Chapter 9
CHAPTER NINE
I pressed my back against the door I had just slammed in the Dark Fae’s face, and all the air escaped my lungs in a whoosh. I couldn’t hear any movement outside. Resting my hand over my racing heart, I glanced around the room for something I could use as a weapon and tried to plot my next move. In the far corner was the water pi-
“You do realize you left the window open, right?” A deep voice rumbled to my left, and I spun towards the sound, a squeak that’s never before escaped my lips slipping out.
“Don’t come any closer!” I warned, running for the water pitcher and raising it over my head. I reached for my magic, holding it at the ready even as it roiled in rebellion. I gritted my teeth and ignored it, instead staring down the Dark Fae. I couldn’t let him know I was struggling with my magic.
He simply stood in the window and sneered at me. “A water pitcher? What do you think a water pitcher could protect you from?”
“Come any closer and I will smash it over your head!” I shook it threateningly and refused to back down. This - this - murderer had killed my Waren. Anger filled the edges of my vision as adrenaline fueled my body, lending it strength in case it was needed. I wasn’t going to allow him to get away with what he’d done.
He cocked his head as he watched me threaten him, nonplussed.
Just as I was contemplating throwing this damn pitcher at him on general principle, the scent of ozone wafted under my nose, and I barely resisted the urge to sneeze at the smell. What could have - splash!
Ruhan’s magic split open the pitcher I was holding above my head, all the water that was in it now covering me like a second skin. I stared at the broken pieces lingering in my hands. I realized I had never seen another person perform magic so brazenly before. I looked into the dark, sullen eyes of the Dark Fae, and a frozen hand seemed to wrap around my spine. What sort of power did he possess?
Dark laughter pebbled my chilled skin, and the sound enraged my magic. I threw the pitcher pieces as hard as I could at his head.
The bastard didn’t even flinch as his magic caught the shards in mid air, leaving them to flaunt in the air between us.
My magic roiled harder in response, and I frantically clutched at it, trying to keep it under some semblance of control as I could feel it pressing against my skin, desperate to come out. It was overwhelming.
“Anything else you’d like to throw my way? Yourself, perhaps? I admit I do enjoy the taste of a fair maiden,” he mocked, grinning lasciviously.
My magic snapped free of my control and rushed at the Dark Fae.
With a muffled curse, he flung his arms up to block the onslaught, and our magic collided. My breath left me at the force of it, and giving in to the urge, I pushed my magic harder still. Our magic’s mixed and mingled as we fought one another, intent on harming the other. The air turned humid, and the scent of gingerbread and ozone mixed into a heady smell that calmed my magic enough that I was able to wrest control back.
I grabbed ahold of my magic and coaxed it into a weapon that could hurt the Dark Fae. Begrudgingly, it seemed to finally comply, and I hurled it at him with as much force as I could muster.
The house shook.
I opened my eyes, unsure when I closed them, to see the Dark Fae still standing there, clothes smoking slightly. How was he able to still be standing after being hit with that amount of power? I wasn’t sure I had ever been able to summon magic that powerful.
We stared at each other for a few moments longer, panting, before he casually turned around and began walking off.
“I’ll tell the council you’re indisposed until tomorrow,” he threw over his shoulder. “Don’t get lost - there are creatures here with an iron stomach - enough to eat even you.”
What. An. Asshole!
My anger overrode my fear long enough for me to shout after him, “At least being eaten by a forest creature is an honest death! I’d rather one of them kill me than your famed Morgenstern!”
“Be grateful I never came after you,” he threw over his shoulder, not even pausing his footsteps.
I listened as he walked off, holding my breath until he was out of earshot. That was too close. I couldn’t best him with magic, especially with my magic still acting up, so I would just have to be smarter.
Reaching into my pocket, my hidden crystal warmed in my hand, reminding me I had options. If I could somehow capture the Dark Fae, would that be enough to earn the King’s favor? My heart warmed to the thought.
Maybe, just maybe, it would earn enough favor for him to allow me to see my Mutti again.
I sagged against the door and looked out at the sunset. I didn’t think I’d be getting much sleep tonight.
As the first rays of sunrise began to kiss the window frame, I crouched steady, prepared. No way was I going to let that evil hearted monster get the best of me again.
“How has your magic felt, today?” Fiach whispered. Or rather, asked as quietly as a raven can.
“Shush!” I flicked his feathers in a reminder to not divert my focus.
He ruffled his feathers, but remained quiet.
Too quiet.
I squinted my eyes at him, and he gazed back at me innocently. I silently dared him, and he reached out to snap my poor little nose with his beak. My eyes watered as I rubbed the offended appendage. No wonder the Fae yesterday had reacted so strongly to Fiach dive bombing them. That hurt!
Before our small squabble could devolve further, we both perked up at the sound of footsteps. In sync, Fiach and I got back into our positions and settled down.
I wouldn’t let the Dark Fae catch me unawares this time.
The crunching of leaves underfoot slowly grew louder, and I struggled to not let my impatience get the best of me. Breathing deeply, I let the feel of the wood in my hands center me, calming my nerves.
Finally, the footsteps were at my door.
“Yeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaawww!”
I swung with all my might and felt the wood connect with flesh. I got him! My euphoria bore me up, and my elation knew no bounds. How many of the King’s soldiers had tried to best the Dark Fae, yet it was I that had finally succeeded!
“What the verdak were you thinking?” Arend roared at me.
I looked down at my prize and horror froze me in its cold grip. That - that wasn’t the Dark Fae I had just taken down.
“Matteo! I’m so sorry! Are you okay?” Frantically, I bent down to determine the severity of his injury.
“Of course he’s not okay! You just tried to bash his skull in!”
“I’m so sorry! I thought he - you - I thought the Dark Fae was coming.”
Arend glared at me, peeved. “Ruhan? What’s he ever done to you?”
I waved him off and again asked Matteo if he was okay.
He mumbled something unintelligently, and my conscience twinged.
As his eyes struggled to focus, I reached for my magic, begging it to work with me right now. It was sluggish to respond, but I kept pulling, coaxing. My magic continued to resist, growing sharper, and I worried I might do more harm than good. I huffed in frustration. This wasn’t working!
Arend growled and pushed me out of the way. His own magic responded obediently, and I could only watch helplessly. A few moments more, and Matteo finally began to stir. “Don’t try to sit up too soon.” Arend warned.
“I’m so sorry, Matteo! I didn’t know it was you.”
“Maybe give him a moment to catch his breath before you begin pestering him,” Arend grumped.
Guiltily, I sat back and gave both males some space. I couldn’t tear my eyes from the trail of blood down the side of Matteo’s face where my tree branch had connected with his temple. I had done that. Had he been human, I’m not sure he would have survived the blow. I winced, even if my magic didn’t currently have an attitude, I wasn’t sure it would have been enough to save him. Gratefully, I glanced at Arend as he tended to his friend.
I had been prepared to take a life. The realization sank like a weight on my chest. That wasn’t who I was; that wasn’t who I wanted to be. I was a human graced with healing magic. I was supposed to heal, not destroy. That was my purpose.
How had I sunk so far?
Numbly I sat back as I contemplated the past few days, absentmindedly brushing Fiach’s feathers. My Mutti had always said that our circumstances may shape us, but it was our choices that truly define us. If she were here now, I doubt she’d be very proud of my actions as of late.
Yet, I also couldn’t shake the desire, the need for revenge. Waren deserved as much, didn’t he?
Oblivious to my inner turmoil, Matteo finally got to his feet. Rubbing his head he turned to me. “Where did you learn to hit like that?”
Did - did he sound amused? I almost just killed him, and he’s acting like we’ve just had a lovely forest picnic. “I-I would be by myself most of the day, so I learned to chop wood and do all the chores around the house.” I shrugged, still flustered, and accidentally unseating Fiach. I sent him a silent apology, which he ignored, instead flying to sit on the windowsill.
Still rubbing his head, his face turned contemplative. “Did you-“ he shook his head, “Nevermind. Aldric sent us to bring you to the council meeting. Ruhan said something about you preferring us to get you? I think I’m starting to see why,” he smirked.
“Ruhan is the best of us. Why do you have a problem with him?” Arend interjected.
I straightened my shoulders. Against all odds, I actually liked Matteo, and grumpy and terse as Arend was, I even liked him too. I didn’t want to insult them, but if they respected this Ruhan as they called him, then that was something we could never agree on. “He has a lot to pay for,” is all I ended up saying.
Both male’s eyebrows shot up.
“If it’s because of Ruhan’s reputation-”
“You said Aldric wanted me to go to the council meeting?”
Matteo signed, and Arend rolled his eyes. Arend turned around and began walking in the direction of the village, Matteo and I following along.
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