From the Heart of a Fae

Malik, Ben, and Royce sat around the fire in Ben’s Study. They each had their own glass of Northern whiskey, and Ben finally spoke.

“It’s insane sometimes, how violent she can be.”

“It is the blood of the Fae, mate. The stories always tell of the cruel and unusual punishments the fae used to pass out to those who lost their favor.” Royce took a swallow, finishing his sentence. Malik shook his head, taking a sip of his own drink.

“It makes me glad everyday she is on our side. Could you imagine what it would have been like if she had wanted the kingdom back? I thank the gods every day that was not the case. I do not think we would win if Kora was the enemy.” Ben frowned.

“Kora is ours. Mine. She belongs with us.” Ben stated flatly.

“I’m not saying she doesn’t, I’m just saying imagine if she didn’t…” Malik shuddered and took another drink. They had stuck around after the women had left, and the remaining prisoners had been more than eager to talk, after the fate of their leader. Gathering the intel had been easier than they thought. The men of the gray could not be saved, but it promised them a less unfortunate death than their companion had suffered. They all had opted for sleep poison. The soldiers burned their bodies to prevent another sorcerer of the Grey from trying to summon them with necromancy. It had been one hell of a night. The men had returned, bathed, and then met for their drinks. A banging on Ben’s study had them jumping up, wondering what was going on. Ludis strode in, and looked winded, like she had been running.

“Malik-My king, could we speak in our-in your chambers, please?” Malik was concerned, it looked like Ludis had been crying. He grabbed her hand and strode out of the room quickly, towing Ludis behind him. It was a tense few moments while they made their way to their rooms, and Malik practically flung Ludis in, before slamming the door. He was worried. Grabbing her, he kissed her quickly, concern on his face.

“What’s wrong, my love, why the urgency? “She was shaking, and he could tell that she was feeling the effects of the intense day. “Baby, tell me what’s wrong.” Sobbing, she told Malik what had transpired with the three women, all of it. From the trauma to the swearing of fealty.

“Yes. My answer is yes.” Malik froze like he had been struck by lightning, he wanted to whoop and scream his joy, but also the heaviness of what they had just gone through was a pit in his stomach. She had lost her mind over the traumatic evening.

Malik walked forward and gently hugged Ludis.

“I am overjoyed that you want to get married, Ludis. But I do not think your mind is clear after what you just experienced. I do not want you rushing into this just because you felt the doom of Kora’s past.” He touched her cheek and kissed her forehead gently. Ludis shook her head and grabbed his hand kissing it.

“I realize that the timing is all wrong. But I know that I want you, Malik. I want a man who will love and treasure me. Who will be with me always, and appreciate who I am. I mean it. Please marry me.” Ludis looked up at him through her tears, and Maliks heart swelled. He kissed her softly, and just held her.

Drew stood over his desk, looking over a map of Deirdre. He was focused on the borders of Ben’s lands. Why hadn’t he heard anything from Amelia yet? He should have had some word by now. There was no way for the enemy to track them. A ruckus in the courtyard caught his attention. He could hear the soldiers on the battlements screaming, and as he looked, he saw Kora’s demon wolf clear the wall. The men scattered, and he threw the balcony doors open. The huge dog looked at him and flung his head. A box launched from the dog’s mouth right at him. He used magic to stop the hurtling object right before him. He could see blood dripping from it onto his shiny boots. The dog howled and went back over the wall. He waved to stop the men from pursuing the monster. He grasped the box from the air and opened it. Drew shrieked in anger. He looked down at Amelia’s heart. Setting the box on fire in his hands, he strode back inside, and began to throw things, scattering the contents of his desk everywhere. Amelia was like him. The last of the original Grey’s. He was alone now. The Men of the Grey had been the God’s Idea to Punish Oberon and his wives when they left the god’s Empire. They wanted them to die without the god’s help, for betraying them and choosing to live with humans. He was now the last on his holy mission. This was a message from Kora. She wanted him to feel her pain, and she wanted him to know she was coming for him. For the first time in 1 billion years, he felt true fear. He turned and watched the wind blow the ashes of Amelia’s heart away.

“You will never win, Koraline. I have been killing your kind since the beginning of the world. I will never stop.”