Chapter 26

Chapter Twenty-Six

T his was a very bad idea. Probably the worst idea she’d ever had. Gwen stumbled, falling for the third time. It was pitch-black outside. She couldn’t even see her hand in front of her face. With arms outstretched, she continued forward, away from the keep.

She began to chant the spell warding herself from being seen and sensed. Perhaps if she built a bubble, she could avoid trees or worse, cliffs. She ran into a tree limb and yelped in pain. So much for that idea.

She’d remained in Tristan’s room for hours, chanting the freeing spell over the sleeping Tristan, again and again. While chanting, her sacrifice became clear. Suddenly she knew what the sacrifice was, and it tore her entire being to shreds.

Was she willing to sacrifice everything to save a man? Leave the life she knew forever and risk losing her own life?

Four men had been living here, in this utterly horrible place, for hundreds of years. They’d been toyed with and tortured, held in limbo with no hope.

Picturing her sisters, tears trickled down her face. Sabrina and Tabitha would understand, but they would be heartbroken.

Her mind was made up. If she had to remain here and take Tristan’s place, she would do it.

Whether or not Clara was here, was not clear. In truth, Gwen doubted the child had been held here, but she would find out.

The decision part was easy, but now outside in the darkness, she began to have second thoughts. Perhaps she should have formulated a better plan. Something more than just getting out of the keep undetected and running away, in hopes Meliot’s minions would find her and take her back to his castle.

When she was snatched up and carried away, she felt almost relieved. Whatever carried her didn’t seem to be affected by her ward spell. Flying up into the air, Gwen suppressed a scream. Whatever the creature, it was surprisingly gentle in the way it held her in his huge claws. The sound of its wings flapping and the wind whooshing past let her know they moved at a very fast speed.

After what seemed like an hour, she saw lights.

Meliot’s castle was ahead. Her plan had worked.

The dragon—she could see the animal now—landed in a clearing and deposited her, again with surprising gentleness. He stood beside her, as if waiting for someone to approach. She stole a glance at the dragon. Its red eyes scanned the area, looking for movement. If she didn’t know any better, she’d swear the huge beast protected her. However, if he killed anyone that tried to come near her, she wouldn’t be able to meet with Meliot.

“I need to go to the castle. Can you help me?” Gwen asked the dragon. His intelligent eyes met hers, but he didn’t budge.

She chanted the spell to break Tristan free again, just to be safe. Then she turned back to the beast. “Can you take me to Meliot?” He crouched down, placing his head on the ground, his eyes closed. Gwen took a step away and his eyes flashed open. She held her hands up. “Okay, not moving.”

Black wolves moved in the distance. They circled but didn’t come near. She wondered if these were shifters or just sentinels. The dragon lifted his head and growled. The wolves shifted nervously, but didn’t leave.

Gwen turned to the dragon; he studied the wolves, ignoring her. “I need to go to that castle.” She pointed toward the building. “Either take me over there or let me go on my own.”

“There are better methods to kill oneself.” A beautiful man walked towards the dragon and her. “I believe your magic cannot best Meliot’s.”

Tall, dark, and handsome, he was the personification of a fairy-tale prince. He walked to the dragon and stroked his head. “Well done.”

“I need to speak to Meliot. Can you think of a better way?” She studied him. “Who are you?”

“I am Sterling. This is Caspian.” He motioned to the dragon. “He must have sensed your distress and went to find you.” Sterling’s cerulean-blue eyes searched her face. “Are you the enchantress who visited my sisters?”

Gwen couldn’t believe her luck. Of all times for a prince to come to her rescue, he came when she didn’t want it. She bit back the urge to laugh.

The resemblance to his sisters became obvious. His almost chestnut-brown, shoulder-length hair, his brilliant blue eyes and the same pale, perfect complexion were identical to Esmeralda and Rubiana’s. Unlike his sisters, Sterling dressed in modern attire, thick leather jacket, jeans, and biker boots.

He looked toward the castle and shook his head. “You can summon him, but I wouldn’t go any nearer. The sentinels don’t exactly stop and ask your purpose for visiting before tearing limb from limb.”

Gwen grimaced at the thought and glanced to the wolves. “How do I summon him?” She asked, getting aggravated, wanting to get this confrontation over with before losing her nerve.

The prince stuck out his hand. A black amulet hung from it. “Take this. Wait until I leave, then call him.” He gave her a long look. “Are you sure?”

Gwen nodded. “Yes.”

“It is a mistake. You cannot trust him. But it is your decision.” Sterling patted the dragon’s head, and it pushed itself upright, spreading its wings and flying away gracefully. He whistled, and a large white horse came out of the trees. Of course.

“The best defense is the truth.” Sterling said, and with that he jumped into the saddle and turned to leave.

“Hey, Charming?” Gwen called. When he turned, she waved. “Thank you.”

“It’s Sterling, and again I advise against what you are about to do.” He rode away, not looking back.

“Crap.” Gwen stared at the amulet. Am I really doing this? “Meliot!” She shouted, “I need to talk to you.”

Nothing happened. So she tried again.

This time there was a soft rustle of wind, followed by a dark puff of smoke, and the wizard appeared. Once again, she was taken aback by the malevolence that emanated from him.

“I don’t like to be summoned,” he told her, his black eyes narrowing at the amulet hanging from her hand. “Give that to me.”

“I don’t think so,” Gwen replied, pulling it on over her head. “It’s not mine to give away.”

She tried to appear nonchalant as fear gripped her. Her nails bit into her fisted palms, clenched tight to keep from shaking. “I came to complete the last part of the freeing spell and break the enchantment. The sacrificial portion is mine, I believe.”

The wizard’s eyes widened. He actually looked surprised. “You can’t possibly be serious. You have no idea what you are doing, paltry witch.”

Pacing before her, it was obvious he was considering a way to thwart her plans.

“You have to accept it, Meliot. You made the rules. You can’t break them. Unless what they say about you is true.” His head snapped to her, eyes narrowed. “That you never keep your word, that when bested you devise another hurdle to be passed.”

“I am not above reproach, however I’ve yet to be bested,” he retorted angrily, spittle flying from his lips. Good, she’d struck a nerve. “Do you have any idea what will be asked of you?” His eyes gleamed, his lips curved into a smile giving her chills.

“Yes, I do.”

“I am here to take Clara’s place.”