My pixies spoke way too freely when it was just us.
“This is not right,” she continued. “Maybe if I talk to her and explain we’re not her enemy—”
I laughed. “She will not listen. She needs to be subdued and then thrown into her chambers until she calms down. Once she realizes her previous life is no more, then I will speak with her.”
Anna turned her back to me, flying in front.
“Isn't this what you wanted?” I called out to her.
She spun around, her hands fisted. “No. I want peace. Most of our kin want peace. This marriage and prophecy will bring that to these lands.”
“Prophecies aren't real,” I interrupted.
“Just becauseyoudon't believe in them doesn't make that true!” She argued back, her pale cheeks flushing red. “Don't you care what's happening outside these walls?”
“Why should I?” This was an argument we often had.
“You may be immortal but the rest of us are not, and we care about what happens not just to us, but to the humans, the dwarves, the sabers, everyone whose lives are being destroyed by the twisted.”
The twisted had become bolder ever since my dear mother had removed the Lich King’s exile. While the Lich King has existed for over a millennium, his exile had kept him isolated to the southeastern island. His infernal cryptid race had attacked little, but the moment the magi had closed the Rift and lost sixty percent of their force during that battle, the Lich King had been advancing into the lands. More vampyres were created and undead roamed freely.
His true intentions were unknown, but I sensed that if he had his way, our world would be shrouded in darkness in order for his twisted to reign supreme.
Though, that was a problem for the other races. Up here in the mountains, we were safe, and I would continue to call all the fae here, leaving the other lands entirely.
Anna shook her head, and Ella wrapped an arm around her.
Olivia glared at her two siblings. “Don't listen to them. You and I both know this is merely just to appease everybody and to have some fun. Things have been too dull around here lately.”
“Agreed,” I said.
Being immortal had its advantages, but when no one advances on your kingdom, things get a little boring from time to time.
The stepping-stone pathway curved toward the pond area, which had become a little swampy over the past fifty years. My precarious human was nowhere in sight.
Oddly enough, the grass and nearby foliage seemed to havegrown, almost as if the chaos of her mind had affected the nearby flora. It wasn’t uncommon for a mage’s power to have a residual effect, but this was something different.
The forest grew denser as I walked, the path narrowing, dewy leaves fluttering on the wind as if the trees trembled as she passed. Too many insects clicked and chirped at once, responding to the disruption in their normally quiet home.
“What if she gets hurt?” Anna said to Ella, interrupting my thoughts.
“Did you see the element she wields? His Highness is right. She must be very powerful.”
“Don’t think because she's a human, she's easy to conquer,” I said. “She put up quite a fight.”
“You almost sound impressed.” Olivia stretched and leaned back against my neck, dragging her sharp nails across it. “I almost hear a hint of admiration in your voice.”
I grabbed my outspoken pixie and held her up in front of my face. “Instead of lounging on my shoulder like a moon cat, why don't you make yourself useful? Flutter around and find the human for me and do not attack her.”
“You want her subdued, don’t you? I can easily do that.” Olivia’s gaze darted to the pouches hanging from her little belt.
Each one contained a specific pixie dust. Her bone dust was exceptionally dangerous, turning anything into stone.
“No poisons, and nothing that's going to make her madder than she already is.”
“You're no fun,” Olivia huffed and flew off.
A glance at the sky revealed the beginning of dawn cresting across the treetops. Orange and pink hues shrouded the horizon, peeking through the trees.
