HELLHOUND (Book Two of the Wisteria Chronicles)

CHAPTER 1~Run~

Phoebe

       “Phoebe! Wake up!” my sister yelled while grabbing my feet to drag me out of bed. She threw the covers off of me and yanked my legs, dropping them over the edge. My upper half slowly fell to the floor with a graceful thud. I groaned, pulling the blankets over me and cocooned myself.

   Kyra gave an exasperated sigh, “I can’t believe you’ll be eighteen tomorrow; you’re so childish!” I pulled my knees in under me, my bottom waving in the air. Kyra kicked it, “Get your ass moving or else mother will come get you!” I groaned again and sat up. The last thing I wanted was for the lunatic queen to come in here with her royal crudeness, demanding that I obey her every whim. 

   Queen Rhistel was the first wife to my father, King Tyrael Virmys of Nysthgroth. My mother was the second wife to my father, making Kyra and I half-sisters. My father was quite the scoundrel; he married them both and impregnated them within the same week! Kyra and I were born at the exact same time, the rightful heir to the throne was unclear.

   Rhistel claimed Kyra should be the heir since she was the first born to the first wife. My mother didn’t care who ruled, as long as I got a proper education and rights as a royal. King Tyrael however, shook the whole kingdom by announcing on our sixteenth birthday that my sister and I would rule the kingdom as co-queens. He had stated that he considered us as twins and were both born with the right to reign. Rhistel was livid; my mother had laughed. She had passed away a few months after that, I missed her dearly.

   Since my father's announcement, Rhistel has been the bane of my existence. She would give me extra lessons, lecture me when I did something she didn’t like, embarrass me in front of guests, etcetera. She pretty much made it her life’s mission to make me miserable. When I complained to my father, her excuse was always, “I’m preparing her for the Throne. The last thing Nysthgroth needs is a barbarian for a Queen.” He would grunt and tell me to behave myself, never taking my side; I stopped asking for help.

   “I’m so excited for the coronation tomorrow!” Kyra squealed, pulling me from my thoughts. I grinned, “You’re going to be a perfect queen.” I told her. She was everything I wasn’t. Tall, thin, graceful, lady-like, impeccable manners; everything a queen should be. She rolled her eyes, “We will be perfect queens.” I huffed and got up, walking to the bathroom. 

   I listened to Kyra babble about the ceremony as I washed my face and got dressed. When I finished, we went downstairs to the dining hall where the rest of the family was waiting. My father sat at the head of the table, with Rhistel to his left. Our brother Faedan sat next to her. He beamed up at us when we walked in. 

   Faedan was my favorite person in the world. He was only one year younger than us, but he had intelligence and a maturity level beyond his age. He was a kind and silent type, only stern when necessary. I was confused how he was so nice when his mother was so cruel. He rose and kissed our cheeks before we took our place next to father. “Are you ladies ready for tomorrow?” he asked. Kyra launched into another excited rant, waving her hands wildly as she spoke. 

    Father interrupted her tirade, “We have representatives coming from all twelve Light Elven kingdoms to watch the coronation. I expect you all to be on your best behavior.” “Yes, father.” we replied. “I’m only worried about one of them.” Rhistel said with a cold stare pointed at me; I hid my smile behind my napkin.

   “If all the kingdoms are coming, that means Prince Malakai will be here too, right?” Kyra asked. My father grunted yes. Prince Malakai was from the neighboring realm, he was also my boyfriend. We were childhood friends and my father only approved of us because it meant we would eventually get married and solidify a union between the kingdoms. 

  “Of course, he’s coming. He wouldn’t miss seeing Phoebe dressed in another color that wasn’t black.” Faeden teased. I blushed as Kyra laughed. Malakai chose that moment to walk in, greeting the family then sat down next to me. “Good morning beautiful.” he murmured as he kissed my cheek. His green eyes were clear, and his black hair was tossed to the side.

   “Morning.” I murmured as I kissed him back. “I have some business to take care of with your father. It will take up a majority of the day. I was hoping to meet you after sundown, at our spot. I have something to ask you.” he whispered to me. I nodded, my blush still burning my cheeks. 

  We finished eating and my father dismissed us. Malakai kissed my hand before departing with him. Kyra rushed me to my room, “Spill! You’ve been grinning like a fool since Malakai whispered to you!” I grinned and told her what he said. “What if he plans to propose to you tonight?!” she squealed. 

    I couldn’t hold back my excitement, “Do you think he will?” She vigorously nodded, and counted off her fingers. “He has business with father all day. He wants to ask you something at the place you first met. On the eve of your birthday and coronation… He definitely wants to propose to you!” We squealed together and jumped around in a circle. 

  “Oh goodness we have to get you prepared!” Kyra said looking down at my clothes. “It will take the whole day to get you ready!” I frowned, “I don’t look that bad.” Kyra’s face didn’t look convinced. “Come on, Iets go shopping.” She said, pushing me out of the room.

    Kyra told her mother that we were going out, Rhistel nodded frigidly, telling us to take care. We brought two guards and the family car. It was a two hour drive out of the deep woods. Our domain had an old timey name but we lived-in modern-day Montana, in the deepest parts of the Flathead National Forest. 

     Like most supernaturals, elves hid in plain sight. Our kingdom consisted of several cities within the Montana and Idaho area. The royal capital alone held over 9,000 subjects. Our cities are funded mostly by tourism. The forests on our land provided plenty of activities both human and supernaturals loved.

    We decided to shop at the mall in Kalispell. Kyra had insisted I buy a long white dress. It had lace long sleeves, a square neckline, and flowed loosely around my hips. It was beautiful, and fell past my ankles. I picked white strappy sandals to pair with it. Kyra had cooed when I put it on, confirming that it was a hit.

     The rest of the day was filled with massages, facials, manis and pedis. Once Kyra was satisfied, we headed back home so that I could get ready. It was about 20 minutes till sunset, when Kyra put on the final touches on my makeup.  She beamed at me and made me twirl, admiring her handy work. “Good luck sis!” she said as she shooed me out the door. 

   I made my way down the hall, stopping at Faedan’s room. I knocked on his door, but he didn’t reply. I stopped a maid and asked where he was. “I’m not sure, your grace. He hasn’t been here all day.” I frowned, that’s strange. Father usually kept him close by. I didn't have time to think about it too much. I didn’t want to be late so I continued my mission to the meeting place.

  I sprinted as fast as my heels allowed me through the thick forest. Our meeting spot was an abandoned cabin that was near a large pond. Malakai and I discovered it when we were children. We would sneak off together to swim and fish. It was such a special place to me, and now he was going to propose there. 

  The cabin came into view as I slowed my pace. I smoothed my clothes and fixed my hair before entering. The cabin was empty, my face set in a frown. I walked over to the small wooden table and sat down in the chair. Maybe Malakai is still with father. I shrugged my shoulders, I’ll wait.

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    I looked down at my watch, it was almost 11. The cabin was starting to get cold, even though it was the middle of the summer. I stood up to make a fire. “Great fire spirit of the realm, please lend me your strength and provide a flame.” I whispered the incantation while small sparks shot from my hands. A small flame ignited at my fingertips as I leaned forward, putting my hand to the logs I just stacked. The fire quickly caught on to the wood, while I added in some small twigs.

    I walked back to the table and sat down. Once I turned eighteen my magic would be at its full strength. I grinned in the darkness; My birthday will be a very big event. I wish my mother would’ve been alive to see it. I sighed and peered at the window. I saw a shadow coming in from the tree line, Malakai’s face took form as he walked towards the cabin carrying something.

    My smile widened as he opened the door and stepped in. “Sorry I’m late, my business with your father took longer than expected.” he said while placing down a basket that he held in his hand. He dug through the contents and pulled out a thermos. “Here, drink this, it should warm you up.” he said sweetly.

    I grabbed the bottle from him and greedily chugged the contents. It was peppermint tea, my favorite. Malakai took off his navy-blue button up then sat down beside me. He returned his attention back to the basket, fishing out more items. He handed me some snacks; grapes, cheese and a slice of my favorite red velvet cake. I had skipped dinner to come here; I didn’t realize I was hungry until now. 

    Malakai watched me eat, his eyes were dark and hard to read. I licked the crumbs off my lips, “Aren’t you going to eat?” I asked. He shook his head, a small smile on his lips. “What business did you have with my father?” I questioned, not wanting him to feel pressured when he proposed. “Nothing much. Your father was a difficult man, but nothing I couldn’t handle.” 

      I tilted my head to the side, “Was?” I reached for more grapes, when something caught my attention. I studied Malakai’s shirt. A wet mark was seeped across the bottom. I lifted up the fabric, the liquid was dark and thick. I ran my finger across the substance, confirming that it was blood. I stood up, “Why do you have blood on your shirt?”

    Malakai sighed, plucking the shirt from my hands. “I already told you, my business with your father took longer than expected.” His voice was menacing. I took a step back. “What did you do?” Malakai shook his head and stood. “I had really hoped that you wouldn’t ask any questions.” My face strayed to tingle, my words slurring, “W-What did you do to my father?” 

    I brought up my hand and coughed, my throat suddenly parched. I pulled it back, studying the dark red blood that had formed a small trail down my palm. My feet were numb and I had to lean against the wall to stay up right. It was becoming harder to breathe, the air burning my lungs. I watched Malakai take out a knife. The jagged edges glistened in firelight.

   “Damn, the poison took a while to work. I’m glad we are doing this before you gain your powers. You would’ve been a handful.” he said with a lifeless chuckle. “Why are you doing this?” I croaked out; the metallic taste of blood grew stronger. His smile was pure malice, “I’ll give you 30 seconds.” My head was swimming, I was seeing double. “For what?” I asked as I made small steps towards the door. His smile grew, “To run.”