Of Blood and Sacrifice (Royal Fae Guardians Book 2) Read online

  Slowly, I lifted the crown and regretfully handed it over as Oliver came back with the two vials of venom.

  “The heart stone?” he demanded while holding the murky liquid out for them to see.

  Myrina clapped her hands, the stone appeared out of nowhere. “I’d recommend not touching it.”

  Ryland took the box out, and I opened it so he could get the stone.

  “It was a pleasure doing business with you. Hopefully, we’ll be seeing each other again. Really soon, if we’re all lucky,” Sephira said. Then, they both disappeared.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Irritation built deep inside me after the pixies disappeared. I wasn’t sure why we had made a deal with them. The longer my crown was gone, the more I realized our mistake.

  I might have had a handle on my magic and didn’t need the crown to filter it any longer, but the darkness within me was still volatile and I found myself reaching for the forbidden magic as I paced the forest floor.

  “What about the child? Since the pixies called her a witchling, I’m assuming we don’t want to leave her here for them to come back and take?” I asked.

  “I’ll take her back to the castle. The queen will make sure she’s cared for by a coven until we can locate where she came from,” Brooke said.

  “We’ll go with her,” Cynder added.

  I’d noticed that the panther hadn’t left the vampire’s side much. Interesting, considering there were no actual bonds between them, but at least Cynder was being friendly with someone other than Oliver.

  “Tell Queen Navi we’ll be there soon. The gnomes shouldn’t take long,” Stryx said.

  Oliver stepped forward and tossed a bag from his backpack to me. “You’re going to need what’s inside of there. Lorelle gave it to me but told me not to say anything until the time was right. In case we don’t make it back before you’re with the gnomes, I figured now was as good of a time as any.”

  Opening the tote, I found a note at the top that merely said, “Don’t trust the gnomes.” Well, that was useful.

  Digging past that, I found a crystal with blue string around it and a brick of gold weighing as much as a newborn baby.

  Stryx peeked in as well. “The crystal will tell us if they’re lying, and the gold will be sufficient leverage. Only silver is mined in the Otherworld, and gnomes despise Earth, so the brick will be something we can offer them in exchange for the raw material.”

  “Raw?” I asked.

  “In order for the dagger to be pure and filled with original magic, the metal has to come directly from the gnome mines and not be contaminated. It’s why we didn’t melt anything else down and use it to forge the dagger,” Stryx answered.

  “So, Oliver, Cynder, and Brooke will port back to the queen, drop the child off, and meet the rest of us at the gnome mines?” Ryland asked, and Stryx confirmed.

  It didn’t feel right splitting up, but we didn’t have time to go back and forth. I didn’t trust those pixies with my crown, and Alaryk needed to cease breathing sooner rather than later. Even at the mere thought of his impending death, glee bubbled within me.

  Be careful, Kaliah. You’re toeing the line with power that isn’t meant to be taken lightly.

  Damn it. I’d forgotten to put my wall back up.

  I know. Everything will be fine as soon as he is dead.

  Slowly, I blocked him out again, trying not to be rude, but also giving myself some privacy. I didn’t need to be judged for how much I wanted the man dead. He was responsible for making my life a hot mess.

  Jordan nudged me. “First chance I get, I’m going to use my sword as a bat, and the ball will be one of those pixies.”

  I’d been nervous there was irreparable damage to our friendship since I’d almost killed her bonded animal, so I couldn’t stop the smile from rising on my face when she gave me a glimpse of the best friend I was used to.

  “I’ll be the pitcher,” I replied with a laugh, but not at all joking.

  Stryx flew over to Oliver and spoke to him about a message for the queen, and the rest of us grabbed drinks while we waited.

  Jordan began sparring with Dom, which ended up being hilarious as he put her on her back more than once, but she never gave up. Even with sticks and leaves in her hair, she was having a blast.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever seen her so happy,” Ryland said from my side as he took the bag from Lorelle and put it in his since I hadn’t brought an actual backpack with me.

  “And to think I almost took that away from her.” I grimaced.

  He turned me toward him. “You need to let that go, or it will only leave you more susceptible to the darkness. You are a good person, Kali. I know that, and so do those who you call friends. All that’s left for you to do is figure out how to believe it yourself.”

  He kissed my forehead and tried to pull away, but I didn’t let him. Instead, I clung to him and pressed my lips to his. Grounding myself to him helped to take away the guilt, helped me to remember who I was and the strength I held buried inside.

  When I thought I was on the right side of my mental state, I pulled back only far enough to press my forehead against his chest as he left his arms around me. “Thank you.”

  “I am always happy to do that if it’s what you need to remember who you are,” he said, and I glanced up to find him smirking.

  “Don’t let it go to your head,” I replied teasingly.

  “I wouldn’t dream of it.” He kissed me again while I was looking up, and we only parted when leaves rained down on us.

  “Hey, love birds. We have gnomes to irritate. Let’s move,” Jordan called out with Stryx on her shoulder.

  Oliver, Brooke, the girl, and Cynder were nowhere to be seen. It was time to port to wherever the gnomes lived.

  Glancing back at the sky, I sighed longingly. As wrong as it was, I still couldn’t forget how good it had felt to let loose. If only I could do that and not tap into dark magic, I would be unstoppable. But maybe that’s why I couldn’t.

  No one person should have that much power. The addiction it caused was real, and even after only a taste, I was having withdrawals. I could almost understand why Alaryk was doing what he was. The dark fae probably had little control over his actions, which was sad and pathetic.

  Though, even if I was right, it still didn’t excuse his actions, and he would pay for them with his life.

  “Ready?” Ryland asked with his hand out.

  I happily slid mine in his. “Of course.”

  As soon as we were all huddled together, Stryx led the port and we arrived back in the Earth section, one after another. The sky was still a pale green where we were, but it was missing the peaceful vibe I normally got from the queen’s part of the land.

  “Are gnomes normally good?” I asked since Lorelle had said we couldn’t trust them, but they lived so close to the castle.

  “They’re neutral. They have a leader who wishes for peace and keeps his people in line enough to appease Queen Navi, but things still slip by,” Ryland answered.

  “They’re a pain—” Jordan began, but once again Dom’s tail came into use and gave me ideas to replicate it somehow so I could shut her up when he wasn’t around.

  “Watch what you say. We’re not alone,” the lion said in a low voice.

  Stryx flew back to me and landed on his usual spot. “Please let me handle this. Gnomes are finicky creatures, and we don’t want to upset them. If you’re asked a direct question, answer it respectfully, but other than that, try to stay out of it.”

  “Hey, I’m not like Satan over there. I know how to be reasonable,” I said defensively.

  “It has nothing to do with you, young one. Just trust me.”

  That was one thing I could do. I trusted the owl with my life, even if I didn’t always agree with him.

  The gnomes lived in a mountain covered mostly in rock with very few trees, which surprised me, considering how green everything was just a hundred feet beyond the peak. The closer we came
to the opening, the more on edge I felt.

  Eyes could be seen in the hills of the mountain as the light around us dimmed. There were hundreds of them, and I was suddenly glad we’d saved this place for last. It gave me the creeps.

  “As soon as we arrive at the opening, we have to wait until they come to us. Do not step foot into the mountain until you’re invited, or you may not live to regret it. They take their security very seriously,” Stryx said to everyone.

  Dom tightened his tail around Jordan’s waist. “Test that theory and I will kill you myself.”

  “I love you, too, Simba,” she cooed, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

  Even though it was the middle of the day, when we arrived at the base of the mountain, darkness fell around us, making it so we could only see shadows and eyes. We stayed close enough to touch each other, but not so close that we appeared scared.

  Minutes passed and still no one came. My nerves were getting the best of me as I began bouncing my left leg. Something was clawing at me. I couldn’t pinpoint what it was, but the magic deep within my core was stirring.

  My eyes moved rapidly around the area, but still, I couldn’t see a damn thing. “We need to leave. Something isn’t right.”

  Stryx stretched his wings out. “I don’t sense anything out of the ordinary. What do you feel?”

  “It’s my magic. It’s reacting to something, but I don’t know what.”

  Nobody replied to my statement, and I wasn’t sure if it was because they didn’t think it was as big of a deal as I did, or if it meant something more and it was already too late.

  Stryx pressed against my wall and I gladly let him in. Can you sense anything?

  His presence swirled within my mind but didn’t calm any of the anxiety I was experiencing. No, everything seems normal, but we should leave if you think that’s the right move. We can come back with more people and try again tomorrow.

  We didn’t have that time. Queen Navi made that very clear. Plus, Arvayta hadn’t been faring well when we left, and even more time had passed there since we’d been gone.

  Unless anyone else senses anything, let’s wait it out, I finally replied.

  He nodded, and we continued to stand there silently. Maybe another five minutes later, footsteps could be heard, and a dozen torches appeared in the opening.

  “What brings you to our home today?” a gnome in the center said with a booming voice. I couldn’t make out his facial features under the flickering flames, but they were all of similar height—under four feet tall—and wore very little clothing.

  Knobby fingers wrapped around the torches, and bare chests puffed out as they waited for our answer.

  “Good day, Leader Spiro. We come by request of Queen Navi. She requires pure metal if you’d be so willing to provide it from your well,” Stryx announced.

  “Are we not good enough to forge what she requires?” Spiro asked, voice full of indignation.

  “I’m sure she would be grateful to have your expert hands craft the item she requires, but as the matter is extremely sensitive, your presence would be needed to complete the task. She did not want to ask you or your people to inconvenience yourselves with her problem.”

  Damn, Stryx was good at this. Even I was sold on his reasoning.

  Spiro didn’t seem as convinced, though. He stepped closer to the opening. “What do you bring for payment?”

  Stryx turned toward Ryland, who was already removing the gold brick from his backpack. As Ryland held the mound in his hand, Stryx continued to speak for us.

  “The purest gold from Earth in exchange for your silver, and we only need half of what we offer in return.”

  The gnome’s eyes glowed in the shadows, showing a scarred face and bald head. “This is a payment we can accept, but I will not allow strangers to roam my home. I will only invite you and the holder of the gold inside. That is my only offer.”

  My mouth opened to object. I wasn’t okay with this option whatsoever, but Stryx already knew it.

  You, Jordan, and Dominic need to go back to Queen Navi. Ready the other items, and we will be right behind you. We need this to happen and cannot negotiate with them.

  Biting my tongue, I listened to him and let things continue to play out.

  “That is a fair request, and we accept your offer,” Stryx announced.

  Ryland’s eyes met mine, and they blazed with a fury I didn’t often see from him. Neither of us spoke for fear of upsetting the gnome leader, but the shared intensity was enough to tell me he would be hurrying back.

  The entrance to the mountain shimmered, and Stryx hopped from my shoulder to Ryland’s. I mean it, Kaliah. Straight to the castle, and do not leave until we are back. It is the only safe place for you. Keep our connection open, and I will let you know if anything doesn’t go as planned.

  I understand, and we’ll be waiting. Just make sure to hurry up, I replied just as they stepped through and the darkness swallowed them.

  The torchlight began to fade, and I prayed like crazy to the Fates who were supposed to keep the balance that we hadn’t just made the biggest mistake. Lorelle had said not to trust the gnomes, but Ryland would have had eyes on the crystal. So, if he didn’t say anything, all we could do now was have faith.

  As soon as silence descended around us, Jordan took my hand. “Let’s get the hell out of here.”

  She began to port, but just as she did, the uneasiness that I’d been feeling exploded within me and I crumpled to the ground, watching her and Dom disappear without me.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Alaryk stared down at me with a gleam in his soulless eyes. “We meet again, my sweet.” His words were a sharp contrast to his next actions, which included punching me in the face, making my nose bleed immediately, and grasping on to my neck.

  My mouth moved to speak, but with his grip, the words I so badly wanted to say were stuck as I tried to breathe. I didn’t know if he was trying to kill me, but I wasn’t going down without a fight if so.

  “Let’s take a trip.” Alaryk grabbed on to my hair and we disappeared just in time for Jordan and Dom to see the dark fae take me as they reappeared.

  At least they would know what happened to me, not that there was anything they could do about it since we’d never found out where Alaryk was hiding out.

  We landed in a cavernous bunker of sorts. I couldn’t tell if we were underground, in a mountain, or somewhere else entirely. The walls were made from dirt—rough, but seemed solid and were several stories high.

  The temperature was cool but tolerable, and there was no natural light filtering in. Instead, orbs hung from various spots, providing a soft glow that somehow made the oversized area seem more welcoming.

  There were several tunnels leading out of the room, but the only one I had an interest in was the exit. Unfortunately, Alaryk wasn’t kind enough to label them.

  “I’ve waited decades to have you in my home. No, in our home. I know it’s not a conventional house, but once I can trust you, I’ll claim whatever place you want as ours,” Alaryk said as if I was actually going to stay with him.

  I wasn’t sure how to take him. I’d been told from the beginning that he wanted to kill me, that I was the last heir to the throne he despised, even though it no longer existed. Yet, every time I’d met him, all he wanted was for me to be his partner.

  Sure, it was for sinister purposes, but still, if he hadn’t hurt so many people in the process…

  “Now, we have to do something about your soul. The moment I heard what you did in that forest…” He paused, closed his eyes, and let out a moan. “Oh, you have no idea what that did to me. Sure, you took out two of my best men, but it was a sacrifice I was happy to make to show you the possibilities.”

  “You mean, to show me I was capable of being a monster? I almost killed people I care about,” I sneered, but even as I said the words, excitement bubbled within me that I couldn’t stop.

  His fingers caressed my chin. “Oh, Kaliah. Don’t fight
me. We were made for each other. The Fates had it all wrong when they scared you away from me. We will make these lands prosper and bring back the old ways, with me and you as their king and queen.”

  My skin tingled everywhere he touched, and I hated that a part of me loved it. Closing my eyes, I pictured Ryland and the care he’d shown me, the light he provided and how he grounded me to the goodness I believed in.

  I didn’t want to succumb to the dark magic. I didn’t want to soak it up and drown my sorrows in it.

  But the longer Alaryk spoke to me and touched me, the more I could see how right he was. My humanity was slipping away, along with any guilt about what needed to happen next.

  Deep down, I knew this wasn’t the way I was supposed to stop Alaryk. There was a line I shouldn’t cross, but every time I dipped my toes across, the darkness fought harder to keep me there.

  “I’m not a monster and neither are you, my sweet. I’ve done things I shouldn’t have, but they’ve all brought me to you, and I won’t regret them. Now, let me fix you so you can truly be free.” The dark fae’s hand pressed over my chest, and a shock ran through me.

  My head tilted back and chest rose as the air was pulled from my lungs and grief overcame me, a complete contrast to how I was feeling just moments before. My parents were there in my mind, calling to me to come home, but where was home? There was nothing left of them to go back to. They’d brought me to this world and left me.

  Slowly, their image faded, and Stryx came next. His wise eyes stared at me in disappointment until his wings spread and pushed himself out of my mind, our connection gone.

  Then it was Jordan. My best friend. My soul sister. My partner-in-crime. She would come for me, and she would understand. She had always understood me, and I would make her see reason again.

  Last was Ryland. He was standing in front of me, peering down upon my broken body with disgust. Just like the others before him, he said no words, but his eyes? They told me everything I needed to know.