by J. M. Kearl
“I guess that depends on what you’re doing.”
“Probably torturing and maiming.”
That got him to look me in the face. “Is that a joke? Because it’s not funny.”
I glanced around making sure no one was eavesdropping. “Unfortunately no, it wasn’t a joke. But we can’t talk here. Find Zyacus and he’ll explain everything.”
Instead of spelling straight to my room I walked the halls. Hoping I’d run into Firo. I could easily send him a note but I’d like to judge his expression when I told him Zyacus wanted to challenge him.
When I rounded a corner Bindy came out of a room and fell into step beside me. “What are you up to?”
Does she have a sixth sense for me simply wanting to cause trouble? “Why would you think I’m up to something?”
“Call it a hunch.” She tossed a handful of nuts into her mouth and chewed loudly. “You missed your first classes and met with Melody this morning.”
As much as I trusted Bindy, she wouldn’t allow us to torture Firo. She’d want Madison or someone who specialized in interrogation to do it, but I wanted it to be us. It was my suspicion and I needed to handle it.
“Nothing too bad. Zyacus and I plan on walking the property tonight and lay out under the stars… past curfew.”
Reaching into the pouch at her hip she pulled some dried meat. Before taking a bite she said, “Not that it’s any of my business, I’m not your mother, but the rules about not being with boys past curfew are there for a reason. I know how much you two like each other.”
“I’m seventeen, almost eighteen. I can make my own decisions.”
“Yes, but you’re also the Princess of Delhoon. An early pregnancy would be quite the scandal.”
I cleared my throat. “We haven’t… uh, we haven’t done that yet. We plan to wait until… I don’t know, until we decide if we’ll marry, I suppose.”
Bindy’s tense shoulders fell and she let out a breath of relief. “Oh, good. If you do change your mind I can get you some herbs to prevent pregnancy. I won’t ask questions or judge you. I was young and in love once, too.”
“But you’re not married, what happened?”
With a shrug Bindy bit into her jerky. “It wasn’t meant to be. Is there anything else you want to tell me?”
I stopped and faced her. What was she getting at? I didn’t want to give myself away but there was something specific she wanted me to say. “Since you seem so convinced I’m up to no good, you tell me.”
“What did you meet with Melody about?”
“I asked her about the Hazelvales. I don’t trust them.”
“Oh,” Bindy said and her cheeks reddened.
I couldn’t fathom why she’d be embarrassed at me mentioning the name. “What?”
“It’s funny you brought them up,” Bindy said and touched her plump cheek. “A long time ago Firo was the man I fell in love with but once he got what he was after, he broke off our relationship. I don’t trust the man either but I assume our reasons are different.”
My eyes widened. I hated him even more now. “Him? You were in love with him? He…” I almost told her he threatened me but changed my mind. She’d go after him and ruin my plans to find the truth. “He just rubs me the wrong way. And he sided with Kyria during the Queens Challenge.”
“Trust me, it’s a time I’d like to forget. And he did side against your mother.” Bindy’s stomach growled. “Enough about that. I’ll let you be on your way.”
With the famine I wondered if she’d been getting enough to eat but I didn’t ask. “See you later.” I couldn’t believe Bindy had had a relationship with Firo Hazelvale. I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it but the revelation shocked me.
I found Taz and filled him in on the plan, then we waited until nightfall. To make sure Bindy thought Zyacus and I were just going out for a walk together the two of us walked out the back alone and I hoped she wouldn’t follow. Taz and Aric waited for us by the lake. I hadn’t seen Firo during the day so I had a pixie deliver a message and told her not to leave until he had a reply.
“He said, I’d be delighted to challenge the prince,” the pixie reported then waited for her payment. Since wine was getting scarce I only offered her a small glass not an entire bottle. The lush was desperate and gladly accepted.
Zyacus slid his arm around me as we walked toward the lake. He was startlingly hot. The body heat radiated off of him making me sweat. “Are you sure you’re not ill?” I asked. I touched his forearm. “You feel feverish.”
That’s just what we needed to add to the list of blood moon calamities, a plague.
When he turned to me his eyes had changed to that strange silver shade and his pupils were enormous. “I’m fine. Don’t try to talk me out of helping.”
“That’s not what I’m trying to do.” I gently stepped out from under his arm. “You’re making me too hot. And there’s something strange about your eyes.”
He stopped and faced me. “What’s strange?”
“They’re a different color. Silver, not blue.”
He waved it off. “It’s probably the lighting. Come on, the boys are waiting.”
I could guarantee it wasn’t the lighting considering the moon was red, but I dropped it. The boys waved at us as we approached. Aric smirked at Zyacus and clapped him on the back. “You sure you’re up to the challenge? Kyan did just give you a whooping.”
Both Taz and I recoiled slightly. With how angry he got at the loss I wouldn’t be surprised if he fought Aric over the comment. But Zyacus smiled and gave Aric a shove. “Putting Firo down will be easy.”
I held up my hand. “Um, just so we’re clear you’re not really supposed to challenge Firo. We’re subduing him so we can give him a truth potion and get answers.”
Zyacus gave me a smug, lazy smile. “I know. I might get a few good shots in during the subduing process.”
“How do we know he won’t bring more than his brother?” Taz asked. “We might be in for a real fight.”
Aric’s eyes flashed red. “I think the four of us can handle it.”
I hoped he could stay in control and not turn on anyone for blood. “Alright, let’s go.” The four of us headed down the path until we reached the edge of the property. Firo and his brother Dain were already there waiting for us.
They approached and the tension grew, swirling around us like a living thing. Firo gave all of us a once over. “What rules did you have in mind for this little arrangement?”
I didn’t wait for anyone to respond. I cast the sleeping spell over him and his brother. Aric and Zyacus caught them before they hit the ground.
“You did not say that’s how you were going to subdue them,” Zyacus said, cutting me a glare. “He deserves a couple gut punches at least.”
“You do have the truth potion, right?” Aric asked, carefully setting down Dain.
Zyacus laid Firo on his back and pulled a small glass bottle from a pouch at his side. “Yep.”
“Where did you get it? Or did you make it?” I asked.
Zyacus also pulled two pairs of black kirune manacles from his side pouch. “I asked Professor Brimstor to give one to me. When he asked why, I told him it was none of his business. He still handed it over.”
Taz’s eyebrows shot up. “Woah, I could never get away with that.”
“You’re not the Prince of Hesstia,” Aric stated with a lift of his shoulder.
I took a step back when Zyacus came near me with the manacle. I did not want my magic drained and blocked. “Hurry up and put those on before—”
Firo flew up throwing a percussion spell that knocked all four of us to the ground. My elbow had caught my fall and throbbed as I shoved myself up. That stupid—vines wrapped around me at a rapid speed, engulfing my body in a matter of seconds. I grunted as I squirmed trying to think of a spell that would destroy the vegetation. All three of my boys were wrapped in the tangled mess too.
Come on, think! I screamed internally a
s Firo sauntered in front of me.
“You thought you could get the best of me? What were you planning to do?”
“I want the truth,” I said, “Why are you here?”
“I told you, I’m recruiting for my family.”
“Recruiting for what?”
Aric burst free of his bonds and was on Firo in the blink of an eye. They hit the ground rolling and grunting. With an animalistic growl Aric threw his head back then chomped into the muscles between the neck and shoulder.
Zyacus somehow melted the vines and tackled Dain.
I closed my eyes and frost trickled from my fingers, freezing the bonds, weakening them enough they could shatter with ease. I broke free and sliced through Taz’s entrapment with my dagger.
“Don’t kill him, we need answers!” I shouted, pulling on Aric’s shirt. He whirled on me, eyes wild. “Get control of yourself,” I snapped and shoved him hard enough he fell over Firo. We didn’t have time for him to be blood-crazed.
As soon as Firo rose up, he held a hand over his wound. “I didn’t expect the Collweyan boy to be cursed by the moon.” His eyes went to Zyacus who was still fighting with Dain. “Only that one.”
Aric crouched on the ground, blood leaking down his chin. I held my hand up to him. “Wait,” I commanded, hoping he’d listen.
“Cooperate, Firo and we won’t attack further.” My magic’s strength buzzed to a near uncomfortable level.
“Fine,” he said, sounding a little weak.
“First off, what are you talking about? Zyacus is not a blood drinker.”
With a worried expression, Firo retreated a few steps. “No, he’s something else.”
Taz, who stood beside me, gripped my arm. “Vis, look!”
When I followed his direction, Zyacus roared in Dain’s face and in seconds his form shifted, hair sprouted where skin was, his beautiful face changed into an exotic… wolf. An actual wolf. On all fours, he was as big as a horse with black and gray fur snarling and snapping his jaws. All of us stared for several moments before reacting. Oh my unicorn! He’s a wolf!
Firo grabbed me and pulled on my arm. “Run,” he said and shoved me. “Go, we’ll deal with him.”
I shook my head. “I’m not leaving him to you.”
If I hadn’t seen Zyacus shift into the massive wolf before me now I wouldn’t believe it. His bloodline trait… a wolf shifter. His pendant made me wonder if he always knew or if someone in his family knew.
Aric appeared in front of me, a wall between Firo and me.
Firo squared his shoulders to face the giant wolf. “We deal with his kind often in Faerie.”
Aric growled. “Leave before we kill you.”
“You are Fae,” I said, eyes going wide. I knew it. But that statement left me with so many questions. If wolf shifters belonged in Faerie then why is Zyacus one? And if the Hazelvales are Fae why don’t they have pointed ears and that unmistakable powerful presence like the Winter Prince?
Zyacus bound for Dain, who disappeared seconds before wide snapping jaws caught him. Then those silver eyes turned on us. Taz stepped in front of me too, all of them suddenly trying to shield me from Zyacus. I couldn’t understand why. He wouldn’t hurt me. We should all be facing off with Firo, the enemy.
A glowing white whip at least fifteen feet long appeared in Firo’s hand. He swung it and it cracked in front of Zyacus.
Snarling, his fur hackled up on his back and he stepped to the side slowly to circle around us. Dragon’s breath, his wolf form was terrifying. The size of his teeth alone; he could snap someone’s head off.
“I can’t tell if he sees us all as a snack or just them,” Taz whispered, gesturing toward the Hazelvales.
Aric seemed to be wondering this too because he’d turned his attention away from Firo and faced Zyacus.
“Of course he’s not going to hurt us,” I breathed but my magic surged the closer he came. “And you should be behind me, I’m the strongest of us all.”
Taz looked over his shoulder at me. “Yes, but if we die it doesn’t matter as much. You’re important.”
Aric nodded. “I may be a prince but I’m low in the hierarchy.”
Firo cracked the whip again, this time it struck Zyacus’s paw. He whimpered, stepping back, holding it off the ground.
Fiery rage ripped through me and I slammed Firo with a blast of winter. Ice and snow pelted him, driving both him and his brother back several feet. I wasn’t sure about Zyacus at the moment but I knew with certainty I couldn’t trust the Hazelvales. I clenched my teeth, bracing myself against my own power that only grew stronger until a blizzard cascaded all around us.
“Alright, I give!” Firo bellowed.
I clenched my hands, stopping the magic. Hair brushed against my arm and I whipped my head to see wolf Zyacus beside me, standing against them. His silver eyes met mine and he nudged his head against me. His animal side hadn’t taken over completely.
Taz and Aric stood on either side of us, ready to fight.
“Talk or the blizzard comes back and this time I won’t stop it,” I shouted as the Hazelvale brothers brushed snow and ice from their clothes and body.
They approached with hands up, to show they had no weapons and hopefully meant not to attack. Firo’s eyes trailed across the four of us and then to me. “I find it odd you prefer the winter spell.”
“I find it odd you’re not telling me why you’re here when we can and will overpower you. Have you come to take brides? To perform some sick ritual stealing souls?”
Firo and Dain looked at each other seemingly confused. “Where did you hear about this? There is no record of it.”
“Oh, I’ve met your Winter Prince, and one of ours was alive during the last blood moon when your kind came. He remembers what your people did.”
“When did you meet Astaroth Nightfrost?” Dain asked. The way he said his name, had a mix of both awe and fear.
“Recently,” I snapped. “Now enough questions from you.” I turned to Aric. “Give them the truth potion. We need answers.” I assumed since Zyacus shifted into a wolf it had fallen to the ground somewhere close.
Aric snapped his fingers and the potion bottle appeared in hand. “Share it equally, boys.”
Firo snatched it out of his hand, jerked the stopper and guzzled half. Then gave the rest over to his brother. He didn’t talk much anyway but we needed to be sure.
“I’m a half breed,” Firo began. “At least that’s what the full-blooded Fae call me. My brother and I are half Delhoon, half Summer Court faerie. And we have not come to take brides, or steal the magic of young men. That is what the Winter king does. His only son, Astaroth born of the Night Court Queen does his bidding. Winter controls Night and they are the most powerful in all faerie. The rest of us have fallen in line for thousands of years. The Winter King says kiss his feet; we ask for how long. Everyone has grown tired of his reign. And we finally have hope to change that and it’s all because of Visteal.”
“Me?” I asked dumbfounded.
“What does this have to do with her?” Zyacus asked, skeptically and bitter.
Hearing his voice startled me considering last I looked he was a giant wolf. When I turned, he stood beside me, completely human and naked as the day he was born. Wide-eyed and blushing, I averted my gaze. I’d never seen a fully naked man before, my baby brothers didn’t count, and although I tried not to look at it, I did. I totally did.
Aric tossed him a pair of pants. I had no idea where they’d come from but at the moment I had other things to worry about. Like why I could possibly play any role in this faerie problem. Then I remembered what the Winter Prince said, “there’s a prophecy in my land about a human princess. I need to know if it’s you.”
“What’s the prophecy?” I held up a hand. “And before you ask, the Winter Prick mentioned it.”
Firo chuckled. “Winter Prick, that’s a good one. The prophecy, predicted by a Summer Court Fae, says a human princess will be the only one who c
an kill the Winter King thus bringing balance back to the faerie realm. The reason we know for sure it’s you, is because the seer saw your face and drew your exact likeness. Winter doesn’t know your face. But one of ours, Helios, who you saw take the scepter months ago, knew the drawing. He recognized you, and brought us the good news. Summer Court has been waiting four hundred years for you to be born.”
I had a hard time believing all this. They’d been waiting hundreds of years for me? “So why all the games? Why not tell me this weeks ago? And if Astaroth Nightfrost, the Winter King’s son, suspected I could be the one to kill his father, why didn’t he kill me? He had the chance.”
“That I do not know,” Firo answered. “As far as keeping you in the dark, we had to see if you were ready. But it’s clear your powers have manifested and you proved you can fight.”
“And you’re recruiting for your family?”
Firo’s eyes flicked to the boys and then back to me. “Recruiting you.”
“No,” Zyacus cut in. “She’s not going anywhere with you.”
“Let me do a little explaining,” Firo said slowly. “Winter sees humans as only a way to steal magic and produce half-Fae babies. A Fae woman might produce a child once in a thousand years. They cannot reproduce like human women. The high Fae lords like to have lots of children in their courts; it’s another power thing. During the blood moon the faerie realm and the human realm collide which causes all the calamities.
“On the night of the ritual, the last day of the blood moon, many of the Fae lords will come to choose their brides and steal magic. Stealing magic extends their power and youthfulness.” Placing his hands behind his back Firo’s gaze grew serious. “If you agree to come with us to kill the Winter King, we will help you stop them. And you will need our help.”
Stepping closer, Aric asked, “Why should Visteal bother to kill this Winter King for you? We can take care of this problem on our own. We know it’s coming so we can prepare for it.”
“This man you spoke of who remembers the last time, did he tell you about glamour? Did he tell you about how the Fae can control your minds and those left won’t even remember what happened or that those taken ever existed? Those who slipped through the glamour magic aren’t believed by the majority.