The Iron Hostage (An Iron Fey Fanfiction)

Chapter Eleven: The Sacred Grounds

Kenzie woke to Deliah and three other fey in her room.  The rest were male.  The one to the right of her bed turned to her.  "It's time to get up."  He reached for the covers.

"I can do it myself."  She stood on the other side and walked over to where she laid her uniform.  Even though she was in the elite group, she hid in the bathroom to change.  Before she left, Kenzie threw her nightgown onto the counter.  She walked out and the three male fey were still there, Deliah was gone.

"Where is she?"

"Had to leave."  The way he said that, something fell inside of Kenzie, but she pushed it further down.  She had no time to worry over things like that.

Out into the hallway they walked.  Kenzie in the back while the male fey in the front.  None of them spoke, to Kenzie or each other.  They were goal oriented and talking was not a need for them.  When they reached the area filled with those who were choosen to go, Kenzie found her way to the other elites. 

They were forced to stay together and mostly out of sight in times like this.  Oberon was especially observant and if he saw them, he would have a fit.

"When do we leave?"  Kenzie asked.  The male elite she fought before answered.

"When Titania and Oberon step into their carriages.  Then we follow in the way back.  That way Oberon can't ever get a glimpse of us."

It was a few more minutes until Titania came out.  She scanned the crowd until she saw them.  A nod was given and into her ride she went.  Kenzie felt a surge and anxiety run through her.  What if she really did fail Titania?

***

All the elites were there.  Kenzie hidden within them.  It had been hard keeping that secret from Oberon so long, but today he would go with whatever she said.  Just as she entered her carriage, Oberon came down.  He looked all around his kingdom.  He didn't see her elites though, he never sees them.  Which is just how she wants it.

"My subjects,"  He called out, "I will return shortly.  There is a missing mortal within the Nevernever.  I need your help to look for her while I am gone."  He then stepped into his carriage and they were off.

The ride wasn't too long.  Either way she didn't walk it.  It's been a long time since she was at the Sacred Grounds.  There were four spots.  Summer and Winter faced each other.  Some made jokes that the other spots were for Spring and Fall, and that they were killed off, but they all knew no such court ever existed.  Now, one of those spots will be taken by Iron.

Titania even wondered if Mab would show up.  She would have told them right away she had Kenzie, but refused to give her back.  At least she trained her to be a strong warrior.

All the riding got to her, she lifted her curtain and looked out.  They were deep in the Wyldwood, on their way.  The trees showed no sign of any court.  No lush green, no fluffy snow, no silver.  These trees were dead, or seemed it.  Nothing grew on them.  She quickly shut her curtain and sat back against her seat.  Her rider looked at her.

"Something wrong my lady?"

"No, just want to be there that's all.  Get this over and done with."

"I understand."  He looked away from her. 

The carriage stopped suddenly, Titania shot up and opened her door, looking about.  The Sacred Grounds were right in front of her.

A large, stone circle, surrounded by four sectioned out areas.  The stone was aged and weathered to no end.  It was a wonder they still stood like they did, but magic will do that to anything.  One section was covered in flowers, vines, and green; the one directly across all white with snow.  Then, one in the middle of them.  A shiny silver.  Iron had gotten there first, no surprise.  It was only protocol. 

Titania stepped out and walked over to where she was to sit.  A quick nod to the royalty of Iron was all she would give.  As she and Oberon sat down, Winter came.  The chill in the air gave them away.

Mab, alone as usual, came and sat at her spot.  She didn't look at Titania or Oberon, long hatreds never end.  She did, however, look over at Iron.

"I do hope you don't waste my time here son."

"I promise you, I won't."  Ash answered his mother.  He stood next to Meghan, instead of sitting.  Their son took that honor instead.  Ethan stood to the other side of Keirran.

***

Kenzie held onto herself as she looked around her.  She had never seen anything like the Sacred Grounds.  The rest of the elites moved to be almost right behind Titania's seat.  She stayed in the middle of the crowd.  She didn't want to be seen to early.  A hand hit her shoulder, it was Bonecrusher's.  A searing pain washed through her, a dark gloss over her eyes.  She was no longer even the Kenzie she was a second ago.  He crushed her being.  All she knew, was she had to fight whoever her Queen told her to.

That's her one and only mission.