Chapter 1 #2
I had never seen him before. The immortal fae king destined to be mine since birth.
My heart raced, but I tried to stay calm.
We knew this moment was always a possibility, but how did he even find us? We had been so careful. Nobody knew of this place except my grandfather, and he would slit his own throat to keep my secret safe. And if we were traceable, surely someone other than Kane himself would have come for me first.
“This will be a lot easier if you come with me.” Kane’s silky voice had a rough edge to it–the sound eerily pleasing, and yet somehow almost exactly how I imagined it all those years ago.
Wisps of shadows snaked off his hands like long fingernails, wrapping around his wrists like the black bracelets he wore.
Shoulder-length onyx hair–partially braided–hung past his pointy fae ears, his skin a warm peach tone with thick eyebrows over hooded chromatic amber eyes peeking at me with curiosity.
If he wasn’t the epitome of my impending doom, I might have found him attractive.
“There's no point in running.” His brow furrowed as his attention swung to Crispin. “Or fighting.”
Crispin flanked to the right, and I stepped forward.
“If you think I'm going with you, you're sorely mistaken. I am no longer yours to have.”
Kane’s mouth perked up at the corners. “Now, now, let's not be difficult. We wouldn't want any more bloodshed.”
Kane may have been immortal, but I had my own power.
I kicked off my boots, letting myself ground into the earth.
Lifting my hands, I called to every root under the grass.
The valley rumbled, and I used all my power to command the nearby plants and trees to beckon to my call.
Thick roots and tree limbs burst through the dirt, spraying brown flecks everywhere.
The Deathless One’s eyes widened as nature enveloped him, slithering around his body like a snake, wrapping around his throat, his arms, his legs…
. . . until the only visible feature were those strange, chromatic amber eyes.
Then I yanked him down into the earth, pulling him deeper until I sensed the temperature change. I imagined all those branches knotting and connecting, strengthening until the wooden cage tightened enough to hold the fae king.
“Run!” Crispin yelled, grabbing my arm.
We bolted behind the cottage toward the side of the mountain where a branch ladder rested against the rock and we jumped on the first rung.
“Bring us up,” Crispin said as he enclosed one arm around my waist, holding me tight against him.
The warmth from his blood pooled on my dress, reminding me we were far from safety.
Using my powers, I commanded the ladder to extend and scale the mountain. The bottom of the wooden steps grew taller, pushing us higher.
“The animals…” With one hand on the ladder, I reached out with my other and used my power to unhook the latch, keeping the rest of our animals gated.
“They’ll be okay,” Crispin said, his breath hitching as he spoke. “There’s fresh water and plenty of food in the valley for them.”
But there were also darkthings.
There was no other option right now, though. As I held my breath and tried to swallow down my fear for my furry friends, Boots pounded the ground with his front feet, crying.
Oh, Boots. I’m sorry.
I couldn't take him with us, not where we were going.
Tears streamed down my face.
Our home. I was leaving it behind, and I didn’t know for how long.
“We can’t abandon them!” I pleaded to Crispin.
“They’re more likely to die, as are we, if we don’t leave now.”
I knew he was right, just as I always knew there was a chance we would have to run, but I didn’t want it to be true.
“Time to go,” Crispin said, and I pushed our ladder higher and faster, all the way to the top of the first ridge of the mountain.
Moments later, a rumble exploded below us.
“He's already getting out!” I cried, sweat sliding into my gaze as I strained against the magic powering out of me.
“It’s okay.” Crispin pressed his mouth into my hair. “We’re almost there. Keep going. You can do this.”
But it wasn’t okay. This was our home.
And I was leaving our family behind.
Angry tears blurred my vision as I ignored the tingling sensation in my muscles—a sign I was close to my limits.
Tremors raked through my body as I pushed past the oncoming fatigue and raised us higher.
Away from everything we had built.
Screaming, I yanked us the rest of the way to the top, where the mouth of the cave opened. Crispin climbed over the rocky alcove first, then grabbed my hand, helping me onto the ridge.
Then we ran inside the dark mouth of the cave.
My husband moved toward the lantern on the hook, right next to the rest of our supplies. I’d never been more grateful for his constant need to recheck our provisions and make sure we’d have enough oil and food to get us through the caverns and safely out the other side.
An animalistic roar erupted in the valley.
I stood at the mouth of the cave, staring out, sweat sliding down my neck. Specks of white light flashed in front of me. A sign I’d used too much power.
A black dragon hovered by the ridge.
There were many stories about the immortal fae king and the forms he could shapeshift into. But to actually see him in his dragon form…
Spikes trailed the top of his head right between two massive black horns.
Those oddly colored eyes were slitted, the amber more luminous than before.
“Bring it down!” Crispin yelled.
Kane flew forward, his head almost the same size as the cave entrance.
We weren’t going to make it.