Creatures of The Dark

Chapter X

The grass was soft beneath my palms, dry despite the morning dew that clung to the air. Serana had led me outside after we had gathered a platter of food for breakfast. She had piled it high with bread and fruit and bacon. We sat in a courtyard in the shade of a citrus tree. Other fae walked by, most paid us no mind, others gave us curious looks. I was sure they had all heard about my breakdown in the throne room. I sighed at the thought.

She spread a blanket out and threw her sandals off to the side. I chose to keep mine on, not ready to let go of that security. She said nothing, just patted the blanket and gestured for me to sit next to her. Wordlessly, my sister took a piece of toast and slathered jam on it and passed it to me. I took it gladly, taking a hesitant bite. I couldn't help the moan that escaped my lips, smiling in between bites.

"This is your jam, isn't it?" I asked, though I knew the flavor by heart. Serana had spent most of her time in our village at a stove, boiling fruits and honey to make her sweet concoction.

She laughed at my reaction, nodding, "Yeah. I missed your help making them."

The smile disappeared from my lips, replaced by something somber. I nodded in agreement, "Me too."

She shrugged, "Now that you're back, you shall christen every jar." I nodded once more though my mind had gone elsewhere.

"Serana, how did you get here? What happened after..."

Her smile evaporated as well, the memories of that night potent in our minds. She was quiet for a moment, fiddling with a piece of bacon. The longer she stayed silent the more I began to worry.

"Lucius...after you were taken...," her voice trailed off once more. She let out a breath, looking up at the sky. "After you were taken, I thought they might come back for me, so I packed up our things, our savings, and left. I didn't stay for one night. I so badly wanted to find you that night, before you were taken to the castle, but I knew I couldn't get you out without help." Her voice was thick with emotion as she continued, "I took all the money we had in the hopes I could bribe some light fae into freeing you. I basically bar hopped the realm in search of a group crazy enough to break you out."

My stomach dropped at the thought. "Is that where you met Sirus?"

She shook her head, her lips pursed. "No, it wasn't until months later that they found me. I had traveled far in the months I was searching, but eventually I looped back, closer to the castle. I went into Ophelia's tavern." I watched as she swallowed densely, her throat bobbing. "I got sloppy. I saw there were only light fae in that bar and wasn't careful who heard me. When no one took my offer, I left for the night. I didn't make it far. Two male attacked me, wanting the reward money I had promised." She shook her head, her fingers trailing the scar on her chin. Anger boiled in me, but I let her continue, "It was Tannon and Sirus who stopped them. They said they would take me to Neulight if that is what I wished, that there might be someone to help me there.

"Ophelia let me stay the night and we left the next morning. When we got here I plead your case to the king...but he told me that you were likely dead. I didn't believe him, I couldn't. So...I did what I could. I trained alongside the light fae and eventually was trusted enough to leave Neulight. I scouted the dark palace, in hopes that I would see you, I needed proof. I gave them all the information I could.

"I thought if I proved how good a spy I was, they would trust me enough to free you. It was me, who discovered where Tannon was held and when King Ambros heard he sent Sirus to infiltrate the palace walls." I nodded encouragingly though I knew this part of the story. "Before he left, I found Sirus, and told him about you and to look out for you. It wasn't until Alexandra came to the castle for the second time did they realize the connection."