Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
W hen we returned to the mountains, Nicolias insisted I make myself at home.
“You need to replenish your strength. You can meditate, nap, or lie down and put your feet up.” His sideways glance must have detected the anxiety building within me. The longer I spent with Nicolias, the more I sensed him tuning into my emotions. I wondered if this might be one of his abilities—the power to read my feelings—and while I was acutely aware of this, the thought invited a deep sense of calm. He understood I was eagerly anticipating Arnica’s arrival. “Alright, fine,” he conceded. “I can see that’s not on the cards for you right now. Why don’t you go explore and look around?” He gestured in a circular motion at the vast surroundings. Gazing at the monstrous manor, I felt like a needle in a haystack.
“I might actually get lost, you know,” I hesitated.
“There’s a library upstairs. Why don’t you start there?” he insisted. “I’ll be at the stables if you need me; just call my name, and I’ll hear you.” He squeezed his pointed ears before departing, leaving me alone to contemplate. Could he really hear me from so far away? I began to suspect fae possessed exceptional hearing and wondered if their vision was similarly enhanced. Everything about them seemed heightened—their appearance, combat skills, speed, agility, and even immortality. Why wouldn’t they be able to see and hear across great distances?
Spending the day with Nicolias was not what I expected. I guess I expected him to be predacious, maybe overweening, but he wasn’t that way at all. I was surprised to learn I enjoyed being in his presence.
I stilled, taking in my surroundings, and then turned to make my way down the familiar hallway, passing the dining hall from last night. On the way, I counted ten rooms in total, bedchambers occupied by each of Prince Ambrose’s inner circle, including me. A grand spiral staircase lined with red carpet greeted me at the end. I took a step, and the wood creaked beneath my feet. I continued up, following the trail, and running my fingers along the smooth wooden banister as I did. I reached the top, panting slightly. There were more stairs than I anticipated.
As I ascended, I breathed in the scent of stone and pine wood. Daylight bathed the space up here, pouring in through tall windows, illuminating every intricate detail of the marble stonework. I stood in awe of the breathtaking view of the mountains. Towering peaks reached toward the sky, their summits cloaked in snow. Meandering rivers and streams wound their way through the valleys, and birds circled overhead when I lifted my gaze to the heavens.
As I strolled down the hall, something about the first room I passed caught my attention. I paused and took a few steps backward. The door was slightly ajar, inviting me to peek inside. I knocked twice, awaiting a response.
“Hello?” I asked, loud enough for anyone inside to hear me. I gently pushed the door open. The room appeared like a meeting chamber. In the centre was an eight-sided war table, and my curiosity drew me closer. Maintaining an air of nonchalance, I marvelled at the flags on display as I inched closer to the table. My gaze eventually settled on the black and silver colours, a fitting representation of the Winter Court.
It bore the inscription, “Gerald, Protector of the Kingdom and Guardians of the Realm.”
I turned and bumped into something, which turned out to be a cabinet filled with glass ornaments. I gasped, catching a small trinket before it hit the floor. I sighed and carefully placed it back in its original space. I hurried along, ignoring my now racing heartbeat. Then, my eyes found their target—a map splayed on the table.
It was a detailed representation of Sagaya, and I leaned over it, captivated by the intricate depictions. Our village was prominently marked in the centre, surrounded by bustling street markets where we would buy our supplies. My finger traced the dotted lines leading to the orphanage where we had spent our formative years. Above the entrance of the building, the name ‘Karter Moyes’ was elegantly inscribed. I held my breath as memories flooded back, stroking the letters with my fingertip. Around the village and orphanage, four taverns had crosses running through them, and one with a question mark beside it, labelled ‘The Oak Tavern.’ It was unmarked, but there, in the bottom corner, circled in chalk, hidden and surrounded by nothing but trees, was a small cottage. Our cottage.
The truth dawned on me like a sudden burst of sunlight. It seemed that Jesse had meticulously crafted this map, orchestrating a breadcrumb trail that led Prince Ambrose to our doorstep. As I delicately trailed the lines of his handwriting, a whirlwind of emotions stirred within me. “Had you harboured a secret agenda all along, brother?” I murmured as if expecting an answer to materialise from the shadows.
Lifting my gaze, I returned to the hallway, pondering the whereabouts of this library Nicolias spoke of. How anyone could live in a house this size was completely ridiculous. I rounded the corner, halting at the sight before me. Ahead, painted landscapes lined the walls of the upper-level halls: mountains, waterfalls, and night skies. The colour and pigment were so real I was standing right there. It was beautiful.
I don’t know how much time went by—minutes, maybe hours—as I took time standing before every picture to marvel at them. They ranged in size and beauty, with some jumping out, screaming for me to enter.
I tilted my head at the brush strokes and patterns. When the light hit from a certain angle, the strokes moved, forming another element to the design and bringing the picture to life. I jumped back, startled, as water in one painting rippled, the breeze sending leaves cascading to the ground.
“Magic,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. These paintings were more than just images; they were alive—enchanted.
Turning around, I scanned the entire hall to ensure I hadn’t overlooked a single painting. There were at least twenty art pieces in this hall alone. Yet out of the corner of my eye, I spotted one I had not seen. It was different from the others, devoid of colour, yet intricately detailed.
This painting depicted a silhouette of a woman standing atop a hill, gazing out at a distant city. A shiver coursed down my spine as the image came to life. The woman, a warrior, her hair tousled in the wind, extended her hand. Flames erupted from her palm, and the fire danced, highlighting her determined stance. Though her face remained obscured, I could vividly picture her expression—focused and resolute. What lay ahead of her? Perhaps an impending war had called her to wield such powerful flames.
I narrowed my eyes, focusing on a delicate engraving in the bottom corner—a silver crescent with a turquoise dot at its centre, resembling a jewel. As I drew closer, my fingers instinctively moved to my necklace, tracing the faded yet discernible words etched along the edge.
“I vow to spend my entire life searching for you, even if you are no longer here. My heart will always be yours.”
I startled at the sound of a door slamming shut downstairs.
“Where is she?” a panicked voice echoed through the building, snapping me out of my reverie.
Arnica.
I whirled, sprinting down the spiral staircase toward the distant voices. When I finally reached the source of the commotion, I spun to find my sister.
My heart soared at the sight of her, alive and unharmed. I held her in a tight embrace close to my chest. It had been so long since I last held her like this. At first, she stiffened, but gradually relaxed into the hug. Reluctantly, I pulled away, scrutinising every inch of her body. I turned her around, checking she was okay.
“I’m fine, Jaynie,” she said, raising her hands. “I promise!”
When Ambrose, Kaelan, and Brennan entered behind her, deep in conversation, Ambrose’s gaze met mine. He nodded, and I reciprocated, a silent gesture of gratitude for returning my sister to me. The urge to confront him ebbed away in that moment, and I redirected my attention to Arnica, clasping her hands.
“I’m so relieved you’re okay, and I’m so sorry.”
Arnica shook her head. “Don’t you dare apologise! We were fortunate to escape with our lives. This place, all of this.” She gestured to the manor and the others in the room. “It’s amazing. I never imagined such a place existed. It’s beautiful here! And where is our dearest little brother hiding?” she asked, grinning.
“They didn’t tell you?”
Arnica’s smile faltered. “Tell me what?”
Lillian hurried over to us, her long, dark hair bouncing with every step.
“You must be Arnica? It’s a pleasure to meet you. Come, let me take you to get something to eat. You must be famished.” Arnica gave me a look, silently asking if it was safe to accompany this stranger. I gave her a smile and nodded. Lillian gently took Arnica’s hand and mine, guiding us past the men and into the dining room. She pulled out a chair for Arnica and motioned for her to sit. Arnica smiled gratefully as she settled into the chair, looking more than willing to enjoy a meal.
I sat beside my sister, keeping close to her side. It felt almost surreal to have her here with me. The days we had spent apart felt like an eternity, and I struggled to remember a time we had been separated before realising we never had been. The ordeal of the past few days had clearly taken its toll. Her skin was pale, accentuated by dark circles under her eyes, and her frame appeared almost fragile. Cuts marred her jawline, and bruising dotted her collarbone. A burning resolve hit me then. If I ever encountered the men responsible for those injuries, I would reduce them to ashes.
As I was about to offer Arnica some food, a meal and a pitcher of water materialised before her. Arnica startled, her eyes widening as she struggled to come to terms with the reality of the situation. She glanced at me, and I nodded, urging her to continue. She leaned forward and dug into her meal with ravenous hunger, using the large spoon that had magically appeared alongside it. She rapidly devoured the rice and beans, and I gaped at the impressive amount of food she piled in her mouth. It had been a full two days since she had enjoyed a proper meal, and clearly, she was famished. Arnica had never been known for her graceful eating habits, even on her best days. I couldn’t help but laugh, though, overcome by gratitude that she was alive and safe, sitting right before me; it was as if we had never been separated. It felt too good to be true, and I had to resist the urge to pinch myself.
“Oh my goodness,” Arnica exclaimed, her eyes rolling back in her head.
“I know.” We both burst out laughing.
After using a napkin to wipe her mouth, Arnica studied me, her eyes reflecting her concern. I couldn’t help but think about Jesse. Arnica was here, safe and sound, but what about him? I envisioned the horrors he might be enduring at the hands of the mortal king. My fingers fidgeted under the table as I contemplated the grim possibilities of his current situation.
Lillian dropped two large satchels at our feet, startling me. I hadn’t even noticed her absence. Smiling, she said, “I made a quick trip into town this morning. I had to keep a low profile, so it’s not extravagant, but there should be enough clothes to last you both a few weeks. I’ll leave you girls some privacy to catch up. Call me if you need anything. I’ll be down the hallway with the others.” With gratitude in my eyes, I mouthed a silent ‘thank you’ to her as she left. She winked and exited the room, closing the door behind her.
“What happened?” Arnica asked me, her eyes desperate.
I recounted everything that had transpired: how Ambrose and the others saved my life, the revelation about our future, and how Jesse sent them back in time to save it. I was acutely aware of how unbelievable it all sounded.
“I cannot believe this is happening.”
“I understand,” I murmured, glancing down before meeting her eyes again. I sensed she was grappling with the same thoughts I had. It was difficult to reconcile our image of Jesse with what he might become.
“He is going to be okay, Jayne.”
I nodded. We would figure this out and stop the man behind all the mess, the one coming for my brother. She was here now, and I had more hope than I did the day before. Half of my world had returned to me. Now, I just needed to retrieve the other half.
Ambrose and Kaelan entered the room, acknowledging us with a nod before sitting and beginning their meals. Arnica’s astonishment was clear as she witnessed the food materialise before them, just as I had the night before. Following this, a pitcher of water floated to their side, slightly overflowing and dampening the tablecloth beneath. Arnica’s jaw dropped as it filled their mugs to the brim before heading to ours.
“I’m fine, thank you,” I addressed it, and it responded with a subtle dip of its spout and then glided out of the room in the same direction from which it came.
Arnica looked around the room, searching for the right words. “This is, um, what’s the right word to use?”
“A lot,” I chimed in, and we laughed again.
“It’s like I’ve stepped into a dream.”
“I know the feeling,” I agreed, a sense of wonder shared between us.
Her gaze shifted to the corner of the room, watching Prince Ambrose and Kaelan speaking in hushed tones. “And what about our new friends?” She raised her brows at me, and I couldn’t help but smile.
“They’ve been incredibly hospitable, though a bit overbearing,” I replied. “They’ve mentioned offering us some training.”
Arnica beamed and leaned in closer. “When that one over there came to retrieve me, he was in his wolven form.” She pointed at Kaelan. “Aside from the naked part, it was the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen! I believe that’s how he tracked me down so quickly by following my scent.” I couldn’t help but laugh, quickly covering my mouth as she shushed me.
“What?” I squealed. “Don’t even try skipping over that part!” I lowered my voice and whispered, “He was naked ?”
Arnica nodded, her cheeks flushing as she tried to contain her smile. “Yes, when he shifted back into his human form, he stood before me… bare.” She raised an eyebrow, and her embarrassment was clear.
“Bare?” I asked, my eyes widening. “Oh my goodness, did you see…?”
“Jaynie!” She exclaimed, glancing over at Kaelan in case he overheard. He was too engrossed in his conversation with Ambrose to notice, so she continued in a lowered voice, “I saw it all… and more! It was as if he didn’t even notice the naked part. One moment, he was a giant wolf closing in on me, and the next, he stood there as a man. I just stared at him, thinking my imagination might be playing tricks on me. I thought I was hallucinating, but then he started talking and told me you were here, on the other side. I don’t know why I believed him, but in that moment, I believed everything he said.”
“You mean to tell me you willingly followed a naked man in the promise he would transport you to another world? Have I not taught you anything of value all these years, Arnica Ritherton?” I scolded.
Arnica raised her hands in defence. “I was desperate, Jaynie. Jesse had been taken, and you never came for me. I thought you were dead.”
“It’s okay,” I said, resting my hands on hers and lowering them to her side.
“I’m just teasing you. I understand. Besides, I know Kaelan can be quite convincing.” I’d actually never heard Kaelan say more than a few words. “Go on,” I encouraged her to continue her story, and she did.
“He shifted back into his wolf form and led me to the edge of the enchanted forest. We passed through the veil, and then Prince—what’s his name again?”
“Ambrose,” I supplied.
“Yes, Prince Ambrose was waiting for us, and, well, here I am. Goodbye Sagaya, and hello Faerie,” she concluded with a smile, to which I responded with one of my own.