AaBack’s Grimm: Dark Fantasy Fairy Tale #8 Things Forfeited And Hollowed Hearts

By Kristie Lynn Higgins

Novella about 34,500 words
In book 8, Jane's life is in Neid and Hass' hands. The problem is that Neid wants to gobble her up and Hass... well... would sooner see her dead instead of helping her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kristie Lynn
• Release date: May 25, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005669843

Kristie Lynn Higgins

You can also check out my author page on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/author/kristielynnhiggins

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AaBack’s Grimm

Dark Fantasy Fairy Tale #8

Things Forfeited And Hollowed Hearts

© 2021

Kristie Lynn Higgins

042221

www.KristieLynnHiggins.com

Text Copyright © 2021 by Kristie Lynn Higgins

Cover Art Copyright © 2021

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by Kristie Lynn Higgins

www.KristieLynnHiggins.com

Chapter One

Sugar Bee Venom And What Happened Long Ago

Earlier, a short distance from Moon and Sun Beast’s castle…

A shadow cast from behind a tree from the one who stood watching Hass, Neid, the one known as Sun Beast, and the yeahmun. They had used an assassin’s tool… a Sugar Bee… but their intended target had not been hit. Instead, the yeahmun had been stung because the silly thing had protected some tiny rose-like creatures. The assassin shook their head. Such a waste of a Sugar Bee. The yeahmun would most likely not even grow ill. Such terrifying and dreadful creatures they are.

Since their weapon was no more, the assassin left their hiding spot so as not to be caught. They would wait for another opportunity to strike. They quickly entered the castle, and no one saw them, so they headed to one of the balconies to see what Hass, Neid, Sun Beast, and the yeahmun would do next. The assassin heard someone cry out in pain and rushed out to the edge of the balcony. In the distance, the assassin could make out the three surrounding the yeahmun who was lying on the ground.

Very interesting, the assassin mumbled. Why did the Sugar Bee’s venom affect the yeahmun? What does this interesting turn of events mean for me and my plans?

In the distance…

Sun Beast held onto Jane as she cried out in pain. He hadn’t gone in search of Erosa just yet. Sun Beast was helpless to do anything for her as the poisonous vein-like marks spread across her fingers and the top of her hand. Sun Beast wanted to act, so he said, We have to do something.

Hass looked at him… and she, his cousin peered at him as if it was already too late for Jane. Sun Beast started to say something, but Hass spoke before he could, There is nothing you can do. He thought that would be the end of their conversation, but then he thought he saw compassion in her eyes as Hass questioned him as if he was a dolt, Do you not have a sorceress here? Go speak with her. She will know of a remedy.

The sorceress… Erosa was very powerful… She could do something. Sun Beast immediately set Jane to the side, straightened, and rushed toward the Hedge Labyrinth Garden. He had to find Erosa. He would find her and bring her to Jane’s side.

Jane watched the interaction between Hass and Sun Beast, and then she told Hass, You look very upset. How bad is it?

Elsewhere…

Neid had run to the kitchen and when he entered, he found the cook there. He yelled, Sugar! Get me something sweet!

Kochin, the cook let out a scream as she thought the lecherous male elf was talking of things that were not food. She screamed again and then rushed out of the kitchen.

Neid started to yell after her, but then he saw the jar labeled honey, grabbed it, and dashed out. He ran at a frantic pace and soon returned. Jane was unconscious and his sister… Hass was… holding onto the woman’s hand with both of hers. Neid quickly knelt beside Jane and handed the jar of honey to his sister. He asked as he glanced around, Where is the one known as Sun Beast?

I sent him away, Hass replied, set Jane’s hand on her t-shirt, and then took the jar from him. There is nothing he can do and no need for him to witness what is coming if I am unable to…

They… the two of them had also been powerless to do anything. Long ago… at their own castle… Neid and Hass were playing in the garden. They were laughing and chasing each other around as their mother watched. They had been so happy back then. Their world had nearly been a perfect one until a Sugar Bee flew into the garden. Hass loved insects, and she was fascinated to see such a large bug. She stretched out her hand to touch it when their mother ran over and placed her hand on top of her daughter’s hand right as the bee stung. Neid and Hass heard their mother cry out, and then she immediately collapsed to the ground.

Hass screamed and rushed over to her mother. Neid called out for help but no one came… no one would come until it was too late. Their mother instructed Hass on what to do, and Hass did her best… but… in the end, their mother died.

The present…

Neid noticed his sister’s hands were shaking, so he placed both of his over top of hers as he told her, It is still early. You may still save lille tyv.

Hass said nothing, opened the jar, picked up Jane’s hand once more, and then spread honey all over the area of the wound. She finished and then peered at the wound as she questioned, Did we act soon enough?

A trickle of red blood ran out of Jane’s nose and traveled down her cheek.

No, Hass replied. The poison has taken hold. We are too late.

Are you sure there is nothing you can do? he inquired, and then Neid saw his sister was sinking into despair and grabbed both of her shoulders. Do not give up! he yelled. There must be something else you can try!

Hass looked to Jane and said, What does it matter that lille tyv dies? She is not our mother. I think we should just let her die. She is only a yeahmun after all. What does it matter if a yeahmun dies? We always planned to kill her when we were through with her. I say we let her die. We will let her die and let none get in the way of us claiming the Die Throni.

True… we could let her die, Neid spoke. We always planned to kill her but if she dies this way, we did not kill her. Another did. I want to gobble up, lille blomst. If she dies like this, I will not be able to.

His words didn’t persuade his sister, so Neid thought about it some more. The yeahmun was not their mother but… Lille tyv was important to them, not as important as they were to each other or as their mother had once been to them long ago. Neid told his sister, She is our Hex Breaker. I believe she is very close to lifting our curse. We should not let her die yet.

Hass heard her brother’s words and focused on that this yeahmun was their Hex Breaker, and then she called upon her powers. She ordered, Brother, remove your handkerchief from your pocket and when I tell you, remove the stinger with it. Make sure not to touch the stinger’s tip yourself.

Neid removed the stinger when his sister nodded. He dropped the handkerchief on the ground, and Hass shot a ball of flame at the handkerchief and consumed it and the stinger with fire. Hass turned her attention to the yeahmun and used her magic to heal Jane.

It is not enough, Hass spoke. I must forfeit something to increase my powers.

You have spoken of doing such a thing before, Neid stated.

The type of power I have requires a forfeit of something that belongs to me, Hass explained. It must be something very valuable and dear to me. She thought about it and could only come up with one thing. Hass said, I will forfeit my future right to hurt this yeahmun.

But by doing so… he started and then asked, What if this yeahmun betrays us and we need to eliminate her or she tries to hurt you in some way and you must defend yourself?

The forfeit must be a high price to save her, Hass informed him. I am willing to let her die. She is only a lille tyv.

He listened to his sister, but something deep within him told Neid, she was not completely honest. Their mother’s death had affected both of them deeply. Maybe if Hass saved this yeahmun, then she would feel somewhat better about not being able to do anything for their mother.

I do not believe I am saying this… but do what you think is right, Neid replied.

Hass went ahead and forfeited any future violence against the yeahmun she would commit and after some time, she said, The poison is too great. My forfeit is not enough.

Neid held out his hand and asked, What if I forfeit the same thing?

We will see.

Hass grabbed his hand, then she concentrated, and the poison started to leave Jane’s body through the wound. A few minutes went by, and Jane opened her eyes, seeing that both Neid and Hass were there and that they were somehow healing her. She heard them mention something about forfeiting something to heal her. Time progressed some more, and Jane was able to sit up.

What happened? she inquired as she felt dizzy.

You… Hass began. Something unusual happened and the poison of the Sugar Bee nearly killed you.

Jane stated, "I thought you said because I am a yeahmun… human…