"Shi!" Forest yelled to the trees, her voice racked with despair.
The portal dumped her a half mile from the Heart. The stinging pull of the Heart's power reached deep inside, shattering her defenses, breaking the walls. She immediately began moving away from it. Running, tears streaming down her cheeks, searching for her surrogate mother.
"Shi!"
A soft wind circled around her. She stopped running. The breeze caressed and soothed, softening the sharp edges of the storm within her. Shi embraced her with the whirlwind before appearing in her corporeal form. "What is it, daughter?" she asked.
Forest wanted to collapse into Shi's arms but of course, she couldn't. Instead, she crumpled to the ground at her feet, unable to articulate the foul truth of who and what she really was. And mercifully she didn't have to; Shi could see everything inside her.
Shi knelt next to her and placed her ghostly hand on the back of Forest's head. "It doesn't matter, Forest. You should have stayed and talked to Syrus."
"I couldn't tell him," Forest cried. "It's not fair to him. None of this is. He shouldn't be with me. He deserves better. A princess."
"He's had one."
Forest's head snapped up. "What?"
Shi smiled. "You two don't know each other very well yet. You're little better than strangers. It's really for him to tell you, but I won't string you along. Syrus was engaged to a noble's daughter before he lost his sight."
Forest's eyes, previously blurred with tears, now blurred with red.
Shi chuckled. "Ah, I see you don't like that. You're jealous and possessive. You should pay attention to that. Don't doubt your love for him."
"It doesn't matter what
I
feel. He shouldn't be with me. Now more than ever. I'm just an…" The word rose in her throat like vomit. "…experiment."
"And a slave?" Shi prompted.
"Yes. A slave."
Shi touched the chain around Forest's neck. "A slave with the power to free herself. I don't understand why you came to see me before killing Leith."
"I don't know. I can't understand what I'm thinking. Have I lost my senses?"
Shi hesitated as she listened carefully to the tempest of Forest's heart, concern growing stronger by the second. "I'm glad you came to me first."
"What happened to 'you should have stayed and talked to Syrus'?"
"You
do
need to talk to Syrus. But you need to calm down. You've just suffered a terrible blow, and it has knocked you momentarily stupid. Take the knowledge of your father and your origin like medicine. Don't gag on it. Just take it all in and relax."
Shi felt like a traitor, but she took the only action she could think of; she put Forest into a deep sleep then moved her to a soft, leafy place and caused the flowers to bloom all around her. Not since Forest was a child had Shi felt such reckless self-destruction within her. She reached in and stroked out every good memory she could find in Forest’s sub-conscious, creating a quilted dream of peace, happiness, and feelings of love. She wove the depth of her own love for Forest into the dream, begging it to imbue her with the concrete knowledge that she was worthwhile, that she was loved.
Confusion and rage vibrated through Syrus. He felt too much. His heart pulled in too many directions. Forest had left him without a word as to where she was going. She gave him a weird amulet and told him to take care of it! What in the hell was that about? He could feel she was in no physical danger, but oh! The heartbreak she was suffering! He had to know what was going on. Why did his love feel such black emotions?
The pulsing red sphere of rage began to solidify in his chest.
Not yet.
He pushed it down. First, he would find the blackguard who claimed to be her father, give him the shakedown of his life, and then decide about kicking his unnatural ass.
Syrus rang the infernal bell and waited for a servant to arrive. The door had barely creaked open when Syrus barked to the person behind it the order that he wanted to see Redge immediately. He needed his wingman.
"Come in!" Syrus bellowed when a knock came to the door.
Redge entered the room. Syrus embraced him roughly, instantly feeling steadier with his best friend back with him. "Man, it's good to see you, Redge."
"You too, my lord. You've got to catch me up. There's madness going round this place." Redge was usually more reserved.
"I will. You need to catch me up, too. There's just too damn much going on. My father gave me the gist of what was happening in the war but not the details, and I'm dying to know all about it, but now I've got a personal crisis on my hands. I need your help."
"Whatever I can do. Is Forest all right?"
"What do you know?!" Syrus demanded grabbing Redge by the front of his shirt.
"
What? What do I know about what?!"
"Forest! Where is she?!"
Redge tried to ease Syrus back. "I'll tell you everything I know. It will be easier if you let go."
Syrus checked himself. He hadn't meant to grab Redge. "I'm sorry." He stepped back. "She's got me going crazy."
Redge straightened his shirt, the hint of a smile on his mouth. "I see that. Maybe we should sit down. You're going to need to practice your self-control while I talk."
Syrus had never put so much of his mage power into holding himself still as he did while Redge told him about all that happened after he was imprisoned by Christiana.
"I swear to you, I did my best to protect Forest from the queen. And I searched for you day and night, knowing you were still in the castle, trapped. I finally got one of the ogres to talk, but then Christiana began sending assassins to kill Forest. I intercepted a few. She caught wind of what I was doing, and she sent me to the front lines. Her minions ambushed me in the hall and threw me into a portal before I could blink an eye. I guess I'm lucky she didn't kill me."
Syrus took a deep breath. "I'm glad you're okay. You did your best for Forest. I appreciate it."
"I'm surprised she survived such an onslaught."
"Oh, she can take care of herself," Syrus said with pride. "Petite little kickass…I love her so much."
Redge smirked. He could never consider Syrus weak or pathetic, but man was he whipped. Redge was amazed as Syrus told him all about his journey to Maxcarion and everything that happened with Forest. Equally, Syrus was amazed to learn that Philippe was dead and the war was practically over before it began.
"So now, this
Rune-dy
shows up, takes over, and Zeren hardly bats an eye." Redge shook his head. “Oh, and Dracula is back."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. Just this morning, and now he's whispering some insanity that the
Rune-dy
ambushed him as soon as he crossed the castle's threshold but let him go because he got Leith instead."
Syrus jumped to his feet. "Leith?!"
"That's what Dracula said. Said the High Priest wanted his blood and that Leith is more than likely dead or in the grips of torture right now.” Redge's eyebrows shot up. He'd never seen Syrus look so bloodthirsty. “Obviously, this means something to you."
"Come on!" Syrus ran out the door.
Redge followed on Syrus’ heels as he rushed through the halls, shoving aside anyone who got in his way.
RAHAXERIS!" Syrus bellowed. "RAHAXERIS! ANSWER ME!"
There was no answer. They continued to run down to the ground floor of the castle. Syrus burst through the doors into the throne room. It was empty except for security. He stopped in the center of the room, a tornado holding still.
Redge spotted Merhl standing against the wall. "Let me see what I can find out," he said to Syrus before turning to the ogre. "Merhl?"
The ogre brought his eyes up from the floor.
"Is Rahaxeris still in the castle?"
Merhl turned his eyes back to the ground. "I am unsure, sir."
Redge crossed his arms over his chest, recognizing the lie. "I understand everything has changed in the castle. It's confusing for all of us, Merhl. But you are still subject to the crown, are you not?"
Merhl hesitated, shifting his feet. "I don't know, sir. I think so."
"Prince Syrus needs your help. He needs to speak to Rahaxeris. It's urgent. He must learn the fate of his kinsman, Leith."
Merhl's eyes darted up for a second then settled back to the floor.
"He's in the castle, isn't he?"
"Vladien's son is being held in the castle under arrest. No one can open the door to his cell except the one who has the key."
"Wanna' bet? Show us the way," Syrus ordered.
Merhl's eyes lifted to Syrus, unmistakable fear clouding them. Twisting his deformed hands, he bowed. "Yes, Your Highness."
Syrus and Redge followed Merhl through the dark, winding halls until he stopped in front of a plain wooden door. Syrus ran his hand over the energy. "Break it," he ordered Merhl.
"I cannot. I was given orders."
"
I'm
giving you orders!"
"Rahaxeris' word supersedes yours. I'm sorry. I cannot break it."
Red lightening cracked and snaked over Syrus' arms. Redge stepped back in fear.
"You break it open or I'll break you!" Syrus roared.
"ENOUGH, SYRUS!" Rahaxeris strode toward them, radiating waves of calm energy and stepping protectively in front of Merhl. "Calm yourself."
"I'll be calm when Leith's blood covers my skin."
"That's not going to happen."
"Do you know who and what that is behind that door?" Syrus demanded.
"Of course. I'm the one who put him there."
"I'm Forest's mate. It's my right to kill him, and I'm not moving until I've exercised that right."
"
I'm
Forest father. I could claim the same right, and I understand more than anyone else how badly you want to dispatch him. But I will not and neither shall you. His fate rests with Forest. She will not be denied the pleasure of vanquishing her enemy. Not even by you, unless she asks you to do the wet work for her. Until then, you shall endure."
Syrus' fists were clenched and shaking, but the lightening re-absorbed under his skin.
Rahaxeris smiled. "Don't worry. I don't think she'll let him live much longer."
Syrus took three deep breaths. "All right. You're right. It should be her." Unable to stand Rahaxeris' society a moment longer, he turned on his heel and walked away. Redge followed. At the end of the hall, Syrus stopped and turned back. "I won't let you hurt her. And if you do…"
Rahaxeris smiled again. "Likewise."
Syrus stormed back into the empty throne room and began pacing its length. Every few steps a snap of red electricity sparked along his hands.
"Hey, man, you look like you could use some time away," Redge suggested.
"Yes. But I'm not leaving until Forest returns."
"Well, you need to blow off some steam at least. Wanna go to the armory and spar?"
Syrus stopped pacing. "Yeah. Definitely ."
They headed out of the throne room, down to the bowels of the castle.
"Just please don't kick my ass too hard," Redge pleaded.
Forest awoke slowly, a peaceful internal feeling pulsing through her. She blinked and looked around. Evening had come to the Wood, and the faint glow of Shi shimmered next to her.
"How are you feeling?"
"How am I feeling?" The sweet peace inside her snapped, replaced by anger. "You put me to sleep?"
"Sorry. I had to. Your mind was clouded with madness."
Forest rubbed her eyes, reality resurfacing from her sleepy brain. "Damn."
Shi moved closer and wrapped her whisper of an arm around Forest's shoulders. "You must overcome."
Tears pushed through Forest's eyes. "I don't know if I can."
"If only you could see yourself through my eyes. Through Syrus' eyes, and yes, even though Leith's."
"Leith's?"
"Think about who he is. Why would he have enslaved you?"
"Because he hates me." Forest shrugged.
"Oh, yes. He hates you, but not because you're a Halfling. He hates you because he's jealous of you." Shi laid her hand over Forest's heart. "He wants to possess the fire that burns here. You are everything he is not and can never be."
Forest shook her head and looked down. "I'm nothing. An experiment. Cells and tissue created for the purpose of data collection."
"You always believed you were just a bastard. Why is this so much worse?" Shi demanded angrily.
Forest lifted her hands up in front of her face, her whole body shaking. "Look! Look how disgusting I am! Creature. Monster.
Thing
." She leaned over and vomited.
Forest lay back down, curled into the fetal position.
"Unique. Gifted. Original. Beautiful warrior with a fire soul.
That
is what you are, Forest! And now you are a princess, too."
"Damn it!" Forest shouted, springing to her feet. "That too! Stacked on top of it all, I have to be mated to Syrus. And as soon as the world knows about us, I can offer him nothing but shame…And I won't do it. I tell you, I won't!"
Shi blinked at her mildly. "Maybe you should sleep a bit longer."
Forest growled, unable to articulate a retort.
"Syrus loves you."
"Yes, he does," Forest said aggressively. "And that will blind him to the inevitable."
"Do you not return his love at all?"
"Why do you think I can't stand the idea of humiliating him?" Forest paced, wringing her hands. "Our bond has to be broken. And I think I've figured out how."
"You cannot go through with it, Forest," Shi said sternly. "This insane idea that leaving Leith alive is your out with Syrus."
"Sometimes I hate how you can read my thoughts." Unconsciously Forest ran her fingers across her scar. "This scar stands in the way of me and Syrus truly being together…So maybe if…perhaps…"
"Are you not at all afraid of the pain of rejecting your life mate? I know you've heard the stories."
Forest shrugged.
"Leith must die!" Shi demanded.
"Why? Why must he? His life is in my hands. I can do what I want with it."
"Everything you're contemplating will only break you in the process. Syrus too."
Forest shook her head, not listening. "I can do this. I can figure this out."
"The only thing you need to figure out is who you really are," Shi said acidly. "You have always wanted to have an influence, it's what you've worked so hard for, for so many years. Now you have the chance to have more influence than you've ever dreamed, and you run from it…You have great ability to do good."
"I have to go back."
"Wait, Forest! You need more time. You're not ready!"
Forest ignored her and smashed the End of the Bridge between her hands.
Forest landed in the throne room. The fading light of the sunset streamed through the windows, washing the stone floor in rich colors. She looked up at the two thrones, a sinking feeling weighing down her stomach. It wasn't her fantasy. Influence, Shi had said. She
did
want influence, not absolute power.
Two male courtiers came into the room. They looked around the room furtively then seemed to relax. Forest was reminded of fops she'd seen in movies. One of them spotted her and elbowed his companion nodding in her direction. Forest remained still as they sauntered up to her. One sneering, one leering.
The leering one grabbed her hand and raised it to his lips. "Good evening, Lady. And just who might you be?"
Forest tucked her fingers inside his and pulled his hand toward her, inspecting it. "Ugh. Look at your hands. You call yourself a man? Your hands are more feminine than mine." She tossed his hand back at him.
His smile faltered for a second before stretching across his face again. "I'd like to see you say that after you experience what I can do with them."
Forest snorted derisively.
The sneering one grabbed a handful of her hair and sniffed. "She's a new addition to the harem, perhaps? Since when do we have elves in the harem?"
"Maybe since that
Rune-dy
took over. I'll have to thank him." He reached for her hand again. "Come with me to my room."
"You've made a little mistake. Now back off before it becomes a grave mistake."
The sneering one grabbed her arm roughly. "Big words, little girl. Apparently you don't know who you're dealing with."
Forest blinked at him then threw her head back laughing.
"How dare y—"
Forest grabbed the hand on her arm and pried his wimpy fingers loose easily. Locking her hands over his, she jumped into the air, tucked into a full flip, pulled him off his feet and broke his wrist. His scream echoed around the room.
He crumpled to the floor, holding his hand and whimpering. The admiring one put his hands up in surrender and backed away. "Who
are
you?" he asked.
"Forest," she said aggressively over her shoulder as she left the room.
"Can you believe what she did?" the crying one on the floor asked his friend.
He placed his hand over his heart, looking down at the other. "I think I'm in love."
Forest kept her head down, looking at no one as she walked through the halls back to her room. Her curiosity over where Leith was being held and what he was enduring was diminished by her need to see Syrus. But the key hanging around her neck now felt like a lead weight.
Syrus wasn't in their room. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, focusing on him. He was close by, somewhere in the castle. Did he know Leith was here? What could she possibly say to him? What exactly was her plan? How could she avoid hurting him?
She looked down at her attire and decided to dress for bed. She dragged her feet to the closet. Her arms were heavy as she dug through the drawers, yawning deeply. Trimmed in lace and ribbons, nothing looked comfortable. How was anyone supposed to sleep in such things?
Defeated by the selection, she pulled a silky white nightgown over her head and stalked to the bed.
****
She hadn't meant to fall asleep. But the sky was completely dark outside the window when Forest opened her eyes. Her solitude now felt very empty and cold.
Footsteps coming swiftly up the hall sounded through the door. She sat up as Syrus charged in, covered in sweat and a delighted beam on his face. That innocent smile slew her from across the room. She melted. "You're back!" Forest climbed out of the bed.
He rushed toward her then stopped abruptly. "I'm all yucky."
"I don't care."
"No, no. Let me get clean...You smell like heaven. I'll be right back. Don’t move."
She followed him to the bathroom and leaned on the doorframe. "What have you been doing?"
Syrus chuckled as he pulled his drenched shirt over his head. "I've been sparring with Redge and a few well trained ogres. Man, I've missed fighting, being stuck in that accursed portal for months." His smile vanished abruptly as he turned the water on. "We need to talk…once I'm clean. It's important so don't fall asleep while I'm bathing."
"All right," Forest said lamely as she closed the door.
She paced the room, her thoughts jumbled, her heart thumping erratically. Syrus came out a few minutes later wrapped in a silky black robe. Forest blew out a breath. Damn, he was gorgeous; it wasn't fair. Too bad he was all serious and wanted to talk.
He enveloped her in his arms and she pressed her lips against his bare chest. He stroked her hair back from her face and kissed her temple. "You're distracting me, and I need to talk to you," he chuckled.
"Go get dressed then or acquiesce to my hormones."
He pulled away reluctantly and disappeared into the closet. Forest sighed and sat down on the bed. He came back out wearing loose trousers and a plain tunic and sat down on the bed next to her. "This life mate thing is a killer."
His statement caught her off guard. "What?"
He put his hand over his heart. "All day, I could feel your pain but didn’t know what caused it. Is it the same for you?"
"Oh, yes. I can feel what you're feeling, but I can't hear your thoughts. Although, I'm not sure I felt anything from you today…I guess I was a little self-absorbed. Sorry. Was there something you wanted me to feel?"
"No. I want to know what happened with your father."
Forest shivered. "Oh, Syrus…I'm so tired… and it's so awful." She took a deep breath, seeing no way of escape. "He told me about when…when I was conceived." Tears swelled again as the words came pouring out of her.
Syrus' face remained impassive, and she hated herself more with every word she spoke. Her sprit sank so low it seemed to fuse with the floor. She told him about the necklace and the title that was offered to her. She told him everything except that Rahaxeris had given Leith to her as a gift.
When Forest stopped talking, waiting for Syrus to speak, all he did was cross his arms over his chest and frown a little. "Where did you run off to?" he asked.
"To the Wood. To see Shi."
"Ah. Yes, I should have thought of that. I was so worried."
"I'm sorry. I should have stayed. I was overwhelmed." Forest's shoulders dropped downward, and she hung her head.
"Is that all?"
"Yes," she lied.
"There's something else you need to know. Leith is in the castle, under arrest. I want to take you there so you can kill him. Rahaxeris said you are the only one who can open the door." He grabbed her hand. "Just think baby. Your freedom, here and now."
"Not now. Not yet."
"What do you mean?"
"I…I'm too tired."
Syrus stood up. "Forest, what the hell?"
Sobs rose in her throat. "Don't yell at me! I can't take it right now."
"Okay, so you're too tired. Maybe you've been through too much today to understand what I've just told you."
"I understand. I just want to…to make a ritual of it when I kill him. Not when I'm exhausted and in my nightgown."
Syrus' ire fizzled. He sighed. "All right. I can understand that."
"Can we just forget about it right now?"
"I'm incapable of forgetting it, but I'll shut up. For now."
He climbed back into bed, snuggling up to her back. He kissed her neck. Something had changed within her now that he knew her origins. She didn't want him touching her, polluting himself with her disgusting flesh. She moved away from him.
"What's wrong?"
"I don't want to make love. I don't want you to touch me again until my slave mark is gone."