KDBookOnline
Share Us
I ran back to the castle and went to the library, knowing only Levos would be there. My heart was pounding so fast I thought it was going to explode. Levos saw me enter and stood from the table of books he had been poring over. He looked excited.
“I think I have it all figured out, but you’re—” he stopped, taking in my current state. “Did you go for a run or something? You smell awful.”
I inhaled deeply, trying to catch my breath. “What…what are those traps? Out there in the woods…supposed to catch?” I asked in between breaths.
“Yeah, about those. Do you remember that pest problem that I told you about the first time we met? Well, those are meant to catch the pests.”
“And how big are these pests?”
“Big, like really big,” he said, making a dramatic face.
“Levos, what is out there? What is going on?”
He exhaled, taking a seat on one of the couches. “About three years ago we noticed a surge of new creatures that kept showing up around our territory. We killed them and then studied them, but we couldn’t match their origin. Around the same time the dark court contacted us with the same inquiry. We discovered that a rift or a portal kept opening around our territories, allowing creatures and beasts of all shapes and sizes to enter our world. We don’t know why they’re here or what they want. We never know where the rift will end up opening next, so it is hard to figure out where it all is coming from.”
“And those traps are supposed to catch them?”
“Yes. They are spelled to catch a number of things since we don’t understand what they are. When the trap is activated, only an alfar can release the creature it has captured. Nothing has ever gotten close to the castle, but we are still taking precautions.”
I felt sick as I dropped to the couch next to him. I had just freed one of those things.
“Why do you ask?”
I was still stunned, trying to figure out what I had just unleashed into our world.
“Gen?”
“Oh, I just saw one when I was out looking for some herbs. Thought it was a bit aggressive for a fairy trap.”
“Ah, well, I’d advise staying away from them from now on. Don’t want you to lose a leg. Gaelin won’t be too happy about that. Now, as I was saying, I think I have found a way to check up on your little friend, but you aren’t going to like what you’ll have to do.”
My attention snapped to Levos. My heart pumped faster at the thought of Lily. “I’m listening.”
“Gaelin and a group of warriors are leaving tomorrow to go to the dark court to assist in one of their pest problems. You can ask Gaelin to inquire about your friend while he is there.”
“Won’t it look suspicious if he is asking about a human?”
“Yes, but he is the next king. They won’t question him. But this means you have to tell him about Lilian and why you really offered yourself to the light court.” I stood up, weighing the options.
“Do you think he will help?”
“I think he wants to make you happy, so yes, he will help.”
I nodded, thinking of how I was going to approach the subject. “Thank you for letting me know about the dealings with the dark court. I will take it from here.”
“What? You’re not going to pour me a drink and invite me to stay awhile?” said Levos. I smacked him on the back of the head playfully. “Watch it now, you could lose a hand for striking an alfar. Actually, I don’t know what the punishment is for a half-breed…oh wait, yes, I do. Never mind.” He snickered before I smacked him again.
“Don’t even play like that. This isn’t a game.”
He stood from the chair, taking my arms in his hands. “No, it is not, but I am glad I know your secret,” he said softly, looking into my eyes.
“We should probably keep our one-on-one interaction to a minimum. Gaelin is worried about our relationship developing further,” I admitted.
Levos laughed as he stepped away from me, shaking his head in disbelief. “You’ve got to be kidding me. My own cousin thinks I would bed his mistress?”
“Apparently. He was even sniffing the air to make sure my maidenhood was still intact last night.”
“Now I would have paid gold to see that for myself. Understandable all the same. He most likely is worried you’ve fallen for someone else, since you still refuse his bed. By the way, I’m very impressed you’ve lasted this long.”