Page 40 of A Shard of Ice

“What brings you to the kingdom of the emptyfae, General? You are a long way from home,” Damon asks, maintaining eye contact with the leader.

“Merely two days’ ride, but that is neither here nor there and certainly no concern of yours.” He looks to his left and then to his right. “Guards, seize them.”

The shadowfae soldiers move quickly, surrounding us with weapons drawn. I can feel the tension in the air, a heavy silence settling over us as they close in. I grab Damon’s arm. He keeps his eyes fixed on Belen, not acknowledging me at all. The general’s hair is pitch black, like a moonless night. His eyes, too.

“These two lowly humans are useless to you. Let them go.” Damon’s voice is steady, unwavering.

General Belen chuckles, a cold sound that sends shivers down my spine. “Oh, such bravery is commendable. It isn’t going to work, so you can save it. Tie them up. All of them.”

The guards advance, their swords gleaming in the dim light. There’s determination in their eyes, the thrill of victory evident in their stances.

Why do they look so smug? It’s like they were chasing us and are content now that we have been caught, but that is ridiculous. Unless the fae from the salt mines got word out already about escaped prisoners. Surely the emptyfae and the shadowfae wouldn’t be working together? Although the different fae used to live in harmony once upon a time, that is no longer the case. There isn’t outright war, but skirmishes are not unheard of. Unless things have changed. Two years is a long time. Having said that, I doubt it very much.

Boots squelch in mud and thud against the firmer patches of ground as the fae approach.

“No. Leave me alone!” Cyrano yells, trying to run again. Two of the fae strongarm him to the ground. One of them puts a knee to his back. Cyrano yells and flails.

Several guards surround us, their weapons pointed at our throats. The cold metal presses against my skin, a stark reminder of our dire situation. The impending threat of violence hangs over us like a storm cloud. My blood feels chilled in my veins.

“Don’t try anything, icefae. Although, I would imagine that your magic is hardly usable out here. You are a very long way from home indeed,” the general says.

Damon remains defiant, his gaze locked with General Belen’s as he stands tall. There is a silent exchange, clearly a battle of wills between the two fae.

A guard grabs my arm; another is ready with the rope.

“You don’t need to tie up a tiny human female,” Damon says in a quiet voice that is anything but calm.

The general sighs. “Fine, but she will ride one of the horses up front with me. The males can ride the camels. Tie them bothup. Stab the icefae in each of his limbs if he tries anything but remember that I want him alive. Those are our orders.”

Damon’s eyes narrow. He looks confused. I can’t say I blame him.

What orders?

What’s going on?

“Don’t! No! Unhand me!” Cyrano continues to shout, trying to free himself of his binds.

“Gag him.” The general rolls his eyes. “It’ll be a long journey otherwise.”

His shouts are quickly cut off as one of the guards does as the general commands. I am lifted onto one of the large horses. It feels different to riding a camel. Different to riding a regular farm horse. Although massive, the beast feels as light as a feather in my hands.

The animal beneath me is also strong and sensitive. It feels tense and ready. Nothing like our horse, Tessy. She mainly pulled the plow or the carriage, but from time to time, my sister and I would ride her. I feel my eyes prick all over again when I think of home. When I think of our current predicament.

Once Damon and Cyrano are tied up, they mount up, and we set off at a steady pace. The countryside doesn’t change much. Neither does the sky. It’s all gloom and doom. Depression and sorrow settle over me like a thick, wet coat.

“This is not the way to the Shadow Court, General.” Damon’s deep voice comes from somewhere behind us. I twist in my saddle for a moment. He is farther back than expected, with Cyrano a little behind him. Their hands are tied in front of them so that they can hold the reins. Just like me, they are flanked by several fae guards. Damon especially.

The chance of escape is little to none. I don’t think that there were this many fae in the salt mine. What chance do we have?

“That’s because we’re not headed for the Shadow Court,” the general tosses over his shoulder.

“Where then?” Damon asks.

“It’s no concern of yours, icefae,” Belen says almost under his breath. “You will find out soon enough.”

“It’s the Ice Court, isn’t it? You’re taking us to her.”

“One more word and you will be gagged too,” General Belen says in a booming voice.

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