Page 90 of Wrath of the Fae

A hideous thought.

We eventually arrive at a steep set of slate steps. We climb, tripping over the loose and crumbling steps that get thinner and more perilous the higher we go. We eventually reach the top, where we meet nothing but a steep drop of hundreds of meters. Ahead, tree roots grow from the ground above us, gnarled and twisted together as they hang from the ceiling. Lucca stands behind me, his hand on my belly as he keeps me pinned to him. We both call out our wings, just in case we fall.

‘What now?’ he asks, his words echoing all around us.

Ahead of us, the tree roots glow golden.

‘Follow me.’

I spread my wings and fly across to it. I guess the ledge fell away centuries ago. I take my dagger and cut open my hand before pressing it to the roots. The gold swirls and seeps into the oval shape the roots create, but the portal turns black.

‘A portal,’ Lucca whispers. ‘Like the one I used to bring you back.’

I shudder as I feel the power. As I feel the darkness of it. But I’m sure to put on a smile for Lucca when I face him.

‘I’ll meet you over there.’

The familiar effects of a portal consume me. No light. No air. A vacuum of nothingness.

The next thing I know, I’m looking at the rising sun. The sound of birdsong is gentle, and the scent of lavender hangs in the air. With a gasp, Lucca falls beside me, looking winded.

‘Ow…’ he groans. ‘That was… ow…’ He tilts his head to face me. ‘You in one piece?’

‘I think so. You?’

He nods, and we both sit. We’re in some kind of orchard, surrounded by apple trees as far as the eye can see. At least, I think they were apple trees. They’re black and oozing green puss. Each tree's bark is as grey as chalk.

One small mercy is that we’re alone.

‘We’re in the First Kingdom,’ I tell Lucca.

‘How do you know that? Oh right. The King of Monsters handed over his crown to you, and now you can see and understand a load of ancient symbols and shit.’

‘Less sarcasm, please.’

‘Sorry,Your monstrous Majesty. What now?’

I focus hard on getting my wings to fade. To call them back and hide them from view. I can’t have anyone see them. It’s easier than before. I have more control over them, and they disappear from view.

‘Where’s the palace?’ I ask as he picks twigs from my hair.

He takes me by the shoulders and turns me.

‘Oh…’

Hard to miss. The First Kingdom palace towers over us. Pristine and white, reaching high into the sky. Lucca takes me in his arms and flies a few feet off the ground, so we’re level with the treetops. We’re at the edge of the palace’s borders. Surrounding it is a matching city. So clean and shining. Elegant glass and marble buildings reflect the sun, making them glint and gleam. Between the palace and the city is a great bridge linking the two. Below it is a chasm. Impassable and deadly. The bridge swarms with First Kingdom soldiers, all armed and many with feral dogs that growl, howl and bark.

‘Gailers,’ Lucca says. ‘More like a wolf than a dog. They have leather skin and spikes on their heads.’

I look at those creatures. I feel them like there’s a leash between us. One I could pull. One I could control if I wanted.

But the Leviathan King’s voice echoes in my mind.

The more you control them, the darker you become.

‘You see those statues?’ he asks.

At the base of the bridge are two enormous marble statues. On the left is a man. He stands tall with a sword at his hip. On the right, a woman. Kneeling. She faces the man. Her delicate body is in nothing but a sheer gown. The marble is carved so finely I see she is supposed to be naked beneath it. This great stone lady, head bowed to the king, on her knees at his feet.

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