Page 94 of Purrfectly Peculiar Pixie

Ray’s arm raised, blazing sword lashing out and slicing through a heavy body. The scent of burnt fur hit my nose and made me cringe. Raising his arm again, Ray suddenly stopped, his body turning and stilling.

A heavy weight fell across the land. The sounds of battle dwindled as the oppressive feel hit each and every creature. The night went deathly silent. Not even the wind dared breathe.

“My queen,” Ray reverently said, flaming sword disappearing into the ether.

Queen Silvidia’s arrival stilled every snarl, rooted every paw, and grabbed every creature’s attention. A crimson, nearly see-through gown barely covered her small body. White hair flowed around her shoulders and flowers bloomed throughout. Queen Silvidia’s peach eyes swirled as they glanced around the carnage.

“It appears as though you have been very busy, Hellfire.” Queen Silvidia’s voice was like liquid honey, dripping and sticking to every pore. Phlox leapt into my arms, and I cradled him to my chest. His deep, resonating purr rumbled through my skin.

Queen Silvidia’s bare feet gently walked along the ground. Flowers bloomed within thickets of bloodshed. When she reached Ray, Queen Silvidia slid her fingers against his cheek and warmly smiled. “You have done well, Hellfire. As expected.”

“And you, my queen?”

Queen Silvidia’s smile scrunched her eyes. “Oh, I had my own bit of fun. Hamish was quite cross with me for being so hands on.” Twisting to the side, Queen Silvidia waved her hand. “You may come out now. Let your loved ones see you are safe and well.”

A head cautiously peeked out from the atmospheric tear floating near the ground. That head led to a body, others just as cautiously stepping through, their stunned eyes wide and fearful.

Yips and joyful howls erupted as wolves shifted back to their humanoid forms. Shouts of unexpected happiness filled the silence as loved ones collapsed into each other’s arms, sobbing with released anxiety.

“It was just as the young wolf, Shawn, relayed,” Queen Silvidia said. “They were locked inside rooms. Gilded cages meant to keep his pack under tight reign. Pathetic,” Queen Silvidia spat, her eyes narrowed and gaze traveling to where Arie stood. “I have never seen an alpha sink so low.”

Arie backed away, shoulders bent, and teeth bared. He snapped in Queen Silvidia’s general direction, but the action was little more than base theatrics. The wolves standing between Arie and the Queen of Fairy slinked away, tails tucked between their legs. Low, pleading whimpers replaced angry growls. Lunging, Arie snapped at his fleeing pack. Clearly, their loyalty only ran so deep. Self-preservation was a far more powerful motivator.

Ignoring Arie for now, Queen Silvidia’s gaze tracked the blood-soaked field. “Wendall?” she questioned.

“He is safe, my queen.” Ray quickly explained what happened earlier. Oppressive power radiated from Queen Silvidia like oceanic waves. Holding my ground became increasingly difficult.

“Is this warlock still alive?” Queen Silvidia asked.

Vander cleared his throat. “He is. Unconscious, but still breathing. Activating that charm took a lot out of him and when I destroyed it.” Vander shrugged. “I think the magical backlash was a bit much.”

“You will give this warlock to me.” It wasn’t a request.

Vander’s jaw worked and his eyebrows scrunched. “He…he’s very young.”

“Youth is not a defense,” Queen Silvidia answered. “But I will take your thoughts into consideration. I will also consult the victims of his crime.”

Vander lowered his head. “Thank you, Queen Silvidia.”

Queen Silvidia’s answer was quiet dismissal. “Now, to finally deal with this unworthy alpha.”

Arie made a move, lunging not toward Queen Silvidia, but in the direction of the surrounding woods. Queen Silvidia’s tinkling laughter danced down my spine.

“How amusing.” She sounded genuinely joyful.

Arie didn’t get far. He ran into an unyielding, invisible wall. Enraged, he howled and immediately ran the other direction, only to have the same thing happen again. Alpha Arie Belview was trapped in a prison of his own making.

Continuing forward, Queen Silvidia didn’t bother stepping around the dead and dying. Her gentle feet did not shy away from the carnage, but stepped upon their flesh, using it as her own, gruesome red carpet.

“You were given a chance, Alpha Belview,” she calmly said.

Arie’s snarls and howls increased in volume before going eerily silent. He still wailed his frustrated anger, but it could no longer be heard.

“My, my. You are a loud one.” Queen Silvidia shook her head. Everywhere her hair touched, fresh blossoms appeared. Spreading her arms wide, Queen Silvidia motioned at the blood-stained ground. “Such wastefulness. And for what? Your worthless pride? Power? Revenge? Tell me, Alpha Belview, what has such endeavors gained you?”

Arie threw his head back. I imagined the wail of his howl but was thankful I could not hear it.

Queen Silvidia continued walking toward him. “Nothing. It has gained you nothing. Your daughter is dead. Your grandchildren want nothing to do with you. Most of your pack loathe your very existence. The Belview name will forever be associated with greed, death, and arrogance. And you are about to die. So much potential and yet you threw it all away for nothing. Worse than that, you orchestrated the death of dozens of pixies in your quest for the source of ultimate power.” Queen Silvidia’s gaze landed on Janus’s dead body. Aurelia still stood in the background, silently still and cautiously observing.

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