Page 36 of The Wars of Monsters
Ode blinked, and I knew she was trying to keep back tears. Reaching forward, I crushed her in a hug, struggling to keep down the emotions that threatened to overwhelm me.
“He won’t be happy, you know,” she whispered. “When he finds out you’re gone. I know he messed things up, but I do believe he loves you.”
I pulled back and swallowed hard, studying her face. I didn’t want to talk about Xander. “You could come with me, you know?”
She shook her head, and I gave her a small smile. I didn’t think she’d leave. Reluctantly, she moved away from the door.
“Goodbye, Ode,” I said. “Take care of yourself.”
Outside the house, a few fae were around, but I tried to blend in as I walked between the buildings and toward one of the barrier boulders which acted as a gateway to the camp. No one noticed as I slipped into the forest.
Years ago, when I’d first arrived in Zalei, I would have had no hope of surviving in the forest, but I wasn’t that same girl anymore. I made my way quickly between the trees, careful not to leave tracks or make any sudden noises. Ode had often talked of the fae city that was far south of the camp, so I figured I’d head in that direction. I still had Samson’s glamor over me, and now that I knew I was part fae, I wasn’t too worried about trying to blend in with the citizens. I’d have to find a way to gain access to the royal library, or perhaps get information out of the scholars there, none of which sounded like an easy task, but maybe I could start by trying to get a job in the palace.
In any case, I first had to get away from Xander and the Forgotten Fae. It wasn’t until I’d been walking for a good while that I could finally breathe easily again, and I slowed my pace to something that was more sustainable.
When night fell, I allowed myself to have a short rest and sat with my back to the thick trunk of a tree. Reaching down, I was about to pull out my flask of water, when someone stepped out from the shadows of the trees and lifted a blade to my throat. As if on cue, half a dozen more soldiers stepped into view, their silver armor gleaming in the moonlight, and they spread out in front of me, their weapons pointed in my direction.
I peered up at the male soldier who stood with his blade still pressed against my neck.
“Is this the one?” the soldier called out as if he was speaking to the forest, and as if in response, a gust of wind rushed by us, rustling the leaves of the nearby trees.
I lifted my hands into the air and worked a tremor into my voice. “Please, I-I’m from the city. I became lost in the forest, and I’m just trying to find my way home.”
The soldier smiled kindly. “You don’t need to lie to me,” he said calmly, sheathing his dagger. “We know full well who you are.”
My brows slammed down. “You do?”
He gestured with his head to the surrounding soldiers, and they lowered their weapons.
“You’re the one who stood up to the Forgotten Fae. They say that the child was near death and somehow you managed to save him. His father keeps raving about you.”
I blinked in surprise. “He does?”I cleared my throat, realizing I made a mistake by exposing my power, but also not able to regret having done it.They managed to get away.
“From the sounds of it, no other healer would have been able to save him, but you did. You then also helped them escape by the sounds of things. King Chalir is very interested in speaking with you, and when the nymphs said they spotted a fae female of your description traveling through the forest alone, guess who got charged with the job of bringing you in.”
“What does he want to speak about?” I asked, unable to hide my fear.
“It’s not my job to ask questions,” the soldier answered, holding out his hand and helping me to my feet. “But I don’t think you have anything to worry about.” With that, he stepped away from me and moved his arms, concentrating until a circle of blue fire appeared. “Portals are strictly forbidden, so the king must think you’re very special to task me to use one to ensure you make it to the palace.”
Forbidden?Xander had never mentioned that using portals was forbidden in Zalei. Was it just another thing he hadn’t told me about? My heart hurt as I thought of the fae leader, and I stared at the portal. I needed to go to the palace, but I hadn’t thought I’d get there like this. For all I knew, the king could want to imprison or execute me. However, that seemed unlikely if my power was as rare as the soldier said. No, more likely he was hoping to use me.
“Cara, don’t!” A male roared, and I spun around to see Xander, Ellis, and two more Forgotten Fae behind us. They burst from the trees, their weapons out as they charged forward. They collided with the royal soldiers, their swords clanging and magic aiding the fight.
I gasped. “Xander?”
The soldier beside me cursed. “Rebel scum.” Turning to me, he held out his hand. “We’d better go now, or we might not make it.”
I hesitated, my gaze going from Ellis to Xander. Xander’s blue eyes flashed with anger as he cut down a soldier and stepped toward me, only to be stopped by another soldier.
“Don’t go!” Xander called out to me, his voice strained and eyes wide and afraid. “Please, Cara. I know what you saw looked bad, but you can’t trust the king. We need those books, and I wasn’t thinking!”
Indecision warred inside me, but I couldn’t go back. For years I’d stayed with Xander, hoping he’d find a way to send me home. I gave the fae my heart, and now that it was broken, words weren’t enough to fix it. Even if I hadn’t been desperate to return to my island, and going to the palace wasn’t possibly the only way to get me there, I couldn’t stay with the Forgotten Fae. Not now that I’d seen the truth of what happened on their so-called missions.
“Goodbye, Xander,” I said softly, and I grabbed the soldier’s hand before I could change my mind. He led me into the portal, and Xander’s anguished cry was the last thing I heard as I stepped into the blue light.
CHAPTER 18
~ Raine ~