PROLOGUE
PROLOGUE
The room was bathed in sunlight, but it still felt dark and cold. Sunbeams danced off the crystal of the chandelier, reflecting thousands of tiny rainbows around the luxurious space. But all he felt was dread and hopelessness. Even with all the extravagant furnishings, pretty flowers, and exquisite trinkets that made up the room his cage was in, it didn’t bring him peace or a sense of security.
He had been here long enough to know that there was evil even in beauty. His captor was a striking man, with silky-smooth green skin, long platinum blond hair, and the most stunning aquamarine eyes. He was graced with feminine features, and a soft, graceful body, but underneath all of that beauty, lived a dark, evil soul that was out for revenge and power. There was nothing more important to his captor than power. Nelson had learned that lesson many years ago.
A gentle breeze blew through the open windows, causing the sheer curtains to blow inward and dance on the wind. The ruffling of tree branches and blowing grass, along with the sweet scent of perfumes from a myriad of flowers, gave him a moment of peace and serenity. Something Nelson hadn’t felt since coming here. He closed his eyes and just enjoyed the sounds as he inhaled deeply, taking in all the wonderful smells.
But the miniscule moment of tranquility was not long, as was usual in this place, and his serenity was brought to a crashing halt when he heard the voices approaching. His captor may be stunning in his appearance, but he did not have that same quality in his voice. It was deep, demanding, and harsh, and there was nothing alluring or sexy about it. Cold emptiness was all he felt when he heard that voice. And sheer terror, when he heard the other. Uriel.
Uriel was second to his captor, the fairy leader, Fallon, and was not blessed with his leader’s good looks. The fairy was about five-foot-nine, and a hundred and seventy pounds with green skin and strawberry blond hair. And his aquamarine eyes were even colder than Fallon’s, unless they were looking at his leader. Then the man’s eyes softened and filled with need and lust. The lines of his face were harsher, and his body and movement more...unrefined and crude. He reminded Nelson of a bull in a china closet as his mother used to say. The total opposite of what he had witnessed of all other fairies.
Tears sprung to Nelson’s eyes as the thought of his mother came, but he quickly blinked them away, knowing that it would only make his captor gleeful to see his sorrow. The men walked into the room and Nelson knew he should be paying attention to what they were talking about, but he was afraid to be caught listening. Great pain would come to him if Fallon knew he was aware of what they were saying.
Nelson quickly closed his eyes in an attempt to feign sleep before the two noticed. He could hear them coming deeper into the room as Fallon said something about not needing his spy anymore.
Then the name Fallon said next caused Nelson’s ears to perk up in interest and a rush of hope to run through him. Fallon said Toby. Surely it wasn’t the same Toby? There had to be others with
that name. Nelson pushed down his excitement so that he could concentrate on what Fallon and Uriel were discussing.
“Are you sure, my lord? What about the other two, the ones he protects? Should I send out guards to acquire them?” Uriel asked.
“No, it would do any good. Toby has already stated they are not in the cave any longer and are safe in the bosom of the pixie in that town,” Fallon answered, his voice full of anger and disgust.
“He is no longer of any use to us. Send out Bane and Mathian to deal with him. They know what to do. I will insist on another meeting, and when he arrives, I want him taken care of so that he can’t go blabbing to that insufferable dragon and his phoenix mate.”
“Yes, Fallon, I will instruct them immediately,” Uriel said, then Nelson heard feet hurriedly moving toward the door.
Did he mean to harm this Toby? Were his goons going to kill him? The thoughts spiked Nelson’s heart, causing him to begin to panic. He needed to calm down or he would draw Fallon’s attention. It couldn’t be the same Toby they were talking about. It just couldn’t be.
