Guardians of Fire Read online

  Shade

  I peered around The Glass Castle, exasperated. My mind was elsewhere, thinking of the endless trouble all because of Kilara. Not finding Ursad present to greet us was the last straw. I was tired. Tired of everything and everyone.

  “Hey, sis. You all right?”

  I shook my head at Benton. “No. I just really wish for once our lives would calm down. All this craziness… it gets old fast. Nothing ever turns out the way it’s supposed to. I know you’re just as weary of it all, just like I am.”

  He nodded, sadness spreading over his face. “What’s really wrong? I know it’s not just one thing.” Benton eyed me curiously. I couldn’t hide a thing from my brother to save my life.

  Shaking my head, I closed my eyes, feeling even more weary and tired than I had in a long time. I finally flicked my eyelids back open to look straight at my sibling.

  “I’m sorry, Benton. I know we’re all tired of being toys for the Ancients. If I could, I’d put all four Ancients to sleep and let the land thrive without them. I would, you know? But I’m afraid there’re things that the Land of Faerie demands, and I have to do its bidding. That includes Kilara’s demands. I wish I could see through everyone. I know you’re on my side, but what about Ursad? Not finding him here…it worries me. He’s my friend, I know this down to my core, and he never would’ve betrayed me if it weren’t for Corb. Something tells me that he’s not here because of Corb again. It angers me that I must travel to the damned Great Divide again because of him. I don’t want to go on any more journeys for Kilara or anyone else.”

  At the mention of the ancient ice castle which belonged to Corb, Benton’s frown tightened. I’d been held prisoner there with Dylan for weeks, with no memory of my past, until I figured out how to use the memory charm necklace my mother had made me. It, along with the ampule my grandmother had given me, which held her blood, had broken the spell Corb had placed upon me. I’d nearly died from it.

  Going against an Ancient’s power can be fatal, and that was why I did whatever Kilara told me to. Challenging Ancients brought almost certain death, and even if I was spared this time, she had cursed Soap for good measure. But I did not want to return to The Great Divide for any reason, even if Corb was on our side. The place held haunting memories for me. Knowing Corb had that much control before I’d been bound to him and could control his magic, it had shaken me up more than I’d like to admit. I’d almost lost my life that day, but then, instead, I gained some ice powers from Corb, after I reined in his magic.

  “If only we didn’t have to go back to Corb’s castle,” I groaned. “But who knows? Maybe he knows more about The Heart of Fire and Ice than we give him credit for.”

  “You think so?”

  “I don’t know, Benton. Maybe he does. Maybe he has the key to what we need. All I know is that I need the blood of three Ancients along with fire and ice magic to enter The Heart. Without all of it, if I fail, no one else will be able to enter and get what we need. Kilara will not be happy.”

  We all turned to exit The Glass Castle when the very man we were looking for stepped into hall, blocking the exit.

  I stepped back, shocked to find the Ice Ancient nonchalantly standing there, as if waiting for us. “Corb… we were just heading toward your castle. What are you doing here?”

  He was fit and tall in his black riding outfit, which he favored as it contrasted with his white hair. He appeared unfazed by our shock. His mother-of-pearl eyes blinked at us, lacking any expression. Finally, he threw us a sly smile.

  “Hello, Shade. It has felt like an eternity since I’ve seen you, though it’s been just a week. I’m afraid Ursad is not here. I came to visit him, but his presence has been lacking here for some time. I’m sure he’ll turn up sooner or later.”

  His lack of concern for his son made me flinch. “You don’t care where he is?”

  He tilted his head at me, his eyes gleaming under the sunlight streaming through the walls of windows. “Of course I care. I can find him if I want to, but he doesn’t want me to. So I let him be. For now.”

  I nodded, feeling more at ease with that answer than his previous nonchalance. “Corb, since you’re here, we need to ask you for something.”

  He further tipped his head in my direction, drilling his stare into me. “Ask away, Your Majesty. Whatever it is you need, I am but your humble servant.”

  I fidgeted, wondering why he made me feel so exposed, like his eyes could peel each invisible layer of glamour I wore, leaving me naked. Straightening, I tried to appear as though he didn’t make me uncomfortable. The way he stood watching me made me suspect he already knew why I was there.

  Damn those Ancients. Always knowing yet always unyielding. He had to know something about all this. Maybe he had talked to Kilara already. Maybe he knew the answers we sought and would willingly help us. Or maybe he was there to mock us after all.

  “I need some of your blood so I can enter The Heart of Fire and Ice and gain whatever magic is there to help Kilara heal herself.”

  At this mention of Kilara, Corb flinched. His smile dropped, and he scanned all the warriors with a scrutinizing gaze before he snapped his eyes back onto me. “No ordinary fey can enter that place. Even a half-blood. What makes you think you can?”

  “That’s why I need your blood. Rowan said I need the blood of three Ancients so that I may enter. Rowan and Arthas are with me, and now here you are. I’d like to avoid asking Kilara for her blood if I don’t have to. Besides, since you have ice magic, your blood would combine with Benton’s elemental fire magic to allow him to enter as well. I—I may need the help.”

  Corb pressed his lips together in a tight line, disturbed by the news. He obviously hadn’t heard from Kilara, and everything I’d said was a surprise to him. I wondered why he knew so little of Kilara. Had she been keeping him at arm’s length again, blocking him? The thought broke my heart, because Corb loved Kilara. He always would, until he died, but that woman was unable to even understand what love is.

  “So it’s true. Kilara is dying.” Corb’s voice formed sad, booming words which echoed across the hall, sending forth a somber, icy mood that passed through everyone. Everyone shuddered with the slight chill. It failed to bother me; I had the power of ice thanks to Corb. But I could see in the corner my eye my companions rubbing their arms and hugging themselves for warmth. His words had conjured winter into our midst.

  “Did you not know or even suspect why she avoids you so much, Corb?” I asked, afraid to look him in the eye. “Yes, she’s ailing from an incurable withering. Incurable, that is, except by some magic in The Heart. Or so she says.”

  He snapped his narrowing gaze at me, not quite angry but not one bit joyous. “My love for her is for all eternity, but her mind is fractured, yes. She’s different now and will probably never be the same again. I fear her demise is imminent, even if you reach this place and gather the magic she needs to recover, there’s only so much the Land of Faerie will allow, and I do believe Kilara has lost its favor. I have felt the magic dividing in the land, swaying in directions it never has before. And in the center of it all….” He paused and glanced down at his feet. “At the center of it all is a part human, part faery named Shade.”

  I glared at him, my fists tightening at my sides. “You aren’t blaming me, are you? I have nothing to do with what is killing Kilara. How dare you accuse me of it?”

  “What it has to do with you and all this, I have no idea, but you have the land’s favor, and it stops at nothing when it wants something. I’m afraid you probably already know this, but once Kilara….” His voice choked, betraying his shattering heart. “Once she is gone, another must take her place. The power of the Land of Faerie is symbiotic with the mortal world. Power fluctuations not only affect our realm, but the human world as well. Ours is divided amongst four to control the power, so none can be stronger and none can be weaker. What do you think the power will cling to when Kilara is gone? She has only one single heir. Therefore, my d
ear Shade, you will be the one to pay the price when Kilara dies.”

  Benton stepped forward, anger surging in his expression. He held out his sword, which he ignited into flames and pointed it at the Ancient. I cried out to him to stop. What good would it be to challenge Corb here and now?

  “What do you know about sacrifice? Kilara dies and this place will be a lot safer than it was when she was alive. Shade’s not going pay any stupid price. She’ll be right here with us just like always.”

  Corb stared at the sword, knowing full well that he could not touch it or he’d suffer possible incineration. It was an old, powerful weapon which could harm even an Ancient of Faerie.

  “You’re right, elemental. I don’t plan on letting Shade take that fall, nor do I plan on watching my love wither. We will find a solution. But first”—he held out his hand to me—“take all you need from me. I give it freely.”

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Dylan

  The Scren was empty, and I didn’t know where Shade had gone. Even her entourage was missing. It felt cold without the usual company there. I wondered if it was just me, but even the servants felt the absence of their queen, and I was a poor substitute for her.

  I’d told Sylphi that I couldn’t stay any longer. She’d given me a strange look for a moment, like she was about to burst into tears, but the moment passed and instead, to my surprise, her face blossomed into a wide, beaming smile.

  “I knew you would leave. You never were the one to stay with me, were you? I can’t have you, I get it. I knew it from the moment you bound yourself to Shade for your brother’s treacheries. No matter, I have many suitors here far more capable of staying by my side forever. I don’t plan to marry any of them. You were part of my plan, but sometimes, plans must be adjusted for the better. Go back to Shade. You got me the crown, and I’ll be forever in your debt, Dylan. I won’t forget what you’ve done for me.”

  I bet she wouldn’t. I’d shown her too much in the memory transfer, and as I’d bowed to her and kissed her hand, she’d shooed me away, fixing her dress to attend the coronation. Sylphi was the Teleen queen now. Gretel had just passed away and withered. The world was askew, but somehow, it was the way it was supposed to be.

  “I’ll keep that in mind, Sylphi,” I’d said. “You take care.”

  She’d given me a nod and turned away, her eyes shining with a sheen of tears as I turned, walked out the door and closed it behind me. I hoped she wouldn’t cause a scene but deep inside, I’d hoped she had. This girl was no longer the young, maddening, selfish woman I’d known in my wilder years, but now a full-fledged queen.

  Something told me I hadn’t seen the last of Sylphi.

  Back at The Scren, sitting in the royal bedroom, I stared out across the horizon through the window while trying to get comfortable. I placed my hands on my knees and closed my eyes. Exhaling slowly, I reached out across the world, moving along the string of energy that kept the connection between me and Shade alive through our marriage vows and our bond. I reached out, opening my mind for the first time in weeks in the hopes of finding my beloved on the other side.

  Shade, where are you? My self-imposed banishment is over. I need to speak with you.

  I waited as my magic finally slid into a connection with her, grasping onto it like a fine thread. Relaxing, I could feel her pondering my words. She was nowhere near The Scren. In fact, she was far away at The Glass Castle to visit Ursad. Alas, I could feel from her that he wasn’t there, and the absence of him seeped from her somber mood. Somehow, the faery had a special spot in her heart, but I shoved any shred of jealousy down. There were far more pressing matters; they were organizing things to finally head to The Heart of Fire and Ice. She relayed this through her thoughts without saying any words, and I nodded more for myself than anything else.

  Dylan, there’s something important I must talk to you about, but it can wait till you get here. We’ll stay at The Glass Castle for one more day as we prepare to journey toward north. I hope you join us before we leave. I can send Camulus if you need.

  I inhaled slowly again, my body stilled like death to communicate.

  Send Camulus. I’ve just arrived at The Scren. Everything is fine here, but I do need to join you as quickly as possible and listen to what you have to say. I promise I will not leave your side unless you want me to.

  I could feel Shade acknowledge me as she sent a warm hug through the pulse of energy. I relished it for a moment but then inadvertently snapped shut our connection as my chest seized from the longing I felt for my wife. It hadn’t been too long that I’d been away from her, and yet it felt like a century. A century of nothing but misery.

  I lay back on our bed and stared up at the glass ceiling. There was a blue sky above, free of clouds, on this warm summer day. I’d never wanted to be there without her and had never thought it would ever be like this. I knew what the others had told me was correct; I couldn’t live without her even if I wanted to. Accepting this as truth was bittersweet, but I had to accept it. It would not be much different than before, right?

  I squeezed my eyes shut, flinching at the thought of her and Soap in bed together. It would be a challenge. The only answer was to make a schedule of days she’d be with him and days she would be with me. It was the only way to keep it sane between the three of us, no matter how much it made me seethe. I had to deal with it if I was to remain at Shade’s side.

  The reality of it all made me feel like a cheap concubine, except I was a man and not some subservient wife. This shouldn’t have been happening. If only I had done what Sylphi had said and made Shade vow to love only me and marry only me, but I had failed to do so, never thinking anything like this could ever happen outside of Teleen.

  I was furious with myself, and now I had to pay the price. Regardless, I was willing to do this just to have her at my side again. Maybe things would work out; I just didn’t know. Maybe, eventually, the three of us could tolerate each other’s presence without resentment and without remorse. One day, we’d think nothing of it, right? God, I hoped so. Everything hung on the possibility that it could work out.

  I heard a swift knock on my door, and the low, humble voice of Camulus announced his arrival. I sat up in the bed and peered around the room, my heart pounding with anticipation. I had just arrived and was still in my traveling clothes, but if Shade had sent Camulus so quickly, it meant she needed me. There was no time to change.

  I grabbed my bag and jumped to my feet to answer the door. Closing it behind me, I wordlessly took Camulus’s hands so he could teleport me back to my love. Soon, I’d lay eyes upon her beautiful face and greet her with arms wide open, ready for anything.

  ***

  As I entered the room, Shade lifted her eyes from the map she was studying. They shifted from me to Camulus and back as I dropped my traveling bag and waited for a signal from her that it was okay to come any closer. I didn’t want to be presumptuous. I swallowed my fear down into the knot of my stomach. From the corners of my eyes, I saw Soap standing there in surprise, it suddenly dawning on him that I was back and probably for good.

  I almost smiled wickedly that she had failed to notify her second husband-to-be that I was returning. Or maybe she’d felt I might not come. The second thought stung a bit, but I was ready to withstand any awkwardness to be with her. There was nothing that would tear me away again. She rushed through the room and fell into my arms, tears streaming down her face as she trembled.

  “Dylan, you’re really back. I—I missed you so much. There were so many times there that I thought you’d never return.”

  I pressed her to my chest, laying my cheek against her head. Inhaling her familiar scent made my insides quiver, bursting with need. I held back as I kissed the top of her hair and let her squeeze me even tighter. I wanted to stay like that forever; it was the only place I wanted to be.

  “I will always come back to you.”

  Moments passed as she silently sobbed into my clothes, soaking my shirt with
tiny blotches of tears. I relished each one, for each was full of sorrow for me. Now I knew she did love me and couldn’t bear to be without me. Even Soap’s presence would never sever our bond.

  “I love you.” She pulled away slightly and stared hard into my eyes, her eyelashes damp with the salty tears. “I thought I’d lost you.”

  “I love you too,” I exhale softly, “and you haven’t lost me. I’m here.” My thoughts turned to our conversation through the link. “What is it that you needed to tell me?”

  She stepped back and dropped her arms. Wiping her face, she blew out a breath full of nerves. My stomach dropped. Whatever it was, it was major, and I wasn’t sure I could take any more heartache. I held my breath for her to continue.

  “I’m pregnant. With twins. You’re the father of one of them.”

  My mouth dropped open as I stared at her, the words swimming in my head. I was drowning suddenly, and I couldn’t truly focus. “What did you say?” I asked, not sure I was hearing her correctly.

  “You’re going to be a father. So is Soap. Both of you are fathers now.”

  I nodded, afraid to move. I might stumble and smash my mouth into the hard, wooden floor. The air was stifling, but I suddenly heard Soap in my head.

  Wake up, dude. You should say something. Don’t mess this up.

  “I—I… wow. Shade. I’m going to be a father? That’s great! Wow!” I’d caught my bearings just in time, as Shade had paled before me. Stepping forward, I took her back into my arms and squeezed her. “I never expected such wonderful news. That’s… the best news.”

  Shade laughed as I nuzzled her neck and giggled from the tickling sensation of it. She had to move back for a breath and beamed at me. “So you’re not angry? This… is a shared life. We three, we must move on together. And it’s not just us three now. There are two new lives connected to us. Can you forgive me for hurting you? I can’t live without either of you.”