smithereens, I feel light washing over me. Squinting, I lift my head to see the magic pulsing from my mate’s horn with star-like beams. The screams of the fairies that fill the forest are gratifying, as is the recoil of inky blackness that had descended around us through the already dark woods.
Eliph bellows like a bull in what I can only assume is a sound of victory as he slows from a gallop into a canter before dropping into a trot just a short distance from the pillars. I wonder for a moment if we’re just going to pass through when the light consolidates and a man with sharp, pale features, and long pointed ears steps out. Silky hair a few shades darker than Eliph’s in his fae form hangs loose around his shoulders.
He’s very pretty, and I can’t help but stare at him, especially at the silvery markings decorating his face and the bare skin of his arms put on display by his sleeveless tunic. The tunic is held in place with a broad belt and ends just above his knees, his legs showing in the fitted line of the leggings.
He calls out something in a language I don’t understand. I shake my head and shrug helplessly, making the elf scowl at me after directing an impatient look at the unicorn. No doubt he’s pissy that my mate would rather carry me than immediately shift and speak with him. Not my fault!
“I think he wants to talk to you, babe,” I murmur down into Eliph’s ear.
Grimsal can do the talking. I’ve called him to us. There is no chance of me putting you down until we are on the other side of those pillars.
“Fair enough,” I reply and settle back to smile apologetically at the elf.
He doesn’t return my smile. His fingers tighten on the sword at his side as he watches me. Why me, though? He’s not glaring at Eliph or even Grimsal as the goblin pops over and whisks his hat off his head for a flourished bow. Nope, I’m the one getting eyed.
“Greetings, honorable one. I am Grimsal, fourth son of Farrahn, and my companions and I seek passage through your great kingdom.”
The elf growls something that makes the hair at the nape of my neck prickle, and the goblin glances at me quickly before bowing once more.
“I’m speaking for the benefit of the human, my lord. She doesn’t understand our languages, and I know that the elves in their wisdom cast their magics wide to facilitate communication with the human species for those of us traveling between worlds. If we can converse in her language, it would be…”
The elf interrupts and Grimsal blinks at him, shrinking slightly. The goblin glances questioningly over Eliph as he clears his throat uncomfortably.
“I’m sure the unicorn won’t object if you cast your magic over her so that she can understand you in your high tongue,” he says with a grimace.
“I guess no one will bother to ask me, but if it will get this show on the road, then hurry it along” I say dryly, my hand stroking my mate’s neck soothingly.
Eliph radiates hostility, his body stiff with objection.
“Let’s just get it done, babe,” I whisper and he drops his head in a short nod.
A smirk curls the elf’s cold features, but his eyes harden on me as he raises his hand. I tense in reaction. Yeah, he says he’s going to cast some sort of speaking spell on me, but he doesn’t look all that welcoming or like he even wants to speak to me.
Childhood fantasies are not only crushed but completely annihilated now.
I try not to flinch as a mist seeps around us from nowhere. My heart begins to race as it thickens around me. It’s like a thick band at first, and then it’s sliding up over my arms and chest, then my throat. It is so cold that that my breath draws in with a sharp, pained gasp. I’m suddenly very sympathetic to everyone who’s ever frozen to death because I swear that’s what it feels like as it rises higher and finally engulfs my head.
It flows into me, and I want to scream and cough and puke as the icy tendrils work down my throat and into my nose, eyes and ears. When the icy numbness hits my brain, I do shriek in agony as it burns deep. I’m not sure if I black out or not, but I still feel numb when it