Chapter 17

My plea went unanswered, swallowed by the vast expanse of the Unseelie lands. I stood alone on the balcony, feeling as insignificant as a pebble in a desolate, rocky terrain filled with towering, dark trees that whispered sinister secrets. Shadows danced at the edges of my vision, and the air hummed with an undercurrent of danger that raised goosebumps on my skin.

I don't know how long I stayed there, staring out into the darkness, hoping for a sign of Justice. Minutes stretched into hours, and the moon and stars slowly shifted overhead, casting an ethereal glow on the landscape. The air turned cooler, and a shiver ran through my body, but I couldn't bring myself to move. It wasn't until my eyelids grew heavy, threatening to close against my will, that I finally stumbled back into the room.

Exhausted and heartbroken, I collapsed onto the soft mattress, the luxurious bedding offering little comfort. Sleep tugged at the edges of my consciousness, but my mind refused to rest. It constantly replayed memories of Justice as I worried about his fate. I curled into a ball, hugging my knees to my chest as tears soaked the pillow beneath my cheek. In the suffocating silence of the room, I whispered one last prayer. "Please, let him be safe. Let him find his way back to me."

I blinked as a tapping sound echoed through the room. Groaning, I looked toward the balcony, expecting to see a bird at the window, but there was nothing.

"Ms. Grant," a male voice called, accompanied by another series of taps.

Realization dawned on me as my groggy brain put the pieces together. It was most likely my guard knocking at the door. I stumbled out of bed and opened the door, confirming my suspicions.

The guard stood tall, his posture rigid and his expression neutral. He gave me a tight smile. "The king has requested you join him for breakfast."

I wanted to scream. Breakfast was the last thing on my mind. All I could think about was finding Justice and going to the Veil of the Shadows. We had to locate the library and uncover our first clue.

The guard gestured. "If you'll follow me."

I held up my palm. "Wait. I just woke up and need a minute."

He bowed, his jaw clenching almost imperceptibly. "As you wish." The irritation in his voice was unmistakable as if he couldn't believe I would dare to defy his king.

Not wanting to annoy Garrick and risk being thrown in the dungeon, I raced into the bathroom. I winced as I caught sight of my reflection. No wonder the guard looked at me like I was a peasant. My red-stained eyes and cheeks were swollen from crying, and my hair resembled a tangled mess, like I had stuck it in a blender.

I quickly freshened up, washing my face, brushing my teeth, and combing my hair until it looked somewhat presentable. I grabbed my bow and quiver. When I finally emerged from the bathroom, the guard blinked in surprise as if he couldn't believe the transformation.

In the daylight, sunshine streamed through the stained-glass windows, casting a warm, colorful glow. The statues that seemed villainous in the darkness now appeared friendly, their features softened by the gentle light. As I followed the guard through the halls, I glanced at the paintings and tapestries adorning the walls, wondering about the history of the Unseelie and how they connected to Garrick.

As we approached the dining room, the aroma of roasting meats and baking bread wafted through the air, making my stomach growl in anticipation. My mouth watered at the tantalizing scents, and I couldn't help but look forward to the meal ahead.

Garrick was already seated at the table. He looked different from the composed, confident king I had met before. Red rimmed his eyes, indicating a long night of drinking, and his face was tight as if struggling to keep his emotions in check. The sight of him in such a state tugged at my heart, reminding me that beneath his regal exterior, he was a man who had suffered the loss of his true love.

"Good morning." Garrick's gaze swept over me. Despite his haggard appearance, a small smile played at the corners of his lips. "You look beautiful as ever."

I smirked and cocked an eyebrow as I took my seat next to him. I placed my weapons beside my chair. "Yeah, right, but thank you."

A servant approached the table, carrying a steaming pot. As he poured a dark, fragrant liquid into my cup, the rich aroma of coffee filled my nostrils. I inhaled deeply, savoring the comforting scent.

I ran my fingers through my hair. "Garrick, I?—"

"You need to keep your strength up where we're going," he interrupted, his tone firm yet not unkind. "Food is scarce in the Veil of Shadows, not to mention the dangers that lurk there."

His logic was irrefutable. Despite my reservations, I forced myself to eat. The offerings on the table were as strange as they were fascinating. The scrambled eggs were an eerie shade of green, reminiscent of a whimsical dish from Dr. Seuss' Green Eggs and Ham, yet somehow more sinister.

Beside the eggs lay strips of what resembled crispy bacon but darker, almost black, giving off a rich, smoky aroma. Fresh-baked bread, darker than any rye I had seen, was paired with an assortment of fruits that seemed to absorb rather than reflect light. Among them were deep purple berries, blood-red slices of what could only be apples, though darker than any I'd ever known, and other fruits of odd shapes and hues.

Each item was touched with the realm's inherent shadow, making even a simple meal a reminder of the strange and perilous world Garrick called home.

I forced myself to dip my fork into the eggs and take a bite. The fluffy green eggs were surprisingly creamy, and I gobbled down two more bites before I realized it.

Garrick cocked an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Do you like them? Those eggs come from the shadowglenn harrier."

"What does it look like?" I asked, my curiosity piqued. "Is it green like the eggs?"

He finished his last piece of dark bacon and gave me a small smile. "Yes, it is. The shadowglenn harrier is a medium-sized bird, comparable to a peacock or a swan in your world. Their feathers are almost translucent, shifting between shades of deep green and black, allowing them to blend seamlessly into the forests they inhabit." He paused, his smile turning mischievous. "If we ever find ourselves starving in the wilderness, at least we know we could feast on them."

"You're a good hunter?" I could barely keep the skepticism from my tone.

He laughed. "No, you are."

A flush of pride rolled over me at his compliment, but I quickly glanced at the men standing at attention behind me, their armor gleaming in the soft light of the dining room. "Aren't you having your royal entourage come on this little adventure of ours?"

He shook his head, his expression turning serious. "No. The Grimoire doesn't like large numbers. The creature considers large groups a threat, and it could become violent if it feels threatened. We must be cautious not to provoke its wrath, for the consequences could be dire."

His words sent a chill down my spine. I wondered what kind of creature the Grimoire was and what powers it possessed. It must be incredibly powerful if even the Unseelie, especially their king, were wary of it.

An hour later, Garrick and I headed out the door. My nerves twisted together, and I wished I hadn't eaten so much food. My stomach felt like an anchor, dropping to my feet and slowing me down with each step.

Garrick had dressed for the occasion in leather pants, high boots, and a black shirt. His brown hair cascaded over his shoulders, catching the sunlight and creating a halo effect reminiscent of a lion's mane. He strode past guards without a word.

I thought Garrick's behavior was strange, and I quickly caught up with him. "Aren't you going to say anything to your men?"

He stole a glance at me, his expression unreadable. "I already spoke to them while you were getting ready. They know what to do."

"Which is?" I prompted.

Garrick's voice trailed off, his attention suddenly focused on something in the distance. I followed his gaze, and my heart skipped a beat. Something was moving directly toward us, kicking up a massive cloud of dust that swirled in the air like a miniature whirlwind. My heart thumped harder, pushing against my ribs. Fear shot through me, and my muscles tensed as I prepared for the worst.

"What is that?" I whispered.

Garrick's jaw clenched. "Trouble," he replied grimly, reaching for the hilt of his sword.

Guards rushed behind us with their swords drawn. Archers lined the roof, ready to shoot.

The dark storm grew closer, gaining speed as it ate the ground, but something was inside the cloud. Something angry, something dangerous.

And we stood in its path.