Frey Saga Book II: Pieces of Eight Page 12

  I felt a tingle run up my spine and sat slack-jawed as the blood drained from my face. My stomach turned when it all came together fully. Steed reached up and placed a hand on my shoulder to steady me.

  I bit down hard against the swirl and forced myself to stay with him. When I thought I had myself under control enough, I allowed a short question. "Why?" My voice was shaky and, as soon as I'd asked, I wasn't sure I even wanted the answer.

  Steed held his hand out to the side, palm up, and shrugged loosely. "I don't know. I wasn't around then." He grinned with only one side of his mouth and added, "I fancy that he wasn't handsome enough for you."

  I ignored his sarcasm and, suddenly, I wanted nothing more than a subject change. "Where were you?" I asked.

  He forced a smile. "I don't know exactly when it took place, but I recall hearing about it upon my return." I hadn't realized my eyes had narrowed until I heard his quiet laugh. "You always have been the best gossip, Elfreda." I'd forgotten my first question when he finally answered it. "I was with Grey, I believe."

  "Grey?" I asked, completely sidetracked again.

  "Yes." He smiled, more genuine this time. "I have known Grey for longer than I care to admit. And he has been smitten with Red for nearly as long."

  I felt my eyes widen and he chuckled. "It must be so strange for you," he said.

  I didn't want to think about it. "Where were you and Grey?"

  "With my father," he answered, a fondness of the memory plain in his tone. "Grey had shown some interest in the horse trade then."

  "He doesn't anymore?" I asked.

  "Not since he's found Ruby." He sighed. "He was lost at his first look into her deep emerald eyes." He peered into mine as he spoke and I couldn't be sure whether he was taunting me. "So rare," he almost purred.

  "Are they?" I asked without meaning to. I'd never seen another besides Ruby's but I'd just assumed I couldn't remember seeing others. No one in the village had my now dark, jeweled eyes but they hadn't had dark hair either, everything about them seemed to shine brightly. But I thought the color could have been common here.

  "I've never seen another pair," he said plainly, "aside from her... and you." And then, as an afterthought, he added, "But I'd never met your mother."

  I nodded automatically before I'd examined what he'd said. And then I realized what we'd all had in common. Half-breeds. All the elves I'd seen here had brown or black eyes and dark hair. It made me wonder how Fannie had changed but then I remembered my mother's description of her in the diary, her light features. I was unintentionally thinking out loud when I said, "So, when they bound me, they matched me to Fannie."

  "Horrible decision if you ask me," Steed said. I glanced up at him, surprised, and he smiled. "I'm sure I much prefer you raven than hen."

  I flushed but quickly recovered. "Steed, the next time Junnie is here, please help me see her. She's all I have." His face changed and he looked as if he wanted to say something. "Well, except for you guys, of course," I amended, worried I'd hurt his feelings.

  He began to speak but the door opened and we both turned to see who was entering.

  "Don’t trust me alone with her, then?" Steed teased when he saw it was Ruby.

  "You should know by now," she joked back, but her humor was only half-hearted.

  She pulled up a chair to join us but merely stood beside it. "How do you feel, Frey?"

  "Super," I lied. She glared at me. "Did you find Storm?" I asked flatly.

  She hesitated for a moment and then shrugged, deciding it was my own fault if I lost it again, I was sure. "Yes."

  "Ruby." I looked her straight in the eye. "Why was she watching us?"

  "Maybe she was wondering why you haven't brushed your hair in days," she replied sarcastically.

  I jerked back self-consciously, as if Ruby could have somehow read my thoughts from earlier with Steed. And then I realized. "She was watching me with Steed, too. Before, when we talked, and we trained."

  Ruby's mouth became a mean grimace and I was pretty sure she cursed under her breath but her face was smooth again as she looked to Steed. "Anything of consequence?"

  Steed shook his head but I didn't agree, everything we'd talked about was significant. My memory loss, my issue with fairies, Anvil, the hawk, and Chevelle. I swallowed hard, forgetting momentarily about my mental argument. And then I was back, because what I'd discussed with Chevelle was far worse than my conversation with Steed. "Ruby, why was she watching me?" When she didn't answer, I realized the more important issue. "Who is she reporting to?"

  She sighed, expecting me to faint when she replied, "Asher."

  Asher. And we'd been speaking of Junnie, her issues with council, my concealment in the village, combined with what she'd heard earlier. "Ruby, is Junnie in danger?" I asked.

  She smiled. "No, Freya, be assured she is not."

  "But Asher knows she's protecting me," I argued.

  "How would he know that?" she chided.

  "Because Chevelle and I were-" and then I stopped, because I knew what she'd meant. They had found Storm. I suddenly understood her comment to Steed earlier, she'd been asking if I had learned anything of consequence, not Storm. Storm was no longer an issue.

  When I heard a clamor in the corridor outside, my gaze nervously found Ruby, but she just stood there as if she didn't hear it. "Ruby," I said.

  "They are simply taking care of a little problem, Frey."

  And then I heard a thick, solid thump that resembled the one I'd heard earlier, when Grey had hit the block wall, and I knew it was a body. I automatically started to get up but Ruby put a hand on my shoulder and pushed me back down. "I promise you, they do not need your help."

  "The servants?" I asked.

  "Only the ones that warrant it," she answered dryly.

  "Maybe I should lie back down," I admitted.

  Steed laughed as he helped me up and, along with Ruby, led me to my own room.

  I was asleep quickly and, though Ruby had stayed there to watch me, awake again nearly as fast. I'd been dreaming of Fannie again, destruction and murder, when her dark, dangerous, cat eyes stared into mine as blood dripped from her muzzle. The instant I woke, I impulsively found the remaining mountain lions I'd left in the castle and snapped their necks where they stood. I was breathing heavily and Ruby questioned me.

  "No, I'm fine," I said, "just a dream."

  "Then sleep, Freya."

  "Ruby," I asked, "what's going to happen to Fannie?"

  "I can't say, she's got her share of tails." She giggled and then amended, "Pursuers."

  "What will Junnie do?" I asked.

  "Junnie is hard to estimate, though I suppose she's got Fannie on the top of her list."

  "Why?" I said automatically, sure it couldn't be merely in protection of me.

  Ruby considered whether to tell me. "Well, I guess you're already in bed," she muttered before continuing in a more audible tone. "For taking out council."

  "I don't think your pass-out humor is funny," I snapped. And then I examined what she'd said. "But why would she care? Chevelle said that she didn't agree with council's ideas."

  "She doesn't agree with them, on certain points," she stressed. "Chiefly, that they manipulated events to control the rise of the north. But that doesn't mean she'd see them slain."

  Of course, that made sense, but, at the same time, it didn't. "I saw her fighting against them, before we got to the castle."

  "Only those that attacked you, some for their own reasons, not council's desire." She moved closer. "I can see you're not grasping the full scope here, Frey. Junnie's entire family is on that council."

  I gasped. How could I have been so oblivious? I'd known, even before I'd left the village, that her family had received the calling. "And Fannie's killing them."

  "Yes," Ruby answered, "and it is only worse that Junnie is responsible for saving her from your mother's fate, protecting her those years in the village, though Fannie considers it punishment, entrapment, and
hungers for revenge."

  Her reply had the tone of her fairy tales and I was confident, once again, that there was truth in all of them. I remembered what Steed had said, that Junnie had merely stopped on her way to warn us. "So, is that what Junnie's doing here, searching for Fannie?"

  "Not exclusively," Ruby said. "She has many arrows in her quiver."

  I recalled the battle again and couldn't help but ask, "Why is she after Asher?" Ruby looked momentarily stunned so I clarified, "If she doesn't agree with council about suppressing the north's rule, I mean."

  I heard her release a breath. "That is an entirely different issue. Junnie is fine with leaving you in charge."

  "But not Asher?"

  "But not Asher."

  I waited for more but was forced to speak the obvious follow up. "So, why?"

  "Freya, there is much you do not know. Sleep now, tomorrow will turn up soon."

  I wanted to argue with her, but I was exhausted. And she'd given me plenty to think about already. My thoughts were swimming in the eddy of my mind but, before long, they slowed, as if the water had thickened and then gelled, and I was in a deep sleep.

  My limbs felt heavy as I dreamt, each step seemingly a monumental undertaking. I walked forever through the corridors and from the castle, never certain where I should be, until, finally, I recognized the stones, the distinctive marker on the path, and turned to find the passageway. It was dark and cold inside; it felt abandoned, forsaken. I heard the cry of a prey bird but could not see the sky, merely blackness. The bird called again, screeching this time, and it seemed to pierce my ears. I tried to find it with my mind to silence it, but instead found something foreign. Pain seared my mind and the shriek became metallic and unbearable. I drew my hands to my temples, pressing uselessly against them, and suddenly I wasn't alone. I could feel a presence, hear my name.

  "Frey!" Ruby commanded.

  My eyes twitched open as a shudder tore through me. A dream. Ruby pulled my fists from my head and ordered me to calm down.

  When I'd finally relaxed, she asked what was wrong.

  "Just a dream," I answered.

  "What about, a dragon's lair?"

  I knew she'd meant to be sarcastic but something about it seemed right. "No, just rocks," I said.

  "Rocks." She shook her head absently. "You nearly scared the fire out of me."

  I laughed at the odd expression and my throat was raw. Had I been screaming?

  After I'd cleaned up per Ruby's standards, we went down to the dining area for breakfast. Chevelle was waiting for us.

  His voice was demanding. "Elfreda."

  Uh oh. "Yeah?"

  "Why are there dead cats scattered throughout the castle?"

  Crap. "Sorry, I forgot."

  "Forgot what?" Ruby asked, clearly not acquainted with the issue, having spent the night watching me.

  "I forgot that I'd left dead cats scattered-"

  Chevelle cut me off. "Why are they dead, Frey?"

  "Um, no reason really." They stared at me incredulously. "Just a bad dream." It almost sounded like a question.

  "Fannie?" Ruby asked in a low voice, remembering my inquiry when I'd woke in the night. I nodded and they dropped the subject.

  Grey came in and Chevelle excused himself not long afterward. Ruby was discussing imaginative training ideas with him when Rhys and Rider found us.

  "Good morning, Elfreda." They bowed in tandem. Their synchronized behavior used to make me uncomfortable but now, after our drunken bonding session, it merely made me smile.

  "Good morning, boys." And then inspiration struck, "Ruby," I turned to her excitedly, "can Rhys and Rider train me today?"

  It was plain that she didn't want to agree, but they spoke up before she had the chance to deny me. "It would be our pleasure, Elfreda."

  I saw her throw a glance at Grey, who, shortly after, excused himself from the table and hurried from the room. I knew I didn't have much time.

  "Can we start now?" They were standing again already, before they'd even touched their food, so I amended, "Do you mind?"

  "Of course not, it is our honor," Rider said.

  My grin widened and I rushed from the room, hoping Ruby didn't follow.

  "No need to run, Elfreda," Rhys laughed when we were clear of the dining area, "you may query us on the way."

  "Was it that obvious?" I asked.

  He merely smiled. "What is it you wish to know?"

  I wasn't prepared so I blurted out the first thing that came to mind. "Tell me about Junnie."

  "Juniper Fountain, I presume."

  "Yes. Please."

  "It is understood that you are aware of her ties with your mother, what else are you curious about?"

  "What she's doing now. I know of her pursuits, but why else, aside from searching, is she here?"

  "Ah, I see. You are interested in the new council."

  "Yes," I lied.

  "Since the conflict with Grand Council over the issue of northern rule, Juniper, or Junnie as you call her, has detached her honor from the group. I assume that you are already aware of her surrender of leadership in order to safeguard you and Francine in the village?"

  "Uh, yeah."

  "Then you know of the sacrifices and hardships she's faced. With the death of her sister, her decision was made, her path sealed."

  Rider, who was walking several paces behind us, interrupted. "Elfreda," I turned to look at him, "would you not have Chevelle know of our discourse?"

  "No," I answered automatically.

  "Then we shall train," he said, turning his arm aside to direct me into the practice rooms.

  Oh crap. I hadn't really thought my plan through until I was standing in the large open room where I'd oft been tortured by fire and whip, facing the two dark, silver-haired elves that towered over me. And, to make matters worse, before we'd even began, Chevelle had rounded the corner to join us and Ruby, smug in her triumph, popped through the second door only moments later.

  Rhys held a staff that I hadn't noticed him carrying before and announced, "It begins."

  I barely had time to let his serious tone concern me before the staff tilted forward slightly, toward me. I immediately took a step back but stopped when I realized the stones at my feet had changed. I was staring at them when a crack sounded and I looked up just in time to see the flash of light coming at my chest. Before I had a moment to react, the light was knocked aside and Chevelle stood between me and the pair of opponents.

  He didn't need to speak the word, but he did anyway. "Stop."

  Rhys smiled softly and, for the first time, he looked almost menacing. "You overreact, Vattier. We know of her capacity."

  "She is bound," Chevelle replied icily.

  "You shield her," Rider interjected, breaking their stare. "She will not find her potential without cause."

  "We have observed her with the others," Rhys said, "she has the faculty, when you are absent."

  Chevelle took two steps toward him at the intimation but, before he could react the way I feared he would, Grey spoke up from the door. "It's true."

  I glanced around the room and, though all other eyes were on Rhys and Chevelle, everyone was hanging on Grey's words. To my surprise, Steed had also joined us, standing quietly by the second doorway. He stepped forward as Grey continued. "Her instincts have returned."

  I cringed as I remembered flinging him across the room.

  The tension in Chevelle's shoulders eased just a fraction as he turned to Grey and I breathed again, now that the confrontation appeared to be over. "Since the temple," Grey added and I recalled catching his fist during our last practice.

  "Why did you keep it from us?" Ruby asked, plainly irritated with him.

  The group had gathered closer and I let myself relax as Grey answered, only in trouble with Ruby now. "You knew she was improving, she'd bested you without aim." I saw her eyes narrow on him. "Besides," he said, "you seem to make her uneasy."

  Ruby was prepared to argue but
he persisted, "But mostly, it's him." He indicated Chevelle with a tip of his head and my face flushed bright red.

  All eyes turned to Chevelle as he watched Grey. It was several seconds before he finally reacted, glancing at me briefly and then walking from the room.

  An unpleasant silence lingered until Grey spoke up. "I mean not to offend you, Elfreda."

  "Uh, no, not at all," I stammered.

  He glanced at Ruby, as if to extend his apology, and she sneered back at him. "Then we should carry on," he suggested to Rhys and Rider.

  "Wait," I interrupted, not so anxious to resume, "what happened to the floor?" I glanced down as I spoke, seeing only the same, normal stone floor that had been so obviously writhing and swelling beneath my feet moments ago.

  "Merely an illusion," Rider explained.

  "And the ball of light?"

  He smiled at my term. "Not an illusion. And quite painful, I might add."

  I raised a brow at Rhys. "So, what's with the staff?" I heard a snicker and turned to glare at Steed, but he was gone; Grey tried to flatten his smile.

  "It is merely an instrument to control my focus," Rhys explained.

  "Even so," Rider said, "never hurts to have a big stick in hand."

  The subtle, and painfully familiar, sound of Ruby's whip unfurling brought me around to face her as she spoke. "Earlier, Grey and I were discussing how helpful it would be to give Frey the experience of a more complete battle."

  Understanding her intention, Rider stepped a pace back to open the group and Grey fell in beside Rhys, making a circle of sorts.

  "I mean, even if we make her uneasy," she taunted, "it is not as if we will not be in battle beside her." I ignored the implication, knowing they were my guard, fully aware that, at this point, I would be no help in a fight, could in no way stand beside her. As I backed away from her, I simply concentrated on not getting hurt, but then, knowing that was next to impossible any time a whip was involved, I thought I might settle for not getting hurt badly.

  "Do not think of us, Freya," Grey instructed. "Better still, do not think."