“I know, I’ve been thinking about the same thing. Look, I’m seeing Ilarial tomorrow, and I’ll talk to her about it. Maybe she has an idea of what must be done to break our bond. You are coming tomorrow, right? It’s weapons training day, and I really would like it if you were there.” She watched his face for any hint of emotion. His eyes were full, but like a deep well which one would fear to fall into, they remained elusive. All her pals from school had immediately become infatuated by him. His piercing grey eyes and smooth skin drew all of them in and caused them to become stuttering, lovesick fools. He never seemed to take notice of it or pay them any kind of attention, though. Either that or he just didn’t care.
“I will go with you. But I am of no use there. I don’t see why you would need me there at all.” He sighed while crossing his arms and lifting his face up. He turned toward her. Shade pressed her lips together. She hated that he felt useless to help her with weapons training now, ever since they had first started weapons training and he’d gotten that good knock on her in the face with a wooden sword. They had found themselves wide-eyed with matching split lips and blood dripping down their chins.
Apparently, the blood bind which kept them together had grown stronger and now caused them equal injuries if Dylan caused Shade any sort injury or vice versa. This had ended her being paired with Dylan for sparring and left him an infinitely frustrated sideliner. It didn’t help that Soap, whose given name was Rylan, was now her sparring partner and didn’t receive any injuries when she got hit. She had watched Dylan steam with jealousy when Soap had tripped her, and her right arm received the brunt of scrapes, blood dripping from her scratches. As long as she was injured by someone else, Dylan wouldn’t receive injuries like hers, but he could feel her pain thrashing though him as it coursed through her. They were all the casualties of the fight training.
“Dylan, you are a huge help with the weapons. Who else could teach me how to clean, inspect and name all of them? I can sharpen a knife better than a butcher now because of you. Besides, your insight on my fighting techniques is amazing since you know what to look for, and you show me how to correct things when I mess up. I don’t think Soap would be as good with that as you are.”
“He’s not as good as me in a lot of things, Shade.” Dylan’s lips snarled at the mention of the Teleen Changeling. Bitterness stuck to his voice like thick syrup, making Shade sigh. She felt like she was beating her head on a wall when talking to Dylan about Soap.
“Fine, Dylan, do what you want to do. Your pouting isn’t going to help us any. So get your head on straight before you become dead weight which I have to lug around. I’m doing the best I can, and it really hurts to be dragged down because of your insecurities about things. I’m going to bed. I have a long day tomorrow. I suggest you do the same, grumpy pants.” She swung around and marched back toward the house, not seeing the shock on Dylan’s face as she slammed the porch screen door shut.
Dylan stared at the door for a moment. Turning back to the forest, which called to him in a sweet voice, he closed his eyes. Life in the city had been intriguing at first, but the forest and its power called to him, singing in his head and growing stronger. Every day was more intense than the last. He squeezed his eyelids shut and let his head spin with the songs of the trees and lands. He was missing his home in the caverns. He felt a surge of resentment as thoughts of his brother Darren invaded his serenity. Darren had changed so much since they were children, and watching his brother grow more mischievous and become outright evil had been exhausting. His mother had been right to be concerned for Darren and his sadistic mannerisms. He had almost killed Shade but failed when her untapped magic had trapped him in his own magic mirror. He had caused Dylan so much grief, he’d felt almost nothing when he’d disowned him. Dylan was done covering up Darren’s screw-ups, especially when it involved attempted murder.
Dylan wondered exactly what sort of magic was brewing in Shade which no one else seemed to know anything about. She was certainly unique. He had enjoyed sparring with her, and the occasional touching and bumping into each other had sent a thrill through him like none he’d never experienced. He found himself wanting to hold her again, to stroke her hair and kiss her deeply, like they had done at the Santiran Fountains. He didn’t even know if she felt the same toward him. She seemed so distracted and busy with her family, her magic and fight training, it didn’t seem like he could ask her much about it at all. His feelings had grown, burning inside him like the bluish-white fire which flowed along under his skin and flickered with electricity. He doubted Shade even had a clue about it.
Opening his storm-filled eyes, he chanced one more longing stare at the woods before turning back to the house.
Chapter Three
THE CRACK OF a wooden sword filled the air as Soap swung hard against her shield. Shade had to back up with each blow as she felt the hits vibrate through her arm. Shielding her face, she attempted to swing her sword at him, searching for his weak spots in her limited vision. She found one and swung as hard as she could, slamming the sword into his left thigh. He winced but didn’t retreat at all. She flung herself down to the ground, and with her shield, she hit him behind his knees, sending him crashing down to the ground almost right on top of her as she rolled away.
Shade hopped to her feet and pointed the sword at his throat before he could regain his position. He stopped dead in his tracks, looking up at her with a grin spreading across his face.
“Winner is Shade! Great job!” Than jumped and clapped from the sidelines, hollering out his praise. Shade smiled down at Soap, her face flushed pink with sweat beading down her face.
“Hey, you got me, how about that? That’s a first. You’re on your way to becoming the next Amazon queen, heh?” Soap said as Shade smiled. She tossed her shield and sword to the side and held her hand out to him.
“Queen? Not quite. Warrior of some sort? Probably.” She gave him a toothy smile and laughed as he started to pull himself up, but instead he yanked her down onto him, hugging her tight.
“Hey, not fair! I’m not heavy enough to pull your heavy butt up!” They wrestled, letting the dirt fly up around them in a bellowing cloud. Their laughs rang through the air until Dylan’s angry and haughty voice rang through the air as he grabbed Soap, pulling him up and shoving him to the side with a thump.
“What the… hey, watch it man!” Soap had rolled along the dirt and now stood slapping clouds of dust off his leather armor. He glared at Dylan, his green eyes flaring like jewels on fire.
Dylan returned the stare with his even colder steel-grey eyes. “Don’t touch her. You might inadvertently hurt her, you dumb ox.” His face was blanketed like stone, hard and still, daring Soap to return the challenge in his eyes as the Changeling pressed his lips together, wrangling in his fury.
Soap turned toward Shade, who had positioned herself between them. She was hoping they wouldn’t start a brawl with her in between them to take a hit. “Shade, I’m thinking we’re done for the day. You did want to see Ilarial, right? She would definitely be better company than some people we know.” He snickered at Dylan, but he remained planted with arms crossed and narrowed his eyes at the warrior.
“Yeah, I think that’s a good idea. Ilarial is probably waiting for me.” Shade glared at both warriors before she moved to grab her backpack lying on the ground nearby. She wiped the dirt and sweat off her face with her towel and shoved it into her pack. She sighed as she stood, turning back to Soap who waited patiently as he gathered the wooden weapons strewn across the training yard. He smiled and nodded at Shade while hugging the swords to his chest.
“I can take you there, Shade. It looks like someone has some junk to put away,” Dylan hissed as he motioned to her, stepping between her and Soap. Glancing over his shoulder, Shade could see Soap rolling his eyes at them.
“Go ahead, Shade. You don’t need my permission anyway. Seems like someone is getting a bit jealous and needs some of your precious time.” Soap smirked at Dylan’s
back, but Dylan didn’t turn to acknowledge him at all. Instead, he waited as Shade shook her head and began walking toward the Guildrin mound. She moved briskly, hoping she’d lose both of them. She didn’t feel like putting up with their bickering today.
She was sick of those two fighting and constantly putting her between their bouts of jealousy. She knew Dylan hated being left out of the training and resented Soap for it, but what could she do about it? Dylan and she were not allowed to spar anymore. Obviously, the powers of Faerie didn’t want them physically fighting with each other. She didn’t understand it any more than Dylan did. It didn’t bother her so much, but it baffled him enough to turn him into a puffed-up peacock.
She dashed to the great Oak Tree entrance of the mound. Reaching over, she chanted the words she now felt the utmost confidence in and waited as the ground shifted for her to enter the realm below. Stairs formed in the hollowing earth below the tree roots which led down into the darkness of the Seelie Court. She skittered down them and half ran down the halls until she reached Ilarial’s ancient wooden door. Dylan had kept up without a sweat, making her slight attempt to escape his annoying presence futile. She knocked on the door and waited until Ilarial’s soft voice bled through the door, telling her to enter. Inside, she turned to close the door behind her and watched Dylan step back to disappear behind the door to await her in the hall.
Shade sighed as she leaned against the closed door, relieved to not have to deal with him and his overbearing antics for a bit. She smiled as Ilarial came out of her room and held her arms out to give her a tight and warm hug. Shade felt instantly calmer, as she usually did around the gentle Oracle.
“Shade, I’m glad you made it today. I have so much to talk with you about. Please, come over and sit at my table.” She motioned Shade over to the sea of pillows which softened the cave’s rough appearance with an array of shiny, soft fabrics. Shade sank down onto the soft pillows and relaxed by the table where Ilarial performed her magic. The wooden table was empty except for a mirror which laid in the middle of it, shining like a pool of liquid silver.
Shade stared down and studied the perfect, smooth surface. She distrusted mirrors now more than any other object she encountered in everyday life. She’d find herself pausing as she walked into public restrooms to inspect every mirror from afar, waiting for a ripple or any unusual movement which would give away any magic which might be lurking within it. Darren ran free because of Dylan’s sacrifice; this alone kept her up at night and on her toes around mirrors.
Ilarial sat opposite Shade and waved her hand over the mirror. Immediately, a swirl of smoke rippled inside it as it became alive and lit up with a soft glow. Shade sucked her breath as she found herself subconsciously backing away from the fluidity of the mirror.
“It’s okay, Shade. This is a looking glass. It allows me to focus my mind and see things which have happened, are happening, or have yet to happen. No need to be afraid.” She waved another hand over the smoky surface and the mirror solidified into the plain glass Shade had first seen.
She gulped as she nodded, reassured by Ilarial’s explanation. Shade watched the Oracle repeat the steps, and the looking glass swirled into a storm. Ilarial’s face stared down into the fog as her eyes became a reflection of the mirror, becoming lost in the world she now seemed to walk in.
Shade waited, watching Ilarial for any clue about what was going on. Leaning forward, she glanced down into the rippling glass. The smoke seemed to float out of it and swirl around her face and around the room. Flashing lights like lightning sparked around her as the storm swirled and gained momentum. She darted her eyes around at the smoke and realized she was no longer in Ilarial’s room but someplace else.
A room emerged, white with black silk draperies which flowed with an invisible breeze. A dais rose in the middle made of flashing diamond and hard granite. There sat a woman, hair black with red streaks throughout, like waves of ruby. Her long flowing gown was also silk, a deep purple with sheer strips of shiny silver streaming down in flowing ribbons which clung to her thin, curved, body as she stood and paced the room. She seemed lost in her thoughts as she hugged herself, one of her hands incessantly rubbing her pointy chin.
Shade stood in the middle of the throne room and watched her. She was wide-eyed in shock. She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Her hands flew to her throat as a bewildered panic flashed across her face.
The lady stopped and looked up toward one side of the room. She straightened, and her arms left her face as her expression morphed from worried to hard and cruel in an instant.
“What is it now? I told you not to bother me unless it was extremely important!” Her voice matched her now icy glare. Whoever was at her mercy cowered slightly.
“Forgive me, Your Majesty. It could not be helped, I assure you. I have news that Prince Lotinar has been negotiating with Queen Zinara and moves to become allies. Our sources say he will soon expect a visit from her or her advisors.” Shade shifted to peer around the pillar which stood between her and the guard. He knelt on the floor just inside the throne room, head bowed and submissive. The Queen shook her head, apparently seething at his news.
“What of the girl? Any sign of her? I want that girl now. I should’ve had her here already. She holds the key to our ascension. Why has it been so difficult to track her?” The Queen’s voice hissed across the room.
“Your Majesty, I am sorry. She must have help to elude us so well, both in the mundane world and in Faerie. We have found no trace of her since she left the Santiran Mountains. I have all my trackers on it as we speak. We shall find her soon, I promise.”
The woman shook her head and resumed her pacing. Her furrowed brow crinkled her forehead in such a slight way that it almost made her look more human. Shade turned back in the Queen’s direction and noticed her eyes. They shined black as oil with no whites to be seen, like two sunken black holes in her face. Shade sucked her breath in at the sight and knew immediately she wasn’t human at all. Nothing but a faery could’ve eyes like that. A Faerie Queen too.
“What of her grandmother? Has she been discovered? Has she been hidden well?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. She remains in exile, undiscovered.” The guard didn’t budge from his position.
The Queen smiled, a sinister grin spreading across her face. She dismissed the guard and turned to sit on the dais, closing her eyes against the pain which throbbed behind them. Shade couldn’t help but stare at her. She wanted to ask this dark Queen what she’d meant about her grandmother when the room suddenly swirled and jerked her back into the dark cave of Ilarial’s abode.
She breathed in, slowing her heart’s frantic race as she moved her eyes up to the Oracle who now watched her with curious eyes.
“What just happened? Who was that woman, and why is she looking for me? She said I had a grandmother. Ilarial, what does she mean by that?”
Shade felt her stomach fill with dread. She felt confused and didn’t like it. She’d had her share of fear and confusion for a lifetime already, and she wasn’t ready for more. The vision made her skin crawl, and the shudder ran along her skin was like a wintery gust stealing her warmth. She turned and slumped onto the floor, hugging her knees to her chest as she began rocking the cold away.
“Shade, what exactly did you see? It can feel disorientating when you first scry. I didn’t know you would be so sensitive to it or even be able to do it yet, for that matter. Just breathe slowly. Here, drink this draught. It will help with the chill.” She moved about the room then returned to the table, pushing a cup into Shade’s hands and encouraging her to sip the warm liquid.
Shade followed her directions and let the fluid warm her from the inside out. She took deep, slow breaths as Ilarial had instructed, and the shivering lessened with each passing moment. She peered up at the beautiful Oracle, her long, flowing, white and silvery hair draped around her like a cape of smooth cotton. A warm and concerned smile danced on her lips.
“Feel
better?”
Shade nodded.
“Alright then, can you tell me what you saw now?”
Shade bit her lip as she studied Ilarial’s illuminated face. Shade squeezed her eyes shut, concentrating on the vision and the swirling remains of it which were floating around in her head. It felt like a dream, making her wonder if she was really still awake.
“I saw a Queen of Faerie, but I don’t know her name. She had raven-black hair with blood-red color streaked throughout it. Her skin was as pale as arctic ice, and her eyes were black as a night without stars. She was in her throne room and was somewhat agitated. She asked one of her guards where I was and why had they not captured me yet. She asked if I had discovered anything about my grandmother, whom she has imprisoned in exile. I don’t really understand any of it, but it seemed to bother her very much that I’m free of her.”
“Was everything, Shade?”
“No. She also mentioned some Prince Lotinar was meeting with Queen Zinara soon and would be allying with her against this Queen. She didn’t like that at all. Prince Lotinar… I heard this name before, when we returned from the Santiran Fountains. I heard Sary speak his name. Who is he?”
Shade watched the Oracle sink down into one of the large pillows near her on the floor. She seemed to ponder her words, lost in her thoughts.
“The woman you saw is Queen Aveta, the Unseelie Court’s Queen. You described her perfectly. As for Prince Lotinar, he is the crown prince of the Northern Realm of Faerie, based in Santiran City. He is to meet with Queen Zinara’s advisors very soon, actually. Aveta’s spies have done well.” Ilarial rubbed her forehead and sighed. She seemed tired, and her eyes reflected for a moment just how old she must be.
“Your grandmother, now that is interesting. It seems I am missing a piece of the puzzle here. If she is your real father’s mother, it could be very important for us to find her. She could help you with your powers and tell you exactly what kind of magic you hold within. Someone must know where Aveta is holding her. I will have to work hard on this, but I promise you I will not rest until I discover her hiding place.” Ilarial reached out and gently patted Shade’s shoulder. Shade nodded, acknowledging the reassurance Ilarial gave her, and slowly rose from the floor. She was feeling exhausted.