Falsified (Tarnished Book 2)

9 The Daunting Task

King Regales did not speak while we walked beside each other. The further down the halls we went the more he remained silent. In some ways, I believe he disagreed that dawn always comes because he wanted to forget the past and the pains that come with it.

We stopped outside a huge double-door and he pushed it open. It was the throne room which I pictured much differently than it appeared. For example, his throne would have gold embellishments of crows, but what I saw was a throne made of ebony. However, that was not the most shocking part of his throne room. My eyes caught sight of a crow perched on the head of his throne who cawed loudly. It had to be the same one that woke me up. His Majesty wandered over to his throne, but he did not sit down. He stroked the obsidian feathers of the crow while his attention focused on the bird.

"Seems Artemis is rather cross with you," His Majesty stated while glancing over his left shoulder. "I sent her to wake you and keep an eye on you."

I nervously smiled. "Well, I didn't exactly know why a crow was waking me up and I shooed her away. She's probably scowling and being cross because I didn't exactly say thank you."

The Old Crow's hollow laugh rose and filled the room. Artemis cawed at him instead of me. "I imagine she would." He smiled and brushed her feathers gently as she calmed down at the touch his fingers. "She is the reason I called you. Artemis is a woman, not a crow."

I cringed at the idea I would have to fix a magic problem when I know little of how it works. I nervously laughed a little. "Excuse me, I know herbs, not magic. I wouldn't know where to start."

"You see it is not as much a curse, then it is her ability to shapeshift."

Wyverns, wolfgon, and now a shapeshifter so where does all this magic come from?

"I'm not sure I'd be of any use in solving her problem," I argued.

The Old Crow grinned at me. "You are insightful, Dane, but I have not told you I know how to free her of the form she is stuck in. Artemis needs something I cannot give her and that would be where you come into play," he lowered an arm and Artemis climbed onto his sleeve. "She needs you. Dane, have you ever fallen in love?"

"No, but I doubt she'd want me," I countered while I wished he would rethink what he was suggesting. "As much as I would like to help you, you can't force love. That's the trouble with choosing me, I'm not qualified."

He grinned wider. "Dane, all I need you to do is kiss her head."

I did not want to do what he asked, but I sauntered over to Artemis. I bent over and stroked her feathers. "I'm sorry about earlier. I appreciated the wake-up call. Thank you," I kissed her head gently and pulled away.

Black smoke spewed about in the throne room. I coughed a little. Moments later the smoke dispersed. A young girl the same age as Simon's sister stood next to King Regales. Her long white locks reminded me of the winter maiden, but her cheeks were blushed. From her head to the bare toes of her feet, she was in a gown of violet.

"What do you think you are staring at?" she asked while her emerald eyes stared at me.

"Just didn't expect that to work," I uttered, and it was the truth.

The Old Crow laughed. "You are the one if you can break someone else's magic. I knew there was a reason I found you interesting."

Artemis glared at Regales. "You annoy me on every level. You planned on it and made me test the brat for magic,"