men simultaneously checked them over for anything of value. They claimed to be merchants, but they were probably bandits. Since the monarchy had announced the great celebration, there had been multiple complaints of people getting attacked along the road.

  The friends didn’t have much on them in terms of valuables. But they were each carrying some finely crafted weapons. And a leather pouch of coins.

  “—and that’s pretty much how we ended up here,” the man finished suddenly, flashing a large smile. “So how about it then? Hand it over.”

  The friends blinked incredulously, still trying to follow the nonsensical tale. After a few awkward moments, the princess shook her head with a frown.

  “I’m sorry?”

  The man offered her the brightest smile of all.

  “Your weapons, money—all of it.” His eyes flickered over her face appreciatively before drifting a little higher. “That’s a lovely bow you have strapped to your back.”

  A lovely bow, and she knew how to use it.

  She was about to reach for the handle, when she realized three of the men standing by the horses had already beaten her to the punch. They had arrows nocked before she could even touch the quiver—arrows that were pointed directly at her chest.

  The man made a chiding sound with his tongue, shaking his head.

  “No, sweet girl. None of that.” He signaled to another man beside him, one who took a step towards her with outstretched hands. “Just hand it over before somebody gets hurt.”

  It was the threat to the princess that brought the others back to life.

  Asher bared his fangs with a quiet hiss as Ellanden stepped directly in front of her.

  “That was a mistake,” he said quietly. “Leave now—before it costs you.”

  The bandits chuckled as the princess tensed in fear.

  When the friends were much younger, maybe only six or seven, they’d been playing in the forest when they’d run into a similar group of men. It was supposed to be safe, they were supposed to be guarded, but somehow this band of cutthroats had managed to slip through.

  Ellanden had stepped in front of her then, too, drawing a knife no longer than his hand.

  “Get back,” he’d ordered, standing at his full height, “or I’ll cut you limb from limb.”

  She remembered how the men had laughed, how the largest among them had gotten down from his horse, towering over the little prince with a wicked sneer.

  “You’re going to cut me with that tiny thing? You’re a child.”

  “I’m a warrior,” Ellanden replied stiffly, lifting his eyes with a complete lack of fear. “Like my father.”

  The men had chuckled at this, dismounting their own steeds. In a heartbeat they had the trio of children surrounded, cutting off any hope of escape. She remembered the smell radiating off of them. Dust, and sweat, and something she’d later recognize as blood.

  The man in front leaned on his knees, sinking to the prince’s height.

  “And now, little warrior, you’re going to empty your pockets and give me everything inside. Otherwise, I’m afraid you’re going to see what a real knife feels like.”

  The story could have had a tragic ending. Mostly because the young fae had an overly-developed hero complex and was physically incapable of backing down. But they would never know.

  Because at that moment, a new player entered the game.

  Evie would always remember the exact moment the ferns parted and Cassiel leapt into the clearing, riding a snow-white steed. She would always remember the look on his face when he reached down and lifted his son with a single hand, placing him on the saddle.

  But more than anything else—she remembered the men. The indescribable panic that had settled over each and every one of them as they looked up at the fae.

  “A-apologies, my lord.” The man who’d been threatening them staggered backwards, putting some distance between himself and the child. “We were only teasing. We meant no disrespect.”

  Cassiel said nothing. A strong arm was slung across Ellanden’s chest, while the other held the reins. On instinct the other children gathered behind him, looking scared but smug.

  “If you would allow us to explain,” the man stammered, going white with fear. “I assure you, we never intended...”

  He could speak no more. Fear had overtaken him entirely. It didn’t matter that the fae had come alone, while there were half a dozen men at his back. It didn’t matter that all of them were heavily armed, while Cassiel had brought nothing but a horse. The second the fae had entered the clearing, every one of murderous cutthroats knew they were lost.

  Then, in a soft voice she’d always remember, Cassiel told the children to go inside.

  She and the others never found out what happened. They’d merely been told not to play alone in the forest and that the troublesome men would never be bothering them again.

  How she longed for that security now. With an impulse she couldn’t control the princess’ eyes flickered to the ferns, desperate for a glimpse of that snow-white steed. But the fae wasn’t coming. They’d strayed once again into the forest, and there was no one to save them now.

  Ellanden stood bracingly in front of her, having a similar realization himself.

  His dark eyes swept over the four men standing in front. Those ones he could surely take down with his bare hands. But the three men farther back with the bows were a different story. It was hardly the first time the bandits had performed their deadly little trick, and the strategy had been well perfected. There was no way to fight without getting shot by those too far away to reach.

  The man in front watched the dilemma flicker across the young man’s face, watched as his options vanished one by one. He saw the progression of telltale signs. The clenched jaw, the balled fists then, finally, the slight wilt of his shoulders as he was forced to admit defeat.

  “You really think this is the end of it?” the fae asked quietly, taking out his bag of coins and throwing it to the ground at the man’s feet. “Word of your kind has already reached the castle. Are you really so deluded as to think they aren’t going to hunt you down?”

  The man laughed carelessly, kneeling down to pick up the coins.

  “The castle has bigger problems than the likes of me.” He gestured to the blade lashed on Ellanden’s back. “Now your sword, son. Carefully, you wouldn’t want me to get the wrong idea...�
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  The fae pulled in a silent breath, trying to rein in his temper. He could count on one hand the number of times he’d been outmaneuvered and he didn’t want to add to that now.

  Behind him, the others were being ‘politely’ relieved of their items as well. The men paused with a hint of caution when disarming the vampire, but with those arrows pointed at the princess’ chest there was nothing to be done. In a matter of seconds, they would be left with nothing.

  “Leave us a knife,” Ellanden said quietly, dropping his sword onto the ground. “We’re in the middle of nowhere and there are beasts in these woods. You can’t expect us to—”

  “I leave you a knife and it’s buried in my neck the second we turn around,” the man cut him off sharply. “That’s if the vampire doesn’t sink his teeth into me first. Do you think I’m an idiot? That I haven’t done this sort of thing before? You’re a fae. Why do you think I brought the archers?”

  ...and the restraints.

  No sooner had the princess spotted the links of chain than the man waved them forward, taking a coin from the pouch and holding it up to the light.

  “Bind them.” Ellanden’s mouth flew open once more and he added, “And gag this one. It seems someone’s accustomed to getting his own way.”

  Evie stepped back with a little gasp. She understood why they were being tied up. The man didn’t want to spend the next twenty miles looking over his shoulder. But the chains were silver.

  She was part wolf and Asher was a vampire.

  It would burn straight through their skin.

  “Just let us go,” she blurted, wanting to be brave but failing miserably. She’d been burned by silver only once before. Shortly after, her father had all of it removed from the castle. “We aren’t going to come after you—you have all of our weapons. Just let us go.”

  The man dropped that infuriating smile, and for a split second he softened with a look of genuine sympathy. “Does someone have a little shifter blood?”