The Dormant: The Elemental Witches (Book Two)

Chapter 3: Mirage

~ Thalion~

My face was a full blown grin as I walked to the pond area where the nymphs congregated to look for Drigiz. I asked Queen Aine if we could move our departure from a week to as soon as possible, feeling excited about showing my future princess our land.

I happily jumped a stairway and walked the marble corridors as I whistled an old elven tune, soon getting to the area I was looking for.

Drigiz was behind some jasmine shrubs trying to look unthreatening. His eyes darted at the giggling spirits bathing in front of him. His breathing was shallow as he observed them cupping water with their hands and pouring it on top of their heads. Putting a hand on his shoulder, the small horned creature jumped, scaring the peaceful female forms in the pond, making them shriek and scatter.

¨You always do this to me!¨ He almost screamed in elvish as he turned back again to the scene in front of him with his arms open. Not one nymph of the ten or so remained in the pond. I answered back, giving him a slight tap on his shoulder as his face dropped down and so his hands. ¨Did I interrupt your creepy fun? You should choose one already and commit to her.¨ He glowered at me, taking a step back, his hooves resounding on the marble floor beneath him. ¨ Me committing to one nymph? Ha! First, the realms must go dark for that to happen.¨

He put his eyebrows up as he continued speaking. ¨The difference between you and I, your highness, I am in no rush to leave my conquering days behind.¨ I walked to a nearby chair, shaking my head with a small smile on my lips. As I sat down, he came up and sat beside me. ¨ It is my destiny, Drigiz, and either way, the princess, I must say, has bewitched me. She doesn't know it yet, but as creatures go, she is a ten out of ten. Smart, funny, argumentative, curious, the fact she committed herself to me for her friend….¨ He finished my sentence. ¨A female easy on the sight?¨ I slapped the back of his head, making him turn towards me and glower. ¨Poppy is beautiful, but their is so much more about her. She would not only make a great leader someday, but as a companion goes, she would never lose herself. I sense that she loves forever when she does love and that my satyr is what I am looking for in a companion, a story like my parents had. ¨

I remembered how my father was a great leader until my mother died giving birth to my sister Aradhel. When she passed, he couldn't live without her. He stopped eating, drinking, and decided to take the great elven ship of Alladrashel to the Elven gold shores. I was always afraid to love like that. Until now, after so much time not really having a real connection, I understood the yearning to have a companion, so I was not running away from it anymore.

Now I think I have finally found someone I can definitely be proud of calling mine. I only hope Poppy did the same. ¨What about Elsbereth?¨ I sighed as Drigiz asked this, my gaze looking at the moons above us. ¨We have been friends since childhood, but with her, a companion bond has never been formed, not from my part anyways … She is just too…¨ Drigiz finished my statement. ¨Desperate for the crown?¨

I turned to him, not believing he said what he had done, my eyes in shock, making me shake my head. Though deep down, I couldn't tell him that was not the case, Elsbereth was desperate and not for me but what I represented. Once I thought I could form something with her until I figured out she loved barking orders more than she loved being with me.

Standing up, I began walking towards the exit, then turned. ¨ Dear Drigiz, I have spoken to Queen Aine and asked you to move our departure. Be ready for tomorrow night so we can make our trip to Laureminasse as smooth as possible.¨ He stood up, bowing his head. ¨Sure, my prince.¨ Turning around, I exited the courtyard.

I made my way to my room, my face in a small grin as I made plans for the upcoming week in my head. I wanted to teach Poppy everything I knew, to show her every mystery, every crook, and wonderful thing about our land. She would, of course, have to meet with the elven lords and do the dullest stuff in the kingdom, but with me, by her side, I was intent on making every step she took as beautiful and nurturing as I could.

How did my bachelor mind changed? I shook my head with a silly grin on my lips. Opening the door to my room, I was surprised by a flying fist. Before it connected with my face, I threw my body back, and with my legs, I kicked up, making the creature stumble, sending both of us to the floor. I quickly grabbed the dagger on my right side and I landed on his chest, holding the knife to his throat. That's when I finally saw the creature that was attacking me.

¨Kender what are you doing in my room?¨ I spat at the vampire beneath me. He raised his arms, trying to squirm his way out of my hold, making me press the shiny edge of my knife closer to his throat, prickling his skin with its sharp edge. ¨Why are you still here?¨ I demanded an answer from the dark creature that has almost taken the future away from me. ¨To see her and destroy you for trying to take away what is already mine.¨ As he answered, I put my knee deeper on his chest. No one wants you here. Haven't you done enough? ¨You will stay away from Poppy, kender, or you will have my wrath and the wrath of my people on your back.¨

He laughed as I said this, making me feel uncomfortable. Any signs of the bliss I was feeling before I entered my room disappeared at the sight of the animal in front of me. ¨I was already in her room, and she didn't turn me away.¨ He gave me a broad smile, a knowing smile. ¨In fact, she promised me she wouldn't give herself to no one except me, her rightful companion.¨ I let my grip go as he said this. ¨You are lying. She may be headstrong and raised human, but she is honorable. If she gave Queen Aine and me her word, she will keep it.¨

He sat down, caressing his neck, and wiping the blood that trickled from his neck. Taking a brooch out of his pocket, the one I gave Poppy to wear the night of her ascension. The one that depicted my emblem, the emblem of the gold valley elves. ¨Now, do you believe me? She gave me this token for me to remember her while I am gone.¨ I grasped it from his hand and pointed to the door. ¨Get out, kender be gone. Let us live our lives in peace. You forfeited her and denied her when you were given the chance to take a stake in her. Now you come up with regrets about losing her. I won't believe you until I have spoken to her myself.¨

I pressed my finger to my chest, my other arm pointedly towards the door. The vampire stood up, pressing his hand on his neck where my dagger had nipped. ¨She will tell you the truth, grasshopper, and that truth is that she will be mine and mine alone.¨

Drawing my fist back and grabbing his shirt, I propelled him to the wall, making him flash his fangs at me. ¨If you want to live to see another night, I would advise you to stop talking about the princess and to leave my room, in fact, leave the castle.I repeat no one wants you here.¨ He set both hands up, making me drop him. He stood by the door and opened it. ¨I would advise you to steer clear from my companion as I finish my quest. When I am done, I will return to take her away with me to her rightful realm, earth.¨ My hand grasped the delicate pin, making it bury deep into my palm, drawing blood. ¨Out!¨ I screamed one last time before looking back to find my room empty.

~ Poppy~

¨Poppy yesterday, Prince Thalion asked me to quicken your departure. Do you have any objections?¨ Queen Aine asked, her blue eyes looking straight at me with a knowing look. Trying to look nonchalant, I raised my shoulders and blushed with a small smile on my face.." Really? He did? I have no problem. I have already chosen the pixie that would accompany me. My parents left yesterday. Ben is not here anymore either, so being here is only stalling the inevitable.¨ I answered truthfully, trying to sound less excited than I was. What a great idea he had. I was already itching to get out and do something else. I would have loved for him to be the one to break the news, but maybe that would be a surprise, and Aine just f****d it up. I was happy with the considerate thought; deep down, it was what I needed. ¨Then is settled, you should leave this evening.¨ She turned then to a book, and I waited there sitting for her to say something else. ¨You can go, girl.¨ She answered in my mind making me shot up from the seat, remembering I had training with Faelar and Thalion today.

I exited the library and walked to the training grounds where Maester Faelar was spear fighting with Thalion. The elven prince was just wearing his trousers and his body shined as the morning sun reflected on every surface of his body. Faelar went up and jumped, trusting his spear upwards, which Thalion deflected with one hand as he swung his own and in one motion had the Maester pinned with his arm up and the Maester´s weapon clinging to one side. ¨Your highness, I surrender.¨ Maester Falear loosed his grip on his weapon, tapping the ground beside him, giving the victory to the prince.

I walked in front of them, clapping my hands, which made them realize I was there. Maester Falear looked at me and composed himself, but Thalion's face, who was grinning while fighting, dropped his smile and scowled at me. ¨Princess nice for you to join us. Thalion and I were spear practicing, but I think I needed a few seconds to catch my breath. Why don't you show him what you have learned these past few weeks while I go check on the youngsters?¨ I nodded, stepping forward, unsure if I should let him leave us. By the way, the prince was looking at me. I was getting somewhat scared. I will be back in a couple of minutes…. Prince be easy on her.¨

He stepped away as Thalion grabbed the spears they were using, throwing one at me, which I caught almost by the blade. Flinching, I looked flabbergasted at him. ¨Hey, I know I need to practice, but I almost cut myself.¨ I looked at my hand, trying to see if I was bleeding.

He grinned and began swinging the blade, then making a stance. ¨ What have your panties on a twist?¨ I questioned as I made a stance myself. ¨Well yesterday I had a visitor. Did you have anybody with you yesterday? After I left you, perhaps. I did have an interesting visitor.¨ This must have been Queen Aine. Maybe she was behind the we should go earlier to elven realm ruse and not Thalion. I remember my own midnight visitor. I hope wherever he was, Dimitriv was okay.

I was still unsure about him, but there was one thing I was sure I was going to keep my promise to the vampire. I was going to live and give this life all the possibilities if it were with him, Thalion and, more importantly, myself. ¨I guess you were not happy with her decision then. No.... no one was with me yesterday, but she did talk to me this morning. That's weird. She told me it was your idea.¨ I said while thrusting my spear at him, which he deflected with one hand.

Thalion stopped and thought for a second, giving me time to flip and try to hit him in the chest, which he managed to stop by grabbing my arm and pulling me against him, his spear close to my throat. ¨I am not talking about Queen Aine....¨ He hissed on my ear, his other hand on my hip, bringing my back closer to him. ¨The visitor I had last night was no other than your kender friend.¨ I gasped and tried to fight his embrace, swatting at the hand securely gripping my hip. No, he did not go to Thalion's room after he spoke to me. I closed my eyes slowly as I felt I could be swallowed by the ground.

Thalion abruptly let me go, and I turned, standing in front of him, my hand grasping the spear to my side until my knuckles were white, ¨What happened with you two last night?¨ He asked as I let the spear go with a loud thud on the ground. Bringing both my arms up. ¨Nothing, I promised he was there, and I asked him to go.¨He shook his head and began circling me. ¨Poppy... Poppy... Poppy... I will ask again, and I need you to be honest with me.¨Before he could ask, I went into explanation mode, my arms now swinging wildly around me. ¨I didn't know what Dimitriv said to you, but nothing happened, nothing really. ¨ His eyes pointed at me, making me finish my statement once again, bringing my hand up and making an x over my heart. ¨Nothing, I swear.¨

He stepped back, letting his spear fall to the ground, and took out something from a pouch where his shirt was. Tossing it at me, making me grasp it mid air. It was a pin... A pin I used for my coming of age party. It was meant to be a symbol of the unity between the two elven royal houses. ¨He said you gave it to him so he can remember you while he was away. With that Princess Poppy, you got three lies already ,anything else I should know about ?¨ I shook where I stood, trying to think of something as I heard the disappointment on Thalion's lips. ¨.... and I was so stupid to believe you were also trying.¨

Taking a step forward, I tried grabbing his hand. ¨I am telling the truth. Nothing happened, and I didn't give this to him.¨ He recoiled before I could take his hand. ¨But he was there last night?¨ Nodding, I put my arms around my chest. Giving him space. ¨What happened?¨ ¨He kissed me…¨I mumbled lowly, but I knew he heard me. ¨And did you kiss him back?¨ Nodding again, a small tear escaped my eye. ¨Then that's not nothing, Princess…¨He began walking away from me and speaking as Falear was coming back. ¨The kender was telling me the truth then, so in that case its better if I spoke to Queen Aine about the breaking of the bethrottlement arrengment so you can be free to pursue your true love.¨ He finished speaking as he walked away.

~ Unknown~

¨Do you know how hard it was to get a cursed object?¨ I rolled my eyes as I looked into the mirror, waiting for a response. ¨First you need a scrying witch who has turned dark. You have to bargain for it, probably with your own blood, and afterwards, you have to learn so many spells and bounds so it doesn't leave a trace, as Aine could find it at any moment on her precious haven.¨ A dark voice boomed from the other side. ¨Stop, your incessant tantrum child, remember you are talking to a god. Everything you do is going to be beneficial for you in the long run…. Do you have the key?¨

I sighed, looking at the skeleton key in my hand wrapped in an Eremandu cloth. It had to be covered this way for me to carry it around. My blood was not strong enough to carry an artifact as powerful as this one. ¨I managed to steal it after Thalion departed. As they were sorting the princess' ascension out, they managed to get into Aine´s office, steal it, and make a replica. So what you promised…¨ I began trying to talk to the demon on the other side. ¨After Queen Aine is taken, you can have any of her realms for yourself, child. This has already been talked about, and a pact in blood was drawn. ¨

¨When would you need me to open the gates? The faster we do this, the better..¨ I tried replying as fast as possible as I felt footsteps coming from one side of the corridor behind my door. ¨You should not worry about that yourself. Just keep the elven royals away from the safe haven before we do it and then you cannot let them travel to earth , they must be sealed inside the elven kingdom. They and only them together are the ones that can stop this part of the plan .¨ I rolled my eyes. ¨And how do you expect me to do that, my god.¨

A lot of sarcasm dripping from my voice. I felt like an invisible force began restraining my neck. ¨Don't forget, child, I might not be there physically, but you now wear my brand and mark, so you belong to me, and I can do what I want to you whenever I want to. I am not like the other gods. If I kill a mortal I won´t lose power.¨ I hurried to the other side of the room, my face dropping as I felt the last bits of oxygen leaving my lungs.

¨My lord….¨ I tried grasping at my neck. ¨Mot!¨ The force let me go as I caressed the deep red marks he left. Soon they were gone. ¨Over the years, every time that b***h that has kept me here grows weaker, I have managed to get more and more of my demons out… Now I have a large following outside. Soon, with Aine by my side in these catacombs, endless night would come, and all of the dark forces, mortal and unnatural, would be free to roam the sun realms to their hearts' contempt. When the face queen becomes my companion, I will finally be free of this realm. The Faes would be completely locked down without her nothing will be able to enter or leave, and you, my child, would have the kingdom you covet at your feet.¨

I took a deep breath and quickly covered the silver mirror in front of me as a smiling face appeared on my door. ¨They are coming.. I wanted to be the first one to greet them before they entered.¨ Walking towards the door, I bowed to the eager face that greeted me as I gave her a smile. ¨Coming Aradhel.¨ She bit her lip and looked behind me.

¨What is that?¨ She made her way to the treasure room as she uncovered the silver mirror I was recently talking through. ¨That is a gift I am planning on sending over to Queen Aine.¨ Her fingers passed through the intricate design of roses and flowers. ¨How beautiful…¨ She exclaimed as I tossed the sheet back on top of it. ¨I know now let's go meet your brother.¨S he excitedly squeaked , and we walked to my door me glancing back as I nodded.