Ever Winter (19 page)

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 to 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.