Page 4 of Queen of the Wildwood
“It is my fault,” I whispered.
He said nothing, only slipped his hand under my elbow, helping me to my feet. Tears blurred my vision, but I set my jaw and forced myself to stand. A wave of pain washed over me as my numb side awoke, sending pinpricks down my fevered skin.
“Mabon is coming,” I lamented as the full weight of what I’d done settled on my shoulders.
Again, I raised my eyes to the Aelbrin’s strong face. There was something compelling about him. Something within me called out to him, and I dropped my gaze.
I could not trust him. He belonged to Her, a knight of the Dark Queen whose power protected my village from the devilish creatures of the forest that sought human blood. But only if she received the blood and sacrifice she demanded, something I could no longer offer, not without the Sisters of the Light to perform the ritual.
Would the Dark Queen allow evil to roam free? She would. I knew it in my bones.
I turned toward the village, guilt heavy in my heart. “I must do something. The people cannot suffer because of me. I need to make the Queen see reason.”
“There’s no reason with her,” Aelbrin said.
I faced him, determination steeling my spine. “Then I will make a bargain with her.”
His gaze drifted to the wood where thick trees rose, gray and green, shutting out all light. The thick smell of musk wafted from the forest, and I followed his gaze, noting the intricate webbing that wrapped around the dark trees like a blanket. Plump vines curled around oak and ash trees which grew so close together, it seemed impossible to walk between them. Dry leaves covered the forest floor along with scattered nuts and bramble. Despite the warmth of the cloak, I shivered. It was not wise to enter the domain of the Dark Queen.
My heart quailed at what I would ask of Aelbrin, but I lifted my chin and squared my shoulders, determined to accept responsibility for my actions. I would do this one last act to wipe my slate clean of the trail of misery I left behind. Magic brought nothing but grief, but perhaps if I traded years of service, my magic, or even my soul to save the village, I could forgive myself for my past. Loss enveloped my heart with grief, and the forest blurred before my eyes.
A muscle in Aelbrin’s jaw ticked, and a sigh escaped his lips. “Time is short. If you wish to make a bargain with the Dark Queen, I will take you to her court. I warn you; her woods are not for the faint of heart.”
My lip curled at his words. Did he underestimate my strength? “Take me there. What do you require as payment?”
His eyebrows arched. “Payment? I serve the will of the Dark Queen. You should know that she will be very glad I have brought you to her court, but only because you possess such powerful magic.” He leaned close. “Know this. She will see you as a tool. You will need to bargain well.”
I stepped forward and cringed as the numbness faded from the left side of my body.
His eyes went soft.“Are you hurt?”
“No.” I put out a hand to keep him at a distance.
"Stay close, then,” he said with a glance at the wood. “If you want to live.”
The evil creatures of the forest would be close. Surely they wouldn’t harm Aelbrin, however. Not the knight of the Dark Queen.
Still, the very thought of what lurked in the shadows sent a chill down my spine. But I took a deep breath, fighting against a squeeze of panic, and followed him into Wildwood.
Chapter 3
The smell of sulfur came to my nostrils and faded as we traipsed into the dense wood. I clutched a hand around the cloak to keep it from billowing out. My bare feet tip-toed across the uneven ground. Although my soles were tough, broken twigs bit into them, and unexpected rocks forced me to fumble for balance. After a time, I found myself panting.
As I walked, my thoughts returned to the Sisters of the Light. I understand why they kept themselves apart from the world. Magic was a great power, and it also made me a target. Often, families of those with magic were held hostage or blackmailed in exchange for the use of that magic. I had fallen to that fate and put those I loved in danger. It was only because of my power-gone-rouge that the Sisters of the Light had vanished, leaving no one to protect the village.
No one except me.
Aelbrin moved ahead, quickly and silently like a forest cat prowling after delicious prey. The sunlight shone dimmer here beneath the canopy, rendering his bronze skin a shade dark as night and from time to time I saw the mark on his hand glistening in the dim light. I bit back words to concentrate on walking, but curious thoughts whispered impatiently in my mind. Where did Aelbrin come from? Why did he serve the queen?
“Mistress Yula,” Aelbrin's voice floated back to me on a stale breeze.
I itched a scratch on my arm. “Please. Just call me Yula.”
“Yula,” he repeated.
My name sounded like music on his tongue.
“I recall you traded in wool, not magic. The villagers must hold you in high esteem for your abilities,” he assumed.
