The Rise of the Fallen Queen

Chapter 45

CHAPTER 45

Sprite Kingdom...

Evangeline stared at the potion and the deadly blade that sat in front of her. She didn't want to think about what was in the small little bottle that held an opaque liquid. The witch that made it said that it was dark magic. Dark magic usually required a sacrifice. The thought of some innocent creature dying was painful but at this point, her tormented mind just added it to the list of grievances of her broken heart.

The young sprite hoped that her Other Half would find happiness with another. She felt that this was for the best. Every part of her being had been destroyed by the handsome torturer that took all the light from her eyes and replaced it with darkness.

The magic contained in the vial would sever the bond she held with her Other Half. She would then find her freedom from the sprite that haunted her dreams and bled into her reality. Unstopping the cork, she raised the glass to her lips.

A sharp knock on the door interrupted her trance. Quickly replacing the lid, Evangeline hid the poison and went to answer.

"Lady Priscilla?"

"Good evening, Evangeline."

"What can I do for you?"

"I've been worried about you and have talked to the queen." Priscilla said in a gentle tone that Evangeline hated. Everyone no longer talked to her as if she were a person. Instead, they tiptoed and whispered.

Pricilla continued, "The royal physician feels that a trip to the Sprout Springs would be helpful."

"You want me to go live with the crazies?" Evangeline asked astonished.

Like the word, "Bedlam" to humans, Sprout Springs was where sprites, nymphs, and other creatures went to be "hospitalized" due to mental instabilities. While other went to enjoy to hot rejuvenating waters and seek help from therapist or other professionals. It could be something as common as depression but the reputation was such that the association was shameful.

"People go there all the time as a way to relax in a non-stressful atmosphere and talk with elders who specialize with-"

"I don't need that!" Evangeline snapped.

"Please, Eva. We only want to help."

"THEN LEAVE ME ALONE!" the young sprite screamed before slamming the door shut.

Evangeline stifled her sobs long after the knocking stopped and the lady's presence was no longer near the door. She hated the looks, the stares, the whispers that stopped whenever she got too near.

"I just want it to stop." She whispered.

Guilt flooded her and she knew that she would have to apologize before she did this. Standing, Evangeline walked over to the desk. She felt that she was doing her family and friends a favor but ending her life but yelling at a woman that she had always loved like a sister felt wrong.

Going over to her desk, she pulled out a piece of paper to pen a quick note. A small ugly brown book caught her attention. The sprite wondered where it came from since she was certain that she had never seen it before. Curious, she picked it up and opened the cover.

The pages were stiff and crinkled. Time had dyed them brown and the ink was almost eligible. The tome had already put under a deciphering spell and the words of an ancient language were rearranged into plain English.

Seven hours later, tears ran down the readers pale cheeks. They say that knowledge is power, and the truth will set you free. She finally understood and was curled up in a ball trying to cope with her shock. So much made sense and at the same time made no sense at all.

Picking up the book, Evangeline knew that the only person that could help her was one who specialized in curses. King Athens would be able to break the curse but not even he could mend her broken heart. Pulling on a hooded cloak and tucking the small journal into one of the deep pockets, she left her room.

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Rogue Lands...

Seeing his beautiful eyes closed in pleasure as another did what she could wish she could do was the tipping point. She had known before she had opened the door that another was touching him. Instead of waiting in her room, she opened the office door. The regret in his eyes made her want to ask why he would cheat on her. But then she remembered that he still didn't know. The only thing he regretted, probably, was getting caught and even that was doubtful. She wanted to forgive his unspoken plea. Enough was enough and Mona was feed up with her own machoistic tendencies when it came to her mate.

"So that means you're going to tell him that we're his mate?" Her wolf, Mikala, asked.

"No. It means that we're leaving." Mona said as she packed her knapsack.

"Oh sure. Cause the outside world is soooo much safer and it's not like we're leaving our only chance of love, happiness, and safety behind." Mikala snarked.

"Shut it! HE will NEVER want us! HE doesn't even know or sense that we belong together. We are not his type and are undesirable in his eyes because we're too fat, too dark, and too ugly. He made sure to point that out on day one."

"I think you're being unfair."

"At this point, I don't care."

Tightening the drawstring, Mona grabbed the zippered money pouch containing her earnings that she had hidden behind the dresser and secured it in her pack.

"What do you think of going south?" She asked her wolf.

"You're being a 'bird brain' so we might as well migrate."

"How about Florida?"

"Oh of course," Mikala replied with her usual sarcasm. "Because I love being hot, sweaty, covered with insect bites, and having to constantly run for our lives through filthy bog water because we're being chased by alligators, snakes, and weirdos with guns. Also, the humidity is going to do wonders for your hair by the way."

Deciding to ignore her salty wolf, Mona quickly wrote a good bye note and left the small bedroom that she had grown to love. The open road was once again her refuge but this time it wasn't the same. She left her home to find her heart, now she was leaving her heart to find a home.