A Clash Of Light And Thunder (War Of The Forgotten Lovers Book 1)

A Moment Of Fog and Darkness

"Who are you?" The king's question descended down the marble floor with malice in a clear threat.

Aria's throat dried as she thought of what to say. The truth? A lie? Her eyes darted to Elvin, then Elora. Their faces silently pleaded for her to speak. To tell the truth.

Her mouth opened to finally say out loud the name Aria von Khraisver, yet when her sister's face flashed in her mind, fear sealed her lips. What would they do once they knew who she was? Would they force her to give information that would endanger her sister? It was too great a risk. No. She could not do that. Couldn't risk her. Her eyes waver across the room, from Elvin to the king, as if she was confused. "I...I am sorry, I don't understand. I am Aria McGrain."

King Ollen's elegant silver eyebrows furrowed, unhappy with the reply. "Who are the McGrain?"

"Just a simple serving family, your highness." Aria let her voice soften at the title, like a servant would when addressing a master. Perhaps, she had sounded too modest and unlike the girl that had tried to kick his guards, because the king's lips thinned with caution.

Another grumble came from the silver fae king. "You expect me to believe that trained soldiers would come after a servant girl?"

There were many possible lies, but seeming to have all the answers could pose more danger than feign ignorance. "I don't understand why. I can only relay to you the truth." Aria laced her lie with conviction until it transmuted into the truth.

The king leaned back, and his form seemed to elongate against the backdrop of the throne. His thumb brushed against his own long bony fingers, gently grazing one of the many rings that decorated his wrinkled hand. "Very well," he said smoothly. His gaze drifted briefly over Elvin before it moved to the armored guards standing by the grand doors. "Bring in Nessa," he muttered.

The fae warrior walked into the room cloaked in an almost invisible mist of darkness. With every step, Nessa's face winced, jaws clenching tight. Her callous hand rose to her waist where the beast talons had torn her flesh.

"Father, please! I beg you not to do it," Elvin pleaded.

King Ollen's face was stoic as he ignored his son's desperate request. "Nessa, you know what to do."

A glimpse of guilt flashed across pitch-black eyes as a dark fog began to dance delicately around Nessa. It faltered, revealing two horns that extruded from her dark night hair. Purple flashed in her eyes, and a wave of darkness fell from her pale skin and washed over to Aria.

No one but Aria seemed to notice the darkness that had taken over the throne room. She took a step back, but before she knew it, the fog snuffled out all the light. She was both neither here nor there. Both trapped in complete darkness and looking at Nessa in fear.

A dark liquid poured from Aria's rustic eyes and morphed into the shape of a woman sprawled on the floor. Slowly the night mist gave way to golden hair and sparkling blue eyes.

"LILY!" Aria screamed. She tried to rush forward, but her feet were nailed to the ground. Her legs shook under the weight of an invisible hold that kept her frozen.

Oblivious to her sister's panic, Lily's face brightened up like a summer's sky. Blue eyes turned to Aria as a jolly smile widened on her face. She coughed as confusion replaced the happiness in her innocent eyes. She coughed into her hands again, this time more violently.

Lilly's white-gloved hand pulled away, stained crimson blood. Pure terror assaulted her face, and she screamed as blood poured down her rosy lips.

Elvin's form phased in and out of the mist as his deep voice thundered in the darkness. "Stop!"