Chapter 9
Iawoke to an empty bed. I rolled onto my back and smiled, grazing my fingers across my lips, remembering how his mouth felt pressed against mine. Was I falling for him? No, I couldn’t be. I wasn’t going to be stuck here as his sex slave. Though, I wondered what type of lover he was. Was he gentle and soft, or hard and selfish?
My inside lit up at the thought of our bodies pressed against each other. I closed my eyes, stretching myself along the bed, playing different fantasies through my head of how it would feel to be consumed by him. Maybe I could just have him once before I took Lilian back to the Frey.
“Sleeping in the bed now, are we?” Levos stood at the door.
I popped up, grabbing the covers around me. “Why can’t you figure out how to knock?”
“Why would I? I find you in the most interesting situations when you think no one is watching.” He closed the door, came over to the bed and laid down next to me. “So, last night was a success? I’m assuming so since you still have that pretty, little head of yours.”
I grabbed a pillow and hit him in the face.
He laughed, swatting me away.
“I told him everything,” I confessed. “Though it was hit and miss for a second, he agreed to help with Lilian, and he doesn’t care that I am a half-breed.” I grinned, uncontrollably.
“Oh, sweetheart. Are you falling for him?” Levos smiled at me.
“I…I don’t want to talk about that.” I got out of the bed and headed to the armoire. Levos grabbed me around my waist, turning me to face him.
“Oh no you don’t. Why were you in his bed, hmm?”
“We just slept next to each other, that is all. And I may have kissed him. And I also may have liked it. A little too much,” I confessed.
Levos laughed, shaking his head. “Well, it looks like life has turned in your favor, sweet Genevieve.”
I smiled at him, bracing against the wall. “Levos, I can’t fall for him. What life is this? I would only be his mistress. Only something he would use for pleasure. He would still have to sleep with Princess Daealla to conceive an heir, and if he got bored of me, he could throw me away, or take another. I would be trapped, unable to have a family of my own or a new lover.” I paused, taking a moment to focus myself. “This wasn’t part of the plan. This wasn’t supposed to happen.”
“This sounds like something you should be talking to Gaelin about, sweetheart, not me. For what it's worth, you would be safe and cared for here. That’s more than you could say if you were still in The Frey.”
I nodded, knowing he was right. I chewed on my bottom lip trying to force my thoughts away from Gaelin. “Talk to me about something to distract me for now. Tell me about the dark court. I want to know everything,” I said, moving to the bathroom to change.
“With Gaelin gone, we do have time to get you up to date on the courts. Alright, where to begin? I guess it begins with the gods. Freyr is the alfar’s creator. Originally, he arrived in the kingdom of Asgard as a hostage, but he soon became a friend with the gods and then shortly after one of them. He looked down upon our mortal race and found us beautiful and honorable. We treated our world with love and respect. We tended to the fields and saw every creature and living thing as something to be cherished and protected. Freyr and Frigga granted us the gift of immortality, and the gift of nature and magic to continue to bring beauty into the world.
“This lasted for centuries. We would often have interactions with the Norse gods and goddesses. Our powers began to grow, and with time no longer an obstacle, we brought in the Golden Age. We crafted magnificent architecture, art, music, inventions. Everyone lived peacefully, no matter what race you were. We thrived, and in a way, became God-like.
“When the humans’ Christian god exiled Lucifer and a third of his angels from heaven, that is when everything changed. The demons ravaged our world, killing, possessing, eating, and laying waste to everyone and everything. The alfar weren’t warriors. We had never had to fight. We were farmers and philosophers. We weren’t ready for what was to come.
“Since the demons were celestial beings, nothing we had killed them. We could cut them down, dismember them, burn them, and yet they would still come back. They descended on this world like it was their very own buffet for the taking. Not wanting to get their hands dirty, the Norse gods broke the Bifrost gate, severing our physical connection between the two worlds.
“We were on our own and we were desperate. After decades of war our most revered general, Maleki Drezmore, refused to continue the endless cycle of bloodshed. We had lost three-fourths of our population and the other races had given up fighting altogether. He hated the Norse gods for turning their backs on us in our time of need, so he turned to other sources of power. He found a fire god named Azeer and made a deal to save our people.
“In order to save our race and our world, Maleki agreed to Azeer’s terms. The god wanted an eternity of worship from our kind. He wanted us to turn away from Odin and the other gods, and worship him in their stead. He demanded human, virgin, and innocent sacrifices to be brought before altars built in his honor. He also demanded that Maleki and his whole infantry be the first to kneel and sacrifice their lives to broker the deal. In exchange, he would give our people a weapon that would rid us not only of the demonic threat that plagued our lands, but any celestial being that dared threaten us again.
“Without consulting the other leaders of our people, Maleki took the deal. He and his infantry knelt before Azeer and took their own lives. Three days later, Maleki and his infantry awoke unexpectedly. They thought their sacrifice was final, but Azeer had other plans. The infantry now possessed abilities, unlike anything we had ever seen. They could manipulate the mind, cause pain without even touching you, shield themselves from attacks. They could break bones with a single snap of their fingers or cause someone to do their bidding with a single smile.
“Maleki’s gift was the dark flame. He could destroy any celestial being. The flame is described as the most beautiful and cleansing form of magic anyone has ever experienced. Maleki and his infantry swept over the land with their new gifts, sending the demons scattering to the ends of the universe. When our world was once again safe, Maleki told our leaders of the bargain he had struck with Azeer. They refused to honor the deal and would not turn away from Freyr and Frigga.
“Rage overtook Maleki and his infantry. They saw the others' refusal to comply as a sign of disrespect for their sacrifice. Their powers and abilities continued to grow in force and number. When Azeer demanded his payment in sacrifices, the elders of our community forbid Maleki and the others to continue with the rituals. They were forced from our lands and that is when they formed the Kingdom of Doonak.
“Maleki took the throne, creating the dark court. They performed the required sacrifices and honored Azeer as the savior of our world. The dark power that Maleki and the others consumed began to change them not only physically, but morally. We heard rumors of rape, brutality, and torture being conducted at the court. When we tried to intervene, they closed their gates to us and no longer allowed communication between the two courts.”
I was sprawled on the couch, in awe of the history that belonged to a part of me. When he paused, I sat up, still eager for more. “So, why don’t you just kill them all and end their lines?” I asked bluntly.
Levos laughed at me as if I were a child. “Oh, sweet Genevieve. If only it were that simple. Yes, the dark alfar make up a very small percentage of our population. I believe it’s something like one of them to ten of us, but their powers are not to be underestimated. They are strong and clever little beasts. They also train everyone in their kingdom as if they are warriors. Though we have a greater population, the high houses do not entertain the idea of battle. They are content to live their sophisticated lives behind these walls while others do the fighting for them. The dark alfar know we have the numbers, so they want every member of their court to be prepared if we ever did decide to attack.”
“So what? You just sit on your hands and let them kill innocents?” I demanded.
“We don’t agree with their way of life, but we must choose our battles. Each race is responsible for its own people. Though we try to protect the meek, we cannot be everywhere all the time. We cannot control what other races eat or how they choose to find pleasure or even what god they chose to worship. We are not all powerful.”
“And what about the dark flame? Does the king of Doonak have this ability?” I asked.
“No, thank the heavens. Maleki was the only one that ever possessed that gift. King Drezmore possesses the power of paralysis shock.”
“And what does that exactly do?”
“It mutes all power from being used. He can also paralyze your body. Causing your heart to stop, preventing you from moving. He can even stop you from breathing.”
“Well, that doesn’t sound pleasant.”
Levos laughed, standing up from his chair. “No, it doesn’t and thankfully, we will never have to experience his power. The light and dark court have only recently been on some level of good terms these past few years, because of the little pests trolling our lands. Personally, I would love to have gone with Gaelin to see the court firsthand. I’m not essential, so I get to stay here and babysit Gaelin’s mare.”
“Ha, ha. Why would you want to go there anyway? Sounds horrifying and disgusting.”
“Maybe some parts, but I was told they have what they call Jestu twice a month. I wouldn’t mind getting an invite to that.”
“Are you going to make me ask what a ‘Jestu’ is?”
“Just did. Jestu is like a sexual exploration of sorts. The whole court partakes. You’re allowed to have anyone and anything regardless of race.”
“Disgusting,” I said.
“Oh, come on, it doesn’t sound that bad. Plus, they don’t have all the rules and formalities the light court does. Don’t get me wrong, I would never want to live there, but a visit may be nice.”
“I may have to disown you as a friend for saying that.”
He placed his hand across his chest. “Aw, Gen, am I officially your friend?”
“You were promoted and demoted all on the same day. Only you could pull that off,” I moved to the door. “So, what am I to do when Gaelin is away?”
Levos rushed to my side as we walked down the halls of the palace. “Oh, right. I forgot to tell you. Princess Daealla would like a private audience with you in…ah, ten minutes.”
I stopped dead in my tracks. “What? Why?”
“Just the messenger, sweetheart.” He laughed, making his way past me. “But do be a doll and fill me in on all of the details after dinner.” He left me in the hall alone.
I made my way to Princess Daealla’s room, trying to figure out why she would want to meet with me, especially when Gaelin was away. Alfar males were known to take mistresses. She had to be used to this. It was normal in her culture.
I stepped up to her door and knocked lightly. A guard appeared, peering down at me. I dropped my eyes to the floor, remembering proper etiquette.
“Princess Daealla has requested my presence,” I said.
The guard stepped aside, allowing me to pass. I didn’t dare look up once I was inside.
“You may leave us, Termos,” said Daealla. I heard the door slam behind me. Daealla approached me slowly, circling as if I were her prey. “You may look up.”
I cautiously lifted my head to see the grandeur of her chamber. It was twice the size of Gaelin’s and full of gold furnishings. Paintings lined the walls along with statues and musical instruments. A young male stood by the window, eating a piece of fruit. He was tall and lanky with golden blonde hair. He had vibrant blue eyes and a slender nose that pointed at the end.
“Do you find everything to your liking?” Princess Daealla asked.
“Your chambers are amazing, Your Highness. I’ve never seen such beauty in one room.” I hoped I sounded meek. My eyes snagged on the young male before I returned my gaze to the floor.
“I’m sure it is quite the step up from that church basement back in The Frey,” she said, moving to a table. She poured herself a glass of wine, motioning her hand through the air towards the young male. “That is Filo. He is none of your concern,” she said in a dismissive tone.
I wondered how much she really knew about me or could dig up. Was her random comparison to the church basement and this palace a threat? Step out of line, and she will destroy anyone and anything that I held dear?
“Yes, it is. What can I do for you, Your Highness?” She walked back over to me, her eyes assessing each inch of my person.
“How are you and my future king getting along? Are you…satisfying his needs?”
I swallowed hard. I didn’t think this interaction could get more uncomfortable, but I was wrong. “I provide the necessary services that are required of my position, Your Grace.”
She took my chin with one of her long cold fingers and lifted my face to hers. She was so beautiful it was unsettling. “Why did he choose you, I wonder? Of all the humans he could have had, he chose one that looks so opposite of his future wife. Does he talk about me with you?”
I looked back to the floor, shaking my head. “No, Your Grace.”
She straightened. “From this point on, anytime he utters my name you will report it to me directly. I need to make sure this alliance between his family and mine is solidified. That, of course, means an heir,” she said with a bite in her tone.
“Of course, Your Highness.”
She waited for a moment, before finally dismissing me without another word.
I turned to the door.
“Oh, and human,” she said before I could leave. “If he continues to disrespect me in my own court and look at you with desire while in my presence, you will be the one to pay for his actions.”
I waited to make sure she was finished before leaving the room.
That night, I busied myself with laundry and cleaning, not wanting to ponder on Daealla’s threat or Gaelin’s current situation. I could only imagine what disgusting things he was being forced to witness in the court of horrors. I carried the heavy basket of wet laundry out to the courtyard to hang the garments in the night air to dry. Breathing deeply, I expected to smell fresh rain and flowers, but instead, something foul and heavy tainted my senses. It smelled of rotting flesh and decay. I looked around but saw nothing out of place.
A scream erupted from inside the main hall, a floor above me. I rushed into the castle, wondering what had happened. The servants were cowering against the walls in the hallways, too afraid to move. I ran up the stairs to the great hall to see hordes of decaying humanoid figures ransacking the place. They attacked anyone that they encountered and gathered as much gold and silver as they could carry.
One turned himself into a bear four times its normal size before biting a guard’s head clean off. I froze in shock, unable to comprehend what I was seeing. The guards used their magic to fight back. A ripple of air flooded the passage, slamming the bear into the wall. Vines reached from the floor, wrapping themselves around some attackers’ necks and tightened until they left the creatures without heads.
The guards unsheathed their swords that hung from their waists and swung their blades as the monsters met them with their own weapons. Metal clashed, filling the great hall with a vibration. The undead appeared to be intelligent and skilled fighters, able to keep up with the guards trying to fend them off. One turned to look at me as the screaming continued. I backed away slowly, trying to avoid its gaze. I looked around the hall for a weapon, but there was nothing. I was defenseless.
The creature strolled over to me casually, scrutinizing me up and down. My body froze in fear. Though my mind was screaming for me to run, my limbs were useless. Its skin was pale gray, and the smell was unbearable. Part of its jaw was visible through the decaying flesh hanging loosely from its eye. Its body was missing skin, exposing its kneecaps, shoulder blades, and elbows. The hair that remained on its head was thin and matted with blood.
An arm curled around me from behind and the creature went flying back into the air. I turned to see Levos. After he placed me safely against the interior wall Levos unsheathed his sword and walked fearlessly towards the creature. The monster stood up, meeting Levos’s broad stroke of his sword with its own. Levos pushed the creature away, extending his hand into the air, pulling rock from the wall down towards his opponent. The creature dove out of the way, forced to the ground, and Levos took the advantage. As the creature began to morph into a bear, he cut its head clean from its body mid-transition. I relaxed against the wall, watching as the last of the undead were put down.
“What are you doing up here?” Levos asked. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I guess my curiosity got the best of me,” I replied, studying the creatures from afar. Though I was terrified, my interest was piqued. Missing limbs, rotted skin; what were these things, and why did they appear more dead than alive? My heart was racing as I tried to calm my nerves. Was I going to have to get used to random creatures popping in unannounced?
“Your curiosity is going to get you killed, sweet Genevieve. Word of advice: when you hear screaming, run away, not towards it.”
“I’ll try to keep that in mind. What are they?” I asked.
“Draugr. They’re undead. Nasty little things that usually keep to themselves. Their lands lie in the dark court’s territory. They can shapeshift, grow in size, travel through stone, and have great strength.”
“Why did they attack the castle? Surely, they knew they would be cut down.”
He shrugged. “The pests rolled through their land a few days back, taking their treasures and destroying their crypts. I guess they were desperate enough to come here looking for handouts.” Levos took me by the arm. “Come on, let’s get you to bed. Gaelin will deal with them when he returns.”
I laid in bed that night trying to get the image of the draugr out of my mind. The smell of their rotting flesh still hung in the air. If those things were desperate enough to attack the castle, the monsters coming from the rift must be making quite an impact. The thought made me weary. I needed to get to Lily and then somehow get us both back behind the protective border before a war broke out.