Caderyn hears the Queen’s voice saying, “The roots are firmly planted, guarding secrets buried deep. Only the water of life can free him.” Its gnarly branches reach toward the lunar beams as if praying for help. It is beautiful in its dead repose, and Caderyn feels him, beneath it.
“Drake!” she gasps. “I feel him, Reese! How do we get him out?” She shouts running towards the tree and placing her hand on its silky bark.
“You don’t get him out, YOU JOIN HIM!” He screams as he strikes her from behind. The sword sinks deeply into her back, and she hears Drake screaming in her mind.
Laughing with glee, he removes his blade and watches her crumple to the ground. He kicks Caderyn over onto her back and laughs at her gasp of pain. She looks up at Reese and watches as he morphs into a dark angel, and smiles. Her blood soaks into the ground beneath the base of the tree, feeding its starved roots.
“Thank you,” she whispers to him and turns away to meet her mate. Confusion flickers on his dark face and then horrified understanding.
“NO!” he screams too late.
A great creaking and groaning is heard when the tree breaks apart. The trunk splits in two and Drake’s soul explodes with all the power of the stars, spearing the betrayer straight through his soul!
Caderyn coughs and turns away from the brilliance of the light, and that’s when she sees it! The Vale has moved forward, called by the pain of the Queen.
“Drake?” she whispers. He returns from destroying the betrayer, drawn by the stuttering of her heart. ‘Caderyn! You will not fade!!’
Once more, he shields her with his soul, as they wait for the Fae to heal her. The hummingbird shoots from the tree and pokes Caderyn’s hand. She jumps, and he pokes her again. Opening her eyes, she looks at her little friend, and he zips away, only to return and poke her hand. Again, she jumps, but this time, she sees the Fae waiting on the other side of the Vale.
‘Caderyn, get to the Vale. They can help you!’ Drake orders. She knows she’s running out of time. Rolling over she begins to pull herself with her hands and crawl slowly towards the Vale.
“Call for them!” Drake screams.
“Help me!” she coughs out. The Vale explodes as guardsmen and Fae pour through the barrier anxious to save the Queen.
The little emerald hummingbird zips around frantically, watching to see if the Queen survives. The Fae are healers, and as the new Fae Queen, Caderyn will survive the damage, but she needs time to heal. The healer allows them to move her and Caderyn is lifted through the Vale. Peaceful in Drakes protective embrace, she allows the healing to continue.
Chapter 13
Jazmin holds tight to Bastian’s hand as they run through the darkened tunnel. Fear and worry cloud her mind, and she wonders why she’s following him blindly. The dirt floor has changed, becoming sleek stone. Two large marble pillars hold up the arched ceiling leading to the subterranean chamber beneath the Silver Tree fountain.
Just before they step into the chamber, Jazmin pulls her hand free and stumbles, skidding to a stop. She stares at the domed ceiling, painted with shooting stars and angels. Scattered around the room are more large pillars, supporting the weight of the fountain. In the center of the room, a large chandelier hangs, with crystals, reflecting light around the room. The bodies of the dead lay buried beneath the inlaid marble tiles, which cover the floor beneath their feet.
Bastian is motionless, listening for sounds of trouble, but all he can hear is the drumbeat of Jazmin’s heart. “We have to find the key.” He tells her anxious to get her to safety.
“Your Queen said the key is beneath the Silver Tree. We are under the tree, so what now?” She whispers looking around.
A whisper of silk, the rustle of skirts and the scent of lilies fills the tomb. Bastian tries to flash to Jazmin, but he is struck, unable to move.
“Bastian, my love,” she says, standing before him, wearing a long sheer gown of red silk. Tall, beautiful and deadly, Gavina, the former Fae Queen runs a silver nail, down his armor causing it to spark. Long dark curls, trail to her waist, covering her breasts from view.
“Gavina? How is this possible? You faded!” Bastian asks desperate to keep her attention on him.
“I did not wish to fade, Bastian. Why should I give up all this power?” She whispers as she drags her breast up his chest. “I offered a truce to the Fallen Shadows, in return for sanctuary. I would open the Vale for them, and they would take care of the new Queen. It was quite a shock to see a King come with her, but he took care of himself.”
“What about Reese and his family?” Jazmin asks.
She turns her venom filled purple eyes on Jazmin. “Reese, he was a problem. You see, some of the Angels want the same freedom as the Fae, without the judgment. How perfect for me, they are powerful beings. Reese became suspicious and saw me with the Guardian of this palace, my lover. A little black magic and the mist was poisoned. It chose Reese as a betrayer.”
“You are disgusting!” Jazmin screams at her. “He had a family, he was innocent!”
“Bastian you brought me a gift, I see. A pathetic human, who needs to learn her place,” she snaps her fingers, and they begin
