I swallow, blinking rapidly. The reminder of my imminent quest, the fate of my entire world on my shoulders has me sobered up quick as hell.
“I’ll ask again,” she says after a small sip of her glass. “Are you okay?” She meets my eye directly for the first time.
“No,” I say. I’m falling apart. And I don’t know how to stop it.
“What do you need?” Her eyes are sharp, expression fierce. She’s ready to tear the world down to save her people.
I don’t know. I don’t voice the thought because I can’t admit that. I need to feel something other than the pain raging through me now.
A rough hand grabs my shoulder and whips me to face him.
“What the hell, Ty.”
He shoves a bag into my hands. “You have to go.”
I blink. “What?” I grip the leather strap of the backpack in my hands. It’s mine. My supplies for the Schorchedlands I’d brought along for no other reason than it made me feel better.
“It’s time to go,” he says, punctuating each word. “Trust me.” His eyes are sharp, as serious as I’ve ever seen him.
“You’re sure?” I ask him, my heart pounding. I’m eager for it to be true for so many reasons at once. Honestly, my biggest reason is for something to take my mind off of... what happened with my father just minutes ago.
My stomach turns.
My heart pounds faster. “Go, now?” I repeat again, stupidly.
“Yes!” he says and shoves at my shoulder.
I don’t understand any of it, but then again, I’m not in my right mind. A bottle of water is shoved into my hand, and I turn to meet Kari’s purple eyes. “Drink it. And if you need anything... my offer stands.”
I nod in thanks and then march through the crowd and out the door without looking back.
Up the stairs, I glance back only once to see the queen watching me, narrow eyes, and almost—displeased? I shake it off, my head still somewhat dizzy, but I’m determined. Determined to run from all of this. My not-father’s disappointment and disgust. The people’s hope that I’ll save them all. The prying questions. And most importantly, Caelynn.
Killian whinnies and huffs as I approach him. I unclip him from the carriage and hop onto his back saddleless. It’ll be an uncomfortable ride, but it’ll do.
I hope to God I never see her face again as long as I live, and if Tyadin is right, that something has changed and I can get through the Wicked Gates, I’ll never have to.
Caelynn
My back is pressed to the wall, knees against my chest, as I watch the fae royals mosey out of the High Court palace and to their carriages. No one notices me, hidden in the shadows. My dress has streaks of mud up the skirt. My eyes are red and itchy.
Another set of fae walk down the fairy-lit walkway but stop to look around.
“There,” a feminine voice says.
I blink to see Tyadin and Kari crossing the snow-covered grounds to meet met at the edge of the front entryway.
Kari sits beside me and throws an arm over my shoulder. My heart squeezes, and I press into her warmth.
“Are you going to tell me what happened now?”
I blink and stare down at my frozen toes, shoes lost to some bush I attacked in my pained outrage. I only have myself to blame.
With Kari here, I’m not sure if I should explain, but I don’t have the energy to think much beyond that. I trust her. Maybe it’s stupid. Maybe it’ll backfire. But it’s not like I could make Rev trust me any less at this point.
“The Schorchedlands has a purpose,” I say mechanically, my soul lost to the wind. “It is not for the unredeemable. It’s for the unredeemed.”
Tyadin purses his lips. “What does that mean?”
“It means anyone can be redeemed,” Kari says, eyebrows pulled down in concentration.
I nod. “The Schorchedlands allows evil spirits the chance to achieve what they couldn’t on earth. But they don’t need to be perfect. They only need to resolve their biggest conflict. The one thing that held them back. The largest blot on their soul, one of the books called it.”
“Okay?” Tyadin says.
“Rev had already resolved his.”
Tyadin takes in a long breath and finally sits beside me. I get the feeling he didn’t have the energy to continue standing.
“The Schorchedlands wouldn’t let him in,” Kari breaths, putting all the pieces together now.
“How?” Ty asks, ignoring Kari’s realization and getting right to the point.
“He forgave me,” I whisper, and my heart breaks all over again.
Kari goes dead still, arm still tight around me.
“So, you undid it,” Ty says, his voice harsh.
“I made him hate me again.” I nod. I suck in a shaky breath. “His father cornered us and made accusations about me. I just agreed with him. They were partially true anyway. I just... said what I knew would hurt him the most.”
“Wow,” Kari breathes. “Are you sure it worked?”
I nod.
“We won’t know for sure until the morning,” Tyadin says.
“It worked,” I say. “I can feel it. He’ll be inside within the hour.”
Kari shakes her head in disbelief.
I don’t respond. I can’t. I’d lose it if I affirmed her words anyway.
“I’m so sorry, Cae.”
Tyadin rests his hand on my forearm. “I’ll tell him. When he returns with the cure, I’ll make sure he knows what you did and why.”
I force a smile through my tears. “Thanks,” I say. But I know it won’t matter. Rev is gone for good. And there’s nothing anyone else could do to take it back.
Rev
The thorn wall towers over me, making my path nearly impossible to see in the depth of shadows. I rode Killian straight through the Luminescent portal, out the gates of the place I grew up in—the place she betrayed me. The place I lost my brother. Through the iridescent forest and the portal to the base of the Wicked Gates.
Pain and rage still eat away at me as I pull Killian to a stop. My limbs feel tingly, and I know I’m not in the best state to do this. Those last few shots have wormed their way into my bloodstream, and I’m feeling the full brunt of the hallucinogens. But I have to do this now.
I don’t know why I’m here. My mind spins, and I stumble as I hop from Killian’s back. Why is this supposed to be different? Because I hate her now? Because I’m eager for her to be re-banished.
“Let me in, stupid wall!” I shout and run forward into the thorn nook. I duck my head as I enter. Stupid place. I hate this door, so snarky and rude every time I try to pass through. “I’m just trying to save the whole world,” I grumble.
Without pausing to think, I pull out my knife and swipe it across my palm and slam it to the nob where my blood is supposed to go.
You again, the voice hisses. But then, there’s a hum, low and inhuman.
“Let me in,” I say, my anger swirling, soul as black as hers. “Just FUCKING OPEN THE DOOR,” I scream.
Suddenly, there’s a click and the vines shutter.
Well, what a surprise. Your soul is welcomed, Reveln, the voice purrs at me. You may enter. But you, and only you, will be permitted to exit through this gate without achieving redemption—if you live. If you die within these walls, you will be as any other wraith—unable to leave until you have achieved your quest. If you die, another may take your place.
My heart pounds. It’s letting me in?
Fuck. Ty was right.
My stomach twists, my heart aches, and my mind spins. I clench my fists tightly as the vines before me untangle, leaving an opening just large enough for me to walk through. This is it.
I will either die a failure or live a hero.
Past the opening is pitch black. I can’t see a single thing. “Thank you,” I say calmly, though my heart throbs wildly.
And then, I step into hell.
Caelynn
Raindrops begin to fall, sending water streaming
down my arms, chilling my body. Kari and Tyadin left me not long ago to head back inside and say their proper goodbyes, but I’m not alone long. Footsteps approach slowly and then stop a few feet away.
“Pathetic creature.” The Luminescent Court’s King’s voice chills me. “I hear my son has finally ventured to the Schorchedlands.”
My eyes flit up to his. His expression is blank. How would he know what Rev is doing? He wasn’t even supposed to know he hadn’t been able to enter.
His silver eyes shine, and his lip quirks like he’s fighting a smile. I shiver, eyes locked with his, panic filling me. Something is wrong with this fae. Something... isn’t right.
My heart starts pounding harder.
“I’ll certainly glad to be rid of the bastard.”
I grimace but don’t speak.
“I’m surprised by your reputation. I expected you to be a much more challenging opponent. The only fae to ever outsmart the Night Bringer.” He shakes his head, and I leap to my feet, hands in fists.
He laughs harder, and a soft glow appears between us. He’s blocking me from attacking him. My chest heaves. He knows. How much does he know? My eyes flit over him then stop dead on a thorn tattoo on his wrist.
My blood runs ice cold, my vision tinges with black. I barely hear his condescending tone as he continues talking to me. I don’t need to hear his words; I already know what happened.
“Only a few of us know, of course. But those with any knowledge of the ancient being can tell. That power of yours? That magic you showcased during the final trial? Like flaunting it in his face. You weren’t supposed to get away, did you know that?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” My voice is hoarse. But I do. I know exactly what he’s talking about.
For these few moments, I’m back there. A terrified teenage fae, trembling in that ancient beast’s presence. He made me think he was down one cave so that I’d flee straight toward him in another.
He likes to make one think they’re in control. He likes to herd fae. Scare them in one direction only to find out that’s exactly where he wants them.
“Anyway,” the king says offhandedly. “You were easier to manipulate than I expected. The Night Bringer has plans for the boy, and I have mine. Both of them are nicely achieved by him entering those cursed walls. We were all quite miffed when the wall refused to allow him entrance. I’d wondered if another ancient was in play and altered the magic of the gates, but once he saw how close you two had gotten, our master figured it out for himself and sent me to do what I do best. Hurt Reveln. And oh, how you helped so nicely.”
My mind spins, vision blinking black.
Our master.
“He’s not my master,” I spit.
He chuckles. “Just because you can’t see his chains on your wrists doesn’t mean you’re not playing on his team.”
I swallow.
“I still hate you for what you did to my true heir.” He spits into the fresh snow between us. “Reahgan was my son. My heir. The perfect legacy. And you stole him from me.” He heaves in a huge breath. “But time dulls the sting.” He lets the breath out. “Now, my only desire is to destroy the changeling living in my true son’s place.”
“You could just expose the truth about him.” I cross my arms. “Instead, you’d do the bidding of that creature?”
He chuckles. “Sometimes, you must take terrible allies to get what you desire. Rev understood that when he took your side. You didn’t really think he cared for you, did you? You’re a convenient ally and easy on the eyes. Any affection you think he holds was only the bond magic. I did you a favor. He was never going to take you as a bride. You’re not worthy of him, and he knows it.” He laughs. “And that’s coming from me! I hate him and still know he’s better than you.”
My stomach twists.
“Doesn’t matter, though. You’ve helped ensure his death. For that, I should thank you.” The look in his eye tells me he most definitely does not feel grateful.
“You underestimate him.”
“Oh, no, sweetheart. He might have been able to retrieve the cure—if that were even a thing.” He shakes his head, chuckling darkly.
“What does that mean?”
“It means, my lovely pet.” My knees almost buckle at those words. I shake my head, tears of frustration in my eyes. “That this game is much larger than the scourge.”
I’m not a child anymore, I tell myself. And this arrogant king is giving me information freely because he enjoys watching me squirm. I am squirming. I’m freaking the fuck out. My chest hurts, my head spins, my fingertips are tingling. But I have to keep him talking as long as I can. He thinks he’s won this game, and so he’ll spill everything here and now.
My teeth chatter. “What did you do?” My voice trembles.
“Nothing extraordinary.” He shrugs. “Just ensured that Reveln will perish inside those wicked walls. If he gets past the first few obstacles, he will have about ten thousand wraiths hunting him. How long do you think he will last? If he makes it through Death Valley, I’d be shocked. But even if he does, he will not survive even a moment past the fires.”
I mark his words carefully. He’s giving me a road map, even if I don’t know exactly what they mean.
“Then, Rev will be dead, and you’ll have your chance to prove yourself and save the realm. What he does with you—I don’t much care. Will he let you have your reward now that you helped end Reveln’s life after all?” He strokes his chin.
I groan as another wave of pain wracks through my body.
He smiles, his silver eyes glinting with dark wickedness.
“Reveln, the fraud prince, is now exactly where the Night Bringer wants him.”
Caelynn
I don’t wait for another word from the evil king of the Luminescent Court. If I’d spent one more moment with him, I’d have attacked him—no matter the consequences.
There is a simple truth ringing through my brain.
Rev just walked straight into a trap set by his father, who is working for the Night Bringer. Nausea rolls through me. I can’t... God, I can’t let this happen.
I fought so hard to free myself and Rev from his evil clutches. I gave up everything so that we could live. And now... now he’s found a new way to carve my heart out. By killing the fae I love.
These truths add up to one obvious course of action. I must go to the Schorchedlands—now. The Night Bringer is targeting Rev.
I won’t let him face this alone. Maybe if there’s two of us... we can defeat our enemies.
I rummage through the supplies in the carriage. There’s not much here. A knife, a scarf, a few potions. No extra clothes, which is what I really need. I’m not sure I can survive that place without a sturdy pair of boots at the very least.
“What are you doing?”
I spin to face Tyadin and Kari. “Looking for supplies.”
Ty’s eyes narrow. “What kind of supplies?”
“I need boots,” I say, turning back and looking through the near-empty storage container like I’ll find something new where there obviously isn’t anything.
“Why would you need boots?” His voice is strained, almost like he already knows the answer and he’s just hoping he’s wrong.
I pause and have a few calming breaths before I face them.
“Rev’s father set him up.”
“What?” Ty and Kari say at the same time.
“He’s working with...” My eyes flit to Kari and back to Ty. I’ve told her a lot, but I won’t trust her with that information. Even Tyadin knows very little. “Someone really bad. And they’ve set a trap for him. They’re going to kill him there. He won’t ever come back... unless.”
“Unless what?” Ty says, stepping forward. He reaches out and grabs my upper arm tightly, his eyes sharp, grasping mine. “Whatever it is, you can’t stop it.”
“Don’t say that,” I spit. “You don’t know what I can do.”
“It’s too late,” he w
hispers. “He’ll be well into the Schorchedlands before you reach him. You can’t stop him from entering...”
“I wasn’t planning to stop him. I’m planning to save him.”
“You’re going to enter the Schorchedlands after him?” Kari whispers, pity clear in her eyes, followed by judgment. “In a dress.”
“I was looking for other clothes,” I say defensively.
She shakes her head. “You need more than boots. You need real supplies.”
Ty spins on Kari. “You’re NOT encouraging this.”
Kari purses her lips. “I’m just saying that if...”
“No!” Tyadin roars. “No ifs! Caelynn,” he turns on me, fury and pain in his eyes, “if you enter now only one of you can leave.”
My stomach twists. “Yes,” I whisper.
“You’re committing suicide.”
“No.”
“Yes, that’s what you’re doing. Because you’re headed there to save him. And if you succeed, you’ll never be able to leave. Ever.”
I bite my lip. “You act as if that’s a problem.”
His hand flies at me, and I flinch, expecting a fist, but his open palm presses against my chest until my back slams against the carriage. “No!” he roars at me. “You matter, Caelynn. I will not let you throw your life away like it doesn’t matter!”
“What’s the alternative, Ty?” I yell back. His hand still presses against my chest, suppressing a breath, but no part of me feels threatened. “If he lives, I’m banished to the human world. Is it really so different than being banished to the Schorchedlands?”
“Yes! In the human world, you can have a life! You can find happiness.”
I shake my head, tears falling freely now. “Everything—EVERYTHING—was for Rev. Every sacrifice I ever made. Every terrible thing I did. Every choice. It was all for him. If he dies—it was all for nothing. If the Night Bringer gets to him now, then he won.” My lips curl into a snarl, anger, and magic clenching inside of me. “I will not let him win!” I yell.
Curse of Thorns (Wicked Fae Book 2) Page 11