Princess of the Elves

by R L Medina

  I ate in silence, summoning my power and practicing building shields. Again, and again. Though how it would help me, I didn’t know. When Aunt Cindra came to get me, I still didn’t have any answers. Using my magic, I held the panic and fear off, knowing it would only last so long.

  Everyone greeted us as we walked down the stairs and into the open. Uncle Sylvain sat on his throne, as regal and surly as the day before. I scanned the crowd, my eyes falling on Sacha. His jaw clenched and regret stamped across his face. Guilt too, I realized. Des must have chewed him out about keeping watch. Or was it more? A blush crept up my neck as the image of him from the night before popped up.

  Aunt Cindra nudged me, snapping my attention back to my uncle and his court. The dryads, fairies, imps and brownies stood on the outskirts, peering over and past the elven courtiers to get a look at me.

  Uncle Sylvain cleared his throat, the sound echoing around us. I squared my shoulders and forced myself to hold his stare.

  “Bring me the bean,” his voice boomed.

  A dryad bowed and glided towards him, a little green blob floating above her palm. She bowed again and offered it to my uncle. My nose scrunched up in confusion. A bean?

  He held it up for everyone to see. “This may look like an ordinary bean, but it is a magic one. One of the lost beans of the Outer World.” He paused.

  Gasps echoed around us and I glanced at Aunt Cindra. Her brows furrowed in concern. What was the big deal?

  “To win your trial and the Court of Life pledge, you must climb the beanstalk and bring back the legendary golden egg.”

  I blinked, unsure if I’d heard him right. A beanstalk? But it was just a bean.

  He smiled. “And you must do this task alone.”

  My blood turned cold. He didn’t expect me to survive this. The hatred that emanated from him made me tremble. Cruel. Harsh. And relentless. I missed the days when people ignored me altogether.

  He stood and marched towards the middle of the clearing, his courtiers and slaves parting for him. Aunt Cindra and I followed.

  With a wave of his large hand, he tossed the bean into the ground and chanted words I didn’t understand. Wind swirled around him and a warm power emanated from him. The ground trembled beneath us and a large stalk shot up, sprouting giant green leaves. It towered above the palace tree and disappeared into a cloud. My mouth dropped open. Realization hit me. Beanstalk. Magic beans. I knew this fairy tale. Angry giants and something about a golden goose, not eggs. But that was a story. Not reality. How could I discern truth from fiction?

  “So, I have to climb up there, get a golden egg and that’s it?”

  His bushy brows narrowed on me. “And bring it back here, unbroken and unscratched.”

  Eyes bore into me and whispers grew. I drew myself up and ignored the pounding of my heart. It didn’t sound hard, but what would I find up there? Would I have to face a giant?

  “Do I get a weapon or anything?”

  He smiled. A haughty smile. “Your magic is your weapon.”

  My chin lifted, and I turned to face the giant stalk. Sucking in a breath, I walked closer. Dizziness hit me when I looked up. I calmed my nerves and grabbed hold of the thick plant, preparing to climb. I can do this.

  Everyone watched as I struggled. I pressed myself tightly against the fuzzy trunk and shifted to find secure footing. The strong smell of vegetation filled my nose as I pulled and scrambled higher. I didn’t dare look down, afraid I’d slip to my death. A shudder ran through me. I focused on finding the next hand hold and foothold and forcing my body to ignore the strain as I climbed. Sweat coated my neck and back and by the time I’d made it halfway, I was desperate for water.

  Hands rough and tingling and ears popping, I made it to the end. Clouds engulfed me, and I fought the wave of panic threatening to rise. My stomach churned at my impossible height. Dizziness made me sway. Glancing around, I spotted a floating ledge peeking out beneath heavy layers of cloud. One jump and I’d make it. I summoned my magic to chase away the fear spiraling inside me and braced myself for the leap.

  One. Two. Three.

  I landed on the ledge, ears ringing and body sore. I shivered as the clouds moved and evaporated around me. They parted to reveal land. Long stretches of brownish green grass as far as my eyes could see. I started walking, looking for a path, or clue, or something. Where would the golden goose be? A castle, if I remembered the story correctly. Nothing but empty plains and rolling hills met my eyes. My shoulders sagged. This would take longer than I thought. I kept walking, listening for any sound. Where were all the animals and people? The whole place seemed deserted.

  “Hello?” I hissed.

  Silence.

  I scanned the empty plains and hills, wariness creeping up my spine. From the outside, everything looked so peaceful. Normal. But there was an undercurrent of something dark. My gut told me to stay on guard. The hair on the back of my neck bristled. I paused and listened.

  “Hello,” a cheerful voice called.

  I jumped.

  Boyish laughter echoed.

  A round face popped up from nowhere. “Did I scare you?”

  “Who are you?”

  He smiled, eyes twinkling. “I’m Jack.”

  My brows furrowed. “Jack? Like Jack and the Beanstalk Jack?”

  His head cocked. “Just Jack.”

  I blinked, trying to make sense of it. That fairy tale had never been a favorite, but now I wished I remembered it better.

  “Do you live here?”

  He nodded.

  “Uh… with the giants?”

  His nose scrunched up. “The giants are gone. Everyone is gone, except me.”

  Pity filled me. How had he ended up trapped up there, alone? And for how long?

  “Well, I’m here now. I can take you back with me.”

  I paused. Would it be any safer for him in Feylin?

  His brown eyes lit up. “Oh, thank you. I’d like that very much.”

  “We just have to find a golden egg first.” I slid my gaze to him. “Do you know where they are?”

  He stared into space. I followed his stare but saw nothing. Had he heard me?

  “There aren’t any more eggs.”

  Panic punched me in the gut. No more eggs? How would I complete the trial?

  “Are you sure? What happened to them?”

  He shrugged. “They’re gone.”

  “What about the goose?”

  Jack scrunched his nose up at me. “Dead. Everyone is gone. It’s just me.”

  I flinched at his words. How horrible to be stuck alone like this. How long had he been there, waiting to be rescued? No clear emotions came from him, but I thought I sensed loneliness shrouding him.

  “Are we going to your home now?” His eyes implored me.

  I bit my lip, debating my options. What was I supposed to do? Maybe I could bring Jack back with me and his explanation could be proof that I’d tried. Maybe Uncle Sylvain would give me a new trial.

  “Yes. Let’s go.”

  We walked over to the beanstalk and I waved him down first. His foot stopped short. My blood turned to ice. Had they locked us up there? I rushed to his side and reached down with my hand. Not blocked. Not for me.

  I glanced at him and frowned. His brown eyes stared back at me. Why wouldn’t it work for him?

  He smiled. An alarm rang in my head.

  I stepped back. “Who are you?”

  His head cocked. “I’m Jack.”

  “Why are you trapped up here?”

  His face darkened. “The GRIMM tricked me into this prison.”

  Fear rippled through me. “Why?”

  He laughed. “I killed the giants. I killed everybody.” He pointed a finger at me. “And I will kill you, halfling.”

  I scrambled back. Silver, crescent shaped eyes stared back from his boyish face. My eyes jumped to the beanstalk. If I dove for it, I’d risk falling. Or being caught in the process.

  Before I’d made up my min
d, he pulled out a knife and started humming. His creepy eyes drilled into me. Nails scraped against my mind. The song, trying to worm itself inside. Pain bloomed in my head. Staggering, I summoned my magic, building a wall of protection.

  He smiled. “You can’t keep me out. Nobody can.”

  A thought struck me. What if I did let him in? Trapped him within my own mind and then what? I gaped as he handed the knife to me. The metal was warm from his grip and the jagged blade rusted. I lifted it up, holding it between us.

  His eyes light up and a cruel smile spread across his face. My hand shook, a force taking control of my body. I watched in horror as I brought the knife toward my own throat. Panic roared to life. I struggled, trying to fight against it. To keep the blade in place and not move it higher. Sweat poured off my forehead. Think. Think. Think. I funneled my magic, taking control of my body.

  He frowned. “You are strong, halfling.”

  A sharp pain pierced me. I screamed. I tried to push away the pain and focus. He attacked again. Like a thousand knives slicing through my mind. I fell to my knees and gritted my teeth. Dizziness struck. A whimper escaped my lips. Pain. Excruciating pain seared me from the inside. Bile rose up.

  Make it stop. Make it stop.

  He stood above me with a sneer. “Not strong enough.”

  I saw it in his eyes. My death. Quick. Easy.

  No.

  Unleashing my own power, I let it run through me and go on the offensive. I hammered away at his mental shield, surprised to find it already cracked. I stumbled into darkness and at first thought he’d won, but then I realized. I’d gotten past his barriers. Summoning all the magic I could, I forced images into his own mind. An army attacking it with a vengeance. He reeled back, his power over me slipping.

  With a strangled cry, I summoned more magic and ripped his mind to shreds. Anger and desperation moved me as I attacked, relentless and brutal. A scream so piercing echoed around us, striking my every nerve. I pulled back and gasped. He fell and lay twitching on the ground, blood pooling out of his mouth. He blinked, still alive, but his eyes stared up at the sky. I hovered over him and prodded at his thoughts. Pain. Blinding, numbing pain. I reeled and dry heaved. His mind was destroyed.

  “Jack?” My voice came hoarse.

  He didn’t answer. He couldn’t answer. What was left was a shell, trapped in endless pain. Horror filled me. I turned away, not wanting to see him anymore. My head pounded, and my body trembled. Nausea rolled up and down. I glanced around at the empty land and shuddered.

  Unbidden, my magic fell over me and swept away the shock and fear. A numbness filled me, offering peace. But did I deserve peace after what I’d done? He would have killed me, I knew that. Turned me into a mindless wreck. There hadn’t been another way and yet, seeing the effects of my power would haunt me. Des’s words echoed back to me. I was becoming one of them. Not human.

  I struggled to my feet. Had he lied about the eggs? Should I still hunt for them? I rubbed my face with my hands, unsure. If I ventured too far, I didn’t know if I’d find my way back. I glanced at the stalk and decided to take my chances.

  Still trembling, I sucked in my breath and walked toward the stalk. I leapt for it and clung to the thick trunk. I made it half way when it started trembling beneath me. Fear rose up. I dug my nails into the plant, desperate to hang on. The leaves beside me withered and shrunk. I clenched my eyes shut. It shook beneath me and whipped me around.

  I screamed as it launched me into the air. My stomach leapt into my throat as I dropped. Wind whooshed around me and I flailed, trying to grab something. Anything. Terror seized me. I slammed into the treetops and screamed as sharp branches dug into my skin. I reached my arms trying to stop my descent. With a loud thud, I landed on the ground, barely missing the tree roots. The breath knocked out of me, I gasped. Pain flared everywhere, and dots colored my vision. I groaned and pushed myself to stand.

  My blood turned to ice. This wasn’t where I’d come from. I whipped my head around, trying to find something familiar. Where was I? Sacha’s words echoed in the back of my mind. Fae trails. Indignation filled me. The stupid trails had closed to me. Why? Because they didn’t like halflings?

  I kicked the ground. No. I did not survive that maniac just to lose the test by getting lost in the woods. Hot tears filled my eyes. I wiped them away, refusing to give in.

  Leaves rustled. I sucked in a breath. Ducking for cover, just as a large shape emerged.

  A unicorn.

  21

  I gasped. Its brilliant white coat shone against the darkening forest. Power, old and mysterious radiated from him. Everything went silent. I stepped out, drawn to its beauty. Without thinking, I stretched my hand toward it and much to my surprise, it nuzzled my palm. Soft, fluffy fur tickled my skin. My pain eased, replaced with a stillness.

  “Come.”

  I reeled back. “You can talk.”

  He blinked at me. “So, can you.”

  Worried I’d offended him, I sputtered an apology. He blinked again, small brown eyes studying me beneath his flowing white mane. Ancient, kind eyes. Yet, despite his gentleness, a raw power pulsed around him. My gaze snagged on his long, sharp horn. It looked delicate, like it was made of glass, but something told me it could stand against any weapon.

  “Come.” His command stirred inside me.

  I rushed to obey. Knowing nothing about unicorns, I should have questioned my actions. But I didn’t. My instincts told me I could trust him. He wouldn’t hurt me. I followed close beside him, sighing in relief. A peace stirred inside my heart and the pain and weariness fell away. At first, I thought I’d used my magic, but I didn’t feel the energy flowing through me as it usually did. I glanced at him, but he didn’t meet my gaze. One of his ears twitched as if to acknowledge my unspoken question.

  “What is your name?” I broke the silence.

  “I have many names.”

  My brows furrowed at his cryptic reply. “Oh. My name is Ren.”

  “That is not your name.”

  I blinked in surprise. “Well, it’s a nickname. My full name is Renée.”

  “I know.”

  His response baffled me. I paused and summoned my magic to probe his mind.

  “You cannot read my mind unless I allow it. It’s rather rude to even attempt it.”

  I flushed. “Sorry.”

  He eyed my bracelet with interest, and I followed his gaze to my little metal unicorn charm. I wasn’t sure if he cared about the animal carved in his image or if he was more interested in the enchantment, that I assumed had long worn off.

  “You haven’t re-spelled your bracelet.”

  Averting my eyes, I shook my head. “No.”

  “Hmm. Just as well, you will need use of your full power.”

  His words chilled me. “How do you know?”

  Instead of answering me, he picked up his pace, and I stumbled after him. The trees parted for us and twilight poured in from the branches. Not wanting to badger him with more questions, I followed in silence as he led me to a clearing. The tree palace stood before us, but the beanstalk was nowhere to be found. Most of the courtiers and slaves had left, but I spotted my aunts and uncle standing nearby with Sacha and Grimera.

  “Go on,” the unicorn commanded.

  “Oh. Thank you.”

  I hesitated, wondering if I should invite him as well, but he didn’t budge. I glanced back at him and walked towards the palace. My heart beat steadily. They turned in unison before I made it halfway.

  “Renée!” Aunt Cindra raced towards me.

  I ran the rest of the way to her and hugged her. She held me tightly, relief rolling off in waves. Sacha and Grimera stood behind her, wearing concerned faces of their own.

  “The egg?” Uncle Sylvain demanded.

  Aunt Cindra released me, and everyone stared.

  I sighed. “There weren’t any eggs.”

  His frown deepened. “Then you failed.”

  I sputtered. Red fille
d my vision. “That’s not fair. There weren’t any!”

  His lip curled back into an ugly sneer. “Fair? Those were the rules of the test. And you failed.”

  “She still has to appear before the White Court,” Aunt Cindra broke in.

  He turned to her with a venomous glare. “No. If she fails the trials, she dies.”

  With a wave of his hand, vines shot out of the dirt and wrapped themselves around my arms and legs. I kicked and bucked, unable to get free from their iron like grasp. My eyes searched the grim faces around me. Aunt Cindra and Sacha shared panicked expressions and Aunt Maloret stared blankly at me. Wasn’t anyone going to speak up? Stand up for me? Fury blazed in my chest. White. Hot. Fury. A savage cry escaped my mouth, sending the lesser fae skittering back. My chest heaved as I summoned my magic. Pain ripped me in two. Too soon. My mind was still in tatters from defeating Jack. A low moan rumbled from me. Despair filled my aching chest.

  “Enough.” A soft voice broke through my pain.

  My head snapped up. The unicorn. He strolled through, feet clomping on the forest floor. Gasps echoed, and eyes bulged. I couldn’t help but smile at the shocked expression on their faces. Uncle Sylvain’s most of all.

  His bushy brows furrowed. “Is this some kind of trick?”

  The unicorn turned toward him and pierced him with a stare.

  Uncle Sylvain staggered back and gaped at me. “How?”

  I smiled.

  “He has chosen you,” Aunt Maloret interrupted. I glanced at her. When had she arrived?

  He whipped towards my Aunt. “A unicorn guardian? For a halfling. Impossible.”

  Maloret chuckled. “Guess they’re not as extinct as we thought.” She frowned. “Or this one escaped the abyss…”

  He scowled at her. “Unheard of. One of your tricks, Maloret?”

  She smiled. “Like I have nothing better to do than trick you, Sylvain.”

  “It doesn’t matter. She still failed the trial. My judgment still stands.”