Unlikely Queen (Crystal Castle 1)

“Well, it seems Grim passed on our deal, which makes me not a very happy demon.”

“I have no idea what you speak of. He said he would do as you asked.”

“I helped you, and I assumed you would hold up your end of the deal. But it seems you and the queen have that in common. You sure you aren’t related to her?”

“No. No, I am not…” I pause. “Who was it that you wanted to be saved?”

“Oh, that’s not your concern. I knew his time was coming. I was just hoping I could use him a little longer. It’s you I’m interested in. Where are you exactly, Wings? It seems I can’t make physical contact.”

“I don’t think you need to know that.”

“So, the stories are true. You are in the Viper Forest. Tell me, when do you think you will die? Tonight? Tomorrow? What a shame, he had such great plans for you.”

Just as I am about to ask who, Grim appears. He looks down at my sleeping sister, then at me.

“You’re hurt.” He reaches for me, his hand gripping my arm as he checks my shoulder. “And you are talking to demons.” He shakes his head.

“How did you know?”

“I can smell the sulfur.” He crinkles his perfect nose. Grim is truly one of the most beautiful men I have ever seen. I will never get over that fact. His dark clothes show the outline of what I am guessing is an extraordinarily strong physique. I wonder when he works out. I glance at his hands, the only part of him I know well. He has strong hands, ones that send tingles all over my body when he touches me.

I quite enjoy his touches.

He drops to a squat in front of me, his face so close as he sits there. I reach out, and when I do, I flinch at the pain in my arm.

“Magic doesn’t work in the forest,” he says.

“So, how are you here?”

“Because I am beyond magic. I am death, little fighter. You be sure to remember that.”

“Am I dying?” I ask, my fingers reaching up to touch his face. He smirks at my gentle caress, but little does he know I’m addicted to it.

“No, I’m not sure I am ready for that day. So do yourself a favor and try to get to the other side alive.” He never pushes me away when I touch him. It’s as if he craves it as much as I crave him to be around me.

“I’m going to heal you now.” He brushes my shoulder, and I feel the burn as the skin starts to heal and grow back. Then I focus on him again.

“How can Patrick shift if there is no magic here?”

“Patrick isn’t magic. It’s in his genetics. It’s how he was born.” I glance at the sleeping wolf. “He likes you. I don’t like him.” I turn back and see him watching Patrick as I was.

“He saved me.”

“And it’s the only reason he is still alive.” I laugh. “You trusted an angel,” he says with curiosity. “Bronik wasn’t always bad, but he now aligns himself with the queen. So, remember that next time you run off to do something he says.”

“How do you know everything?”

He stands, my hands falling back to my sides as I look up at him.

“I’m always watching, little fighter. You are my favorite memory.”

Then he’s gone.

I look down, and my sister and Patrick never moved, they are both sleeping as if nothing happened. I scan the cave and don’t see the demon either.

Resting my eyes, somehow, I fall asleep.

Now pain-free and more at ease.

I’m warm. I was cold when I went to sleep, but now I’m warm. Opening my eyes, Patrick is right next to me in wolf form. Tatiana is staring at me, and when I rub my eyes, I see she is focusing on my shoulder.

“It healed,” she says.

“Grim.” I give her the one-word answer she wants. “He also said no magic works in the Viper Forest.”

“So, how do you explain that?” She nods to my shoulder.

“No one’s magic but his.”

“And he couldn’t stay to give us a helping hand?” She scoffs. “What use is he, really?”

“He has his uses.” My hand falls into Patrick’s fur as Tatiana stands.

“The sun is out. We should be on our way. Three more days and we should reach the other side.”

Patrick lifts his head and then stands.

“We don’t know what else is out there, so carry this.” Tatiana pulls out a knife from her backpack and I take Patrick’s knife. “Do you want to train before we leave?” I look at the knife in my hand and nod. We put our bags down, and she steps back, stretching her neck, then moves her body so she’s in a fighting stance.

“Right,” she calls as she moves with her knife, heading toward me. I block her with my forearm, and she moves fast. “Left,” she says, doing the same move just as fast, coming at me. I manage to block her again, and she smiles. “Feet.” She drops down and kicks her leg out to knock mine out from under me as she spins. But I jump, avoiding her kick by mere inches. Tatiana stands and wipes at her brow. “You have gotten so good.” She hasn’t managed to get me down on the ground in a long time. Tatiana taught me how to fight, and she is one of the best I know. Not many could take her in one-on-one combat.