The Enchanted Queen

Veralyn of Fey

Vera's POV
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"You better not be lying to me." I grumbled as we entered into werewolf territory.

"I can't lie to you, remember?" He said for the millionth time.

"I remember." I muttered. Disbelief filled my insides.

"I don't understand why you're helping me find my parents." I added skeptically.

"Well, as it so happens, it's wrong to make a woman fall in love by force. So I'm doing something nice for a change."

"Yeah don't expect me to fall for you just because you're helping me. That's not how it works."

"Oh. Humans are complicated." He said.

"I just want to find my parents. And then I want to go back to Ren. That's the deal." I replied.

"Fine. If that's what you desire." Casper replied gravely. "I don't want you to hate me anymore."

"Well if we find my family, that will be a start."

Casper seemed to perk up at my words. "So what do i have to do?" I continued.

"Do you have something that belongs to either of your parents?" He asked.

I slipped my mother's ring off my finger and held it out to him. "Don't break it."

"I can't do the spell. I don't practice magic." He chuckled. "But it's pretty simple. Just hold it in your hands and think of a precious memory of your family."

I clutched the ring in my hands and dug deep inside of my mind. I wrapped my brain around the perfect memory.

"Focus all of your concentration around the memory." Casper whispered from behind me. "Become it."

My eyes closed tightly, and I began to envelop myself into my mothers arms. Suddenly I felt a surge of electricity that seemed to vibrate somewhere deep within my bones. I gasped as the images of my parents flashed before my eyes.

"Channel your thoughts to your destination." Casper continued.

I focused intently on where I needed to go, channeling every ounce of energy that I had left.

"I know where they are." I whispered.

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Ren's POV
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I tore into the forest, nearing werewolf territory. I could sense her magic in the air. The spell that I was about to perform wasn't difficult in theory. However, there isn't room for a single mistake. Throwing off the balance of nature is a risky and dangerous task. I have to bind another soul quickly, before Lilith can sense the change. A hoisted myself up and into the trees, concealing myself from wolves that might be lurking by.

I had nearly no time to prepare before I saw her. I was entranced by her determination as she trudged through the forest. She didn't seem as if she were in danger. She was practically dragging Casper along by his tail. I hesitated for a moment, confusion clearly etched across my features.

Maybe the mate bond had already taken its effect. Maybe I'm too late.

Closing my eyes, I clasped my hands together, remembering the spell. My hands represented the two souls, bonded together tightly. The words I whispered were from a reverse binding spell. I could feel the power from the trees rushing through my skin. My eyes snapped open and I ripped my hands apart.

"Divide." I whispered.

I watched as Casper stumbled to the forest floor, screaming in agony.

"Casper?" Vera shouted. "What's going on?"

"The spell." Casper whispered. "Come closer." He begged. Vera knelt to the ground beside of him. Before I could get to her in time, Casper pulled her close and sunk his teeth deep into her neck. She shrieked and fought against his grasp.

I jumped, falling from the top of the trees, and landed like a cat. Casper fell to the earth, weakened by his great loss. I took Vera into my arms, the poison already began to take over her body. I had to get her to the lake, and fast. There was no time to bind another soul to Casper. There was no time for anything except saving Veralyn from the poison that threatened to turn her at any moment.

I dashed through the trees, heading toward the lake. Casper wouldn't be getting up for a while. Losing his mate would have killed him if they had completed the bonding ceremony.

Vera stirred in my arms and I planted a gentle kiss on her cheek.

I pushed myself harder, only stopping when I reached the shimmering blue waters of the lake.

"Ren. It hurts." Vera whispered, struggling in my arms.

"I know. I'll fix it." I said gently, wiping a stray tear from her skin.

I stood on a fallen tree that stretched over the deepest part of the water.

"Please don't die, okay?" I whispered, tossing her body into the water.

If she had no ounce of faery blood, Vera would certainly die. However, her ability to wield magic transcends any gift that I placed into the necklace. She had to be fey.

She had to survive.

Seconds later, the water seemed to glow and illuminate the trees. It's working. Vera ascended from the water, and her eyes seemed to glow with the same magic that lived within the lake. She collapsed with exhaustion as soon as her feet touched the earth. I caught her in my arms.

"Ren. I found my parents. I know where they are." She whispered. "Take me to them."

"You have to rest angel. The werewolf bite exhausted your body." I replied, smoothing her hair back. She was soaking wet and shivering.

"Let's get you back to the castle. You're freezing."

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Vera's POV
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After a warm bath, and a change of clothes, Ren gently tucked me into bed. My mind was going over the events from today. Did Casper intend to mark me from the very beginning? Was I fooled so easily? Did Ren really care for me? Or am I just another one of his girls?

He kissed my forehead and turned to exit my chambers.

"Ren. Wait." I said softly.

"Yes?" He turned to smirk at me.

"I'm not just another one of your faery girls that you will eventually toss aside, am I?"

He seemed taken aback by my question. "Who said something about- oh. Casper said something didn't he?"

I nodded. "Is it true?" I asked.

"Honestly? Yes. I used to have a couple of flings, but it meant nothing to me. I know that sounds horrible, but it was a mutual harmless thing. I've never been in love before, and with you, it feels like this is all new. I never want to hurt you."

I smiled. "You're in love with me?" I whispered.

"Does being in love turn you into a hopeless pile of mush?"

"I'm not sure." I laughed. "I've never been in love before either."

"Shall we explore this together then?" He asked.

I smiled. "I'd love to."