The Dark Fae (The World of Fae #1)(25)

Suddenly the low lights in the ballroom went out, and cries of surprise, then laughter filled the air.

The man who held her, whispered in her ear, “Dragon fae.” And then he took her away, somewhere far away as the darkness swirled around her, and she grew dizzy.

Dragon fae echoed in her mind. Dragon fae…the dark fae may be evil but the dragon fae even more so.

Die, dragon fae spy…die.

Was she dreaming? Or did the fae speak the words to her, taunting her as he carried her away?

Ritasia. Would Ritasia or Deveron ever know what had become of her? Would they give up the game of protecting the half human/half dragon fae now? Or would they search for her with all of their hearts to free her from the clutches of this man who she knew was truly evil?

She could imagine Ritasia having a fit when she’d lost Alicia as soon as the lights went out. And Deveron, where was he?

She came to the realization that while she was in the faery world she would have to learn to be a faery, just as when she was in the human world, she lived as a human. But how could she live as a faery when she’d never been one before?

It was high time she learned how.

First, if she could get a bow and arrow, she’d shoot the fae who took her away from her friends. She frowned at herself. Is that what being a dragon fae was all about? Warrior-like and vengeful?

Didn’t matter. If it saved her butt, she was all for it. “Where can I get a bow and arrow?” she asked.

Her words echoed back to her.

She realized then she was in a dark room, lying shackled to a plank of wood covered in a thin blanket. No longer was she traveling with the fae in the black void. Where was she? And how long had she been here?

But most importantly, how would she get herself out of this place?





CHAPTER 13





Deveron and Micala had found themselves in pitch blackness once they’d returned to the ballroom. Then when the lights turned on again, he knew deep in his heart, they’d lost Alicia. When he discovered Ritasia dancing with none other than Prince Phillinois, Deveron did the unthinkable and broke in on the dance.

“I have an urgent matter to discuss with my sister,” Deveron said.

“For Rastonion’s sake, Deveron. Do you mind? Talk to her after we finish the dance,” the Venician prince retorted.

Ritasia pulled free. “I will return.”

Deveron quickly wrapped his arm around her waist, and grabbed Micala’s arm, then transported them to his guest chambers. He released both at once.

They pulled off their masks and deposited them in his chest.

“I don’t think there’s any mistaking what has happened,” Deveron said, trying not to sound as bitter as he felt. How could a half human, half dragon fae stir him up so? He had promised to protect her. That was the only reason, he assured himself. And a dark fae always kept his promise.

“I was sure I heard her cry out,” Ritasia said. Her eyes grew tearful. “Phillinois wouldn’t release me to go to her, and the man who’d taken her from my grasp, I thought was one of the palace guards. It was hard to tell from his mask.”

“Did you see his faery dust trail?”

“Yes, silver with a touch of auburn.”

“Can you pick up the trail?”

She nodded. “I couldn’t get free from Phillinois. He knew I was trying to go to Alicia’s aid, and he had no intention of letting me do so.”

“Let’s go then before the trail grows cold. We have twenty-four hours to find her before we lose the trail completely.”

If he had anything to say about it, they would find Alicia within the hour. Being a human wouldn’t equip her for the hostile way a fae could treat her. Would her instincts of being a dragon fae begin to surface? She would need them to survive, he feared.

“Ready?” He slipped his arm around Ritasia’s waist, then grabbed hold of Micala’s arm. They both nodded and together they transported to the ballroom, appearing only briefly to find the beginning of the faery dust trail left by the fae who’d taken Alicia hostage.

The music had stopped and everyone stood speaking to one another, but as soon as the dark fae royals were noticed, even the conversation ceased.

“We shall return,” Deveron said to Phillinois, then vanished again with his sister and Micala.

They stopped numerous times at the places that the man who had taken Alicia had rested. As they stood on a parapet of the Neferon castle overlooking the Obian Sea, Deveron finally remarked, “It appears he worried we might follow him. I only hope that someone else hasn’t taken Alicia from him to confuse us.”

Ritasia shook her head and pointed at the trail. “There is still only one. He seems to be traveling alone with her. We appear to be only about an hour behind him, as bright as his trail is.”

Deveron took a deep breath. “Let’s continue, shall we?”

A dark-haired woman ran across the wall walk headed straight for Deveron, smiling broadly.

“Lady Minxsta,” he said under his breath. He definitely didn’t want their busybody distant cousin to sidetrack them.

“Prince Deveron, Princess Ritasia,” she said, grinning from ear to ear and curtseyed deeply at the same time. “Whatever are you doing here? You must come and see—”

“We are on a most urgent mission, Lady Minxsta,” Deveron said, curtly.