“You put an enchantment on the house,” Pike said, looking around him. “That is amazing.”
“Well, just something I cooked up when trying to keep the foxes from stealing my chicken eggs,” she laughed. “Your friend should be fine by the time he wakes. He took a hard blow, so he will be sore, but he will survive.”
“Then I should wake him,” Pike said, beginning to stand up.
“No, no,” the queen responded, putting her hand on Pike’s arm. “No need to leave in the middle of the night. You will stay here until dawn when it is safer to travel.”
“Thank you for your kindness,” Pike said, looking down at his empty bowl and then back at the queen who had a serious and contemplative look on her face.
“Pike,” she said carefully, “you seek answers. However, I need you to understand that those answers are not always going to be what you want to hear. Your life is in grave danger, but even more importantly, the lands west of the Fortune are facing an extinction never before seen by any living creature. It is you that has the power to stop it.”
Chapter Nine: The Great Wolf King
Leonetta stood at her window, a bright blue shawl wrapped tightly around her shoulders. She was still very weak from the ordeal, but she was recovering quickly. Holland sat in the chair across the room, watching her intently, wondering what was going on in her mind. It had been two days since she dove through the dark space to save her sister, but when she returned, she didn’t speak a word. Leonetta’s bright eyes seemed just a bit dimmer, and you could read the past mark’s events on her face. Though a fae’s life was infinite if treated with honor and respect, the stamps of dark magic chipped away at their lives.
Out the window, Leonetta watched as the clouds moved and shifted in the high winds. The flags of the Vale whipped wildly at the gates, and the lack of sunshine gave the castle a disparaging feel. Leonetta shivered, and Holland walked over, rubbing her shoulders and kissing the side of her head. They both turned toward the door as one of the staff entered, carrying a tray of stew and mead. She curtsied with a smile and placed the tray on the table, scurrying from the room afterward.
“Come,” Holland whispered. “You must continue to heal. Eat some food.”
Leonetta nodded and followed Holland to the table where she slowly consumed the food. Her eyes were so sad, and Holland couldn’t understand what had happened while she was away. Asphodul was safe just as she had hoped for, but something else was nagging at Leonetta. After several bites, she took a deep breath and looked up at Holland.
“My sister betrayed us,” she whispered with sadness in her voice.
“What?” Holland looked at her with confusion. “She betrayed the Vale?”
“No, not the Vale, you and I,” she corrected quietly. “When I entered her mind, searching for a way into the dark space, I saw a memory. It was as if I were there in that place and time, seeing it with my own eyes. She had had a vision of my future during the time we were apart and you were under the service of Osiris. She saw your return to my life.”
“I don’t understand, why would she not tell you? Maybe she was afraid if she did, it would alter time and we may never have returned to each other,” Holland said, trying to understand.
“No,” Leonetta responded, looking Holland in the eyes. “She knew if you returned we would marry, and she would be left to wed a fae instead of her love to provide the kingdom with an heir. She lied so she could marry Tyriad and I would agree to mother the next king or queen.”
“Are you sure? Asphodul always had such an open heart,” Holland replied, his face slowly turning to anger.
“There is no mistaking what I saw. I now know this kingdom is in worst shape than I thought. A queen who would put herself over her people is no queen at all,” Leonetta stated as the color began to return to her cheeks. “We will leave in the morning.”
“What will you do?”
Leonetta slowly turned back toward Holland. “We will show this land what a true ruler looks like.”
Leonetta wrapped the shawl tightly around her and exited the room, making her way toward Asphodul’s chambers. As she entered, Tyriad looked up and smiled. Leonetta bowed to the king before speaking.
“You look much better,” Tyriad said. “Are you feeling better?”
“I am, thank you,” Leonetta replied. “I wondered if I might have a moment alone with my sister.”
“Well, she is still unconscious most of the time, but of course,” Tyriad said, standing and walking toward the door. He stopped and turned his back to her. “Thank you for saving her.”
“Anything for the queen,” Leonetta said with no emotion.
Tyriad nodded before leaving the room and closing the door behind him. Slowly, Leonetta unclasped her hands and turned toward Asphodul, sitting down at her bedside and staring down at her sleeping face. She moved the hair from the queen’s forehead and took a deep breath.
“You are lucky I do not stab you in the heart as you sleep,” Leonetta whispered. “I vow to you, your days as queen are numbered. You have betrayed me in ways of the heart, the worst offense you could lay on your own dear sister. I saved your life this time, but I can assure you it will never happen again. For now, sweet sister, sleep. Rest until your strength has fully returned, as one day you will see my face again, and it will be then that you will need it.”
Leonetta watched as Asphodul’s face curled into a frown, knowing through her dreams she had heard her words. She held out her palm and blew lightly, watching as magical blue fog fell over Asphodul’s face. This would keep the queen asleep until she was able to leave the kingdom. Leonetta rose from the chair and opened the door, curtsying to Tyriad before turning and walking back toward her chambers. Tyriad stood, uncomfortable with the events that transpired, feeling something strange floating through the kingdom. He looked around the room at his wife sleeping peacefully in her bed and pulled his jacket closed. It was cold and not just from the dropping temperatures.
Holland stood quickly as Leonetta came through the doorway, closing it behind her. She walked over to her bed and began packing her bag without any words. Holland carefully made his way to her side and set his hand on her arm. She looked distraught, not that he blamed her. She had waited her entire life to be part of her people just so her own sister could betray her.
“I changed my mind,” she said without emotion. “We leave now. Ready the dragons, but do it quietly. I believe Tyriad has noticed a change in my demeanor.”
“Of course,” Holland said, turning and walking from the room.
Leonetta moved about, packing the essentials into her bag. She ran her hand across the hand-carved jewelry box her sister had given her when she arrived. She opened the lid and pulled out a large blue stone that she had enchanted with Asphodul when she first arrived. Its purpose was so that Asphodul could find her at any time, and they would never again lose each other. Leonetta set her bag on the table and walked to the stone windowsill. She kissed the rock softly before lifting it over her head and bashing it against the window several times. Slowly, the glow dissipated until she held nothing more than a cracked and broken rock in her palm. Leonetta looked up at the clouds swirling around and watched as a single snowflake gently fluttered down from the sky. The frost was here.
Leonetta turned quickly and tossed the rock on her desk before grabbing her bag and walking quickly from the room. Through the castle, she sped, her bare feet making no noise on the white marble floors. As she approached the doorframe, she paused, feeling someone’s eyes watching. She quickly turned and stared at the young girl that had brought stew to her room. Leonetta tilted her head, looking at the girl and walked forward toward her. The girl bowed her head nervously as the princess approached.
“What is your name?”
“Helena,” the girl whispered.
“And where is your family, Helena?” Leonetta asked bending down to face the girl that could be no more than fourteen marks old.
“My father was killed in the war, and m
y mother took her life when it was discovered. I was brought here to serve the queen,” she said, a tear falling down her cheek.
“How would you like to serve me instead?” Leonetta asked the girl, watching her eyes light up.
“Very much so,” she whispered.
“Good. Come with me,” Leonetta responded, grabbing the girl by the wrist and pulling her out into the cold wind. As they walked up toward the Wild camp, Leonetta flicked her hand over the girl, magically dressing her in warm robes and a fur-lined cape.
“You will ride with me,” Leonetta said as they approached Holland and the Wild.
Holland looked suspiciously at Leonetta but turned his head, knowing it was better not to ask questions at this moment. Leonetta and Helena climbed upon the large, black Wild dragon, and Leonetta shrouded the girl in her own cloak as they took off toward the sky. Holland changed quickly and followed them, watching closely for anyone that may be spying.
As the distance between Leonetta and the Vale increased, the spell in which Leonetta had placed upon Asphodul began to release its control. Inside the queen’s chambers, Tyriad stood next to the bed as Asphodul began to wake. At first, it was just a small moan and movement of her eyelids, but suddenly, Asphodul’s eye’s opened, and she sat straight up in the bed, breathing heavily. Tyriad put his hand on her back and grabbed her hand. The look on Asphodul’s face was pure terror as she mumbled five simple words:
“Leonetta…she has betrayed us.”
***
Pike turned over on his bed, groaning as the sun hit his face. He opened his eyes and stared out the window, feeling the cold of the outside seeping in. From the looks of the light, it was late in the morning, and Pike shook his head, trying to push the sleepiness from his brain. He knew he had to get up, but he had never slept in a bed this soft, and his bones thanked him. He listened as the chickens clucked loudly outside and dishes clinked back and forth in the main part of the house. As Pike pulled himself up and off the bed, he heard the sound of Drue’s voice and the queen’s laughter. Pike smiled and ran out into the living area, stopping and laughing as Drue shoved food into his mouth. The queen turned and smiled at Pike, giving him ease in his stomach.
“Well, come on, don’t just stand there. Grab a plate,” the queen said, pointing to the cabinet.
“Pike,” Drue said with wide eyes. “It’s good to see you!”
“It’s good to see you, too, old boy,” Pike chuckled, slapping Drue on the shoulder. “You gave me a bit of a scare last night.”
“I knew you cared,” Drue sang, shaking his spoon at Pike. “Hey, so how cool is it that I can change into a wolf?”
“Uh,” Pike stuttered, looking over at the queen.
“I told him,” she said. “Thought it would be better for him to know so he can start controlling it rather than walk around as normal until the moon hits and he bites someone’s head off.”
“He can control it?” This was all very new to Pike, and he had a hard time understanding this kind of power.
“Mmhmm. Oh, yes. In fact, those shadow bouncers with the most control can change whenever they like,” she said, stirring the pot in front of her.
“And I can do some other pretty cool stuff, like shoot magic from my paws, and my claws are poisonous to the Dead King,” Drue said enthusiastically.
Pike’s face turned from excited to serious, and he put his plate down and looked Drue in the face. “I need you to promise me that until you can really control it, you won’t play the hero. Ghede is no one to mess with, and he wouldn’t feel a bit bad for killing you.”
“Not to mention, he now knows you travel with a shadow bouncer,” the queen added. “I suspect he will be sending even more forces after both of you.”
“See?” Pike looked at Drue and pointed at the queen. “This isn’t a game.”
“I know,” Drue pouted. “Can’t a man-wolf hybrid be excited that he is not normal?”
“You weren’t normal before, Drue,” Pike said with a chuckle.
After they had finished breakfast and helped the queen clean up, they began packing their things and preparing for the road. Drue packed the bags full of food and drink that the queen had provided, while Pike collected his sword and cloak. As he swung the cloak around his shoulders, he watched out the window as a snowflake gently fell from the sky. Feeling the queen’s presence, Pike turned and bowed his head.
“I remember that the first snowflake to fall used to be something of great excitement – a start of the holidays and warm hearths,” the queen said, walking toward the window. “Now it is a time of fear and darkness.”
“That will not be forever,” Pike said quietly.
“Perhaps,” the queen whispered. “But I have brought you a cloak since you so valiantly gave yours to Drue.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Pike said, holding up his hand. “You have done so much for us already.”
“This cloak is no ordinary one,” the queen replied, ignoring his statement. “When I was queen, I had no shifters to protect me. Instead, I had the Great White Wolf.”
Pike’s expression changed, and he stood up straight, looking down at the pelt in her hands. The Fae of the Wolves was standing before Pike, and he hadn’t even realized it. The story told that the fae queen fought the Dead King alongside her White Wolf. She was the one who gave the fatal blow as the others weakened him with their magic. In the battle, the Great White Wolf, bound to protect the queen, fell in a glorious death. Stories say that his meat and bones evaporated, leaving behind his magic-soaked pelt to continue protection of the queen long after his death.
“Your Grace,” Pike said, taking a knee, “I had not realized it was you.”
“You are brave and full of power,” the queen said, motioning for him to stand. “The Dead King is not easy to overcome, and you will need all the protection you can. Take this pelt and wear it always; its magic will lend to your own.”
“And what about you?”
“Oh, this queen has lived many marks, and if I am taken down without the pelt… well, my magic will be used by generations,” she said smiling. “Don’t you worry about me. I’m pretty tough.”
“Thank you, Your Grace. I will do my best to honor you when I face the Dead King,” Pike said, bowing.
“Do me a favor,” she said, leaning in. “When you see him, tell him I said hi.”
Pike smiled as the queen winked at him and laid the pelt on the bed before walking from the room. He could feel the power of the fur beneath his fingers, meshing and moving with his own as he tossed it around his shoulders. The white hairs shimmered in the lights, and Pike could feel the warmth of the wolf within its lining.
He grasped the end of the sword under his cloaks and watched as a dark green shimmer ran across the blade. Pike didn’t know what his new powers included, but whatever they were, the wolf pelt was magnifying them.
The mer-prince turned to the door and walked out into the living area. Drue and the queen stopped and turned toward him. His stature was taller than before, and he radiated the feeling of a true warrior. Taken back by his presence, and understanding now that Pike was the true king of man and merman alike, he dropped to one knee and bowed his head. The queen smiled and nodded at Pike, showing that he now understood the importance of his journey. Pike ran the overwhelming feeling through his mind and realized, if he takes down the Dead King, he would be known throughout the land, making him the next Great Wolf King, a title with more significance than any other in history.
Chapter Ten: The Prophet
Asphodul sat at the end of the bed as the kingdom’s doctor checked her pulse and looked over her wounds. Tyriad sat in the corner, watching the worried look on his wife’s face, contemplating his next words to her. The doctor smiled kindly at Asphodul as he packed up his equipment and handed her a small bottle.
“Everything looks as if it is healing well, my queen,” the doctor stated. “That elixir will help you restore your energy at a fast pace. Take one
spoonful a day until you no longer need it.”
“Thank you,” she whispered, her mind somewhere else.
“Shall we talk about anything else?” The doctor looked down at Asphodul suspiciously.
“No, thank you,” she said, looking out the window.
“The queen has been through a lot,” Tyriad said, standing and walking over to the doctor. “What she really needs now is some quiet time to collect her thoughts.”
The doctor nodded in understanding and walked with Tyriad to the door. “Thank you so much for your help.”
“Of course, Your Grace. If you need me, I will be in my chambers,” the doctor said before turning and walking away.
Slowly, Tyriad closed the large wooden door, stopping when it was shut and looking down at the handle, his mind on his wife. He turned toward Asphodul with a knowing look. Asphodul looked back at him and scrunched her eyebrows in curiosity.
“What did you do?” Tyriad said, quietly at first but then with a raised voice. “Asphodul, what did you?”
“I don’t know what you mean,” the queen said, shaking her head, her eyes filled with tears.
“You know what I mean,” Tyriad shouted, walking swiftly across the room and grabbing the queen by her shoulders. “Tell me what you did to Leonetta.”
“I did what I thought was best!” she shouted. “I didn’t tell her I had a vision of Holland’s return.”
“What?” Tyriad’s face balled up into disgust.
“Had I told the truth, we would not have been able to marry,” she pleaded as Tyriad pulled away. Asphodul watched as he turned, standing with his back to her. “Say something, please.”
“Part of why I fell in love with you was your vision of love for this Kingdom,” Tyriad whispered, turning toward Asphodul. “But you sacrificed what was best for your people, not knowing if the Vale would ever see another fae ruler.”
“But I love you,” Asphodul cried out.
“It doesn’t matter,” Tyriad screamed through gritted teeth before taking a deep breath and calming his face. Asphodul waited for him to speak again, uncomfortable with his blank stare. “It seems to me that you are not in any shape to currently run a kingdom. I have let you take the reins for too long, and look where it has gotten us.”
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