Ever Winter (9 page)

“I can del
ay it for three days. You have to take her to the Ancient Ice King, like she was planning to do. She might be able to fight it with her own healing abilities returned to her and his help. You have to convince him to relinquish the hold he has on her.”

Dylan nodded. A new determination set in his steel grey eyes. “I understand.”

It took all of his own resolve to keep from losing his mind. He watched as the oracle turned her attention back to Shade and grasped her hands. She began chanting another incantation over her and the spot began to glow a brilliant white as smoke began slipping from it and up into the air more violently. It circled around them, faster and faster, churning and forming a small wind tunnel as it spun and spun.

The smell it produced burned his nostrils and made his eyes water. Dark magic was never pleasant to any of the senses, and it made his skin tingle like pricks of cactus. A similar noise like an echo of the darkling’s scream rang in his ears as he closed his eyes, praying that Ilarial could extend Shade’s life. The chances of making it out alive from one of the most lethal poisons in the Land of Faerie were slim.

The sound of wind and scream slowly died away, and the rancid stench from the spot faded away suddenly, making Dylan snap his eyes open. The room was once more still, but he watched as Ilarial stumbled slightly, barely reaching a chair placed next to the bed. She slipped down into it, breathing rapidly.

Sweat gleamed on her brow and her usually bright silver eyes seemed darker than before. As she slowly gained back her composure, her voice came out quiet and full of sadness. “I managed to slow it down, but she has 3 days at minimum.”

As she spoke, Shade moaned and shifted in the bed. Her eyes fluttered, and she stared up toward the ceiling, her eyes glassy and red.

“Shade?” Dylan squeezed her hand and studied the spot. It was somehow smaller but it was still black as ink. The trail remained like a dark tangle of vines up her forearm, giving it a tattooed appearance. Her skin was not as pale as before though, which let him breathe a sigh of relief.

“Dylan?”

“I’m here. Feeling okay?” He pushed his fear deep within him and pasted a smile across his face, not wanting to upset Shade.

“Like I got ran over.”

He chuckled and pushed a strand of her hair out of her face. She slowly appeared more normal and shifted to sit up in the bed. “What happened?”

“The darkling mark, it’s poisonous and making you really sick.”

She reached over and ran her fingers over the darkened spot and traced the vines that splintered from it. It didn’t hurt anymore, but she frowned as she studied it. The pain had subsided, but she wondered how long that would last.

“When will it go away? Ilarial?” She glanced toward Ilarial, suddenly realizing the oracle was there seated next to her. Her face lit up, and she smiled, but it quickly faded, realizing how worn out the oracle seemed. “How did you get here? What’s going on?”

“I’m sorry, Shade, but I don’t think it ever will. It’s highly poisonous, and I could only stall its effects for few days before it will overwhelm you.” The oracle leaned toward her and took her slender hands into hers. The sadness that dwelled in her glistening eyes sent a wave a panic through Shade.

“What do you mean, overwhelm me?” Her eyes darted to Dylan and the glum look on his face gave her no assurance. “You mean I’m going to…die?”

The room wavered in her vision and a jolt of nausea filled her as she tried to control her short gasping breathes. She couldn’t die! She wasn’t ready yet!

“I think I−I think I have to get out of here.” Shade attempted to stand up and quickly sat right back down. Her legs felt like fluid and refused to cooperate. “What’s wrong with me?” Leaning over, she gripped her legs and rocked silently as the tears escaped from their restraints and spilled onto her jeans. “How long?”

“Three days, at the most.”

“What do I do? Can I stop it?”

“Possibly.”

This jerked her out of the fog that was threatening to overtake her senses. Shade sat back up and waited for Ilarial to continue. “How?”

“You definitely have to seek out the Ice King and make him return your powers. Possibly, with your magical healing powers, you can heal yourself. If not, you’ll need the help of the Ancient. I’ve exhausted every other option. If you don’t, you will succumb to the poison.”

Shade nodded, sniffing back the frustration which bubbled up inside. She felt so tired, so exhausted and all used up. She’d had it with everything and everyone. This wasn’t supposed to be the way things should’ve gone. Everything felt so wrong, so misaligned, and she didn’t have any idea how to fix it. She didn’t know how to make things right. Now she’d run out of time without any progress whatsoever.

Taking a deep breath, she slowly mustered the strength to stand up and paused momentarily to make sure her legs would hold. After an eternal moment where both Dylan and Ilar
ial watched her apprehensively, she took a few small steps forward, until the fluidity of movement returned to her legs. Soap now stood wild-eyed and shocked as he stared at her after he’d entered the room just then. Reaching the door as everyone stood silently, she slipped out the door and turned down the hall toward her room, moving faster and faster, more in control now since the poison’s effects had worn off a bit. Almost running, she crashed through the door to the room she now occupied while she stayed at the Glass Castle and locked it swiftly behind her.

She pressed her back against the w
ood and let out a breath she hadn’t even known she’d been holding. The infirmary had become suffocating, and she’d thought of nothing but getting out of it. Now in solace, she made her way to the bed where she pulled the blankets down, slipped off her shoes and crawled in between the comforter and the soft linen. Dropping her head on the luxurious fluff of pillows, she pulled the blankets to her chin and let her eyelids drop closed. Sleep beckoned her with a promise of anything but pain and everlasting broken hearts.

Chapter Nine

A LOUD KNOCK
sounded and echoed in the room, waking Shade from her slumber. Her body ached in every joint and hair follicle, like she had rolled down a cliff. Pushing up off the bed, she realized the sun was long gone with the darkness surrounding her, signifying early morning. The soft glow of the impending sunrise was still overwhelmed by the black nothingness outside the window. It made the room feel as if it was part of the forest but for the silence surrounding her as the breeze pushed at the foliage and branches.

The thud against the door came louder and more urgent this time. It made her groan as she kicked off the covers, annoyed as she pushed back her wild, dark hair.

What now? No rest for the weary!

“Who is it?” she partly yelled at the silent door.

“Shade, it’s Soap.” His gentle voice sounded muffled behind the massive wooden door. Scooting to sit at the edge of the bed, Shade sighed and rubbed her face. Her body and mind told her it was around five in the morning, an absurd hour to come calling on anyone, even in Faerie. Especially a non-morning person like her.

“One sec.” Her clothes from the previous day were still on, though wrinkled and disheveled. She smoothed the creases down as best she could and walked over, unlocking the door. “What is it, Soap? It’s way early.” She glanced down both sides of the hall but Soap was her only visitor.

“I know. I couldn’t sleep. Had to see if you’re doing okay.” His shy smile made her defenses crumble down. “Can I come in? You can lie back down; I just wanted to see if you wanted to talk about anything.”

Seeing that he was not intent on leaving any time soon, she opened the door wider, letting him slip by before she locked it behind him. No need for anyone traipsing in who shouldn’t be. She was pretty paranoid now. The Land of Faerie had done that to her. Now she always locked doors, avoided mirrors and carried a really nice, sharp dagger with her everywhere she went.

Slumping back onto the bed, she pulled the blankets back on and let the heat warm away the morning chill. She watched as Soap maneuvered easily in the dark to the other side of the bed to lie down next to her, still fully dressed, on top of the sheets. His long hair was loose and fanned out on the pillow. They had lain many nights next to each other this way, whether in silence or talking about things like the past and Soap’s magical adventures. She always coaxed him to chat more about himself, relishing the moments she could just listen to his stories and his soft voice well into the long insomnia-filled nights. As Shade preferred not to talk about herself, Soap was a reliable companion for her. He never ran out of things to say or talk about.

She wondered if he knew how comforting his presence had been for her during the long evenings at the beach soon after she had been rescued from the Unseelie palace. Even now, it was a soothing balm to her weary soul. She cinched closer to him, laying her head in the crook of his shoulder as he lifted his arm to let her closer. Laying her cheek against his chest, the beating of his heart was a soft rhythm in the silence of night.

“So talk.”

“Are you okay?”

“If you call surviving a darkling mark with only three days to live and no magical powers in sight okay, then, yeah, sure,” she huffed. Letting out a deep breath she closed her eyes again. Fatigue was a constant companion. It made her wonder if she would’ve felt so tired if she was merely a human with ordinary cares in the world and homework up the wazoo to do. Something told her it would’ve been a different kind of fatigue, not quite like this. It wasn’t that she thought so much would be so much better if she wasn’t part faerie, it’s that she was afraid to think that she was right in thinking it.

“Yeah, that can put damper on the party, right?” He squeezed her and kissed the top of her head. He smelled similar to Dylan, and it had her wondering if all the Teleen had this specific scent. It was a slight pine-filled, smoky aroma which reminded Shade of camping in the forest as a kid.  Mulch and falling leaves everywhere, like rain from the sky, littered her memory.

“Look, it’s going to be freezing cold in the Ice kingdom. I brought you a nice coat to wear while you’re out there. When we get up, I’ll show you.” His statement jolted her out of her sleepiness.

“Wait, what do you mean when I go there? Aren’t you coming?” She cranked her head to stare at the Teleen changeling. His brilliant, green gem eyes glowed in the soft glow of the early dawn’s light. He smiled slightly as he shook his head. Disappointment filled his eyes.

“No, I’m not going this time, Shade.”

“But, why?” No amount of glaring made him budge. He just reached up and stroked her messy brown hair as he studied every line of her face.

“Because, I think it’s time to evaluate what you really want. I know it isn’t me. I’ve known for a long time, Shade.” His fingers tickled the skin of her face as they made their way to her neck and twirled a thin strand around his fingers.

“What? How can you say that?” Shade gulped, knowing how right he was. She didn’t want to let go, she wasn’t ready yet. “I want you to come with me.”

Soap’s features faded to sadness, still intent on staring into her brown eyes forever. “I can’t. I can’t watch you love him more. Not this time around. When he was gone, it was tolerable−it was easier to imagine that you loved me.” His hand moved to stroke her arm, sending exploding sparks shooting up it and into her heart. “Now, I’m a shadow in his midst.”

“No, wait…”

“No, it’s okay.” He pulled her closer, lifting her chin up to look deeper into her eyes. “I accept it. I know I’ll never live up to him, never be what you want me to be. I’m okay with it. I still love you, but you need time to figure it out. You only have days left, if that. I know you will get what you need from that wretched Corb. So I’ll let Dylan spend some time with you. I’m holding out for you, in the end. If you decide, eventually, that he’s not the one for you, I’ll be here. Whatever you decide. Don’t forget.” He touched her nose, letting his fingertip trace along it and down to her lips.