Prologue

Footsteps thudded above her, echoing through the narrow passage. Adelaide pressed closer to the ground and pulled herself across the cool stone. In the distance she could see the faint light of the exit where the palace guards would be waiting, at least the ones not trying to rip up the floorboards to get to her. All this trouble and she hadn’t even found the dagger. 

She did, however, find the prized gilded necklace her client was paying her to retrieve, but it wasn’t all that important, at least not to her.

Tucking the necklace safely in her pocket, she took in a breath of moist air. Her clothes were damp and sticking to her skin, her hair was plastered to the nape of her neck from sweat. The hot summer air was at its peak and managed to seep even beneath the buildings. 

She wrapped her hands around the iron grate and pushed it out of the way, heaving herself onto the street. Meeting the eyes of the Captain of the Guard, she smiled. It was not their first interaction, but hopefully it would be their last. 

His fingers flicked towards his sword, which was still contained in its sheath, as he ran a hand through his thick beard. “Adelaide Bramwell,” He drawled, “By the name of the Kingdom of Salvius, you are under arrest.” 

“Not this again,” Adelaide said, slowly pulling out her own knife, its curved blade glistening in the afternoon sun. 

Heat from the cobblestone seeped through the soles of her boots as her feet crashed against the ground as she took off running. The sound of men shouting followed her as she scaled the rooftops. 

      The sunlight burned against her skin as she hauled her frame onto the roof. She came upon a small crevice where two rooftops met and nestled herself between the tiles, waiting until she felt it was safe to emerge. 

When she could hear no more yelling, she slowly lowered herself down from the rooftop and her feet met the ground of the alley with a satisfying thump. Looking up she met the familiar eyes of the guards captain. He launched himself towards her but his sword struck only air. Adelaide ducked, bringing her knife towards him and sinking it through his leathers. Right between his ribs. 

Gasping, he stumbled backwards and sank against the wall, eyes wide open bearing into her flesh. Adelaide knelt beside him, her fingers still wrapped around the hilt of her knife. She pulled out the blade, a gush of hot blood following, staining her hands crimson.

The Captain heaved a shuttering breath, and opened his mouth to speak. 

“If you get the chance again,” she began, looking down at him, he most likely would not, his face was pale as fresh linen and the blood soaking the front of  his tunic a deep red. “Don’t follow me.” 

Adelaide wiped the blade of her knife on the captain’s blood stained tunic and placed it back in the sheath. She tugged her hood over her head leaving nothing but her dark braid showing. This was both to mask her face but also her eyes. The shining indigo irises were a beacon as to what she was. Fae. Well a half breed at least and it was a dangerous thing to be Fae in the kingdoms, especially this one; but Adelaide liked a little danger.

Patting her pocket to make sure the necklace hadn’t been lost in the scuffle, she stepped into the busy streets and wove her way through the crowd. She moved towards the outskirts, slinking in the shadows along the mud caked buildings, on her way to the dark market where her client would be waiting. 

The window to the dress shop caught her eye, silken fabrics and wide skirts were draped over manikins, she let her eyes roam over the finery before moving forwards toward her destination. There was no need for such attire in her life, but with the amount of coin she was getting paid for stealing this necklace, she could buy the entire shop if she desired. 

Her feet carried her towards the slums where poor families huddled in their one room homes. You could smell them before they came into view, there was hardly any proper sewageing and rotten food was left out for days until eaten by the stray dogs. Adelaide took a shallow breath and pressed her hand to her face, covering his nose. 

Lining both sides of the narrow street were small homes stacked on top of each other, patchworked from random pieces of wood and other materials. Long lines hung from the windows where ragged pieces of cloth dried in the late summer breeze. She stepped over a puddle that certainly wasn’t water and she had no desire to find out what it truly was. 

A group of kids ran by, one coming to a stop in front of Adelaide. His bare feet were glued to the ground in front of her, dirt was crusted to his sun tanned skin and scabs freckled his knees and elbows. His eyes widened as his jaw fell open. 

Adelaide smiled, her lip quirking up to the side. He was too young to recognize her but she still adjusted the cloth that shielded her face. She reached forwards, pulling a shining coin from his ear. The glistening metal spun between her fingers before she flicked it to him. The child gasped and scampered away, scooping up the coin that had fallen, before chasing after his friends. With a sigh, she continued deeper into the slums until she reached a metal grate.  

She looked over her shoulder at the empty street then bent down and lifted the edge of the iron. Checking her surroundings one more time, she began climbing down the metal rungs of the rusted ladder. 

After sliding the grate back into place, she walked through the tunnel. The faint sound of dripping water echoing in the darkness. 

The dark market thrived beneath the slums. Tucked away, deep in forgotten tunnels and interlaced sewers, people made a living selling items and services you could get nowhere else, in a market that spanned across the continents. It was always bustling with people, some that were regular customers, the dealers, and of course others venturing down into the darkness because they needed something desperately. And the desperate were the most dangerous, they often had nothing to lose.

Adelaide waved at a vendor that shouted her name as she passed. He gestured to his array of magically enchanted weapons, forged by the Fae themselves before their magic had disappeared. 

She shook her head. She had visited his shop once,  looking for the Huntman’s Dagger, and now he tried to drag her over every week to show her different weapons. But none of them were ever what she needed. 

“Come on Adelaide,” He bellowed, holding a dagger that appeared to be carved from bone. “Enchanted to always meet its mark…” 

“I don’t have time, Gideon.” She answered firmly, turning away from him. 

She pushed through the crowd until she came to a small tavern nestled in the wall. The smell of unwashed bodies mixed with the spices of some savory meal came wafting through the doorway as she stepped inside. Dragging her sodden boots across the floor, she walked over to her waiting client. 

The man sat alone in the back of the room at an empty table, his face completely hidden by a wide hood and a cloak long enough to dust the floor draped across his shoulder.

“You’ve retrieved it?” He grumbled as Adelaide neared. His voice was rough as gravel. 

Adelaide slowly pulled the chair out, the legs scraping against the hardwood floor, and then she sat down. She moved her hand towards her pocket showing a bit of the golden chain between her fingertips. “You have the payment?” 

A bag thumped against the table with the distinct sound of coins jostling together. She handed over the necklace watching as the client skimmed over the metal chain, his wrinkled fingers brushed against the shining gem. Her gaze flicked down to the bag, in just a few moments all that coin would be hers. 

A smile fell from her lips as a scream pierced the air. Her head whipped around to the royal guards that came barreling into the tavern. Their bright red tunics unmistakably in the drab colors of the dark market. 

Her stomach dropped, she had to get out before they found her. She turned back to the client but he was already gone, as was the bag of coins. Cursing him under her breath she stood and scanned the tavern for another exit.

“Adelaide Bramwell.” The guard said. Standing beside him was the small boy from the streets. So he had recognized her, Adelaide swore. 

The tavern grew quiet, it was a room full of murderers and thieves but they only wanted one; her. She tugged on her hood while letting her eyes skim over the room. There were three guards in total, and more waiting outside. 

Adelaide’s hand floated down to her blade. The guard standing in front of her was blocking the door, still the only exit she could see. He looked young, his face still round and smooth, not yet marred with scars. He took a step forwards and Adelaide mirrored the motion, only this time she drew her knife. It was a wicked twisted blade, sharpened to perfection, the same weapon used to kill his captain. 

Hands wrapped around her from behind. Adelaide threw her elbow connecting with flesh but iron was being clamped around her other wrist, the cool metal digging into her skin. 

She snarled, pulling free and turning to face another guard. The shackle dangled from her left wrist. She threw her leg, burrowing her heel into the guards gut and jumped onto a table. Someone shouted as glasses crashed to the ground. Adelaide’s pulse thrummed in her ear. 

“Grab her!” Someone roared. 

Then she fell to the ground. Her breath hitched as pain lanced through her chest and a weight settled on her back. She flung her body, trying to right herself but was met with a fist landing against her cheek. 

“There’s no reason to fight, girly.” The guard said as he roughly grabbed her arms and pulled them towards the base of her spine. “You’re property of the King now.” He sneered.

Her wrists were bound together behind her back as they dragged her through the city streets. The sun was setting in the horizon bringing in a cool night breeze that tugged strands of hair from her braid. 

Lining the streets, peasants spat at her and cursed. She winced and turned her head away as rotten vegetables were thrown at her, hitting her in the face. Adelaide watched their angry faces twisted with rage, obscenities spilling from their chapped lips.

The crowd thickened as they passed by the church. Its carved stone reached towards the sky, the dark stained glass windows glistened in the light of the setting sun. Beneath the towering oak doors stood a monk, he was perched on the wide stairs lighting incense and chanting, “Cleanse these streets from the demons that dwell in them.” 

Magic was outlawed in these lands, as it was in all the kingdoms under King Everitt’s rule, the Conquering King of Salvius. Being Fae was one of her many crimes. To the Salvian Church anyone who had magical abilities were cursed. The Fae were demons and the mage who lived in the Northern kingdom spewed wicked witchcraft that undermined their religious order. They might not be far off on their assessment of the mage but Fae were blessed by the gods with magic, that was the source of all of their magic… that is until they weren’t. 

Adelaide dragged her feet against the dirt as they neared the castle. Before her the draw bridge was lowered, the walls around the castle cast a shadow, cooling her skin. With a gulp she stepped forward to where her future awaited. 

Chapter One

Adelaide Bramwell

A few months in jail is better than losing a hand, Adelaide thought to herself. She stood, etching another line in the wall with a jagged piece of stone before taking a seat. She stared through the iron bars waiting, for what she did not know, but something felt different. 

She hadn’t seen her jailer this morning or been fed breakfast, an ache rippled through her stomach at the thought. 

The clanking of metal broke the silence. Murtaugh appeared holding the chains she heard rattling as he walked down the passageway. Wrinkling her nose in disgust, she took stock of his greasy hair and pockmarked skin, and wondered how long he had been wearing the same stained tunic. She cocked her head to the side as he hooked the key ring on his belt, it would be all too easy to swipe the keys and flee. 

Another guard appeared beside him, this one was young with a vaguely familiar face, but there were many that had passed by her cell these last few months; it wouldn’t have been particularly odd to not recognize someone. It bothered her though, where had she seen him? 

His gaze didn’t leave her for long before returning to study her. He didn’t realize Adelaide knew exactly how close he had been watching her. It was hard to see in the light of the flickering torches, but unlike Murtaugh, his tunic was clean and perfectly fit his tall frame. His intelligent eyes were hidden beneath a mop of hickory brown hair.   

Murtaugh lifted the keys, dangling them just outside the bars. Adelaide licked her dry lips watching him. Despite how much time the cell keeper had spent in these dungeons he had yet to grow tired of taunting her. 

He chuckled beneath his breath and turned towards the younger guard, “Take the shackles, I’ll open the door and you can bind her.” 

The metal groaned as Murtaugh pulled on the handle, the hinges stuck for a moment, as if they were rusted in place from disuse. His brow raised in irritation and he yanked the handle, the door snapped free swinging wide open. 

The young guard moved towards her and removed the manacles that bound her wrists. He worked quickly, placing her arms behind her back and fastening on a new pair of shackles, these ones were connected to a thick iron chain. It was an effort to keep her arms steady as the weight from the steel tried to drag her down. 

Adelaide let out a deep breath and followed the guard as he tugged her forwards. Through the torch light she could see the other prisoners staring at her. Their beady eyes were sunken and dull.

At the end of the hall was a line of soldiers waiting for her. There were six of them, all standing with backs as straight as a tulip tree. The Salvian kingdom’s insignia was patched onto their tunics showing their allegiance to Everitt’s Empire. Swords hung from their waists, Adelaide stared at the cool metal, her fingers itched to take hold of the hilt and feel the familiar weight of a weapon in her hands. 

A smirk toyed at the edge of her lips, “All this for little ol’ me?” She laughed. “I was beginning to think Everitt wasn’t taking me seriously.”  

After months waiting in the darkness she had assumed she would reside there until she starved to death from Murtaugh’s poor care. 

“We all know what you’re capable of,” The young guard said quietly. Adelaide tilted her head, unlike Murtaugh whose voice was thick with the accent of the Southern Kingdoms, this man’s accent was clear and crisp, meaning he hailed from Salvius. 

She barked out a laugh and snapped,“As you should, boy.” His eyes remained on her, baring into her skin as if they shared a secret. Adelaide didn’t like the way he looked at her, it was too familiar, too knowing, a shiver snaked up her spine.

They continued to lead her through a series of dark hallways and up a flight of rough stone stairs. Two guards resided in front of her, along with Murtaugh who still held her chains. The rest flanked her sides and walked behind her. It was excessive at the least, but mildly flattering to be considered such a danger. 

The top of the stairwell opened up into a wide hall flooded with sunlight. The tiled floor was made from a beautiful marble that reflected the chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling, They came to a stop before a set of ornately carved wooden doors. Recognition washed over her as she realized where exactly they had brought her. She sucked in a breath feeling suddenly nauseous. 

The doors groaned as two men forced them open. The world seemed to flicker, and for a moment, beyond the hall, she could see a boy and girl standing in the throne room as their world began to crumble. 

She flinched as Murtaugh poked her forwards. The chains dragged against the floor as she stepped through the doors, following Murtaugh to the center of the room. 

“Not so smug now, are you?” Murtaugh whispered. “Yer lookin’ a little green, girly,” he laughed and pushed her down to the floor.

She would have responded had it not been for the man that took a step towards her. 

King Everett, in all his glory, wearing a stolen crown and jewels, his ermine cape was lazily draped over his broad shoulders. His handsome face set into a scowl as his sharp, dark eyes took in the sight of her kneeling figure before him. 

Adelaide tore her gaze away from the king and towards the royal court room. There were elaborate tapestries woven from silk and gold, retelling the legend of how King Everitt conquered the kingdom from his predecessor. It was just over a decade ago when he killed the King and Queen of Salvius, and supposedly their heir. Her lip curled in disgust, she wondered how much he had paid the church to back him as a ruler. 

Her eyes took in the embellished marble columns up towards the mezzanine area where spectators looked down at her. They stood waving their arms and shouting, faces flushed from anger. Their voices meshed together creating a mock symphony that filled Adelaide with rage. It made her want to sink her knife into each one of them. 

Pulling her eyes away she inhaled deeply. In the center of the room was a massive dais where the throne sat, according to folklore it was carved from the bones of those whose kingdoms had been conquered.

Adelaide studied the pearly white material. She was sure if she ran a hand over it the surface would be cool and smooth. There was a cushion on the seat stretching up for a place for the king to rest his head, spiraling above the headrest were bones reaching towards the ceiling in a half circle. They looked far too real to be carved from wood. 

“Do you know as to what circumstances led to you being here?” The High Pontiff asked. 

Adelaide hadn’t noticed him before, he stood by the king’s throne wearing a plain robe that swam around his frail figure. His gnarly fingers grasped onto the parchment as he scratched the top of his bald head. 

“I haven’t the faintest idea,” She bit out. 

The old man cleared his throat and smacked his lips together. “You are charged with the underground trafficking of magical artifacts, contraband items, and stolen goods.” 

He continued speaking, trailing on about each artifact she had stolen leading up to her most recent, a necklace belonging to the church. A sacred thing that had been worn by one of their saints. 

“And along with these things, the murder of the Captain of Aradias Guard, Captain Leonides Wesley.” He took in a deep breath as if the task of reading her long list of offenses had tired him. “How do you plead Adelaide Bramwell?” 

 There was a sharp hiss as the spectators took in a collective breath and the room grew silent. Adelaide kneeled, staring at a speck of dirt on the tiled floor. It seemed odd and out of place and she wondered if maybe it had fallen from her. 

“Do you have nothing to say for yourself?” King Everett’s voice thundered through the quiet room. 

She looked up at him, indigo eyes bearing into his soul, and smiled, “I have nothing to say to a usurper.” She lifted her chin, and nodded towards The High Pontiff, “Or his lackey.” 

The king’s eyes glazed over for an instance, before narrowing. “You dare to speak to me that way?” He stalked over to her, footsteps echoing, and grasped her chin in his hand. “You foolish girl.” He snarled, spittle landing on her face. 

A familiar feeling bubbled in her chest as a soft laugh tumbled from her lips, if only he knew. “You dare to speak to me that way?” She was laughing harder now, her cheeks and eyes burning and her shoulders shook violently. God’s she felt absolutely insane. 

She stumbled to her feet and took a step towards the king, “I know what you are,” she whispered just loud enough for him to hear. 

His throat bobbed and she thought for a moment fear flicked across his features. A buzz emerged from the mezzanine, her and the king had been standing quietly for a moment too long. 

A sickening crack echoed through the room and Adelaide gasped. She fell to the floor, biting her tongue as her face landed against the ground. A metallic tang filled her mouth and she felt a searing pain in her cheek, stinging like she had been struck with a hot skillet. 

“This kind of opposition will not be tolerated. However…” The king said, circling Adelaide with arms outstretched, “I am a just and merciful king.” 

Murmurs of agreement filled the room and Adelaide couldn’t help but wonder what he had given the nobility in the crowd to make them such obedient little followers. He lifted his leg and placed his foot against her back, pressing his heel into her spine. 

Adelaide fell to the ground, her face growing warm with anger. 

“A crime like this would normally warrant an execution, but I will extend grace to this agitator.” He paused looking down at Adelaide. 

Her stomach was twisted in knots and she could feel bile creeping up her throat. 

“I sentence you, Adelaide Bramwell,” A smile curled his lips, “To the Mines of Denholme.”     

As the words fell from his mouth an audible gasp resonated from the mezzanine. Adelaide’s own mouth fell open and her blood turned cold. For a moment she was grateful that she was on the floor, if she had been standing she would have surely fallen to her knees. 

Being sent to Denholme was a fate worse than death. She’d heard the whispers on the streets and in prisons. Cold iron mines, filled with Fae, political prisoners, and anyone who crossed King Everitt on a bad day. Enemies from kingdoms so far away, most of his subjects couldn’t place them on a map. 

The mines were where you were sent to die. Rather than the quick death a beheading would supply, in the mines you slowly starved to death and toxins from the iron leeched into your flesh. 

Panic began to overwhelm her. Adeliadde had heard of the treatment in the mines. She would be surrounded by the sweet, sickly smell of death, as she slept on the cold stone floors. No doubt she would be beaten regularly. She had heard guards bragging once about how they whipped prisoners until their backs were a mess of angry welts and wounds that peeled open with even the subtlest movements. The brutality of the guards in the prison mines was unmatched.  How long would she survive in those conditions? Two months, maybe three? 

 As for how they treated the women…Adelaide shivered at the thought. No this wouldn’t do. She was determined to escape, to find a way to flee and find the dagger, then everything would be alright. 

Two guards grabbed her from beneath the arms and hauled her onto her feet. Hysteria made her bold and Adelaide smirked as she looked up at the king,  “As you wish your majesty,” tilting her head in a mock bow as the guards pulled her away. 

They roughly pushed her through the doors and down the hall. They led her away from the throne room and in the opposite direction she had come before. Walking towards them was another guard, the young one she had seen before. 

He walked towards them in long, purposeful strides saying, “I have direct orders to immediately take her to Denholme.” 

The shackles burned against her wrists as they were pulled tight and were handed over to the young man, “The sooner she’s gone the better.” 

She watched as the two guards walked away from them mumbling something about getting lunch. Her stomach growled, she couldn’t remember the last time she had eaten a decent meal. 

“Got the prisoner, Lucius?” Another voice said. 

So that was her current guard’s name. 

Adelaide turned her head to the young man speaking, his tunic was decorated with a series of medals that were far too advanced for him to have earned in his youth. A Nobleman’s son? She wondered. For he was little more than a boy and to have all those medals they must have been bought. 

She was a bit disappointed with the fact that these two were escorting her, a nobleman’s son and a young guard fresh into knighthood. The nobleman’s son took her other chain and the two guards pushed her through a doorway and into some sort of servants hall. They dragged her through the castle until they came to a second doorway. Lucius opened it unveiling the outside world to Adelaide. 

She squinted, wishing she could raise a hand to shield her sensitive eyes. The cool breeze of autumn rushed through the air pulling her knotted hair from her braid. Her eyes settled on the cart awaiting her, the two horses leading it were groomed and well fed, unusual for prison horses. 

Lucius and the nobleman’s son opened the door and pushed her into the cart. She stumbled into the back, sitting in the corner where a single blanket was folded. She lifted it to her nose and seeing that it didn’t smell, shrugged, before wrapping it around herself. The doors shut and a moment later the carriage rocked forward, rumbling as it rolled down the uneven road. 

Adelaide braced herself for the ride and closed her eyes, allowing exhaustion to take over. 

Chapter Two

Adelaide Bramwell

She held her arms out to catch her fall as the carriage came to an abrupt stop. The sun had long since set and risen and through the small bars at the top of the carriage she could see that once again the sky was darkening as nightfall swept the sun away. 

There was the sound of metal grinding against metal as someone unlocked the door. Adelaide closed her eyes and leaned her head against the wall, feigning sleep. 

A large hand settled on her shoulder shaking her, “Open your eyes, I know you’re not sleeping.” The deep voice said.

Adelaide sighed and peeled her eyes open, “Hello Lucius,” She forced a smile, “And for what reason have we stopped?” 

Denholme was about a days trip away from Rosewind Castle, and by her calculations they should have reached the mine by now. She was beginning to think that these men had taken her elsewhere. 

He grunted in response and motioned for her to follow. She clambered out of the carriage wondering how much longer her hands would need to be bound. 

She let her eyes roam around her surroundings. They were stopped and setting up camp in a small clearing where the forest thickened and there was a small stream with clear, trickling water. Someone had started a fire and collected kindling and logs to keep it burning through the night. Not a bad idea considering how cold the woods could get in this part of the kingdom. Bedrolls were also neatly laid out near the fire. She tried to count them to get an idea of exactly how many people were traveling with her escort. 

A few men sat beside the fire warming their hands and feet, she recognized the nobleman’s son who was now changed into a crisp white tunic which, if possible, made him look even younger than when he was dressed in the guards uniform. 

She noticed that none of the men were wearing any sort of official uniform. She opened her mouth to speak but Lucius silenced her. 

“There’s a small stream,” He said, gesturing to the water. “If you’d like, you can get washed up there.” 

He handed her a small rag which she took in her hands. “Are you implying something?” Adelaide asked. Of course she knew she must have reeked, there wasn’t much of a bath in the palace dungeons. 

“I’m not implying anything,” Lucius answered, “Do not stray far.” 

Adelaide walked over to the stream enjoying this small moment of freedom. She looked down, the edge of the stream was lined with ice, bits of frost decorated the surfaces of rocks. Kneeling beside the water she soaked the rag and started scrubbing at her skin, grimacing as she rinsed it and watched the water turn brown. 

She sighed looking at her reflection, her cheeks were hollow and thin, collarbones popping out of her skin. Her eyes still shined brightly but there was a tiredness to them, the dark circles pooling beneath aged her significantly. 

I could make a run for it, she thought. Looking over her shoulder, her eyes locked with Lucius, he pinned her with his stare and shook his head,  like he could see the plan forming in her mind. I could make a run for it…and get caught immediately, she corrected. 

Better to wait anyways, she decided. To let them free her hands, to get some food and water, and a decent night’s sleep. At least then she would be better prepared. 

Her ears pricked at the sound of voices, only these were not coming from the camp. Adelaide looked around, noticing a bit of movement not far from where she rested. Scooting closer so she could hear the conversation at hand. 

“It is much more dangerous to wander these woods in the dark than it is to rest here.” A voice said, it was deep and smooth, reminding her of the slight ripple on the surface of a lake. 

Adelaide stood and took a step forward, making sure to only step on the leafless ground. Peering around a tree, the two men talking came into view. 

“But what of the legends, Callum?” One asked, this was not the same voice as before. The man speaking had dark hair in desperate need of a trim. His ears were rounded at the tips but when he spoke the elongated canines glimmered in the light of the setting sun Adelaide tilted her head to the side, So he’s a halfbreed, she thought to herself. His eyes were plain as dirt, they didn’t pull her in like the Fae’s did, beckoning her to stare a little longer, no, his were quite human. 

“The horses and men need rest,” The first one spoke, Callum. He sighed, shoulders seeming to sag under some sort of invisible weight. “We camp here tonight and that’s final.” 

He turned showing his pointed ears and bright, sapphire eyes, when he opened his mouth to speak his canines were pointed. He was Fae. Adelaide wrinkled her brows in confusion, Fae were not a part of the Salvian army, but rather hunted by them. So who were these men? 

“I told you not to stray,” Lucius said, grabbing her forearm and tugging her towards camp, where he sat her down on a log. “Stay here and don’t move. I will be back.” 

“I won’t be going anywhere with these manacles on,” She murmured, not caring to mention that she had left the rag by the stream, besides it was soaked through with grime, so much that she doubted it would be salvageable. 

A wind swept through the camp bringing a sort of otherworldly cold, she tugged on the sleeves of her tunic wishing she had brought the blanket from the cart with her. However, the fire did manage to warm her fingers. She propped her feet up feeling the warmth seep through her leather boots. 

Adelaide looked up to where the stars twinkled as if they were winking at her, whispering a kind of message only she could hear. She followed the pattern studying the constellations. 

“It can’t be,” She whispered to herself, eyes darting back and forth. 

This forest was from a forgotten time. A time when the kingdoms were united under one ruler. A time of peace and prosperity. An age when the creatures of magic roamed the lands. Adelaide looked at the long, overgrown branches, they hung so low to the ground a child could climb on them. The gnarled trees cast dark shadows across the mossy ground. They look like Sluagh, she thought to herself and shivered. It seemed as if the soul hunters were already prowling in the darkness, waiting for night to fully fall. 

“Of course I know the legends,” One of the men said, pulling Adelaide from her thoughts. “I just don’t believe they are true.” He puffed out his chest and smiled lopsidedly. 

What a fool. When none of the others answered him Adelaide smiled saying, “Have you ever heard of the veiled lady.” 

The man looked at her for a moment, biting the inside of his cheek. “I’ve been told not to speak to you.” 

“Hm,” she smirked, “What a shame.” 

“That’s enough,” A voice said, she recognized it as belonging to Callum. 

Adelaide turned towards him, his sunkissed hair looked bronze in the firelight. “Do you not want your men to know the true history of where we reside?” 

“They do not need to hear silly tales woven by the fates to scare children into obeying their parents,” he countered. 

Adelaide rolled her eyes, “If they really are just silly tales I see no harm in them knowing.” 

She looked towards the men where they sat forward eagerly. One man’s eyes danced between her and Callum, not sure who’s side to take, it was the halfbreed from earlier. He didn’t seem all that important in rank, perhaps he was just a concerned foot soldier. 

“Fine,” Callum shrugged and held up his empty palms towards the group. “If they wish to hear then you may tell them.” 

Adelaide leaned forwards, resting her elbows on her thighs. It had been a long time since someone had told her of this story. She collected her thoughts and looked around at the men’s eager expressions. “You already know we’re in the Veiled Lady Forest. You’ve heard of that, haven’t you?” She didn’t wait for an answer before continuing. “The Winter Queen of the Fae ruled over the forest and this kingdom, keeping it safe for centuries, until she was killed by a Mage who used dark magic. With her death every soul that lived here became Sluagh and now haunts this forest with Callieach, waiting for unsuspecting people to take and-” 

“Kill,” Callum finished, “Or turn to stone, or leech of blood.” He poked at the fire with a stick, looking towards Adelaide. “Just a story.” 

“Theres always truth to the legend’,” Adelaide whispered. “Can’t you feel them? You’re Fae after all.” 

Callum’s glare seemed to burn into her flesh. She turned away from him and looked towards the humans, preparing to continue her story. 

“Who’s hungry?” Lucius asked, his interruption breaking the tension. He passed out hardtack and strips of venison jerky to the men, saving Adelaide for last. 

It didn’t take long for the men to settle back into easy conversation, but there was a weariness to them that wasn’t there before. The slightest ruffle of a leaf had them reaching for weapons and tossing nervous glances into the darkness, looking for something that wasn’t there.  

After eating, the men began to settle down for the night. They spread out their bedrolls on the leaf covered ground, making jokes and whispering as they did so.  Adelaide watched as the men slowly succumbed to sleep. 

As the glowing embers began to fade, Callum walked over and took a seat beside her. He had a blanket folded beneath his arm, which he set down beside her.

“Is that for me?” She asked. The night was already cooling down, her breath floating before her in small white clouds.  

Ignoring her question he leaned in closer, quietly saying. “You didn’t have to say that to them, you know…about the Sluagh.”

Using her foot she pushed the blanket away. 

“Good night Callum, I hope you sleep with one eye open.” She sneered while turning on her side and shutting her eyes. But she knew better than to let herself fall asleep in this forest.

***

Adelaide woke with a start, she surged forwards taking a deep breath of the crisp air. When did I fall asleep? She asked herself. The forest was still dark, lit by the moon and stars. It was eerily quiet, the only sounds she heard were the katydids and a lone wolf howling in the distance. 

She laced her cold fingers together and looked around. The men were sleeping soundly wrapped in thick blankets and warmed by the fire’s dying embers. However one man was awake, he had his back turned to her and was fidgeting with something in his hands. 

Movement caught Adelaide’s attention out of the corner of her eye, she looked in that direction just missing the creature as it disappeared into the brush. Her pulse thrummed, could it be what she had thought? Adelaide watched the leaves for a moment, silently willing the tiny creature to emerge. Slowly, a small pixie came fluttering out of the foliage, its blue skin giving off a faint glow in the darkness. 

What are you up to? Adelaide wondered as she marveled at the delicate wings and features. It had been years since she had glimpsed a creature of magic, let alone a pixie. Most of the magical creatures fled after the great war, others had stayed and  went into hiding when Everitt took over the kingdoms and declared a hunt for the creatures to rid all forms of magic from the lands. She knew that pixies were mischievous by nature, always playing tricks and leading unsuspecting people astray, yet this one smiled up at her as if they shared a secret. 

The pixie made a motion with her hand and soon others came flying out of the woods, wreaking havoc on the small camp. Adelaide smiled as she watched the pixies silently, but swiftly tie shoelaces together, steal trinkets and tokens from the warriors pockets, and replace food rations with acorns. All while the guard sat with his back turned, carving marks into a stick with the blade of a knife. 

The first little pixie looked up at Adelaide, having felt her eyes on her. She seemed to float through the air as she came to where Adelaide sat. The pixie took her chin in her tiny hands, her fingers so cold they felt like icicles. She examined Adelaide with eyes that peered into the depths of her soul. The pixie tilted her head to the side, taking in the manacles that bound Adelaide’s wrists, she frowned. 

She fluttered over to one of the men and pulled a tiny knife from his pocket, the blade was barely longer than her finger, the silver metal shimmered in the moonlight. Adelaide smiled, looking at the pixie as it placed the knife in her lap. “I appreciate it, but the knife cannot cut through the manacles, they’re made of metal. 

The little pixie fluttered down landing on Adelaide’s wrist. She extended a finger and pointed it towards the lock. A faint click rang through the air as it popped open. The pixie grinned and chuckled to herself before disappearing into the forest. 

Adelaide quietly removed the manacles and placed them on the ground. Could escaping really be this easy? She pocketed the knife and risked one glance over her shoulder, making sure that she wasn’t being watched, then vanished into the darkness. 

The sun was begging to rise, the orange glow making its way between the trees. Adelaide looked up at the still dark sky, searching for the fading constellations. She recognized a star pattern that would lead to a small fishing village called Bluffton. Adelaide started in that direction, letting the stars guide her south. Anywhere was better than Denholme or whatever fate Callum and his men were leading her to.