Page 26

Chapter Twenty-Six

A elia

As per what had now become routine, I followed my jailer-turned-trainer through the murky halls of the keep, so consumed in the comforting feel of the medallion between my fingertips that I barely looked up once.

It was only when I noticed the steep incline of the passageway that I released the worn medal of my necklace and threw a questioning gaze at my escort. “Where are we going?”

“You’ll be training outside today.”

“What?” My heart leapt up my throat, anticipation sending my heartbeat into a rampage. “You mean above ground? I’ll finally get to see the light of day after two months trapped down here?”

He slanted a narrowed glare in my direction, as unamused with me as ever. “That’s what I said, isn’t it?”

Oh, blessed Raysa. Outside meant a chance of escape, a chance that someone who had to be out there searching might find me. “And what is the reasoning behind your grand generosity?”

“This is not my doing, princess. Today’s instruction is by command of my king.”

A prickle of unease darted up my spine. “What sort of instruction?”

“You’ll see…”

We marched the remaining distance to the grand foyer of the keep with the sweeping iron rafters and sleek obsidian walls in silence. Walking beneath an enormous chandelier, a grander version of the one in my own quarters, my pace inadvertently quickened with each step closer to the iron door that had come into view.

Good gods, just the idea of taking in a breath of fresh air instead of the stale oxygen I’d been forced to endure for the past two months had me giddy with excitement. And still, a growing knot in my gut tempered the enthusiasm, not allowing me to fully give in to the excitement.

“Where is my kindhearted grandsire?”

Kaelith paused at the door, his big hand clenched on the coal-black handle. “Attending to a security concern.”

“Security?” I squealed. Was there war on the horizon or had someone finally breeched the walls of the Keep to find me?

“Yes, princess.” He hauled the door open, the monstrous hinges groaning their displeasure. “Now, no more questions. It’s time for a new lesson.”

From the sliver between the doorway, I could just make out a heavily shadowed, snow-capped forest. Fresh, icy air wafted over me, filling my lungs. A twinge of disappointment raked over me at the absence of the sun. Twilight descended over us, the final rays of daytime disappearing over the horizon. But at least I was finally outside, I reminded myself.

Where were we? Were we still in Aetheria, or had the king transported us across the continent with his control of nightmarish pocket realms?

Kaelith swung the door open all the way, his bulky frame blocking the view and a chorus of voices echoed just beyond. I stood on my tiptoes to see over his broad shoulder, but the man was a gods’ damned giant.

An excruciatingly long moment later, he moved out of the way, revealing a semi-circle of Night Fae soldiers armed to the teeth. Midnight-black leather armor clung to their muscled forms, the surface of each etched with intricate patterns of swirling smoke that seemed to shimmer faintly in the dim light. Curious eyes razed over me, sinister grins spreading as I stepped closer. Raysa, where had Helroth been keeping these monsters hidden? Surely, I would have noticed if they’d been within the walls of the keep.

I drew in a sharp breath, my jaw nearly unhinging at the sight. “What is happening?” I hissed at Kaelith.

“It’s time to test your powers against real opponents.”

As if the enormous beast of a man who’d been training me for weeks hadn’t been a real opponent?

“You are to use all three of your powers as I’ve taught you.” He leaned in, whispering, presumably so the soldiers couldn’t hear. “They have no idea who you really are. Show them.” With that, his hand dove into the folds of his cloak and reappeared a moment later, clutching my dagger.

My breath hitched as I stared disbelievingly at the weapon Aidan had gifted me on my sixteenth birthday. The glittering crystal encrusted into the hilt luminesced beneath the fading light. I snatched it from his hand before he could change his mind. Palming the familiar metal hilt, warmth flooded beneath my ribcage. How was it I hadn’t remembered something so precious to me this entire time? And what of my second blade? I only hoped Ruhl had managed to keep it safe.

Still thumbing the peculiar crystal, I glanced up at Kae. “Where does this gemstone come from?” I already knew the blade was forged of infernium vein, native to the Night Court, but the origins of the shimmering stone had never been divulged.

His dark brows twisted as he regarded the glittering light and swirl of shadow dancing through the crystal. “No idea. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

I held it up, allowing the remaining shards of light to illuminate the iridescent gemstone. “Well, cheers for this all the same.”

“I had no say in the matter, Light Fae. You should be showing your appreciation to the king for returning your weapon. A dagger forged by the hands of Night Fae, in case you weren’t aware.”

I was aware. Ruhl had been spot on about its origins all those months ago.

As I ran my finger over the facets of the sparkling gem, that familiar energy pulsed, a flash of light then a sliver of shadow.

His brows furrowed again, gaze fixed to the hilt. “I’ve never seen it do that before.”

Sliding the dagger into the sheath at my waist, I spun around before he questioned it further. Something still didn’t feel right. My grandfather’s story of my bloodline held too many holes.

The first male stepped forward, drawing my thoughts back to the present and my current predicament. His skin, as black as the night, was in sharp contrast to the sneer showcasing brilliant white teeth and pointed incisors. His cloak, made of night-woven fabric, billowed and shifted like living darkness, trailing faint wisps that dissolved in the air. The Night Fae fisted a deadly battle axe in each of his palms, his blade glowing the brilliant crimson of hellfire. He stalked closer, waves of navy hair cascading down his muscled, bare shoulders.

My rais was the first to surge to the surface responding to the oncoming danger and warming the chill that had settled in at the sight of my new opponents , as Kaelith had called them. Why was it always with rais that I felt most comfortable? Was it simply because it was the first of the gods’ blessings to emerge, or was there more to it? I still couldn’t believe that no Light blood ran through my veins. Sparks ignited across my fingertips, as if confirming my thoughts, and the male’s ominous maroon irises darkened.

“Light Fae,” the male snarled.

In a manner of speaking…

Drawing my dagger in one hand and summoning a luminous blade in the other, I stalked forward. The Night Fae soldier wasted no time, lunging forward with both axes swinging in a deadly arc. I ducked under the first strike, the sheer force of his swing brushing the air above my head. My luminous blade surged with energy in response, and I slashed upward, aiming for his unprotected side. He twisted, his cloak swirling, and deflected my strike with one axe while the other came for my midsection.

I leapt back, my feet skidding along the gravel ground, and barely managed to block the second axe with my dagger. Sparks flew as steel met infernium vein, and my wrist throbbed from the impact.

“You're quicker than I expected,” he rumbled, his sneer widening. “But not quick enough.”

I didn’t bother with a reply. Words wouldn’t win this fight… but I knew my newly unleashed powers could. With a surge of determination, I darted forward, feinting left before striking to his right. My luminous blade sang as it cut through the air, forcing him to parry with one axe. I’d anticipated the counter. Using the momentum, I pivoted, bringing my dagger around to swipe at his thigh.

The blade grazed his skin, enough to draw a thin line of dark blood, but not enough to slow him down. Instead, it only seemed to enrage him. He roared, darkness pouring from his form like living smoke, and the field darkened as zar thickened the air around us.

I could barely see as his silhouette disappeared into the cloud of night. My heart pounded, and I extended my senses, letting the faint glow of my blade light the way. The first strike came from my right, a swift slash that I deflected on instinct. The second came from above, the heavy axe crashing down like an anvil. I rolled out of the way, the ground shuddering where his weapon struck.

“You rely too much on light,” his voice echoed from the darkness.

It was a good thing I had shadow and night then. Neither of which I’d yet to unleash on the bastard.

“But light cannot illuminate everything,” he growled.

He was right, but he didn’t know what else I could summon. Clenching my teeth, I drew further on the rais coursing through me, letting it hum at a frequency that vibrated through my bones. My luminous blade pulsed brighter, flooding the space with searing radiance that tore through the blanket of night.

The male hissed, shielding his eyes as he stumbled back. I lunged, my dagger slashing toward his neck. He recovered faster than I expected, twisting to avoid the blow and catching my wrist in a vice-like grip. His strength was overwhelming, and I could feel the edges of my focus fraying as he yanked me forward.

With a flick of his wrist, a wave of night consumed my luminous blade, the weapon shattering into sparks. I growled in frustration and twisted in his grip, planting a swift kick to his stomach. He grunted, releasing me as he stumbled back, but it was only a momentary reprieve.

His next move was faster, more calculated. He swept my legs out from under me with the haft of his axe and I hit the ground hard, the air rushing from my lungs. Before I could rise, the cold steel of his blade pressed against my throat.

“Yield,” he ordered.

My fingers twitched around the hilt of my dagger. I wanted to fight, to keep going, but from over his shoulder, I found Kaelith’s eyes on mine. With a dip of his chin, he confirmed I’d already lost. For now.

“Fine,” I spat, letting my hands drop. Four more soldiers awaited their turn, and to expend all my energy on the first would be reckless.

The male stepped back, lowering his weapon, and offered me a hand. His expression was unreadable, but there was something almost... respectful in the way he regarded me now.

“You’re not bad for a little Light Fae female,” he said, his lips curling into a faint smirk. “But next time, you won’t land a single hit.”

I scowled, gripping his hand and hauling myself to my feet. “Next time, I’ll do more than graze you.”

The Night Fae chuckled, low and dark, before turning to join his circle of friends. My chest still heaved from the effort, but a spark of determination lit in my core. He’d won this match, but I’d make sure the next one was mine.