**DAPHNE**
“Wait!” I say, confused. “Aren’t you coming too?”
Jumping back, her eyes swell with hope. “Y-you want me to join you?”
Grabbing her back into a hug of my own, I laugh. “Of course! I refuse to go without you.”
Stepping back with a nod, tears fill her eyes, and they flash blue against the sunlight. Although this is shocking, I keep it to myself. I don’t want to disturb her fragile state.
“How long do you think it will be before Ash receives word of what’s happened?” I inquire as she lifts the lid of the strong box.
“It’s hard to say. It all depends on how close he is to the-” Breaking off, she takes a deep breath. Then, looking at me with something akin to pity, she continues, “Listen, Daphne. There is a lot you don’t know. A lot of it is not for me to tell you. If you ask me, I will. But,” she pleads, “please do not make me. I’ve known Ash for twenty-three years. We are of the same origins.” Then, with a whimsical smile, “I have seen him. The way he looks at you. You will change him. I need to believe that, and I need to leave the explaining for him alone. After all, he is my prince.”
“I understand,” I say simply, although I don’t.
It is on the tip of my tongue to ask what kingdom he resides over, but I think better of it and decide to wait. We will have much time together in which to discuss such things, once we leave the palace because Hadimere forest is to the east of the kingdom and, from what I’ve heard, a good day’s ride away. With only one horse between the three of us, we will certainly travel more slowly. Best to leave my inquiries for our travels.
Without another word she steps toward the door. “Empty that trundle, save for a few spools of cloth. Depending on how long it takes for Ash to receive word, we may need to make a few things for ourselves when we arrive at his cottage.”
Sighing in resignation, I turn to the chest. Reaching inside I realize one of the spools of heavy black velvet has come undone. Picking it up, I throw it on the bed causing something heavy to tumble out.
I gasp as I realize, it’s the book.
The one that was left for me upon the bed the night before Ash left.
Grabbing it to my chest and glancing around, I quickly stash it in the deep pocket of the darkest and heaviest of the two cloaks. After settling upon two spools of fabric, one wool, and one soft velvet, I slip the cloak over my shoulders and take a seat at the window. Reaching my hand inside of the pocket, I stoke the cover of the book and wait.
**ASH**
The Phantom’s Meadow is the middle of the Lunar Ocean, on the Isle of Gossamer Woods. It is a place of shadows and power. Rolling with grass so blue and rippling, it appears as a body of water and almost melts within the Lunar Ocean shore. The tall, black Gossamer Trees, that sway and feather around it, shield the villages within from any magic expelled there.
It is a playground for witches and Shadow Fae.
On an island ruled only by them
Should one need audience with Sylvie of Vael, Queen of Shadows, that is the only location she’ll meet with you. It is the place where she draws the most power and, is her place of origin. The Shadow Fae only ever allow witches to join them anywhere beyond that point.
According to Ambassador Furel, ’twas a witch that preceded me the night before I returned home. A witch by the name of Anhiyeelde - sent - by the Winter Queen.
The witch paid Furel with potions and silver for information that has granted him an eternity in the Valley of Great Rest. Now, his head is mounted on a spear and decorates the Trail of Fallen Rock.
It has been fifteen days and the messengers I sent to the northern Ice Palaces still have not returned. I cannot wait any longer. I have to make a move.
The war that rages between Winter Fae and the Cinder, will soon be, at our borders. As far as battles go, it is the calm before the storm. For now, they are quiet, for now, they are still.
The Winter Queen is biding her time. Looking to strengthen her magic with a tribute of great power, or else a marriage - to me.
She has taken the Myrh girl, I am sure of this. Yet, I know not why. As I stand in my throne room trying to decide which adventure to take first, I close my eyes and picture Daphne’s face.
She is probably heartbroken; it has been so long.
And ever troubling me, is the fact that I care.
Some alien vice inside of me has been formed. A weakness I’m not accustomed to, growing more crippling every day. I shouldn’t have left her for the king. I should have taken her with me. At the same time, I should not allow my thoughts of her to encumber me when it comes to the safety of my people.
Dionie would have sent word if she were in trouble, yet I cannot shake the feeling that she needs me. Something has happened. Something has changed - I can feel it.
As far as Fae are concerned, I am still quite young. Not even a century in age as of yet. Some give credit to that fact as being the reason for my ruthlessness, but they are wrong. The reason is simple - I am the Prince of Smoke and Fury, and I was born this way.
But Daphne...she is changing me.
“I am becoming an inhuman man with a useless human heart.” I curse myself as I pace the room.
Should I return to the Mortal Realm and to Daphne, now?
Or should I travel to the Phantom’s Meadow and see what I can learn about this renegade witch, Anhiyeelde?
And where are my messengers?!?!
“Fuck!” I shout loud enough to miss the sound of Klyesque barging into the room.
“Ash. Dionie sends for us.”
My eyes alight with fire as the decision is made for me, and I can’t say that I’m disappointed by the force of hand.
“We ride now.”