Her family walked away from her toward the picnic table and sit down, chatting up a storm as they passed the paper plates around and dug into bowls of potato salad and spinach dip. Shade found herself staring at them, like an outsider looking in on a family meal. She missed them extensively—had she been gone so long? She silently prayed that she could remain here just a bit longer, aching to watch their happy faces as they laughed and stuffed their faces.
Yet, hadn’t they noticed she was gone? Hadn’t they noticed that Dad was dead and it wasn’t possible for him to be eating outside with them?
The blue sky above morphed into dark grey, angry storm, sending her hair flying up into her eyes and making her shiver from the frigid wind. She glanced back toward the table, now finding no one there. It was sitting there, abandoned with a layer of dirt clinging to the top while leaves cluttered around the legs of it.
Shade clasped her arms around herself, shivering and walked toward the house. No one lived there. The screen doors hung from the hinges and the wind made the shutters slam back and forth until one of them flew off and crashed into the ground. She spun around, seeing nothing but overgrowth and neglect. What was this? What was going on?
She knew her family wasn’t there in the house. They had fled into hiding after Shade had been snatched from there and taken to the Unseelie Castle. But nonetheless, she ran up the steps and pushed the front door open, pushing it closed behind her as she took a deep breath in.
Inside, it looked pretty much the same. The couches, the chairs and tables were still there. An array of boxes sat partially packed and the lights were off. She flicked the switch on and the lamps flooded the room with their brightness. She made her way to the couch where a lone blanket laid neatly folded over one of the arms. Pulling the soft material over her body, she shivered in the cold of the abandoned house. Homesickness flooded her senses and tears prickled at her eyes. How she longed to see her family sitting with her once more, laughing and talking loudly over dessert and a sitcom blaring from the TV. Here there was nothing but silence and cold.
“You’ll see them again.” Shade jumped to find Kilara sitting in the Lazy Boy chair next to the couch. She looked so out of place in her ethereal gown and long flowing honey brown hair draped over her shoulders. Her amber-brown eyes watched Shade fidget on the couch before speaking again. “Thank you.”
“Thank you? I didn’t do anything.”
“Yes, you did. You kept your promise to me. You never told Corb where I am.” She smiled, flashing bright, white teeth at her. “You’re stronger than I could’ve imagined. I’m impressed with you, Shade.”
“I almost died! Where were you then? I remember everything now, but I’m not sure I want to remember. All I see is pain. All I see is torment. He wants YOU. Only you. And he’ll do anything to get to you.” Her voice quivered as she stared hard at the Summer Ancient. “What good is it to remember such horrible things?”
“You’ve your power back. Don’t feel so emptied and desolate. You have more than you know. More than most can claim in this world.” Kilara paused, studying her further, like a petrified butterfly. “I know he wants me. But, I will return, all in good time.”
Shade gulped back her sobs, realizing how foolish she was being. Nodding, she wiped away the wetness on her cheeks with the blanket. “So, what now? What’s going to happen now?”
“Oh, Shade, if only I could tell the future. It’s so vast and full of misdirection that no one−not a seer, or oracle−could fathom each and every road we must cross. You’re safe for now. You’ll recover and know that you have all your powers back. Corb is powerless to hurt you now. I never foresaw this happening.”
“What happening?”
She laughed, looking mischievously happy. “Corb getting bound to a mortal! It inhibits his abilities to use his magic without your permission. How the magic has shifted so. I thank you for that, too.” Kilara stood up, walked about the room and peeked at the family photographs framed along the walls. “With him weakened, I can safely awaken from my slumber and subdue him into his own sleeping prison forever, just like the Unseelie King Arthas.” She made her way back toward Shade and sat next to her on the couch.
“Arthas?”
“Yes. He’s the Unseelie King. The eastern realm was his, but now it’s ruled by Aveta. His absence has been good for the land, though. He withers anything he touches. He’s in a deep slumber in which Corb, my sister Rowan and I put him in. Corb shall join them and I will rule Faerie from now on. I’m just saddened the other two couldn’t cooperate enough to let us rest longer.”
Shade shifted on the couch, trying to take in everything Kilara was telling her. Looking over toward the Summer Ancient, there was nothing more she wanted than to be with Dylan again. He felt more like home than this image of her house.
“What am I supposed to do now?”
“You get yourself better now. You’ve been through so much already. I can’t imagine the agony you’ve been experiencing, lately. I’m sorry there wasn’t more I could’ve done for you.” She hugged Shade tightly, rubbing her arms as though soothing a child who’d lost their puppy. “You always persevere, that I have no doubt of. But now, once you’re better of course, you must go to my palace in the south. The Scorching Scren Seelie court is yours, rightfully. I want you to assume the throne and once you have settled there, I will come to you and you will awaken me.”
“Why not now?”
“I don’t want Corb to know yet. He may be restrained, but he has cunning ways to get things done when he wants something badly. For now, I keep you in the dark. It’s best this way.”
Shade nodded, feeling like a pawn in someone’s game. She rubbed her arm where the darkling had touched her. The spot was still there, but severely faded. Kilara, who was watching her closely, noticed it too.
“A darkling’s touch is lethal. You were able to heal from it, enough to live without any ill effects. It’s a rare ability.”
“But it’s still there, the mark.” Shade held her out for the queen to examine.
“Yes. One thing about a darkling, once you are marked, you will forever be. There is no changing it, the darkling is part of you now. How you choose to use its dark essence, is up to you.”
“I can use its powers?”
“Yes. It died giving you its powers. It kills most people, yes. But you lived. You subdued the poison. Its powers are there, for you to use at your will. However, be careful how you use it, for the darkness is very hard to return from.”
Shade rubbed the spot again, feeling it tingle slightly from her fingers. What can a darkling do? What sort of darkness was she talking about?
Kilara stood up, offering a hand to Shade. She took it and watched the queen head toward the door. “It’s time to wake up. Don’t forget what I’ve told you.”
“Okay, I won’t.”
“Why does he have to be here? This is absurd! He almost got her killed!” Benton’s familiar voice echoed in the room as Shade pretended to remain asleep. Her brother was here, which meant that her family was also possibly there, waiting to greet her when she awoke. Her heart hammered in her chest at the thought of it, elated for another chance to see them once more. But first, who was he talking about?
“If it was up to me, he’d be dead. But, Rela, the healer, bound him to Shade somehow and he won’t leave without speaking with her first.” It was Dylan who responded, making her wonder how many people were sitting in the room while she slept.
“Well, I say we fry the Ice King. What do think about that, Corb.”
At that Shade shifted in bed, hoping the attention was brought to her instead of the all-out war which could incite in her room any moment now.
“She’s awake!” Benton jumped to one side of the bed and grabbed her hand. He looked delighted to see her, making her smile at his goofy grin. “Hey sis, how’s it hanging?”
“Hey, Benton.” She tried to sit up, but found her body was aching like the dickens. She winced, shocked t
o find her mother, Jade, stuffing pillows behind her back. “Mom. How’d you know I was here?” She looked around, confused. “Where am I anyway?”
Dylan, who had also approached her bed, slid down to hold her other hand in his. “We’re in the Teleen Caverns. The Great Oak tree brought us here. You’re going to be okay, Shade. Do you remember anything?”
She nodded, smiling at the handsome warrior. “Yes, I remember everything now.” Tilting her head, she cherished the recognition in his eyes. “How about you?”
“I remember all of it, too.”
His eyes shined as he grinned, squeezing her hand firmly. She felt his warm heat radiate down her arm, feeling cozy and comforting. Her eyes traveled to the fourth figure in the room, who was now slowly approaching the bed. Corb. He was wearing all white, like he had when he was relaxing at his castle. One arm of his outfit was torn all the way up to expose the muscle and lines of his white skin. On his wrist, he wore a bracelet cuff, thin and made of shiny metal, fashioned into a serpent. Raw, red and angry looking skin swelled around it, as if it was digging uncomfortably into his arm.
Corb’s outfit was dirty, streaked in mud and dusty; looking downright like he hadn’t slept in days. She didn’t know why, but it was disturbing to see the Ice King in such a state. He was always so poised, so together.
“What’s Corb doing here?” Never removing her eyes from him she waited for someone to answer.
“Rela, the Teleen healer had to use his essence to save you. The power of the memory ampules slammed into you so fast and mixed badly with Corb’s enchantments, you’d die if you weren’t removed from the freezing Ice Castle. You were fading quickly, so she had to use his magic to revive you. He’s bound to you, Shade. The bracelet on his arm holds his magic in check while he’s here. Only the land of Faerie will release him now. But you control his powers.”
Shade gawked at Dylan, shocked at what he’d said. “What? Are you kidding me? Not another bind! I’m sick of being attached to people, especially one that would rather see me dead!” She leaned back on the pillows, feeling slightly dizzy and overwhelmed. “How can this happen?”
“It was the only way, Shade. I’m not happy with the way things are going.” Corb offered.
“Oh, who cares what you want? No one wants you happy. You’ve taken Shade twice now for whatever it is you need her for in your dark treacheries. I say we off him while we can.” Benton pulled out a sword and pointed it toward the Ancient. Corb stood there, looking bored and unconcerned.
“Benton, put that away. We’re not killing anyone. Shade needs her strength and then we’ll be on our way to the safe house.” Shade looked up at her mother, thankful that she was always so in control and determined. Jade looked a little bit older since they’d last seen each other. Looking more slender and her muscles more defined. She’d obviously taken their time in exile from their home and turned herself back into a warrior witch that she once was. She could feel the power radiating off her as she bested the men in the room.
“Mom, I have to go to the southern realm.” Shade told her. It was Jade’s turn to be surprised.
“What are you talking about?”
“I have to go claim my throne in the southern realm, the Scren court is mine. They need me.”
Jade shook her head, kneeling down to be at her daughter’s level. “I don’t think that’s a good idea right now, Shade.” She shushed Shade as she continued. “I know you want to take back your rightful throne but now is not a good time. The wards are falling all around the boundaries of Faerie. We have to go back to the safe house and figure out what to do.”
“But, this is what I have to do. I have to go there and get it all together to fight Aveta. We have to fight, Mom. We can’t just hide in some hidden house out in the wilderness. We have to stand against her. Or else…” She sighed, feeling her body craving sleep again. “Or we’ll always be running. We’ll always be afraid. This doesn’t end. You as well as I both know it will continue until she’s shackled in iron.”
Jade studied her daughter’s face, thinking hard on her words but finding it tough to swallow. After what felt like a long, torturous moment, she gave her a quick nod. “Okay. We’ll all go the Scren Palace. But, if anything looks off, we leave, you hear me?”
Shade smiled, hugging her mother and sighed with relief. She couldn’t tell her exactly the reason why she had to go south, not with Corb in the room, but, she’d have to remember to pull her aside later, and fill her in.
“Is Icy King here coming too? He might not like the weather down south, might be too warm and happy for such a glum, Popsicle.” Benton snickered, eyeing Corb with daggers in his gaze. “I’d be happy to send him on his merry way.” He tossed a small ball of fire between his two hands, toying with the thought of tossing it toward the Ice King.
Everyone turned toward Corb, wondering the same thing. “I will remain at your side, Shade, until this wretched thing comes off.” Corb stated. His stoic features made him look almost like a statue. Shade sighed, slipped down into the bed and let her eyes slip closed. Tomorrow she’d deal with him. Right now, a nap was in order.
“Guys, she’s exhausted. Why don’t you all go get some rest, too. Especially you,” She waved Benton away. “And you, Ice King, go change or something, you look downright frightful.” Jade said the last thing to Corb, who glanced down at his attire, baffled at her words. “I’m staying here with her if she needs anything.”
The men shuffled around the bed, saying their goodbyes to Shade before they left the room. Dylan was last to leave and only agreed to do so once Jade had agreed to get him if there was anything wrong. After he clicked the door shut behind him, Shade finally drift off to sleep, listening to her mother settle into the chair next to her and flip through a book she’d been reading.
If only the silence was a good omen of good things to come, not present with a myriad of the unknown, which sent her bad dreams and restless hours.
Chapter Nineteen
PALE MOONLIGHT DRIPPED down into the Teleen Caverns from large cracks in the overhead rock. Shade sat near the edge of the underground lake, dangling her legs in the cool, mountain spring water. In the dark it was inky black but the light from the moon illuminated the room brightly with well-placed mirrors and light stones embedded in the rock.
She sat in a swimming tunic, given to her to visit the lake. It was slightly cool here, but the springs that fed the lake were warmed by the deep, molten rock of the mountain and kept the water at a comfortable temperature. Still, it gave her a chance to break in her fire powers to heat her body and stifle the damp cold of the underground.
Others were swimming here, even at the late hour. It was a recreation area, where many Teleen came to swim and enjoy the water. Shade was seeking solace from the suffocating walls of her room and for something to take her mind off of the recent events. Corb was an ever constant companion, an unwanted one. He never strayed too far from her. She’d have to order him to stay in his room when she wanted to be alone. It wasn’t just that either. Teleen male after male would constantly interrupt her throughout the day as she walked in the caverns, even with Dylan at her side. Her room was endlessly bombarded with gifts, flowers and then some from prospective suitors.
Dylan had been right. She was a rare unmarried female capable of marrying a Teleen since she had an affinity to fire and didn’t burn to ash when these blue fire people touched her. She turned everyone away, but it only made them work harder to win her affections.
How did she solve this problem? They wouldn’t stop until she chose one of them to marry. It was the only way to make them all go away.
But, she didn’t want to be engaged, let alone, married. She cringed at the thought and didn’t notice one young male surfacing near her and treading water softly as he watched her. He pulled her out of her thoughts and she fidgeted as she groaned. Another suitor. Another interruption.
“The water is safe, if that’s what you’re wondering.” The man said, his eyes nev
er left hers as he kept his distance, as though he was aware of her discomfort. This made her suspicious, the others had been keen to come closer to her as possible. Not this one, he waited patiently in the water, amused to just peer at her.
“I was told that.”
He chuckled, floating onto his back and staring up at the moonlit rocks above. “If you dive deep enough, it is said that merpeople live amongst the underwater channels of the earth. Do you believe that?” He straightened up, pushing the water with his muscular arms as he waited for her to answer.
“Mermaids you mean?”
“Mermaids, mermen, merfolk. Whatever you call them.” Flashing his pearly white teeth, his eyes twinkled in the dark, reflecting the moon off the surface of the water.
“They don’t exist.”
“You think so?”
Shade stared him down. What was his problem? He seemed intent on bugging her to death. Get on with your ‘marry me’ spiel already, she thought.
“Yes, I think so.”
“Well, you might be right.” He dove down into the inky, black water, leaving nothing but a ripple in his wake. Minutes passed, making Shade shift as she darted her eyes across the lake’s surface. No one else was on the shore or in the water anymore, making her feel utterly alone and vulnerable. Where had the man gone? Had he drowned?
Surely no one could hold their breath that long.
As the time ticked by, she feared the man had drowned himself. She stood up, pacing on the large boulders surrounding the edge of the water.
“Hey mister!” She called out to the abandoned expanse of lake. With that, the man surfaced grinning at her, this time swimming closer. “Don’t do that!”
“Do what?” He pulled himself onto a boulder and pushed back his long black hair. It was tied in a ponytail, but long strands of it had come loose, plastered to his skin.
“Stay down there for so long. How’d you do that?” Shade picked up her towel, ready to head back to her room. He obviously thought what he’d done was extremely hilarious. She huffed and turned.