Eternal Promise (Between Worlds Book 3) (14 page)

“Drake! Watch out!” I yelled as a guard came at him with his club. Drake moved, but the club still met his arm and he staggered.

I shrieked when hands grabbed me from behind. A blade was pressed at my throat. Kallan spun around. His face was a mixture of anger and fear. He raised his sword. “Let her go.”

The dagger pressed harder against my skin and I could feel something warm running down my neck.

You okay?
Kallan asked.

Yes.

Elbow him and duck to the right.

I took a breath and elbowed the guard behind me as hard as I could.

“Oof,” the guard groaned.

Before I had a chance to duck, he pushed me to the ground. My head smashed on a rock.

“Rylie!” Kallan called out and rushed to my side.

No, Kallan. Fight them.

Before he could get back on his feet two guards snatched Kallan, dragging him away and pounding on him with their fists. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw two others coming toward me. Drake grabbed me first and literally threw me over his shoulder and sprinted through the trees.

“Kallan!” I screamed out. “Drake! Put me down! Drake!” I pounded on his back.

Rylie. I’ll be okay. You need to get out of here.

No! I won’t leave you.

You have to. I’ll fight them, Rylie, but I can’t do that if I have to protect you too. Get to safety. I’ll be there soon.

Kallan…

Please, Rylie.

Defeated, I responded,
Okay.

I love you, Ry.

I love you too.

We turned a corner and Drake shouted out and fell to his knee, dropping me on the ground with a thump.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

Drake clutched his leg where an arrow was sticking out of it. Without another thought, he yanked the arrow out. He was on his feet within seconds yelling, “Go!”

I pushed myself up and began to sprint farther into the forest, but two large guards stepped into the path blocking our way. I skidded to a stop, falling on the ground again and twisting my foot in the process. I bit my lip, determined not to yell out or cry. Drake positioned himself between them and me and pulled out a dagger.

I tried again to use Drake’s paralyzing ability without success. One of the two guards must be the blocker. I had to take him down. I was useless without being able to access others talents. Drake charged at the guards with his dagger and traded feints, thrusts, and parries with them.

The guards were fast and Drake tripped and fell to the ground. The faery with the light yellow wings looked at me. Quickly I willed myself invisible and tried to run. Some kind of pressure knocked me to my knees. I looked up into the eyes of the faery coming at me—I must be visible again. He grabbed me by my shirt and threw me near Drake.

I looked around for a way out. We couldn’t get past the guards in front of us, and the guards behind us would be here soon. There was nowhere we could run. I felt the cold dirt beneath my hands. Maybe I could use my faery powers?

Kallan? I need help. We’re cornered. I can’t use Drake’s talent. What can I do?

Call on the earth.

I pushed my hands firmly to the ground and closed my eyes. I wasn’t sure if I needed to say something or envision it or what. I never had to say anything before. I willed the earth to help. Envisioned trapping the guards somehow so we could escape.

“Rylie! Hurry. We have to go.” Drake put his hand on my shoulder.

I opened my eyes and found the branches and vines from a nearby tree had wrapped around the two guards. Well, look at that. It worked.

“Rylie, c’mon, we’ve got to go.”

Sobs overtook my body. “I…I can’t leave him.” I tried to reach Kallan in my head.
Kallan?

It took a second, but he responded.
Get out of here, Rylie.

Drake seized my hand and yanked hard. “Start walking or I’ll pick you up again,” he threatened.

Reluctantly, I scurried to my feet and went with him. “We can’t just leave Kallan.”

“I have no intention of leaving him there, but we need help, and those other guards aren’t far behind.”

I knew he was right, but it broke my heart leaving Kallan behind. My ankle throbbed with every step I took, but I forced myself on, knowing Drake’s leg was hurting way worse than my throbbing ankle.

“Light faery land is too far. We’re hurt.”

“I’ve got you,” Drake said through the pain in his voice. “You must hurry, mo Bhanríon.” He placed his hand on my back.

“Mo Bhanríon? What does that mean?”

“My queen.”

“Oh c’mon, Drake. We’re buddies, right? You’re gonna go get all formal on me?”

There was a hint of a smile on his otherwise pained face. “Our destination is not much further.”

My aching body sure hoped he was right. Drake led me through bushes where no path could be found. He kept looking behind us, his brow furrowed, and sweat trickling down his face.

“Where’s Olwydd?” I asked.

“He’ll find us.”

It was dark now, but up ahead there was a flickering light. Soon I could make out a small cabin with what must be a lantern in the window. Above the door were some words I couldn’t read. “What does it say?” I asked.

“Travelers’ Paradise.” He opened the door.

My jaw dropped as I passed over the threshold. The room I walked into was easily ten times the size of the cabin. There was an eating area, a sleeping area—anything you could imagine, it was here.

Drake approached a desk where a lady sat. She had short red hair and her ears were pointed like ours, but longer. She didn’t have any wings, but she wore a jewel in the middle of her forehead.

She looked from Drake to me and her orange eyes widened as she murmured something. “What can I get for you?”

“A healer.”

“Anything you need is my honor. Please follow me to the triage area and a healer will be right with you.” She led us to a quiet out of the way area and pulled a curtain.

Once she was gone, I swore I heard the word Aurorian fifty times. I looked at Drake. “What is she?”

“An elf.”

The curtain was whisked open and Lena stood there. “Rylie! Drake! What happened?” She was by my side first.

“Drake’s injuries are worse than mine. Please heal him first.” Lena looked up at me and then over at Drake, who shook his head. I could tell she was about to say something stupid so I spoke again. “Lena, heal Drake first.”

She nodded and moved over to Drake. She placed her hands on his leg and closed her eyes. After a moment she let go and moved to his shoulder. I watched her finish up with Drake and he murmured a thanks and closed his eyes.

Lena sat on the bed with me next and placed her hands on my head, healing the large bump that had appeared, then on my neck to heal the cut from the dagger, and then moved down to my ankle. Once she was finished, she placed her hand on mine and asked, “What happened?”

I filled her in on what was going on.

“A sister?” Lena looked surprised.

“You didn’t know either?”

“No. If Varwik knew, he never said a thing.”

“I don’t know what to do, Lena. I have no idea how to get Kallan out of there.”

“You need the guard.”

“From what I could tell some of Kallan’s men and some of the light fey were captured or maybe went there voluntarily to be on her army. I have no idea what’s left of ours.”

“Then you need to go find out. You’ll need to make a plan, figure out what to do, but you can’t let her take over both lands.”

“I’m not ready for this.”

Lena’s eyes held mine. “You’re the Aurorian. You’re the leader. Step up. Do what you were born to do.”

“But I don’t know what I was born to do!”

“Sure you do. You just have to accept it.”

Sometimes I just wanted to smack my head against the wall. I wish someone would sit down with me and go over everything in detail before I lost my mind. Why did it have to be so cryptic all the time?

“Why don’t you rest for a while?” Lena suggested.

“I don’t need rest. I need to hurry.”

“I know. Rest for a little while. If you don’t, you’ll be of no use to Kallan.”

My eyelids were heavy and my blinks became longer until I didn’t open my eyes anymore.
Kallan?

There was no answer.

You there? You okay? Please answer me…

I’m here,
he finally said, sounding sleepy.

We’re coming back to get you. Hang in there, my love.

I’ve got this.

I couldn’t stay conscious anymore. I drifted off. The last Aurorian stood in front of me. We were at the waterfalls. “Oh, thank goodness! I need your help. Please tell me how to rescue Kallan?”

“Call a meeting.”

“A meeting? Like with the council?”

“Yes.”

“What do I say?”

“Speak from your heart.”

“Will they listen?”

She smiled. “You have the power and the authority, but you have to be worthy of it. Make yourself shine.” She turned and walked away.

“Wait! I need more.”

She twirled, but didn’t come back. “Aurorians are hand picked by our ancestors. You didn’t become one by accident. They knew who you’d be. They picked you. You are capable of leading the fey, but you must believe in yourself.” She took another step and disappeared into thin air.

My eyes popped open immediately. My first thoughts were of Kallan.
Kallan? Are you there? I fell asleep. Kallan? Please answer me. I need you. I love you. Don’t leave me.

When there was no response I came to the conclusion that Satine must have gotten him. Otherwise he’d either be here or at least be answering me. And that worried me. What happened that he wasn’t responding?

I sat up and scanned the room for Drake. He was talking to Lena not too far away. “Drake, we must go.”

“Of course.” He closed the space between us and extended his hand to help me up.

“Lena, thank you. I appreciate your help.” I hugged her.

“You figured out what to do?”

“I’m still not sure, but I’m learning.”

Drake led me outside. “Have you talked to Kallan?”

“No. He’s not answering.”

“Don’t worry. He’s probably just sleeping.”

“Maybe.” I shrugged, not sure what to think. “How do I get word to the council members to meet me at the meetinghouse?” I asked.

Drake’s face lit up. He put his fingers to his lips and whistled three times, one longer than the others. Half a minute later, a bird flew back and forth over us. Drake repeated the whistle and the bird flew down and landed on a large rock.

It wasn’t a bird—well, not completely. The top half of her was human. She had a head and body, even had arms. Long dark hair framed her oval face. Her wings were dark brown with light brown spots. From the hips down she was a bird. She was covered in different shades of brown feathers and had claws for feet.

“What kind of bird is this?” I asked Drake.

“She’s an alan bird. They can be a bit mischievous like piskies, but they are friendly to faeries.”

“You called?” She looked at Drake.

“We need a favor.”

Looking at me, she responded, “Anything for an Aurorian.”

Drake nodded at me.

“I am calling a council meeting. Can you get them a message to meet us?” I asked.

“Of course.”

“Thank you.” I smiled. With one big flap of her wings, she was in the air. “I’ll never get used to this place.”

Chapter Fifteen

W
e arrived at the meetinghouse before anyone else. I played with my necklace while pacing back and forth apprehensively, trying to focus on what to say to the council, but my mind kept drifting to Kallan and what was happening wherever he was. Had he escaped? Was he hurt? Why hadn’t I heard from him?

Kallan?

Silence.

I could hear the voices of the council members as they arrived. “Summoned by an alan…” one muttered with an annoyed tone.

I stood tall with Drake by my side and faked a smile as each of the elders walked in and took their seats. Once everyone was seated, Drake and I sat down. I was trembling inside and glanced at the exit, wondering if I should make a run for it.

No. Kallan was counting on me.

“I’ve called you all here because we have discovered where the missing fey have gone and I need your help.”

To my right, Brigid and Sheridan leaned forward, suddenly interested. “Tell us.”

“Seems as though Varwik had another child—a daughter—before Kallan. She believes she should be the rightful heir and does not want us to unite. She wants control over both lands.”

Murmurs circled the room.

“The fey that have gone missing agree with her. She has a small army of faeries willing to fight for her.”

“This is absurd,” Sheridan blurted.

“She captured Kallan. Drake and I escaped, but we must go back and save him and stop her from taking over.”

The light faeries—except for Móraí—started clamoring.

“We can’t storm in there.”

“Save him? How do you know he’s not with them?”

“Might be better off without either of Varwik’s offspring.”

Fury filled me. “What? Are you all mad?”

Sheridan faced me. “Think about it, Oleander. Kallan is not one of us. He has darkness running through his veins. He might think he’s changed, but he hasn’t. He’ll always be Varwik’s son. Sooner or later, he’ll let the darkness take over.”

“No. He has changed. I’ve seen it. He was never like his father. He just did what he was told to. He’s the leader now and look at all the good he has done. How can you not see that?”

“Drake?” Brigid called him out.

“I didn’t know him before, but he’s completely in love with Ry—Oleander—and I believe he’s good inside.”

Sheridan scoffed. “You have no experience with any of this, Oleander. How do we know you’re doing the right thing? Maybe you’re just doing what your heart wants.”

“Is there another way? You tell me to get in touch with my faery side and I have. Listening to my heart is a part of that.” I glanced around the table. “I’m the Aurorian. You are supposed to respect me, but I’ve gotten nothing but snide remarks and distrust from you. If none of you will help me, I’ll rescue him myself.”

With Kallan and Kyro gone, the dark faery side only had Drake, Zanna, and Sebille. Drake was actually a light faery and for a split second I wondered who he would side with. “Can I count on any of you?” I asked the dark side.