Deadlands (The Healer Series, #2) (23 page)

Willow scooted closer to Declan to whisper in his ear. “How are we going to find that prophesy and get out of here? I feel like we’re going into a trap.”

Declan turned his head. “I feel the same way. I will not let them take you from me. We will find that prophesy and the item I need.”

“What is it, Dec? The item
you need?”

“That’s why we need the prophesy,” he whispered. “It’ll tell me. I’ve got a good guess as to what it is, but Carmela never said what it was specifically.”

“Great!” she hissed. “So we’re on another search for an item in Hekate’s little game of hide and seek.”

“Carmela is wise, Willow. I don’t understand it all, yet, but…I feel like she is still on our side.
Carmela sent us here for a reason and we have to figure it out. She wouldn’t put us in harm’s way, not when she hasn’t done anything but help us.”

“She led us into the Everwild
and
the Deadlands, Dec. How is that helping? We’ve almost been killed several times!”

“
But we came out victorious. You have the talisman and the key now. Carmela sent us there to find those pieces. We are one step closer to our goal because of it. She knew about my powers and yours, how we are stronger together than apart. She knew where to send us and have helped us in need. Think about it…we couldn’t have gotten out of the Deadlands without Carmela stepping in to bargain with Selene. Who knows what would’ve happened to me or you if Selene kept us hostage there. And now, we’re in the Elven Realm. All we need to do is locate Pandora’s Box and defeat Hekate.”

“You say that
like those are easy things, Dec,” Willow said. “It’s hopeless.”

Declan place his hand over Willow’s clasped ones resting on his stomach. “We have gone through hell and back together, Willow. We will do whatever it takes to save your s
isters and kill the Queen.”

“Declan,” Willow said and kissed his back, hugging him tighter.

“Yea baby?”

“I love you,”
she stated with complete confidence. She had no reason to doubt her love for him anymore. She had no reason to ever leave him again. Declan was hers. He belonged to her as much as she belonged to him, and nothing in this world would tear her away from him again. Not even her selfish insecurities and fears.

Declan squeezed
her hands. “I love you too baby,” he said as they continued to travel further into the Elven realm, once again unsure if they’ll make it out alive.

The journey to the Elven city was long and tiresome. The Elven realm was much larger than Elirana let on. Elirana said the magnolia forest was on their borders, she just didn’t say that the borders of her realm were practically the size of North America. They galloped over rolling hills with lush green grass, across bridges that dropped to ravines below, and along the flatlands that stretched for miles at a time.

There were no villages or towns in sight, just the beautiful landscape
rushing by, but as they crossed a long wooden bridge over a flowing river, the sight of civilization finally came into view. And what a sight it was! This Elven city was not plain or simple in the least. It was spectacular. Large houses were built out of the finest metals. Gold, silver, titanium, and even precious gems like rubies and emeralds formed the walls of the Elven houses. The architecture of the houses was exquisite with detailed arches and curving roofs. It was too much. It was obvious Elves cared too much about appearance. Everything was so immaculate and pure it was overwhelming.

The roads were made of cobbl
ed stone and the company winded their way through the streets effortlessly. Curious onlookers came out to gawk at them. From their shocked expressions, it was obvious they hardly allowed any race to come to their realm, especially Witches, Warlocks, and Werewolves. As they rounded a corner, Willow’s breath caught in her lungs.

“Welcome to the Red Flame castle of the A’minthrid Elves, Healer,” an Elven knight said beside her.
“Most do not get to look upon the majesty of our kingdom.”

Willow couldn’t even acknowledge him back; she was still taking it all in.
The castle was magnificent, and immediately drew attention to the eye because it was vividly colored crimson red. The spires and various towers endlessly stretched toward the sky and were illuminated by the sun, the very reason it was called The Red Flame. The tops of the towers were made of solid gold to symbolize fire. It was too elaborate to look at for long. The Red Flame was so massive in size Willow imagined she would get lost if ever she could explore the inside. It was definitely a change from the dark and sinister Black Castle in the Deadlands.

 
There was a large drawbridge with a small river running beneath it they crossed to get to the portcullis. More Elven knights greeted them as they easily passed through the wrought iron gate into the courtyard. The castle’s defenses were many, and knights were decked out in various weapons and armory, but what were they defending, exactly? They lived in this realm away from warmongers or any threat of battles whatsoever. They had no reason to be constantly armed! It’s not like their people would revolt against their leader. They all
chose
to be separated from the rest of the world. Yet, each tower held guards to defend the castle at all times. Were the Elves so paranoid that they had to keep endless watch for invisible dangers?

Once inside the courtyard, everyone dismounted from their horses. Several Elves came up to lead the horses to the stables.
The poor horses were weary for being pushed so hard across their land and needed rest. There were two large gardens with many exotic flowers on either side of the pathway in the courtyard that Willow wanted to explore so badly, but she was being hustled towards the main doorway that led into the Red Flame. There was no time to wander or stray from the task ahead of her.

Declan held Willow’s
hand the entire time. For the time being she felt calm. She was skeptical of what the Elves would do with them, so her guard was up and on high alert. They walked into the main hall. Hanging chandeliers and extravagant pillars and drapery surrounded the room. Directly in front of her was a marbled staircase leading to the rooms above. This was not the throne room, but a waiting room. Elven servants bustled about the room cleaning and doing various chores.

“This way,” Tierran directed them. He had taken his helmet off and was carrying it under his arm casually. T
ierran led them passed the stairs into another room that had several doors on either side. The room was massive but bare, the floor made of cherry wood.

“The ballroom,” Elirana told them looking behind her.
“We have many parties.” Choosing a room, Tierran opened the door to reveal a lounge room. Several plush couches, chairs and ottomans were scattered across the room. There was also a fireplace, bookshelves, and end tables with beautiful lamps.

“You will wait here until the King and Queen have been informed. Do not attempt escape. Kylan! Tybaltus!” Two knights approached him. “Stand guard and
do not let anyone in…or out!”

“Yes, sir,” the knights said
obediently and stood on either side of the doorway. Tierran shut the door harshly and left them there to play the waiting game.

Willow chose a couch to sit on and placed her face in her hands. Declan sat next to her and rubbed her back soothingly. He
wouldn’t stop touching her, but she wasn’t complaining. Elirana paced the room, and Chase stood ominously crossing his arms over his chest.

“There’s no escaping now!” he yelled. “We’re trapped here! The world is going to hell and we can’t do anything about it!
Time is up!”

Willow whipped her head up to look at Chase. “We don’t know that yet, Chase.”

“Oh yeah?” he asked. “Wanna tell them, Eli, or should I?”

Willow looked at Elirana curiously. “Tell us what?
What’s going on?”

Before she could speak, Chase pushed off of the wall he was leaning against and stormed up to them. “Every day we spend here is a week in our world!”

Willow shot to her feet. “What! Are you serious?”

Elirana looked forlorn. “
It is true, Healer. Time runs differently in our realm than in yours. Chase speaks the truth. Every day in our realm is one week in yours. You want to know how Elves age so slowly and how we’ve kept youthful appearances? This is why. One year in your time is only about a month and a half here.”

“Yeah and you know what?” Chase
continued to yell in frustration, “We don’t have that kind of time! Even spending four days here is a month in our world! The Witches could take over by then! We have to find that prophesy and get the hell out of this realm before all is lost!”

Chase’s panic fueled her own and Willow looked around frantically as the severity of her situation came crashing down on her. “What do we do? What do we do?”

“Do not panic,” Elirana said calmly.

“How can you say that?”
Willow asked. “Do you have any bright ideas on how to help us?”

“No,” she said. “But our libra
ry Malak Select is a part of this castle. We are close.”

“The hell we are!” Chase said. “We’re about to receive judgment from your King and Queen
! They’ll never let us go! They’ll never let
me
go! They think we’ve kidnapped you!”

“Let me in!” A voice called on the other side of the door
freezing their argument. Everyone in the room stopped and listened to the conversation going on just outside the holding room.

“We cannot authorize you to—”

“Get out of my way, now! I have every authority to overrule Captain Tierran!”

Bang!
The doors flew open and in walked a beautiful Elf with fire red hair. Her head darted wildly across the room and as soon as she spotted Elirana, she ran to her and flung herself into her arms. They embraced in a hug. Willow and Declan scooted closer to Chase as the two Elf maidens spoke rapidly and excitedly in their tongue. They both jumped up and down happily. The Elf who barged in was wearing a beautiful green dress and had a gold tiara on her head of thick vibrant red hair. She had large green eyes that finally looked over to them standing there awkwardly.

“
Just what we needed…a royal,” Chase murmured beside them.

Elirana turned to everyone. “I present the Princess
Aralee of the A’minthrid. Princess, the Healer Willow Rose, the Destroyer, Declan Aldridge, and the Werewolf…well…you know.”

Princess
Aralee looked over at them and nodded, but frowned when she saw Chase. “Princess, it is a pleasure to see you again,” Chase said and bowed his head slightly.

“And you…” the Princess spoke in Common Tongue. Her green eyes sparkled strangely as she glanced between Elirana and Chase, and then she spoke to Elirana in Elvish
, her eyes never straying from Chase.

“Women. They can never stop talking about me,” he said trying to lighten
the mood. Willow shook her head.

“
Probably all bad things, I’m sure,” Declan piped up, unable to help it.

“Is it true about the Deadlands, about the rise of the Witches?” Princess
Aralee asked Elirana. “Tierran has informed us of their treachery.”

“It is true,
Aralee,” Elirana said.

“And your memories? Your mind has been healed, yes?”

Elirana smiled. “Yes. I have never been better.” Chase snorted, but Elirana ignored him. “How are the King and Queen faring with the information?”

“
Lucky for you, word has already reached our ears about the brewing war and the small battles that have begun upon the human world. We have been approached to send aide. My father declined.” Willow’s heart sank. Typical! The Elves will not come to help them.

“The war will come here, too,
Aralee,” Elirana tried reasoning. “Don’t you see that no realm is safe from their wrath? If we do nothing, our realm will still be attacked eventually.”

“My father does not think so. He believes our portals are unreachable.”

“That is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard!” Chase argued. Princess Aralee cast a weary look at Chase. “My pack knows where they are! If the enemy finds out, which they will, what’s to stop them from coming here, huh?”

“We have forever shut those portals that you know of, Werewolf,”
Aralee said. “The others are well hidden, even from a Witches gaze.”

“
If you will not help us,” Willow spoke up timidly. “Will you at least allow us to look at the prophesy of the Healer in your library? I need to know how to stop the evil of Hekate and free my sisters. Please!” she begged. “Please just help us in this!”

“The Three Fates are finally together again,
Aralee. It is as we feared long ago. This was foretold to happen.”

“Fates?”
Declan asked harshly. “What do you mean?”

But
Aralee did not answer him. Instead, she looked to Elirana forlorn. “Are you sure this has happened?”

Elirana nodded. “Yes
. Carmela the Future Seeker has joined with Hekate and Selene. She is the last of the Three, the one they need to rise to power. She has kept her identity hidden from all of us until now. In exchange for our freedom, she has turned herself into them.”

“How interesting…” Princess
Aralee thought deeply. “I agree. The prophesy must be found.”

“Your Majesty! I suggest
you back away from the prisoners!” Tierran’s loud voice boomed in the doorway. His massive frame filled the door as he stood there menacingly.

Princess
Aralee turned to Tierran. “Your fiancée has returned to you, Captain, I’d assume you would be happy. And they are not prisoners here.”

“She has betrayed our kind and will not see reason. She
has not been my fiancée for quite some time.” Elirana stared at Tierran, a look of hurt crossing her face.

“Oh, Tierran,”
the Princess waved him off. “Will you not listen to their side as well? That is not the way of justice, my friend. We will listen to what they have to say. Did my father not send you for this reason?”

“Forgive me, My Lady,” Tierran bowed. “The King and Queen are
indeed waiting. Follow me.”

Princess
Aralee hooked her arm through Elirana’s and took off after Tierran. They were speaking to each other in low voices. Willow and Declan followed and Chase walked next to Willow. They were still very protective of her, and she was grateful to them.

“Who are the Fates, Dec?” she asked them. “Have you heard of this before?”

“Only in myths and legends,” Declan said. “But I did not realize what I have cast aside as legend was actually true. The Fates are said to set and control the future. They are three sisters who manipulate time and the fates of all races. I think I have figured out a piece to the puzzle, Willow. Hekate, Selene, and now Carmela make up the Three Fates. They are dark beings, bending nature to their will. They are very powerful and when they come together, terrible things happen.”

Willow’s voice shook when she asked, “Like what?”

“The Fates can control life and death. They decide who lives and who dies. This is bad, Willow. They will strive to dominate the races and become all-powerful, enslaving all to their will. Any power on the Earth, from magic casters, Elves, Fey, even the shifting ability of Werewolves will succumb to them. They will cover land in darkness and let chaos rule. I think, though, that in order to become powerful, the Three Sisters have to perform a sacrifice.”