Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
I ntimidation. That was the only way to describe how it felt to stand before these three towering immortal men, who glared at us, arms crossed, with fury gleaming in their eyes. To make matters worse, they blocked the gateway leading to the stables, erasing any hopes of us sneaking in unnoticed.
Brennan dismounted from his horse, firmly holding onto the reins. Arnica and I followed his lead, forming a protective line behind him. We all stood in tense silence while waiting for someone to break it. I hesitated to speak at first, unsure of what to say. I felt like a child about to face a scolding, the sense of impending reprimand hanging heavy in the air.
Surprisingly, it was Kaelan who broke the awkward silence.
“And where the hell have you lot been?” He approached Arnica, motioning toward Onyx and clasping his reins. The faint scars on his face caught the moonlight.
“Brennan wanted to show us around, so we took a short ride,” she said, snatching back the reins from Kaelan’s hands. He squinted and reached for her face. She lurched back but was too late; his enormous hands caught her hair, tucking a strand behind her ear. Arnica’s eyes widened. Although her clothes had returned to normal, it seemed her ears had not.
She brushed his hand away. “Excuse me, my horse needs a drink,” Arnica said, moving past him with her horse and using her free hand to open the stable door. Kaelan trailed behind like an eager pup.
Seizing the opportunity, I followed Arnica and Kaelan, careful not to meet Ambrose's or Nicolias’s eyes.
“Wait a moment,” Nicolias intervened, stepping before me. Beastly emitted a disgruntled noise.
“Easy now,” I soothed the horse, patting his head. He nipped at my shoulder, encouraging me to move forward. “Is something wrong?” I asked, acting casually despite the tightness in my voice. I willed my eyes to remain locked on Nicolias, despite the desire to find solace in Brennan’s presence. Where was that sneaky dwarf when you needed him?
Ambrose interrupted, “Where did you go tonight?”
“I could ask you the same, Ambrose! Or do you not recall fleeing from me earlier today in the training room?” I retorted. Nicolias, sensing the tension, stepped aside, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender.
“She’s all yours, Brose. This is between you two. I’m heading inside.”
Ambrose’s frustration was palpable. “I told you to stay put. Why won’t you listen to me?”
I met his gaze defiantly. “We went for a ride. I don’t see any harm in that. What’s the problem?”
He sighed, his concern evident. “The problem is you’re my responsibility, and I can’t have you wandering off. You’re not in Sagaya anymore; you’re in Faerie. I have enemies, Jayne. Enemies who would gladly see you tortured.” The mention of enemies made me think of my encounter with Ronan. Was he one of Ambrose’s adversaries? I wanted to ask him, but this was a battle I wasn’t prepared to back down from.
“I’m not your responsibility, Ambrose,” I asserted. “Once we’ve done what’s necessary to help Jesse, I’ll be on my way, and you won’t have to concern yourself with me any longer.” With that, I spun to walk away, but Ambrose reached for my hand, pulling me back.
“Is that what you think I want?” Ambrose’s eyebrows furrowed, holding my gaze. I couldn’t bear to look at him and averted my eyes, yet his voice turned soft and demanding. “Look at me, Jayne!” Reluctantly, I obeyed. I was the reason Jesse wasn’t here. If Ambrose hadn’t come to find me, he would have made it to Jesse in time.
“You think I want you out of my life?” he asked, his voice gentle.
I sighed. “Oh, come on, Ambrose. I’ve been nothing but a nuisance to you ever since I arrived. You’ve made it abundantly clear. I don’t want to be more of a burden than necessary, I assure you.” I turned away from him again.
“Jayne!” he called, and I slumped my shoulders.
Wearily, I replied, “I’m tired, Ambrose. I need a bath and a good night’s rest. Please.” As I walked away, Ambrose yelled again, and I halted. Beastly paused with me.
“I saw you tonight,” Ambrose continued. “I was in the library, reading a book, and then out of nowhere, a memory appeared. You were there, and it was like it had just happened…” I remained with my back still to him, absorbing his words. “It was the winter solstice celebration,” Ambrose said, his voice carrying the weight of a distant memory. “I saw you from across the room, laughing with your sister. You looked so happy. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from you.” He paused, lost in the recollection. “You were there, standing next to her one moment, and then you disappeared. Vanished into thin air. I couldn’t fathom it. I mean, I didn’t take my eyes off you. You were the most exquisite woman I had ever seen in all my years, and I lost you in the blink of an eye.”
Ambrose’s words caught me by surprise. He had thought I was beautiful.
“I searched but couldn’t find you, and then you were there, on the floor, and I ran over to help you up.” He stood behind me now. I felt his warm breath on the back of my neck as he trailed his finger along the fresh red marks on my arm from the fall. “When you looked at me, I remember thinking that if tonight was the last night of my existence, it would have been okay. I would have left this earth fulfilled.” He rasped. “And then you left. As soon as you fell into my arms, you disappeared, and I let you. Like a fool, I let you go.”
“After that night, I attended every damn ball and celebration for years, searching for you,” Ambrose continued, his voice filled with emotion. “There was no trace of you. It was as if you didn’t exist, as if I had imagined it all—imagined you. I convinced myself I was going insane and hallucinated that night eighty years ago. I lost all hope of ever finding you. I tried to move on and forget about you.” Ambrose paused, his eyes distant. “But then, one day, I crossed over into the mortal lands on a mission, and I heard a scream—a gut-wrenching scream. I ran as fast as I could, fearing I was too late. When I reached you, I was just in time to save you from that despicable soldier. I watched you lower your hood and point your arrow at me, and I knew it was you, but I knew you had no idea who I was,” Ambrose confessed. I could hardly breathe.
“Ambrose,” I whispered.
“I wasn’t going to let you disappear from my life again, Jayne. If you think you’re a burden to me, you’re sorely mistaken.”
I turned to face him, my heart pounding. I had unmistakably caused a ripple in time, and for the first time since arriving here, I knew something was incredibly wrong. I had inserted myself into his past, and I had now become part of his future. My emotions were in turmoil, and he was a prince. I didn’t know what that meant for us.
“Ambrose, I…” The words stuck in my throat, and a flood of memories rushed in. It was Ronan’s face, the warmth of his body against mine at the ball, the moments in the Tavern. I staggered back, overwhelmed by the memories taking hold.
“Is everything all right out here?” Brennan peered around the corner, likely checking we hadn’t killed each other yet. “Excuse me for interrupting, but could I speak with you for a moment, Ambrose? It’s quite urgent.”
Ambrose nodded in acknowledgment yet slumped as if weighed down by an invisible burden. He sighed, his eyes reflecting both fatigue and resignation. He reached across me, his hand grazing mine as he gently took Beastly from my care. “I’ll put him away. Get some rest, Jayne,” he whispered, leaning in to place a tender kiss on my forehead.
I stood as Ambrose turned away from me, the moonlight casting a silvery sheen over Beastly’s sleek muscles. Rest was the last thing on my mind tonight, but for once, I did as I was asked.
Morning broke, and sunlight roused me awake, brushing my cheekbones. Instead of welcoming it, I wished it away with a groan and buried my face in the blankets. I longed to hide here a while longer. The weight of the past few weeks felt like an overwhelming burden. Sleep had eluded me last night, and I had alternated between pacing and lying on my bed, fixated on the ceiling. I felt like a coward after the way I left things with Ambrose, yet I felt adrift and vulnerable, remembering how I felt when Ronan had walked away. These unresolved emotions pressed heavily on my heart and mind, refusing to relent.
When I got to the kitchen, I was surprised to see Arnica had arrived before me. She was quieter than usual, but her smile, though subtle, radiated warmth as she welcomed me. Lillian sat beside her, ordering a collection of small amber bottles. Today, she wore crimson-red lipstick with tight-fitting leathers and had pulled back her jet-black hair.
“Oh, you’re awake! Perfect! I want you to try this,” Lillian exclaimed, extending a vial toward me. I recalled the concoction she had prepared for me during my training with Nicolias.
“What’s this for?” I asked, inspecting the thick green substance.
“Don’t worry, it’s just a healing ointment. You don’t have to drink it. Just apply a couple of drops to your skin, and you’ll be back to normal,” she said, gesturing at the grazes on my arm.
I turned to Arnica for some guidance, but she just shrugged. Fuelled by curiosity, I squeezed three green drops onto my bare shoulder before rubbing it into my arm. Almost immediately, a comforting warmth spread over my skin, accompanied by a faint, tingly sensation. I gaped as the pink and bloody cuts faded, returning to the smooth surface it once was.
“How did you know?” I asked, still in awe of my rapid healing.
“Ambrose asked me to visit your rooms this morning with some healing herbs. I was just on my way to come see you, but it seemed you beat me to it,” Lillian replied with a playful smirk.
“Thank you, Lillian.” I leaned over and squeezed her hand, marvelling at my arm once more.
“You’re welcome.” She returned to the countertop and began packing the bottles back into her case. “I have one more thing for you,” she said, leaning down to retrieve something beside her. When she straightened, she held my bow and arrows.
“Oh my goodness,” I squealed, looking at her. “I thought they were gone! How did you—?” She handed them to me, and I placed them gently in my lap, tracing the worn, tattered leather.
“It was Ambrose, actually…” Her voice trailed off. “When he and Kaelan went back to Sagaya to get Arnica, he retrieved them for you.”
I stared at her, utterly bewildered. I didn’t know what to say. I cleared my throat and lowered my voice. “Where is everyone this morning?”
“He’s in the meeting room,” Lillian whispered, a mischievous glint in her eye. “We’ve had some unexpected visitors today, so it’s my job to keep you two occupied.” She winked, hinting at something more intriguing that told of more than just an ordinary day.
Out of sight is what she really meant. I couldn’t help but wonder who these mysterious visitors may be and why—and how—they made it here unannounced. The curious side of me wanted to go investigate, yet the sensible side forced me to behave today.
“Let’s get out of here. Would you guys like to join me for a walk around the land? I need to collect a few things,” Lillian suggested.
“Of course,” I said enthusiastically.
Since I had arrived in Faerie, the days had passed so quickly that I had spent little time with Lillian. She was always in the background, there one minute and gone the next, preparing for the mission with the others. I had hoped to catch her a few times, but I never seemed to get the chance. I grabbed my arrows, slinging them over my shoulder.
Arnica stood, yet her balance wavered. I rushed towards her, but before I reached her, Lillian intercepted, steadying her shoulders.
“Are you okay?” Lillian asked, concerned.
“Yes, I’m fine. I’m just feeling a little tired, that’s all,” Arnica replied, her weariness evident.
“Water!” Lillian called to no one in particular. Almost instantly, a glass of water materialised before us. “Have a sip, please,” she instructed, and Arnica obeyed, lifting the glass to her lips. As she took a small sip, I couldn’t help but notice her dry and cracked lips and her paler-than-usual complexion. Lillian rested her hand on Arnica’s forehead.
“When was the last time you were submerged in water?” Lillian asked, concerned. Arnica responded wearily as if she had expected the question.
“It’s been nine days.”
“Nine days!” Lillian scowled. It had been exactly nine days since the attack that forced us to flee. “Why didn’t you tell us? A water-wielder who hasn’t been submerged in water for nine days! No wonder you’re feeling unwell. We need to get her to the river. Come now. Jayne, help me get her up.”
Lillian draped an arm around Arnica, and I mirrored the gesture on the other side. Together, we helped Arnica to her feet and followed Lillian out onto the balcony, the same one where I had first transported out of the manor with Nicolias. I gaze at the ice-tipped mountains as my boots slid on the icy ground.
“Just being out here will help, Arnica. Focus on drawing the elements from the damp air around you,” Lillian advised, looking at me. Closing her eyes, Arnica took deep breaths, releasing condensation as she exhaled.
Lillian leaned over the balcony until her expression settled, locating what she sought: a small latch revealing a staircase descending to the ground. She glanced at me and nodded.
“Shall I inform one of the others that we’re leaving?”
“They’re occupied, and this is urgent. We’ll be back before they even notice we’ve gone.” Lillian replied, determined.
Descending the staircase, with Arnica resting on my arm, I focused on each step, resisting the urge to glance over the edge. The height was dizzying, but we reached the bottom quicker than I anticipated. Lillian led the way, her purposeful stride guiding us along a pathway reminiscent of the one we had traversed with Brennan the previous night.
“We’re almost there,” she announced.
When the sound of running water reached my ears, a sense of relief washed over me as we approached the riverbank. Arnica knelt beside me and retched, splattering my pants and boots. She raised her finger as if she wanted to say something, but couldn’t hold back another wave of nausea.
“Oh, Jaynie. I’m so sorry,” she croaked, hugging her stomach.
“It’s okay,” I said, kicking the remnants of sick from my boots.
“Come on. Let’s get her to the water.” Lillian guided us through the small valley, where golden sunlight filtered through the forest canopy, filling the air with a citrusy scent. I couldn’t help but appreciate the warmer weather, gladly welcoming the balmy heat enveloping us.
“We must be quiet; we’re close to the border’s edge,” Lillian cautioned.
I didn’t need to guess we were now dancing along the edge of the Summer Court’s territory. It was clear by the sound of trickling water as we approached the riverbank. I wondered how far we had journeyed from the manor as we arrived at the embankment, the smooth stones slick and slippery beneath our feet.
Arnica was clearly thrilled with our destination, beaming from ear to ear. She pointed to the body of water and directed her question to Lillian. “Can I?” she asked, glancing at the stream. “Is it safe?”
Large boulders and rocks shielded the stream, hiding it from sight. I wondered if it was home to any of the creatures Brennan had mentioned the last time we were near water. Arnica unfastened her laces.
“I used to come here when I was a child,” Lillian admitted as I recalled the enchanting lullaby from the singing sirens that serenaded us by the river. “It’s perfectly safe. This place is secluded, and it’s one of the few hidden streams that don’t flow into a larger body of water. The only creatures I’ve seen here are the deer and goats that occasionally come for a drink.”
Arnica wasted no time shedding her remaining clothes before diving in. The water parted in eager welcome, and the pool’s depth became apparent as she disappeared beneath the surface. A considerable amount of time passed before she resurfaced. I held my breath as I watched her submerge again, knowing it would be a while before she returned. Deciding to join her, I removed my quiver, tunic, and boots, and placed them by a nearby tree. I rolled up my tights as far as they would allow and dipped my feet into the water.
“Fae with water abilities become vulnerable when they are away from water for an extended period. They weaken and lose their strength. If Arnica had waited another day or two, she would have found it very difficult to use her powers and might have weakened further still. It’s good for her to stay in the water as long as she can. It will replenish her powers and make her stronger. Don’t worry if she stays under longer than usual,” Lillian explained, sitting beside me.
“I had no idea, Lillian. Where we lived, there was a lake nearby, and she visited it every day. I guess she was never away from water for longer than a few hours,” I admitted, looking at her with genuine gratitude. Every time I was with Lillian, I found myself thanking her for one thing or another. She was kind and thoughtful, possessing qualities I had not expected in a princess. “Thank you for recognising the signs and bringing her here.”
Lillian leaned back on her hands, turning her face toward the sun. “It feels good to be here, doesn’t it?”
“It does,” I replied, relaxing and opening my senses to the serene surroundings. “But you’re from the Winter Court. Shouldn’t you be, I don’t know, appalled by the change in climate?”
“Our bodies can regulate temperature, so although we feel the shift in weather, we adapt quickly.” Lillian looked radiant in the sunlight, her porcelain skin seeming to shimmer against the water’s ripples. “I belong to the Winter Court; it’s a part of me. But when I’m here, I enjoy the calmness the Summer Court brings. It’s soothing. When I was a child, I came here often,” she revealed, her voice carrying a hint of nostalgia. “I would sneak away when I felt overwhelmed by my duties.”
I pictured her as a child, sitting on the dias, dressed from head to toe in regal attire, with a tiara atop her head. She’d sat with perfect poise, her legs crossed and arms folded, like a doll trained into submission. Looking at her now, years later, as a princess and the Lady of the Winter Court, I got the sense that, despite the passage of time, she was still that girl caught between who she was and who she was expected to be. I looked around at the hidden space that was her sanctuary, her safe place, where she came to be alone. To just be.
“See over there?” She pointed to a lush green plant, its leafy stems climbing into tree canopies and clinging onto rootlets that burst with bluish-purple berries. “That’s the Hedera Helix Ivy. That was the main ingredient in your healing ointment this morning. Oak, willow, violet, fern, lavender, and gardenia. Anything I ever need is here. I call it The Lilly Garden,” she laughed.
Arnica emerged from the water, and I shifted my attention from Lillian.
“Jaynie, this is incredible!” Arnica exclaimed, grinning. She gave me a playful wave before diving back below the water’s surface.
I sighed deeply, calmed by the soothing scent of the lavender. I wiggled my toes, relishing the sensation of the cool water, and allowed my mind to wander. Lillian observed me, her eyes filled with curious intrigue.
“You look troubled, Jayne. Tell me, is something bothering you?”
I hesitated before answering. “Actually, Lillian, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you. Have you ever come across a fae by the name of Ronan?” As soon as I mentioned him, her face turned ashen, a look of shock washing over her previously relaxed features.
“When did you hear that name?” she asked urgently. The recognition was clear in her eyes. I opened my mouth to explain, but before I could, an eerie, unearthly growl emanated from the forest’s depths, its vibrations sending shivers down my spine. Lillian’s eyes widened, and she leaned closer, placing a hand on my thigh while pressing the other hand to her lips, urging me to stay silent. A surge of fear coursed through me, mirroring hers. My heart quickened as I stared at the water, desperately seeking Arnica, who remained submerged beneath its surface. I willed myself to stay calm.
In my thoughts, I silently called to Arnica, “ Stay beneath the water !” I begged. “ Stay under the water for as long as you possibly can. ”
A tree branch snapped, and a powerful, feline-like limb emerged from the underbrush, rustling the leaves. Lillian rose to her feet with deliberate slowness, fixated on the emerging threat. She signalled for me to do the same as her hand inched toward her dagger, drawing it silently from its sheath. Lillian’s movements were a testament to her preparedness for the lurking danger.
I kept my gaze locked on her, awaiting her cue. The tension in the air was palpable. A single drop of perspiration slid down the side of my face as I watched her, ready to act. Lillian inhaled, and when her features tightened, I knew she had caught the scent of something familiar.
“Yarristaga,” she uttered, her tone hushed. “The creature is blind. It’s drawn to sound and movement.”
The beast lowered itself to the ground, and I held my breath as its head poked through the foliage. Slowly, it emerged from the underbrush, its towering form commanding our full attention. I gasped when the creature came into full view. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from its powerful, muscular physique or its yellow-brown coat and mane swaying in the breeze. Its long, serpent-like tail sliced the air as a high-pitched, deadly squeal escaped the creature’s mouth. It displayed its sharp teeth in warning.
I urged my hands to stay by my sides, even though I felt the heat inside me building. It tapped its giant claws and screeched as it slinked over the rock bed toward us, trying to grip the uneven surface. The creature halted and sniffed the air, taking in our scent. Its thirst for blood became more apparent as foam and froth formed at the corners of its mouth. My eyes darted to my bow on the ground beside my clothing—out of reach. A small whimper escaped my lips, and I quickly covered my mouth.
“Stay still,” Lillian mouthed. I did as she said, not daring to move an inch.
The creature advanced steadily, its unwavering focus solely on me. Even though it appeared to have nothing except narrow slits for eyes, I sensed its piercing gaze.
“Oh, by the gods,” I shuddered, stepping back. My ankle twisted on the uneven ground just as another Yarristaga materialised from the underbrush, as if summoned out of thin air. It released a deep, menacing growl.
“Damn it,” Lillian cursed.
Swiftly readying her weapon and stance, she nodded in my direction. We needed to act. “Now!”
The moment the word left her lips, I sprinted. In a matter of seconds, I hit the muddy ground with a thud, desperately trying to keep my balance. I glanced up at the nearest Yarristaga as it lunged. I rolled away from its attack as Lillian hurled her dagger, piercing the Yarristaga’s side. The creature shrieked and thrashed its tail, but Lillian didn’t hesitate. She darted towards the wounded beast, retrieved her bloody blade, and charged at the other. I didn’t wait to see what she did next. Instead, I picked myself up from the ground and darted for my bow.
The ground trembled beneath me as the enraged creature roared and thrashed behind me.
“Hey, up here!” I looked up to find Arnica standing on a boulder on the edge of the stream. The Yarristaga turned its head from me to her. Suddenly, two monstrous wings unfurled from its back, furiously flapping its brown, ruffled feathers.
Arnica held her hand above the water before thrusting a mighty stream at the creature’s chest. It staggered back, grappling with the water’s relentless power. Still, it refused to yield. With tremendous determination, the beast anchored its talons into the ground, pushing back with all its strength.
Staying low, I reached for my crossbow and nocked an arrow, aligning my aim. I paused, observing the scene.
“That’s it!” The water separated into two streams, twirling and intertwining like a knotted rope as it coiled around the creature, forming a makeshift collar around its neck. Arnica tried to hold the beast back and keep it away from me, pushing with all her might while trying to maintain her stance. She staggered back.
“Arnica!” I drew in a deep breath and concentrated on my inner warmth. I summoned the power writhing within me before releasing my first arrow mid-leap at the creature. The arrowhead erupted in sparks of amber, a scorching, fiery blaze that struck the Yarristaga’s tail. A deep, bellowing cry left its mouth.
I felt its anger as raw fury engaged its features. The creature charged at me, but I was faster. I leaped over it, narrowly avoiding its spiked tail and clawed paw overhead. I landed, staggering.
It whirled with such speed I had no time to regain my footing. I quickly ducked, but I was a second too slow as its tail knocked me to the ground.
“No!” I reached for the bow, tumbling from my hands.
“Jayne, catch!” From across the distance, Lillian’s voice cut through the air as she sent a dagger spinning towards me. The weapon flew with precision, and as it glided through the air, the resplendent gold snake engraving on its handle caught the light, sending a flash of recognition on my face. An urgent cry escaped me as I leapt toward it, catching it by the hilt with one hand.
When the Yarristaga charged at me again, I stood my ground.
Baring my teeth, I taunted, “You want me? Come and get me!” I allowed the monstrous creature closer, its mouth opening to reveal rows of sharp teeth. As its gaping jaws loomed over me, I crouched, thrusting the iron dagger deep into its chest. In that heart-stopping moment, the creature’s soulless, obsidian eye sockets found me, as if it was truly seeing me for the first time. Yet, there was no connection to be made for, in the blink of an eye, the beast’s once-mighty form fell to the ground, limp and lifeless at my feet.