Chapter 9
Riley
The portal Tricia created lands us in Faery, under earth’s St. Nectan’s Glen, near Trethevy. History claims that faeries and pixies inhabited the lush worldly landscape, the Treville River and waterfalls, but we all know better. Faery isn’t of the human realm. Not exactly.
Our party of sixteen follows the river that’s more like a brook, the crystal waters leaping over rocks worn smooth by time and swirling in the crutches of moss-covered contorted tree roots. The forest, at least that part of the forest near the water, is lush with fern, impaled with trunks that hold up the dense canopy. “We have fair visibility here. But don’t get too comfortable.”
Even the minds of my men stay alert to my orders as well as listening, acclimating to the ozone that creates a thin morning fog. I pick up Tricia’s hand and let her know with a squeeze that I’m right beside her before I let go. “How far before the gates?”
She tightens her backpack, holding a few essential items she refused to allow me or one of the guards to carry. “I’m not exactly sure. I barely remember coming here with my mother. Maybe an earthly mile?”
“A lot can happen in a forested mile. I can feel the dark magic working its way toward us.” The buzz in the air spiders across my skin, increasing with every step as we make our way toward the gates and the place that supposedly, Elgrim stands guard.
Even my men—men I trust in all ways—twitch as they hike, batting at non-existent insects and webs that no more exist here than the sun.
“Then we better hurry.” She picks up her pace, leading me.
Leaves long dried crush underfoot. The guards split up, two vampires leading, two trailing, the others staggered midline with the fae. We’ve barely gone three hundred yards, but already Tricia is slowing, and her heart thrums as does her breathing.
I catch up to her in three strides. “Do you want to break for ten?”
She doesn’t slow. “No. I’m perpetually whooped, but we don’t have time to stop. I think we’re not far. Something about this part of the trail where we meander around the river below seems familiar.”
“You came here with your mother, but childhood memories can be distorted.” I caution.
She peers up at me, gray circles building under her eyes. “Yes, and my sister was with us. So it was long ago. I’m not sure why we came. We didn’t cross into the Piskey queen’s lands, but we did meet someone near the river. My mom spoke with her, while my sister and I played at the water’s edge. It’s said the water has healing properties, but with the way the air sparks with magic, even I’d have to be desperate to trust diving in without exploring the shallows first.”
“The fae men will run out of their water supply before the day’s end. We’ll need water. I’ll have one of my vampires test it when we reach the Treville.”
“They don’t drink water, only blood.” Tricia unclips her bottle, downing what’s left—a few meager drops.
I take my water from my belt and push it toward Tricia, who takes it. “True, but a small amount of water won’t kill them.”
The trail ascends, the incline increasing to the point Tricia pushes the half-filled bottle back into my hand. Seeing her struggling, I don’t want to draw attention to her when I know she’s physically and mentally drained. I don’t want to add to her stress by overstepping her direction. But I’m her mate. If she won’t listen to her body, I’ll find a way to skirt her weaknesses.
I come to a stop, holding up my palm. “We rest here for ten minutes.”
“You can’t be stopping every time I’m breathing hard,” she scolds. “Keep moving, everyone. We only have a little way before we enter Cornwall.”
“This isn’t about you. It’s me and my men.”
“Please. They’re vampires. They could swim across the Pacific and back without taking a breath.”
“Lack of oxygen isn’t good for the baby. Pushing your body isn’t good for you.”
“I know what’s best for our baby.” She snaps.
Does she? Does any parent-to-be know what’s best for their unborn child? “Tricia, you’re not going to like this—” Before she can protest, I lift her, settling her in the crook of my arm.
“Riley. What the hell are you doing? We haven’t even gone a mile.” She flaps her hands.
“About three-quarters, by my guess. Flat, maybe I’d let you walk. But no one expected Faery to have a one thousand foot incline.”
She squirms, giving me a small slap. “What are you going to do? Carry me for the next week?”
“If I have to, yes. But probably not. Inclines and hardships are what I’m here for. I serve you, not because you command me, but because I love you. When I can no longer carry you, one of my guards will take over.”
She bats at my arm before giving up. “I feel like a child. I’m a queen.”
I lift her higher, parading her around as if this is a game when we both know it’s not. “And I’m your vampire throne.”
“You’re Master. You don’t carry your mate.”
I lower her, keeping pace with the others as I maneuver the gravel. “When she’s eight months pregnant and her death would destroy the world, I will.”
“You don’t have to remind me of what’s at stake.” She peddles her feet, pelting my belly. “It’s just that I can’t be seen as weak.”
“Together we are stronger than apart. You can tell anyone we meet on this trail that you commanded me to carry you if it makes you feel more powerful.”
She giggles, the sound warming me inside. When I least expect it, she leans in, kissing my cheek in what I hope is her way of forgiving me.
The incline steepens. I cart her with one arm, using the other as a balance.
She grips my shoulder, lifting herself off my arm, working with me instead of against me. “I want to be seen as independent. I’m scared I’m losing myself.”
I glance across at her. “Nonsense. I like serving you, and I’ll never let you lose yourself.”
Eyes on the trailhead, we traverse our way upward where the gnarled roots and pebbled trail tests my strength. I lurch forward, jostling Tricia who clings to my neck. “Tricia, you okay?”
“Are you?” She smooths my sweaty hair to lay flush against my scalp. “The air is growing thin. You’re more breathy with each step.”
“Have you forgotten who you’re married to? I don’t need air to live, only you.”
She goes silent.
I give her a few moments, but with each that passes, I wonder if I’m already losing her to the darkness that is this part of Faery. I check her expression. “We’ll be married soon. I promise. All this will be behind us. I’ll make you the happiest woman alive. You and our daughter.”
“I’m not sure I want marriage,” she whispers. “Aren’t we responsible for our own happiness? I mean, you have an army at your fingertips. Thousands upon thousands count on you for your leadership. You shouldn’t be putting so much time into me, into my every breath.”