Betrayals of Spring (Forever Fae #2)(60)

“How will you get my blood every month?” I ask the clan leader.

“I will send one of my men to collect ye blood,” he replies happily.

I nod my head and rub my wrists. They still tingle slightly, but the wounds have closed up completely. I haven’t seen Aki or Prince Ashe since I have been here and I’m beginning to get worried. I hesitate for a second before mentioning my concern, “Where are my wolf and horse? Are they well?”

“Aye, they are well. They will be brought to ye, along with yer things,” Shamus points out.

I take in a deep breath and a smile takes over my face. I am so happy right now I feel like I could cry. I was afraid that Aki would be seriously injured after the hit he took last night. I collapse to my knees and I bow my head to mutter a silent prayer. I hear Aki’s whine and I look up to see him racing towards me.

Grishom is headed this way carrying my bow and arrows and leading Prince Ashe by the reigns. I smile at them both and I send my love to them in a silent message. Aki is ready to begin searching again so I hastily strap my bow on and mount Prince Ashe.

“Ye be careful, little lass,” Grishom smiles.

“I will,” I smile back. He slaps Prince Ashe on the rump and we head off on our way. We come across a creek and it is the perfect place to take a rest and drink some cold, clean water. I pull out some snacks of dried meat and berries and I pass them along to Aki and Prince Ashe. It’s hard to find the desire to eat when my stomach is in knots with worry. Our rest is quick, but I have the sinking suspicion that my next task is going to be dealing with the dark sorcerer himself. We are finally fully rested so I climb upon Prince Ashe’s back and he continues a steady gallop beside the creek. We follow it for a few miles until Aki starts growling and pacing back and forth. I haven’t seen him do this before so I walk over to him to see what’s wrong. I can feel the trace of magic as I approach and it gets stronger the closer I get to Aki. I am appalled when I see the shimmery haze up ahead glistening in the sunlight. The dark sorcerer has done the one thing that will put me at a complete disadvantage. Through that doorway he made, it will lead me to the unknown of the mortal realm. If he wants to be a coward that’s fine, but I am not and so I go. I take a few deep breaths before squaring my shoulders and stepping through the portal into the strange world beyond.

This game ends now.





- Dark Sorcerer -

Before the Portal



I waited patiently for morning to come wondering what torture Princess Meliantha was going to have to face. She killed a Redcap last night and was captured by the clan. It appears she was also injured during the fight and has remained unconscious throughout the rest of the night. If caught, the penalty for killing a Redcap would be death. They will most likely bleed her dry and then kill her. Oh, how I would love to see it. The Redcaps are going to revel in her blood, and I know because I have tasted it myself. It’s intoxicating.

Once she’s out of the way, I plan to deliver the prince’s ashes straight to the Winter Court’s doorsteps. I laugh thinking about the way their faces will look when I throw the remains of their precious Prince at their feet. I close my eyes to enjoy the silence when I am interrupted by the thundering steps of a Redcap headed this way. The Redcap is one of the creatures that turned traitor to his clan and has graciously pledged his loyalty to me. The others I have sent to the Black Forest to join my army. Their clan is slowly dying and it didn’t take much to persuade them to join me. All it took was a promise that I would provide them with kills.

The Redcap approaches swiftly with a scowl on his face. The news must not be what I want to hear.

“What has your clan decided?” I ask darkly.

He growls, “The lass is to be set free, Master.”

“Damn It!” I roar loudly.

I know she’s powerful, but what is it about the bitch that gets everyone bowing down to her? I pace back and forth contemplating on my next move and cursing myself for my game not having the effect I thought it would have. I open my mind to all the possibilities, and then…a smile crosses my face as a new plan surfaces to the forefront. Oh yeah, I think I will thoroughly enjoy this.

I open my eyes to look at the Redcap.

“It doesn’t matter now,” I say slyly. “I know just what to do to get the princess falling to her knees before me. I think we can also arrange a little treat for you as well.” The Redcap looks at me with an evil grin and rubs his hands together. “Let us be on our way. The princess will be following us soon.”

If the Redcaps are letting the princess go, then it will not be long before she gains ground. The Redcap and I come across a creek and we follow along its edges for a couple of miles. “This is where the fun begins,” I grin at the Redcap. I place my hands in front of me, palm out, and I call upon the black magic swirling inside my body. I close my eyes to picture the place I want to go. Once I grasp it, I let my magic soar. I can feel the veil between realms slowly thinning while the air in front of me begins to shimmer and thicken.

“The portal is ready to enter,” I inform the Redcap.

He enters first and I follow quickly behind. I look around at the place I had chosen to come to. Ah, yes, I say to myself as a smile takes over my face. This is exactly where I want to be. Meliantha will be out of her element here. The ground is frozen beneath my feet and is covered in snow. The air burns my lungs as I take a deep breath in and out. I notice the cabin up ahead and I can see two people moving around inside. I look at the Redcap beside me and his blood red eyes are glowing brightly with the need to kill. The intensity of his desire for blood penetrates the air.