Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

A lex tucked me close to his side and we stepped through the portal into the fae realm. My senses were immediately overwhelmed by the sights and sounds surrounding us. The air hummed with a vibrant energy I associated with Alex. As a prince of the realm, it made sense. He was connected to it on a level I couldn't comprehend.

The scent of blooming flowers and fresh greenery filled my nostrils. Alex led the way with a confident stride. His body came alive with every step he took. His hair got shinier, his skin started glowing and he stood taller. Squeezing his fingers, I glanced over and made sure that Tegan, Eve, Faith, and Damon were following closely behind. A smirk lifted my lips when I noted Damon's expression. His eyes were wide with wonder. He had good reason to look that way. It was a stunning sight.

Towering ancient trees formed a majestic canopy overhead. Their branches reached out like guardian arms. Sunlight filtered through the foliage and cast a gentle, dappled glow upon the vibrant flora that carpeted the forest floor. We made our way past charming fae dwellings and through a town where the Glade of Whispers was located until finally, the Castle of Eldergrove was evident in the distance.

It was a grand and elegant structure that seemed to rise from the very heart of the realm. Towering walls that were adorned with intricate carvings and lush ivy enclosed the sprawling grounds like a protective embrace. The entrance gate swung open with a whisper when we got close to the castle.

"Wow," Damon breathed, his voice filled with awe as he took in the sight before him. "I've never seen anything like this."

"I was the same way the first time I visited," I replied with a smirk. "Welcome to the fae realm, where everything is a little...extra."

Damon's eyes were wide as he took in the shimmering quartz towers and graceful archways that adorned the castle. "Is this all real? Or is there a glamor overlaying the actual structure?" he asked Alex.

Alex chuckled and a knowing smile played on his lips. "It's as real as it gets," he confirmed, leading us further into the courtyard.

The path leading to the castle was lined with blooming flowers of every hue. Their delicate petals released a captivating fragrance that perfumed the air. Damon reached out to touch a nearby bloom. His childlike wonder was infectious and surprising. "These flowers are incredible. How are they so colorful? I've only seen that with spells," he marveled.

"Careful, they bite," I quipped. That earned a playful shove from Eve.

Damon shot me a mock glare before turning back to Alex. "This is where you grew up?" he asked curiously.

Alex nodded. There was a hint of nostalgia in his eyes. "Yeah. It was a great place to be a kid. Servants to get you anything you wanted. Countless hidden passages to explore and escape to. And parents who doted on us. This place holds a lot of memories," he replied as he led us through the grand entrance .

Damon's jaw practically dropped at the sight before him when we stepped into the opulent interior of the castle. Ornate tapestries adorned the walls. I knew from what Alex told me on my first visit that they depicted scenes of fae legends and heroic tales. Then there were the elegant corridors. They'd take you to private chambers that were uniquely decorated to reflect the inhabitant's personality.

"You would think growing up the son of a god would be a lot like you described, but it wasn't. My mother raised me, and she struggled to support us after her family and town shunned her," Damon murmured. My head spun around, and I gaped at the demigod. I hadn't expected that. A million questions raced through my head. I wanted to know more about his early childhood but kept the questions to myself.

"You haven't seen anything yet," Alex remarked as he took us toward the Great Hall at the heart of the palace.

Damon's eyes widened as he took in the elaborate woodwork that gave the hall its distinctive look. It was a grand room with more intricate tapestries and a towering fireplace that crackled with magical flames.

"This is where it all happens," Alex explained with a sweeping gesture around the hall. "Feasts, ceremonies, you name it."

Damon's head was back as he nodded. He was busy taking in the rich history and enchantment that thrived within the Castle of Eldergrove. The air in there shimmered Alex's familial energy. After generations it had infused the opulent surroundings with an aura of regality.

The marble floors beneath our feet were polished to a mirror-like sheen and reflected the warm, golden light that emanated from ornate crystal chandeliers hanging above. That was my favorite part. It reminded me of the night sky reflected on the lake not far from Ravenholde.

Damon wandered over to one of the intricately-carved pillars. He ran a hand over the delicate vines and blooming flowers. He even cocked his head to the side. "They move courtesy of the fae elemental power," I explained.

"Mi'lady is correct," one of the staff members said. "She's got an astute eye. Is there anything I can get you, Lady Nishi?" He dipped his upper half into a bow with his hand over his chest.

I gaped at him and looked around the room. Several others were staring at me. When they saw me looking, they gave me the same deferential nods. The respectful gestures felt almost surreal. Why the hell were they treating me like that?

Shaking it off, I returned their smiles and shook my head. "No, thank you."

Faith bumped my shoulder. "Did you elope with Alex and forget to tell us?" There was a mischievous glint in her eye.

Rolling my eyes, I gave her a look that promised retribution one day. "You'll be the first to know when I do," I quipped back.

She and Eve snickered as we ventured further into the palace. I got more bows and offers of service as we traveled through the corridors. It was unnerving. I sighed in relief when we finally reached the throne room and were greeted by the queen herself. "Nishi! It's so good to see you," she gushed as she welcomed me with open arms and embraced me like a long-lost friend.

The queen's warmth took me by surprise and her familiarity left me momentarily bewildered. I quickly brushed aside my confusion and focused on the task at hand. "It's good to see you as well. Let me introduce our new friend. This is Damon, one of Apollo's sons. He's been helping us with Miletus."

Alex's mom inclined her head to Damon. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Damon lifted the queen's hand and kissed the back of it. "The pleasure is all mine. Your home and realm are exquisite. I have never seen anything more beautiful."

Alex's mom preened and smiled broadly before turning back to me. "What brings you by? Don't get me wrong. You're always welcome, but I sense you need something. "

I smiled at her. "You're right. We came because we're hoping you can help us with something."

The queen slipped her arm through mine and walked me to a table on the side of the throne room where there were refreshments. "Of course. What can I do to help?"

I shared a look with Alex who nodded that I should continue. "Miletus has injured one of my huntresses and I need to find a necromancer to help her," I explained as succinctly as possible.

The queen's expression shifted, and a furrow formed between her brows. "I'm not sure I can help you. Necros are elusive beings," she explained. "They've long been hunted for their abilities. A long time ago they were forced into hiding to escape being used to do the evil of others."

I nodded in understanding. "So we've been told. I wouldn't ask but this is a matter of utmost urgency," I told her honestly. "We wouldn't seek their aid unless it was absolutely necessary."

The queen regarded me with a solemn gaze for several tense seconds before she let out a sigh. "I swore I would never reveal this information to anyone. But I trust you, Nishi," she said softly.

I swallowed past the lump in my throat. "Thank you. That means a lot to me."

"There is one in the woods known as Thornshade Whisperwood. You'll find her in the woods north of the palace. But tread carefully. The woods are fraught with peril. And Thornshade is no ordinary necromancer."

Alex pressed a kiss to her cheek and murmured, "We will be careful. Thank you, Mother. We will return for dinner."

She smiled widely at him and cupped his face. "I will have the cooks make your favorites."

We all told her how much we appreciated her willingness to give us the information and she hugged me again before we left. We exited the palace courtyard and made our way around the structure. Damon's head was on a swivel as he took in everything around us .

Before we knew it, the landscape shifted around us. It transformed from idyllic meadows to shadowy groves cloaked in an eerie twilight. The air hummed with the whisper of unseen forces. It stirred a primal unease within me. And my friends, from the look of it. My hand went to my kris knives in the back of my waistband, but I didn't pull one out.

Alex and I shared a look, and he shook his head. "It's okay," he told us all.

Faith blew out a breath and cracked her knuckles. "It had better be, Prince. If we get attacked, I will kick your ass."

I smacked her shoulder and focused on the path we were walking along. It was more trampled grass than an actual pathway. It wound its way through the heart of the Whisperwood forest. The dense canopy cast a gloomy pall over our surroundings and blocked out the sun. The trees here changed to fit the atmosphere. They had twisted branches and gnarled trunks. I swear they were leering at us like grumpy old men.

Eve's hand grabbed mine. Her voice was hushed with trepidation. "Something doesn't feel right," she murmured as her eyes darted nervously between the looming shadows.

I couldn't agree more. The oppressive atmosphere of the woods pressed down upon us like a suffocating blanket. It made me want to flee from its grasp. My head swiveled to Alex who pressed on. It was a good thing because we needed to find Thornshade Whisperwood.

"Why is it so quiet?" Tegan asked curiously.

Alex sighed and shook his arms out. It was only then that I realized how rigidly he'd been holding himself. "These woods have a reputation," he began in a voice tinged with a hint of nostalgia and uncertainty. He was as frightened as the rest of us. "When we were kids, our parents used to tell us stories about the Thornshade Whisperwoods. They said it was a place best avoided because dangerous dark fae lurked there. They were waiting to ensnare unsuspecting travelers. "

"Sounds like stories parents tell their kids about the Bogeyman." I recalled the cautionary tales of my youth. "So, what kind of fae are we talking about?" I asked. My curiosity was piqued by Alex's words. I knew better than anyone how real things were in the Shrouded Nation and knew we needed to be prepared.

"Nobody really knows. No one comes in here," Alex admitted. His gaze swept the shadowy depths of the forest. "The stories are enough to keep everyone away, even the adults."

Tegan's eyes widened. She was fascinated with the mystery of the woods. "Why would they want to keep people away?"

Damon offered his insight. "Perhaps to protect something hidden within," he suggested as he held a low branch up for us to pass beneath. "Maybe a powerful fae, like a necromancer."

The mention of a necromancer sent a chill down my spine. The thought of such dark magic lurking in the depths of the forest filled me with unease. "That's it! I bet the stories were designed to keep people away from the necromancer!"

Alex pressed a kiss to the top of my head. "My thoughts exactly," Alex confirmed. "And it seems they've done their job well."

A few seconds later, our progress was impeded by natural barriers that seemed intent on thwarting our advance. Thick vines and thorny brambles snaked across our path. They formed impenetrable barriers that blocked our way forward. Alex and Damon exchanged a glance. My breath caught when their hands went to their weapons. What was I missing? Was there a dark fae nearby or did they simply want to hack through the obstacle?

"No!" Eve shouted. Her scream made us all jump. My hand flew to my chest as I gaped at her. "We shouldn't resort to violence. If what you are saying is true, there is no need to cause damage to this forest. It might be dark, but we should still respect it. Use your fae powers to persuade the plants to let us pass. Show them that we mean no harm."

Alex looked at her with an odd expression before he nodded. We watched as he focused his energy on the tangled mass before us. With a whispered incantation, he reached out with his magic and coaxed the branches to unwind and part. In less than a minute he'd made the thorny tendrils withdraw like reluctant sentinels.

Wrapping an arm around Eve's shoulders as we continued, I told her, "You likely saved those two from getting cut to pieces." I jerked my chin toward Alex and Damon, so she knew who I was referring to. We continued for another fifteen minutes until we emerged from the oppressive confines of Whisperwood forest.

Our eyes fell upon a dark, cave-like structure nestled amidst the shadowy foliage. "What is that?" I breathed.

Faith narrowed her eyes and scanned the structure. "Is it the home of the necromancer?"

Alex lifted a shoulder and continued toward the foreboding abode. The dwelling stood at the heart of the woods. It was unlike what I had expected. I pictured a large Gothic manor with spiderwebs and a graveyard out front. Not this formidable structure that seemed to merge seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. Its exterior was weathered and worn. Yet, despite its age, there was an undeniable sense of strength and resilience in it.

The most at odds were the clusters of exotic flowers. They adorned the perimeter of the house. Their vibrant hues were a stark contrast to the muted tones of the forest. And each blossom pulsed with a faint light, but it didn't cast a glow upon the surrounding foliage. The only thing that seemed fitting was the thorny vines that twisted around the door frame.

My foot froze in the air when the door was yanked open. Was that the necromancer Thornshade? My insides quivered and my leg shook like jelly. Whoever it was, she wasn't happy to see us. The woman was tall and imposing. Her silver hair cascaded around her shoulders like a cloak of moonlight. It was her piercing green eyes that penetrated through my soul. They were as sharp as Faith's daggers .

Her snarl echoed through the stillness of the woods as she demanded, "Who dares darken my door?"

Alex's calm voice broke the tension, asserting, "My mother, Queen Isabella, sent us to see Thornshade Whisperwood." It was her. The flicker of her eyelids gave her away.

Thornshade's eyes narrowed in suspicion and anger crossed her features. "And why should I believe that?" she countered, her voice laced with venom.

Alex stepped forward, meeting Thornshade's gaze head-on. "I know she vowed never to reveal your location. She feels awful for having to do so now. But this is a matter of life and death. We need your help to stop a powerful madman from taking over the world and ending us all. My mother would never have divulged your whereabouts under any other circumstance."

Thornshade regarded us with a wary gaze. Her lips were pressed into a thin line as she assessed our presence. "I should have known she was no different than the others. I suppose she wants me to do her dirty work now."

Alex shook his head. "Not at all. I'm not the best one to explain what we need. Is it possible to go inside where we can't be overheard?"

After a tense pause, she relented, stepped to the side, and gestured inside her house. "You might as well come in. But be quick before my flowers emit their poisonous gasses. I wouldn't want to hurt Isabella's son."

My eyes widened and moved between my friends. Those things could kill us. Holy shitballs that was scary. My feet carried me inside as fast as possible without breaking out into a full-out run. The dimly-lit interior enveloped us and made me uneasy. There was nothing on the walls. There were dried herbs hanging from the ceiling and candles scattered about. The furnishings were rustic and simplistic.

Thornshade walked into the kitchen, where a rustic wood stove crackled softly in the corner. My friends and I halted at the edge of the living room. We didn't want to piss her off by following her like long, lost puppies.

My boot scuffed the faded rugs beneath our feet and drew my eyes to the rough wood planks. It made me think of what homes were probably like hundreds of years ago. We watched as the necromancer silently grabbed a jar from a shelf along with a teacup. She put leaves into the cup and poured water over them.

Tension hung in the air like a heavy fog, making it difficult to breathe. The necromancer said nothing as she prepared her drink. It was as if we didn't exist at all. "We seek your guidance, Thornshade," Faith said, breaking the silence. Her tone was steady despite her underlying uncertainty. "Like Alex said, it is a matter of life and death."

Thornshade's gaze was softer when she finally turned around. But the anger still simmered beneath the surface. "Very well," she conceded in a voice tight with frustration. "I will help. Not that you will necessarily be able to use it. The Whisperwoods are a place of danger. And not all who enter emerge unscathed."