3 Chapter 3

I threw a loaf of bread in my bag and then evaluated everything I packed. Knives, food, a cloak, water, and a couple of other things.

     I could teleport there, but if what Kaius said about the King sensing my magic was true, that would only get me caught.

     Instead, I would have to take my horse, Destry.

     I readied her and made sure I had food and water for her too. After securing my belongings to the saddle, I swung myself up and over.

     I couldn't waste no time. I had to find Darcio before Cadoc killed him.

     Kaius could have taken me. He knew I was the one with the power, not Darcio. And yet he still took him and left me instead.

     Destry ran hard and fast, straight into the forest. We moved away from the boarder but not terribly far. It was a two days journey. One and a half without stopping but that would only tire Destry.

     Still, I hated taking all that time to find Darcio. I knew I was no match for Cadoc or Kaius, but I wouldn't do nothing. I had to catch up to them before they reached the Unseelie Court.

     Cadoc had already taken everything else from me. I wouldn't let myself break down. I was terrified, but I didn't let it show. I had no time for that.

     Instead, I pushed Destry on, just hoping to get to my brother in time.

     By the time dawn broke, I had to let Destry rest and drink. I, on the other hand, paced, too impatient to sit still.

     What if Kaius already teleported them there? I could already be too late.

     The sun had already completely risen before we were moving again. But the day passed in a blur and soon, I was making camp.

     I didn't need a fire with the summer heat beating down on me. I put my bedroll on the ground and lied back, but sleep wouldn't come. I couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching me.

     By morning time, Destry and I had already started moving again and soon, I was approaching the border. Only a faerie, or human accompanied by a faerie, could cross it.

     A calm river with a cracked, stone bridge running across it was the border. I let my glamour fall and stared ahead of me with trembling hands.

     I never wanted to come back here. It was like salt in an open wound.

     Still, I pushed Destry forward and over that bridge. I felt the ripple of the border and then the smell of flowers hit me. I could hear buzzing bees and birds, I could feel a gentle breeze, the grass was greener on this side, as were the trees, the wildflowers brighter. This was my home. Or used to be.

     This was the Summer Court. And I had no idea where to go next. I couldn't go parading into the Unseelie Court. That would only get me killed. I could try to find Kaius but if I went to the Shadow Court, that would also get me killed. Cadoc could have already killed Darcio.

     A shadow of a tree rippled and a person stepped out of it. I seen the black hair first, this time, it was completely down and he pushed it impatiently out of his silver eyes. Kaius looked up at me, shoving his hands in his pockets and grinning.

     I pulled out a knife and jumped off of Destry.

     "You sure have been taking your time," he said, sounding bored.

     "Where is my brother?" I snarled. Kaius raised an eyebrow and leaned against the tree.

     "So much hostility. Darcio is safe. He is at the Shadow Court. Though I can not promise he will remain that way. Come to my court and we can talk about it."

     I bared my teeth at him. "I am in no mood to play games. What do you want from me?" I demanded.

     "We can't talk here," he simply said, examining his nails.

     "Why don't you just teleport me there then?" I snapped.

     "Why don't you?" He retorted, hands in his pockets once again.

     "You said Cadoc can feel my power."

     "Yeah, I lied about that. Cadoc does not even know that I found him. But I do need him as leverage for you."

     I gripped my knife even tighter and he smirked.

     "How did you find us then?"

     He shrugged, nonchalantly. "There are shadows everywhere. I can manipulate them. I'm not even here right now. This is just my shadow. I simply just have to tap into them. I did that with the shadows at your house. The shadows can speak to me. I asked them and they told me where you were."

     Then this knife wouldn't do anything if he was just a shadow.

     "How do I know I can trust you?" I questioned, studying him skeptically.

     That grin was back on his face. "You can't. But you want your brother, so you'll come. See you soon."

     And then he was gone.

     I still didn't understand why he couldn't teleport me there. I couldn't do it myself. Not to a place I hadn't been before.

     Scowling, I swung myself back onto Destry and rode for a familiar town. If I was in the Summer Court, then I knew someone who could help me.

     By the time I got there, the sun had set and Destry was exaughsted.

     I found the small estate easily. I had been there enough times throughout my life.

     The walls were cream-colored, marble pillars held up a marble awning, mini pools dotted the lawn, some had small fountains in them. One big marble fountain was off to my right.

     I tied Destry to a tree and climbed the stairs up to the rich, dark wood door.

     Taking in a deep breath, I lifted the golden knocker, shaped like the sun, and let it fall. After a moment, the door swung open and a familiar face greeted me.

     Her pale hair sat atop her head in a tight bun, her sapphire eyes widened in both shock and sorrow.

     "Nesrin?"

     I smiled sadly. There were people I dearly missed. She was one of them.

     "Maeve, it's been awhile."

     "We were told you were dead. Sorin even went to look for himself. He said Darcio was being hunted by Cadoc. How are you here?"

     I looked around and then back at her. "Someone helped me. Look, I've been with Darcio but Kaius took him. I need to talk to Sorin."

     Maeve stepped aside, eyeing me. I understood why. Certain lesser fae species could shapeshift and I was supposed to be dead. I would be suspicious too.

     Maeve left me in the foyer as she disappeared behind a door to find Sorin.

     The walls were that same warm, cream color, the panels white, the chandelier was solid gold, the floors and staircase were marble, a pale blue, satin carpet was rolled down the stairs.

     The door Maeve went through opened and I caught a glimpse of golden hair and sun-kissed skin, a full mouth, a straight nose. Those pale blue eyes met mine in disbelief.

     "Nes."

     Sorin was across the room in no time, wrapping me up in a tight embrace. I felt him shake his head and let out a deep breath before stepping back to examine me.

     "All these years and you still look just as stupid."

     I grinned and punched him in the arm. "I'll bet you still don't have a girl. They'd all run from you," I retorted.

     He pretended to look offended. "Such hateful words, Nes. And just so you know, I've had a few lovers over the years." He turned on his heel and stalked to that same door.

     Upon entering, I remembered this was the study. Just as brightly decorated as the rest of the house. Marble flooring, cream-colored walls, a white desk, a white and gold chaise lounge and two matching armchairs.

     Sorin threw himself onto the chaise and I lowered myself into an armchair.

     Sorin flashed a lopsided grin and said, "So you're back from the dead. How? I went to your house. I-"

     His smile was gone in an instant and he swallowed, looking at the floor.

     "I was there that day. Your father sent me away. But if I would have stayed, maybe I could have helped. When I went back, I found the bodies. Yours too."

     I paused and folded my hands in my lap.

     "Nes, what happened that night?"

     I had that feeling like I was being watched again. My mouth went dry and I tried not to imagine my family's mutilated bodies.

     "You know what my father did. What he planned after Darcio was born. How he gained all of that power." I shook my head.

     "Darcio should have been the safe one. Him and my mother. Both of them didn't have all of this magic. But my mother was killed defending her family. They believed Darcio was like the rest of us. Didn't know my father had him before all of the magic. Cadoc learned about it and sought to kill us all. To make an example and so no one had the power to challenge him. He sent his men to our house that night. I ran through the halls, looking for anyone to save. My mother and father were draped over Sarnai and Sahar. There was blood everywhere. They were torn apart. Only Sarnai was completely intact. I went to see if she was really dead. I tried and tried to wake her up. She wasn't breathing."

     I blinked back the tears.

     "I found Zetta by an open window. Her neck was snapped. And out the window, in the lawn, Rhosyn and Adonis were torn apart and scattered. Zetta was trying to get them out. I found Adrastos though. I told him to follow me. He was right behind me. But when I looked back again, they had grabbed him and gutted him."

     I let out a shuttering breath and my shoulders shook.

     "I could have saved him. I should have put him in front of me. I ran after that. They had finally lost me when a maid found me. She glamoured herself to look like me and ran out to them so I could escape. I will never be able to repay her. I ran into Darcio after that and we fled together. They've been hunting him this whole time."

     I glanced up at Sorin and he stared back with sad eyes.

     "I apologize. I was ranting."

     Sorin got off of the chaise and kneeled in front of me, pulling me into a tight hug. I couldn't stop some of the tears from escaping.

     "I'm so sorry, Nes. You shouldn't have had to go through that. You never wanted all of that magic and it got them all killed.

     He frowned even deeper. "But when I got to that house, that maid was still glamoured. That should have faded when she died."

     I pulled back to look at him. "You're right. I never thought about that."

     Sorin took my hands and leaned back on his heels.

     "There's one more thing. I don't know what this means. If it means anything at all. Cadoc does twisted things. But when I went to your house, Sarnai's body was missing."