Lina: Twisted Fairy Tales Book Two

9: Season Of Renewal

I didn’t know what to do with the Fae King’s confession. Was he lying to me? While I was convinced there was a possibility, I was also aware it was suspiciously convenient that I was trapped in the Fae World.

Unless, of course, my jailer was to be believed and I provided the King with an heir to strengthen his bloodline and thus his power. Then I could possibly go home.

Like I said, convenient.

It was just one more way to tie me to them. Like I’d ever be able to walk away from my child. And I seriously doubted the King would either if his power tied so closely to the blood. I threw the pillow I was supposed to be stitching across the bed with a snarl. I’d always hated sewing anyway. Burying my face in my hands, I curled up and retreated into myself, using a trick I was getting good at. If all else fails: sleep.

The ‘Human’ Realm

If we can call it that..

Kennice

“I want answers, now!” Slamming the doors to the library open, more than one person jumped, including the most recent of our progeny, currently in my womb. I placed a hand on my stomach to still the child and glared at the men and women assembled.

“My Queen, as I told the King..” A man, whose name I wasn’t entirely sure was ‘Krispen’ spoke up, patronizingly. I narrowed my eyes further at the man and he stuttered to a halt.

“Your King is in no condition to be taking any advice from this council.” As if to make my point for me, a howl rent the air somewhere outside the castle walls. I staggered slightly as other voices joined in, my hand flying to my chest as my heart felt as though it might literally be tearing in two. He was calling for his missing pack member. Our daughter. The child moved restlessly within me, and someone gripped my arm, steadying me. I looked up to see Tyrus, and smiled thinly at him in thanks.

“You see.” I nodded my head in the direction of the sound, my voice coming out too thin and weak. So I cleared my throat, straightening and smoothing my hands over my dress. “We need to find a way to get my daughter back. Now.” I spun on my heel and breezed from the room, before anyone could see my weakness. Ward’s pain was killing us both, slowly.

Faery

Malina

Sparkles woke me. Tiny little glittering bits of light drafted against my window.

I sat up, stunned. It was like stars had decided to float lower in the sky. I crawled from my bed to watch, amazed.

Unbelievably, my spicy jailor was conspicuously absent. That was alright with me though. It was nice to have a break from her every once in a while. After watching the twinkling bits of light float around like snow, settling over everything, I decided I must be in it.

My door opened without any trouble. It wasn’t locked and I had no guard. The hall was silent as well. Where was everyone? Didn’t matter, I told myself, I had glowing snow to go see in person.

Padding down the hall on stealthy feet, using all my shifter skills to stay quiet, I made it to the garden doors.

Again, no guard, and no sign of a Fae in sight. My hackles rose as I darted a nervous glance around. Was this supposed to be a trap? I hadn’t planned another escape, and honestly, the fact that no one was around made me too nervous to try. It was just too convenient, too easy. It would be just like the Fae King to make it seem like he was offering me a way out to see if I’d take it. I straightened my back. But I was doing nothing of the sort, I just wanted a better look outside.

My eye caught on the twinkling snow again, and I was drawn, like a magnet, through the doors and right out into the middle of it.

I held out my hands as the little lights kissed my skin, landing and staying for far longer than any snowflake before disappearing. No, absorbing. They were dissolving into me. The inane thought occurred to me that the lights were evaluating me somehow. My skin would light up from within for a brief time, and then the light would fade out. I should probably not trust these little lights, but my curiosity had me moving further into the gardens, watching how the light landed on and was absorbed by the plants. Unlike me, the plants stayed lit up.

“Remarkable..” I murmured, watching as leaves, branches and flowers became lit from within. I kept moving until I came to a bush with a withered branch. The light that landed here disappeared, and it made me sad. I reached out to touch it, but the branch suddenly burst with new life, making me jump back with a soft squeal followed by an excited laugh.

“It’s the season of renewal.” A gruff voice said from behind me. I spun so quickly, I nearly lost my balance. The bones in my fingers tried to lengthen and sharpen into claws, pressing against my skin, even as my gums and teeth rearranged themselves in my mouth. I forced myself back together, pushing away the Shift until I knew who I faced.

“You’re Ives.. aren’t you?” I asked the man sitting on a bench recessed in the hedge. He looked even worse for wear up close. Scars criss-crossed much of his exposed skin. One gruesome scar had left a permanent path through his hair and right eyebrow. An eyebrow that he raised at me and continued speaking as if I hadn’t asked my question.

“They’ve had their harvest season, and now it’s time for renewal. Blasted place doesn’t have actual snow. No real winter. ‘Haven of Perpetual Spring’ they call it. This is as close as it gets to winter here. ‘S why I come out here. You might want to get inside though, little lady.” The man I was certain was Ives remarked, no longer looking at me. I crossed my arms.

“Oh? Why’s that?” I demanded, not particularly happy with being ignored or commanded. Eyes still roaming, looking anywhere but at me, possible-Ives waited a beat before answering.

“Let’s just say this weather has a.. Peculiar effect.. On things. Plants.. Animals.. People.. Changelings.” This time he met my eyes, and I felt a sudden chill down my spine.

“Changelings?” I asked, but his gaze was roaming again, like I didn’t exist. I had a strange feeling that he wasn’t really present in the moment with me at all. That his mind was addled, roaming far worse than his eyes. With a groan, he shoved himself to his feet, and I noticed for the first time the cane and wooden leg. How had I missed that before? “Wait..” I called, extending a hand, but then stopped, distracted by my own skin. I was glowing now as well.