**ASH**
I drop the meddlesome furie and turn my back on her without another word. “Which one?” I hiss.
She says nothing, only nods, and I storm into the castle behind her, my feet sparking with turbulent energy the entire way.
“Anhiyeelde?” I hiss and Klyesque nods her confirmation as the two of us clamor down the great hall toward my throne room. “The Winter Queen is already at it with her tricks then. Where is Daphne? Tell me she hasn’t-”
“She hasn’t,” Klyesque chuckles. “I thought we were friends Ash. Do you really think I would be stupid enough to leave her anywhere near that vile conjurer?”
I smirk, knowing my half accusation was a borderline insult. Klyesque is the *only* one I know that never needs reminding of just how much I despise the vapid beasts born of the craft. “Just checking. I am learning one can never be too sure. Where is she?”
Klyesque sighs. “I had Petra escort her to the Lavender Chamber.”
I halt in my steps. “The one connected to my own?”
She giggles as we continue down the hall. “Is there another? Of course, the one connected to your room. But if you'd rather, I can deposit her in the Amber Chamber instead. Perhaps then I might convince her that Selkies make the better lovers.”
"If only that were true," I retort.
The Lavender Chamber was built in design for my betrothed. I should be pleased with her assumption in putting her there, but for some reason I am not. Not because of Hayden, not because she is mortal, but because I want her with *me* in mine.
I must watch her very carefully over the next few weeks, so, keeping her as close as possible simply makes sense.
*Right... as if that is truly the reason.*
As the two of us approach my throne room, our steps slow. The witch Anhiyeelde is standing too close to my damned throne and I’m immediately suspicious.
“I assume you are not here to be murdered; however, I can’t understand why,” I say sauntering toward her and readying my magic.
She smiles, her old, wrinkled mouth revealing her blood-stained teeth. “You are angry with me, I understand. However, you should be thanking me.”
I laugh, taking my place on my throne. “Should I? Perhaps do away with the riddles for once and tell me why you are here. For you must know, given recent events, you might not be leaving.”
She chuckles slowly, her long gray hair brushing the ground at her feet. The tall wooden staff she leans upon thrums with energy. The wood of it taken from the Gossamer Trees of her origins. “Oh, I shall not be staying, that is a certainty. I know you think I’ve wronged you, Ash, Prince of Smoke and Fury, Ruler of River Folk and Mountain bBeasts, but you know not the things that I know.”
“Here we go,” I grimace, with a roll of my eyes. Witches and their cryptic verses are among some of the things I hate the very most. “Let’s get right to it then. Where did you take her? The mortal girl?”
She laughs, the sound echoing about the walls. “Is that really your question? Have you not been studying then?”
*Goddess, I hate witches.*
She continues, “Dear Ash, you know where I’ve taken her. You just don’t know why.”
“Oh I know why,” I laugh. “It’s really quite funny though, the thought of you helping that bitch by grabbing the wrong mortal.”
I smirk at her, allowing the sparks of my magic to dance about my fingertips, electrifying my hands for all to see.
She does not lose her smile. “The wrong mortal? Did I now? All I did was fulfill an age-old promise to the Queen. One which begs that I bring the mortal girl belonging to you to the Queen of Winter Fae for tribute.”
I laugh, “Funny. Because the mortal girl in question does not belong to me. You have been misinformed.”
“Have I?” She hisses. “Did we not pass through your gates to get here? By rites, she is yours. She belongs to you.”
Now I am paying attention.
*So she did mean to grab Daphne’s sister.*
My eyes narrow at her as she steps closer. “What game are you playing, witch?”
“She belongs to you, as I have said, but she is not the one you intended for tribute. At least, not as far as your eyes can see.” She continues her path toward me. “How is your mother doing?”
I tense, my eyes lighting with fire. “Watch yourself.”
She chuckles and shadow begins to darken her steps. “You are lost, child. But you are also found. We’ve known this would happen for eighteen years. All shall be righted in due time. You will see.”
“We?” I hiss.
“We. The conjurers, the witches, the warlocks and the seers and sorcerers of the land. We know what all Fae deny. You who speak in twisted truths and rhymes should be better prepared for it.”
I want to slap her, but she is old and terribly powerful. Not that I couldn’t extinguish her existence, but her magic is tied to Sylvie of Vael and the Shadow Queen would not be pleased should I harm the bitch.
Right before the darkness at her feet begins to swirl around her, she speaks in a loud voice that echoes of finality, “Beware the lies of mortals dear prince. Do not let them guide your fate. Leave the misplaced mortal in the Winter Realm and all shall be revealed in time. After all... the Queen of Hidden Fae has returned.”
Then, just like that, the witch is a whisper of shadow and ghost, disappearing as if she were never there at all.
*The Queen of Hidden Fae has returned?*
*Impossible. She is dead. She was burned at the stake in the Hadimere Forest by none other than King Hadimere himself.*
*What in the bloody hell is going on?*
Then I remember the book that was found in Daphne’s chambers and realize it has been left in the Mortal Realm.
*Fuck, I hate witches.*