Page 43 of Awakening the Dark Throne
I smiled back, slowly lifting my lips to his. He kissed me, unsure of if I truly wanted this. I pulled back, brushing my good hand against his face.
“We don’t?—”
“I want to,” I said. “Just be a little gentle with me. Injuries and all,” I smiled up at him.
He moved his lips back onto mine. I had to do this. I had to play the game. It was only flesh, Gen. This doesn’t define who you are. I closed my eyes tight as he eased me back onto the mattress.
He was gentle with me. Taking extra time to make sure that my needs were met. I found it astonishing that even though my brain and heart weren’t in the act, my body still reacted to the sensations of another. After he had finished, he laid next to me without a word. In that moment I had realized he never held me after sex. I found it a bit odd, but I wasn’t about to ask. I never asked for it and he never initiated it.
As I closed my eyes, images of the strange dark figure drifted through my head. I took comfort in the familiar visions. The dark swirls that outlined his shoulder and arm. His entrancing smile. The sound of his laugh that sparked some sense of joy inside of me I had never known before. I fell asleep with the images of one man behind my eyes and the body of another next to me.
Chapter 16
The next morning, I went on a walk to clear my head. My hand had healed but it had to remain covered, so I appeared to be human. The only thing that remained was my brand below my collar bone.
I went to the lavender fields, my favorite place in the kingdom. Here, I could unburden myself of courtly matters. Here, I could think clearer. I could breathe without worrying if I was going to be struck down for doing so. Here, I could feel my mother. The fragrance was hers.
My fingers traced the soft petals of the plants, taking in the vibrant shades of purples and green. I brought my healed hand to the pendant Gaelin had given me. The green in the stone was truly the same shade as my eyes. Even though he had given it to me, the pendant was now mine. It was a reminder that no matter where I was, there was freedom to be found in the smallest moments.
Suddenly, a high-pitched scream came from the woods behind the field. I jumped to my feet; my attention fixed on the thick clustering of trees. Another scream came, followed by sobbing and cries for help. I took off without thinking, running straight towards the pleas.
I pushed past the thick foliage, the low branches, and thorny bushes. The scream came again, forcing me to pick up my pace. I could think of nothing but the pain I heard in the victim's plea for help. Barreling through the thick coverage, I stumbled into a clearing—and froze in horror as I peered up at the source who was just moments ago crying for help.
A human woman was strung up in the trees by her arms, completely naked. Her skin was slashed to ribbons. Her eyes were covered in blood that streamed down her face like tears. Her back had been torn open and her ribs pulled backwards and out to resemble wings. Her breasts were gone, and her genitals were unrecognizable.
I began shaking as I felt bile rise in my esophagus. I fell to the ground, my stomach emptying at the mortifying sight I had just beheld. I gasped for air and tears of fear saturated my face. From behind me, buzzing cut through the air. Loud crunches of leaves followed. I was no longer alone.
I turned slowly to see five fairies standing in front of me in an arc. I was so screwed. Lean, muscular bodies covered in pale white skin, slightly tinted with a blue hue. Their noses were sharp, their ears pointed, and their long faces came to a rounded point at the chin. Long lashes lined large, almond-shaped eyes. Their thin lips didn’t conceal their sharp pointed teeth.
I fell back onto my heels, searching for a weapon or anything for that matter to protect myself with. Their wings were magnificent. Long and powerful, and as the sun poured through the canopy of the trees, they seemed to change colors like a rainbow. Iridescent at times, with flickers of color trickling through them like a wave.
A female walked slowly towards me, tilting her head to study me. I gradually stood to my feet before them.
“Well, well, well. What do we have here?” Her voice, high pitched, yet sophisticated in some way. She examined me up with her electric orange eyes.
“Another snack?” a male asked.
“How lucky are we?”
“Two in one day.” The fairies surrounded me, leaving me no option for escape. They licked their lips as the all too familiar chattering of teeth erupted from the group. They closed in, herding me like an innocent lamb. I looked up at the girl hanging from the trees, wondering if I would soon be hanging next to her, filleted into an angel.
One of the fairies came from behind me, digging their sharp teeth into my shoulder blade. It shook its head as its teeth locked into my skin. I yelled out in pain as another took a quick bite out of my leg.
“Enough!” said the female in charge as she circled me, sniffing the air. The two fairies let go and I stood panting in pain. She faced me and smiled with those sharp, deadly teeth. “What are you? You don’t smell human, but you aren’t alfar either.”
I stood silently.
“Kill her and let’s get back. We can’t stay here much longer,” said another female. The one in front of me stepped closer, dragging her sharp nail along my cheek. Blood spilled from my face. I watched her bring her finger to her mouth as my blood dripped onto her tongue. Her eyes closed as she moaned with pleasure.
“Oh yes, you are delicious. Whatever you are, I am going to enjoy you very much. Yes, I am,” she said, wrapping her long fingers around my arm. She pulled me into her, still smiling. Suddenly, her eyes snapped up to look behind me as her body tensed. The other four fairies drew weapons, waiting to strike at whatever was coming from the tree line. I pressed my eyes shut as hard as I could. How could this get any worse? Leaves crunched behind me, but I didn’t dare open my eyes.
“Now, I am not from these parts,” came a familiar voice from behind me, “but I am certain fairies are not allowed to step foot on the light court’s territory. Am I mistaken?”
I turned my head to see Erendrial and five other dark alfar beside him. The female that held me chuckled, relaxing a bit at the sight of him.
“Ambassador Lyklor, nice to see you again. We were just passing through. No harm done. We will take our leave now,” she said, pulling at my arm to follow her.
“I wouldn’t call that no harm done,” Erendrial said, nodding to the girl strung up in the trees.
