She pulled over the car between a wooden area. I darted my gaze around and there weren't even any birds. Nothing, it was only a thick jungle.
"This place looks haunted," Silver muttered, she looked scared as her voice would attract danger.
"To keep people away." Mary pulled her brows together, "Come now."
"There is a portal. I can see it." Elizabeth said.
We followed her gaze but there were only thick leaves, trees. "There's nothing," I told them.
"Only faeries can see it," Mary cleared her confusion.
"There isn't any sign that only faeries are allowed." Silver mocked.
I giggled, stepping out of the car, I walked behind Mary. Drake, Edward, and Carlos looked at her to clear their confusion.
"There's a portal," Edward spoke first.
"Yes, son." Mary smiled, "I'm waiting for the day you'll wed my daughter, " Her eyes shone with pure merriment.
Elizabeth blushed and Edward nodded at her with a curl on his lips.
"Oh, I'll buy the best dress," Silver giggled.
"Yes! Yes! " she looked at the portal with a frown.
She lifted her chin and closed her eyes. She began to mumble something, her lips were barely moving.
Silver elbowed Elizabeth and lifted her chin, questioning her silently.
"She is reciting the spell in an ancient language," Elizabeth said.
Red light rushed at the transparent wall like thousands of veins. It disappeared immediately revealing the entrance of a cave.
"Why does everyone like caves?" I asked.
"It is safe and humans stay away from them." Mary turned to me, "My mother is a dark queen. My spell won't work in the cave." She spoke with sadness.
"Means I won't be able to see," I asked.
She nodded, "I'm sorry." Said Mary sadly.
Silver held my hand, "I'll protect you."
"You don't need to tell." I smiled at Mary and nodded, "Let's meet your grandma."
Elizabeth held my second hand, "Maybe my power can work on you." She said and her mother nodded, turning to the cave. She walked in.
Sighing, I plucked my first step in and waited. "I can still see," I said walking deep.
"It will affect you when you go deep," Mary murmured. Her dark coffee colors eyes were darting around, particularly on the walls.
They were just walls. I stopped walking when the cave's look changed into a luxurious place. Girls in pixie cuts, mini sparkling dresses, and the most astonishing part they had wings.
"They are beautiful," I said.
"And dangerous," Drake said from behind me.
"They have wings. I want wings too," I muttered.
"Yes, real wings. But I can't be certain about your wish." Elizabeth smiled.
"Where are your wings? " I asked with a frown.
Her face got a little blurry, "I still don't understand my powers properly." She said.
I nodded and held Silver's hand. She didn't utter anything but understood.
Our troop halted. "Ah! I was expecting you, my dear." A melodic voice came from the front.
My head jerked and my gaze stopped at her, her green eyes were holding coldness. It softened, "My granddaughter." She opened her arms
Elizabeth sauntered forward, "Granny, I missed you," She hugged her.
Dark queen didn't think to address anyone, "Why are you here?" She frowned at her daughter. She was draped into a silky black gown, a dark metal crown was nestled on her head.
"Queen needs your help," Mary stepped aside, revealing me, without wasting time she came to the point.
"Oh!" She withdrew her hands from Elizabeth's shoulders and took a step forward, "Dark Queen is here." She let out a scathing laugh.
It made me more uncomfortable. I looked around. I wasn't the dark queen definitely. Dark described bad things. The cave's walls were still in view, it wasn't a barn, tall green plants, various kinds of flowers, and fountains. I knew I needed to answer her, "I'm not Dark Queen," I said finally. She was frightening me with her evil laughter.
She laughed again, louder than before, "You're his mate. Don't you? The Dark King. What should I call you then? " Her tone was mocking.
"Mother, she's just a kid. Stop scaring her," Mary said.
Cassandra thinned her pink lips in annoyance. Then her gaze landed on Edward, "You brought him too," She said venomously.
"He's my mate, grandma," Elizabeth said, calmly. Her features betrayed her.
She scowled and turned the way she came from, "I can't help her, "
My eyes widened, "I knew this," Silver incensed.
"Granny, don't say that. You're my only hope," Elizabeth quickened to her side.
"You have to help her, mother." Mary insisted.
Cassandra glanced at me, "I don't have the book. The book of Dark Two belongs to the King of Helios, King Kolstov," She said.
I was relieved she couldn't force Elizabeth now. I could only hope to not see a more evil person than her.
"How could you do this? That's ours to keep." Mary yelled in anger.
"The King of Helios wants to marry Elizabeth. What's wrong with it, " Her lips twisted, darkly.
I heard Edward growling behind me.
"Wrong! Wrong! I already love Edward. How could you give a precious book to him." Elizabeth demanded exasperatedly.
"It was a beautiful and the best birthday present for him. This animal can't give you happiness." Cassandra snarled, glaring at Edward.
"Careful," I snarled at her insult.
The Dark Fae Queen arched her brows, "A Queen.. without her powers, without her king... is nothing but an object to play in the bed."
My breath hitched at her words. I stumbled back a step. I felt tears piercing.
Silver glared at her. Her eyes shone in amber.
Elizabeth gasped, "How could you say this to her? She's my friend,"
"She's not worth it," Cassandra bellowed. Only hatred was coming from her.
"You'll pay for this," Drake snarled.
She ignored him, "You're not welcome in my territory." She spun, ending her words, "Make it hurry, sweetheart, before she lost her eyesight completely," Cassandra's scathing laugh echoed again as her gaze swept over Elizabeth.
"We're going back to the academy," I told them.
"No, we'll talk to him. I'll tell him I have a mate. He'll understand," Elizabeth said.
"He won't. He'll bargain," Edward said.
"We can try," Elizabeth said.
"Yes, we can try. On one condition." I said.
They turned to me, "You won't come with us." I said and whirled on the balls of my heels. Tears burnt in my eyes. But I held them back. It would only please her.
"No, he won't let you in. They'll kill you." Elizabeth said.
"Let them try," Drake said darkly.
"You are not understanding." Elizabeth muttered, beseechingly.
I quickened my pace. The cave was suffocated, "I'm understanding. You can't let anyone do this to you. You won't marry that lout king."
"I'll tear him apart," Edward incensed, clenching his jaw.
"I'm not marrying him, " Elizabeth yelled.
I stopped near the car, "Mary, will you come with me? "I asked, "I don't know the path. "
"Of course, sweetheart." She turned to Edward, "Take her home, " She muttered the words.
"No, I'm not leaving her alone," Elizabeth said, annoyed.
"She's not alone," Silver said.
"I'm coming. Listen, grandma has planned it. " Elizabeth chewed on her lower lip nervously.
"That's why you're not going," I told her.
She stared at us. When she was certain, we wouldn't allow her, she turned to her mate, "Please, Edward, please trust me. I love you, I only love you. Please convince them, " Tears slid down her cheeks.
"We're coming," Edward announced, nodding at his mate.
"We're going in the morning," Mary said, breathing deeply.
"She is not coming," I walked around the car and got in.
"Emma," Elizabeth rushed behind me.
I didn't respond. She hadn't seen my mother. She didn't know the pain. Every time, I felt it when I opened my eyes. When I could not see him around me. Nightmares haunted me. Everything was driving me to the edge.