in a hallway similar to where her physical form lurked. The windows were on the opposite side, and an archway leading to the destroyed throne room sat on the right.
The dark faerie stood gazing out the windows, his back to her and wings swaying. “The end is near. Are you ready?”
“The end of what?” She wanted nothing but to return to Esmond, where she felt safe. She attempted to awaken, but a magic wall held her. Through narrowed eyes she peered about, trying to see her cage. “Release me.”
“That I cannot do.” He straightened and turned. His strides were smooth, bringing him to her side in fluid motion. He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her against him. His palm struck her brow, forcing her head back while releasing an abundant rush of blackened energy. “But you may awaken.”
7
Lily gasped and snapped her eyes open to only darkness. Something pressed against her, suffocating while pinning her to a cold surface. She struggled to be free, but stopped when something sharp pierced her back. A smothered scream rose from her restricted lungs.
“Quiet! The beast draws near.”
Those harsh whispered words from the man she feared were enough to send her into a panic. She wiggled and moved until her leg broke free and then kicked him. He grunted but held her still despite her efforts. Magic erupted from him to surround her, and she lay in paralyzed terror.
Something growled nearby. A snort followed and then large footfalls and cracking stone faded. Her captor grunted again and rolled from her, allowing her freedom and sight. He lay on his back, gasping with tension pulling his facial muscles tight. Black and violet myst surrounded him, swirling and diving into his flesh. He winced with each impact until all returned to his body.
Lily scrambled to her feet and darted forward. He rolled and grabbed her ankle, sending her flying into the ground face first. She managed to use her arms as shields, the uneven stone floor slicing into her. With a whimper, she tried to crawl from him, but he was on her before she could move.
He flipped her onto her back, and covered her mouth before she could cry in pain, the fire from her wounded back spreading. “I am not your enemy, but I also will not permit you to flee from me. You are unsafe here, and will be until the seal is broken!” He pulled his weight from her, but remained in control. “I will remove my hand, but if you make a sound you will feel the back of my fist. Understood?”
She nodded and he removed his hand. Tears blurred her vision, leaving only his handsome yet frightening face whole. “Please don’t hurt me.”
He stood and yanked her to her feet. “Any injuries you obtain while in my presence will be from your own stupidity. I protect you. As I said; I am not your enemy. Come before he regains consciousness.”
Her lip quivered and body trembled, but she followed as he stormed forward. “What did you do to Esmond?”
“I did nothing. The fool has been pushing himself to exhaustion; I merely prevented him from fighting it anymore. He rests.”
The distance between them grew. The temptation to attempt to run was strong, but she knew he would catch her, and there was also the beast to consider. “Please slow down.”
“No. Speed your pace. Those minor injuries will throb at first but then numb. Keep moving.”
They made it to the hall’s end where a wooden doorway lurked before she couldn’t fight the pain anymore. He had been correct about the wounds on her arms; she stopped feeling the pain soon after his suggestion. Her back, however, felt like an inferno had erupted within it.
“Please stop. It hurts.”
He spun in fury, but his anger melted as he looked on her. His eyes darted past her, returning with a hint of concern. “Turn.”
She did and nearly stumbled. He caught her by her shoulders. “Thank you.” The words were out before she could stop them; she didn’t want to thank the beast that injured her!
“A point for you, fiend.” His muttering drifted, almost never reaching her.
“Excuse me?”
“When you feel a pinch, I want you to run as fast and as far as you can without looking back.”
She gaped over her shoulder at him. “What?”
He forced a smirk, his attention flickering from her to her back. “I like a challenge; do not let me catch you.”
She looked ahead to avoid him seeing her scowl. “I would rather die than have you touch me again. You’re sick.”
“You have yet to see anything.” A hint of tension and apprehension laced his words.
“You arrogant—” She released a squeal of shock and leapt forward at a sharp pinch to her back. Not wanting to see what he would do were she to remain, she ran forward.
Curiosity called and she responded by looking back. A peculiar violet and green bug flew above where she had been standing. The dark elf held a blade comprised of solidified silver magic. He glared at the creature, circling it with caution in every step. Its scream resembled the buzzing of a thousand wasps as it dove after him, piercing legs extended with a coating of blood.
Lily spun about and ran directly into a large set of doors. She stumbled back and sat, lost in a daze and swaying to and fro. She giggled and collapsed.
8
Lily awoke in the marble room. She thought she was dreaming again due to her fuzzy mind, but then her vision cleared and pain assaulted her—everywhere. She groaned and tried to move and then realized that she lay in someone’s arms. Shifting her head allowed her to gaze into Esmond’s soft eyes.
Relief flowed from him, releasing all tension in his face and partially closing his eyelids. His blond hair tumbled forward as he bowed his head. “I feared you would not awaken.”
“How?” Rapid blinking followed in an attempt to clear her mind; it failed.
“Your telepathic mind called out to me. I followed the link and pulled you through. I have been instilling you with energy since I found you; how do you feel?”
“Drained.” She had a hard time believing that he healed her when she felt empty, but she also had no idea what that bug had been doing on her back. “Bug…”
“There are many in this place. Can you stand?” He assisted her to her feet, not waiting for a response. When she swayed, he steadied her by the shoulders. “I am sorry, but midnight draws nigh. I must have you strengthen the seal.”
“Oh.” Lily gathered what little strength she had remaining and looked up at the crystal. It shrunk since she last saw it, now small enough to fit in her hand. A crimson cloud encased it, and a tendril of that energy ran from the anomaly to her chest, connecting over her heart. “What do I do?”
“Use your telepathic abilities to connect with it. I am certain you will know once you do.”
“I’m scared. Negative energy can kill a faerie.”
His radiant smile returned. He brushed her cheek with tender fingers sending her heart aflutter. “I am here to protect you.”
“Thank you.” Lily started to close her eyes but instead jumped when the doors to the room burst open. She ducked and covered her head to guard against the flying shards of wood.
“Move away from her, Astan. I will not permit this any longer. Brother or no, I will stop you.”
Lily peeked from the protection of her arms. Dark hair, handsome full face, and black with silver wings. The faerie she feared yet swooned over stood before her, but the man she lacked any fear of and could melt for stood behind her; he would protect her. She stood and backed away from the crazed man, bumping into Esmond.
“What are you doing, Tarak? The seal must be repaired.”
Tarak shook his hand, creating his blade of hardened energy, rolling black myst coating it. “Why? So you can continue to live without the curse? So you can siphon the power and use it to your own gain? I will not, cannot sit by and permit you to damn this world to another one hundred years of the curse.”
“But we are sealing it, right?” Lily regarded Esmond. His face was an impenetrable mask, his gaze backed with fury. “Right?”
“Yes. Do not listen to the ram
blings of this fiend. His mind has been corrupted by the curse. Strengthen the seal, and he will mend. I will protect you.” He held his arm to the side and stepped around her. A sword of golden magic formed and solidified, violet myst coursing the blade. “Join your mind with the seal; become one with it.”
“Right.”
“Do not listen to him! Your blood will spill as soon as you connect!” Tarak lunged forward. “This ends now!”
Lily screamed and ran to the other side of the seal as the men began their duel. They moved in a blur of black and blond, magic sparking with every clash of hardened energy that sounded as steel. Esmond swung at Tarak’s head, but the dark faerie spun and slashed, earning a piece of Esmond’s doublet. The battle continued, moving further away from Lily with each strike.
The crystal seal began to oscillate and spin, the magic surrounding it intensifying. The line connecting Lily to it thickened, and with that came a feeling of overwhelming woe and desperation. It made her ill, but not in the way she expected; she felt such pity for the trapped soul that she nearly fell and wept. Instead, she quieted her mind and reached out, not connecting, just brushing it to see who of the two men told the truth.
A surge of energy blasted into her. Her body lifted, convulsing with her head thrown back. Her mouth opened to scream, but only crimson magic emerged. The world melted to a void of red.
Is someone there? Can you hear me? The voice was familiar, but distorted.
Yes. Who are you? She searched for him, but nothing stirred. She