12. Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Aliya

L ess than a week later, they stood at the edge of the Misty Forest, the official boundary between the human lands and the elven kingdom that housed Filathas. There had been no further sign of Stephen, or Brooks for that matter, much to Aliya's relief. The late morning sun beating on her back offered a sharp contrast to the cool darkness of the woods ahead.

She dug the toe of her boot into the dirt and swallowed hard.

Elessan stepped up beside her. "Are you ready?"

He tried to smile, but it seemed as forced as her answering grin. She reached up to check the tips of her pointed ears.

"You look fine. Better, actually." He cleared his throat and studied the ground.

She focused on her boots to hide the blush creeping up her face. The beige linen skirt and brown tunic she wore were generic enough to pass as either human or elven fashion. At least, so Zadé had promised.

"Oh, come on you two!" The woman in question took a long drink from her waterskin and sighed. "If'n we don't start soon, we'll be standin' here ‘til dusk. Ain't nobody wants ta be here after dark."

Aliya raised an eyebrow, but Zadé didn't respond.

Okay, fine. She'd bite. "Why not?"

Zadé's eyes sparkled. "All the creepy crawlies come out to keep the humans from crossin' the border."

Aliya's eyes widened as she glanced at Elessan. Her father's estate was on the edge of elven territory, as well. She'd never heard of any monsters patrolling the perimeter.

"Zadé's being dramatic," he said. "But there are more patrols at night, and they're unforgiving of foreigners."

Something in his tone had her turning to face him. "You're an elf…surely you're not considered a foreigner?"

Zadé guffawed. "Typical human…just ‘cuz his ears iz pointy don't make him welcome. Mountain, sun, and moon elves don't mix."

"Often," Elessan added.

Aliya bit her lower lip. They had all fought on the same side during the Elven War. She'd assumed they worked together in all facets of life…maybe they were just as disjointed as the humans?

She set that insight aside to examine later.

Hopefully they wouldn't expel Elessan on sight. They hadn't had a chance to discuss their interrupted kiss last week, mostly because he had been obviously reluctant to leave Zadé unsupervised. It would be a shame if whatever was between them was cut short by inter-racial prejudice.

Well, if the moon elves wouldn't welcome him, she wouldn't be staying with them, either. Taking a deep breath, she stepped into the forest.

"I still don't understand how yeh look so much like an elf," Zadé said, jogging a few steps to catch up.

Aliya studied her arms. The skin was paler than normal, like a moon elf's. "I told you—I'm skilled with disguises. A little illusion helps round things out." The lie coated her tongue like sludge, but Zadé had proven she couldn't be trusted to keep her mouth shut.

The path meandered westward, occasionally circling around the roots of a larger tree. Birds escorted them through the woodland, flitting through the branches far above.

"Zadé," she asked, "how long until we reach Filathas?"

"I dunno," she said with a shrug. "Been a few centuries since I visited. Don't think it's more than a couple o' miles."

Elessan frowned.

Aliya crossed her arms and raised her eyebrow.

He met her gaze. Dropping his voice, he muttered, "I don't think the elves would put one of their major cities so close to the border. I suspect we've a day or two of walking to look forward to."

"That's ridicule… ridic… rick… absurd," Zadé said. "Is not a long walk, Elsan. Promise."

Hours later, the sun dipped below the tree line in the distance. Evening came early in the woods. Aliya's feet hurt from hiking, but much less than they had two short weeks ago.

Aliya glanced at Elessan. "Should we start looking for a place to camp?"

He sized up their surroundings. "There's a clearing just up ahead."

The area was flat, and off to the side a fast-flowing creek gurgled.

Aliya blinked as she studied the glade. "This is perfect."

Zadé tumbled down and ended up resting with her back against a tree. Raising her waterskin in a toast, she smiled. "In the elven lands, the forest provides."

"And alerts its guardians when foreigners arrive," Elessan mumbled.

Aliya frowned. "Do we need to be worried?"

He shrugged. "Likely not, but one never knows. Why don't you grab your sword, and we'll spar before dinner?"

She caught the change in subject, but let it go. "Sure, give me a minute to work some feeling back into my toes." Sitting down, she shucked off her pack and shoes, and massaged the soles of her feet. When they weren't hurting enough to distract her from the upcoming lesson, she climbed back up. Elessan tossed her a stick the same length as his swords. With a mischievous smile, she raised the branch at him. Instead of waiting for him to attack, she lunged at his unprotected left hip.

He parried with a laugh, and their dance was on.

Several hours later, Elessan leaned against the rough bark, pretending not to watch the shadowy areas between the trees outside the fire's light. Underneath Zadé's snores, the forest was silent except for the small brook babbling a few feet away. The crickets didn't chirp, and no mice or voles scurried through the underbrush. Even the wind settled.

They're watching.

His fingers itched to wrap around his swords, but moon elves were all about protocol. Such an action could be interpreted as hostile. Aliya needed access to Filathas and Zadé's aunt, and he wouldn't do anything to compromise that.

She wasn't just the only person to make him smile in several decades, but the last hope of peace for the realm if she could fulfill her vow to the Mage Underground and depose King Malkov.

Elessan's gaze lingered on Aliya's sleeping form. Her newly pointed ears poked out from the loose strands of hair cascading over her shoulders. With the long hike and their vigorous sparring session tonight, she'd collapsed after dinner. Training with her had been thrilling, even with Zadé's jibes, and the heat in his blood afterward wasn't due to the workout alone.

His eyes swept the dark woods again. Should he wake her up?

There—to his right—a soft whisper of cloth scraping over wet grass. From the corner of his eye, he strained to catch a glimpse of the mysterious sentry. The sound didn't repeat, and no one stepped into the firelight.

He glanced at Aliya again. She was exhausted, and it appeared the moon elves wouldn't be attacking tonight. If they were content to watch for the time being, he'd let her sleep.

Giving up all pretenses, he settled back against the tree, crossed his arms, and stared directly where at least one of the fae hid. If they wanted to skulk in the shadows, he'd wait for them to make the first move.

King Malkov glared over his desk. "Ah, Miss Larimar. You're late." The pupils of his dark brown eyes glowed, as if lit by hell-fire within.

Aliya blinked and glanced around the unfamiliar study.

Not this again . Her heart thumped on her ribs. "Late? Why am I here? How're you doing this?"

"I'm losing my patience," he said, ignoring her questions. "My bounty hasn't worked, and Brooks is too far behind you right now to be of much use. Therefore, I'm moving to Plan B." He pushed his chair back with a screech of wood against stone. He grabbed her upper arm and headed toward the door. "Come with me. I've something to show you."

She strained in his crushing grip. "You're hurting me. Let go." She pounded on his hand with her fist. A memory tugged on her awareness from the depths of her mind.

The first time he'd dream walked her, the magic had only lasted for a few minutes. If she could fight him long enough to delay him, she'd poof back to the clearing near Filathas, where Elessan and Zadé waited.

Wedging her fingers under his, she pried at them. Clenching her teeth, she pulled with all her strength.

It was no good—he was too strong.

Going limp at the knees, she collapsed.

With a growl, the king hauled her to her feet. Grabbing her by her upper arms, he held her in front of him and strode down various hallways. She'd have a hell of a bruise if she survived this. Malkov stepped into a room with a slab of stone in the middle over a drain angled at the lower end of a mildly slanted floor. Several chains and tools whose use she couldn't fathom hung from the walls. Aliya's gut roiled as an acidic taste burned the back of her throat. This could only be the interrogation room in the dungeon beneath his castle. It reeked of rotten blood and excrement.

Oh, Gods.

There was a body chained to the table, wearing the Larimar colors.

No. No, no, no.

She tried to close her eyes, but found herself looking into the king's evil grin. "Let's get started, shall we?"

The man strapped on the slab began to shriek. Aliya stared; her eyes wide as they latched on to Hart's face.

She screamed.

"Aliya, wake up!"

Malkov's magic shattered. Strong hands pinned her shoulders against the ground. Her eyes snapped open with a rush of adrenaline-spiked heat. She yanked her hair away from her face. Her power crackled at her fingertips, ready to protect. The dungeon faded. Elessan's concerned face hovered inches above her own.

Her throat burned as her lungs heaved air in and out. A drop of sweat crawled its way down her temple.

After several heartbeats, her breathing calmed enough to allow speech. "Elessan?" Both hands fisted the material of his tunic, holding on as the world settled into place.

He bent down until his face was level with hers. "You were screaming. Did you have a nightmare?"

Self-conscious, she dropped her gaze and released his shirt, brushing out the wrinkles. Swallowing, she nodded.

"Who's Hart?"

"Who?" She gave him a wide-eyed blink, hoping to cover the shard of ice that slammed into her chest at his question.

"You screamed ‘No, Hart' over and over."

She swallowed twice past the lump in her throat. "He was...one of the guards who tried to arrest me. We grew up together."

"What happened?"

She took a trembling breath. "The King—Malkov—he made me watch while he tortured Hart. As punishment for running away." Pressing her lips into a thin line, she closed her eyes. Burning tears leaked from between her eyelids.

Elessan pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her, and rested his temple against the top of her head. "Shh…It was a dream."

She leaned her forehead on his chest and took a couple deep breaths. Elessan's fresh scent, like a pine forest after a rainstorm, surrounded her, sweeping through her lungs and chasing the last of the dungeon's reek away.

"Are you okay?" he murmured.

She bit her lower lip and swallowed. She should tell him, but it wouldn't do anything except make him worry. Even he couldn't force Malkov out of her brain while she slept.

Aliya sniffed and tugged her sleeve down over the hand-shaped bruise on her upper arm. "I'm fine."

He shifted, bringing his mouth near her ear. "We're being watched."

She brushed a hand over both cheeks to dry her tears and pulled away slowly. "I'm sorry. I—"

She gazed over his shoulder as three moon elves strode into their camp. With a gasp, she scrambled up and stumbled backward. A ball of fire coalesced between her palms.

Elessan clambered back a few steps, her flames reflecting in his wide eyes. Taking a deep breath, he followed her gaze until it settled on the newcomers. Throwing his shoulders back, he stepped in front of her, one hand out in a calming gesture before it went to a dagger hidden at the small of his back. His attention remained locked on the moon elves.

"Everything's okay." He pitched his voice loud enough to be overheard by the others. "They're here to guide us to Filathas. Right?"

Aliya studied them. They all sported forest-green tunics with silver embroidered vines on the arms, and dark tan pants over black boots. They wore their long brown hair straight down their backs in the same style as Elessan and Zadé. Two carried longbows similar to the one Elessan used, one male and female. The leader didn't carry any obvious weapons, but then again, neither did Zadé.

They made no move to contradict Elessan, so Aliya released her hold on the fireball. It dissipated with a small curl of smoke.

Zadé let out a particularly loud snore. The head of their escort raised his eyebrow as he glowered at her. "Zadé Brightleaf?"

Aliya glanced at Elessan, who nodded once. She took a deep breath and stepped forward. Here went nothing .

"Zadé's my guide as I've never been to Filathas before. I'm hoping to apprentice with her aunt, Cressida."

"Lady Brightleaf hasn't accepted a student in half a millennium," the young male archer said. The leader glared at him in silent rebuke.

Aliya pushed her shoulders back and thrust her chin out. "Nonetheless, I will ask her to accept me."

The leader's gaze traveled from her toes to her head. Judging her. "And who are you?"

"I am Aliya Silverstar, from Goldenwood." The town was a small settlement many weeks away. Zadé swore no one from Filathas would be familiar enough with the area to challenge her claim.

His eyes narrowed. He crossed his arms and gave her a thin-lipped smile.

The male archer stepped forward. "That's amazing! I've always wanted to visit Goldenwood. Or someplace like it." He flashed her a wide grin. "What was it like, traveling through human territory?"

Behind them, the female nudged Zadé awake as Elessan packed up the camp.

Aliya shrugged and studied her boots as heat crept up her face. She tried to not shift her weight back and forth. Lying had never been a comfortable thing. Now that she was out on her own, she was resorting to it more and more. "The lands are…full of humans, I suppose. Nothing too interesting. Tell me about Filathas?"

The bowman smiled and held out his hand. Aliya shook it. "I'm Lindir. You'll see for yourself shortly. It's but a short walk over the next hill."

"You mean we're right on top of it? We hiked so far yesterday."

Lindir cocked his head, reminding her of an owl. "You could've just walked a few miles in and then waited. The forest kept you away until we came to escort you. Does Goldenwood not employ similar protections against foreigners?"

Aliya glared at Zadé. "I guess I didn't realize we'd be considered outsiders."

The silence between them stretched.

"Well, Zadé hasn't belonged here in many years. She should've warned you. And the mountain elf is only here because—"

The leader silenced Lindir with a sharp scowl. "Time to head out. Grab your things." He stepped out of camp and headed down the trail.

Aliya surveyed the area intently, trying not to gawk. At the crest of the hill, the road beneath their feet turned from dirt to white quartz. The stone glittered in the early morning sun and hurt Aliya's eyes. She squinted through the glare. Some sort of magic must be employed to keep the streets so clean and bright. The buildings appeared carved from living trees, though she'd need to get closer to tell for sure.

Elessan sent her a faint smile as he met her gaze.

It looked like the butterflies in his gut were just as big as hers.

"Here we go, again," Zadé mumbled with a sigh. Pulling her flask out, she took two deep gulps before tucking it away.

Lindir walked beside Aliya, constantly glancing at her and obviously dying to pepper her with questions. However, the warning glares from his superior kept the young archer's lips sealed.

What she wouldn't do to learn more about Filathas, too. Maybe knowledge would ease the growing dread that weighed her down more with each step. Elessan didn't know what to expect, and Zadé hadn't been forthcoming. Walking next to such an eager font of information but unable to access it was a special brand of torture. She bit down hard on her lower lip and squeezed her hands into fists.

Their escort led them to an imposing building, framed by six giant red cedars. The scent reminded her of the jewelry box her mother gifted her for her fifth birthday—the last one Aliya spent with her before she passed away.

The walls between the trees were made from thin waxed paper, though they had to be much stronger than they looked. The branches interlaced into an intricate mesh forming the domed roof high above. A soft carpet of moss cushioned their steps.

Elessan stepped up to her, nudging gently with his elbow. "Stop staring."

She glanced at him and shrugged. "Sorry."

Their guides ushered them to a small buffet table against one of the edges of the room. The spread included many fruits Aliya was familiar with, such as strawberries, honeyberries, and some sort of rhubarb tart. There were also several colorful delicacies she'd never seen before. At the end, a pitcher of what smelled like strawberry wine and glasses waited.

Aliya's stomach growled. Horror sped the blush to her face as the moon elves turned to face her in response. She closed her eyes. If only the ground would open and swallow her whole so she wouldn't embarrass herself more.

After what seemed like forever, the lead elf averted his gaze. "Stay here. Please eat. We'll inform Lady Brightleaf of your arrival, and your request. She'll decide if you can stay."

Aliya blinked. A mage…in charge. The elves certainly did things differently than the humans.

Once their stoic guard departed, Aliya drifted over to the food. Elessan and Zadé's quiet footsteps followed behind. Picking up a yellow star-shaped fruit slice, she held it out to them. "What's this?"

Elessan reached around her and grabbed a piece for himself. "Starfruit," he said, popping it into his mouth. "Those red things are fizzleberries."

"Don't swallow the seeds," Zadé added, selecting a couple of oversized strawberries for herself. "And don't look so awestruck. It's obvious to everyone you've never been to an elven village a'fore." She nodded to the table. "Or eaten our food."

Aliya's gut twisted. She may have already ruined her chances, and she hadn't even met Cressida yet. Hopefully the other moon elves would explain away her behavior as being consistent with someone from a small, backwater settlement. She took a bite out of her starfruit to distract herself. Citrus tang exploded on her tongue. "Mmm. Delicious." She grabbed two more. "So, what happens next?"

Zadé paused, halfway through a fruit pastry. "You'll meet Cressida and make yer request. If she decides to train yeh, we'll be taken t' the inn. If she declines, we'll be escorted out of Filathas lands with a warnin' ta not return."

That didn't sound too bad. Zadé sent her a frown that made her opinion of their chances quite clear.

"Any hints for winning her to our side?"

"If yeh can figure out a way to tell her yer th' human queen without lettin' her know yer human, that'd be a start."

"What is this nonsense about an apprentice-petitioner from Goldenwood?"

A tall woman with long gray hair swept into the room. Her regal bearing was equal to Malkov's but lacked his menace. Her navy ankle-length gown highlighted her slim waist and blue eyes. Matching gems glittered in her tresses. She peered down her nose as her eyes traveled over Aliya from head-to-toe, skipped over Elessan, and came to rest on Zadé, who leaned against one of the tree trunks in the wall.

Cressida Brightleaf's eyebrows drew together as she jerked her head back. "Niece."

Zadé saluted with her flask. Her smile dissolved into a sneer. "Aunt. Been a long time."

"I'm surprised you'd come back," Cressida murmured.

With an irreverent grin, Zadé raised her water skin one more time, taking a lengthy drink.

The tall elf scowled before turning her piercing gaze on Aliya. "Young lady, I believe you owe me an explanation."

Aliya swallowed as her mouth dried out. The butterflies in her stomach became acrobats. Bowing deep, she fixed her eyes on the moss-covered floor. "Lady Brightleaf, I know you haven't agreed to an apprentice in over five hundred years, but I would ask you to make an exception and share your wisdom with me."

"Are there not sufficient magic tutors in Goldenwood?"

"Oh, well… um…" She glanced at Elessan. Was there a master mage living there, too? This was why she hated lying…it was too hard to keep their story straight.

Cressida interrupted her. "Of course there aren't! Not since the humans razed it to the ground ten years ago."

Aliya's thoughts slowed to a halt and her gut turned to lead. She opened her mouth to say something but froze. Now what?

Zadé's whispered curse reached her ears.

"Your next words better be the truth, young lady. I don't stand for liars."

Aliya snapped her teeth closed and gulped. Well, here went nothing. She took a deep breath. "My father forced me to marry Malkov Cerel, and now the king wants to kill me and steal my magic. I need to learn to control it before he finds me. You're my one shot."

Elessan stepped up beside her. "She may be one of the few people strong enough to end his reign, but only if she learns to wield her power. We're sorry for the deception, but there was no other way to make our request."

Cressida turned a cold glare to him. Silence stretched out, awkward and heavy.

Aliya bit her lip and fought to keep her shoulders from drooping.

The tall elf sighed. "I am aware of Malkov's…proclivities…when it comes to magic. Not a fate I would wish on anyone. Come here, child." She gestured for Aliya to approach. When she stood a mere arm's length away, Cressida held out her hands, palm-up. "Place your hands on mine."

It was some sort of trap. It had to be. Would Cressida fry her with lightning? Or maybe burn her to a crisp for lying? She glanced up and accidentally met the tall elf's gaze.

Cressida raised her eyebrows. "Well, do you want the chance to apprentice or not?"

Of course she did. That was the entire reason they'd come. It would be stupid to lose this opportunity because she was a coward. Rubbing her palms on her skirt, Aliya laid them gently over the other woman's. She bit her lip as her muscles trembled. Cressida's hands were dry and warm.

"Now," the woman continued, her voice dropping to a hypnotic murmur, "take a deep breath, in and out, then close your eyes."

Aliya inhaled and exhaled, staring up into the mage's intense gaze.

The other woman stared at her expectantly.

Oh! Right. She breathed in once more to steady her nerves and closed her eyes.

Tiny silver tendrils of Cressida's power crawled up Aliya's arms. They tingled like the static after her first experience manifesting lightning. Slowly the strands moved through her shoulders, chest, and into her core, where her spark resided. Aliya shifted her weight from one foot to another. The strings circled her magic for several minutes, evaluating, judging. One thread reached out and touched it.

She erupted and pushed every last silvery wisp of foreign power out of her body with a pop . The older woman fell to the ground.

"Ow!" Aliya slapped a hand over her sternum. A pressure built between her temples. Somewhere behind her, Zadé let out a loud snore.

"Amazing. But you do need training, or you're a danger not just to yourself, but to others." Lady Brightleaf stood and brushed the dirt from her dress. "Very well. I will apprentice you, child, on one condition."

The blood pounded through Aliya's ears, in time to her throbbing headache. Don't pass out. Don't pass out. "You will?" Surely, she'd misheard.

"You never, ever lie to me again."

Aliya swallowed as she rolled her shoulders forward. Her chest tightened until it was nothing but a shriveled ruin as heat flooded her face. "Yes, ma'am. Thank you."

"We'll start early tomorrow." Cressida crossed her arms. "Now, tell me one thing, young lady. You're not an elf, and your magic isn't human. We can all see you're not a dwarf. What are you?"

For the second time in fifteen minutes, the floor dropped from underneath Aliya's feet. "What do you mean?"

Cressida pressed her lips into a thin line. "No. Lies. If you want training, this is the price."

Aliya bit her lower lip and glanced at Elessan out of the corner of her eyes. He nodded. Zadé still slept off to the side. Aliya took a deep breath, bracing herself. "I was raised as a human. I'm not sure exactly, but I think I'm a shapeshifter of some kind."

"Hmmm." Cressida scrutinized her for several moments. "You can appear human?"

"Yes. I could probably do a dwarf, too, if I ever had reason to."

"Interesting," the older woman murmured. "I've heard rumors and legends of shapeshifters, but in all my years, never encountered one."

"Maybe you have, but didn't realize it?"

"Perhaps." Cressida eyed her. "Have you met any others?"

"Once…she helped me escape the castle. But unless they decided to reveal themselves, I doubt I'd recognize another."

"You may be surprised. My magic sensed something was…" She searched for an appropriate word. "… different about you. If it's not yet instinctive, I suspect you'll pick up the same ability with training.

"Speaking of," Lady Brightleaf continued, "meet me here tomorrow as the sun rises. Wear something comfortable. I'll send Lindir to show you where you'll be staying." She turned her back and walked away, but paused at the door. "Is King Malkov aware you're not human?"

"Yes," Aliya answered. "My father guarded the secret jealously, but he let it slip to sweeten the pot in negotiating my bride price."

Cressida blinked and shook her head. "May the Light spare you, child."