Bonds Eternal (Fae Hearted #4)

5. Ghouls

5

GHOULS

WYNSTELLE

T he wind shifts and blows smoke from the village in our direction. Perhaps this is good. I know enough about hunting from my books that our scent will be hidden by the wind from the ghouls.

Ghouls—not my favorite creature from the fae realm. Normally, they only eat the dead, but Mage Idril has spelled them recently to attack humans. The ghouls have attacked me twice now. If it weren’t for Oakes’ healing ability, I’d be dead. My healer mate has removed the scars that reminded me of the incident. I don’t think I can ever forget the excruciating pain of their poisonous claws slicing through my gut or over my cheek.

Jaden leads us closer to the village, his keen, heightened senses on alert. I see him sniffing the air to identify any threats.

“How much longer do you think the ghouls will be able to survive in the mortal realm?” Eldrin asks.

“I’m guessing another day… maybe.” Oakes sighs. “Too long to wait it out and hope the humans survive.” Oakes looks at me and explains further. “Ghouls aren’t like elves and some other species. They can’t exist outside of the fae realm for long.”

Eldrin sighs, and even without our bond being open, I sense he’s worried about what will happen. He clenches his fists around the horse’s reins. “What if I’m not strong enough to shift a large group and hold control? The mage will probably counter any influence I could have on the ghouls.” Eldrin glances around at our ragtag group. “Suggestions?”

“I wasn’t able to creature-speak to them on my own, but…” Princess Twyla looks at me. “If Wynstelle can still use mirror magic, then maybe we can combine your influencer magic and my creature power and use it on the ghouls in small groups.”

“No.” Oakes shakes his head. “I won’t risk Wyn’s safety when we don’t know if her mirror magic will work with your magic. Or if you can combine yours with Eldrin’s.”

“Can we capture one ghoul?” Twyla asks. “Maybe we can make a controlled attempt to see what we can do together?”

Eldrin studies Twyla, likely wondering if we can trust her not to sabotage us.

“And if that doesn’t work…” Jaden turns his horse to face us and grasps the hilt of his sword as an answer.

“I don’t want to kill them if we don’t have to.” Eldrin frowns at his advisor’s threat of violence. “They are under someone else’s power.”

“Sorry, Your Highness, but it might be the only way to curtail the devastation,” our lead guard, Corwin, mutters, sounding defeated. “If Turgon doesn’t allow them back through the portal, which I doubt he will do willingly, then they are dead anyway. At least if we cut them down now…”

“No, not if there is another way!” I order, stepping into a leadership role. “We’ll need to make sure they can return.”

“I agree, but…” Eldrin gives me a worried glance. “I don’t want to put you at risk.”

“I’m already at risk, no matter which realm I’m in.” My vision blurs into a haze of despair. “None of us are safe until this is all over. I might as well take my fate in my own hands and fight back any way that I can.”

“I’m willing to see if this plan works to control the ghouls,” Rhys adds. “If they are a victim, it seems wrong if we don’t try.”

“I agree,” Twyla chimes in.

Jaden’s eyes flash with annoyance, and I can feel his fiery nature burning under his calm exterior. “But if we strike efficiently, we can end the ghouls’ attack.” I know he doesn’t want to expose me to more danger—or march his people into a death trap.

“Only if our attempt to break the spell fails,” Eldrin warns him.

“Then we should hurry this along and see if we can corner one ghoul to attempt your combined magic on them.” Rhys looks to Eldrin for approval.

After the prince nods, we follow Rhys at a quick trot to enter the nearby village.

As we cross over the village’s boundary, the smoke becomes noxious. We can hear screams and flames pouring from the rooftops. I tense, anticipating the carnage that I will witness. I know firsthand what sort of damage ghouls can inflict on flesh within seconds. Approaching and attempting to capture one of them is madness. But I can’t think of another solution, other than to kill them for being victims of a spell.

The pungent stench of exposed and decaying guts hits our noses before we see the eviscerated bodies. Everyone in our party covers their nose and mouth, cringing at the sight of both humans and ghouls rotting in the sun.

Our group slows down and scans our surroundings continuously, vigilant about potential threats.

Jaden pulls up next to Merlara’s horse so that he can be closer to me. He nods approvingly when he sees I grip Merlara’s fine sword in my hand. “Don’t hesitate to use that,” he reminds me with a pointed look.

At least I don’t have to worry about wielding a sword here. If I were caught in the fae realm, as a human, I’d be killed. “I remember our lessons.” I agree, “Hesitation is death.”

“Very good,” Jaden praises me, then sniffs the air. “Be alert. I sense there are more ghouls close by. Alive .”

“Jaden, go ahead with Corwin and Baelen and scout what’s going on,” Eldrin orders.

I let out a muted protest. I don’t want Jaden splitting away from the group.

Sensing my fear, Jaden reaches out to me, briefly taking my hand in his. “We will be alright. I need you to conserve your strength, so when the time comes, you can use your mirror magic.”

I nod with worry in my eyes. “Be careful. I won’t be the same if I lose you.”

“And I will be broken without you.” He gestures for our guards, Baelen and Daylor, to join him on the hunt.

The three elves trot away on their horses.

Eldrin’s shoulders are tense, but he spares me a reassuring smile. I return it, though each of us knows that a positive outcome isn’t guaranteed.

“Jaden knows what he is doing,” Oakes says to calm my nerves, but his words don’t soothe me. I won’t relax until this war is over.

Several minutes later, someone bursts through the brush near where we wait for Jaden’s return.

Baelen appears on her horse. Then Daylor and Jaden drag a bound ghoul behind them. It wiggles to break free, grunting and hissing. Upon seeing me, it scrambles to its feet and tries to attack. It strains against its ropes to get to me.

Rhys looks at the creature with distaste. “It stinks. Can we just get this over with?”

The ghoul locks eyes with Rhys—the only other human in our group—and growls at him. I notice it seems to ignore the elves and changeling.

I wonder aloud, “How will we know if our influencer magic actually worked? Ghouls aren’t known for being gentle creatures on a good day.”

Baelen and Daylor jump down from their horses and hold on to the ghoul’s shoulders, forcing it to kneel in the frozen grass.

The guards turn to Eldrin and wait for him to work his influencer magic on the spelled ghoul. Eldrin, Twyla, and I dismount and stand in front of them at a safe distance, five strides away.

“How should we do this?” I ask.

Twyla moves so that she can hold hands with me. Eldrin takes my other hand.

“Twyla and Eldrin should activate their powers,” Oakes instructs. “Then you should try to access your mirror magic once you sense their magic.”

I push down the nagging doubts that this experiment won’t work—that I’m not powerful enough to help.

Through our mental link, Oakes encourages me, “I believe in you. Your power is likely greater than you realize.”

“I never tried to use my mirror magic with anyone other than you, Eldrin, and Jaden. Besides, I don’t really understand how it works yet. It just works.”

“Twyla’s magics will want to work with yours. You have been energetically joined your entire life. The changeling mark will assist you.”

“But Twyla’s connection to me is broken.”

“Broken, but not entirely gone. There’s always a lingering magical connection, especially with a bond like that one.”

“But—”

“We will try this, and if it doesn’t work, then we will try something else.” Oakes moves to stand behind me for emotional support.

Then slowly, I notice an electrical charge is building in the air surrounding me. It’s like the energy during a lightning storm, making the fine hairs on my body stand at attention.

Twyla’s energy feels familiar. I realize I have felt the changeling all my life. Now, with our separation, I can feel the magic for what it is, something outside of myself. As my mirror magic begins to merge with Twyla’s, I have a sense of coming home.

Something has felt as if it was missing since the changeling mark was severed. Suddenly, the mark itches on my back. I want to check what’s happening, but I refocus on the task at hand. Hopefully, I will have time to investigate if the mark has changed once again.

My magic reaches out to touch Eldrin’s influencer magic. The energy feels like an extension of his natural persuasiveness—his charm. Perhaps the Fates have gifted him with it because he will be king of his people one day. Maybe he had influencer magic all along?

Then suddenly, my mind flashes to Eldrin sitting on his father’s throne. He looks fierce and demanding—a harsh edge to his expression. I shiver, worried about what he might turn into when this is all done.

Will Eldrin allow the power to corrupt him when he assumes the throne? Has bitterness and anger already begun to infect his heart?

As if he senses my trepidation, Eldrin flicks a glance over at me. He squeezes my hand tighter, trying to calm me.

I squeeze back, but my fears for our future—distant and current—don’t abate.

Then Jaden’s worried demeanor catches my attention. His knuckles are white with tension as he grips his unsheathed sword, ready to cut down the ghoul if our experiment doesn’t work.

I suck in a deep breath and close my eyes to block out anything that might distract me. In my mind’s eye, I see a mirror image of Eldrin and my magic reflecting into each other, into infinity. Then Twyla’s magic does the same.

Then, as the magics merge inside me, instead of feeling like a mirror, I feel like the prisms of a cut crystal, refracting back out in every direction.

A burst of magical energy erupts from my chest, exploding in all directions. I cry out.

Oakes reaches out to hold me up, so I don’t tumble to the ground.

After laying me down on the grass, Oakes cradles my head and examines my dazed and distant eyes. “Wyn?”

I follow the sound of his voice and whisper, “Yes?”

Eldrin kneels down at my side. “Are you alright?”

“Did it work?” I ask weakly.

Jaden calls out, “It appears the ghoul is… uh, tamed .”

The strange tone of his voice piques my interest enough for me to raise my head to see. Staring at the group, the ghoul makes a peculiar purring sound and appears very relaxed, almost as though it’s intoxicated.

“Now what?” Jaden asks Eldrin.

The ghoul tries to wiggle over to snuggle up to Jaden’s boots. He avoids the gesture of affection and steps out of its reach.

“A better question is, how long does it last?” Oakes frowns.

Eldrin grits his teeth. “Wyn was drained from working so much magic. We won’t be able to try this again, at least not for a while.”

I wince at his assessment of my limited abilities. “I’m sorry.”

“What? No. I’m not upset with you!” Eldrin leans over and kisses my cheek. “I’m depleted as well.” He glances over at a frazzled-looking Twyla. “I don’t think the princess could make another go of it. Not for a long while.”

“Did you all see the energy burst that traveled out into the distance?” Corwin asks. “I’ve never seen anything like it before. What do you think it means?”

“We should venture out and see what’s happened to the other ghouls,” Oakes says. “I sense that when Wynstelle merged Eldrin’s and Twyla’s abilities, she also magnified them beyond just this one ghoul.”

“I don’t hear any more screeches or screams,” Jaden tilts his head, listening intently. “Corwin, Baelen. Let’s go.”

The three of them jump onto their horses and trot off to scout the area.

I try to stand up, but Oakes catches me in his arms and holds me close. “Give yourself a moment to recoup your strength.”

“I’m making the group vulnerable by resting on the ground. You and Eldrin should look out for trouble, not hover over me. We need to be prepared to run if we need to.”

“You’re not wrong.” Eldrin grimaces, looking torn. “But you need your strength, too.”

“I can keep her safe,” Merlara volunteers.

“No!” Oakes growls, pulling me to his chest. “I will use my magic to rejuvenate her.”

My gaze snaps up to Oakes, wondering why he’s so irritable. It isn’t his nature. I might have expected a harsh reaction from Jaden or Eldrin, but Oakes seems more wound up than I have ever seen him.

“Are you alright?” I ask through our mental link. Though somehow, it feels as if the message might not have made it into his mind.

Then, finally, Oakes’ face softens. He brushes my loose locks from my face. “I’m… I’m just worried. I can barely feel our link.”

His voice is faint in my mind, and I now worry as well. Perhaps I inflicted more damage to myself than I realized.

Oakes slides his arms under my legs and torso and carries me to his horse. Eldrin hurries over to help settle me on the animal.

Once we are both comfortably perched on the horse, I lean back into Oakes and sigh with relief. I finally feel safe again, braced against his muscular chest, protected in his healing arms. All I want is to sleep, forever cradled in his embrace. But I know that life won’t be so generous to give me more than a moment’s reprieve.

Twyla clears her throat, and we all glance at her.

Eldrin takes the bait and asks irritably, “What?”

“We will need to use our combined skills again, and soon. If we have tamed the ghouls, it likely won’t last long. Mage Idril will cast her will again. And we might need to influence the ghouls to return to the portal—or use your powers to convince the soldiers to let them pass.”

Eldrin grumbles. “Yes, I’d bet Turgon’s men will be guarding it again.”

Merlara speaks up. “We probably will need Wyn’s strength back to influence them to return to Elfhame. The non-spelled ghouls might not want to leave this feast of dead flesh.”

With a frown, Eldrin nods his understanding. We are going to have to use my power again. I don’t think I have it in me. And I doubt that Eldrin or Twyla have enough energy either.

After a few minutes, Jaden rushes back to the group with Corwin and Baelen.

Jaden reports with surprise in his voice, “It seems the ghouls are not attacking for the moment. The humans killed many of them when they came out of their bespelled state. Some ghouls had the sense to slip away when they regained their wits. Should we just leave them to return to Elfhame on their own?”

Eldrin huffs. “We need to help the survivors get out of the mortal realm before they are all slaughtered. As the prince of their lands, they are under my protection.”

“I don’t think I can use my magic to corral them back to the portal.” I frown. “I can barely keep my eyes open.”

“Then it will have to be mine and Prince Eldrin’s magic,” Twyla says. “Perhaps used in tandem. It will probably work now that they are free from the spell.”

Jaden’s fierce violet eyes catch my gaze. I can sense through our bond that he’s frustrated that he can’t do more, but anyone can see the angst written on his face. “We could just herd them back toward the portal without magic. They seem docile enough at the moment.”

Eldrin glances at his ragtag group of rebels. “Oakes and Wyn, can you still communicate through your link?”

I nod. “It’s weak at the moment, but yes.”

“Two groups to round up the ghouls,” Eldrin orders. “Wyn, Merlara, Daylor, Jaden—you’re with me. Corwin, Baelen, Twyla, Rhys—follow Oakes. We need to herd the ghouls to the portal near the castle. It’s closest to us and the one that they came through.”

“But it’s not the safest,” Rhys says, eyeing Twyla with concern.

“No. But we do not know how long the ghouls will remain passive,” Eldrin explains. “Also, if they fall under a spell again, you and Wyn will be their first target. So, let the others shield you if that happens.”

Rhys raises his eyebrows in surprise.

“Yes, I value your life, too.” Eldrin grumbles. “I suppose Wynstelle has softened my heart toward humans.” He gives me a wink. “Besides, you helped rescue me from the dungeon.”

“I understand your concern, but I will not cower from an attack.” Rhys squares his shoulders in challenge.

“I’m not suggesting that you would. I’d rather not have any more deaths on my conscience, though.” Eldrin frowns, and we all feel the weight of the realms that he now carries.

Rhys nods curtly, and the matter is settled for the moment.

A determined look fills Eldrin’s face as he scans the surrounding area for ghouls. He pulls up short when he notices three not far off.

They sit slumped on the ground. At first, I think they might be dead, but then they move their heads to watch our group’s approach.

“Ghouls!” Eldrin calls to them in an authoritative voice. “I am your Elven Prince. I command you to return to Elfhame!”

My eyes widen at the decree, wondering if the simple approach might work.

The ghouls lazily swivel their heads around to confer with their comrades with shrugs and grunts.

One says, “We don’t likes this place. But don’t knows how to get back.”

The ghouls look gaunt and weary—not that they are particularly beautiful to begin with.

I whisper to Merlara, “I don’t think they are handling the mortal realm very well.”

“Many creatures from our realm cannot stay long in the mortal one. Even elves have a limit.”

I whip my attention toward Merlara, grabbing her arm. “ How long? ” I ask, my voice panicked.

“Don’t worry, child.” Merlara pats my hand. “Elves can endure a human lifetime before our life force would fade.”

Almost to myself, I ask, “What about Twyla?”

“If she stays, she will wither eventually. She will have to return to Elfhame if she wants to survive longer than a mortal lifetime. But even then, it might be too late. So little is known about changelings. Most don’t survive into adulthood.”

My attention is drawn back to the ghouls as Jaden slowly approaches them, watching for their reaction.

“You don’t know how to find your way back to the portal?” Jaden asks.

They shake their heads. “No.”

“Do your noses work?” Jaden almost growls.

They take an experimental sniff, and their eyes fix intently on me. “ Human ,” they say in unison as they lick their bloated lips.

I shiver, remembering how their claws felt as they sliced through my stomach, leaving a burning toxin behind.

Jaden moves his horse, blocking their line of sight. “Head that way and pick up your own trail back to the portal. If you find any other ghouls along the way, bring them with you. Do not approach the soldiers. Hide just before you reach the portal and wait until we arrive. We will get you through safely.”

“Why do you cares about ghouls?” one asks.

“You are under my rule,” Eldrin answers, “and I want you back in Elfhame. Safe .”

The ghouls stagger to their feet. Their grotesquely distended bodies are covered in blood and bits of human flesh. I swallow down my nausea at the sight.

After we watch the ghouls shuffle toward the portal, Eldrin trots away.

We follow him and find a few more groups of ghouls hiding in the shadows, confused about what’s happening. Eldrin and Jaden are able to send them on their way without incident as well.

I reach out to Oakes with my mind, but he doesn’t respond.

Is he just busy? Or is there something wrong? Or has our link finally failed completely?

There’s a scream in the distance. Our group tenses.

Eldrin races off to stop what sounds like a slaughter.

Merlara kicks her horse into action with Jaden and our guard, Daylor, on our tail. I hold on to Merlara so that I won’t be thrown from the horse, hoping that the sounds aren’t my mate and friends being killed.