Forgotten Kingdom (The Winter Court Chronicles Book 1) Read online

  A small gasp left Brina’s lips when she noticed our royal markings and long pointed ears. I took a step forwards and my brothers followed. I had enough of her appraisal, we were here for a mission, and we needed to fulfill it and leave this realm. We knelt before Cyn and her, placing our hands over our hearts in a show of respect for the Priests.

  “Our most sincere compliments, Cynwrig, High Priestess. We are the Princes of The Winter Court, and we have come on behalf of King Laeroth Gaerrath to welcome you, and pledge our eternal alliance to you,” I offered looking into their eyes.

  She frowned and looked at Cyn, who smiled warmly at us.

  “Please stand,” Brina asked with a smile, and we straightened to our full height. She had to stretch her neck to look at me. “Thank you for coming.”

  “It is our pleasure, High Priestess. My name is Kyr Gaerrath, first born and Commander of the Dark Army, and these are my brothers. Ash Gaerrath, second born and Knight of the Dark Army.”

  I motioned to my brother who was already eyeing the tanned skin beauty. I had no doubt he was undressing her with his eyes. Ash smiled and slightly bowed his head, the exotic woman whimpered responding to his sexual charm, and I forced myself not to roll my eyes. Ash’s smile widened as he heard her, dazzling them.

  “And this is Nyx Gaerrath, third born, Knight of the Dark Army, and Primary Guardian of the Royal Archives,” I smiled looking at my little brother. “The intellectual one,” I added, seeing him smile brightly, he loved it when I called him that. He bowed.

  “It contains the knowledge and history of the universe since its creation,” Nyx explained excitedly.

  “We are truly sorry, I have just realized we may have interrupted the celebrations,” I offered, noting the music and food everywhere.

  “It is all right, Kyr. We are surprised to see you here, but we are pleased by it nonetheless. It has been a long time, brother,” Cyn answered with a full dimpled smile.

  “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be rude…” Brina interrupted, looking to Kahina and Gallia who stood behind us, then focused on me. “But, where is the Winter Court located, exactly?”

  “In the Otherworld, High Priestess, the realm of the Fae,” Nyx answered before I could.

  “What??” Both she and her friend squealed. Ash chuckled.

  “We are Fae or Faeries, whichever you wish to call us,” I explained, amused and watched her jaw drop with my words.

  “Faeries?”

  “Wait a minute. Aren’t Faeries supposed to be like this big?” her friend asked, using her thumb and index finger to show the size.

  “Common misconception,” Nyx replied. “A fable fabricated by humans who couldn’t fully understand our existence.”

  Ash smirked and stepped closer to the Latin beauty. I internally groaned. He held her hands and placed them parallel to each other about a foot and a half apart. “I’m more along this size, but I will make myself any size you want me to be, Pereleva cirith ossa uthsae”—Precious beauty. He whispered the last part in her ear, and I wanted to punch him in the face.

  His royal markings began to glow as he tried to seduce her. I sighed, Ash only seemed capable of thinking with the head between his legs. Why was I always right? I wished he would prove me wrong just once.

  “I would love to spend some time with you, alone. You needn’t worry. It will be very satisfying.” His head tilted, and he leaned into her, as though he was going to kiss her. The exotic beauty lifted her head to reach his lips in response to his magic and charm. The next second, Art’s hand was splayed over my brother’s face, stopping him. I tried my hardest not to chuckle.

  “I forgot how annoying you were,” Art said, pushing him back and Ash chuckled. The woman blinked, looking confused then laughed.

  I sighed, disappointed in my brother. He was incapable of focusing on the mission for a mere second. “I thought you would behave better than this, brother. You are embarrassing me.” I said, trying to control my temper. I wanted to slam him against the nearest rock. “We didn’t come here for you to court humans. Besides, these females have clearly been claimed.”

  “Excuse me?” the woman that was just seduced by Ash asked, seemingly offended by my words. I frowned, unaware of what I said to garner that response. “We are not a possession to be claimed, and we are not ‘females,’ we are women. Furthermore…”

  “If I may,” Nyx interrupted, stepping forwards. “Kyr, brother. Human women have spent years fighting for the respect of men and their peers as well as equal treatment and rights. There had been many who have stood beside them and many who have fallen for their cause, but they have come a long way since the beginning of their race. Although that term may be perfectly acceptable to us, it is disrespectful to human women. Some may even consider them degrading as it diminishes the value of their existence to something that can be obtained or possessed by a man. They have created a powerful movement called Feminism, to help them fight for their cause. One, I must say I’m very respectful of.”

  Nyx looked at Brina and her friend.

  “Feminists unite. Reclaim the night!” He said, raising his fist in the air, then moved back. He stepped forwards again as though he had forgotten something. “Also, Girl Power!” He fixed his glasses, and reclaimed his spot.

  I sighed once more but for an entirely different reason. I loved my little brother, but sometimes, like this one, he was too much to take.

  “Thank you, brother,” I said to him taking a deep breath and when my gaze reached Ash I wanted to break his face. It hadn’t even been five minutes since I warned him to stop and his markings were glowing again. “Can you please stop using your royal markings to seduce these women?” I swore to the Goddess I was going to smack the hell out of him right here in front of everyone.

  Art moved swiftly, trying to block Ash while he smiled at the woman. “Oh come on!” Ash answered, laughing. “That’s one of my coolest tricks.”

  “Lia is not yours to seduce.” Art said, and Ash frowned.

  “Hey, you know how this works. I taught you everything you know. You should be facilitating things for me, brother, not making them more difficult.” My brother added, swinging his arm over Art’s shoulder.

  Somebody kill me. Now. Please.

  “Not with her.” Art answered in a clipped voice.

  “Oh, she’s yours? I’m sorry, brother. I respect that.”

  “She’s not mine.” Art answered, obviously uncomfortable with the conversation.

  “Then who’s is she?” Ash asked, looking at the woman, Lia, then his eyes focused on Cathair who looked particularly pissed. “Hmm, I see. My apologies, Warrior, I meant no disrespect.” Art’s head whirled towards Cathair, but his eyes were fixed on Ash. “Interesting,” Ash added, looking at Art. “Okay,” he said, awkwardly and stepped back to my side. “You may continue, brother.”

  I dragged one hand over my face and took a calming breath, trying with everything inside me not to kill my brother for causing this spectacle, during such a critical mission. It was imperative that we allied with the Priestess, especially before the Summer Queen even had a chance to find out about her. I needed to leave her with the best impression of us, form a lasting friendship with her and here was Ash trying to ensure his sexual needs were met. I was going to kill him once we got back to the castle.

  I forced myself to smile again and focused on Cyn and Brina. “We are pleased that the prophecy has begun, and we have brought you a gift, High Priestess.” I extended my hand for Kah to pass me the crystal, and she stepped forwards, placing the ornate silver box in my hand.

  Brina’s eyes widened. “For me?” She looked at Cyn, as though asking for permission, which he gave with a smile. “You can trust them.”

  She stepped forwards but stopped when her gaze found Kah. It was only then I realized how intimidating and dangerous Kah and Gallia must seem to the humans. They were dressed in their usual war armor, black with a mix of leather and metal knit. It was impenetrable. Short chains hun
g from their shoulders, hips, and boots, while their necks along with half their faces, were covered by the unique shield my army wore. It was as hard as the rest of the armor and left only their eyes visible, which were covered by the black band painted across their faces like a mask—it accentuated her gaze, making her look menacing, a trait all the women in my army possessed.

  Kah’s light green eyes were a stark contrast to the black mask, her skin was pale, and her hair was a midnight black, like ours, but much longer than mine and it was pulled back in a ponytail. She also bore the symbol of a dragon painted black on her forehead.

  “Kah, Gallai, would you please remove your Sorhal istaeth Laeda?—Face shields You are making the High Priestess uncomfortable.” I ordered trying to help Brina’s impression of them.

  My guards lifted their gloved hands to the turtleneck that covered their faces. They murmured the enchantment, and the material softened allowing them to fold it, pulling it down to their necks then it hardened once again. Brina gasped as they stepped forwards and kneeled in front of her.

  “We are sorry, High Priestess. We didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. Please forgive us.” The soft, musical voices of my personal guard seemed to startle her, as though she wasn’t expecting them to be women. I silently chuckled.

  “Oh, it’s nothing. Please stand,” Brina finally answered.

  I took the box with me and stood in front of her as Kahina and Gallai returned to their places behind me. “This is the Minastra GalIsacura Arthulis, one of our most precious possessions in our realm.” I pulled a velvet bag from the box and emptied it in my gloved hand. Her eyes widened, as the white crystal sphere dimly glowed.

  “OMG that is a sphere of Angel Aura Quartz!” her friend Lia squealed, and reached for it, but I pulled the stone away before she could touch it.

  “Actually,” Nyx said, stepping closer. “This is the Minastra GalIsacura Arthulis. Angel Quartz is an attempt of the human world to replicate it. You see, in the 1800’s…”

  “That’s good enough, Nyx. Thank you,” I interrupted. My brothers were testing my patience today. Nyx frowned and fixed his glasses, stepping back. “I apologize, miss,” I said to her friend. “But no one is to touch this crystal except the High Priestess. It must bond only to her essence.”

  Lia nodded. “Of course. I completely understand.”

  My gaze returned to Brina. “High Priestess, this crystal has the capacity to enhance your abilities tenfold. It is from the purest form of magic our realm has, and it radiates peace, light and positive energy. It will act as a conduit between the magic that exists in your essence and the physical world. It shall strengthen and deepen your connection with the High Priest, and it will intensify the range of communication between the two of you.” I leaned forwards in a half bow and extended offered the stone to the Priestess. “Please, accept it as a token of our appreciation of you, and a validation of our vow.”

  She looked at the crystal as the energy inside swirled, it was as though it could feel her near and its kaleidoscopic light was eager to get out. Brina reached for it, and as her hands touched it, it glowed. The next second she abruptly let go as though it had burned her. The crystal fell to the ground, breaking. She gasped, covering her mouth. My brother’s and I exchanged a glance, amazed at the crystal’s ability to sense its bonded spirit and realize her needs.

  “Oh, no! I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to let it go; it felt like it was burning my skin and I reacted. I…” She blabbered, mortified.

  I smiled pleased while Nyx stepped forwards picking up the sphere, and Ash reached for the piece that had fallen from it.

  “No need to apologize, High Priestess.” Nyx offered. “It was the crystal’s desire to break and become two parts instead of one. I am truly sorry. We should have warned you of the bonding process.” He added, looking at me admonishingly. I stifled an amused smile. “When you touched the sphere, an exchange of energy occurred. The moment it bonded with you, its magic sensed that you needed one more point of connection from it, in order to utilize it to its fullest potential.”

  He placed the sphere back in her hands, and she turned it, a hole was visible. Her eyes widened when the bright colored rays shot out from its depths finally free. Ash’s hands held the cluster of crystals that had come from the stone. The striking rainbow hues glowed just as they did inside the sphere.

  “The primary point of connection with external magic in our bodies is the third eye chakra, which connects directly to our psychic,” Ash added, charmingly. “And in my eyes, every beautiful woman needs a crown.”

  He grinned and lifted his gloved hand to his lips. “Celrae ossawen nay”—Transform into her crown.

  Thin white-oak vines materialized in his palm, they shimmered and began to move, slithering along it and intertwining around the cluster forming a delicate crown. The rainbow crystal was in the center of it.

  “May I?” Ash asked, holding it with both hands and lifting it. Brina nodded, and he slid the ends into her hair on each side of her face, resting it on her forehead.

  “Wow,” Lia whispered. “You have to see this, linda.” She pulled a small mirror from the pocket of her dress and handed it to me.

  “Sweet mother of all things magical. I have a faery crown!”

  The High Priestess squealed, and everyone laughed. I exchanged a pleased glance with my brothers and grinned, happy with her reaction.

  “It’s a freaking crown!” She said, and we laughed again.

  “It would be my honor to assist you in placing and bonding the Minastra GalIsacura Arthulis into your Staff, High Priestess. Will you please summon it?” I asked, and her eyes suddenly widened.

  “Staff?” Cyn asked, and she looked at him evidently panicked. My brothers and I tried our best not to chuckle. Humans were amusing.

  “Yes. I was going to tell you about it, but then it was our day together, and I just wanted a normal day with you, and then we were kind of doing other things the whole day, and then we got engaged, and then we’ve been celebrating since this morning, and…” She stopped herself from rambling any further.

  “Real it in, linda. Real it in.” her friend Lia added, and I was helpless but to smile at their exchange.

  Cyn looked at her confused, and she sighed. “I found a spell in Grandpa’s journal. One he had left just for me.” Brina faced me and handed me back the sphere.

  “Sleagh an t-Solais,”—Spear of Light. She whispered, raising her hand and just as the crown of white oak had formed before on Ash’s palm, slithering white-oak vines appeared from the ground. The magic shimmered on them while they moved and came together, growing and interlacing, creating the long handle. The vines opened at the end of it, creating the cradle for the crystal to rest in, while gasps and murmurs surrounded us. Everyone stared at the Staff in her hand. Cyn smiled at her, full dimples flashing, and kissed her briefly.

  “It is magnificent, my Goddess. Mo meantóir provided everything you might need for your journey.”

  The Priestess offered the staff to me, but I shook my head. “It is not necessary, High Priestess. No one but you should hold it.”

  “You can call me Bri,” she offered, and I grinned.

  “As you wish, Bri. Please hold the staff horizontally.” After she did, I placed the sphere directly above the opening.

  “Bearoth nirda tayon istataesata eldasirev naycirueth, arthunird neleth vaerun palarta raetar”—Bond to its essence, and never part.

  The magical energy flowed from my hands like white light ribbons, moving the crystal and making it float into place within the staff. Its glow increased becoming almost blinding as it had in the cave, it engulfed the whole staff, and then it receded. The spectral rays continued to project from the center of the Minastra GalIsacura Arthulis.

  She stood the staff on its end once again, admiring it. “Thank you, so much.”

  “No need to thank us, High Priestess,” I answered with a grin. Mission successful.

  “Bri,” she remind
ed me.

  “Bri, it was written in the prophecy that we would be summoned to help you. It is our pleasure to be part of your destiny.” I explained while Cyn frowned.

  “Who summoned you?” He asked.

  “I’m afraid I shall not say, Cyn. It is not my place,” I answered truthfully. The Dark King hadn’t even shared that information with me. He nodded.

  “Our purpose has been served,” my brother Ash said, bowing and walked towards his horse, mounting it.

  A feeling of distressed kinetic energy rushed over my skin, at the same time that Ash’s eyes connected with mine. Our ability instantly allowing us to realize something was wrong here. He had heard the same thing I had felt. I turned to follow suit but stopped next to Art. “I can feel a disruption of energy in the forest, by the mountain behind the river. It would be wise of you to check on your prisoner at once.”

  Art’s gaze immediately went to Cyn, and some sort of silent communication passed between them. Art looked concerned.

  “Before we go,” Nyx added, stepping closer to Bri. “Our vow to you stands. You have our alliance and our support for anything you may need.”

  He pulled a charmed portal key, one that could access only our end of the Gate of the Realms so that she could reach us. Like mine, it was a large silver key with delicately ornate filigree on the top. I grinned. Nyx had always been brilliant. Now the Priestess could reach us whenever she pleased, giving her a feeling of security with us and reinforcing our friendship. Exactly what we came here to do.

  “Should you ever need us, hold the key to your lips and whisper ‘Princes, I summon you.’ Then announce what you need, and the enchantment will deliver your message to us. We shall be here before you blink.” Nyx smiled, touching his fingertip to her nose—an indication he was smitten—then his.

  I grinned, mounting my horse. My little brother was adorable sometimes.