I could hear birds chirping. I was scared to open my eyes to what I would discover.
"You can open your eyes, Em. You don't need to fright when you have two healers with you," I heard Silver's sweet voice.
I dared to open my eyes. My sight was clear. I smiled in disbelief, "I can see clearly," Nothing was more relieved than this. Without a backward glance, I pulled her in a tight embrace. My eyes brimmed with tears. It wasn't my supplication, "I love you, I love you two. You're my true friends, sisters. Thank you,"
Elizabeth curled her arms around us, bending, "I love you, too. Both!" She giggled.
"I love you, too. Now stop crying. It will affect your eyes." Silver patted my back.
I saw Mary with happy tears. She wiped her eyes, "We don't have much time, girls. I'm waiting downstairs."
"We're coming, mom.', Elizabeth said and pulled back.
Mary left the room and the door clicked behind her.
" Get up. We're going to see a real king." Silver swiped her fingers on my cheeks.
"Not without an oath," I looked at Elizabeth. I was trying not to succumb to the pit of dread in my stomach.
She exhaled and closed her eyes. She placed her hand over her heart, "I'm Elizabeth, light Faerie, Queen of all faeries. I promised to Emersyn Nelson Dawson under the watch of Silver that I would never leave my mate, I would never replace him. My body, soul, and everything belong to him." The white sparkle fell around her, like a thousand tiny stars.
"So beautiful," I was still staring at the sparks.
"Come on," Silver pulled me to my feet and pushed me to the door, "I hate to say it but you have ten minutes."
I giggled while walking behind her.
We were ready to go. Maria refused us to take our cars again. I didn't see Mary's husband. She didn't tell me, I didn't ask her. If she didn't want to tell me I wouldn't force her. I saw her staring at the photo of him. She got green eyes from her father.
When I was about to move out. Mary gripped my arm stopping me. She held out a black bracelet with black and white stones.
"These are enchanted moonstones." She clasped it around my wrist.
I gasped when it disappeared. I glanced at it and touched it with my second hand where I saw the bracelet, "Where did it go?" I asked with big eyes.
She smiled softly, "When you see it on your wrist. That means. You're in danger. You need to find a safe place and run away as soon as possible. Okay?" She asked.
I glanced down at my wrist and nodded my head, "Thank you," I took her in a tight hug and stepped back immediately.
She nodded with a smile, "Get in the car, girls." She told us.
We hurried to the door. The stranger bowed his head at our sight. Silver made her signature move, rolled her eyes, and got in the passenger seat. I got in the back seat. I noticed Edward, Drake, and Daniel were carrying a sword with them.
"It's not just for show," Drake said, moving his rare gaze from me at the stranger.
I nodded. There was no doubt. Alphas were born to fight.
After two hours of driving in the deep forest, Mary announced that we'd walk. Trees were so thick that the sunlight hardly reached the ground. The sound of wild animals could be heard. Somewhere from the direction of the forest, an owl hooted. In response, my heart thrummed.
"It gives an ominous feeling," I told them.
"Dark magic!" Mary said, looking forward. Her feet didn't stop for a second.
I gazed at Elizabeth for an explanation, "This place is secured by Dark magic. Only a dark Faerie king can do this."
"King Kolstov," I said his name in a whisper. My legs were throbbing, "Can we rest for a while?" I was forcing myself to walk.
"I can pick you up," Silver grinned at me.
We kept walking down the narrow soil path, enclosed by wild grass grown long almost covering our feet.
"Yeah, a werewolf can carry things easily, my weight would be nothing to you." I grinned.
"No noise girls. They can hear us," Mary said in a whisper.
My gaze turned to Elizabeth again, "Snoopy Fae," She whispered.
"Are they dangerous?" I asked.
"They can roll you on their spell and get pleasure from...." She paused when she felt all ears at her, "They're wanton in their demands."
"Faes are never good. She's good because she's less Fae and more werewolf." Silver said proudly.
"I'm not less and more, Silver. I'm equal." She said,
I kept pacing. Drake came to my side, "Should I pick you up, pumpkin?" He asked.
I shook my head smiling, "There are two healers. I'm fine." I said.
He glanced at me and nodded his head. It was only dead leaves crashing sounds under our boots as we kept walking. I glanced up at the sky. We left home in the early morning when the sun was up in the sky. It was afternoon now.
Suddenly, it went dark. my chin lifted up, glancing at the sky. Iron-grey clouds moved in front of the sun, casting the path in gloom and dark.
Drake held my hand like a protective brother who was prepared to keep his little sister secure in all means, "Stay close, pumpkin," He said in a whisper.
I nodded and looked at Mary to announce something good.
After another long minute of walking, "We are almost there, get closer." Mary said.
We walked behind her and she stopped facing nothing but the forest. I looked over my brother's shoulder at Elizabeth. Edward was curling his arm around her waist.
"This place feels horrible," Silver whispered. Daniel was behind her. His dark eyes were drifting around.
I glanced at my wrist. My bracelet wasn't in sight, "It's safe for us for now, I guess." I told her.
"It is," She nodded with a whisper.
Impatience simmered in my gut as I glanced at Mary's back. Her hands were lifted in the air and she was murmuring the ancient words under her breath.
The earth shook beneath us. Drake held me tight. The forest disappeared and we found ourselves in front of a castle, a beautiful castle, cobblestone path, villagers doing their daily work.
"Are we in some fairy tale?" Silver chuckled.
"Fae realm, don't trust anyone here," Mary said. She looked back at me. I held my breath as I watched her eyes shining, "Emma, stay close to me,"
I nodded and walked toward her. We followed the cobblestone path. I could see guards. Yes, it looks like a fairy tale world. So beautiful and mysterious. I shouldn't forget... Dangerous.
Edward pressed his lips tighter and sucked in a huge breath through his nostrils. The movement made his chest expand. Elizabeth's comforting words couldn't tamp his insecurity about his mate.
"Welcome to Fae Realm, Mrs. Smith," The same stranger said with a bow to Mary, "King Kelstov is waiting for you," He said. There were armed guards with him.
She nodded, pursing her lips. Unspoken reprimands hung in the air.
I felt some curious gazes on us as they left their works to stare at us, "They look normal but ancient." I muttered.
"Some are scared, some are confused, there are a lot of scents in the air." Silver said.
"It's just to confuse us. Don't pay attention," Elizabeth said.
Silver thinned her lips and nodded, "Ready for anything," Her voice was whisper-quiet.
A lump formed in my throat. They were here in a strange realm because of me, "I hope you have learned the way back to our home," I asked her, whispering in her ear.
Drake and Daniel's eyebrows pulled together as their gaze turned to me.
Silver blinked as she wasn't expecting this, "We're not on earth, Queen of Fire. " My head jerked to the stranger.
"Did he just call me - Queen of Fire? I must have burnt him then, " I giggled.
The stranger lifted his brows at me with big eyes, slowing his pace, "It's strange. You don't remember who you're." His brows drew together, he seemed in deep thoughts
"Yes, strange," I smiled at the name I had given him.
"This is one of your names. I wish you luck you get what you came for here." He bowed his head and quickened his pace, reaching ahead of his soldiers' troop.
"Why is he talking as I have lost my memories?" I glanced at Elizabeth for an answer.
She shrugged her shoulders. Perhaps, he considered me someone else. Everyone addressed me as queen because of Dastien. But I'm not.
We shuffled toward the door. A giant double metal and dark wooden heavy door were standing proudly. There was a symbol of lions on both sides of the door. The same symbol was on flags too.
We shuffled forward. More armed soldiers followed us from behind.
"Is he trying to show off his strength?" Silver bellowed, blazing at them with her icy blue eyes.
Mary shot her a quick look, telling her to stop speaking. Silver put her finger on her lips. Elizabeth held her arm, pulling her inside. We shuffled forward. The cobblestone path was replaced by a white marble path leading us inside the castle.
A troop of soldiers scurried away on a different corridor. Their steps were lifting and landing at the same time.
My gaze lifted. A beautiful woman in a green silky gown, her hair was blonde, golden and a simple crown over her head, her eyes were Cristal green. I hadn't seen such colour of eyes before, her chin was lifted in pride but her gaze was down on Elizabeth. I didn't like the look she gave my friend.
"Who's she?" I asked, loud. Yes, I did this knowingly.
Her haughty gaze turned to me and stayed on me. I gave her a cold look. I couldn't be wrong. She reminded me of a heartbroken, Egoistic woman. Who was out on the mission to destroy the world.
She turned away from the banister with a class only a princess or a queen have. She was quite different from the modern princesses of today's time.
"Queen of Forest," Stranger replied in a humble tone.
I held myself from snorting. We reached the hall. It carried a magnificent look proudly. A red carpet was leading to the throne of the king.
"Are they clans of furious fighters? My gaze was inspecting the beautiful curves over the walls, roof. Was it handmade? Machine Made or they worked it with their magic?" I asked. Mary squeezed my arm. I clamped my mouth shut. I was feeling like a little kid who was told not to make any noise.
" Only werewolves are the clan of furious and brave fighters on the earth. " Silver said. She was holding her fury but it was visible through her icy cutting gaze.