Winter Tails: A Limited Edition Winter Shifters Collection

by Fox, Piper

  In the instant the water cascaded down on me, I became powerless to avoid the fate that awaited me.

  I let loose and screamed. I wouldn’t die here. Not when I’d survived so many other treacherous acts. I thrashed about, fighting against the restraints securing my wrists and ankles. Something told me I ought to conserve my energy and stay calm but I ignore all that was rational and fought, anyway. I wouldn’t die here.

  And then, just as I was about to give up and give in, I felt the chair being hoisted upwards, throwing me towards the sky.

  The weight of the water pressed down on my skull and shoulders. My eyes hurt from the rush of the water. The pressure. The death grip the lake had on me. Was this what it was like for a Kelpies victim? I shuddered mentally. The lake was fighting back. It didn’t want to let go.

  The sodden material of my gown stuck to my skin as my chair was raised up.

  Pop.

  The water relented, allowing me to break the surface.

  I could breathe. Thank God!

  I’d forgotten how dark the underground cavern was. How pretty it was, with all the fireflies lighting up the damp mother-of-pearl like walls.

  I saw–them. The counsel. I didn’t want to look at them. I didn’t want to see their smug expressions. I had to endure. So, endure I would. Even if it killed me.

  I flew upwards. Water droplets falling as if from the heavens. At long last, I breathed.

  Coughing and spluttering, I sob. Giant tears rolling down my icy cheeks.

  I suck in oxygen, bringing much needed air into my half-starved lungs. My grip on reality returning.

  My heartbeat was still frantic. It beat too fast in my chest. I wasn’t convinced I wouldn’t have a heart attack at this rate.

  And then, their side rose as I was lowered once more.

  I gritted my teeth; I wouldn’t give them the pleasure of my screams.

  The water welcomed me, caressing first my feet, then my thighs... up and up until the water reached my head.

  I slipped… Devoured.

  This watery grave knew me, because I belonged.

  My lungs burned in response. It wouldn’t let go and they wouldn’t give up.

  How many times would they submerge me until they were satisfied, I was telling the truth?

  With the iron tipped cat of nine tails, I’d been beaten eighteen times.

  I’d withstood the heat of the branding iron for eighteen seconds.

  The counsel seemed to like uniformity.

  I wondered how long I’d be forced to endure this watery hell. Minutes or hours?

  My submergence lasted longer this time. I think. Maybe it was shorter. I don’t know. Time had lost all meaning. My reserves were spent.

  I couldn’t hold on.

  I couldn’t fight.

  I wanted to let go.

  I was that tired.

  Just give in. I willed myself. I wanted to.

  Oh, how I wanted to.

  If I died… the pain would end.

  My thoughts drifted. It was so quiet and peaceful. I was almost floating.

  But then the weight began again. I was raised up. The pressure in my head became too much. It hurt.

  Oh God!

  Air trickled into my lungs. I coughed and retched. Expelling the water, I’d drawn into my lungs while beneath the lake’s surface.

  I didn’t think I could survive another trip down into the murky depths.

  “Please!” I beg. The word was no more than a whisper. My throat raw.

  And then, I fell… again.

  Only it wasn’t dark where I was. At least not in the way I’d been expecting.

  “Ever,” a voice purred. Only I couldn’t make out if the voice was male or female. “You don’t belong here.”

  “Don’t I?”

  “No.”

  I came to gasping and coughing up water. My throat hurt. It hurt to swallow, but I did, anyway.

  “Congratulations, Ever. You survived,” one of the men on the council said. “Not all who undergo the trials are so lucky.”

  Luck. I scoffed. As if luck had anything to do with it.

  “One day you’ll look back on this and remember the lesson you learned.”

  “You call this a lesson?” I said, my voice hoarse. “This is a lesson!”

  And with the last remnants of what remained of the winter magic that flowed through my veins on account of having once being the Winter Queen I threw a black of icicles towards where the men of the fey council sat.

  “I wish you’d died as our daughter did!” A voice spat.

  I turned and faced the woman speaking, having glamoured myself so I appeared to be wearing a blue dress and black boots. Her amber eyes gave her away. Wolf. They said. She must have been the little one’s mother.

  “I’m sorry,” I said. “I’d take it back if I could.”

  “But you can’t can you!” The woman all but snarled. “Even fey magic can’t bring back the dead.”

  “Ever!” Dad snapped. “Let’s go!”

  But fey magic had brought back the dead once that I knew of. Perhaps it could be called upon to do so again.

  “I know what you’re thinking and stop it. Using fey magic to resurrect a wolf shifter pup is meddlesome at best.”

  “Is it? When it could ease their pain and suffering?” I asked.

  “Bringing back a wolf shifter pup is entirely different to bringing back one of our own.”

  “I thought Tam Lin had been called upon to bring back a human. I didn’t know he’d brought back one of the fey. Who was it?”

  “Who it was is not important, Ever,” Mom said. “You shouldn’t be entertaining the thought of meddling with that type of magick. Tam Lin asks a hefty price from those he aids.”

  “I don’t care!” I whine. “I’ll pay whatever I have to.”

  “It’s not wise, Ever,” Mom said. “You have no idea what Tam Lin will ask, nor do you know if the magick will work as it’s meant to. And what if Tam Lin doesn’t succeed? The family will suffer all over again. As will you!”

  “But—”

  “Let it go, Ever,” Dad said. “What you’re suggesting is dangerous.”

  I sighed, wistfully. But strong in my resolve. My parents said nothing against me visiting Tam Lin and merely making enquires.

  “I’ll catch up with you,” I told them. “There’s something I have to do first.”

  There were few ways in and out of Arcadia these days, but I was lucky enough to know someone who knew where the remaining few trods could be found.

  “Ever, what brings you to my neck of the woods?”

  Tavish was a devilishly handsome wolf shifter with amber eyes and dark brown hair whose mother, Nerisha, belonged to the Winter Court. We’d met when he and his mother had attended the previous year’s Solstice Ball. Despite belonging to the noble class, it didn’t stop them snickering behind Tavish’s back. Having my favour these past eighteen months had done wonders for his social standing. I only hoped he survived when I officially stepped down from my role as Queen.

  “I need a guide to take me to the nearest trod.”

  He raised his eyebrows and smirked. “And you chose me?”

  I shrugged sheepishly. “Would you rather I found someone else to take me?”

  “No, of course not.”

  “Then what are you waiting for?”

  “Oh, nothing,” Tavish said. “Well, maybe not nothing exactly. It’s just that I half expected you to turn around and leave the second you got here.”

  “You think that lowly of me?”

  “No.”

  “Good,” I said. “Because I have a feeling, I’m going to need all the allies I can get going forward.”

  “And how are our esteemed council on such a fine evening?”

  “After they almost drowned me?” I asked. “Happy, I think.”

  “Yes, well. Even I could have told you sacrificing the wolf pup was a bad idea. But you were too busy listening to those older and wi
ser who refuse to believe that wolf shifters are anything but an enemy to the fey. So, I never had the chance.”

  “Alright, alright. I get it, I made a mistake. But I’ve more than paid for it,” I said, throwing up my hands. “The moment I return to the Winter Palace, they’re set to announce my successor. So, what’s it going to take for you to see me safely through the trods?”

  Tavish pretended to think about it. I knew he was only pretending because he wore an impish smile on his handsome face. Amber eyes sparkling with mischief born from the risk he knew travelling the trods posed. Especially given as how any unauthorised travel could be met with death. But I’d cheated death once already today, and while I knew I wasn’t invincible, I knew enough to say the odds were in my favour. And I was still technically Queen, so he had to obey me.

  “A kiss,” he said.

  “A kiss?” I asked.

  “Yes.” His eyes lit up with amusement. “You know one day you’re going to have to choose. I doubt Rath or Julien will stick around long when they no longer have favour with the Queen of the Winter Court.”

  “And you will?”

  “Of course.” His hands cupped either side of my face. “Now about that kiss?”

  I swept my eyes upwards, to meet his. Despite taking after my father and being tall, Tavish was taller.

  “Very well,” I murmured, allowing myself to be swept along by his lips. Taken in until passion consumed me and I could think of nothing else but him, his lips and his hands as they roamed south.

  “Tavish,” I gasped. Feeling a shock of icy wind as it swirled around the two of us.

  He chuckled. “Stow your magick, darling. Though one day soon, I’m going to ask for more than just a kiss.”

  I felt a small thrill run through me at the thought of one day being in Tavish’s arms, but then I dismissed it. “Are you trying to distract me?” I asked.

  “Always,” he said. “Is it working?”

  “Yes,” I grumbled. “But I have a faerie to find.”

  “That you do.”

  I felt the air shift when he pulled away from me and found myself reaching to pull him back towards me.

  “I thought you said you had a Faerie to find.”

  “I do,” I mewled.

  “Then we’d better get moving.”

  “Lead the way,” I said with a sweep of my hand.

  Tavish obliged and walked out ahead of me. I followed close behind as falling snow obscured my vision making it hard to see more than a foot in front of me.

  “How much further?” I shouted over the wind.

  “See that grove of trees ahead?” Tavish asked.

  I didn’t, but I nodded, anyway. Forgetting for a moment that I was behind him and he couldn’t see me. “Yes.” I shouted back.

  “That’s where the trod lies.”

  I just had to make it to the grove of trees and then I’d be on my way to Cornwall where Tam Lin had taken up residence.

  “Where are you headed, anyway?” Tavish shouted.

  “Cornwall.”

  “You really think Tam Lin has the power to bring back the pup?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe.”

  “Well, there’s only one way to find out.” He said reaching for my hand. “You ready?”

  I swallowed. “Yes.”

  I’d travelled the trods countless times before today, so it made no sense for me to be nervous now.

  “There’s no point worrying about the outcome before we get there,” Tavish said oddly wise. “Worst case scenario he can’t help you and you go home feeling sorry for yourself.”

  “I'm already feeling sorry for myself,” I muttered.

  “That’s why they call them the trials,” he said. “They’re designed to break you.”

  “Well, it worked,” I grumbled.

  Tavish scoffed. “You’re rather bitter for someone who once told me you didn’t want to rule.”

  “I might have said I didn’t want to rule, but that didn’t mean I didn’t enjoy the perks.”

  “Spoken like true royalty.”

  “Now who’s bitter?”

  “This isn’t about me. This is about you and your guilt,” he said.

  “So, what if it is?”

  “You made a mistake,” he said. “A tragic one certainly, but eventually you have to let it go.”

  “Easier said than done,” I said through gritted teeth. “You’ve never killed someone.”

  “No, I haven’t,” he acquiesced. “But I do know a thing or two about being punished. And I’m here to tell you, you need to let it go before it consumes you. Because once it does there’s no coming back.”

  “Maybe I don’t want to come back,” I said sullenly. “Maybe I deserve to suffer.”

  “Bite your tongue!” he hissed. “Nobody ever deserves to be put through the trials.”

  “If you say so,” I muttered.

  “Stop that!” he shouted. One hand on each shoulder, he shook me.

  “Alright,” I murmured. “I’ll stop.”

  “Good,” he nodded. “Good.”

  And then we stepped out of the trod and into Cornwall.

  “I apologise if I hurt you, Ever,” Tavish said. “It’s just all the negativity was getting to me.”

  I shook my head. “It’s me that should be apologising to you. I’ve been so caught up in this sorry affair that I forget myself. Truth is, I’m scared.”

  “Scared about what?”

  “If Tam Lin says no. Then this who trip was for nothing.”

  “It wasn’t all for nothing,” Tavish said.

  It was then I knew I’d hit a nerve. The kiss he’d stolen had meant something. And he had been right to assume. Perhaps the court advisers had been right in suggesting I wed sooner rather than later. An unwed Queen was a distraction. One which the Winter Court didn’t need.

  I squared my shoulders. “I guess there’s only one way to find out.”

  Tavish smiled a wolffish smile.

  As we walked, the cold air sting my face, while the snow made a mess of my once dry clothes. I was losing my magick. When once the cold hadn’t bothered me, it now did.

  Perhaps I was already too late.

  “Well, I never,” a faerie in seemingly mortal clothes called out. “I didn’t expect to see you here. Sorcha will be pleased.”

  “I’m not here to see my great grandmother.”

  His expression grew more puzzled.

  “Why she’s here to see you, Tam,” my great grandmother said in that knowing way of hers. For even though I hadn’t been there to see her, somehow, she’d foreseen my arrival, anyway.

  “Me?” he asked. “Why on earth for?”

  “I might have caused the death of a wolf shifter pup,” I said sheepishly.

  “You might or you did?” Tam Lin asked, taking the direct approach. “I’m not in the habit of raising the dead. I don’t know what your mother has told you Ever, but those were extenuating circumstances—”

  “What where?” I asked. “Who did you bring back?”

  He shook his head. “It’s not my place to tell you if your mother hasn’t, Ever.”

  “But—”

  “I’m sorry. I can’t help you,” he said. “It’s a tragedy that the wolf pup died. But meddling now could do more harm than good.”

  “Whatever the cost,” I said boldly. “I can pay it. I assure you.”

  “You don’t have any idea what it is I’ll ask of you,” he said.

  “Do you honestly think that I’d be here if I had any other option?”

  Tam Lin smiled an otherworldly smile. “But you do have another option, my dear. You and the wolf shifter can turn around and run-on home. This magick is powerful, but it’s also dangerous.

  I exhaled deeply. “What do you want?” I demanded.

  “It’s not what I want of you, exactly,” he said slowly. “The balance between life and death is delicate. I’d require something in trade.”

  “I don’t understand.” I
rubbed my arms. The cold air was pricked at my skin.

  “What he means to say is that he requires the life of a wolf shifter in order to bring back the dead wolf pup?” Tavish clarified. “Isn’t that right?”

  Tam Lin didn’t mince his words with his response. “Yes.”

  My gaze swept from Tam Lin to Tavish and back again. “You already have someone in mind, don’t you?”

  “Yes.” His voice was sombre. “But it’s an awfully big ask. I see the way he looks at you.”

  My brow wrinkled in confusion for a mere moment before I realised what he was talking about.

  Tavish was in love with me.

  And now Tam Lin wanted something of him to satisfy the cosmic balance when it came to restoring the wolf pup’s life.

  “What’s the price you demand?” Tavish asked.

  “To restore the wolf shifter pup’s life, I require a substitute,” Tam Lin stated, turning to Tavish.” I require your wolf.”

  “H-his wolf?” I panicked. “But that’ll kill him.

  Tavish swallowed. “No, it won’t. I’m half fey. I’ll just be stripped of my wolf.”

  My face fell. “I can’t ask you to do that.”

  “You don’t have to ask,” he said. “You know I’d do anything for you.”

  I couldn’t help the blush that formed across the apples of my cheeks.

  “I’ll need a day to make the preparations, return with the child then,” Tam Lin said. “And Ever?”

  “Yes

  “Inform the alpha of your intentions,” he said. “After all, this sort of magick usually works better when the parents are aware their child will be returned to the land of the living.”

  The End

  * * *

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  About the Author

  Bestselling author Stacey Jaine McIntosh was born in Perth, Western Australia where she still resides with her husband and their four children.

  Although her first love has always been writing, she once toyed with being a Cartographer and subsequently holds a Diploma in Spatial Information Services.

  Since 2011 she has had over one hundred short stories and twenty-two poems published.

  Stacey is also the author of Solstice, Morrighan, Lost, Le Fay & Pendragon and she is currently working on several other projects simultaneously.