Chapter 70: Escape

Clare jolted awake as a burning pain seared through her body, making her unaware of what was going on. The pain lasted for a few moments, fading into a dull ache.

When she was finally able to open her eyes, darkness engulfed her with the only source of light obstructed by a tall shadowy figure holding up a sword. The figure stood in front of her, almost as if they were guarding something.

Another person was holding her in a princess carry and when she turned her head to see who it was, relief flooded through her. It was her mate, Xavier.

But as quickly as the relief had come, it disappeared as a wave of confusion overwhelmed her. She remembered falling asleep in Xavier’s arms in the hot springs. But they weren’t there anymore.

Her nose was telling her she was surrounded by earth, the smell of dirt everywhere. How she had gone from the hot springs to some underground hole was something she couldn’t figure out. What exactly had happened while she had fallen asleep?!

Xavier, sensing that she was awake, murmured softly, “We need to keep quiet right now… I’ll explain everything later.”

Okay. Clare replied through their mind link, her throat too sore to utter a single word.

Xavier tightened his grip, pulling her closer into his chest. His action comforted her, making some of her fear melt away. The situation she was in was definitely strange and terrifying, but she had Xavier by her side.

She trusted him with everything and knew no matter what she’d be safe around him.

Clare suddenly felt movement on her stomach and raised her head to see something on her. She wasn’t able to make out what it was, but she knew it was some kind of living creature.

“Looks like they took the bait.” A familiar voice murmured, making Clare turn her attention to the shadowy figure she had first seen.

She watched as the figure turned around, lowering their sword to raise a hand up. A ball of yellow light formed above their hand, allowing Clare to see the figure was Lav.

“We’ll head through these underground tunnels for now.” Lav stated. “We should be safe once we get to the other side.”

“Lead the way then.” Xavier replied back.

Clare nodded her head in agreement as the creature on her flew off her. A second later, Bia was standing in front of the couple, hand on her nose.

“I'll cover from behind, so let's make this quick.” Bia said before muttering under her breath, “Goddess, I hate underground tunnels.”

Lav silently gazed at the familiar for a moment before stomping on the ground twice. The tunnel shook for a second as the entrance suddenly closed, leaving Lav's glowing ball to be the only source of light.

Three entrances then appeared to the right of Lav and she immediately walked over to the left tunnel entrance with Xavier following behind her.

He carried Clare in his arms while Bia walked behind them. As they walked, Clare rested her head on Xavier's shoulder, wondering what had happened in the palace.

She knew something bad had happened from the brief conversation she heard. Bia being here told her that at least. The familiar would only be here if she was commanded to protect her from something. Likely something with the Unseelie King.

Of course, seeing Bia also meant that the Fae Queen was still alive. Bia’s life was connected to Alre, making her life also indirectly connected to the Fae Queen through Alre.

Still, it was nerve wracking to think the Unseelie King would attempt to attack the palace. If that is what happened…

Sighing in frustration, Clare mentally shook her head to rid the whirling thoughts in her mind. She was going to find out what exactly was going on, so there was no point in her overthinking everything.

Instead, she tried focusing on the magic within her.

Clare could tell there was an increase in her power, but it hurt for her to access it. She guessed that her body was still hurting from the whole process and it would take some time for her body to adjust to her new power level.

She gave up focusing on her magic and decided to see where Lav was taking them. They were walking through a series of various tunnels, entrances closing to reveal new ones, making it impossible to track their movements.

It was almost as if Lav was moving on instinct, there being no logic to where they were going. After a while, Lav came to a sudden stop and turned around.

“It seems the Pixie King has become aware of our movements.” Lav murmured softly. “He has requested that we meet him.”

While Lav said requested, Clare knew it was just for politeness. He was really ordering them to meet him without looking rude. Time with the Fae had taught her how to read between the lines.

Still, there wasn’t much harm in meeting with the Pixie King. They were technically allies, even if the courts stretched that term a little.

The king would have no reason to harm them since it would break the rules among the court rulers. In other words, he would have more problems if he did harm them.

“Take us there then.” Clare finally answered as she lightly tapped on Xavier to let her up.

She was slightly weak in the knees, but wasn’t exactly ready to meet the ruler of the Pixie Court in the arms of her mate. Even if she enjoyed being carried by Xavier.

Not that she’d ever admit that aloud.

Lav nodded in understanding, having silently asked for her opinion, before turning back around to open another tunnel entrance. Meanwhile, Xavier carefully let her down while keeping an arm around her waist.

He understood that she couldn’t look weak in front of the Pixie King despite the weakness in her body because of the ‘power up’ she had done earlier. Holding in by the waist was the compromise they could do.

Light suddenly shone from the new tunnel entrance, blinding Clare for a second as she adjusted her sight. When her sight was back, Clare noticed a lot of greenery from outside.

Lav quickly went through the entrance and the couple followed a moment later with Bia in tow. Clare found herself coming up from under a huge tree.

Her eyes quickly fell on the three figures waiting with Lav. They were short, maybe around 5ft, and all had transparent butterfly wings of varying colors.

A man with gold wings and eyes stepped forward. “Thank you for accepting my request. I’m the Pixie King and these are my swords. We are here to escort you.”