Flynn smirked while he held up Larrison’s spike after somehow removing the unnatural appendage from the guy. Flynn brandished it like a weapon in his right hand while blood flowed from various wounds on Larrison. Heckled by the crowd, Larrison made a mistake of needing to save face. He charged forward with murderous intent. Like a bullfighter, Flynn moved just in time. However, he grabbed Larrison around the neck, spun him around and slammed him face first into the ground. That time, it was Flynn that held the spike at Larrison's jugular.

  "Wait." Morgana leaped forward. "Please! Don’t do it. My mother would never forgive it, and all will be lost for you. My brother knows of his mistake. Don't you Larrison?"

  Larrison didn't look properly cowed. Instead, the Fey wiped blood from his face and snarled with murderous intent. And Fairy was his domain all he had to do was resort to magic and Flynn might be toast. I stepped into the ring.

  "Flynn, please."

  He jerked his gaze in my direction. I gave him my best pleading stare. He clenched his jaw before getting to his feet and stepping back. Morgana was right there to wrap herself around Flynn's neck like a scarf.

  Flynn pointed a finger at the beaten Fey. "Remember what I said."

  He didn't wait for Larrison's response. He stomped up the stairs and into the castle with Morgana tow. The two tin soldiers who’d tried to stop me from interfering helped Larrison to his feet. Once there, he shrugged them off like he hadn’t needed their help in the first place. He glared at the crowd, and everyone rushed inside. Larrison spit a lugy of blue yuck and was the last to head inside. By the time I realized my mistake, the stairs and door had disappeared. I stumbled having taken that first step only for it to be gone. Outside and alone, I wondered if my blunder would cost me my life.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Of all the stupid things to happen, I thought. I shook my head as the cold penetrated my dress down to my bones. Funny how I hadn’t felt it during the fight earlier. Adrenaline was an amazing thing.

  Eventually, someone would open the doors? I almost sat, prepared to wait it out. I also considered walking through the maze of hedges to ward off the chill by continuing to move. But would Flynn come looking for me? An image of Morgana no doubt keeping him company made that doubtful.

  A sound sliced the eerie quietness. I peered out into the stillness of white and green waiting to hear it again. When it came, I determined it wasn’t a sound as much as it was a disturbance to silence. And it came from my left.

  I got to my feet and headed like the main character in a horror movie towards the noise. It could be stupid, but then again, I had nothing left to loose. I rounded the corner to another side of the fortress to find Tristrom practicing battle moves with a sword.

  Besides my utter relief at finding I wasn’t alone, I was transfixed by his combative dance. It was fluid with a grace ballet dancers would envy. Yet, his strikes and parries were very much deadly. Enough battles and training had taught me to envy such practiced refinement.

  Needing to do something to work the chill out of my bones and connect with Tristrom in any way, I picked up a short sword left in a pile of weapons off to the side. I wasn’t very good at wielding a sword, but Luke had done his best to give me pointers during our few training session in case the situation would ever arise. Images of prom night tried to force their way back to the surface, but I pushed it away. Instead, I jumped into the fray as Tristrom spun.

  With his back to me, he must have been in his own world, clueless that I’d walked over because his eyes became saucers when my sword connected with his as he spun in my direction. The clash of metal reverberated up my arm, but I held on. Tristrom actually grinned with approval as he lifted his sword and went in for another strike. I wouldn’t be able to beat him with the weapon I held. He was taller, had a longer reach and a longer sword. So I did what I did best. Smaller and faster, I dodged his blows. I only used the sword when his slashes almost connected and I had no other choice. We went at it for a while as it became fun when I continued to survive his punishing attack. Still, I wore a dress, and it was only a matter of time before it became a problem. When I went down, Tristrom leveled the point of the sword at my neck.

  Our eyes locked. His expression telegraphed battle ready. Gone was the smile that graced his face earlier. I was sweating and breathing hard waiting for him to end it. Then he grinned and pulled back. He held out a hand, and I took it. Standing again, he bowed. I might have bowed too, but my chest would have been put on display. So I curtseyed.

  Lots of airtime went unused, until I said, “You’re really good.”

  He nodded. And I thought that would be the end of it. But after an awkward pause, he said, “You too.”

  After a beat of pause, he moved towards the stack of swords. I caught up with him not wanting things to end there.

  I had to walk backward to get into his line of vision. “Not anywhere near as awesome as you. Maybe if you have time, you can show me some moves.”

  He straightened. Not wanting to give him a chance to say no, I continued. “It’s just, I’m pretty bored here. I don’t have anything to do. And to be honest, knowing how to fight off an attack is important for any girl.”

  Something I said worked, because gradually he nodded. Then, he pointed and spoke as if it pained him. “Not the right sword for you.”

  He held out his hand, and I gave over the weapon. He bent, laid the one I had down and sorted through the half a dozen other swords on the ground. He picked up an unlikely choice. It was slightly longer and slimmer than the one I’d chosen.

  I took it as he held it to me hilt first. I couldn’t explain it, but it felt right in my hands, not too light or too heavy. He moved behind me and adjusted my grip. Once he was satisfied, he began to show me how to wield it by guiding my hand as if it were an extension of his own. Then he wordlessly taught me the first movement in his battle dance. And although he was behind me for most of it, I never felt like he was coming onto me or taking advantage of his proximity. His training was pure in teacher-student roles.

  We were at the part where I was testing out my newly learned moves in his pretend attack when Larrison showed up. I removed my sword from its position at near a vulnerable spot at Tristrom’s thigh where he would bleed out quickly if I’d chosen to cut him.

  “I should have known.” Larrison stared pointedly at me. “You would choose to get to know him properly but not me. I should be offended because he’s a bastard, and I’m the heir.”

  I’d reached my limit or maybe I was running on a high after feeling like a warrior from Tristrom’s patient and silent but effective teaching. Add to that, I was sweaty and annoyed that Larrison had come to storm on my parade.

  “You’re a pompous obstinate jerk, who’s too full of himself that no wants to know him better.”

  Larrison arched a brow, and his smile became broader. He put his hands together and clapped. “You are an interesting human. Most of your ilk wouldn’t know a curse unless it had four letters. But you… you are a most interesting creature. Beautiful and intelligent, with a mouth worthy of kissing as well as listening to.”

  I hadn’t expected that and just stood there frowning.

  “And, the lady can fight I see. I wonder what you would do with a real opponent.”

  There wasn’t a good reason to fight Larrison other than to see him on his ass. But embarrassing him further after what happened with Flynn didn’t sound like a good idea.

  He reached down without ever taking his eyes off me and maybe Tristrom’s too. He selected a sword and said, “Now let’s see what you’ve got.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Tristrom moved like lightening to stand in front of me. “Fight me.” There was a long pause before he added, “Brother.”

  I shifted enough to see Larrison’s reaction. “Why would I do that? I’ve beaten you enough times. It’s not interesting anymore. Her on the other hand…” A sly grin grew on his face.

  Tristrom moved slightly to block Larrison’s view of me. He took his time before responding. “I’ll make it worth your while.”

  “And what could you possibly offer me that’s more interesting than her.”

  Larrison stepped and Tristrom moved to block. It was almost intimate, their posturing. Finally, Tristrom said, “I’ll give you what you want.”

  I’d leaned to the side just enough I didn’t miss Larrison’s shocked face. His eyes went wide, and his mouth made a tiny O sound.

  Larrison was very interested, and he wanted badly. Curiosity burned in me. “And if by some miracle you win, what should you want?”

  “You’ll leave her alone.”

  Larrison’s glee came too quickly, but I couldn’t see what had made him so happy. Whatever Tristrom offered must have been really awesome.

  “You have a deal brother,” Larrison said, holding out a hand. “Shall we begin?”

  There weren’t any more words. They moved into position vaguely where I’d initially found Tristrom. The attack happened without a count of three, but Tristrom was ready for him. The clang of their swords was loud, but no one came running. Larrison may have appeared the buffoon in his fight with Flynn, but he knew how to handle a sword. He didn’t have the grace that Tristrom had, but he held his own. Several strikes had me cupping a hand to my mouth so I didn’t scream in distress and cause Tristrom to loose concentration like I’d done to Flynn earlier.

  They appeared evenly matched as they continued to strike, block and parry with no one getting the upper hand. I rooted for Tristrom because he was the lesser of the two evils. Plus, I hoped based on his willingness to fight for me, meant I’d pegged him wrong. Maybe he hadn’t set me up all those other times, Maybe it had only been just an unfortunate coincidence. Still, I wouldn’t let my guard down. It could be just another form of manipulation.

  Larrison lunged forward, and as if Tristrom had grown bored with the fight, he made a move with a kick to Larrison’s exposed calf that sent Larrison to his back. Tristrom’s sword was at Larrison’s neck much like he’d done to me when I went down. Only he didn’t smile.

  There was a heavy pause before Larrison let go of his sword and move to hold his hands palm up in a show of surrender. Tristrom’s eyes were dark as if he were calculating his options. I didn’t step in this time to plead for Tristrom not to kill him.

  “Are we done here… brother?”

  “Yes. Fine. We’re done,” Larrison spit.

  Tristrom moved back as Larrison took his time getting to his feet. He picked up the sword and walked in my direction. I had no idea if he would try anything, but I held my ground, ready to defend myself if I had to. But Larrison only dropped his sword onto the pile and gave me a wicked sneer. He turned and walked back towards the disappearing entrance to the fortress. Tristrom stood, eyes held on Larrison until the guy rounded the corner.

  Then, he held out his hand and took my sword. He placed both his and the one I’d used on the pile. He began to wrap them in a cloth I hadn’t noticed before while taking furtive glances towards the sky. I glanced up too, not seeing anything but the cloudless sky. Then he stood and held out a hand. The earth sunk underneath the wrapped weapons only for grass to cover them as if the hole had never existed.

  “Cool,” I accidently said out loud.

  He glanced at me, then back to the sky. A wailing wind kicked up from out of nowhere. Tristrom grabbed my hand, and it was a good thing. We headed towards the fortress entrance as if against gale-force winds. And the cold, I thought I might catch frostbite before we made it the several yards ahead. Tiny pieces of ices began to rain against our skin as if propelled by a gun. Almost to the stairs, the hail began to grow in size and snow fell too.

  Tristrom was nearly at the top when the stairs began to disappear. It happened so fast; I ended up hanging precariously by Tristrom’s grip alone. I dangled with several feet beneath me. It wasn’t a death-defying fall. But once down, there would be no way to the platform unless I grew wings.

  He tried to heave me up as he took the last few steps to the top. But he slipped on the snow bringing him closer to the edge of the platform that remained. The cold and snow made his grip slip. He ended up flat on his belly with me about to fall in the pile of snow that had freakishly accumulated. I reached with my other hand to the ledge trying to gain a grip. I needed to help not hinder his attempt to get me to the top. But the snow and my frozen hands made it impossible.

  I caught sight of the closing doors behind him. And I made a decision. “Let me go,” I called out against the howling wind. “Let me go,” I repeated myself because after my first plea there was a look of horror in Tristrom’s eyes. It was then I knew I could trust him. But I wouldn’t let another person die because of me. I released my hold on his hand and waited for the inevitable fall.

  It didn’t come. With a herculean grip, Tristrom swung me up and over onto the platform. With the snow and ice, I slid across to and through the narrow gap in the door. When I stood, it was too late. The doors had vanished leaving Tristrom on the outside.

  I ran at the wall and beat it with my fist. I yelled his name over and over again until a figure stepped from the shadows.

  “What would you do to get me to open the door?”

  Larrison looked positively pleased with himself as if he’d constructed this very scenario. I had a moment to wonder if I’d been duped again. I glanced around hoping for another Fey I could bargain with to open the door. I couldn’t live with myself if Tristrom died. Even if it turned out to be a farce, I would sleep better at night knowing I’d done the right thing.

  With not a soul or Fey in sight, I was forced to make a deal with the devil.

  “What do you want? I thought you weren’t supposed to bother me anymore?” I asked not wanting to waste anymore time. I was still shivering from the storm that had come out of nowhere, possibly by Larrison’s own design.

  “I’m not bothering you, am I? I’m offering my assistance.” He was a little too self-assured.

  “Fine, what do you want from me?”

  I could have sworn his eyes glittered. “I want you to kiss me willingly.”

  Okay, he could have asked for a lot of things. That was hardly a big deal, at least I didn’t think so.

  “Fine. Do it. Open the doors.”

  He acknowledged our agreement by a wave of his hand. The doors appeared and began to open. I didn’t wait for them to open all the way. I stared out and saw nothing through the thick snow that continued to fall. An overhang covered the platform and beyond that the stairs were still gone. A glance to the left yielded nothing. To the right, a huddled figure in the corner was covered with snow.

  “Tristrom,” I called out and wondered why as yet no one had come with all the racket I caused. Where were the soldiers when you needed some?

  I hand burst through the snowman like figure. I glanced back to see Larrison watching intently. I had no idea if he would close the doors if I went all the way out. I didn’t wait another second to find out. I headed out into the blizzard and reached my hand to take Tristrom’s. As if he needed my strength to move, I heaved back, and he stood with my help. Covered in bits of snow and ice, he moved slowly, but he moved.

  Surprisingly, the door remained partially opened and with frostbite nipping at our heels. Tristrom and I made it back inside to shake off snow, ice and what felt like an everlasting chill.

  We shivered as Larrison appeared totally unaffected by the cold.

  “You got what you wanted, now it’s time for you to make good on your bargain,” Larrison was quick to say.

  Tristrom mouth opened, but a footman appeared.

  “Queen Mab has requested your presence, both of you.”

  The footman eyed both boys but never glanced at me. So I hadn’t been summoned. The boys nodded and followed after the guy leaving me alone in the hall. Once they were far enough ahead and turned a corner, I made my way passed a full banquet hall. Lunch or dinner was being served to a full crowd. Music I missed earlier played and that had to be why no one had come. They hadn’t heard me.

  I quickly passed the smells that made my stomach involuntarily growl. In my room, I closed my door and dusted the rest of snow and ice that still clung to me. I longed for a heated bath as the cold didn’t shake away.

  I paced not knowing what to do next. Flynn was with Morgana, and we needed to talk. I tried not to be jealous. I had no right to be. However, we needed to discuss the game plan. I needed to know where his head was at and what if anything we should do about Larrison. Just when I was sure I'd worn in an indivisible path into the carpet, I headed to my door prepared to find Flynn’s room and interrupt whatever was going on. I opened it to find Madeline on the other side.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  She crowded me, forcing me back. There was a little Fey with flittering wings at her side, but I didn't have time to worry about whoever it was. Madeline’s hand was around my throat, crushing it in a matter of seconds. I couldn’t speak. I had no breath.

  I could've fought back. But the fact that she held me off the ground single-handedly meant with a flick of her wrists she could break my neck easily. I stayed limp trying to conserve energy.

  "It seems your Flynn has embarrassed my son. And while you are the cause, I can do nothing to you if I’m to keep my word. However, Flynn didn't bargain for himself. And while it would be a loss, I cannot let this disrespect go unpunished. And once he is gone, our bargain will be no more. And well, you will be less than nothing in my careful hands."

  I tried to croak out a response, but nothing but garbled noises escaped my throat.

  "What was that dear?" She leaned slightly as if she was truly trying to hear me. She loosened her grip just enough so I can suck in a breath.

  "We are sorry. Please forgive us." I whispered feeling the jagged edges of her sharpened nails.

 

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