Meanwhile, Vikram and Damaris searched through the adjacent room for a labradorite dagger that belonged to the young prince, repeating its properties for a third time. Labradorite was Ansgar’s birthstone, which meant his energy could connect to the crystal and enhance his natural capabilities. I did not know what they meant by that, but we did not have much time and I wasn't ready to give up the bed that held so many memories, that brought me closer to him.
When the clock dinged to announce half-past eleven, Vikram made his way into the bedroom and told me with an apologetic gaze that it was time to go. I barely untangled myself from the sheets but followed the middle prince out the door and down the stairs, where the entire royal family awaited.
I was surprised to be hugged by both the Queen and Takara and be patted on the shoulder by the king, while Damaris shook my hand. They offered some last-minute advice about Rhylan and his trickery, about the Fire Kingdom and deals with the fae, then allowed Vikram to escort me out the door, where a black horse already waited.
“Not again,” I muttered through my teeth but did as instructed and once Vikram saddled me in, I held tightly to him and counted the minutes until we were back in the forest.
When we dismantled, the prince made sure I had the dagger well-hidden and gave me a last hug.
“Anwen, don't expect to find my brother in pristine condition. They did not keep him under earth just for the fun of it,” were the last words I heard before he shoved me through the portal he had opened into Evigt.
I found Rhylan leaning nonchalantly onto the bark of a Cloutie tree, with Matthyaz, Faelar and an entire army studying his every move.
“Nice evening with the in-laws?” he mocked the greeting as soon as I appeared through the gateway, dizzy and ready to be sick.
Everything they said struck me at the sight of him. He wasn’t keeping Ansgar safe. Which meant that while Rhylan lived the life with my best friend and my family, my mate must have been struggling under earth, in god knows what kind of conditions.
“Take me home,” I said to Rhylan and grabbed onto him while waving a thank you to my faerie friend and the new keeper.
Within an instant, we returned to the summer bar, at the back of the garden, illuminated by fairy lights and ready for cocktails.
“You were right about Ansgar,” I stated, breaking my body away from Rhylan. “I believe you now and I want to thank you for taking me to see him.”
I did as advised, I did not protest anymore, trying to keep Rhylan as happy as he could be. I needed him on my side so I could ask for a change of contract that marked our safe return. The Queen’s suggestion.
“About that, there’s been a little change of plans,” Rhylan said as he shifted to pour himself a tall glass of scotch.
“Oh?”
“We’re going to have to visit a little earlier than expected,” he offered.
“How much earlier?” I could not contain the excitement in my voice.
“Three days. It will give me more time with Cressida and you, enough to arrange your business and say goodbye to your parents.” He took a long sip, avoiding looking at me, to even acknowledge my presence next to him. Something must had happened because Rhylan lookedworried.
“What about the Autumn Solstice?” I questioned, remembering what Rhylan explained about portals and energies.
“Sprout,” I couldn’t but observe how he had reverted back to my original nickname, “As many other things that I've said to you during our time together,I lied,” he replied, then finished the drink he had served himself and walked away.
Chapter Eighteen
I killed them all. Still, it was not enough. The wrath forcing me to harm, the reward of each blow and strike did not satisfy the need eating my insides.
I fought the iron chains.
They barely allowed air into my lungs and I struggled to keep alive but every time someone came close to the cell, I jumped and attacked, catching strength from that place that had become putrid with the urge to kill. To damage. To stop them all from existing.
They started coming in groups and using only one victim to bring food and water. One that I would kill in an instant. The food always remained stained with blood, but I enjoyed it more this way. It meant I earned it. I remained in the dark cell until the next time, until they sent someone new for me to enjoy, the scribble of cracking light when the cell door opened my signal to attack.
The last set of guards made the idiotic decision to bring a dagger with them, thinking it would aid their life. A nice souvenir I kept after breaking his neck.
The pile of victims and discarded limbs started to grow by the entrance door and the stench made even the putrid scent of my infected wounds seem like a breeze. I tried shoving the pieces away in the corners and rid myself of them through the cracks, but they did not fit and soon enough, discarded faerie carcasses formed a wall around the dark surroundings, bringing a curtain of death around me.
I wanted to die, my body was ready for it, my mind had given out long ago, yet there was something that did not allow it, something that burst out of me as soon as that cell door opened.
The need to kill, to hurt, to damage. It felt uncontainable, pushing my body to new limits and tapping into whatever source of energy it found. So I continued to listen and did as ordered.
Killed, killed, killed.
