Rage of the Alpha (Part 2 of the Alpha Queen series)

FERIAN

While Lamia and him were supposed to leave the Winter Court to Asher, something just didn’t feel right about sending an emotionless son to introduce himself as their heir and garner their support for a war. Ferian thought that task might be better suited to Liffin.

They spoke through the mirror shortly and agreed with minimal objections. And although Ferian needed to see to his own parental units from the Spring Court, he preferred to get the more dangerous situations seen to first. Lamia had been adamant to get to the Elves before the news of Mab’s betrayal got out.

And since the Vampire Queen was now herself again, she had offered to speak with her own people. So, this was why Lamia was standing beside Ferian at the moment, at the very edge of the Eternal Forest. Almost nothing was known about the Elves themselves - their race was shrouded in darkness and myth.

Taking a second glance at Lamia, who gave him a slight nod, he spoke with an unwavering voice, casting it into the dense brush. “We have come seeking an audience with the Queen. We come bearing news of great importance to her person.”

“Who is seeking this audience?” A curious but disembodied voice floated to them.

“Prince Ferian of the Fae and Princess Lamia of the Witches,” Lamia informed their inquirer before Ferian could.

“Please wait,” was all they got in return. Exchanging a glance, they were both surprised when there were suddenly about ten warriors in front of them.

“We will escort your highnesses. Please follow.” Only then did Lamia realize the voice was in their heads. They clearly have no issues with their manners like the Fae do; she thought to herself.

Since it was unclear who had spoken, they both nodded and complied readily. It would’ve been unwise to ask any questions - these people were dressed for battle. It didn’t seem like questions would be answered anyway. Queen Hystria had coached them both extensively before they attempted this quest.

Individual gender was indistinguishable under their armor as Elven females’ chests were not as prominent as other races. Male and female faces were beautiful and had no masculine or feminine properties. It was considered rude to single out any Elf for any reason, other than their Queen.

It seemed as though they had already walked for hours, without any change in the scenery. All that was visible was the tunnel-like path they were using - trees and brush at the edge of their path and obscured darkness beyond that.

No sound came from the warriors - not even their footsteps could be heard. To keep himself sane, Ferian went over the Witch Queen’s advice while dealing with the Elves. The trouble was that not even Lamia’s mother knew what awaited them now.

After she took out the Winter palace residents and went dark, there had been no interactions with the outside world from any of the Elves. Nobody was permitted entry into their forest. It was unprecedented territory that Ferian and Lamia now entered.

Ferian felt doubt creeping slowly into his mind. Are we being taken to the Queen… Or toward our demise? When will we get there? The longer it took, the more nervous he became. Looking toward Lamia, it was clear she was thinking the same. Her fingers kept drumming on her thumbs - one after the other. Does she even realize how cute her habits are?

Shaking the unwelcome strain from her shoulders, Lamia took the reins of the situation into her own hands. This is ridiculous! We’ve been walking for hours. How deep does this forest run? Why take so long if they’re leading us to our deaths?

“Enough already,” she said with a stern voice, praying her nerves would hold as she halted their progress. “Where are you taking us? And why is it taking so long? We do not have enough time at our disposal for trickery or mind games.”

The silence stretched around them while the guards only stared at her. Don’t falter now Lamia, she squared her shoulders in the hopes of looking tough. She kept her breathing at a steady pace, not allowing her heart to thunder the way it wanted. Staring at each of them in turn, she finally settled on one guard, singling the warrior out.

“No more,” Lamia stated with finality.

Ferian held his composure, understanding that rudeness was punishable by death according to their laws. They were rude first, by trolling us along, wasting our time.

“I agree. This sideshow has gone on too long already. Our business with your Queen is urgent,” he said with his eyes boring into the same warrior Lamia was starting at. He could only cross his fingers and hope for the best, but he would stand beside Lamia whatever transpired here, no matter if they were right or wrong.

Just as the two of them had hoped, their surroundings started to change, falling away completely to reveal huge, shadowed trees forming a canopy above that let almost no light through. It almost seemed like all color had been absorbed by the monstrous Oaks.

The witch and the Fae stood like frozen pillars. Everything around them was alive - they could both feel it - but… It was empty - soulless. “Depressing,” a voice spoke into their minds, startling them both.

“Say what you came to say and get out,” the voice spoke into their minds.

Ferian dropped to his knees and spoke up first, “Elven Queen, we have brought you both good news and bad. Will you kill the messengers after hearing it?” Lamia’s mother had told them how important this question would be. It would relay their understanding to the Elves that they were willing to forfeit their lives to share information, which in turn showed the importance as well as their commitment to their quest.

“There is much to be said for your courage, not that We care. You may have your lives, but We make no promises for anything else.”

She appeared in front of them with hollow eyes. Her beauty was ethereal. She seemed to be there, but not. The image before them was haunting, almost like a dark veil enhancing instead of muting her features. It hurt his heart so much Ferian wanted to die.

“We come bearing tidings of war. Daemons have been working toward opening the dimensional gates - proven by the possession and eventual death of Second Prince of the Fae; Caspian’s body. The breach is almost complete, and they mean to decimate our world and conquer what remains,” Lamia informed the Queen with a heavy heart.

When her Majesty gave no indication of any kind, Ferian continued softly, “And more personally… We have found your son.” He could not bear to look at her anymore and cast his eyes down, a breath caught in his throat.

Lamia saw a flash flicker through the Queen’s eyes as she, on the other hand, could not seem to look away. The Elf’s breathing turned shallow, coming faster. Animosity seeped from everywhere at once. Their eyes met and Lamia knew they were going to die despite earlier promises.

A quick peek told Ferian they were surrounded by dark warriors. “Seize them,” the Queen commanded quietly, her straight teeth bared in a snarl.

LIFFIN

It was lucky that they didn’t have much time, therefore they could not prolong their visit anymore. He shared Lola’s trepidation regarding the Prince of Autumn, which only convinced them both to get going. Since his mother would be speaking with her vampires - happy coincidence - they could focus on the next potential problem.

The Winter King…

The guards at the border had different guards stand in for them so they could escort the pair to the throne room. They had to walk all the way to the castle while snow covered every inch of land and foliage the eye could see - which wasn’t very far considering the snowstorm.

Even with all the extra clothing, both Lola’s and Liffin’s teeth were chattering. How could anyone survive these conditions outside? They only spoke when they entered the court border and remained silent the rest of the way. Lola hoped there was at least heat where they were going.

At last, the castle came into view, spurring them forward. Their hopes were validated when they finally moved inside the enormous but spooky building and warmth spread over them. Shedding their immediately wet clothing, an attendant at the door took it from them, hooking each piece on its own to dry.

The small Fae male gave them white shirts with black pants, requesting Lola to glamour her hair short. She complied with a questioning brow directed at the male.

“Our King does not tolerate women who look the part. All females in the kingdom wear their hair short as well as men’s clothes. It is punishable by death. We cannot do much about your voice though, so do try not to speak.”

“That seems unfair, but I value your council kind sir.” Lola used the private room to dress quickly and met Liffin just outside with the same guards from before. They still hadn’t spoken, but rather motioned their heads for them to follow.

When they stood in front of the closed doors of the throne room, one guard looked at them. “Three rules; First, do not look the King in the eye. Second, do not speak until he speaks to you. Third, stand your ground if your quest is noble. He lives for the scent of fear and would imprison you to satisfy those urges, no matter who you are.”

Liffin nodded and they were ushered inside. It was too bright. Everything was made from crystal which reflected the firelight, shining right into their eyes. Liffin recovered first but chose to wait for Lola, not daring to take her hand lest she be punished for being female.

They made it to the steps leading to the throne and knelt down, awaiting the King to speak first. Eating sounds could be heard and then a male came rolling lifelessly down the steps, landing right between them. The look of horror on Lola’s face spoke volumes.

“Why would a prince of the realm come here?” A voice sounding too much like Asher’s wound down to them.

Liffin inhaled deeply as he stood and opened his mouth - only for Lola to speak first.

“By the Gods it’s true! Asher could pass for you any day of the week. There is no difference!”