Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
“ J ayne, are you alright?” Arnica sprinted toward me. I nodded, glancing at Lillian. She was covered in blood, and her chest rose and fell with rapid breaths. I felt my panic rise before I spotted the other Yarristaga impaled into a tree, with a sword in its head and a dagger in its chest. She killed it.
I could hear my own heartbeat pounding through my chest as I asked, voice trembling, “Where on earth did those creatures come from?”
Lillian raised her hand to silence me before facing the surrounding forest. Her grip was unwavering on her blade, and the deafening silence sent my heart racing. I silently pleaded for it to slow down.
She turned her head abruptly, seemingly confused. “Yarristaga,” she mumbled, more to herself than to us. She shook her head in disbelief. “Gather your things immediately!”
Arnica hastily reached for her clothing, and only then did I realise she had been standing before us in nothing but her undergarments. She swiftly dressed, pulling on her tights and breeches. I collected our boots and stowed them in the pack, choosing not to waste time putting them on—that could wait.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
A dark figure stepped forward, bringing his hands together in slow applause. A sinister humour glimmered in his striking steel-grey eyes as he assessed the three of us. Had he been watching us the whole time? I raised my dagger, my gaze shifting to Lillian, who still had her eyes fixed ahead.
“I dare say I am very impressed, Princess Lillian.” He bowed with a vicious grin. “I can see you have befriended two little halflings. How sweet of you! And your brother bringing them to Faerie?” He paused. “Hmm, that was very naughty of him.” He raised a long, slender finger in the air; the sleeve of his black coat cascaded with it, his pale skin almost glistening in the sunlight.
“Geoffrey,” Lillian spat. Clearly, Lillian was well-acquainted with this enigmatic High Lord. I had heard that name before. Ronan had warned me about him, the one who was coming for me. Discreetly, I lifted my fingers to the hearthstone, slipping the necklace beneath my clothing.
“Do tell me, how are your parents, Princess? Are they well?” His tongue rolled with his words, his voice holding the weight of someone used to being obeyed.
“How dare you speak of them, you—” She lunged, but a simple flick of his wrist had her suspended midair. I ran toward her, only to be frozen, too, my bones and muscles stiffening into place. I fought to move but was trapped in the same invisible hold, like an icy hand had clamped down on my very essence, rendering me immobile.
I watched Arnica lift her blade. “Tsk, tsk,” he warned. She glanced at Lillian and then at me. I pleaded with her through my eyes, urging her to yield. She did. Holding one hand in the air, she lowered her weapon.
“Good girl. I can see you’ve received the gifts I sent you.” He gestured to the dead Yarristaga. “It’s too bad, really. I was hoping not to have to get my hands dirty.” He examined his hands as if searching for traces of dirt beneath his nails. Lillian screeched as she attempted to speak, her words muffled by his enchantment. Shimmering ripples of magical energy swirled around her, coiling like ethereal tendrils around her throat. She fought fiercely against the unseen restraint.
“Stop it!” I yelled, “You’re hurting her!” His response was a sinister chuckle as he regarded me with a cold, calculating gaze. “What is it you want?”
“Oh, yes. Thank you for asking. I was starting to think we’d just stare at each other all day and stand here, playing games, but alas, we are getting somewhere!” He stepped forward and pressed his lips together before pointing at me. “My dear, I am here for you.” Lillian jolted again, and I felt the blood drain from my face. “We have been looking for you for a very long time.”
Arnica stepped forward, her body blocking mine. “What is it you want with my sister?”
“Oh, and you must be the formidable Arnica. Your sister,” he drawled, locking his gaze to where my necklace lay hidden beneath my shirt, “possesses something of great value, something that the King desires.” He glanced around with evident disdain. “Unfortunately, as much as I detest it here, I’ve returned to Faerie to retrieve it. He has charged me with this task, and the mortal king always gets what he desires, and it is my duty to ensure it. You see, we were told your brother was the one who possessed the Hearthstone, but it seems he has found a way to rewrite destiny.” Arnica glanced over her shoulder at me, and I stared at her, my eyes wide, pleading for her to retreat—to run.
Lillian thrashed against the invisible bonds holding her captive. Sweat beaded on her forehead as she strained against the magic, desperation flickering in her eyes. I gripped the bloody dagger in my hand. “Where is my brother?”
Geoffrey stepped closer, his eyes narrowing with a blend of amusement and irritation. His tall frame cast a shadow over me, and the slight smirk tugging at the corner of his lips betrayed his otherwise stern expression. He ran a hand through his sleek dark hair, a gesture that seemed more for show than necessity. The glint in his eyes was sharp and calculating, as if he were three steps ahead in a game only he knew the rules to.
I looked down at the dead creature on the floor. “Did you intend to kill us?” I asked.
“Kill you?” He threw back his head. “No, no, don’t be silly! Where’s the fun in that? I desperately needed some entertainment.” He rolled his eyes as if this very conversation bored him.
“I won’t let you take her.” Arnica’s voice crackled as she stood resolute in her place.
“My, aren’t you a brave one?” He smiled, and his lips peeled back. He ran his tongue along the tips of his teeth. The way he stared at her unsettled me. His sickly and frail greyish undertone became more pronounced as he neared her.
“Leave her alone,” I warned. “If your quarrel is with me, then I will go with you willingly.”
“Well, it seems one of you has a thread of common sense.” Lillian jolted again, straining against the invisible bindings. She shook her head, groaning, the effort clearly causing her pain. Her silent plea was clear. Don’t do this, Jayne .
I didn’t have a choice; I couldn’t bear to see any harm come to either her or my sister. Geoffrey would deliver me to the king. This was my chance to get close to Jesse and offer my life for his.
“I will go with you.” Geoffrey looked at Arnica, though dismissed her like she were nothing more than a bothersome weed.
“I said I will go with you!” I repeated loudly, shifting his attention away from my sister.
He sneered, “I heard you the first time, girl!”
“You must leave them both unharmed. Do you understand?”
Geoffrey nodded and rolled his eyes. “Fine, fine.” He casually strolled over to where the Yarristaga lay, then reached down to unfasten the chain from its neck. Holding it up in the palm of his hand, he examined it.
“That was rather straightforward,” he remarked, tossing it into the air and catching it casually. “This has been quite pleasant, but it’s time to bid farewell.”
“No!” Arnica reached for me, and I forced my hand to meet her halfway, enduring the intense agony shooting through my arm like blades cutting into my skin. I hoped she would grasp it in time. A whirlwind of thoughts raced through my mind, but I pushed them all aside, focusing on a single message for her, a directive to convey to the others.
“Tell them not to come for me. I will get Jesse out,” I said, my words resolute. Tears welled in Arnica’s eyes; she didn’t need to read my thoughts to understand my meaning. We had communicated like this our entire lives. She knew I was going to sacrifice my life. The look in her eyes held a note of understanding and an unspoken plea for me to find another way. But we both knew there wasn’t one. We had run out of time.
“I love you,” I managed to say before I was ripped away from her grip, disappearing with Geoffrey through a portal.