Page 64 of Beyond the Winter Kingdom
“Sure looked like a zombie,” Meera said, brushing a hand over her face and pulling my attention to her as she swiped away a curl. “The way the skin was all weird and the missing eyes. Right up until they change and look just like you. Shapeshifting zombies.”
Sadie stopped walking, so we all came to a halt, her voice rising as she spoke. “They shapeshift? Say what now?”
Meera shushed her and nodded, but I answered. “They trick you by changing their appearance. They can mimic voices. It’s how they lure in their prey. In the middle of a battle, there’s always confusion. You’re turning one way or the other, fighting. One second you think you’re standing beside your friend, the next, your ‘friend’ kills you. Don’t allow them the opportunity.”
She pointed at Damon while ranting, an edge of concern leaking into her voice. “You mean to tell me that before you guys showed up, his clone could have just appeared out of nowhere and tried to kill me? Some sort of monster version of him this hell realm created just switches places with him, and it even sounds like him? No wonder people don’t make it out of here alive,” she muttered.
“That wouldn’t have happened. I know what the Nameless are,” he said, but Sadie frowned, dubious at his confidence.
“Whatever they were, they were creepy.” Meera shuddered, rubbing her arms.
“They’re just parasites looking for their next meal. They use fae to regenerate, so at least we know what they want and there’s no point trying to reason with them. You have to kill them all as quickly as possible. If we face them, follow my lead.”
My nephew scoffed, shaking his head in a way that suggested he was strongly opposed.
“You disagree?”
“I do. You actually believe that? They use fae to regenerate? It’s horseshit. Regenerate to what?”
“They’re revenants, Damon. Fae-like creatures returned from the dead. Understand?” I said, pushing back. Annoyance flared deep in my chest. The mocking tone in his every word, the way he questioned me with authority when he had none just added fuel to the fire that already burned within me.
“That part is true. They are revenants. The rest is story time nonsense the elder fae use to scare children,” he countered. “They’re trapped here, understand? This isn’t their domain.” His matter-of-fact attitude sent flames through my veins. “They don’t eat fae, and they don’t ‘regenerate’ to their former selves. There’s no evidence to support that. They’re–”
“Evidence? First of all, I’ve been here. I’ve seen what they can do. I know firsthand, more than you could ever know. Building on that, the council of advisors know far more than you do in regard to the realms. The council, which you are not a part of, is a highly respected group of fae, men and women alike, who have dedicated their lives to knowledge. Knowledge they use to help me keep our kingdom safe. Make decisions that best serve our people. You claim they don’t eat fae or use them to regenerate. I’ve seen otherwise, and I believe the burden of proof lies with you. What's your source, nephew?”
“Have you even read any of the books you have in that giant library of yours? Or do you really just rely on the council to educate you?” He boldly took a step forward, not quite a challenge, but close to it.
I narrowed my gaze, assessing his posture. “I suppose in all that spare time you have between fucking every maiden in Faerie that lifts her skirts and fucking off on accepting any type of royal duties or royal presence, you were intensely studying the vastly unknown history of Eversus and Evorsus? How could that be so when there is so little information documented? Enlighten me, Damon, please. Go on.”
He crossed his arms and looked off into the distance. “You’re right. What evidence could I possibly have, Uncle? Sounds like you have it all figured out.”
“I didn’t think hell could get worse,” Sadie said, elbowing Meera in the side as she broke into our conversation. “But apparently, family tension does the trick. Who knew?”
“We should keep moving,” Damon muttered, walking ahead without waiting for a response. He brushed past Sadie, and she didn’t even take the opportunity to start giving him a hard time. Instead, she tilted her head and considered me, then turned and followed his path.
“Was that really necessary?” Meera asked softly as we followed several paces behind them. She gestured toward my nephew. The muscles in his shoulders and upper back were bunched together and tense. His footsteps were heavier; his speed quicker.
“To point out his lack of respect for his position? Absolutely.”
“You’re still moody with me, and don’t want to deal with it, so you take it out on him. Got it. Good talk.” Meera huffed, moving her feet a little faster to put space between us.
I scrubbed my hands down my face and growled in frustration, loud enough for all three of them to turn and glare at me over their shoulders. Sadie pressed her finger to her lips, shushing me. If I wasn’t careful, she’d be the only of them still willing to talk to me by the end of this.
The silence was going to kill me. I spent too much time alone with my thoughts as we walked for hours. The broken moon shards cast an eerie light over us. The farther we went, thequieter the forest became, like even the monsters knew better than to linger in these parts.
Every now and then, one of us would stumble. Sadie the least, Meera the most, though she tried to hide it with a grimace. I started looking for another walking stick for her when I saw she was limping. Not badly, but it was still noticeable. She refused my offered hand. The stubborn fire in her eyes still burned but was gradually dimming like the mushroom lanterns from the pastel nightmare.
She was done. We all were.
We found shelter in a hollowed cliff side. A crooked mouth of rock opened into a shallow cave. It was deep enough to provide shelter, dry enough to sleep, and only smelled mildly of sulfur. Compared to the clearing, this was a generous space. We might actually be safe for the night.
Sadie dropped down near the mouth. “I’ve got first watch,” she said, cracking her knuckles like she was settling into a fight. “I slept like a baby in the bear village. It only seems fair.”
I didn’t argue. I wanted Meera alone.
“You sure?” Damon asked. He stood next to her at the front as he scanned the forest.
Sadie grinned at him, then shot him a wink when he looked in her direction. “Are you volunteering to keep me company, princeling?”
