by J. L. Weil
“A few hours, maybe more,” he shouted back, glancing at us over his shoulder.
I grimaced. “Will we make it by nightfall?” Tink had caught up with us when we cleared the farmstead. She was snuggled deep inside Karina’s borrowed cloak, along with her soul star.
“It will be close. Too damn close,” Kai admitted, lines of aggravation gathering along the creases of his eyes. Night also brought out the creatures of death in that barren part of Thornland. Little life existed this far north.
A chill rippled down my spine, but it had nothing to do with the wind. “What if we cut through the prison?”
His face grew solemn. “This close to dark? Are you sure that is a good idea?”
No. I wasn’t sure of anything, except my love for Karina. It was the only bright star in a sky of eternal midnight.
Located in the most savage part of the Second Moon, which of course was Thornland, the fae prison stood ominously. Its location chosen for the obvious reason. If a criminal managed to escape the jail itself, they still had to survive the land, and the harsh weather that made the homestead famous.
My fucking frozen fingers tightened on the mare’s mane. “I don’t know that we have a choice. We won’t last much longer out here.”
“I know.” As wanted men of Thornland, the prospect of going near the prison was unappealing. Neither of us wanted to spend time inside those impenetrable walls, knowing firsthand how unpleasant even a short stay was at Thorn Prison. “Fuck,” Kai grumbled in a puff of icy air. “And I thought I was the reckless asshole.”
“You are. You’re willing to follow me,” I pointed out, the corner of my blue, stiff lips trying to tip up in humor.
Without another word, we steered our mounts toward the jail that towered like a fortress in the distance. For an hour shaved off our travel time, we would have to ride through the compound, instead of going around it. A risk we’d have to take.
The alternative was death. I refused to let this land conquer me, or to take the woman I loved.
We burst through the iron gate, ancient and thick trees surrounding us. The ground was strewn with mounds of snow, but the horse underneath me gilded over the slippery earth with ease. The air quality took on an immediate change—despair. Stale with misery.
I’d forgotten the taste this place left in the back of my mouth.
Pulling the hood closer around Karina’s face, I attempted to keep the evil from touching her.
As we drew closer, my eyes swept over the fortress, noticing the decay and oily darkness that fastened itself to the solid obsidian rock. The blight had reached its walls, creeping and crawling over the bricks and barred windows—looking for a way inside it. There were no visible doors, the only opening bound by magic. I swore my ears picked up the cries and groans of its prisoners.
I shuddered.
“Do you see it too?” Kai asked, his horse shaking her head, neither of the mares pleased with the shortcut.
“Yes. Hurry,” I urged, prompting my horse to quicken her steps. I didn’t want to linger any longer than necessary. If the plague was here, we weren’t safe.
As we galloped through the prison, I couldn’t help but feel as if the blight nipped at our heels. It was a strange sensation. A cocktail of helplessness, fear, anger, and bitterness. The hairs on my arms rose when we approached the gate at the other side of the prison. There was no need for guards to be stationed at the exits since the place was entombed with magic. We weren’t a threat, but if we had been an inmate, the security system around the perimeter would have activated. Still, crossing over the threshold with that amount of magic, caused a tremble in my blood.
It was impossible not to perceive some of its power.
A moan slipped from Karina’s lips as if she, too, sensed the magnitude of magic. The ribbon of hope winding through me couldn’t be stopped, despite realizing she wasn’t waking. I so desperately wanted her back. To see her smile. To hear her laugh. I longed for even the smallest sign that she was coming back.
She remained limp in my arms while Kai and I steered our mounts south. The border of Willowland was a few more days ride to the east, but Katsura’s boundary was still a week or more—and that was if we kept up the grueling pace. It wasn’t practical, not with Karina in her current state.
This hideout was our best option—our only option. We just needed to survive a little longer.
I was a goddamn, abominable snowman by the time Kai finally halted. Every bone and muscle in my body became stiff and frozen. Little tiny needles of pain shot through me as I dismounted, keeping Karina in my arms. “Where is it?”
Kai clasped me on the shoulder. “That’s the point, brother. It’s hidden. Now, what should we do with these girls?” he asked, turning to the horses.
I sighed, hating that I had to depend on an Unseelie for help. “Send them home. They will only draw attention… unless you have somewhere to hide them as well.”
Unfazed by my sarcasm, he shook his head. “No. Sadly, I don’t.” He seemed reluctant to release them, which wasn’t like my stepbrother.
My head tilted to the side, and I scrutinized the expression on Kai’s face. “Did you grow attached to your mare?”
“Don’t be stupid. It’s just the idea of walking again that makes me forlorn.” After patting each horse on the rump, he sent them back into the snowy storm and brushed past me, traipsing through a foot of snow to a pair of ancient, gnarly trees. Their branches were bare, yet tangled together like a canopy. I looked closer. The two tree trunks had grown together, and as I walked nearer, I saw what appeared to be a tiny keyhole.
Son of a bitch.
Producing a skeleton looking key, he lifted it closer, and the hole lit up—shimmering green. With a clicking sound, Kai swung the wooden door open and stepped aside, a twisted grin on his lips. “Home, sweet home.”
I shook my head but started forward despite my reluctance. The trees of this area were not known to be friendly elements. “Are you kidding?”
Kai raised a brow. “Don’t judge a book by its cover, dear brother.”
My legs barked in pain as if my bones were made of shards of ice. I needed to warm them. “Why does it look like someone died here? Like, yesterday?”
Kai shrugged. “Someone probably did.”
“Kai,” I groaned, stepping through the door, careful of Karina’s head and legs. It was a narrow entrance, which made it challenging for both of us to fit through with her in my arms.
“What? We needed a place to rest for a few days, and this is the best we got. No one will find us here. Talin doesn’t know it exists, and I want to keep it that way.”
“How do you know about it, then?” I barked over my shoulder. The room was absolutely dark, so I waited for Kai to pass by, afraid I would trip on something… like a dead body.
“We all have our little secrets, don’t we?” he mumbled, lighting a lantern on the wall and blanketing the room in a soft glow.
Putting my trust in Kai wasn’t easy. “You better be right about this,” I grunted, blinking while my eyes adjusted to find yet another surprise, but truthfully, I should have known better. My brother never did anything small or simple. Everything in his life was grandiose.
That included his secluded hideaway, carved inside two massive trees. Of course, it wasn’t as splendid of a home as Kai normally dwelled in, but little could compare to the castle of Cranbrey. I noticed touches of him in the place; of the real Kai that he didn’t want anyone to see. The walls were gloomy, like his soul, but the furnishings sat crisp and clean—regardless that the place had not been used for years. This was a home my stepbrother could be himself in, no strings attached.
“There’s a room in the back,” Kai offered, indicating the slim hallway at the far side of the open space, that had a kitchen and sitting area. “You can lay her down there.”
“I’ll take the couch,” Tink yawned, fluttering over to claim her spot when Kai crouched in front of the hearth, summoning his eternal fl
ames.
Kai was just full of surprises, and for once, this was a pleasant one. Grateful wasn’t a feeling I associated with my stepbrother, but for the first time in days, my heart was lighter. Although, I knew it wouldn’t last. This was only temporary.
His bedroom was only large enough for a bed and a small dresser. I didn’t bother to light the lanterns, instead I laid Karina on the plush, dark grey bed while trying not to think about her sleeping in Kai’s room. In his bed. If there was any other option... There wasn’t, so I had to do what was best for her, and not let my personal feelings interfere.
The sheets were silky and warm. Removing the cloak, I brushed the dark strands of her hair away from her face.
Gods, what a face. She was beyond beautiful, my Kitten.
In the dark and masculine room, she looked so much like a fairytale princess, the one where she fell into eternal sleep after eating a poison apple. But in this situation, I doubted a kiss would save her, even if I was her prince.
I crawled into bed beside her, thankful for a chance to rest my head. Half of me was afraid to close my eyes, leaving her vulnerable, but the other half demanded I rest.
From the main room, I picked up Tink and Kai’s voices. The pixie was ordering my stepbrother about, assuring him there was no need to stand guard, nothing would happen this night. She’d already looked through all the possibilities. It wasn’t lost on me that she only mentioned tonight, which meant that at some point, this secret place would be compromised.
For now, I could sleep.
Exhaling, I let the tenseness from my body drift away as I lay an arm over Karina, needing to touch her. Only then, did I finally close my eyes.
Chapter Six
KARINA
Sweat drenched every inch of my skin, and not in that glorifying I just had the best sex of my life way. Chilled and shivering, yet sweating as if it were a hundred and fifty degrees outside at the same time, I felt like I was frying to death in Lucifer's furnace.
However, past the unexpected stickiness, some other shit was happening. Fogginess clouded my head. Something inside me was wrong. The unsettled magic swimming in my blood bounced sporadically, like a magical pinball machine.
What is happening to me?
I tried to trudge through my memories, to make sense of what was going on with me, but it was like staggering through a lake of mud—slow and getting nowhere.
One thing I knew, I had to wake up.
Then, I’d get the answers… I hoped.
Clawing my way from that space between sleep and unconsciousness took work. What should have been just a few groggy blinks, turned into what I thought having your eyelashes glued together might feel like—heavy and sticky.
With considerable effort, I peeled my eyes open, expecting to see sunlight.
Wrong.
Pitch-black darkness bathed the unfamiliar room. I would have panicked if it weren’t for the arm slung over my stomach. My gaze moved to the body attached it
Devyn, my soul purred, relief pouring through me.
Chapter Seven
KARINA
Devyn was fast asleep, half his lean body covered by the blankets. I lay perfectly still, giving myself a few minutes to appreciate his face. Shadows danced under his eyes, and I didn’t doubt that while I’d been passed out, Devyn had moved heaven and earth to get us to wherever we were. It must be safe enough for him to close his eyes, so I had no plans to wake the Shaman.
He had ensured my safety while I’d rested. Now, I would do the same. Although it was tempting to curl up beside him, I didn’t want to fall back into that endless sleep. I had questions. A gazillion of them.
How did we get here?
Where was here?
Were we still in Thornland?
Had Talin given up his search?
That one I could answer for myself. Of course, he hadn’t. As long as I wasn’t sitting on the throne with nine tails, my uncle would continue to hunt me, continue to be a threat. Actually, I wasn’t positive that it would ever stop, even with the crown atop my head.
A bleak thought, to say the least.
The last thing I remembered was being outside, huddled up to a small fire just after Tink brought me back my soul star.
My hand immediately went in search of the cloak. I was no longer wearing it, so my eyes darted over the room, spotting the material bundled on top of a dresser. Careful not to wake up Devyn, I slipped out of bed, taking a moment to steady myself before padding over to search the cloak. My fingers swept the inside of the pocket, and I felt the pearly charm. Knee-buckling relief whipped through me when I felt the familiar warmth. Tears pooled in my eyes and I leaned against the dresser, using it for support.
I owed Tink a great debt, one I meant to repay someday.
Clutching the necklace, I went in search of a bathroom. My damn legs were wobbly and the room was spinning, but I took mindful steps, slowly finding my gravity. After I finished emptying my bladder and splashing cold water on my face, I followed the narrow hallway toward the flickering light. Tiny snores, mixed with the crackling of burning wood, echoed down the corridor.
Was this Kai’s hideout?
I kept a hand on the wall as I came to the corner, checking out the open space. It was attached to a small kitchen, but everything was polished and shiny. Midnight painted walls made the space darker than it should be, especially since not a window was in sight. I chewed on my lip, my eyes moving from the kitchen to the flickering hearth. Its warmth flooded the abode.
“Well, the fox has finally risen.” A lazy voice came from the far corner.
Curling shadows brushed up against my cheek when my eyes dashed toward the sound, regardless that I recognized the voice. I should have known Kai would be awake. I swore the Unseelie never slept.
His form lounged in a chaise near the fire, long legs stretched out in front of him, hands folded together. He wore a perpetual smirk. “How do you feel, little queen?”
“I feel like I have the flu,” I admitted, my fingers fumbling with the necklace still grasped in my hand.
He eyed me warily. “Hmm. It’s expected.” Unfolding himself from the chair, he took a few steps into the kitchen. “Sit, before you fall over,” he ordered.
Shoving off the wall, I sunk onto the couch, grateful to be off my feet. Just the little trek from the bathroom to there had drained me. Tink was curled up against a cushion on the other side, her iridescent wings tucked close to her small back. “How long have I been out?”
“A few days,” Kai stated, pressing a hot cup into my hand. “Drink this,” he ordered. “It will warm the blood and stop the chills… at least awhile.”
I blinked, staring into the cup at the steaming liquid. Tea. Not coffee. “Days?” I repeated, unable to believe so much time had passed without me having any memory of it.
He disappeared for a few moments, only to come back and press a damp cloth to my forehead. “Your body hasn’t had enough time to heal. You need more rest.”
Taking a sip of the drink, I wrinkled my nose and forced myself to swallow. “What is this?”
His lips pulled back into a grin. “Medicine. Keep drinking.”
“I’ve slept long enough. Besides, we both know there is more going on with me than just needing sleep,” I challenged. Kai wouldn’t sugarcoat it. He would give it to me straight, no matter how painful. “Is this concoction going to fix me?”
“No. Your human body can’t sustain the changes inside you, not at the rate you are discovering your powers.” Kai returned to the chaise, making himself comfortable once again. “The mating bond between Devyn and you has amplified those changes, adding another level of fae magic.”
His explanation made sense and only echoed what I’d already guessed. It seemed like a lifetime ago that Kai and I were sitting under the stars, discussing this very same topic. “As you know, I’ve suspected that for some time. What am I to do about it?”
“It might be hard to believe, but I actually don’t h
ave the answers to everything,” he replied, resting an arm behind his head.
His goal hadn’t been to make me smile. That arrogance was just Kai, but behind the mug, my lips curled.
“I don’t have much experience with halflings, little queen,” he confessed. “Your kind is rare here.”
Hmm, I thought I was an oddity everywhere. “When you warned Devyn that claiming me would kill him, did you also know what it could do to me?”
His bright eyes roamed over my face with a thoughtful expression. “I had an inkling, but because there are very few human-fae in the Second Moon, it’s difficult to distinguish how your body will react. Magic, like human DNA, is unique. Mixing the two has unpredictable results.”
“And Devyn? Did he know?” I asked, taking another long sip of my dreaded drink.
Kai gave a nonchalant, one-shoulder shrug. “Who knows what goes inside that stubborn head of my brother’s.”
“Kai,” I growled, letting a little of my fox shine through the word. Whimpering inside me, she wanted to come out—like a pouting puppy who couldn’t play in the rain, but even then, I noticed she wasn’t as strong or persistent as she usually was.
And that concerned me.
Still weak and sick, I thought perhaps that was why she was less vocal than normal.
Kai laughed quietly at me. “If I had to guess, he knew the risks. It’s probably why he fought so hard to deny his feelings for you. Not because he is afraid of losing his own life, but because he couldn’t bear it if he was the reason you lost yours. Imagine what that would do to him? Mate or not. Devyn’s life, his soul, is connected to yours.”
Once again drinking from my cup, I forced myself to take more this time, wishing it were coffee. God, how I miss the smell of freshly ground espresso beans. “What happens to him if my human body can’t adapt?”
The spark in Kai’s lapis eyes suddenly went out, like blowing out a candle. Nothing but darkness remained. “Don’t speak of it, your death. I refuse. To give such words power, it’s a dangerous thing.”