Page 64 of Shadows Lost
“Concealing wards.” I hummed. “What a clever king you have. No wonder the queen could never find Finlandia.” With aflippant wave, I dismissed the shadows from the shifter, not taking my eyes off the grand city before me.
Quinn scrambled to dig her out of the hollow ground, brushing dirt off her while she growled up at me. “I could have you…imprisoned…for that.”
A small smile broke across my face while I gazed in wonder at the city before us. “That was always your intention anyway. But know this, there is nothing you could ever do to me that hasn’t already been done before, shifter. Even your worst nightmares can’t even come close to what I have survived.”
I felt their shocked scrutiny like irons burning into my back.
Carefully releasing Riella from my shoulders and cradling her in my arms, I rolled my neck to ease the tension. Looking down at her, I pressed my lips into a thin line, her bronze complexion ashen in the sunlight.
She was worsening.
My head snapped up at the soft chirps of a flock of chickadees flying above me, twirling in the lavender sky towards the city. I took one step towards them…one step and suddenly the fate of the faeling’s future was placed directly into my enemy's embrace. Walking forwards, I glanced back over my shoulder to the two cagey shifters, “shall we?”
Chapter 33
“WelcometoFinlandia.”Quinn’seyes glowed brighter taking in his city.
I watched the bustling fae around me, some starring openly at the small bundle I held in my arms only to quickly glance away at the violence they saw on my face from their open stare.
“You have protected it well. It appears untouched by the corruption of our world.” I observed, draping more shadow to shield Riella from the rooftops above.
Quinn grunted. “Finlandia wasn’t always our central home. Shifters used to live within the Red Cap Mountains but we were forced to leave during the blood wars. Our king has done a fine job building the city for the needs of our people.” He gave me a sideways glance. “And keeping it out of the hands of the Faerie Queen.”
My lips thinned. “Indeed. Your kings have been cunning, yet fae blood was still spilled to make it so.”
Quinn shook his head. “It would have never been that way had the Faerie queen not executed Queen Skyler.”
I hummed. The day Queen Skyler Strider of The West Isles and soulmate of the former king, was murdered, was the day of no return for both our courts.
“Your queen had a beautiful soul, her death was a great loss.” I gave Quinn a hard look. “One your previous king made up for ten fold with his relentless thirst for vengeance. Innocent fae ripped to pieces, their heads placed on pikes to cull his unabating bloodlust. A grieving vengeance that turned into a thirsty desire for more and more slaughter of my people. Peaceful fae that had nothing to do with their queen’s schemes.”
Quinn looked away. “Those were dark days for the shifters too. I can promise you that.”
Surveying the city, I sighed. “As they were for all of us. I remember the day I was called from the southern lands of Faerie. The carnage I witnessed on my way to the front lines.” I shook my head, clearing the images from the forefront of my mind. “Despite his madness, King Asher was the most formidable foe I ever had the honor of battling against. Faerie was our chess board and we controlled the pieces.”
Quinn sighed. “And how is that any different than your queen playing her games?”
“It isn’t. Life is a game, healer. Play or be played. You’re looking at a fae who has unfortunately survived both.” I waved my hand at the richness of the city. “Your own prince played his own game too. Killing his own father to selfishly take over the shifter throne. To rule over the city you’re so proud of with blood staining his hands.”
Quinn looked away from me, sadness flooding his eyes. “It is not what you think.” He whispered.
“No?” I quirked a brow at him.“Look, healer. My point is, we thrive on the sacrifices made by others. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. I was marked a traitor by the very queen I served and then destroyed the lands I loved. Your king took advantage of a vulnerable throne by killing his father and remade the shifter kingdom. And the pawns…they either pay or benefit from the games of power. Your kind benefitted. Mine paid.”
Swallowing, I looked away before I betrayed the pain that honest confession had cost me. I stared at a winged sign readingGriffin Gateau, a lovely building with delicious looking pastries displayed in the window.
The healer’s hand gently touched my shoulder and then waved towards one of the many white stone shops lining the street we walked down. “Look further, Mistress Dark.” He said softly.
I frowned at the white stucco building again where colorful fabrics covered the breezeways, blocking out the sun where shadows hid in waiting. They beckoned to me. I had already analyzed every exit and escape route, this shop in particular had a courtyard in the back.
I shifted my gaze to the golden haired fae standing just outside its doorway, harnessing a soft glow of light that lit up her exotic features. She fed it into an energy reservoir that powered light in the interior of the building.
Something only an elemental fae could do!
Quickly, I searched across the cobblestone streets for the lively music being played. Amongst the flower gardens that flanked the path, rich with green moss and sparkling pixie dust, fae danced in front of a smiling elemental fae weaving air to play his rich melodies.
Bright yellow hair and a matching pair of eyes caught my attention within the foray. Silently, I watched as he weaved water into aquifers that drained into the many pipes lining the buildings. As we passed, he spun mini clouds of rain showers for baby water nymphs that ventured from the river banks to roll around in the soft green grasses of the city.
My dark brows drew together while my thoughts raced.
