Reese smiles as he looks at the shock on Nyssa’s face. “Humans amaze me. They are always surprising me and always more than they seem.”
Duncan opens the door, “My King, the others return.”
“King?” Katie asks paling slightly.
“I am the Shadow King, the Fae of old are evolving. Some have chosen to leave the Vale and hunt humans. The King and Queen of the Vale allowed me to leave to bring these Dark Fae to justice. Be careful, Kathleen O’Haley the Dark Fae know of you now, so you must be watchful for more.” Taking her hand, he gives her back her Grandmothers cross.
“Thank you.” She whispers as they all move to the door to leave. In his mind, Reese hears Kathleen speak softly, “There are humans who would fight with you if you asked, my King.”
He turns back and gives a nod of thanks and is gone.
Chapter 5
The rental house seemed like the perfect hideaway. Ariana has grown weary of running and he always seems to be just a step or two behind her. The owner rented the white Cape Cod to her over the internet. All she had to do was punch in the code at a lock box on the property and pick up the keys. Finally, she could relax. The small, two-bedroom farmhouse, on a private hill, is close enough to town to pick up anything she might need and secluded enough to prevent unwanted drop in visitors.
As she pulls down the driveway, she scans the property trying to sense any shadows. Her rental car is a Ford Explorer and she carries with her two bags. Her needs are few; she just needs time to rest and heal. Looking up at the small house she sighs, peace. That is what she feels here and whispers a spell. Anyone looking will see a woman in her fifties, with graying hair. Ariana covers her porcelain skin with wrinkles and age spots. Her waist length, curly, red hair shifts to short, black hair, peppered with gray and her violet eyes morph to brown. Stepping out of the car, she is greeted by a soft wind and the sound of birds. In the distance, she can hear sheep bleating and she smells spring on the air. Ariana inhales the scents of spring deep into her lungs.
She grabs her bags and moves up to the porch. The interior of the cottage is as charming as the exterior. The oak hardwood floors gleam as though recently polished. The small living room is open to a kitchen with butcher-block counter tops and a sliding glass door, which opens to a lovely garden. Outside she sees a hammock swinging between two large trees and concrete patio with a table and two chairs. Ariana chooses the bedroom with a large four-poster bed and private bath. She drops her bags on the floor walking into the bathroom and is excited to find a claw foot tub!
“Oh, this is perfect!” she says aloud. She begins filling the tub, excited to be safe for the moment. Skipping into the bedroom, she drags out her bathroom bag and hurries to lock the doors. Ariana closes her eyes for a moment and releases the glamour spell. They are exhausting to hold and require too much energy. A quickly whispered spell detect movement outside the windows and doors of the home, giving her some much-needed security.
A few drops of lavender oil into the water and the room begins to fill with steam. Ariana walks to the mirror and looks into her eyes. Soon steam covers the mirror and allowing for the spell. Now she can see home. Whispered enchantment followed by the thought of her brother and suddenly she sees him smiling into the eyes of his new bride. They are ruling side by side as King and Queen of the Fae. Her death allowed them to find each other and freed him from his prison. Ariana was happy to do it, but the cost was great. She smiles as she lets the image go and begins removing her clothes.
Her body, once perfect and unscarred now bears the mark of the Khae-tri or Queens dagger. The Dark Fae came for her, hoping to steal her power. He did not know she had already set her plan into motion and when he plunged the dagger into her heart, she was ready for him. Her plan worked perfectly, but she did not expect the poison to spread so quickly.
Now standing in front of the mirror, she inspects the wound. It had almost healed, but the poison is growing stronger and faint black lines can still be seen around the scar and across her breasts. The wound is still sore, and she tires easily. Her magic is weak, she gifted the new queen most of her abilities. However, magic is available to all if they know how to use it. Determined not to think about her wound, she sinks into the tub with a sigh and decides not to get out until all her muscles stop hurting. Lifting her hand, she watches the water run down her pale skin and she wishes for a moment that she could go home.
Loneliness is the greatest burden that Ariana carries. As a twin there was never a moment when she didn’t have someone with her. Now it seems a hole that can’t be filled. Having never experienced solitude it doesn’t surprise her that it eats at her soul. She wants someone to share her life with. What kind of life does she have? She has nothing to offer anyone. The shadow has
