The Forgotten Luna

AN ATTEMPTED ASSISNATION

CHAPTER EIGHT

Jade turned and loped off for the open grassland of the prairie. Victor watched her a moment and then turned to begin his own

transformation.

Jade had not gone far when a bright light appeared in front of her. Slowing to a stop, she tried to focus on the light when a soft voice

called to her from inside it.

Saphira, I’m so happy to see that you have grown into such a beautiful young wolf. I’m Mariah your aunt. Your mother was my

sister and now that you have found your wolf, I would like to show you the other half of your family. You have nothing to fear from

me. I wish only to introduce you to your mother’s world.

Can Jake come with us? Asked Saphira.

We are careful never to let strangers enter our realm, but because he is your mate, we will make an exception. Like your mother, you

have chosen a mate from the wolf and not the Fae. We will allow this union as long as he understands there are rules he must follow.

Jake turned and saw Saphira speaking with a large bright light. He knew the Fae had found her in an instant and they were showing

themselves to Saphira. He approached slowly so that he wouldn’t disturb the interaction. At the mention of his name, Jake took a

step forward and bowed deeply.

I understand and will follow the rules of the Fae as long as I am in the realm.

This seemed to satisfy Mariah and she brushed back the veil to the realm of the Fae.

Saphira drew in a sharp breath. Jake straightened to see the most beautiful landscape before him. There were many fairies flying

about. They seemed not to notice the veil had been lifted until the two wolves stepped inside. Then, as if a silent command had been

given, each fairy turned from a beautiful flying being into a hideous winged beast ready to attack.

Moving swiftly, Mariah let the veil fall and stepped in front of Jake and Saphira.

Please, everyone, allow me to introduce to you our beloved Princess Saphira and her mate Jake, daughter of our most treasured

Queen Amanda.

She stepped aside, and all the fairies dropped to the ground and bent down on one knee.

Turning, she handed both Saphira and Jake clothes.

Might I suggest the two of you step behind those rocks and change back into your human form? It may make others feel more at

ease.

Taking the clothes, they both thanked Mariah for her forethought. After each had changed back into their human form and was

properly dressed, they stood once again in front of the Fairies, who had increased by a thousand in number.

Jade was surprised to see so many more had assembled in such a short time. Victor was equally impressed that word had spread so

fast, he would have to talk to Mariah about that later and find out if it was a secret fairy communication, they would be willing to

share with him.

Mariah turned to Jade. This my queen is but a few of the subjects that are waiting to meet you. Now if you and King Victor will

follow me, we will continue to the palace and introduce you to your staff before having dinner. We will make it an early night as

there is a lot to do since the kingdom has been waiting for your return.

Turning to Victor, Jade took his hand and smiled.

Shall we retire to the castle, my King?

He held her hand and returned her smile with his own stunning smile.

Yes, my Queen, let us retire to the castle and prepare ourselves for the events of the coming days.

Moving forward, Jake watched as Jade stopped to talk with people along the way. The jade green dress that Mariah had picked out

for her fit perfectly. The color matched her beautiful eyes and was a compliment to her waist-length auburn hair. Her way was

easy and friendly with all that she met, and the fae seemed to love her the moment they laid eyes on her.

Victor smiled to himself. He had no idea when he had chosen her as his mate that she came from a royal Fae family or that she

herself would one day be the queen of the Fae, but none of that mattered to him. His heart

was bursting with pride at the woman who stood chatting with her subjects as if they were her old friends and not someone she had

just met.

Later, the servants showed them a large house fit for a queen.

What about your duel tomorrow? How can you do that and be here? We will have to postpone our visit here and return home in the

morning.

Victor kissed the top of her head.

My love, you have a lot to learn. We are in the land of the Fae and time moves differently here. It will seem like a week in this land

and back in ours it will be but a few minutes. We can do all that needs to be done for a few days and still be back in time for the dual.

Jade reached up and kissed his chin.

I don’t know if I will ever understand how all of this works, she said with a yawn.

Tomorrow is another day. My love now get some rest. We have a busy day ahead of us, said Victor.

Jade snuggled into her favorite place in the whole world and was drifting off to sleep when she felt Victor shift and heard a growl

coming deep from within his chest.

Jade, someone has come into the room, lay still, and when I tell you, shift into Saphira, whispered Victor.

With that, he leaped from the bed and raced to face the intruder. Jade saw the flash of a knife blade and began to worry about Victor.

Her worry was heightened when he next spoke.

Now Jade change now!

Without thinking, Jade leaped from the bed while shifting into her wolf Saphira.

Just as she landed on the soft carpet, she saw a flash on her right side and felt a sharp pain. She turned toward the source of the attack

and launched an attack of her own. As her jaws came down upon warm flesh, she heard a howl of pain and withdrew. This moment

of hesitation was enough for her attacker to lash out with the knife once again. This time, instead of connecting with Jade, the knife

fell to the floor.

The attacker lay whimpering in the corner with Victor standing over him. Jade shifted back into her human form and wrapped the

blanket around herself.

Taking small tentative steps, she walked to where Victor had the intruder on the floor. Looking over Victor’s shoulder, Jade noticed

he was the same boy who had served them at dinner.

Laying her hand on Victor, she bent down and asked, if I tell him to let you live, will you tell me who has ordered this attempt on our

lives? Terror shone in the boys’ eyes. Shaking his head, he stammered, Yes, my Queen, anything you want, just please don’t let him

rip out my throat. Jade looked at Victor. Please let him up. I think we can trust him not to run. Besides, you can easily catch him if he

should be stupid enough to try an escape. Victor let out a low menacing growl and slowly turned loose of the boy’s neck. Backing

away, he never took his eyes off the boy. He ran his hands over the boy quickly to make sure he had no other weapons hidden. When

he was sure the kid wasn’t going to run, and he had no weapons. He stepped behind the screen and shifted back into his human form.

Once he was dressed, Victor walked around the screen and motioned for the boy to take a seat in front of the fireplace.

To her surprise, Jade noticed Victor’s voice was soft and coaxing. Let’s start with your name, he said.

When the boy spoke, his voice shook with terror, my name is Leopold.

Do you have a last name: Leopold? Asked Victor.

Here in the land of the Fae, we do not have sir names, only our given ones, answered Leopold.

Fine, said Victor with a shake of his head, now Leopold, who would like" for you to kill your Queen and me?

I’m not sure, stammered the boy. When I was cleaning the kitchen after dinner, a man approached me. He said that if you lived

through the night my

little sister would not. I had no choice but to try and save her, even if it meant that I would not succeed.

Leopold lowered his head into his hands and began to cry.

Jade moved to comfort him, but Victor stopped her.

Jade, don’t get too close, he could still be armed, said Victor.

She looked at the boy in front of her and said," I doubt if he has the will to even try, besides you checked him, didn't you?

He won’t hurt me, Victor. Besides, what kind of Queen would I be if I could not come to the comfort of my people when they needed

me?

Moving slowly, she walked to the chair and took the boy's hand.

I promise we will do all in our power to find your sister. Now go with the sergeant and give him all the information he needs to find

her. The boy stood and looked at Jade. Are you going to punish me? I deserve it and I will take any punishment you want to give me

as long as you can get my dear sister Ella back.

Jade took his hands in hers and spoke to him in a kind soft voice," I can understand your fear for your sister, and, as long as you are

truthful with us, Leopold, you shall receive no punishment.

He stood for a moment and looked at Jade, then he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her with all his might.

Thank you so much! Tears filled his eyes. Jade gave him her best smile and backed toward Victor.

She watched as Leopold was taken from the room. Turning her attention to Victor, she looked him squarely in the face. Drawing in a

deep, shaky breath, she said to him.

Victor remembered that I promised no punishment.

As you, my Queen, it shall be as you have commanded,” said Victor, with just a hint of amusement in his voice.

Jade drew herself up to her full height and gave him her best stern look.

Victor, are you making fun of me? Because if you think to do such an insult to your queen, she will make sure you receive the proper

punishment.

Doing his best to look contrite, Victor slumped forward just until his chin rested on the top of Jade’s head.

No, my queen, I would never think to make fun of such a fine lady, but if you should so desire to punish me, I cannot lift a finger to

stop you.

Jade laughed and turned her face to his. She kissed him and felt his body begin to respond to her touch.

Drawing away, she smiled and suggested they once more try to find sleep.

I have a better idea, said Victor.