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Chapter Eighteen

“Y ou three certainly attract a lot of attention.” Tem rests his hands on his hips and faces us. “I don’t know when Genoa is planning on arriving today to collect you.” Tem steps so close to Kai, Garrett actually puts his hand on the fairy’s chest. Tem shakes his head, voice low. “Acorn told me about the orb you have. You have one of the Orbs of Olwar.”

“Orbs of Olwar?” I raise my brow. We all exchange brief glances of confusion.

“Come with me on a walk. We need to get away from mischievous ears.” He tilts his head toward the crowd, steps back, puts on his easy smile, and begins walking around the perimeter of the yard, but toward the exit.

“Do we trust him?” Garrett asks.

“Acorn does,” I comment. “He’s a hard sell.”

Tem turns his head so his one eye can see us. “We don’t have time for me to prove anything.”

Kai shrugs in a way that says, “ He has a point .”

We stop at a cell on the opposite side of the entrance from where ours are. Tem’s cell is far more elaborate and removes all doubt that he is someone important. He has a real bed, a chest at the foot of it, a wardrobe, and even a chair and small bookshelf.

“Lay the orb on my bed,” he says.

I hesitate, but the orb begins to grow hot against my leg.

It is safe, a voice coaxes through my mind.

Carefully, I open the pouch and allow the golden ball to roll out. My heart is racing. Acorn said the ball spoke to him, but this is my first time hearing it. There is something disconcerting about a voice in my head. I swallow down my discomfort.

“What is an Orb of Olwar?” I ask.

Tem’s smile saddens. “No one exactly knows where they came from or how they were formed. There are two in existence, as far as we know. They are sentient and have been part of our history for centuries.”

“What do they do?” Kai asks.

Tem reaches out and places his hand on the orb, then runs his thumb across the surface. I read sadness in every movement. “They bring power to the king and queen, but only if they are truly in love. It grants us the ability to share one another’s power.”

“Why does this make you sad?” I ask.

“Because it is no longer linked to me,” he whispers. Tears brim his eyes. “She no longer loves me.” Tem clears his throat and straightens. “We have little time, if any. All we have to do is sneak out through one of the guard entrances and then get back to your realm through one of the unlocked fairy portals.”

“You make it sound easy,” Garrett says flatly.

Tem shrugs. “The hardest part is going to be getting out of the prison.”

I point my thumb behind me. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but this place seems pretty impenetrable.”

This earns a chuckle from Kai.

“Because I am who I am,” Tem starts, “I know where all of the exits are and which one will be the easiest for us to escape through.” He turns all attention to me. “Does your purple eye indicate that you are a human magic wielder?”

I nod. “You know about that?”

“Yes. I’ve met quite a few humans. What do you know about enchanting?”

I smile. “That happens to be my strongest form of magic.”

“Then we have a way to escape.” His eye lights up and he rubs his hands with excitement.

“And that would be?” I ask.

“We need you to enchant something to make us shrink. Can you do that?”

I almost laugh because I’ve used that enchantment multiple times, including the liquid used to make the troll shrink, and practically have it memorized. I smile widely. “I can.”

He winks. “Smart girl.”

I dig into my pouch to fish out the grimoire and sit on the edge of the bed to leaf through the pages. I need a reminder of the rune’s shape. In sitting on the bed, however, the orb rolls and bumps against me.

Trust in your own knowledge . The voice is masculine and somehow close and distant at the same time, like an echo. It somewhat resembles Kai’s voice, and I feel warmth fill me.

I look around.

“What?” Kai steps close.

“Ah. Yes.” Tem clears his throat. “I forgot to mention there is a mental connection with the orbs. They’re sentient, remember?”

I blink and place my hand on my racing heart. “It spoke to me.”

“Yes. They do that.” Tem smiles softly.

I glance up at Kai and then back down at the ball on the bed. I reach down and pick it up. Its energy is warm. “Why does it speak to me, though?”

You know what the rune looks like. You know how to use it. Stop second-guessing yourself and cast the spell.

“Can’t you just transfer us out of here with magic or something?” I ask it.

You must find your own way. The guard is coming.

I slip the orb into the pouch and throw it over my shoulder. “We should go,” I say. “The guards are coming and we can’t get caught.”

Garrett is the first to leave the cell, followed by Kai and me. Tem takes up the rear.

The fairy guard, who has bright green wings, eyes us. “You have a chance to be outside and you’re in here?”

“It’s safer than walking laps around the monsters,” Kai points out.

“Especially since they want to kill him for the hag,” Garrett chimes in.

Kai’s brow twitches. “I wasn’t going to add that part.”

The fairy steps to the side and gestures, hand on his sword. “There are some creatures who cannot enter the light. They’re more dangerous than a hag. I recommend you go where we can keep a better eye on you.”

“For our own safety?” Kai asks.

“Something like that,” he replies flatly.

“Thank you for the warning,” I say, dragging Kai forward. “We’ll go back outside.”

Tem bows his head. “Thank you, Rendesh.”

Rendesh gives a wisp of a smile before continuing down the hall.

“We are in luck,” Tem says the instant we are around the corner. “Rendesh is forever loyal to me. I took him in after his father was killed, shortly before being put here. If he sees us during the escape, he isn’t going to turn on me.”

Once outside, I walk a small square, keeping an eye on the crowd without appearing to do so, though I imagine I’m failing miserably. We’ve been given a bit of space, but they seem more on edge than they did yesterday and I have an itch at the back of my mind they are planning something. Hopefully we can escape before anything worse happens.

“Will we even have a chance to escape in daylight?” I mutter under my breath.

“I think Acorn is rubbing off on you,” Garrett says. He’s walking back and forth just beyond my square.

Kai is slumped against the wall, arms folded across his chest, head down. He really must not have slept last night to be asleep right now. Though the sun is definitely warm and calming.

I smile as I make eye contact with Garrett and stop when we meet.

He pauses and eyes me. “Are you okay?”

I bite my lip. “I feel like I need to be honest about Kai,” I whisper.

He holds up his hand. “I know your heart belongs to him. Even though you’re mad at him, you have deep feelings I don’t know if anyone can fill.”

I look down at my feet.

“He cares just as deeply. You should have seen him after he was given the order to arrest you or your mother. He met with her.”

My eyes widen and my breath hitches. “What?” I say it a bit louder than intended and Kai’s eyes fly open.

“He spoke with her before he arrested her,” Garrett repeats, his back to Kai and unaware the prince has woken. “He told her about his father’s order and how he didn’t know what to do. He was certain you would never forgive him if he arrested her, but he couldn’t put you in prison. He begged her for help. Your mother made the decision for him.”

Tears fill my eyes and I look past Garrett. Kai is now standing. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Garrett turns and steps back. When Kai doesn’t immediately answer, Garrett does for him. “He didn’t want you mad at her.”

Kai licks his lip. “It made more sense at the time to me. I didn’t think that you would stay mad at me so long and end up completely alone. Your mother said she left a letter for you.”

Guilt washes over me. I’ve only ever read the first paragraph, where she tells me she will be fine in prison and that I should keep practicing magic and take care of the homestead. I couldn’t bear to read the rest.

My loneliness is entirely my fault.

Kai getting married was because I pushed him away.

I turn away, but Kai wraps his arms around me from behind and pulls me against his chest. “Don’t be angry with yourself. There’s so much you didn’t know.”

“How can I not hate myself?” I whisper.

He cradles my arms and leans his cheek against mine. “You were surviving. Everyone reacts to situations differently, and I cannot fault you for trying to make it through each day.”

“Look where that’s gotten us.” My voice cracks. “Because of me we’re in a prison. Worse, you’re now stuck with a fairy as a wife.”

“Shh. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do to keep you safe, even if it meant pushing you away.”

I turn to face him and see his eyes brimming with tears. “I’m sorry for how I’ve treated you.”

“I am sorry too. I should have involved you in that conversation.” He places his hand on my jaw and rubs his thumb across my cheekbone. “But there are too many ‘should have’ situations. We cannot change the past.”

I nod. We have to figure out how to move forward from here. But I’m not ready to replace Kai yet. I’m not ready to let anyone else take his place in my heart.

The temperature drops around us, and everyone, including the other prisoners, looks around for the source.

Kai drags me behind him and Garrett steps in front of the prince. I think we all know why the atmosphere has become cold, and it is only confirmed when a shadow descends from above.

Genoa lands in the center of the space. Her skin is pale beneath the sunlight and the color of her wings is more pastel than I recall. “My good creatures. I’ve come to collect my prize. I must show him to the people before we return to claim his kingdom as ours. And then none of you will need to be in this wretched place any longer.”

From the corner of my vision, I notice Tem back up and slip into the crowd, disappearing into their numbers.

Genoa turns and holds her hand out toward us, eyes locked on Kai. “Come, my husband.”

Kai places his hand on Garrett’s shoulder and nudges him out of the way. “Keep your vow. Get Elowyn out of here,” he whispers. “Go with Tem. Keep her safe.”

“Your Highness,” he objects.

Kai has sacrificed everything for me.

He let me go to change the laws so I can follow my dreams.

I may not know war magic. I may not know how to cast fireballs and call upon lightning. But I know nature. I know plants. I have leaned on the goodness of nature my entire life.

I run forward and cut in front of Kai, making him bump into me.

“El, what are you doing?” he whispers.

“You aren’t taking him!” I shout at the fairy sorceress. “You’ve destroyed enough. You can’t have him too.”

Genoa grins. “You’re going to challenge me, little witch?”

“El, don’t be foolish,” Kai warns. He puts his hand on my hip and tries to push me aside.

I shove against him and retake my place as his shield. “You’re a fairy and belong in your realm. Kai belongs on the throne you placed him on.”

“He does. With me at his side.” Her grin falls. “You are pestering me, child.”

“Can we come to no other arrangement?” I ask. “His father made a vow with you, which has now been fulfilled. You know this means Kai can make a new treaty with you in order to benefit both of our races.”

Genoa tilts her head, her blonde hair cascading down over her shoulder when she does so. “And what arrangement do you want that to be?”

I have no idea. I am rattling off whatever...whatever the orb is speaking to me. The orb is speaking through me. I didn’t realize until this moment that the orb’s voice fills my head. “A peace treaty. Your people can come and go through the human realm as they please. Laws regarding the regulation of magic will be reconsidered so fairies cannot be punished for simply living. Kai rules his throne, King Tem rules his.”

Her brow twitches. “Tem? Temarilian?” She blinks, like she hasn’t heard the name in ages. Her eyes darken. “Or I can do what I wish. Come, Prince Kaison. Before I tear her apart and feed her to my pets.”

Kai grips my wrist and pushes me backward and against Garrett, no matter how hard my feet fight against him. His jaw is clenched, his lips tight, his eyes stern. “You stay with him.”

Garrett grabs onto me to stop me from running after Kai again.

My fingers tingle with the familiar sensation of magical energy. I am not going to let Kai silently walk away from me into a future he cannot control when he has been a bargaining chip his entire life.

“ Etch na frier! ” I say.

The ground trembles.

Genoa’s gaze snaps to me and Kai looks over his shoulder as the trembling grows into an earthquake so immense the prisoners begin to run.

“What are you doing?” Garrett demands.

The roots of the ancient tree in which we are imprisoned claw through layers of soil and penetrate through the stone floor that has been built to suppress them. I don’t know how I understand, but the tree is as ancient as the fairy world and has been polluted with magic in an attempt to retain the prisoners. That is the magic I call to, but through that magic to the tree itself.

Genoa turns in a circle as the roots spring up and grapple at her—and any living thing running away. A crack echoes and forms alone one of the far walls. “You think you can intimidate me with a little bit of magic?” She scoffs and reaches her hand out toward Kai. A shadowy hand shoots forth, grasps him around the neck, and drags him to her. “I gave you a chance to let him go willingly.”

“I’m not letting him go!” Strength fills me, exploding in my chest, and I step away from Garrett. I reach for the tree, for the earth, for the air. “ Altech er undin! Etch na frier! ”

“Elowyn, stop!” Garrett shouts. “You don’t know what you’re doing!”

A root wraps around Genoa’s ankle.

Garrett grabs onto my arm. “You’re destroying the prison and putting our lives in danger!”

Genoa holds Kai with one hand and her glare bores into me. “He will die because of you. Is that what you want?”

Kai’s feet kick and his hands grapple at Genoa’s grip.

Fear seizes my air and I drop my hands. She’s killing him. The shaking of the earth fades and dirt crumbles from the broken walls.

“You’ll never see him again. Nizra!” she shouts. She beats her wings with force enough to kick up the dirt around us, blinding me.

I shield my face with my arm and feel Garrett hold me.

When the wind stops, I look around at the devastation I caused.

“We aren’t escaping now,” Garrett mutters, looking up in the direction Genoa has taken Kai.

My gaze lingers on their shapes until I can no longer see them. “You can stay if you want. I’m getting out of here.” I begin walking over the lumps of roots bulging from the ground.

“And how do you plan on doing that?” Garrett chases after me.

“I don’t know yet!”

Tem rushes over. “Now would be the most opportune moment to take advantage of the chaos to escape.”

“Won’t the guards be on higher alert?” Garrett asks.

“You’re not as much of a threat as the others. Well, you aren’t. She is. Regardless, we have a window of opportunity.” He nudges us toward the hallway. “We won’t have time to wait for you to cast spells to allow discretion. Do you know how to unlock doors?”

We step into the darkness, but two fairy guards land behind us, grasping my arms instantly. They say nothing before they pull my arms behind me and clamp cold metal onto my wrists. One of them is the soldier Tem mentioned earlier, Rendesh.

Garrett wheels, but Tem snatches his wrist before he does something he won’t be able to take back. “Let her go!”

“She is a danger and will be treated as one,” the unknown soldier replies.

“Where will you take her?” Tem asks, holding Garrett back.

Rendesh steps forward, drawing me with him. “To the dark cell. She will be safest there.” He nods and steps past them, forcing me along.

I make eye contact with Garrett.

“She will be safe,” Tem insists. “Don’t worry, Elowyn.”

I struggle to swallow.

A dull throb aches across the back of my head. The chains burn. Pain shoots through my shoulder. Fairy guards fill the hallway, ushering prisoners to their respective cells. I didn’t even know there were so many fairy guards or where they came from. I am taken straight down the hall where Tem’s cell is, all the way until it ends at a guard door protected with a magical rune. The last cell on the right has a solid, heavy door. This is the cell Rendesh unlocks and slides open.

“You’re making me stay in here?” I ask.

Rendesh removes my pouch. “I have no choice.”

“You can’t take that! That has my belongings! My property!”

The second soldier pushes me into the cell.

“My hedgehog is in there! He’ll be concerned.”

“We will take care of him,” Rendesh says. They close the door and lock it.

I sink to my knees, struggling for breath as panic sucks the air from my lungs. I’m alone in a dark cell, the only light coming from beneath the door, and it’s freezing. The more I shiver, the more my shoulder hurts. I don’t even have Acorn for company.

What would Kai do in this situation?

Magic. I have magic.

Garrett may believe I am a danger, and he’s right that I don’t know what I’m doing, but Kai has always told me I have more inside of myself than I’m willing to admit. If he’s willing to fight for me, I have to be willing to fight for him.

But when I try and access my magic...it’s not there. There is a dark hole in the middle of my chest. How am I going to get out of this now?