Page 19 of Dreams of Ash and Smoke

Only when my eyes start drifting do I blink it away and shove him— hours later— to wake him so I can rest too before our day’s worth of journey.

Sleep takes me and I slip into another dream of the aurora borealis. This time it’s closer and my heart feels warm; like it’s supposed to be closer so I can feel more at peace. Blonde hair bellows around me in the wind, the dark blue strands sticking out. I watch as the lights dance across my vision again and again before suddenly it gets darker and a hand appears, reaching out toward me.

Black marks trickle along the muscular skin and chills run up my spine. “I’m coming for you.” The voice whispers, barely audible, and again, I jolt awake, my necklace scalding my skin.

Chapter 9: The Dark King

Verena

The gentle timbre of Hadeon’s voice pulls me from my dream, coaxing me back into the waking world. As I stir, he shook me with more urgency until I swat his hand away in annoyance. Before I can ask what was wrong, he presses a finger to his lips and motions toward the trees where the murmur of voices can be heard. His hand found its way over my mouth as if to silence any potential protest, and I follow his gaze with trepidation. The shadows dance and twist among the foliage, hinting at unseen figures lurking within. Every rustle of leaves sent a shiver down my spine and I realize we are not alone in this peaceful glade.

The sun was coming out now and we both gather anything resting on the forest floor before rushing off further North.

“They made it far,” I speak when we are out of earshot, hopefully making it further than they are. “How much farther do we have until we get to the border?” I ask him.

“Another two days at least. We’ll have to find resources soon. Did you pack any food?” I nod to his question before grabbing some rations from my pack with water from a skin.

The farthest I had ever been on foot was maybe an hour from the castle and my mother punished me for it since it’s dangerous. But, it didn’t make it the last.

Thinking back to the day Hadeon saved me as I wandered around the city alone, no matter how hard I concentrate, I can’t remember why I was out there. But it was the first day I truly knew the danger my title held. I was trying to find something, as if I was in a trance, and before I could find it, I was attacked.

My first meeting with Hadeon is a treasured memory to me; he was young and one of the most handsome fae I had ever met, yes, but there was something about him. I wasn’t sure if he felt it too but I know I could sense something familiar about him, something that always made me feel at ease and at home. Having him with me for the past five years has been a blessing. He truly was my only friend, aside from Dryston’s sister.

Five years had passed since everything changed in my mind. I found myself speaking up more, but with each word came a punishment from Dryston. Yet, I refused to let his manipulation control me completely. I was starting to find my own voice and identity, even though it went against everything I had been taught.

And now that I’m finally free? Well, that part hasn’t hit yet, I’m still trying not to die in the woods during the manhunt that has us now running toward our supposed enemy lines.

“Do you know of the king?” I ask out loud, his head jerks toward me in surprise.

After coughing from the piece of food in his throat, he answers, “More than most.” His tone said to not ask further but I needed to know.

“And? What about him? We are going into enemy lines, Hadeon. I need to know if I’m on a suicide mission or not.” A large sigh escapes him and he shakes his head, as if unsure of what to say.

“King Eryx, or the Dark King as some call him, is rumored to hate women. He doesn’t even take lovers, so they say. But once, Eryx saw a woman in trouble at a little pub in some small town. And even though everyone thinks he hates females, he beat the fae male who was antagonizing her so far into the ground his own family couldn’t recognize him. His face was smashed in.” I shiver at the thought, “Not that they wanted to since their son was a rapist.” The faraway look in his eyes was familiar to me.

“Eryx? You speak of him like you truly know him.” I say with raised brows. His eyes meet mine before he shakes his head like he was dismissing his own thoughts. He lets out a light scoff as if I were delusional. I speak again. “Wasn’t he betrothed once before? And she died right? Did he kill her?” I ask, the questions spilling from my lips.

“That’s what the rumors say…” He trails off and I realize he doesn’t want to talk anymore about it. But I wasn’t done this time. I need to know for my own safety.

As we trek on, I continue. “Have you ever seen him aside from the gala? I heard he was hideous but I’ve also heard he’s so beautiful that human women die at his feet from the beauty.”

“What do you think of him? You did dance with the king at the gala.” I scoff at the change in conversation. I don’t want to talk about me. He continues, “He seemed quite entranced with you.”

“I do not know what you are talking about.” He gives me a pointed look at my feigned ignorance.

“Verena, please do not take this any specific way but you are one of the prettiest beings I’ve ever seen. That alone will have given him curiosity. But, your energy and your charisma are exquisite. You’re smart and kind. Not to mention you have never fit in with the Court of Dawn or anyone in Zorya. I am your only friend, no offense.”

“A little taken.” I cut in, giving him a smile.

“But, it is simply because you do not belong there and they do not deserve you.”

How could he possibly know where I belong? Hadeon grew up in a small Zoryan town. Why would he say these things about his own home? A small part of me wants to second-guess my friendship with him, maybe he isn’t who he says he is.

Growing up in this country, I always felt like an outsider. But Hadeon was the one person who understood me, who shared my feelings of displacement. Our friendship was a refuge from the judgmental eyes and whispers of others. Yet, as I look at him now, I can’t shake off the feeling that he’s been keeping secrets from me. Why is he so distant fromeveryone else? And why did he risk everything to save me that day? Is there more to our relationship than just friendship? Despite my trust in him, doubts begin to creep into my mind.

“I definitely do not believe the king to be ugly.” A blush creeps up my cheeks as I speak honestly. Hadeon looks at me, brow raised as if to question me. “I don’t know. It’s not like I’ve seen many Khyrelians. He was different, his energy darker in a good way.” My eyes stay distant as I think back to a couple of days ago. “The urge to dance with him was so strong. I had never felt anything like it. And when we danced?” For a moment, I didn’t feel as if I were in the woods with Hadeon escaping our fate in the Zoryan Court of Dawn, I was back in the throne room, spinning around with the most gorgeous male I had ever witnessed. The same male who complimented me as if he were compelled to do so and-

“And when you danced?” He asked, a playful twinkle in his eye as he gave me a knowing look. I shove him.

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