One
Aeryn
Themorning sun drenched the rolling hills of Greenhollow in golden light, illuminating the thatched rooftops of its small stone cottages scattered among the rolling hills. My boots crunched on the dirt path as I made my way into town, nodding to the few early risers going about their morning chores.
I loved this time of day. It felt like the gods were shining approval on our small community, a mere blip on the map of the Kingdom of Falcondale.
In the Torrach Realm, where fae outnumbered most other beings, kingdoms were aplenty. I”d heard there were enormous cities and breathtaking sights of fae creation across all the realm, and that dozens of sects had contributed to create harmony and balance.
Though curious, I had no desire to seek out such sights. I was safe and self-sufficient here.
Why would I ever want to leave?I thought to myself as the sunshine warmed my skin.
I had the Quinn family to thank for my contentment. They”d taken me in when I was young, a scrawny orphaned girl with nothing to my name but the clothes on my back and the tiny parcel of land my parents had left me.
They”d helped me cultivate a handful of acres until I could handle all fifteen of them on my own. Over the years I”d formed bonds with them, as strong as any kin. Stronger, even.
There wasn’t anything I wouldn”t do for them, especially Sofiya.
Speaking of, I should have come across her by now. We always did our weekly shopping together.
My best friend was the pure soul who first showed me kindness in this place, and I owed her more than I could ever repay.
She”d convinced her mother, Brigid, to let me live with them until I was old enough to stay in my parents” cottage alone. For five years they kept me in their home and begged me not to move out when I”d decided it was time.
Sofiya had been a light when my world had turned dark.
I spotted her sitting on the steps of the stone fountain in the center of the square, her chestnut waves spilling over the pale green shawl wrapped around her shoulders. Even from a distance I could see the worry etched into her delicate features.
Something was wrong. My pace quickened as I strode over to her, boots kicking up dust with every step.
“What is it?” I knelt down, taking her hands into mine.
I quickly scanned the area for any signs of danger. The usual morning crowd was sparse.
A few clusters of fae were scattered along the walkways that lined the storefronts, quietly whispering to one another. The village was eerily quiet for this time of morning.
Then, l spotted what was surely the source of her anxiety. I hadn”t seen one of them in years. I nearly forgot how fearsome they could look.
“Why are they here?”
Sofiya bit her lip, amber eyes flickering with fear as they met my own. “They”re here,” she whispered, “because the king is dead. His son has taken the throne and sent soldiers around the kingdom to take females to Thornewood.”
My blood turned to ice. King Orson had died? How? Fae didn”t die easily.
And now the new king”s soldiers were here. There was only one reason they would come collecting fae females in the Kingdom of Falcondale.
The trials.
“Over my dead body,” I vowed, hands curling into fists at my sides. No one was taking Sofiya. Not if I had anything to say about it.
Sofiya”s eyes welled with tears, her hands twisting in the fabric of her skirt. “It”s too late, Aeryn. They”ve just been waiting for more villagers to gather so they can announce it. The rider in charge said if anyone refuses, all of Greenhollow will be punished.”
Rage boiled in my veins, hot and swift. So this was how King Nox planned to take a bride, was it? By force and violence, caring not for the lives he would ruin along the way?
I should have known a male with a reputation as black as pitch would stop at nothing to get what he wanted.
My gaze landed on the two men-at-arms stationed by the town hall, clad in black armor that glinted under the midday sun. They stood with hands resting on the pommels of their swords, as if daring anyone to defy them.
Like I needed another reason to loathe the royals.
“It will be fine,” I whispered, stroking her hair. “No one is taking you anywhere. Do you hear me?”
“But Aeryn, if we don”t go–”
“We”ll think of something.” I leaned back, grasping her shoulders. “You know I would do everything in my power to stop them.”
“I”d rather go willingly and leave the town unharmed.”
“Sofi,” I sighed, feeling a weight pressing down, “I don”t know if I can just stand back and watch them take you.”
Everyone had been taken from me. I didn”t have it in me to simply let it happen. Not again.
A wan smile flickered across her lips. “I know. But you can”t fight them alone.”
“Watch me.” I flashed a grim smile of my own, dropping my hand to the handle of my dagger. It was no sword, but it would do.
“No one threatens the people I care about and gets away without my boot in their ass.”
“You sound like a bloody pirate,” Sofiya murmured, shaking her head. “When will you learn to stay out of trouble?”
“Where would the fun be in that?” I teased with false confidence, nudging her shoulder. “I”ll make sure no one else is blamed or punished, if it comes to that.”
My smile faded as a larger group of soldiers came into view, a silent promise taking shape in my mind. My stomach knotted. I wouldn”t let my nerves get the best of me.
“Be brave, Sofiya,” I said the words I, myself, needed to hear. “Whatever happens, hold on to your courage.”
She nodded resolutely.
Before the sun set today, there was a good chance my blood would stain the very ground we stood upon. But I couldn’t simply stand by and watch the royal guard pluck eligible females like ripe fruit from the vine.
They deserved better than that, damn it.
Soldiers approached in two neat rows, the hooves of their horses thudding in unison against the dirt path. There were ten of them in all, clad in black leather armor and bearing wicked-looking swords and axes.
My gaze flickered to the rider at the head of the group, noticing how his helmet obscured all but a thin slit for the dark eyes that seemed to stare right through me.
A chill crept down my spine. Magic. Strong magic. Something I lacked and would lack until my 25th birthday when I came of age, like all fae born in this realm.
Small groups of villagers quietly emerged, sticking close to the doorways of the buildings lining the square.
In front of the small trading post stood Colleen Buckley, the bawdy and lively female who owned the only pub in the village. Her tense posture and drawn face were so out of place she was nearly unrecognizable.
I swallowed hard, fingers tightening around my dagger. Strong magic or not, anyone who threatened Greenhollow was my enemy.
The soldiers came to a halt in the village square, the mysterious rider raising a gauntleted hand.
“Let it be known we come on orders from King Nox himself.” His voice echoed from within the helmet, deeper than seemed natural.
“The time has come for the Bride Trials to begin once more. All unmarried females who are of age and not under the terms of a betrothal are to present themselves for selection.”
Murmurs rippled through the crowd, eyes flickering between the soldiers and each other. I ground my teeth, rage boiling in my blood. King Nox could rot for all I cared, and take his bloody Bride Trials with him.
“We will not stand for this!” Councilman Huran shouted.
The fair-headed male stepped out of the shade of the town hall, face reddened in anger. “The king has no right to take our daughters from us!”
As pained as he sounded, his words and tone filled my heart.
Huran, a respectable male with a deep sense of honor, had two female offspring. Luckily, they were both married. Still, he spoke up in the face of threat.
The rider”s head tilted, a flinty gaze settling on Huran. “You dare question your king”s orders?”
“He”s no king of mine,” the Councilman spat. “Begone from here, and take your soldiers with you!”
Several villagers shouted in agreement and even more spilled into the street. The tension in the air grew thick enough to cut with a knife. My fingers tightened around my dagger, ready to act if this went badly.
The rider sat motionless upon his horse for a long moment, as if considering. Then he waved a hand dismissively. “Your insolence has been noted. However, your king is a merciful male and does not want any lives taken. Not today, at least.”
His gaze swept across the crowd, voice hardening. “You have until the end of the hour to present the females. If you do not ...” He trailed off meaningfully, hand tapping the scabbard at his hip.
I glanced at the clock tower. Shit. We had fifteen minutes.
My heart pounded as the soldiers began making their way through the crowd, roughly grabbing young women who matched the age range and dragging them forward. Sofiya stood frozen, eyes wide with terror.
I started toward her, but a soldier grabbed my arm before I could take more than a step.
“Let go of me, asshole!” I snarled, whirling on him with my dagger drawn.
The tall male stumbled back a pace, eyes widening at my fury. An unexpected smile stretched across his face revealing perfect teeth behind his full lips.
“Well, what do we have here?” he clucked. Lightning fast, he snatched my blade and had a firm hold of my dominant arm.
Shit!
The rider took notice and nudged his horse forward, glaring at me from his saddle. “Stand down. There is no need for violence here today.”
I glared right back. “I”ll not stand by while you terrorize innocent fae.”
A bark of laughter escaped him. “All are subject to the king”s will.”
“The king can rot for all I care,” I said tightly.
“Bold words from someone so young. Now behave so we can get this mess over with and be gone from here.”
Rage and fear warred within me. I couldn”t best all of these soldiers. Truthfully, I probably couldn’t best any of them, but I”d be damned if I didn”t try.
The trials were known to be brutal. Females died or were gravely injured or maimed. Sofiya wasn”t a fighter and had no real training.
Technically, neither did I.
But I was harder around the edges. Sofiya was softer, quieter. Especially since that bastard Hudson had taken off with pieces of her heart in his godsforsaken hands.
I”d done what I could for her as she had done so much for me. Sofiya was my rock, and I would protect her with my life.
I made a pathetic attempt to get free. A second soldier grabbed onto me, not as tall as the first but thicker and more powerfully built. Now both of my arms were locked in vices.
The rider sighed, as if bored with this entire exchange. “Enough. You have tested my patience which was already wearing thin.”
He waved a hand at the soldiers holding me. “Keep a hold on Miss … what is your name?”
“Piss off.”
The rider”s steel grey eyes flared. “So Miss Pissoff doesn”t have the chance to do anything stupid.”
One of the soldiers laughed.
“Oh, and I”ll take her blade,” their leader ordered. He caught it by the handle when it was tossed to him.
“No!” escaped my lips before I could call it back.
That blade had been my grandfather”s. He”d given it to my father. Now it was mine, one of the few things I owned with sentimental value.
The rider”s eyes narrowed, then inspected the weapon in his hand. “It”s just a dagger, little hellion. A cheap one at that.”
He thought I was the monster here? How hypocritical.
“Not everything of value can be measured in coin,” I retorted quietly, lowering my eyes to the ground.
I felt his stare on me for longer than was polite. Then the rider and his mount turned away, dismissing me from his notice.
The soldiers dragged me closer to the line of females meeting the trials” criteria. Sofia was visibly shaking, silent tears streaming down her face. I struggled against my captors, cursing, but their grip was like iron.
“You”re doing yourself no favors, Miss Pissoff,” one of them whispered.
“Fuck you.”
“I like this one,” the other said. “Can we keep her?”
My stomach tightened.
The soldiers stopped when we were at the front of the crowd. I twisted in their grip, catching Sofiya”s terrified gaze. “Be brave,” I mouthed.
She nodded jerkily. I turned my glare on the soldiers holding me, resolve hardening within me. King Nox would regret the day he decided to continue the archaic Bride Trials.
The rider dismounted and stood next to a soldier holding a wooden bucket. “Is it ready?” he asked.
“Yes, Sire.”
“Thank you, Ruark.”
The leader, who was still donning his full helmet, turned to the crowd.
“Good fae of Greenhollow,” he began smoothly, like a well-rehearsed speech.
“It has been many years since the last trials when King Orson found his bride. Now that the King and Queen have both passed ...” the male paused, then cleared his throat.
Surely the savage didn”t have feelings.
“Now that there is a new King, it is custom for him to take a bride. The Kingdom of Falcondale does this through the Bride Trials, as is well known. Your king, however, wishes to change tradition.”
Murmurs skittered through the crowd. I held my breath.
The commanding male lifted a palm and silenced the villagers. “The most relevant change for this village is the selection process. Instead of inviting all those who are eligible and eliminating many through each of the seven trials, he has decided to reduce the number of trials. Therefore, each province”s number of candidates will be based on population size. Since Greenhollow is so small, we are only inviting one female.”
Inviting. What a crock.
“How will you pick?” Huran asked.
The rider pointed to the bucket. “By lottery. We will draw a name and one of your own will have the opportunity to compete to be your next queen.”
The feel of the crowd altered slightly. My own shoulders relaxed a bit. I didn”t want anyone to be forced into such a thing, but several of the females gathered tittered and bounced excitedly.
I shook my head. Who was I to thumb my nose at someone who wanted to participate? As long as it wasn”t Sofiya or some poor soul who adamantly wanted to stay home, I would keep quiet.
The odds were in our favor that her name wouldn”t be drawn. This was good.
Watching with bated breath, the brute removed a glove and reached into the pail. He withdrew a small piece of folded parchment, opened it, and grinned.
“Congratulations to Miss ... Sofiya Quinn!” he shouted.
A quiet pop of magic followed his announcement. My heart lurched.
Sofiya blinked rapidly, minutely shaking her head in disbelief. The female next to her nudged her forward and clapped quietly with some of the others.
“Sofiya,” I called.
She didn”t react to her name. In a daze, she allowed a soldier to take her hand and guide her to stand next to the rider. Her parents embraced her and spoke words I couldn”t hear.
Why weren”t they doing anything to stop this?
No. This wasn”t supposed to happen. I had to do something, but what? My arms were useless. Even if they weren”t, I had no weapon.
With rising panic, I jerked and twisted and kicked. Fingers dug into me. I hardly felt them.
“Relax,” the tall one whispered. “She”ll be fine.”
“No, she won”t,” I hissed.
Think, Aeryn. Think!
Soldiers began lining back up in formation, minus the two restraining me. They would be gone soon. I might not ever see her again.
“Stop!” I yelled, drawing the rider”s attention once more.
“Take me!” I pleaded. “Take me, not Sofiya.”
Silence descended and I waited for the worst, ready to make my case, to beg if I had to.
The rider looked to the burly, blonde-headed soldier to my left. “Thoughts?”
“Up to you, but I think the trials would be far more entertaining with your little hellion there. Might be worth putting up with her.”
I bristled at being considered his anything. But as long as they allowed it, I would be content.
“Very well,” the rider agreed. “Take them both.”
Before I could process his words, I was on a horse held tightly by the arse who”d suggested putting up with me because I”d be entertaining. At breakneck speed, we flew down the winding dirt road leading away from Greenhollow.
The mysterious rider led the way, not bothering to look back at his captives. I studied him surreptitiously, searching for any clues as to his identity, but his helmet obscured his features.
My gaze drifted down to the sword at his back and the dagger strapped to his thigh. Then I noticed my dagger at his lower back. Those could prove useful if I managed to get close enough.
We crested a hill and my breath caught. More soldiers on horseback were waiting a half mile ahead. Hundreds of them. Windowless carriages, painted black with no other identifying markings, sat in front of them.
Prisoner wagons.
I swallowed hard, dread pooling in my stomach. Rumors of the Bride Trials” ruthlessness and cruelty had spread across the kingdom eons ago. If even half the stories I”d heard were true, we were in grave danger, no matter what they”d told us about changing tradition.
In truth, I had only the barest beginnings of a plan. But I couldn”t let Sofiya lose hope. I intended to get us out of this mess. King Nox would soon learn he had captured more trouble than he bargained for.