Unbound, page 9
No.
She looked around with wide-eyed wonder. It was as if she was seeing this place for the first time. Could that be true? Had she spent her life in the fringe? Was it because she was only a half-witch? Or was there another reason? He knew she wouldn’t answer his questions. Although, he did have an advantage here. Perhaps he could leverage them from her. It was the only way he would learn something about her. His mother shut down any line of questioning regarding the witch. He didn’t understand it. He wanted to know.
But first, he wanted to know why she had stepped foot into his domain.
The cat that wasn’t a cat, noticed him first. It stepped in front of her, laughable considering it could do little to protect her, and she stopped. The human froze beside her. Odhran watched her wide eyes turn to him. He expected a little bit of fear. He could be here to kill them both. Yet her eyes narrowed and her mouth twisted.
“What do you want?” she spat.
Not the reaction he expected. She was a strange thing. Even if people didn’t fear him, they feared his mother. No one in the court would talk to him this way. Selanna would, but as his sister, she didn’t count. The witch’s disdain for him was palpable in the way her fists clenched and her nose scrunched in disgust. No trace of fear in her whatsoever. It would make things more difficult.
So why did he like it?
“Have you changed your mind?” he asked, ignoring her question since he didn’t have a truthful answer for her. She confused him. And while before he would have wanted an earlier slight repaid in full, he didn’t know if he still did. Not when she was such an interesting creature.
“I have not.”
“Then why are you here?”
“That’s none of your business.”
Odhran tilted his head to the side. “Perhaps I can help.”
“Hah! As if I would accept anything from you.”
“We’re here to see Valeria,” the cat said, his large yellow eyes looking at Odhran as if they knew each other. Did Odhran know them?
“Why did you say that?” she hissed.
“Because he can take us to her,” the cat answered.
What did they want with his mother? How did she even know of his mother? Striking them down was definitely out of the question now. First, she stepped into the woods but wasn’t giving him the human, and now she wanted to see his mother? If Odhran wasn’t already curious, he definitely would’ve been now. He would take them to his mother. It would be interesting to see how his mother would react to the witch and whatever it was she wanted.
“I will take you,” he said.
“Why? What’s in it for you?” she asked.
“Amusement.” Odhran turned his back to her. “Follow me.”
“Wait a minute.”
He stopped to look at her. “Is there a problem?”
“I don’t trust you, and I’m not going to blindly follow you into the forest. I want your word first.”
“My word?”
“Yes. No harm comes to me or my friends. The human is especially off-limits,” she demanded.
“You think I’m leading you into a trap.”
“Maybe you are, maybe you’re not. I’m not taking the chance. Give me your word.”
Strange thing indeed. “Very well. You have my word. No harm will come to you or your friends while you are with me. I can make no other guarantees of your safety if you wander off. I suggest you stay close.”
She gestured to the forest. “Lead the way then.”
Odhran didn’t miss the way the human gripped her hand. Or the sweat that glistened on his forehead. She didn’t push his hand away. Instead, she gently squeezed in false reassurance. Odhran would not go back on his word, but if anyone else were to come across them, there would be nothing she could do to save the human. They were considered fair sport in this area. Hunting them was mostly ritualistic during the hunts, but humans that wandered into the forest often found themselves at the mercy of its inhabitants regardless of when.
He led them down the winding path through the trees. Smaller paths branched off, some leading to other places, some looping in endless circles. It could be confusing—on purpose—to those who didn’t know it well. Every few minutes, he found himself slowing down to make sure they were following them. Odhran didn’t want to leave them behind to get lost.
“How much farther?” she asked, trying to hide her labored breathing. She definitely wasn’t used to covering long distances.
“Not much.”
He didn’t catch her grumbled response.
“What do you want with Valeria?” he asked.
“Why do you want to know?”
“I’m curious.”
The statement was greeted with silence. He wondered if she intended on answering him at all and he was shocked when she did.
“She cursed my family. I’ve come to ask for her to remove it.”
Odhran stopped in his tracks. A curse? His mother was no stranger to lobbing curses at people, and she certainly wasn’t quiet about it, but he had never of her cursing a half-witch. If true, why did she hide it? And then there was the matter of what else the witch had said. “Do you truly believe she will lift your curse?” he asked.
“I don’t know.”
He did. He knew his mother. And Valeria would never do such a thing. Should he tell her the truth? Let her return home before she was inevitably disappointed. Or should he let her try anyway? If only to force his mother to acknowledge a curse she had hidden from her children. Perhaps even embarrass her in front of the court. A sight he would pay to see.
He chose to remain silent.
It took them a few minutes more to reach a break in the trees. And he relished her gasp when she laid eyes on his home.
The stone path to the veranda was lined with glittering red flowers. They gleamed in the sunlight and at night they exuded light. Trees obscured most of the house, their leaves providing privacy and shade. Their trunks were home to more of the red flowers. Stone columns lined the veranda and held up a balcony on the second floor. One would find it hard to tell the difference between flora and stone when they were entwined so thoroughly. Vines wrapped around columns, keeping them together even after some of the stone had worn away. They crept up the walls and framed the windows. Large red flowers grew from the vines. They glistened with dew. From afar it looked like they were encrusted with rubies. He watched her pause to run her fingers over a petal. The flower opened at her touch.
A green witch then.
Excellent healers. Could work even the harshest earth to create life.
But could she stand up to his mother?
Odhran pushed open the doors to the foyer. Light filled every inch of the space, illuminating the stark white floors. The foyer opened to a sitting room with a grand staircase in the center. A silver balustrade continued upstairs, creating a balcony that overlooked the first floor. The vines continued inside. They grew from cracks in the wall and twined around the staircase, but they didn’t touch the floor in an unspoken rule. Tripping the occupants wasn’t allowed.
Heavy footsteps came down the stairs towards them.
“Where did you go—”
Selanna stopped at the foot of the stairs. Her eyes moved past him to their guests, widening and then narrowing, and she pressed her lips into a thin line. “What the hell are you doing?” she asked.
“We have guests.”
“You said you were going to leave the witch alone,” Selanna hissed. “Especially after she so thoroughly humiliated you last time.”
The witch choked down a laugh.
Odhran grit his teeth. “Thank you, Selanna. But she came to me seeking an audience with Valeria. I am doing as I was asked.”
Selanna’s eyes darted back to the witch before moving to the human. “The hunters are here. Do have any idea what’s going to happen if you bring them in there?”
“Yes.”
She shook her head. “What are you thinking?”
“Nothing will happen. She has just cause for an audience. The hunters know the rules and will know better than to interfere.”
Selanna sighed. “I hope you know what you’re doing, little brother. Our mother is in a foul mood today.”
“When isn’t she?”
“Valeria is your mother?” the witch spoke up.
“Yes, did I forget to tell you?” Odhran answered.
She rolled her eyes. “Clearly.”
“What’s your name?” Selanna asked.
The witch cleared her throat, taking a moment to size up his sister before answering “You can call me Alannah.”
“And your companions?”
Alannah gestured to the human first. “Elliot,” –she gestured to the cat— “and Mr. Pinkus.”
“Prepare yourself, Alannah. My mother is not an easy person to deal with,” Selanna said, turning on her heel and walking back upstairs.
Odhran didn’t move. “You never told me your name.”
“That’s because I don’t like you,” she responded, walking past him to follow Selanna up the stairs.
The human, Elliot, trailed behind her. His grip on her hand so tight his knuckles were white. She didn’t seem to mind. They had clearly grown close in their time together. Maybe that’s why she was so protective of him. Odhran couldn’t fathom ever having feelings for someone with so little time in them. They would be a blip in his very long life. It didn’t seem worth it.
The cat stayed in the foyer.
“Are you coming?” Odhran asked.
“No. I have no reason to show myself to your mother.”
Interesting. “You must have angered her then.”
“Who hasn’t?”
“Fair point.”
“Keep your word, prince. Let her leave here unharmed,” the cat warned.
Odhran nodded. He had no other choice. Breaking his word would have disastrous consequences—he knew someone who couldn’t keep down solid food for a month after breaking an oath—and he wasn’t willing to risk it. He followed the others up the stairs, taking care not to sneak up behind the Elliot. Odhran didn’t understand why he would risk coming here. Even with an attachment to Alannah, it would be ridiculous to put his own life on the line for her.
Selanna stopped in front of the large, gilded doors to the main hall, a cacophony of voices thundering from inside. Odhran wouldn’t be surprised if they were still arguing over the failed hunt. With their prey about to walk into the room with a promise of protection, they would be even more infuriated. Imagining their response made Odhran glad that Selanna would be the one to lead them inside. She could keep the hunters at bay. She was good at being an authoritative voice amongst discord. A trait he admired her for. He would never tell her that.
“I’m ready,” Alannah said, nodding to Selanna who didn’t look the least bit convinced.
Doors opened inward to reveal the large main hall. The hunters lingered about the room, some stood directly in front of his mother and others leaned on the walls to talk amongst themselves. Valeria sat at the end of the room on a dais. Ruby red stained-glass windows lined the wall behind her throwing blood red light onto the white marble floor. All talking ceased the instant Alannah stepped into the room behind Selanna. The tense silence lasted all but a second before angered voices crashed over them. Alannah, who had squared her shoulders before entering the room, reeled back from the vitriol directed towards her. She no longer looked assured.
“If they see your fear, they’ll eat you alive,” Odhran murmured from behind her.
Percivus moved in front of Valeria and placed his hand on his pommel, ready to draw his weapon. And he would’ve if Selanna hadn’t mirrored his action. No one could best her. A fact that irritated Percivus often. “What is the meaning of this?”
“The witch seeks an audience with Valeria. No harm can come to her or her companion while she does so. Even you know the rules,” Selanna said, her voice booming. No one in the court could claim they couldn’t hear her.
“What would a half-witch want with the Queen? She is not welcome here,” Percivus snarled.
Selanna smirked. “You talk much for someone who isn’t in charge here. You should remember your place. But I suppose I shouldn’t expect propriety from such a piss poor hunter.”
Percivus drew his sword. “You—”
“Enough!”
All eyes turned to Valeria. A moment ago, she had been seated, the boredom plain on her face while she spoke to the hunters, but now, she couldn’t keep her eyes off Alannah. The ruby pendant that rested on her chest moved up and down as Valeria’s chest heaved. Her nails dug into the ornate silver arms of her chair. Odhran had seen a look of hatred in his mother’s face before. It was an expression she had levied at all of her children over the years. But this was different. It wasn’t just hatred—pure, unadulterated—but also fear. What was it about Alannah that scared her so much? Odhran wanted to know. If only to have something to use against her.
“I told you to leave the witch alone,” she finally said, her words aimed at Odhran.
“I did as you said, mother. She entered the forest of her own volition. I simply brought her to you.”
“Why would you do something like that? There is nothing here for her.”
“She has a right to ask for an audience, mother. You should know that.”
Valeria’s nostrils flared. “She has no right—”
“I am right here,” Alannah interrupted.
Everyone’s eyes landed on her, but she stared at Valeria. Alannah was such a stark contrast to the others at the court. With the exception of her vibrant eyes, she was plain to look at. Her clothes were muted and earthy against the opulence of Valeria’s red gown with jewels sewn into the fabric. They were two opposing forces. Alannah’s mouth was set in a thin line and she held her chin high. Odhran wasn’t sure if she truly was fearless or if she was very good at hiding it. Either way, he admired how readily she interrupted a leader in their own court. He doubted she knew that it was an insult or the consequences that could follow. He swallowed a laugh. Bringing her was very entertaining.
“What right do you think you have to request an audience with me?” Valeria finally asked her.
Alannah cleared her throat. “You placed the curse on my family. I’ve come to ask you to remove it.”
Valeria stared at her a moment, perhaps to gauge whether or not the witch was joking, but when it was clear she wasn’t, Valeria began to laugh. Her silver-tipped fingers covered her lips. The laugh seeped through her fingers. Some of the hunters, including Percivus, followed suit until the entire hall filled with mocking laughter.
With red-tinged cheeks, Alannah’s gaze dropped. She must’ve known it wouldn’t be this easy, but the longer Odhran stared at her expression, the more he realized that she didn’t. She truly didn’t know how things worked here. And now everyone was laughing at her. The same laugh Odhran had heard over the years. The same laugh that often made him feel small.
“Did you really think you could come into my court, insult me in front of my guests, and ask me nicely to remove your curse?” Valeria asked, her voice rich with amusement.
“I—”
“If so, you are sorely mistaken. I have no desire to remove your curse.”
Odhran expected that response. The best thing he could do now was remove her from the court and escort her back to the fringe before things escalated. And yet, he found the words that came out of his mouth a complete surprise. “Perhaps she should be given the chance to break it.”
Valeria scoffed. “Why would I do that?”
“Why not? Unless you are afraid of her succeeding,” he challenged.
“How da—"
“Bearers of curses can ask for a quest. A chance to prove themselves,” Selanna chimed in. “It is the fair route, mother. Don’t you want to be fair?”
Valeria’s upper lip curled. “Fine.” Her eyes focused on Alannah again. “I will give you a choice then. You can both return to the fringe, live the rest of your miserable lives, and die there. Or you can accept a task. It will not be an easy task and once you accept it you must complete it or risk death. Your choice.”
“What is the task?” Alannah asked.
Valeria sat back in her chair, taking a moment to think before her lips curved into a malicious smile. “Find and bring me a child of both Fae and witch blood in three weeks’ time. If I remember my curses, it is all the time you will have here.”
“That is an impossible task, mother,” Selanna argued.
“It is. But it is the task I have given. Will you accept?” Valeria asked.
Selanna shook her head. “There is nothing fair—”
“I’ll do it.”
Odhran stepped closer to Alannah. “Perhaps it is best if you return home. This is not a task you can complete—”
Alannah looked at him, the determined expression on her face made the words die on his tongue. “I will not return home empty-handed.” She turned her steeled gaze to Valeria. “I will complete this task or die trying. But if I succeed you will remove my curse, remove the death sentence from my friend,” –she nodded to Elliot— “and release his friends if they are alive.”
“I accept your terms only because I know you will not succeed,” Valeria said, smirking. “But it will be entertaining to watch you try and fail.”
Selanna gestured for them to leave. Once the task was accepted, the timer began. Alannah would need to begin her search. A search that would turn up nothing.
“Good luck, little witch,” their mother called after Alannah. “You will need it.”
Chapter 13
The witch made a swift exit with her friends in tow. Odhran didn’t follow them. They would either succeed or they wouldn’t. Perhaps he would check in on them now and again to see if they were making any progress. He didn’t think they would. But she might surprise him once more.
“What were you thinking?”
He turned to find Selanna glaring at him with her arms crossed over her chest. If he looked hard enough, he would see the steam coming out of her ears. The tip of her nose flushed pink. “What do you mean?” he asked.
“You brought them here and threw them to the wolves!”
