Feylin

By R.L. Medina

If they discover her secret...

They will kill her and the child she carries.

As Elf Princess of Feylin, there are few crimes worse than the one Aubri has committed: falling in love with a human. Worse, she’s carrying his baby, a forbidden act punishable by death. To save her child, she has only one choice.

To run.

Will she find sanctuary in her sister’s court or will her parents find her first?

Fae politics are the least of her concerns, but when a message from the Court of Shadow comes, she’s forced to play her hand. Vinsan, the human she loves, is in grave danger. Terrified, but determined, Aubri must find a way to save him and protect their child at all costs.

Can she do it?

• Language: English
• Publisher: R.L. Medina
• Release date: Jan 25, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005796327

R.L. Medina

R. L. Medina was born in the Amazon, adopted, and raised in the US. At age six, she vowed to hate reading forever. That hate quickly turned to love (or obsession) and by age eight she was filling every notebook she owned (or found in her mother's office) with her own stories. Now a mother herself, she juggles her time between a semi-feral five-year-old and all the quirky, diverse characters that demand her attention. When she’s not exploring all the Sci-Fi and Fantasy worlds in her head, she enjoys life with her family in Florida

Book preview

1

Aubri moved purposefully against the fog. She tried to ignore the dread building inside her. The Gray Forest didn’t scare her. This was her court and her elf eyes allowed her to navigate easily in the darkness. What waited for her on the other side, that’s what scared her.

A carriage. Ordered to take her to her parent’s court for the ball. She couldn’t miss it. Not without drawing attention and her mother’s ire. She threw a protective hand over her stomach. What if they discovered her secret? A halfling child.

They would kill her.

She shuddered. Owls hooted to each other from their lofty perches, clearing her dark thoughts. Aubri smiled as their words bounced in her mind. The mice are particularly delicious tonight. In the distance, a wolf pack raced, their excitement filling the air. She stopped to soak it all in. The thoughts and emotions of the forest creatures and fae washed over her. Their joy warmed her soul. Feylin could be a cruel and dangerous place, but here, in her court, they had a haven.

Dryads darted out from their tree hosts and greeted her with shimmering hands and faces. A flurry of colorful sprites buzzed around her, chittering with excitement. Their movement swirled the cool air. They all wanted to go to the ball. She smiled sadly at them. Too risky. Her courtiers were loyal, but if the White Court had suspicions, the queen would bleed answers out of them.

A hunt for Vinsan would begin the moment they caught whiff of her treason and if they found him in her court, it would only end in slaughter. She wouldn’t abandon Vinsan to their cruelty. Whatever happened, they would stick together. Their child would need them both.

That thought pushed her forward. The forest thinned, and the fog lifted. A group of pixies huddled together beneath the ferns and wildflowers, whispering to each other. Their curiosity and anxiety grew like weeds in her mind. Why couldn’t they go to the ball? Aubri waved her hand over them, sending words into their thoughts. The Gray Court is safe. The Gray Court is home. The White Court will kill us. She didn’t like to control them with fear, but she couldn’t watch them fall prey to her mother’s cruelty.

It’s time, Des. She called, scanning the shadows.

Yellow eyes appeared between the trees. She waited as the elf dispelled his shadow magic. He sauntered towards her, dropping into a deep bow, white hair falling from his dark hood. A hood she knew he’d sewn onto the dress coat himself.

Her brow arched. Made some adjustments to your ball coat, I see.

The assassin shrugged Yes. He glanced down at the many pockets lining his black beetle shell waistcoat. Pockets that housed his various blades and weapons. Wherever he went, so did his knives.

Above them, the red leafy canopies of the ancient trees rustled in the breeze. Aubri took a deep breath, savoring the clean crisp air. The Autumn fairies worked hard at keeping the weather brisk, but not too cold. Just the way she and Vinsan liked it.

Vinsan.

Worry gnawed at her. She’d left him hiding in their burrow, her loyal guards keeping watch. Surely, he’d be safe there. At least for one night.

The tonic, Princess. Des interrupted her thoughts.

He held out a small black vial. Aubri nodded her thanks and fingered the cold glass. Maloret had promised the tonic would last for a month. Long enough to mask the baby’s aura, even from the most perceptive elf. Once the child’s magic fully formed, Aubri could hide the babe away in an Everlast Tree until she reached maturity. Trusting her half-sister came with risks but going to the elders would seal her doom. A child born of a human father would be an abomination. Deemed unworthy to live.

Are you sure you want to drink that? Des eyed the liquid with distrust.

Aubri glanced down at her belly. Des’s doubts echoed her own. She knew nothing about human babies. What kind of effect would the potion have? What if her ignorance cost her child its life? If only she could talk to the elders that studied and worked in visions. Her own power was limited to reading the thoughts and emotions of the creatures around her, not the future.

A loud flapping of wings broke the silence. Their ride to the ball. With a quick twist, Aubri opened the vial and swallowed the black, burning liquid. She tried not to imagine what foul ingredients Maloret used to make it or the bargain she’d made for it. Two fae corpses. Dead from natural causes. She shuddered. There was nothing natural about disease or burning out. What her sister wanted with them, she didn’t want to know.

The night sky lit up as a massive ice dragon zoomed towards them. Its silver wings shone brighter as it grew closer. Clear blue scales twinkled in the dark. A wooden carriage embellished with crystals stood strapped to the poor creature’s back. Pain radiated from him. Aubri’s fist clenched. How many trips had the dragon been forced to make already? She threw her magic out, sending comfort, but it only affected emotion and thought. He needed physical magic.

Eltha. She summoned her healer.

Eltha rushed to her side and bowed. They stepped back as the dragon circled the clearing. Aubri smoothed down her gown. The fairies and pixies had worked night and day, sewing together each leaf and flower and the result—stunning. A colorful array of flowers on a forest green background. Her shoes were also handmade with love by the little brownies under the watchful eye of a dwarf craftsman. Carved from White Oak, beautiful and ornate, but not with comfort in mind. Already they pinched her feet.

Come.

The ice dragon’s command entered her mind. Aubri waited for him to land and waved the healer forward.

Let her heal your pain.

Unlike the lesser fae or other creatures, she couldn’t command him. Dragons had a mind of their own. This one was enslaved to her mother. Enslaved through a vile spell that should have been outlawed. If she had the power, she would break the spell herself.

The creature’s black eyes studied her. He bowed in acceptance and let the elf healer run her hands over his scaly blue back.

Aubri turned to face her court. They huddled together, watching. Their hope swirled in the air. Fairies, pixies, and sprites. Dwarves, trolls, imps, and brownies. Even the dryads, fauns, and centaurs had come to watch her departure, hoping for a chance to accompany her. All of them dressed for the ball. They thought she would change her mind.

Aubri shook her head sadly. I know you want to come, but it isn’t safe at the White Court. I told you I’ll only be taking Des.

She glanced at him. He flipped a small knife between his fingers, already bored with the conversation.

There will be other balls. She tried to make her voice light.

Their disappointment burned through her. One of the little brownie girls teared up. Aubri waved a hand over them, filling them with joy again.

One of the trolls jumped and hooted. A little too much joy.

Aubri fixed her eyes on her court, she didn’t need to see Des to sense his disapproval. It rolled off him like waves. He didn’t like when she used her magic to comfort the lesser fae. Playing with their emotions wasn’t something she liked to do, but she hated to see them so upset.

Come.

The dragon beckoned again. Aubri thanked the healer and led Des towards the steps to the carriage. She glanced back towards the direction of her burrow and bit her lip. Part of her wanted to forget the ball and run back to Vinsan but snubbing the king and queen would only bring trouble for all of them.

If you’re waiting for a hand up, I’m afraid that’s not one of my duties. Des’s voice startled her.

She smiled. No gown holding, got it.

Holding up her hem, she walked the wooden steps and opened the carriage. Des followed behind her, ducking down. She carefully adjusted her dress as she sat on the cushioned bench. The white gems and crystals poked into her backside.

Des crinkled his nose as he sat down opposite her. Why the obsessive need to embellish everything?

He took out a knife and started cutting off the gems from the seat cushions. With a wave of his hand he threw them out the window as the dragon lifted off the ground. The lesser fae clamored over each other to retrieve them.

Pitiful. Des muttered, glancing down at them.

The roar of wind drowned out the rest of his words. Aubri watched out the window as they left her court. The forest grew smaller and smaller. She took a deep breath and practiced her words for her parents. No more humans in her court. Vinsan had fled with the others. She looked up at the mirrored roof and schooled her features into the mask she’d worn well for centuries. Green, uncaring eyes and the royal lift of her chin. Her mother needed no more reason to kill her. One sign of weakness or guilt and the queen would be out for blood. Her blood and Vinsan’s.

Vinsan watched the dragon fly off, his heart leaping with it. Aubri would be safe at the ball, he told himself for the hundredth time. Her magic would protect her, and Des would be there. The assassin had proven loyal time and time again. Only with Des’s help had he been able to sneak out and hide in the shadows. The shadow magic allowed him to blend in. Invisible even to the fae. Vinsan suspected the surly elf was only too happy to get rid of him. A human. And an ordinaire at that. He had no connection to magic. But that could change. Princess Maloret could help him find a way to become immortal. With immortality, he wouldn’t have to worry about leaving Aubri and their child alone. They could live long and happy lives together. Aubri didn’t know his plan. She would never have agreed to it.

Twigs snapped in the distance. Vinsan sucked in a breath and squinted at the darkness. Even with Aubri’s protection, the forest was a dangerous place for humans. More so now with the king and queen’s bloody hunt. Guilt flooded him as he thought of all the innocent lives lost. Because of him. Because of his tie to Aubri. They broke the law and now others paid the price.

What’s that smell? a rough voice startled him.

Vinsan inched closer to the trees, scanning the forest for the sound.

Is it a dirt like, meaty smell? Another voice responded. Close. Too close.

Vinsan gripped the hilt of the sword Des had lent him. The metal, strange and heavy in his sweaty hand. His heart pounded in his ears. A loud sniffing noise grew louder accompanied by the overpowering stench of mud.

Trolls.

Vinsan edged away, weighing his options. Would they honor Aubri’s command to hide and protect him? The fae weren’t as loyal as she liked to believe.

Aye. Almost like…

Human. The trolls finished in unison.

Their shuffling steps nearly upon him. He cursed. Why didn’t the shadow magic hide his scent?

Two short, lumpy dark figures appeared. They headed straight for him.

What if it’s the Princess’s human?

Impossible. What would he be doing out here?

Vinsan held his breath. Their hesitation gave him hope. Maybe they would heed Aubri’s command. He reached for the pendant that hung around his neck. Proof of her protection. Could they see it through the shadow magic?

Where’s the human? I don’t see it.

A rustling of leaves startled him. Silvery wings lit up the sky as a fairy descended. The trolls paused.

Shoo! The human is ours. The fairy waved them back.

One of the trolls growled. We found it first.

Petal-foot. The other troll sneered.

Three more fairies descended. One flew forward and kicked the troll’s nose. He roared and swiped at the air. The fairies circled him, laughing.

Vinsan took the chance and crept away. He made it two steps. Something sharp struck his shoulder. The shadow magic disappeared, leaving him in plain sight. With one hand, he pulled out the dart and threw it to the ground. Numbness spread down his arm. He sucked in a breath. Poison.

The fairies flew towards him. The trolls followed, their footsteps fell heavy on the forest floor. He tried to run, but his legs felt like boulders. His heart sped up and his mouth went dry. Their large, black eyes swam in and out of focus. They grabbed a hold of him by his arms and legs and pulled him up, his feet lifting off the ground. His stomach lurched. Behind them the trolls stumbled, cursing as they reached for him.

Vinsan’s vision blurred. Whatever drug they’d given him had already taken affect. The laughter of the fairies echoed around him. His body went numb, but his mind raced. Where were they taking him?

2

Aubri watched as they passed over the black sand and large cliffs of the Court of Shadow. Maloret’s court. Known also as the Black Court. Nestled in the tallest cliffs, her large, purple castle glowed in the dark. She wondered what her half-sister was up to. Though the king’s oldest heir, Maloret was not welcome in the White Court. Not even for the mandatory balls. The rumor of her mother’s fairy ancestry made her a social pariah.

I hate these balls. Des grumbled from his seat.

Aubri turned to him. It’s just one night.

His lip curled.

Be careful, Des. If they catch you…

His eyes flashed red. They won’t.

Aubri summoned her magic to probe his thoughts but stopped herself. Des knew the dangers as well as anyone. Assassins were vulgaire, the lowest and most despised elven caste. Not allowed in the palace. The last time he’d been caught, he’d needed two healers and a full month to recover.

Vulgaire couldn’t escape their caste or the mistreatment that came with it so most of them had fled to the Outer World. They’d rather live in hiding with the ordinaire than with the prejudice and cruelty of the elven courts. She didn’t blame them. Des had made it no secret that he intended to leave too. As soon as he served his oath, until the next moon cycle. Only weeks away.

Music drifted into the carriage. Aubri shifted closer to the window and held her breath as they passed over white capped mountains and forests of dark green pines. The massive outer gate came into view next, its silver frame and spires like blades piercing the snow. City D’hiver. Glittering ice domes of the elven homes and shops dotted the ground. Beyond the city and the inner golden gates, the Palais de Glace shone bright against the dark sky. The Court of Frost, home to the King and Queen of Feylin. Her