Page 8 of A Blaze of Fire
VIOLET
“You beast! This is against like … like my human rights! The United Nations have laws against this! The Geneva Convention!” I banged my fists on Alec’s back, but I might as well have been pounding my head against a rock. Slung over his shoulder the way I was, the blood quickly rushed to my head and I began to see black spots.
He snorted. “Now you’re just spouting nonsense. We’re not at war, little halfling. Relax. Your human laws don’t work here, anyway.” Alec slid me down his body slowly and I was hyper-aware of every muscle and ridge of his body. Once I was on my feet, he held me there with his hands encircling my waist, watching me. “Welcome to the Unseelie Court, Violet.”
I pushed off him and whirled around, trying not to gape at the surreal room in which we’d landed. The space was enormous, bracketed with immensely tall, black pillars wrapped in sheer red cloth that twisted in a nonexistent wind. The floors were checkered white and black, and as I tried to focus on each square I became disoriented. At the front of the vast room was a shiny black throne topped with a blood-red cushion; the only ornamentation was the cluster of rubies spattered along each arm rest. The overall feel was moody and gothic, eerily beautiful at the same time. I peered at the ceiling and saw strange stars wheeling in the midnight sky. I’d never seen so many stars in my life.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Alec whispered in my ear from behind me, making me jump.
“It’s nighttime here … but it was morning in the human realm,” I asked, clearly confused.
“Time works differently in the Fae realm,” he answered airily. “Think of it like being in a different time zone.”
Just then, Kazimir strolled out of the portal and it snapped closed behind him with an audible pop. He walked toward us unerringly, his face set in an intimidating mask. When I glanced at Alec and noticed his relaxed posture, I straightened. If Alec wasn’t afraid, I wouldn’t show how scared I was, either.
“The King will be here any moment,” Kazimir announced. “She will be staying in the castle as his guest. I suppose you’ll want to stay here as well to … assist?”
Alec nodded. “Very much so.”
“Very well,” Kazimir allowed regally. “I will make sure they set up a room for you as well.”
Within a few minutes, a tall, gaunt man emerged from the gilded door on the other end of the room. Dressed similarly to Kazimir, he wore dark slacks and a dark sapphire top with gold trim and embroidery unlike anything I’d ever seen before. But the biggest thing that set him apart was the gold crown perched atop his gunmetal silver hair. Emotionless gray eyes stared back at me as the man sat on his throne. His pallid complexion, along with the silver hair and gray eyes lent him an eerie, haunting air. Almost as if he were dead, a beautiful and delicate zombie.
“Is this the girl?” the King asked. His voice was mildly interested, but his creepy eyes roamed me up and down in a manner that made my skin crawl.
“Yes, Your Highness,” Kazimir intoned with a deep bow. “Unfortunately, the girl has worn an iron anklet her whole life and it’s been a struggle to awaken her magic. Alec suggested a test of the elements.”
The King raised a silver brow, his curiosity piqued. “Is that so?”
Kazimir nodded.
“I hope this isn’t a trick, Alec.” The Unseelie King sighed and began cleaning his nails, appearing aloof. “You know how dear you are to me. It would be a shame if I had to dispose of you.”
Alec bowed. “I assure you, Your Highness, this is not a trick. She can handle all the elements.”
The King smirked. “Why don’t we test this theory out now? If she’s so very powerful, I’m sure she can handle little ole’ me.”
“Well, Your Highness,” Alec started, “it’s probably best if we—”
The King darted out a hand and a blast of gale-force wind rushed at me, making me gasp. I choked and held onto my chest, feeling as if the air had been sucked out of me. Then suddenly the gust of air jerked back toward me and slammed me in the chest, as if bending to my will and restoring my breath. I wasn’t sure if I had done it or the King had.
My hand went to my throat and I gulped greedy lungfuls of fresh air, my eyes wide in fear and surprise. I wondered if this was how I was going to die.
“Interesting,” the King murmured. “She can definitely control the element of air.”
“I’ve personally witnessed her control the element of fire,” Kazimir interjected.
The King’s eyes widened. “Is that so?” He was clearly intrigued. “Nowthisis fascinating!” As he turned his assessing eyes onto me, I suddenly felt like a bug underneath a magnifying glass. He leaned forward in his throne, gripping the armrests. “Little girl, you said you’re a halfling?” he asked, addressing me for the first time.
I nodded, not trusting my own voice.
“To think,” the King marveled, “we’ve been looking for the orb this whole time and it’s been in a halfling all along!” He chuckled to himself and covered his mouth in thought, his long, slender fingers appearing as spider legs across his pale face. His mind made up, he straightened and turned his attention back to us. “I would like to officially welcome you to the Unseelie Court. You will remain here as my guest.” He turned to Kazimir. “I want her guarded around the clock. No one is to harm her. If they do, they’ll answer tome.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Kazimir bowed and exited quickly.
The King watched me with his reptilian eyes and grinned, fully aware of the unsettling effect he had on me. “I hope you enjoy your stay.”
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