Ever Winter (A Dark Faerie Tale #3)

Part I

A Vast Darkness

Chapter One

THE PLACES INSIDE that never fade away—even in the face of adversity and loss—take the brunt of all insults. Once decimated, it left nothing to fall back on. Nothing kept the sadness and despair at bay, especially from Shade’s fragile heart. Even the tide that lapped at her feet, shocking with its icy-cold splashes and foamy water which tumbled about, was apathetic to her turmoil. It offered nothing but the numbness of frostbitten skin and a frigid wake. Blue, pale and lifeless. It did nothing to awaken her from the nightmares in her head. These were made of a stinging pierce of blades, the coppery taste of blood and the endless flashes of torment that should be erased from the vaults of anyone’s memory.

This was her nothing. She didn’t even know if she cared that it had ended this way. She was doomed, cursed or just unfortunate in so many ways. Her self-loathing compromised the fragments which were left of what she had once been.

Shade, go dry off and put some shoes on. Soap’s voice echoed in her head like a lost memory she should’ve recalled and relished. Even now, his kisses—which had once burned so hot, quick and intense—now felt like cold shadows of themselves. His magic burned bright, but in the self-imposed prison in her mind, it now felt like a dulled beacon in the distance.

Shade? he whispered as he stepped tentatively closer, failing to break her trance with the horizon as the sun’s last rays disappeared over the cold Pacific Ocean.

His voice was a sharp yank which pulled her mind out of the trance and back into the now. Soap stood touching her face, hoping to pull her from the spell she’d faded into. The dry cold sand of the beach caked her feet in soft grains.

Why can’t you hear me? Let’s get inside; snowstorm is coming, and you’ll freeze your toes off if you keep venturing out here without shoes. Is that what you’re doing? Trying to catch your death? His mention of the cold brought back the endless shiver she could not shake.

So now I’m still a child. Is that what I’ve become?

No. Her voice came out small and withered. She avoided his strained look as he waited for her to say something more. His warm fingers curled around her thin arms, pressing softly into her skin, firm but gently balancing her as he guided her into his arms. He pushed a strand of her dark brown hair behind her ear and then pulled her closer. He smelled the sweet scent of flowers faintly clinging to her wind-blown strands as he nuzzled her hair. He kissed the top of her head, wishing to himself that he could will away the demons that lurked behind her frightened eyes. He would be there for her no matter what, even through the dark days ahead. Nothing would shake his love for Shade. Nothing. If only she would let him in.

He’d asked her time and time again what had happened at the Unseelie castle, but she had no answers. She would frown, creasing her brow as she buried her face into her knees, tightly hugging them to her chest. Dylan didn’t have any luck getting through to her either, though she seemed to lighten up ever so slightly when she saw the Teleen warrior approach. A twinge of sadness would then sweep through Soap’s chest at their exchange, but he wouldn’t let it affect him for too long. He pushed the pain away and continued to comfort Shade in any way that he could.

Shade would let him do so. It comforted him more than it ever could her. It was easier than fighting it. He was her boyfriend after all. In the end, she did love him back, but she had nothing to give him now. It had all been ripped out with every drop of blood shed from her fragile skin by Darren, Dylan’s malicious brother. He’d almost finished off what he had started the first time he’d attacked her in the Teleen caverns. If she ever saw him again, she’d make sure it would be his last moment on earth. Never again would he do what he had done to her. Never.

She glanced at Dylan, her other constant companion on this desolate beach. It was well hidden, near where Ursad’s old cabin had been located. It was protected by the strongest of wards that had been set by her mother, Jade, and Benton—one of her brothers—when they had come by for a visit. They were also fire elementals, like Shade, but her powers were gone and had not returned since her imprisonment at the Unseelie palace. Benton’s power had grown exponentially under their mother’s guidance and rigorous training. They’d been relieved to see Shade alive, filled with dread that they might not have ever seen her alive again after she’d been taken.

But she was here now, a shell of her former self, unable to pick up the pieces left shattered of her soul. Powerless. She was bound with the tightest restraints on her magic that no one, not even her mother, not Ilarial or Braelynn, could ever penetrate or undo. She was left naked, stripped and more human than she’d ever felt, even before she’d discovered she was a half-faerie changeling and half-fire elemental witch. Her healing ability was all but gone. The magic that helped her wield fire and water was gone. She couldn’t even make a light stone anymore.

Shade had been surprised to find that the ampule of memory, a swirling glittery red fluid that her Grandmother Lana had given her, had remained at her house, safe in her room. Jade had brought it to her when they’d visited. She touched the charm where it sat dangling gently around her throat. It felt warm and seeped out comfort that let Shade know her grandmother’s essence still swirled inside it. It would be futile to drink the powerful fluid from the ampule now; it would make no difference to her powers. It would be a placebo if she drank it before undoing the binds wrapped tightly around her powers. Nothing could get past them.

Powerless.

Powerless in the Land of Faerie.

This was the worst punishment Aveta and her minions had placed upon her, the worst of all the tortures she’d endured. It could be eternal, and nothing made it better, nothing made her feel remotely hopeful about it. Shade doubted that anything ever would again.

Chapter Two

TIME… IT FLEW by with a fleeting swiftness that seemed to steal life itself before anyone had noticed it had passed. The days were blurring into weeks since Shade had spent what had felt like forever in Aveta’s kingdom. Weeks had turned into months. She’d not expected to see anyone she had known ever again. Missing Christmas and New Year’s Day had been a small price to pay to be alive. Just barely, but alive still.

Shade let the flurries of snow cling to her hair and melt on her face. The cold air felt as one with her cool skin. The pale color of her skin was stark against her dark eyes and hair. She was so incredibly thin, her clothes hung off her frame like they were dangling off wooden sticks. A belt held up her once-snug jeans, and her shirts were baggy, swaying in the breeze. Her friends shoved food at her at every turn, but her appetite had been slow to return. Even then, it was not wonderful. The sadness inside her seemed to leave her feeling empty, no matter what she ate. She wondered if she was depressed or if it was just part of the binds on her magic.

Shade suspected it was the latter. Like the cold winter air all around, her soul matched the weather: cold, frigid, lifeless. Had she really been reduced to so little? Shivering, she rubbed her arms, feeling the gooseflesh ripple under her fingers.

Shade, I have some news! Dylan came running from down the beach, past the sea cave before he slowed to stand near her. His steel grey eyes glowed like sun shining on gun metal. His black hair tickled his shoulders and rippled in the breeze. Watching him approach, she admired his smooth muscles flexing under the soft, grey tunic and pants. He was slender, but by no means thin. Well-built and sturdy, he was a bit thicker than Soap, even though Soap was quite pleasant to look at, too. She attempted a pathetic smile to greet him, feeling a shudder of excitement upon hearing his words.

What kind of news? she asked. Curiosity had the best of her, and she eagerly waited for him to elaborate.

Well…. He paused, gulping down a breath of air. His chest heaved with the effort, distracting her for a moment. She wondered how long he’d been running but dismissed the thought as he continued. I have some news from Ilarial. She knows how to break the binding, but it will be extremely difficult.

Shade motioned for him to sit down on one the smooth boulders lining the beach. Slipping down next to him, she pulled her woolen shawl around her bony shoulders. The wind was constant here; the sea breeze never ceased and tossed their hair about, along with the waves. The salt spray stuck to her skin and made the air taste sharp. She tried to look patient, but she wanted to shake the news out of Dylan. She bit her tongue to restrain herself as she waited.

Difficult? Did she say why?

Yes. He nodded as he sucked in a deep, slow breath. Ilarial said that the reason no one can undo the binds on your magic is because whoever placed them on you was very powerful and unique. Only an Ancient of Faerie could’ve placed binds that powerful on a halfling like you. Dylan studied her face for a reaction but received none past the diversion of her eyes to the sand on her feet. Shade circled her toe around, swirling the cool grains over and over, feigning a calm attitude.

An Ancient of Faerie? What do you mean by that, and what would being a halfling have anything to do with it? Shade glanced up at him, her patience wearing thin and her heart racing in annoyance.

Usually, even the strongest of faerie magic has its limitations, especially on a halfling. You have the best of both worlds. Humans are susceptible to enchantment but faeries are not. Faeries can be bound by other faeries, but humans usually don’t have magic to bind, so binding spells don’t work on them. Only entrapment charms do. Anyhow…. He slid off the boulder, coming to stand before her. It just means that binding your powers would’ve been very difficult. If we find an Ancient of Faerie, they can undo the spell.

Shade’s eyes flitted up to him, skeptical of the solution presented. How would we find an Ancient of Faerie? Do you even know of one? Her lips pressed firmly together, and her hope faded as quickly as it had ignited.

Well, here’s the thing: Ilarial thinks that someone in Aveta’s camp must be an Ancient in disguise. She also wanted me to ask you who you might think would’ve bound your powers.

Shade shuddered, fidgeting on the hard stone as she thought back to her days in the Unseelie Kingdom. She didn’t like thinking about it. Anything, but that.

I don’t know. It’s not like any of them ever said they were the ones who did it.

Sighing, Dylan furrowed his brow, leaning back against the boulder and folding his arms. His thoughts were all over his face as his lips and eyes twisted with each idea. Shade found it amusing and watched him until his face lit up again.

Okay. Who did you have direct contact with? Name them for me—guards, warden, the queen, her assistants? Who had access to you, Shade?

Shade’s lips quivered and her face darkened as her eyes moved to hover over the ocean. She hadn’t told him that Darren had done so much to her; well, the torture stuff at least. She hadn’t wanted to see him lose his mind in anger over it. Now, if she ever wanted to get her powers back, she had a choice to make.

Uh, well. Aveta was there, of course. Corb, her lieutenant. I never saw Vange there, and, well, the only other one was, um, Darren. She bit her lip and didn’t dare to observe Dylan’s reaction to the last name she mentioned. Darren, the name of a brother he’d disowned the very week Shade had met them. She didn’t even dare breathe, squeezing her eyelids shut against the world.

What? Dylan’s voice came out softly, disbelief strung through it. She chanced a look at his face and found it drained of color and full of shock. I see, he sighed, looking dismal. I knew he’d joined her army. That’s why Queen Gretel called me home, to put me on his trail. He rubbed his face, suddenly appearing rather tired. But I didn’t know that he’d had any direct contact with you while you were there.

Dylan’s eyes found her face once more, filled with worry and concern. Did he hurt you?

I don’t want to talk about it, Dylan. Shade slid off the rock, pulling the shawl even tighter around her tiny frame. Her long skirt flapped in the wind while the sunset filled her eyes with an amber-colored sheen, covering the horror lurking inside them.

Okay. Letting out a breath, Dylan ran his fingers through the thick locks of hair which fell unruly all over his face and ears. I understand. I know that you know if I ever see him again, I’ll put an end to his forsaken life. I’ve already sworn it to my Queen. I swear it to you, too, Shade. He reached out and let his hand stroke her back, wanting to comfort her while pushing the rancid thoughts of what his brother might’ve done to her out of his mind. Know this, though, he’s definitely not an Ancient and could never have been strong enough to bind your magic.

She turned toward him, her eyes filling with a sudden realization. She had already known who the faery they were looking for was. How could she have been so blind to it? It’s Corb; it has to be. Aveta’s powerful, but her power isn’t enough to do it, either. I always could feel an unusual amount of power when I was near Corb. His aura radiated ‘Ancient.’ He’s older than any faery I’ve ever met. It must be him.

Dylan’s face darkened again, even more than before, if that was possible.

Well, he must be one of the four Ancients then, one of only four. Two are female and two are male. No one has seen them in over a thousand years, though. I don’t know how we would even find out how to find any of them. Except…. He jerked his head back up to the sky, watching the snow fall. Of course! He laughed, leaving Shade confused by his sudden outburst.

Of course what?

Have you noticed how cold it’s getting?

Shade stared at him, a look of confusion flashing across her face. What of it? Of course it’s cold. It’s winter. What in the world are you getting at, Dylan?

He stopped laughing, giving a little cough as he scratched his thick, black locks. Okay, okay, sorry, just realized something very important. He looked amused and patted the boulder beside him for Shade to sit again. "Look, the story goes: there are four Ancient Faeries who ruled the four realms of Faerie. One was the Spring Queen, Rowan, who ruled the Western Realm. The other female was the Summer Queen, Kilara. She ruled the Southern Realm. The Winter King, whose name was never known until now—Corb—ruled the Northern Realm. The Unseelie Ruler of the Eastern Realm was the other male. His name has also been lost with time. Each realm gets all four seasons at one point or the other. The titles are just formalities.

"It’s legend that the Seelie Ancients were tired of ruling and decided to sleep while only one of them ruled a reign of two hundred years at a time. The Unseelie Ancient, known as ‘The Cursed,’ didn’t want to agree to this rotating slumber, so he was chained and bound, placed in a sarcophagus to sleep forever. He was also quite evil and cruel, so it didn’t bother the Seelie Faeries to deceive and lock him up at all.

"In the same place, Spring and Winter laid to rest first. The Summer Ancient ruled the land for two hundred years. She was good and just, adored by all of the people of the