章 8: Chapter 7
“Honey are you ok?”
I didn’t see him walk over, how he could walk after being unconscious a few minutes earlier I have no clue. But he was there in front of me all I could see was his beautiful hazel eyes and all I felt was his arms wrapping around me and holding me.
For the first time ever, I didn’t care that my two best friends and my cousin were staring at us I just sat there in Alex’s arms crying my heart out on his shoulder. For the first time, it dawned on me just how much I need him. All he did was hold me but I felt the fear, the pain, the anger everything just slip away till only joy, love, and peace were left. At that moment I knew my safe haven was here in Alex’s arms.
“Honey, it’s going to be ok I promise.”
“How can you even talk let alone walk you were really bad a few moments ago?”
“You needed me, I may be in bad shape and not good for a fight right now, but I felt you, your soul is bonded to mine. I felt your fear and pain. I am sorry that I couldn’t stop him. But I am here and not going any ware and if you need me to hold you all night long, I am ok with that.”
“Ok, that just proved to me you the right one for my sunshine.”
“Damien you are spoiling our moment.”
Damien didn’t even look ashamed and Alex was looking better by the minute his hazel eyes were full of laughter.
“Thank you and as much as I would like to stay right here in your arms all night. I can’t I have to go scrub my skin raw and I want to hear your story. So, you are a druid huh? Were you going to tell me at some point?”
Smiling he stood and pulled me to my feet.
“At some point, yes, but I figured the timing wasn’t right.”
“Granny knew, didn’t she?”
“Yes, from the first time she saw me.”
“Ok, you go sit down on the bed, Damien will you stay and make sure if someone comes by that you can hide Alex and Dominic, Tempie and I will be in the bathroom. I really need to scrub Loki’s touch away and Tempie looks like she really needs a shower and clean clothes.”
“Yes, best friend ever I love you, Layla. You are truly a saint.”
Tempie was literally dancing in Dominic’s arms she was overjoyed at the idea of having a bath.
“I keep them safe Sunshine but see if you can scrub fast ok, we all have a lot to talk about.”
Giving Alex a quick hug I went over to the dresser and took out two pairs of jeans one blue and one black and two white t-shirts and two sweatshirts one dark green and one blue. Giving the black jeans and green sweatshirt combo to Tempie we went into the bathroom.
“Well, you look better Alex how are you feeling.”
“Better the longer I am close to Layla the better I feel. I am not one hundred presents yet but getting there. This purple smoke is really thick in Layla’s room.”
“Yeah Loki has it all over but yeah, he wants to make sure she has no power a trick he learned from his dad only he perfected it.”
“You hate it here yet you work for him why is that?”
“I don’t really work for him at the moment he doesn’t even know I am here. Let’s say he has something that I want back and when I found out he took Layla well I am not leaving till I know she is back in the human world safe from Loki.”
“He wants her really bad but he wants her power more.”
“Yes, Dominic that I am afraid is true.”
“Well, he is not going to have Layla or her power. Can you hide a small fire, Damien?”
“Sure, like all dark elves fire magic is easy for me I can hide a small fire but why?”
“Because I need to make a potion or two.”
The room was filled with a strange smell. Slightly stronger than that the purple smoke's sticky sweet smell. The guys were all standing on the far side of the room away from the door and anything else that might burn.
“What are you doing?”
They all turned at the sound of my voice.
“Wow, you look beautiful honey and I know you think I didn’t notice but I did, I love your hair the cherry pink really suits you.”
“Thanks, well a lot was going on at the time but what are you making.”
“His strengthening potion, right?”
Tempest says while stuffing her old clothes in her backpack.
“Right but also the potion I gave you guys before we came here.”
He took the smallest of the two caldrons and placed it on the floor in front of me it was filled to the brim with a bright green potion. It was so bright green it, kind of looked toxic.
“Ok… what does that potion do?”
“You’re going to love me, even more, it makes all this purple smoke useless.”
“Seriously? “
“Yes, honey seriously. But let it cool down for a bit then we can all take a bit. We have just enough time to get up to speed with what was happening with whom.”
“OK well, you guys go first while I put on some shoes.”
Walking over to the closet I took out some sneakers and then got some socks out of the dresser. Tempest took a blanket off the bed and placed it on the floor we all sat down in a circle around the cauldron.
Tempest started telling the story about how they found granny making sure to tell me at least ten times that she was ok. Then about granny wanting to see Alex them finding out that Alex was a Druid and about going to see Dominic’s Dad. About going through the portal. About them walking through the forest about the mercenaries finding them she could not tell me that part she actually had tears in her eyes Alex told me and Damien that part about Dominic being stabbed and Tempest's fire and how they saved him and my heart broke for my best friend knowing that, that must have been hell for her Dominic filled in the part after that about Alex being unconscious and scaring them almost to death and finally their story ended with them finding me.
Their tale filled me with pride and fear and a lot of emotions that they went through all that just to find me. I went and hugged Tempie and held her knowing the fear of almost losing Dominic had not passed and will not until we were safely away from here. I hugged Dominic and was so glad he was still alive and making sure I told him his mark suited him perfectly. Finally, I went into Alex’s arms and thanked him for saving Dominic but also for not dying and for loving me enough to go through all of this. Just as I let go of Alex there was a knock on the door it opened and in walked a very small little thing in rags.
Only after she had placed the huge food cart near the bed it became clear she was a little elf girl she could not have been older than five years. Her eyes were so swollen she could barely see out of them.
“Mellady, I brought your food. I am sorry it took so long but the cart is heavy and I cannot see very well. Please, I beg of you don’t tell his Lordship I was so late he does not take kindly to mistakes.”
The poor thing was shaking even though I could not see them as Damien hid them in the shadows, I knew they were all having the same reaction I was. How can anyone hurt such a small child?
Standing I walk slowly over to her she was so used to begin beaten she scurried backward.
“It’s ok I am not going to hurt you and I won’t tell Loki anything. Was he the one that did this to you?”
She must have heard the sadness in my voice and the plea for her to let me help her in some way.
“Not just him Mellady, the witch doesn’t like mistakes either.”
“But Loki did hurt you?”
“Yes, Mellady but I am a slave and should not speak badly of his Lordship even though I forget sometimes not to speak.”
“What’s your name?”
I ask as I knelt in front of her, she was so small and scared and beaten badly. I wanted to help her she did not deserve to be here and to be treated so badly as if I needed another reason to hate Loki.
“My name is Nyx, Mellady.”
“Night, I can see why your name is Nyx it means night and it was the name of the Greek Goddess of Night. It suits you.”
And her name did even though she was in rags and clearly very dirty and beaten up it was plain she was very pretty her hair was a midnight black and her eyes what little you could she showed that they, whereas blue as the sky. Clearly from her eye color she must have had Light elves in her family tree.
“My name is Layla little Nyx and I am very pleased to meet you would you like to stay and have supper with me?”
“I cannot Mellady. I have stayed away long enough and should get back before they come and look for me and there is plenty of work still to be done.”
With that, she walked to the door slowly because she was clearly in a lot of pain.
“Be safe little Nyx promise me.”
“Your kind Mellady and I will try.”
She gave a small smile and left closing the door behind her.
“He is a monster that poor little girl.”
Tempest was enraged by the state of Nyx and how she is treated just as much as I was the blue fire was blazing in her eyes.
“Damien, will you please do me a favor and make sure little Nyx gets to where she is going safely, please?”
“You don’t even need to ask but he is going to pay for what he did to that little girl.”
“With that, he left.”
“He is an animal.”
“No Dominic animals are not like that he is a monster a self-made monster, Honey you ok?”
“I am going to save that little girl that is a promise and Loki will pay for what he did for all his crimes.”
Turning to face them I started telling my story about everything that happened after I woke up in the dungeon room. I told them about my Dad and about the really bad shape my mom was in I told them about my aunt Brie I just finished when Damien came back into the room.
“She is safe I did a little helping of my own water magic is great for washing a lot of dishes and dirty floors the cook send her to bed without food but I stole some food and placed it by her bed she ate but knew she will be in trouble if they found the plate so she hid it. I took it away after she fell asleep which was very quick.”
“So, he has your parents and your aunt held prisoner?”
“Yes, and speaking of my Dad we need to find a way to get them out of that cell and find a way to free aunt Brie.”
“Well, the spell will be easy enough to break it will take time though.”
“Ok then will start with me getting my powers back because I have a plan sort of it needs some fine tuning but it might just work.”
“We are all ears sunshine please do tell.”
We all went to sit on the blanket again Alex checked on his very green potion.
“Ok, it's cold enough to drink.”
Tanking his empty water bottle, he filled it up to the brim and handed it to me.
“You first Honey.”
Taking the bottle from him I drank the potion without hesitation. Handing him back the empty bottle I waited. Alex went on filling the bottle taking some of the potion himself he handed the bottle over to Tempest she drank some and handed it to Dominic who did the same and finally Damien drank the last of it.
“How long before it works?”
“Just n few minutes so you said you have a plan while we wait you can tell us about it.”
“First, we are going to get aunt Brie. Tempest, you can find her room she called it her gilded cage so I think she is not let out a lot she will need some of the potion too and so will my Dad I don’t think my mom will be in any state to take the potion. Will there be enough for them?”
“Yes, and the strengthening potion is done to we should all take some of that too.”
Repeating the same proses we all took the strengthening potion which did not taste as good as it looked.
“Ok if we do find my mom how are we going to get her out?”
“Well I gave that some thought her door will be spelled shut just like the cell my parents are in so Alex, you and Tempie will go find your mom and bust her out give her the potion, and then all of you will come back here then after that will go on to faze two of my plan.”
“Ok that is good I don’t like splitting up but that seems the best way to do this. With Layla having her powers back and me staying here with her we will be safe and you guys have strength in numbers plus...”
“I can turn anyone into ashes?”
“Why yes baby that too.”
He said that with a smile that was both cute and dangerous at the same time. My poor friend its good Tempie can hold her own otherwise she will never ever win an argument ever again and the thing is she gave as good as she got. I was in awe of them.
The way they talked to each other was so normal but yet there seem to be more said between them that we didn’t hear.
“Ok the sooner we do this the better. Layla, you got your powers back.”
They all looked at me waiting, I closed my eyes not because I was afraid or needed to concentrate but just to have n moment of inner silence. I trusted Alex with my life, with my heart and soul, and knew the potion would work but even though I knew he would not fail me I could not help the ridiculous smile that crossed my face as I felt my power surging forward when I called to it the lightest of breezes filled the room and ruffled my hair opening my eyes I saw their happiness an eco of my own.
“Yeah, Layla’s powers are back, look out world.”
“Well, I must say Alex your one hell of a Druid.”
“Thanks, Damien but really that potion wasn’t that complicated but if we are going to rescue your mother we should get going.”
“Are you sure you are perfectly fine Alex?”
“You look cute when you're concerned Honey. But I am perfectly fine honey and hundred percent back to normal. As long as I am near you, I am good.”
“So, do you have to be in the same room as Layla to not be weakened?”
“No, it doesn’t work like that I can be apart from her just as long as we are on the same plain. I got weakened because even when we came through the portal the magic surrounding the castle made her sort of closed off to me. Tempest could find her because Tempest can find anything she wants, does it make sense now.”
“Yeah, it does thanks for explaining. I just never heard of a Druid and an Elf bonding so it’s new to me, but we have to get going who knows how long Loki will be gone.”
“Be safe please and come back all of you.”
Dominic look glad that I stated the obvious
“We will”
They said together, Alex kissed me on the top of my head, Tempest and Damien both hugged me and before she left Tempest kissed Dominic, he held her a bit before letting her go, and then with a smile, they left closing the door behind them. All Dominic and I could do was wait so we ate some dinner and waited.
Tempest
Walking through the castle’s dark corridors was not fun but I knew we could not leave Layla’s parents or aunt behind nor could we leave little Nyx. They had to be rescued. I lead Alex and Damien away from the dungeon to the upper levels of the castle they followed not saying anything but on guard nonetheless.
I was glad Alex was back to his normal healthy self because something told me before this was all over, that we were going to need a lot of his magic. Damien kept us hidden in the shadows a very cool gift if you ask me. I wasn’t very good with direction usually I followed my instinct but if I had to guess I would say we were heading for the west tower.
We walked and climbed a lot of steps for at least a good 35 minutes this castle really was huge and the purple smoke still covered every room we went through or walked into it really was everywhere. Finally, we came to a big door made of solid wood there was definitely a spell on it, it had a strange reddish glow.
“Well here we are your mom should be behind that door, Damien.”
He reached out instinctively but just before he could touch his fingers to the door Alex's hand shot out and caught his wrist.
“Don’t touch it the spell placed on the door is really not something you want to touch. I know you are anxious to see your mom but give me a few minutes ok?”
Damien nodded and stepped back. Alex took his place standing in front of the door looking at it. A look of concentration on his face.
Alex
The spell was at least not that difficult to remove, but then I guess it was more to keep Damien’s mom inside rather than keeping people out, and going on what I have seen and heard so far nothing happens in this castle without Loki’s saying so.
“Ok, it will only take a minute or two to remove the spell but be on the lookout it’s not like I can hide my magic but I am going to place a sealing spell over us and the door so that the “witch” Nyx talked about won’t sense my magic.”
“Can she do that?”
“Yes, but the sealing spell should work and protect us even if she is really powerful.”
“Ok do what you have to I keep us as close in the shadows as I can.”
“Ok here goes.”
I first place the sealing spell over us and the door, smiling to myself when Tempest remarked that the spells' blue and green sparkles were like fireflies.
Sealing spell done I started on removing the spell over the door my hands wove the pattern in the blue and green light that was the color of my magic. Finally, the pattern was complete pushing the pattern forwards against the door I said the ancient words of the removal spell. Instantly the spell sealing the door was gone and the reddish glow vanished.
“There it is done you can go in now Damien.”
“That was really something to see and I have seen a lot. I was raised by a very old Druid lady but she wasn’t nearly as powerful as you are. Thank you Alex I mean it. I have waited for this moment for a very, very long time.”
“Do you want us to wait outside for you and your mom?”
“No, thanks Tempest but it is best we stay together come on let’s go meet my mom.”
Damien
To say how I felt at this moment in time would be impossible. I was feeling a lot of emotions all at once but as I reached for the door handle to open it. I realized the biggest emotion was fear I was a fully-grown male Elf yet I was scared what if I wasn’t what my mom dreamed me to be surely, she had dreamed of what type of man or person I would be what if I fell short of her expectations.
I haven’t seen my mom since I was a little boy of seven. I remember that day when my Dad was murdered and my mom captured, we came home from visiting Layla and her parents it was Layla’s third birthday she was too little to remember me or my parents that was almost sixteen years ago.
Pushing the fear and dark thoughts away I gave the door a push it opened without a sound stepping into the room I looked around it was a lot like Layla’s dungeon room it was also filled with purple smoke except it wasn’t in the dungeon and the furnishings weren’t that fancy or new the room was emerald green and black and cold only one candle burned and it was placed at a small table used for reading it was in the far corner of the room near the tall windows the room was so cold. At first, we did not see my mom in the room she was standing at the second-tall window looking out but it was clear her mind was far away.
Tempest gave me a little nudge and a small encouraging smile.
Walking towards my Mom I notice she had aged a bit and she had a scar on her face I knew Loki gave it to her the guards talk in whispers and when you hide in shadows you hear a lot of things.
“Mom?”
She did not seem to hear me placing my hand lightly on her shoulder I tried again.
“Mom, it’s me, Damien.”
She became as still as if she was carved out of stone for a few seconds then she slowly turned I was taller than her even though she was quite tall herself. Her eyes went wide with shock and then she threw her arms around me and hugged me so tight I was surprised she had so much strength, tears were running down her cheeks but when she let go of me, she had the most beautiful of smiles on her face.
“My little boy I had to make sure you were real I have dreamed of this for so long. Let me look at you.”
Smiling she said….
“Well, little you are not my angel you grow into a very handsome strong male. You remind me so much of your father.”
Then fear replaced the joy in her emerald green eyes:
“You are brave my angel so brave but you and your friends are in grave danger. It is nearly time for Loki’s witch to strengthen her spell on the room and me. She must not find you here. Loki already has little Layla, if he goes through with his plan and forces her into the marriage he will be unstoppable.”
“Mom we came to get you and I knew about Layla don’t worry. I have been keeping an eye on her and I think Loki made a big mistake taking Layla. Besides mom, she won’t leave without you.”
“But… how they will know someone helped me. Loki will think it is Layla and his anger and punishment will be terrible.”
“He won’t get Layla or her powers not while I still breathe.”
My mom looked at Alex and Tempest but really saw them for the first time.
“You are a druid are you not young man?”
“Yes, mam I am.”
“And Layla and you are destined?”
“Yes, mam”
“Then you must be very powerful indeed.”
“And you dear?”
“I am Layla’s best friend mam, but we are more like sisters.”
Just then the small clock on the far side of the wall chimed it was 19:30.
“They will be here any moment now you must go.”
“Not without you.”
“But my dear angel you have to listen they must not find you or your friends.”
Before I could say anything, Alex chimed in urgency in his voice.
“Mam, does the spell prevent you from leaving the room? Or is the spell just over the windows to stop them from opening like with the door?”
“I can leave the room if the spell over the door is lifted and the windows are spelled so they don’t open. The witch placed a weakening spell on me, every night since I was locked in this room as the purple smoke started to lose its power over me, I guess I got used to it somehow.”
“So, the spell will be broken if the window breaks. Mam, can the windows break?”
“Yes, but why?”
“Because I have a plan, Tempest make those vines outside the window, grow to cover half of the window so if say someone wanted to climb down them, they could. Damien, be ready to hide us all.”
Tempest stared at the window that Alex pointed out the vines grow instantly she was very good at that like most Light elves it was easy but she was really good. Alex quickly ran to the window placed his hand on it said a few words I did not hear and then placed a very heavy-looking book upright against the window running back towards us he grabbed Tempest and my mom’s hands and nodded. Grabbing his shoulder, I pulled all of us into the shadows just in time to hear footsteps coming they were still far away but moving fast.
“WE NEED TO MOVE NOW.”
Alex whispered urgently he mutter something under his breath and waved his hand above us all and then we ran through the door. As the door closed behind us Alex quickly placed his hand on the door and instantly the red glow was back over the door. The moment the red glow appeared we hear glass shattering inside the room the footstep was very close now and they must have heard the glass shatter.
I pulled my mom and friend so deep into the shadows they were all shivering, cold as they were, none of us made a sound.
“They should not be able to see us or hear us or even know we are here.”
“You hide in the shadows that is your gift. I wondered I was taken just before your gift should have started manifesting.”
“Yes, is it bad?”
“No, my Angel it is not, your father always wanted that gift I am glad you have it.”
Just then a young woman, about my age in a scarlet red dress came walking past. She had raven black hair and cold brown eyes she was beautiful but like the way a dangerous animal is beautiful. She had an air about her that said she was bad news. She had two guards with her.
She looked cold and unkind and cruel she placed her hand on the door and the red glow vanished she opened it and took one step inside.
“SHE IS GONE! HOW?”
Then she saw the shattered window and the vines a few leaves were poking in through the window
She ran to the window and leaned out the book Alex placed against the window must look like the object my mom would have used to break the window.
She turned to face the guards and they all step back noticeably.
“She escaped because you could not remember to remove the vines from this part of the castle! You, stupid elves! Go make sure that Loki’s new toy is still locked up and do be quick about it.”
She stormed out of the room and was gone disappearing in the maze of corridors.
-- 贈り物
が届きました 
-- 推薦
ランキング 
-- 推薦
チケット