Princess of the Elves

by R L Medina

  Dark shapes grew and stretched. Too late to run. I gripped the covers, holding them up like a shield. Call for help, I thought, but the words stuck in my throat.

  A pale face appeared. My heart skipped. The shadows dissolved, revealing a small woman dressed in a sparkly silver bodysuit. She had a bright purple bob that seemed at odds with the cold power emanating from her. Black, pupilless eyes met mine. She smiled.

  I screamed.

  She wagged a finger at me, the long, polished nail catching my eye. “Now, now. Is that any way to greet your auntie?”

  Stunned, I sat gaping at her. Aunt Maloret? The Princess of the Black Court?

  The doors burst open, making me jump.

  Aunt Cindra and Des stormed in.

  “Oh, look. The cavalry’s arrived.” She smirked at me.

  Fire lit in Aunt Cindra’s hand. She strode forward, eyes blazing. “Maloret. I thought we agreed to have this reunion after the dance.”

  The smaller fae shrugged a shoulder. “But then I’d miss it. And I love dancing.”

  She turned to me. “I’m the best dancer.”

  I blinked. What was I supposed to say to that? Realization struck me like a hammer. The girl from the gas station. It seemed like forever ago, but as I stared at the fae in front of me now, the memory came rushing back. And another. Her devilish smile flashing from a different face each time. Nausea rolled inside me. She’d been there. In the Outer World. And Mom had made me forget her.

  Aunt Cindra’s anger pulsed around us. Her nostrils flared and I thought she would strike.

  “I found her.” Aunt Maloret gave her a long, hard look.

  Instantly, Aunt Cindra was beside her. “Where?”

  Aunt Maloret waved me closer. I slid off the bed and took a cautious step towards her. Who had she found? Could it be…Mom? I didn’t dare get my hopes up.

  She pulled out a small, oval mirror and chanted something under her breath. I gripped my unicorn charm. My heart pounded in my ears. Our reflection in the mirror changed. Darkness. Then a face. I gasped. Mom’s face. My eyes hungrily stared back at her. Alive. Not a scratch on her. The image pulled away, to reveal large, black stones. Mom wedged between them. A prison?

  “Isle des ombres?” Aunt Cindra glanced at Maloret. “But we looked there.”

  She shrugged. “Well, you missed it.”

  Her eyes narrowed on Aunt Maloret. “How did you enchant the mirror?”

  “Aubri gave me her hair. The rest was easy.”

  “Why would she give you her hair? You don’t intend to use it for other purposes, I hope.”

  Aunt Maloret smiled. “Nosy. That’s none of your business.” She turned to me. “The enchantment will fade.”

  As if on cue, the image darkened.

  “No!” I reached for the mirror.

  My own face stared back at me, eyes wide and watery. I thrust it back into her hands. “Can you show it again?”

  Her lips pursed. “Why? We’ve seen what we needed to.”

  “Please?” Desperation oozed from my voice.

  She arched a brow. “I felt that. A command.” Her dark eyes searched mine. Cold and calculating.

  With a wave of her hand, she created a shadowy claw and snatched the mirror from me. “There’s nothing left to see, dearie, but I promise to show you the moment it changes.”

  My heart sank. The first glimpse of Mom and it ended too quickly. When the others left, no doubt to discuss things and leave me in the dark, Grimera tried to cheer me up. It didn’t work. Dark thoughts kept me awake until morning. Mom. My aunts. So many questions still left unanswered.

  12

  My mind wandered as I sipped the berry tea. The image of Mom replayed again and again. Why hadn’t they brought her back yet? I glanced at the unfinished tarts. My stomach couldn’t handle any more sweets.

  Shadows gathered in the middle of the floor. I set the cup down and sat up, holding my breath as they dispersed.

  Aunt Maloret appeared and turned to smile at me.

  Suppressing the urge to flinch, I met her black eyes. “Mom?”

  She shook her head. “Gone.”

  The air whooshed out of my lungs.

  “Gone as in she wasn’t there. Not gone as in dead gone.” She made a cutting motion in front of her neck.

  “Where is she?”

  Aunt Maloret shrugged. “Can’t be too far.”

  My heart sank. I needed to see her again. To know that she was alright. And to talk to her. About my magic and Sacha and everything. I winced, disgusted with my own selfishness. Mom could be in danger and I was worried about my problems?

  I blew out my breath. “What does this Goblin King want? A ransom? Why did he take her?”

  Her brow arched. “I have a theory.”

  I waited for her to continue. Dread coiled inside me. Don’t let it be something horrible.

  She twirled a finger in the air, moving a tendril of some fog-looking substance. Her creepy eyes studied me. Trying to read me, unbury all my secrets.

  With a wave of her hand, she released the dark fog. My eyes followed as it separated into sinister grins before disappearing.

  “It’s your father.”

  I whipped towards her. That I hadn’t expected.

  “I thought he died.”

  Her lips pursed. “Yeah. Technically he did. Exploded into frozen little bits all over the forest.”

  My eyes widened. I never knew him, but to think his life ended in such a horrific way made me shudder. Had mom witnessed it?

  “But. His soul. Aubri never found it.”

  I frowned at her. What was she saying?

  She sighed. “If his soul was never found, it could be. COULD BE. That it never left.”

  “You’re saying his soul is floating around here in Feylin?”

  “It could still be tied to Mr. Goblin King’s soul. That would explain his twisted obsession with Aubri. Maybe a part of him remembers her.”

  I blinked. Did that mean he wouldn’t hurt her? If he remembered her, why didn’t he remember me? Or did he not want me?

  Seeing my confusion, Aunt Maloret threw her hands up in exasperation. “It’s just a theory. But I’m usually right. If he hasn’t killed her yet, I don’t think he plans to. He could be using her as a pawn. I mean, she is still the rightful heir.”

  My head pounded. If it was a political game he played, why hadn’t any demands been made?

  “Why doesn’t the King just confront him?”

  Aunt Maloret shrugged a shoulder. “He would if he knew where to find him. It’s been more than 15 years, Renée. We assumed he’d left for good, but now that your mother’s been captured… it’s only a matter of time until he decides to announce himself.”

  “Is it true, that you let him possess my father?”

  Her eyes narrowed. “Is that what Cindra told you?” She snorted. “I always get blamed for everyone’s problems.”

  She pointed a sharp, long nail at me. “Your father was a fool. He should never have tried to become immortal. Your parents should have run the first chance they had.”

  Though she stood a good foot below me, the power she exuded billowed like a storm cloud. Calculating dark eyes drilled into me. “Humans don’t survive in Feylin.”

  Her words chilled me. Words not spoken out of cruelty but given as fact.

  I gripped my unicorn charm and took a steady breath.

  Her eyes tracked my movement and a smile lit her face. “That’s cute.”

  The change of tone startled me. She leaned in closer for a better look and ran her fingers against the metal.

  “You know this is enchanted, right?”

  My mouth dropped. “What?”

  Horror curled in my stomach.

  She nodded. “Yeah. It’s a magic limiter. Like a shock collar. Keeps you from getting too fancy with your power.”

  The words fell like a punch to the gut. Mom had given it to me as a birthday gift forever ago.

  Her lips pursed toge
ther as she turned the charms over. “You shouldn’t be able to use complex magic with this on.”

  “I don’t.”

  “You did. With me. You tried to command me to let you see the mirror again.”

  Her eyes squinted, studying me. My heart raced, trying to understand the implications. I couldn’t get over the fact Mom had basically shackled my powers. If I’d been that much of a danger, she should have prepared me. Told me everything. Not lie to me. Again, and again. But would that have changed anything?

  “Hmmm. It’s made well. Where did you get it?”

  I shrugged. “Mom gave it to me.”

  “Huh. If you like, I can fix it. Re-enchant it. Take it off.”

  I snatched my arm away and held it close to me. The thought of giving it up for her to ‘fix’ it alarmed me. I needed it.

  “Can’t you do it here?”

  “No. But I should warn you, the enchantment is fading. At some point, it will be nothing but a pretty bauble and then you’ll have full use of your magic.”

  Her words chilled me. I stared down at the metal charms and bit my lip. Would full use mean I’d lose even more control? No one said it outright, but I’d gotten the distinct impression that I had more power than a halfling should. That troubled me.

  Aunt Maloret sniffed. “Oh, before that dryad comes back. I need a favor from you.”

  I gave her a wary look. A favor? The way her eyes lit up, I wasn’t sure I wanted to know what it was.

  “Yes. I need you to read the Queen’s mind.”

  I stared at her. She said it so casually as if no big deal, but what she asked was way above my skill level.

  “I thought I was supposed to stay away from the Queen. Stay in hiding.”

  She cocked her head. “Hiding? You can’t hide from them. Not here, anyway.”

  A shock went through me. “They know I’m here?”

  “Of course, silly head. Everyone knows.”

  “Are they going to come after me?”

  “Not yet. Didn’t Cindra tell you? You’re going to be presented at each court. The White Court last.”

  Panic swirled. I swallowed hard. Presented at each court? For what? My hands grew sweaty.

  “Don’t worry, dearie. By then, you’ll have learned your magic enough to be somewhat adept with it. And that bracelet will have run out of steam, so you’ll be all juiced up.”

  I shook off her words. “But Aunt Cindra said the Queen wouldn’t want to see me again.”

  Aunt Maloret grinned. “Oh, she wants to see you. Hanging.” She laughed. “I wish I’d been there to see her face when she met you. Now, will you do me the favor? Read her mind?”

  I flinched at the thought. “Why?”

  Her face hardened. “She took my fairies from me and I want them back. If I knew where she hid them, I could summon them to return.”

  She narrowed her eyes on me. “If you want my pledge, you have to get inside her mind and tell me where they are.”

  I studied her face, my mouth dropping in surprise. Is that how it worked? She wouldn’t accept me unless I did this for her.

  “You were there. In the Outer World. I remember you.”

  Her smile deepened. “Yes.”

  A knock at the door made me jump. Aunt Maloret waved her hand, summoning the shadows and disappeared.

  Grimera floated in as I stared at the empty space. Aunt Maloret’s words rang in my ears. Read the Queen’s mind. It sounded simple enough, but could I do it?

  “You haven’t finished your breakfast? Sacha will be here soon.” Grimera’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

  I grabbed a tart and took a bite just to please her. As she cleared the dishes, another knock sounded. My pulse quickened. I shoved down my emotions and envisioned a wall around my mind. Each day, it became easier to summon the magic. Would there come a day when it became too easy? I shuddered at the thought.

  Grimera floated out, waving for Sacha to enter. She bowed and disappeared back out the door.

  He stood tall in the fitted red tunic shirt and dark pants. Painfully handsome. His long-coiled hair, pulled back today, revealing his pointy ears. My heart sped up as his hazel eyes met mine. A dimpled smile flashed, giving him a boyish look despite his strong jaw. He bowed.

  “Where’s Des?” I blurted.

  He stiffened. “He had matters to attend with her Highness, Princess Cindra.”

  “Oh.” I tried not to sound so happy.

  It was the first time we’d been alone together, and I wouldn’t miss Des’s brooding presence. Not one bit.

  “Shall we begin?”

  I nodded, waiting for him to sit. He smelled like the woods and something else I couldn’t figure out. I sighed. The affect he had on me annoyed me. I hadn’t met any of the other elves besides Des and my aunts and given what I knew, the others wouldn’t accept me. But Sacha did. When he smiled, it was genuine. Friendly. Though my heart secretly hoped for more. I pushed those thoughts away. An embarrassing crush on my tutor was the last thing I needed.

  No. I can’t fall for an elf.

  “Princess?”

  My eyes snapped to him. Heat crept up my neck. How much had I missed while I’d been daydreaming?

  I cleared my throat. “Sorry. I was thinking about the presentation.”

  He nodded. “Yes. We will go over more mental shields for you to break.”

  Stifling a groan, I sat up straighter and began to summon.

  “Wait. I want to try something else first.”

  I paused and waited for him to continue.

  “The entire court will be watching. The upper castes can shield their thoughts from you, but not their emotions. There will be many slaves as well, and their thoughts are never guarded.”

  Dread filled me.

  “Today we will practice blocking out their thoughts.”

  I frowned. “Can’t I do that by using my own mental wall like you showed me?”

  He shook his head. “That only keeps me out of your thoughts.” A smile spread across his face. “For me, I must focus to hear their thoughts, but you hear them easily, so you’ll need a good blocker.”

  I glanced at my charm bracelet. The words of Aunt Maloret came back to me. Should I let her fix it? What would taking it off do?

  “I’m going to release my thoughts and I want you to summon your magic to shut them out. Think of a door closing or however you want to envision it.”

  He didn’t know that I’d done this before already. In the Gray Court and in the Outer World. He looked so eager, I didn’t want to disappoint him. I took a deep breath and nodded to him.

  Destroying my barrier now. Can you hear me?

  I jumped, startled as his thoughts echoed in my mind. Yes.

  Are you ready, to block? Focus on using your magic to force me out.

  I frowned. But, if I built a barrier in my mind, won’t that work?

  No. That only keeps me out of your thoughts. You’ll still hear mine.

  Following his instructions, I closed my eyes and imagined myself pushing him out. I built a layer of walls between us.

  “Did it work?” I asked.

  He stared at me, speechless and broke into a grin. “Did you hear that?”

  “No. What did you say? Or think?”

  His eyes narrowed with mischief and dimples flashed as his grin deepened. I blushed. Now I wished I hadn’t built the wall so quickly. I bit my lip, tempted to probe his thoughts, but stopped myself. Did I want to know?

  Turning serious, he broke my thoughts. “I knew your father when I was younger. He was a good man.”

  I gaped at him. He told me this now? After weeks of tutoring? Questions raced in my mind, but emotion choked them back down. What good would the answers be now? My dad wasn’t coming back. Unless… could Aunt Maloret be right? Could my father’s soul really be tied to this Goblin King? What would that mean?

  Shaking off the doubts and fear creeping in, I turned back to him. “Were they happy together?”


  A sad smile spread across his face. “The happiest.”

  Sorrow punched me in my gut. If my parents had run like Aunt Maloret said, would we have been happy? Or did my magic disqualify me for any chance of a normal life?

  “I wish I had known him. Did he have magic too?”

  Sacha shook his head. “Not that I knew. Though he worked in the stables and had a way with horses.”

  My heart skipped. Mom had told me he’d been a horse trainer. At least that had been partly true. A vision of a tall, smiling man popped into my mind. What would he have thought of me and my magic?

  Dismissing the thoughts, I looked up at Sacha. “Why aren’t there more like us? With mental powers?”

  He hesitated. “The more powerful you are, the more taxing the magic is. Mind magic is… dangerous and complex. There are so few of us who can survive it.”

  Cold rushed through me. What did that mean? That if I didn’t learn to control my magic, it would kill me?

  His gaze softened. “You are strong, Princess. That won’t be your fate.”

  I swallowed hard. Strong? No one except mom had ever called me strong before. I didn’t know if I believed it. I didn’t feel strong. More like scared. Scared of what this magic would make me become. Sensing my turmoil, Sacha spent the rest of the time telling me stories of his home and childhood and stories of my dad. Using my magic, I replayed his memories for both of us to see. Images of a smiling, kind man and a rambunctious young Sacha made my heart soar.

  The face of a young elf girl popped into view. A flawless face and striking blue eyes. Sacha’s smile faltered. A wall appeared, closing off his thoughts and memories. Pain and sorrow radiated from him.

  “I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to see something you didn’t want me to…”

  His eyes met mine. “It is not your fault, Princess.”

  I opened my mouth to ask him about the girl but stopped myself. He didn’t want to tell me, and I wouldn’t make him. We continued the rest of the lesson without mentioning it, thought it played in the back of my mind.

  That night I dreamt of running the woods with my dad by my side. A proud smile lit his face as he lifted me onto a horse. And Mom was there too. Laughing. My chest tightened. Grief filled me, my heart longing for something that would never be. I’d already lost him. I couldn’t lose Mom too.