Chapter thirteen
dates, drinks, it tickled, and I shivered. She stroked my hand and whispered, “I could teach you so many things. Things you cannot learn here, hidden away in this mountain.” I blushed and looked down. Lyra brought her fingers to rest under my chin, drawing my eyes back to hers. Her irises danced as they scoured my face. “Come with me and I’ll show you all the wonders of this world.” Lyra’s lips shone, moist and supple.
Footsteps sounded down the hall. Inhaling sharply, I backed away. My racing pulse only quickened when I saw who it was.
“Darragh?” He bowed his head but continued walking. Abandoning Lyra, I chased after Darragh. “I’m leaving tonight,” I whispered. “I’m taking my father and going. Come with us.”
Darragh’s jaw slackened, and he slowed. “You’re what?”
“The Queen is acting strange; I’m worried for my father.”
“She will find you,” Darragh said. “To leave is to die.”
I stuck up my nose. “I’m not afraid of her.”
Darragh leaned in so close I felt his breath on my cheek. “You should be,” he growled. I crossed my arms. Darragh’s footsteps echoed down the corridor toward the Queen’s chamber.
When I turned around, Lyra had gone.
***
Audra and I stepped out onto the mountain top. Wind whipped my hair. It stuck to my lips, and I shoved it out of my face. I hated it up here. Clouds obscured the landscapes below. It was a white, nothing place. At the edge of the platform carved into the mountain, Ophyr stood, his back to me and Audra.
At the sound of our footsteps, Ophyr spun on his heels. “Elle!”
Only my father called me Elle.
“I’m so happy you joined me.”
I nearly muttered that I didn’t have a choice, but I bit my tongue.
“Isn’t this lovely?” Ophyr waved at the clouds.
No.
“Come, have a look with me.” Reluctantly, I joined Ophyr. I stood several feet away, but he scooched close. His hand found mine. “Oh my, what’s this?” He examined the ring that had been forced on me by the Queen.
“How dare you?” I pulled away. Behind us, Audra stepped forward.
“The Queen’s restrained you?” Ophyr frowned.
“That’s none of your business.”
“I think it is.”
“I’m leaving,” I snapped, heading toward the stairs.
“I can help you take it off.”
I paused.
“I can free you,” Ophyr said. And then more quietly, “I can free your father.”
I pivoted and glared. “How?”
Ophyr jutted his chin at Audra, his eyes darted to the stairs. Turning to Audra, I said, “I’d like a moment.” She nodded but made no move to leave. “Go away, Audra.”
“Oh. Yes, of course.”
“Don’t go far.”
As if she could do anything to protect me if the occasion called for it.
Once Audra was gone, Ophyr stepped closer. I could see the light freckles on his cheeks. “I hate to see such a beautiful, powerful creature trapped like this. Hidden away in a mountain to rot.” He smiled, tilting his head in a friendly, gentle way. “I can help get that thing off you.”
“How?” I repeated.
He raised his palms and smiled, as if the answer was obvious. “We remove the cause—the Queen. ”
I glanced at the stairs and lowered my voice. “That’s treason.”
“Don’t tell me you care for her.”
“I hate her,” I spit.
“Think of it; you’d be free. Your father would be safe and out of harm’s way.” I let myself picture it. A world without the Queen. A dinner with my father. Free of drink and laughing despite it. Darragh beside me—
“All I ask is that you promise yourself to me,” Ophyr finished. I recoiled and looked Ophyr up and down.
Who did he think he was?
“I’d rather die,” I snarled.
Ophyr’s nose twitched, and his nostrils flared. He gave me a tight-lipped smile and flourished his hand. From the white clouds, a tray with a pitcher and goblets appeared. Ophyr poured amber liquid into a goblet and gave it to me.
“Audra!” I shouted.
Audra reappeared and I handed her the drink. Ophyr watched the glass transfer hands curiously but said nothing. He poured and handed me another drink. Audra took a sip. She swirled the liquid in her cheeks; her lips parted in shock. Lunging forward, Audra slapped the goblet from my hand. It flew into the air, where it was eaten by the clouds. Audra coughed and grabbed her throat. She wheezed, “Help,” and collapsed.
I fell to her side. The magic inside me tried to burst forth.
Help her! it screamed.
Power bottlenecked in my hands, absorbed by the ring. Audra clasped her throat and fell back. The whites of her eyes reddened, and the corners bled. Kneeling beside her, I was helpless. Frothy saliva foamed from Audra’s mouth as she choked out a weak, “I’m sorry.” I clutched her hand.
I couldn’t save her, but she wouldn’t be alone.
Audra stopped choking. It was over so quickly. Hardly even a moment.
The world spun as I stood. I inched toward the stairs, refusing to turn my back on Ophyr. “Stay away from me.”
“Stop,” Ophyr commanded. He snapped his fingers and pointed to the ground where he stood. “Come back here.”
“You can’t tell me what to do.”
Ophyr laughed and stalked forward, pausing when his face nearly touched mine. He grabbed my hair and yanked my head sideways. His lips brushed my ear as he whispered, “Not while you’re alive.” Pulling away, Ophyr snapped his fingers.
A low, guttural growl rose behind him. Audra’s back arched and her bones cracked. Ophyr approached her and pointed to his boot. Audra rolled onto her knees, and drool dripped from her snarling mouth. Kneeling forward, she kissed Ophyr’s boot. “Come,” Ophyr ordered. He tapped his lips. Audra rose and kissed Ophyr. He slid his hand behind her head, pulling her close. His tongue slipped between her dead lips—
I looked away.
“Hey!” Ophyr snapped. “Look at her.” He wrenched Audra’s head around. Blood stained her cheeks like tears. Audra was gone. This puppet looked at me through milky eyes of death. “Do you see?” Ophyr said. “We can do it the easy way”—he stroked Audra’s hair—“or, in my opinion, the even easier way. It’s up to you, really.”
I fled.
Taking the stairs three at a time, I bounded away from Ophyr.
“What happened to you?” a voice called. Perhaps the only voice in the world I would have stopped for. I struggled to even my breathing as Darragh approached. His hair hung scraggly around his face, and dried blood coated his lip.
“What happened to you?” I deflected .
Darragh ignored the question and shoved past me. “The Queen knows about your plan.”
“Wh—what do you mean?” I chased him.
“She knows you’re going to attempt an escape.”
I grabbed Darragh. “I need your help.”
Darragh tore himself free. “I’m going away for a few days. Find someone else.”
“I don’t have anyone else!” I cried. “Please, don’t go!”
“Elwyn. I can’t do this anymore. I must go.”
“But—”
“Be careful. Don’t underestimate the Queen.”
I watched his back as he left.