by K.N. Lee
“Very well.”
The ground gave way, and I began to shoot downward once more.
I vomited, and nearly choked on the contents of my stomach.
“Ocura,” I tried to yell, but the words were lost in the whooshing of the wind as I fell face-first onto another surface.
This time, it was stone, and smashed my cheekbone into a hundred pieces.
Shaking, I pushed myself to my knees and reached up to touch my face. This wasn’t happening.
It wasn’t real.
I prayed I was right, but the pain proved me wrong.
It was as real as it could get.
I couldn’t see out of my wounded eye, and the sharp pain of my broken cheekbone left me breathless. The skin on my face was split open, and as I looked down, blood dripped onto my hand.
Dear spirits, help me.
This new world—the third of my descent—was high above the clouds, but on a stone structure unlike anything I’d ever seen.
I peered over the edge, only to see a white mist. Once I looked ahead of me, my heart thumped in my chest as the dark cloud flew toward me.
It came fast, and stopped right before me. A popping sound screeched in my ears as it formed a shadowy figure.
This time, it was less bestial, and more humanoid.
Still, it sent absolute horror into my bones.
He reached out to me, with an arm of smoke and fog. Golden eyes glowed at me from his blackened face of ash and mist. “Become mine, and I will forever be yours.”
The air grew colder than I’d ever felt, and every hair on my skin stood on end.
"Who are you?” I asked, though I knew the question long ago, when this entire event began.
“I am what you want me to be,” he said, and morphed into that of a handsome man—one I knew all too well.
He took the form of Kem, with his shiny black hair and bright eyes. Pale skin glowed in the dim light, and he smiled with perfect teeth.
“Anything,” he repeated.
He stepped forward, but I was not fooled. He wasn’t Kem, and never could be. I wanted the real man behind the facade. I wanted freedom.
Before he was close enough to touch me, I shot a hand out, stopping him.
“No,” I said, and the mask fell, revealing the darkness underneath.
His voice came out, disjointed, and raspy.
“Do not deny me my rightful claim, child,” he said. “You are alone, and I will torment you until you break. I will rip the skin from your bones, and take your soul before you breathe your last breath.”
Clenching my jaw, I stood, wincing at the pain. “No,” I repeated. “Because, I’m not alone. I never have been.”
He tilted his head, smoky hair wavering, and I grew in confidence in my decision.
Swallowing, I took a step forward.
“Miklaus,” I whispered, and the dark wisp flickered its golden eyes up to mine.
“No,” it said, doubling in size, and crouching over me.
“I need you,” I said, and a jolt of energy surged into me as The Dark grabbed me by the hand and met me face-to face.
I gasped, and the wide, sharp-toothed grin was the last thing I saw before a bright light shone right through his dark form, and cast him away. The howl that echoed in my ears nearly shattered me from the inside, but the calm presence of my true friend soothed every ache and pain, and whisked me away.
Chapter Forty-Two
Water trickled onto my face. It was cold, and smelled fresh—fresher than the water carted in from the reservoir. As it seeped into my mouth, I sat up, utterly confused.
I’d just drowned. I’d just been sent to a place of absolute evil.
Somehow, I survived.
I’d expected to at least feel a bit of pain, but as I stretched my arms and legs, and took in the captivating scenery of the lush grove, I felt better than I had in years. I stood there, brows furrowed. Ahead, there were white birds flying across the sunny, blue sky, their wings twinkling with magic.
As I spun around, I realized I now wore a gown of pure silver. It shone beneath the sunlight and felt soft and silky against my skin. I clutched my body, just to see if this was real—if I was real.
With wide eyes I looked to my right and left for any signs of life other than the mystical flock of birds.
Was this what death was like—a paradise?
I remembered everything—the dark well, the levels of descent—The Dark.
Then, there was the bright light that saved me.
Miklaus. My savior.
“You’re awake,” a voice said.
I sprang to my feet. “Miklaus? Is that you?”
“Of course. You called, and I answered. As promised,” he said, and appeared before me. “Welcome to the Light.”
I stared at him in awe. He wore white robes and his hair rustled in the sweet breeze laden with the scent of fresh flowers.
“Thank you, Miklaus. It was awful.”
He sighed and clasped his hands behind his back. As he cast his gaze skyward, I noticed for the first time that he had an odd tattoo on his throat.
How did I not notice that before?
“How did you do that? How did you save me from The Dark?”
“Ah, good questions,” he said, but didn’t answer. “But, we don’t have time, and I want you to remember something when you awaken.”
My brows lifted. “What is that?”
He looked down at me, his face more serious than I’d ever seen it. “You must escape the Sky Keep.”
I sucked in a breath. “Why?”
He tilted his head. “Are you truly asking such a question? Ocura Maga just sacrificed you to The Dark. We cannot let her do it again, or you might be lost to us. Forever.”
“I don’t understand what is happening,” I said, shoulders slumping. “All I wanted was a better life. I’ve always wanted to go to the Sky Keep. Now, you’re telling me to return to a life of drudgery.”
“The Sky Keep is no longer what it once was. Ocura Maga has taken over what was supposed to be good and pure, and twisted it for her own agenda.”
“Can we stop her?”
He smiled then. “Now, that, is the right question.”
I took a step toward him, and before I could get closer, he cast out his arm.
The world spun as the blast of heat shot across the space between us. I held my arms out in an attempt to shield myself from the assault of heat and power.
A gasp escaped my lips.
I was going to die.
Again.
This time by fire.
It hit me at full force, and knocked the wind from my lungs.
To my surprise, the fire consumed me, licking and absorbing into my flesh.
As I fell to my knees, I expected to be a pile of ash within seconds, and blown away by the wind.
When I looked up, Miklaus was standing over me. He knelt down and tilted my chin upward.
“Now, you’re ready, my love,” he said, stroking my cheek with a tenderness that I almost leaned into, desperate for more.
“Who are you really, Miklaus?” I asked, quietly.
He hugged me close. “If I told you, you wouldn’t believe me,” he whispered. “Not after the lies Ocura has been feeding you. Not after the life you’ve been forced to live.”
I met his gaze. “I trust you,” I said. “Please tell me. The truth.”
He stroked my cheek, looking deep into my eyes.
“I am your brother,” he said, and my world fell around me.
Shocked, I began to coil back. Then, I looked into his eyes and finally saw the resemblance between us. I sobbed, covering my mouth.
“Miklaus,” I said, and wrapped my arms around his neck.
He held me tight, and breathed in a sharp sigh.
“I will always be with you, Ava. No matter what. And, if you survive what is coming next, I will gladly tell you all about our parents, all about the sacrifice we made…for you.”
Nodding,
I couldn’t help the smile of joy that came to my face.
“Now, go, Ava. You can stop her. She sent you to The Dark, and I fought to bring you to The Light. Go back now. Escape. And show The Dark who you really are.”
“Do you truly think I’m ready?”
He smiled, and held my face between his hands. “I know you are. And, once you know who our mother and father are, you will understand why.”
With that, he blew a puff of sparkling dust. I breathed it in, and fell backward—back into a spiraling descent.
Back into the abyss of darkness.
Chapter Forty-Three
X A N D E R
The road to Ava’s house was a drastic change from the upper levels where the elves lived, and even worse from the areas where the royals and nobles lived.
Where I was born and grew up, we lived in pristine opulence. There were real trees and flowers, and buildings that reached high into the heavens.
Here, the buildings were uniform, and dilapidated. There wasn’t even a hint of foliage or greenery.
What a miserable place.
Whispers about my presence reached my ears, but I ignored them.
I was on a mission, and nothing would stop me.
I knew Ava’s sister was sickly, and had a health condition that kept her from work or living a full life. I could at least help her with such things.
If she was to be my mistress, she’d need to be prepared to be presented to the Veruth Court.
The eyes of the humans of the Lower East End followed me. People shushed and quieted. They stepped away, and made a path for me to walk by.
I didn’t come alone. It was too dangerous, even for a warrior elf with an enchanted sword.
A quad of guards followed closely behind, and we made a show of it. Clad in my armor, the gold of my breastplate glinted under the sunlight.
I knocked on the door, and took a step back.
Did they know what was coming—how their lives would be forever changed?
Once the door opened, I beheld a woman of about forty human years of age.
“You’re Ava’s mother?” I asked, not bothering to mention that I knew the truth of Ava’s lineage.
Her eyes widened as she beheld me and the guards stationed at my back. I glanced over my shoulder to see the people of the street gathered around, watching.
“Yes,” she said, swallowing. “Tess, your highness.”
A lovely, simple name for a lovely simple human.
Breathing in, I shrugged. “Care to invite me in? Speak in private, perhaps?”
Instead of replying, she nodded, her mouth parted in awe.
She moved aside and I stepped in.
While she closed the door, the sunlight was sucked away, and we were left with darkness and the scant light that peered in from a tiny window at the top of the back door. I walked closer to it, and peered outside.
What a lovely view; a stone wall with brown shrubbery growing between the grooves.
A cough broke me from my thoughts and I turned to see a girl sitting up from a pile of rags on the floor.
“Pardon me,” I said, bowing to her.
Tess came to sit by her side. She pulled lovely black hair from Moira’s face and gave her back a pat.
“Can I help?”
She nodded to the table. “Water, your highness.”
I quickly fetched the water from a jug, and a cup. Moira coughed so hard and forceful that she became breathless and weak. She leaned back onto her mother’s chest and finally met his gaze.
He wasn’t sure what he expected, but her eyes were captivating. She was beautiful, but in a way that was entirely different from Ava’s bright looks. She was all darkness, and mystery, and nearly took his breath away.
Her beauty was of no consequence. This was business.
Part of the plan.
I held the water to her lips, and she drank a sip. After swallowing, she took a hearty gulp and sighed in relief.
“Thank you,” she said.
Despite the filth of the tiny hovel, I didn’t mind crouching low with them.
“You’re welcome,” I said, with a nod.
“Why are you here?” Tess finally asked.
“I have a proposition for you.”
Moira sat up and straightened her shoulders. “Do you know where Ava is?”
I nodded. “Yes. I took her from Veruth Prison.”
The mother gasped, covering her mouth. Tears instantly filled her eyes. “What has she done? Is she safe?”
“Yes. She is safe. Her crime was for simply being out after curfew,” I explained.
Moira pursed her lips, and crossed her arms over her shoulders.
“Where is she now?”
“Safe.”
That was all I could tell them.
They exchanged a glance.
“That isn’t acceptable,” Moira said, her brows furrowed. “We’ve been worried about her. Sick about her disappearance. You have to tell us more than that.”
I took her hand, and she flinched. Retreating, I clasped my hands before me. “Trust me. She is safe. I made sure of it. I am actually here to let you know that she is cared for.”
“You needed to bring armed guards to tell us my sister is safe somewhere we cannot know?” Moira asked. “You are leaving out far too many details, your highness.”
I nearly cracked a smile. Her spark was enchanting.
“No,” I said. “I didn’t just come here for that. I have a proposition for you—a way out of this dreadful place.”
“Who says we want to leave this dreadful place?”
I did smile then. “Don’t you?”
“I think you should leave,” Moira said. “You’ve made a spectacle of our home and insulted us. Thank you for doing whatever you did for Ava, but unless you reveal more about her whereabouts, we would like to be left alone.”
Aghast, I stared at her for a moment, unsure of how to respond.
She’d just told me to leave.
Me—a royal.
Standing, I gazed down at her. The stern look in her eyes, the way her lips pouted, and folding of her arms across her chest were a stark contrast to the rasping breaths that shuddered through her frail body.
“I can heal you.”
She and Tess shot a look at me. All contempt faded from their pale faces.
“How?” Moira asked. Her voice was barely above a whisper, but I heard it clearly, and there was such a desperation within that single word that I was inclined to scoop her into my arms and whisk her away to safety.
“Not personally,” I said, clarifying. “But, in Veruth, there are healers who can repair your lungs. You can have a whole new life.”
“At what cost?”
I hesitated, searching her eyes and seeing only sadness. I knew the helplessness she felt. Often times I felt the same.
“The Blood Lottery,” I said. “I wish to claim you as my mistress.”
They didn’t react. It was as if they had been expecting it.
“My only mistress,” I added. “I will care for you, and let you reside in my private household. With your mother, of course.”
“You wish to purchase me.”
“I wish to free you,” I countered.
Both stared at me, as if measuring me.
Then, Moira spoke.
“Very well,” she said, and Tess helped her to her feet.
When she stood before me, I took her hands into mine. They were cold, and thin. She needed food, and fresh clothes, and a new lease on life.
I would give her all of those things.
As long as Ava kept up her part of the bargain—as long as she served as my weapon—my army.
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ll will be released summer 2019.
A Look at Curse of the Night King
The soft splatter of cool rain dripped onto Wren’s hood.
She sat in the tree, waiting, listening. It was just before sunset when the horns would blow and the villagers would be called back to town before curfew. Nightfall meant danger for anyone who dared to linger outside of the gates of The Vale.
It was up to Wren and the other Dragon Elite to keep them safe—to protect them from the beasts who prowled at night.
She’d taken this mission from the King of Saldoria—a king who balked at being sent the ‘little fairy’ instead of one of the elven males from the Elite.
Arrogant bastard.
She glanced at the darkening sky, and the gray clouds that rolled across at a leisurely pace. From the sweet smell of the air, she could tell that a storm was coming. She loved a good storm. Perhaps the weather would keep the creatures who haunted most children’s nightmares away.
When the loud horns began to blow, she settled in on her belly, hiding within the leaves of a tall tree. The black bark and dark, evergreen leaves were perfect for such a disguise. Her purple hair was hidden beneath her hood, and her olive skin helped her camouflage herself along with the branches and foliage.
She pressed her ear to the branch, listening to the wood nymphs humming. It was a hypnotizing melody that almost lulled her to sleep.
Peeking down at the villagers as they left the fields and lakes from a busy day gathering food and supplies, she spotted North. He walked behind his two younger brothers, ushering them on as they begged to stay out and play just a bit longer.
With a crooked smile on his face, and long chestnut hair falling into his eyes, he was one of her oldest friends from the Titan Academy for Mages.
She was coming of age to leave the Academy and pursue a life of her own. It was either that, or continue her studies to rise up the ranks of mages, and perhaps ascend to greater things.
She’d chosen her path, and the Dragon Elite was where her heart belonged.
The silence that followed the procession of the villagers away from the forest was unsettling. She tried to focus on the hum of the nymph-folk and the soft drip of rain. Before long, thunder began to vibrate across the sky and strike lightning with a loud crackle that perked her up. She pushed herself to her bottom and wrapped her toned arms around her slim frame. The wind picked up and her soaked cloak and tunic began to cling to her in the most uncomfortable fashion.