Fae War Read online

  It wasn’t long before I realized I’d gone the wrong way. Weird. I knew the way to the throne room and banquet hall. How had I ended up in a darkened corridor?

  My hands ran along the cold stone wall as I tried to make out my surroundings. Then it hit me. This was the floor Belle had led me down earlier that day. My eyes landed on the metal door.

  Fear shot through me. How had I found my way back there on my own?

  Come. A voice spoke into my mind.

  I gasped. The Raj’ani.

  Come. It spoke again, this time with more force. It was a strangely comforting voice though its familiarity alarmed me.

  My hands trembled by my sides. I turned to run, but my legs wouldn’t move. Panic ripped through me.

  What are you doing to me? Let me go!

  Come. It repeated.

  I tried to pull myself away, but my body wouldn’t listen. My hand shot out and reached for the door. Eyes bulging, I tried again—desperately—to stop myself.

  The metal was cool against my hand. Without so much as a chant, the door opened at my touch. My stomach churned. Sweat dripped down my neck and my throat had gone dry.

  “Stop! I don’t want to do this!” The words rushed out of my mouth.

  I scanned the empty hall, hoping to see someone—anyone else—there.

  But I was alone.

  Darkness enveloped me as I made my way into the prison. There were no lights lit this time. My heart pounded as I tried to think of an escape.

  Summoning my power, I tried to push the creature out of my mind and take back control, but unlike my mental fight with Jack, this creature was too strong. It had already gotten inside my mind and I realized that fighting it in there would only cause damage to myself.

  Yes. I must be the one to release you. Even if you were powerful enough to push me out, you’d rip a hole in your mind.

  Its words chilled me to the core. Anger sparked inside me. I let it walk me toward its cell, my fists clenched tightly. I came to a stop outside its prison.

  A large blue eye stared at me.

  My lip curled. “What do you want?”

  Freedom.

  I glanced at the metal bars.

  “If I release you will you help us?”

  Yes.

  I shook my head. “How can I trust you? I can’t let you just walk out. You must give us control first. Help us destroy the abyss and then we can set you free.”

  If you want control, you must take it.

  My jaw clenched.

  Take control.

  What did it mean? How could I control it while it had me under its power? If the Raj’ani could control my body, why didn’t it force me to release it? Did I still have some power over myself?

  Oh, I can make you do anything I want. But you are special. I’ve never seen such magic in one so young and weak.

  Heat flushed over me. I built my mental shields and barriers, summoning more strength.

  Your shields won’t work. I’m already inside.

  A growl of frustration escaped me. I couldn’t just let it win like that. I had to do something.

  Take control, it taunted once more.

  I lifted my hands and called more magic to me. Using all my strength, I threw it at the creature, launching an attack at its mind.

  The only defense, I found was a single locked door, identical to the metal one that led to its prison. Pain speared through me as I focused all my energy at it. In my mind, I shaped key after key trying to get in. My hands felt it for any weakness. There were no emotions to follow.

  This creature’s mind was sealed tight.

  Something snapped inside me, the pain sending me to my knees. Sweat dripped into my eyes and my panting breath echoed in the prison.

  “Let me go.”

  Release me and I will release you.

  Rage surged within me. A fury that lit all my senses. My magic brightened, the heat scorching as it ripped through me. A scream tore from my lips. I gasped, adjusting to the power that swirled around me. I’d never used so much of it at once.

  No. No! I pushed back against the creature’s pull. I couldn’t be the reason we lost our chance to save Feylin.

  I slammed my mental shield down. The worry of tearing my own mind was real, but I had to get it out of my head. Pain erupted, making my stomach churn.

  All at once, it faded, giving me a chance to catch my breath. I blinked against the darkness and rested my head against the cool metal of the bars.

  You are much stronger than you think.

  My head spun as its words echoed around me. For a minute, I was free from its power. I shook off the pain and panted. Had I pushed it out? Was I safe?

  How is this possible? The wonder in its voice startled me.

  I looked up and met its large eye. It blinked at me and backed away. Though I couldn’t sense any emotion from the creature, I got the idea that it feared me.

  My hands trembled. I didn’t know how I’d done it, but I’d freed myself from its power. It couldn’t control me anymore. Using my magic, I steeled my nerves and rose to my feet.

  “You will help us save Feylin.” My voice echoed against the stone, making me sound much stronger than I felt.

  Do you think you can control me?

  My chin lifted. “We will use your power to save everyone.”

  If you release me, I will help you. I am tired of this cage. This loneliness. We were once many, and we traveled so many places.

  “Yeah. Destroying everything.”

  Its wings rustled. We eat to survive. Just as your kind do. And for that, we are imprisoned.

  I rubbed a hand across my face. “If you help us save our world, we will let you go. To a different place.”

  Guilt filled me. I didn’t really know what we would do with the creature, but after its attack on me, I knew we couldn’t leave it here. I wanted it far, far away.

  I will help you. You have my word. But to help you, you must release me.

  “Yes. When it’s time.”

  You will have to take control of my power to keep me from devouring all.

  “We know.”

  This will destroy your mind.

  Dread unfurled inside me. Its grim responses did nothing to assure me. I shook away the dark thoughts and took a deep breath.

  “I know.”

  Release me now and I will help you.

  My hand flew to the cell and before I realized what was happening, the door burst open.

  The Raj’ani flew at me, knocking me down.

  I gasped as it hovered above me.

  You are too weak to control me. Its blue eye blinked at me, the only light in the dark.

  With that, it flew toward the entrance. I scrambled to my feet and stumbled after it. My heart raced.

  No. No. No.

  I had to get it back. It was our only chance. Bursting through the metal door, I scanned the empty hall.

  An image of a portal popped into my mind. I gasped. Somehow my mind was still connected to the creature. I raced down the corridor, following my senses.

  I pushed myself faster along the halls and rooms. I couldn’t let it get out. By the time I reached the portal room, I was gasping for breath.

  My eyes landed on the Raj’ani. It flew toward the giant mirror and paused to look back at me. Without a word it flew through the portal.

  I froze. Dread hit me like a pile of bricks. No. What had I done?

  “Where are you going?” Des’s sharp voice made me jump.

  My mouth hung open as I turned to him. His eyes narrowed on me, but I couldn’t speak. Our chance—our one chance to save Feylin and I had lost it. Literally lost it. The terrible weight of what I’d done made my stomach churn.

  “What’s wrong with you?” Des snapped.

  “I… I didn’t mean to. It… I couldn’t stop it. The Raj’ani.”

  He continued to scowl at me as if I’d lost my mind. Then I saw it. The realization sparked in his eyes as he scanned the empty room.
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br />   “What did you do?” His voice was low, almost a growl.

  Tears sprang into my eyes. I blinked them away quickly, not wanting him to see them.

  “I’ll find him. I can find him and bring him back.” My words wavered.

  Des scoffed. “We don’t have time to go hunting. You…” He shook his head. “You’ve damned us all.”

  I flinched. He was right. I knew he was right. What I’d done was inexcusable. Unforgivable. But I couldn’t just give up. We needed the creature. I had to get him back.

  “What is it? What’s going on?” Mom ran into the room.

  Aunt Cindra, Aunt Maloret, and Belle followed her, and behind them B’Zahir lurked.

  Shame flooded me as I met their eyes. “I… I…” I couldn’t make the words come.

  It was just too horrible. Tears streamed down my face.

  Mom strode toward me and wrapped me in her arms. “What is it?”

  My body shook in her embrace. I sniffled. “It’s gone. The Raj’ani. It went through the portal.”

  Mom stiffened. Aunt Cindra and Aunt Maloret cursed in unison. Belle shot me daggers with her eyes. All at once, their anger and despair hit me.

  I closed my eyes, not bearing to meet their gazes anymore. I sank into Mom and let her hold me.

  “We must retrieve it at once,” B’Zahir interrupted their angry murmurs.

  “We don’t have time to track it. How will we find it now? It could be anywhere,” Aunt Cindra argued.

  “Not anywhere. This portal goes only to one place. The outer world,” Aunt Maloret spoke.

  “We will cast the sleeping spell at once and hunt the creature,” Belle commanded.

  Aunt Maloret nodded. “Yes. I will need your assistance as well as yours.” She glanced at B’Zahir.

  “Des and I will hunt the creature,” Aunt Cindra offered.

  I released Mom and met the assassin’s eyes. “I’m going too.”

  Worry flashed in Mom’s eyes. I could see the calculation behind her gaze. The Outer World was still safer even with the creature loose. Though if the Raj’ani decided it was hungry, it might not be so safe for long.

  “I can track it. I… my mind is still connected somehow.”

  Their eyes shot to me.

  Belle’s eyebrow arched. “You formed this connection? On your own?”

  My cheeks flushed. “Well… no. Not exactly. When you took me down there, I think it got past my defenses. Or your defenses. It made me release it.”

  Mom glared at her. “This was your doing.” She turned to me; her green eyes welled with tears. “Are you okay? Your mind could have been ripped apart.”

  I flinched. “I’m fine.” Though I knew her concerns were valid.

  What happened when the Raj’ani broke free from our mental connection?

  “There is no more time to waste. We must start the spell at once,” Belle, ever the voice of reason, interrupted my dark thoughts.

  Aunt Maloret shook her head. “Not so fast. We need more juice for this spell. Royal juice.”

  “I can help and Mortemer too,” Aunt Cindra replied.

  I frowned. Why hadn’t she included Mom? Did she not see us as royal now that the truth had been revealed?

  Aunt Maloret scoffed. “You and Mortemer couldn’t handle such a spell, dear.” She waved a hand in dismissal. “No. We need the king and queen to help us cast.”

  Anger churned inside me as I remembered their disappearing act. They couldn’t disappear from this. They would help us because their court could be next.

  Belle sighed. “Then we must return to the White Court and speak with them.”

  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Des stiffen. Pity filled me. The last time he’d been in the queen’s court, he’d been under the sleeping spell and hurled into the abyss.

  “I think it would be wise for you to stay behind.” Aunt Cindra turned to Belle.

  Belle drew herself up. “And why is that, Cindra?”

  Aunt Cindra’s nostrils flared. “Princess Cindra.” Her eyes flashed a dangerous red.

  Beside her, Aunt Maloret smirked.

  “The queen will not take kindly to you returning. Your tarnished past could jeopardize everything.” Aunt Cindra stood her ground.

  Everyone fell quiet. I watched Belle for any sign of emotion, but if the insult bothered her, she was an expert at hiding it.

  “Regardless of Cristal’s feelings, I must go. You will need my power to help cast the spell.”

  I couldn’t help but smirk. The fact that Belle refused to call her queen amused me though I shared Aunt Cindra’s concern. The queen would not be happy to learn her husband’s ex-lover was back. I glanced at Mom, worried how the queen would react to this revelation. Mom wasn’t the true heir.

  “Well, this should be entertaining.” Aunt Maloret winked at me.

  I frowned at her. She was the first to leave, the others following. Mom grabbed my wrist before I could go. I turned back and met her eyes.

  “What happened?” Her voice was hushed.

  We were alone now.

  I averted my eyes, not wanting to see the look of disappointment on her face.

  “It got inside my head… and I don’t know. It tricked me.”

  Her lips pursed. “I don’t want you to face it alone again. Not ever. It’s too dangerous.”

  I huffed. “I didn’t mean to go alone. It forced me down there.”

  She didn’t respond, but I could sense her worry. Before she could say more, I pulled out of her grasp.

  “I have to go find Mag and Sacha.”

  She let me leave. Her eyes following me as I fled the room. My heart raced in my ears. I blinked away tears of frustration as I returned to my room.

  Mag looked up in concern as I slammed the door shut behind me. She placed a tray of sugary bread on the table and shuffled over to me.

  “Princess, are you okay?” Her little voice made me smile.

  “Yes. Sorry. I’m fine.” I waved away her concern.

  “Did you eat already?” I motioned toward the sweets.

  She nodded and lifted the tray up for me. My stomach rumbled in response, making her giggle. My heart twisted at the sound. It was nice to see some happiness in such a dark time.

  Savoring the sweet pastries, I sighed and sat down, motioning her to take the chair beside me. We ate in silence as my thoughts turned over and over in my head. I hated to leave Mag here, but I wasn’t so sure I could bring her with us. She’d never been to the Outer World before, and I wasn’t sure if it was the right place for her to be. But that would mean she’d be under the sleeping spell along with everyone else and I wasn’t sure that would be good either. At least if she stayed and was asleep, she wouldn’t be in pain.

  “We have to go to the White Court,” I interrupted the silence.

  Her eyes widened. “The White Court?”

  I hesitated. What was I supposed to tell her? I didn’t want her to worry.

  “Yes. There’s a spell that could save Feylin and we need the king and queen to help cast it.”

  “Oh. Do you think it will really work, Princess? Will it save us?” Her eyes turned teary.

  Sadness poured from her, punching me in the gut. I reached out and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “Yes. It will work. Everything will be okay, Mag.”

  My words seemed to comfort her. She sat back in her chair and sniffed.

  It has to be okay. This has to work.

  14

  Not long after I’d finished the last of the pastries, a knock sounded on my door. Mag rushed to open it. I stood up and brushed the crumbs from my pants. Sacha stood at the entrance; his eyes focused on me.

  “Are you ready, Princess? We are preparing the carriages.”

  I smiled at him. “Yes. And you’re coming with us, right?”

  He squared his shoulders. “Yes.”

  I fought the urge to run at him and hug him. Having him by my side was a comfort. I glanced at Mag and waited for her to retrieve her sma
ll bag. Everything she’d owned burned in the Red Court, but the servants had lent her a change of clothes and other necessities.

  “But, Princess, no one has come to collect your things yet.” Her nose scrunched in confusion.

  “Oh. That’s okay. We won’t be staying long.”

  Worry radiated from her, making me wince. She thought I was abandoning her. I shook my head at myself.

  “I’m not going to leave you, Mag.”

  Her eyes widened and her cheeks reddened. Guilt needled me. Was I though? I still hadn’t decided what was the best choice. I bit my lip. Maybe she should decide for herself. Make her own choice. It was what I would have wanted.

  “Princess?” Sacha’s voice snapped me back.

  I smiled and nodded at him as he led us down the hall. My thoughts churned inside my head as I tried to plan our steps. There were still so many pieces to figure out and our task was so daunting. I hadn’t seen, heard, or felt anything else from the Raj’ani and it worried me. How would we be able to track it?

  Everyone was there waiting as we entered the courtyard. The crowd stood watching as we made our way over to the carriages. I glanced up at the sky, hoping to see Fearless. I was pretty sure he’d escaped, but I was worried about the little dragon. Where did he go?

  “Princess,” Grimera called.

  I turned in surprise to see her floating beside one of the open carriages. She waved us closer. “Here you are, Princess. Princess Aubri has told me your plan and I wish you all the best.” Sorrow filled the air around her.

  A lump grew in my throat. Grimera would stay. “Thank you, Grimera.”

  She bowed and waited for us to board. Mom came up behind us and threw her arms around the dryad’s misty form. Tears sprang in my eyes.

  I joined their hug, Grimera’s cool form making my skin tickle. A flashback of us together in the Outer World came to me. Grimera had been in her human form then and I didn’t know she wasn’t my grandmere. We’d been happy, all of us and we’d been safe.

  Pushing away the memory, I blinked away my tears. It was too late to return to that moment now, but I hoped and longed that someday we’d find that peace again.

  “I will keep Mag safe,” Grimera offered as we broke apart.