Page 9 of Queen of the Wildwood
When we reached the hilltop, a gust of wind rushed across the knoll. It lifted my hair, blew out my clothes, and examined me from every angle. I heard a cruel laugh before the wind fizzled out. Violation made me cross my arms over my chest for protection.
“What was that?” I demanded.
Aelbrin glanced back at me, and the look he gave me almost swayed my resolve. The wind had blown his wild hair straight back, giving him a rather severe look. His haunted eyes had gone dark. “That was the gatekeeper, checking to ensure you carry no weapons. She will report her findings to the queen.”
A bead of sweat trickled down my forehead.
“Yula. My dear rose girl. This is your last chance,” Aelbrin urged. “I’ve brought you this far, but if you wish to flee and seek another way to save your people, I will help you.”
A memory of his warm, insistent kisses plagued my thoughts. We were good together, and he was wise, but try as I might, I could see no other way. Besides, if we failed, people would die, and I was tired of people dying because of me and my magic.
Only one path was clear, and I had no choice but to take it.
My stomach twisted but I lifted my chin. “I can do this.”
Aelbrin held my gaze as he came to stand before me. His fingers grazed my wrist and sent a tingling sensation down my spine. He scanned my face as though searching for something.
My heart kicked against my chest. Was he going to kiss me again?
The moment snapped as he let go of me. “I warn you, beware of the raven who will bind your magic.” He pointed to a thick grove of trees just ahead. “Ascend into the domain of the Dark Queen. She is expecting you.”
My gaze followed his. The trees opened up, displaying a wide set of stairs which led to an obsidian castle. The fortification sprawled across the hill, the horrifying might of it both an intimidation and a curse. Wicked towers glared back at me as though warning me away.
I gawked, a horror of entrapment growing in my mind. I wanted to flee, turn and beg Aelbrin to take me back to the village. But then what? I’d be right back where I started. A night in the enchanted forest all for naught.
I squared my shoulders and forced fear to the back of my mind, and as I stood there, the teachings of the Sisters of the Light came to me:
Fear is your ally, not your enemy. When you feel fear, it is only a sensation, a reminder that you must think before proceeding. Fear is an indicator of what could go wrong if you do not have a plan, but remember, fear is not always correct, it is only a thought, a path, like the roots of a tree branching to different dimensions. You are in control of the path you follow, so let fear guide you to the right choice. In the face of fear rememberto use your mind, not your emotions.
Magic made me strong. I would use my mind in this, not my gut reaction to flee. Turning, I extended my hand to say goodbye to Aelbrin, but the spot where he’d stood was empty. I spun around, searching for him. But he'd silently vanished, as though he were nothing but a figment of my imagination.
Irritation rose and, blinking back tears, I left the forest behind and walked toward the black castle.
Chapter 6
The stairs leading to the monolithic fortress zigzagged back and forth across a cliff with sharp drop-offs at each side. It was a defensive position with one way in and one way out. The castle itself rose like a frowning monster casting a nightmarish shadow over the forest. Columns of gray smoke rose from the surrounding bluffs. At first, I thought they were clouds, but as I passed through the mists, low moans wailed from them.
I shivered in the clammy air. All of my instincts told me to turn and run away.
Once more I glanced back, missing the comfort of Aelbrin. I cursed myself for longing for something that was impossible to have.I’d allowed myself to forget, last night, that he still belonged to Her.
A wailing scream came from the castle, and my hands went to my ears to hold back the blood-twisting sound. My heart thudded in my throat, but I forced my feet to take one brave step after another. I climbed into the mountain of mist and the wicked castle steadily grew closer.
Black feathers glistening with a shiny gloss flittered through the air. A sharp caw made me jump, and then a man materialized in front of me. On his head he wore the skull of an overgrown raven, with the beak intact. Across his body flowed black feathers, covering him from head to toe. Ghastly eyes stared at me.
I paused and closed my fingers into fists, preparing my magic to toss him over the cliff if necessary. He cocked his head, and his beady eyes examined me from head to toe.
Offended, I crooked a finger. A rock from the path dropped onto his booted toe. The man glanced from his foot to my hand. His eyes gleamed with mischief. He shook back the feathers, and they transformed into a cloak, offering a glimpse of a lean, hard body underneath the curtain of black.
“Aelbrin sends a gift to the queen?" the man quipped, grinning rather suddenly.
I glanced over my shoulder, still sore at the way Aelbrin had vanished without a word. Or instructions. “I am no gift; I have come to make a bargain with the Dark Queen.”
The man’s coal-black eyes drifted to my chest. “You can make a deal with me first. It shall be more entertaining.”
Rage boiled in my belly at his indecency. With a flex of my fingers, the rocks and rubble scattered at our feet rose into the air, each stone a deadly weapon in the hands of a mage. “There's more magic where that came from,” I warned him.
The man leered wolfishly. “No doubt.” He extended his fingers and made a brushing motion.
