Sweat gleamed on her brow and her usually bright silver eyes seemed darker than before. As she slowly gained back her composure, her voice came out quiet and full of sadness. “I managed to slow it down, but she has 3 days at minimum.”
As she spoke, Shade moaned and shifted in the bed. Her eyes fluttered, and she stared up toward the ceiling, her eyes glassy and red.
“Shade?” Dylan squeezed her hand and studied the spot. It was somehow smaller but it was still black as ink. The trail remained like a dark tangle of vines up her forearm, giving it a tattooed appearance. Her skin was not as pale as before though, which let him breathe a sigh of relief.
“Dylan?”
“I’m here. Feeling okay?” He pushed his fear deep within him and pasted a smile across his face, not wanting to upset Shade.
“Like I got ran over.”
He chuckled and pushed a strand of her hair out of her face. She slowly appeared more normal and shifted to sit up in the bed. “What happened?”
“The darkling mark, it’s poisonous and making you really sick.”
She reached over and ran her fingers over the darkened spot and traced the vines that splintered from it. It didn’t hurt anymore, but she frowned as she studied it. The pain had subsided, but she wondered how long that would last.
“When will it go away? Ilarial?” She glanced toward Ilarial, suddenly realizing the oracle was there seated next to her. Her face lit up, and she smiled, but it quickly faded, realizing how worn out the oracle seemed. “How did you get here? What’s going on?”
“I’m sorry, Shade, but I don’t think it ever will. It’s highly poisonous, and I could only stall its effects for few days before it will overwhelm you.” The oracle leaned toward her and took her slender hands into hers. The sadness that dwelled in her glistening eyes sent a wave a panic through Shade.
“What do you mean, overwhelm me?” Her eyes darted to Dylan and the glum look on his face gave her no assurance. “You mean I’m going to…die?”
The room wavered in her vision and a jolt of nausea filled her as she tried to control her short gasping breathes. She couldn’t die! She wasn’t ready yet!
“I think I−I think I have to get out of here.” Shade attempted to stand up and quickly sat right back down. Her legs felt like fluid and refused to cooperate. “What’s wrong with me?” Leaning over, she gripped her legs and rocked silently as the tears escaped from their restraints and spilled onto her jeans. “How long?”
“Three days, at the most.”
“What do I do? Can I stop it?”
“Possibly.”
This jerked her out of the fog that was threatening to overtake her senses. Shade sat back up and waited for Ilarial to continue. “How?”
“You definitely have to seek out the Ice King and make him return your powers. Possibly, with your magical healing powers, you can heal yourself. If not, you’ll need the help of the Ancient. I’ve exhausted every other option. If you don’t, you will succumb to the poison.”
Shade nodded, sniffing back the frustration which bubbled up inside. She felt so tired, so exhausted and all used up. She’d had it with everything and everyone. This wasn’t supposed to be the way things should’ve gone. Everything felt so wrong, so misaligned, and she didn’t have any idea how to fix it. She didn’t know how to make things right. Now she’d run out of time without any progress whatsoever.
Taking a deep breath, she slowly mustered the strength to stand up and paused momentarily to make sure her legs would hold. After an eternal moment where both Dylan and Ilarial watched her apprehensively, she took a few small steps forward, until the fluidity of movement returned to her legs. Soap now stood wild-eyed and shocked as he stared at her after he’d entered the room just then. Reaching the door as everyone stood silently, she slipped out the door and turned down the hall toward her room, moving faster and faster, more in control now since the poison’s effects had worn off a bit. Almost running, she crashed through the door to the room she now occupied while she stayed at the Glass Castle and locked it swiftly behind her.
She pressed her back against the wood and let out a breath she hadn’t even known she’d been holding. The infirmary had become suffocating, and she’d thought of nothing but getting out of it. Now in solace, she made her way to the bed where she pulled the blankets down, slipped off her shoes and crawled in between the comforter and the soft linen. Dropping her head on the luxurious fluff of pillows, she pulled the blankets to her chin and let her eyelids drop closed. Sleep beckoned her with a promise of anything but pain and everlasting broken hearts.
Chapter Nine
A LOUD KNOCK sounded and echoed in the room, waking Shade from her slumber. Her body ached in every joint and hair follicle, like she had rolled down a cliff. Pushing up off the bed, she realized the sun was long gone with the darkness surrounding her, signifying early morning. The soft glow of the impending sunrise was still overwhelmed by the black nothingness outside the window. It made the room feel as if it was part of the forest but for the silence surrounding her as the breeze pushed at the foliage and branches.
The thud against the door came louder and more urgent this time. It made her groan as she kicked off the covers, annoyed as she pushed back her wild, dark hair.
What now? No rest for the weary!
“Who is it?” she partly yelled at the silent door.
“Shade, it’s Soap.” His gentle voice sounded muffled behind the massive wooden door. Scooting to sit at the edge of the bed, Shade sighed and rubbed her face. Her body and mind told her it was around five in the morning, an absurd hour to come calling on anyone, even in Faerie. Especially a non-morning person like her.
“One sec.” Her clothes from the previous day were still on, though wrinkled and disheveled. She smoothed the creases down as best she could and walked over, unlocking the door. “What is it, Soap? It’s way early.” She glanced down both sides of the hall but Soap was her only visitor.
“I know. I couldn’t sleep. Had to see if you’re doing okay.” His shy smile made her defenses crumble down. “Can I come in? You can lie back down; I just wanted to see if you wanted to talk about anything.”
Seeing that he was not intent on leaving any time soon, she opened the door wider, letting him slip by before she locked it behind him. No need for anyone traipsing in who shouldn’t be. She was pretty paranoid now. The Land of Faerie had done that to her. Now she always locked doors, avoided mirrors and carried a really nice, sharp dagger with her everywhere she went.
Slumping back onto the bed, she pulled the blankets back on and let the heat warm away the morning chill. She watched as Soap maneuvered easily in the dark to the other side of the bed to lie down next to her, still fully dressed, on top of the sheets. His long hair was loose and fanned out on the pillow. They had lain many nights next to each other this way, whether in silence or talking about things like the past and Soap’s magical adventures. She always coaxed him to chat more about himself, relishing the moments she could just listen to his stories and his soft voice well into the long insomnia-filled nights. As Shade preferred not to talk about herself, Soap was a reliable companion for her. He never ran out of things to say or talk about.
She wondered if he knew how comforting his presence had been for her during the long evenings at the beach soon after she had been rescued from the Unseelie palace. Even now, it was a soothing balm to her weary soul. She cinched closer to him, laying her head in the crook of his shoulder as he lifted his arm to let her closer. Laying her cheek against his chest, the beating of his heart was a soft rhythm in the silence of night.
“So talk.”
“Are you okay?”
“If you call surviving a darkling mark with only three days to live and no magical powers in sight okay, then, yeah, sure,” she huffed. Letting out a deep breath she closed her eyes again. Fatigue was a constant companion. It made her wonder if she would’ve felt so tired if she was merely a human with ordinary cares in the world and h
omework up the wazoo to do. Something told her it would’ve been a different kind of fatigue, not quite like this. It wasn’t that she thought so much would be so much better if she wasn’t part faerie, it’s that she was afraid to think that she was right in thinking it.
“Yeah, that can put damper on the party, right?” He squeezed her and kissed the top of her head. He smelled similar to Dylan, and it had her wondering if all the Teleen had this specific scent. It was a slight pine-filled, smoky aroma which reminded Shade of camping in the forest as a kid. Mulch and falling leaves everywhere, like rain from the sky, littered her memory.
“Look, it’s going to be freezing cold in the Ice kingdom. I brought you a nice coat to wear while you’re out there. When we get up, I’ll show you.” His statement jolted her out of her sleepiness.
“Wait, what do you mean when I go there? Aren’t you coming?” She cranked her head to stare at the Teleen changeling. His brilliant, green gem eyes glowed in the soft glow of the early dawn’s light. He smiled slightly as he shook his head. Disappointment filled his eyes.
“No, I’m not going this time, Shade.”
“But, why?” No amount of glaring made him budge. He just reached up and stroked her messy brown hair as he studied every line of her face.
“Because, I think it’s time to evaluate what you really want. I know it isn’t me. I’ve known for a long time, Shade.” His fingers tickled the skin of her face as they made their way to her neck and twirled a thin strand around his fingers.
“What? How can you say that?” Shade gulped, knowing how right he was. She didn’t want to let go, she wasn’t ready yet. “I want you to come with me.”
Soap’s features faded to sadness, still intent on staring into her brown eyes forever. “I can’t. I can’t watch you love him more. Not this time around. When he was gone, it was tolerable−it was easier to imagine that you loved me.” His hand moved to stroke her arm, sending exploding sparks shooting up it and into her heart. “Now, I’m a shadow in his midst.”
“No, wait…”
“No, it’s okay.” He pulled her closer, lifting her chin up to look deeper into her eyes. “I accept it. I know I’ll never live up to him, never be what you want me to be. I’m okay with it. I still love you, but you need time to figure it out. You only have days left, if that. I know you will get what you need from that wretched Corb. So I’ll let Dylan spend some time with you. I’m holding out for you, in the end. If you decide, eventually, that he’s not the one for you, I’ll be here. Whatever you decide. Don’t forget.” He touched her nose, letting his fingertip trace along it and down to her lips.
Shade’s heart was breaking, even though everything that he’d said was correct. How he could send her feelings into a tangled mess was disarming. He pulled her closer then, letting his searing lips find hers. She let his mouth explore hers, desperately as though to find some treasure hidden deep inside. It wasn’t the same as before, but he knew her better than she gave him credit for. Knowing what he had for so long and yet, here he was, still pressing her against him and kissing her with a fury that was all-consuming. It made her barriers fall with an incredulous crash−this acceptance of her, no matter what.
Coming up for air, she touched her fingertips to her mouth. Surely they were now cherry-kissed and vibrated from his lips. He rang his fingers through her hair once more, admiring every detail he could see clearly in the growing light.
“Goodbye, Shade.” A smile formed on his face, making his eyes shine and his face light up even more than the sun peaking over the horizon onto his skin could. Shade was speechless, unable to form anything coherent as he slipped away, his eyes never leaving hers. As he got past the bed and walked toward the door, he never let go of her gaze. They were locked still, connected in some way which still remained a mystery to Shade.
“No−wait!” She felt off centered and frantic as she watched him leave.
“No, I’m sorry, Shade. If I could change how you felt, I would. I hope this journey, whatever it ends up in, helps.” He turned, snapping the lock open and slipped out so quickly, she couldn’t register what had just happened.
Alone on her bed, the emptiness of the spot Soap had just left beside her, made her gut twist. He was right in what he’d said, but how could he leave so easily? Like a bullet, he had ripped open and exposed her thoughts, leaving her to pick up the million tiny pieces which had dropped and imploded all over the place. She could do nothing but slip back onto her pillow and let the tears spring out of her eyes.
The wind shook the world outside. Trees whipped their branches in a rippled dance as they shifted from the force. The sun had lit up the land and greeted the new day with brilliance and might. No comfort from the world came to her; nothing but emptiness where a black hole already resided within her. Soap had been her best friend, a loyal companion, a reciprocating love who had been nothing but patient with her. How had she gotten it so wrong? He was right, wasn’t he? She wasn’t in love with him, not like that. Not like he wanted from her. A complete and all-consuming love.
Her love for him was something more than friends, yet it wasn’t enough for either of them in the end. Closing her eyes, she saw Dylan in her mind’s eyes. His black hair, his steely eyes gleaming toward her as he beamed at finding her again. His was the love that felt like it fit. Maybe she was wrong. Maybe it would all come and bite her right back after all was said and done. Who knew? For now, it was as it was, and she didn’t blame Soap one bit for walking away. How right he was to leave her. Yet, how wrong it felt to watch him go.
Part II
The Great Divide
Chapter Ten
NOTHING EVER CHANGES. Even on the brink of the end of her world, Shade felt as if no one around her realized how destroyed she really felt. Glancing around the triangle of three, a ripple of fear weaved its way through her thoughts, and she felt ever so alone. Brisa had to remain at the Glass Castle, but she’d given Shade a tight hug before the journey, knowing Shade might not return. Only Dylan, Camulus and Shade were making this trip into the desolate wilderness of the frozen wastelands of the Arctic, deep into the Ice Kingdom to a place Shade had never wanted to visit, let alone know about. The Great Divide.
“Ready?” Dylan clutched at her hand and gave it a firm squeeze. His eyes shined to see her looking almost normal and not deathly sick like she’d been in the infirmary. The magic Ilarial and the healer had done on the darkling’s mark had done wonders for Shade. It’d made it impossible to believe she would die in three days if the dark magic was left unchecked. Shade ran her fingers over the spot on her arm, through her coat, where the mark lingered under the fur. The coat was from Soap, and it was the softest leather, with layers of insulation to keep out the freezing temperatures. It had her sweating at the moment.
“Yes.” She blew out a breath, hoping to calm her agitated nerves as she reached out to clasp Camulus by the hand. He was dressed with a coat too, but not as thick as hers. It made her pause for a moment wanting to ask him why he wasn’t so concerned about the cold when Dylan leaned in to whisper to her once more.
“It will be over soon; your magic will be yours once more. It’s cause to smile, not grimace.” He winked and straightened. The sweet smile he threw her made her feel a flutter inside her belly. A hesitant look passed over his face, and he hadn’t moved from his spot quite yet. “Shade?”
“Yes?”
“I have something for you.” He reached into the pocket of his jacket, built for freezing temperatures even though the cold rarely bothers the Teleen. It was going to be colder than any place he’d ever been. Better safe than sorry. Pulling out a small charm, he held it out in the middle of his palm. It shined like gun metal and looked tiny and fragile on his skin. It was a small metallic acorn looking seed, complete with a fused-on loop to hang on a necklace or bracelet. He grasped her hand and dropped it into the center.
“What is it?” She studied the tiny charm, liking the light, cool metal feel of it as she rolled it aroun
d in her palm. It vibrated with magic, a familiar earthly kind.
“It’s an Ancient Oak seed. I placed it on a loop so you can wear on your necklace. It’s kind of like a memory charm. That way, no faery or magical being can make you remove it.”
Turning it around in her fingertips, she let its power infuse itself into her. It was good magic. Fresh. yet ancient. The only being she’d ever met that felt like old magic was Corb himself. But his was not so simple, not so innocent. “What do I do with it?”
“I wanted you to have it, for whenever you’re in trouble or in need of sanctuary. You can plant it anywhere, and in an instant, it will grow into a gigantic oak tree. Once it’s grown, you can touch it and it will take you somewhere safe. There are hundreds of these trees throughout Faerie, so it can take you to one of many different places, anywhere one of these trees has grown.”
“How do I know where it will take me?”
“Easy, just imagine the Teleen Caverns. It’ll take you there immediately, faster than teleporting with Camulus.”
“There’s one at Teleen? But, won’t it take forever for it to grow?”
Dylan shook his head, amused at her questions. “Yep, one Ancient Oak tree sits in the middle of one of the tallest, open caverns in the center of Teleen. You never got to see it when we were there. Don’t worry; it will grow within a minute. “
“If I’m trying to get away from someone, won’t they be able to use it too?”
He shook his head, brushing away a wisp of hair which had fallen into her eyes and tucked it behind her ear. This little gesture made her insides turn into a fluttery mess and her face flush scarlet. “Nope, it offers sanctuary only. It will not work for another Ancient being, like Corb, or someone with dangerous intentions. It will never show anyone where it took you. Teleen will be safe for you. Just imagine you’re there and there, you’ll be.”