Revenge of the Fae (The Fae Chronicles Book 3) Read online

  Revenge of the Fae

  The Fae Chronicles #3

  Valia Lind

  Skazka Press

  Copyright © 2022 by Valia Lind

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Cover by Anika at Ravenborn Designs

  Contents

  Revenge of the Fae

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Note from the Author

  Want to read Maddie’s story?

  Do you love Beauty and the Beast?

  About the Author

  Also by Valia Lind

  Revenge of the Fae

  The Fae Chronicles - Book Three

  Valia Lind

  There’s a story of old,

  Where the sky meets the sea,

  And a heart grows warm,

  With the knowledge it seeks.

  Nothing changes at all,

  Nothing stays the same.

  But a love foretold,

  No magic can tame.

  When the night comes,

  And the demons descend,

  Only the pure at heart,

  Will have the power to withstand.

  Chapter 1

  Another day, another bush for me to hide in.

  It's been a week since I ran out on Derek and the rest of my friends. Although, are Derek and I really friends? I can't stop thinking about that kiss—and dreaming of it whenever I catch moments of rest. The way his body felt—no, now is not the time and I am not mentally competent enough for a trip down that lane.

  I've probably slept about an hour or two a day, and it's catching up with me. Every time I get anywhere near relaxing, I'm afraid the shadows will come, and with them, the Ancients. Granted, they don't need me to be sleeping for that, but I think it's my sheer will keeping them at bay right now. That and a few protection talismans I've put together and now carry on my person.

  It won't stop them for long, but it's something. Now I just have to figure out my next move.

  While also trying not to think about Derek.

  I feel the pain of our separation like a physical ailment.

  We started out as enemies, who then became something akin to friends, and now, we’re engaged. No one could've predicted that one. Not that it was our choice. What was my choice was leaving him, and a part of me thinks we're back to enemies again. He won't do well with my betrayal. I can't imagine him seeing this as anything but.

  What I thought we were, what I think we've become—it's overwhelming and exciting and terrifying. All at the same time. My heart truly yearns to be near him, and for the first time, I'm open to the possibilities. I don't understand it, but a huge part of me wants to. I have no idea what to do with that.

  Maybe if this was another time and place.

  This is definitely not what I should be thinking about right now.

  Stay focused and alert.

  Stay focused and alert.

  Stop thinking about my prince.

  That last thought leaves me slightly stunned but not for long.

  A scream splits the night, jerking my attention from my musings. I jump up at the ready, but I have no idea where it's coming from. A glance back at the house tells me my parents heard it too. It seems to have surrounded the whole house somehow. That's when I realize it must've been one of the fae guards the queen sent as part of the bargain I made with her. They wouldn't scream like that unless...

  I don't think about it. I jump out of my hiding spot, and I run for them. I'm inside the house in mere seconds.

  "Avery. What are you doing here?" My mom's shocked face greets me.

  "We have to go. I know that sound, and it's not a good one."

  My dad appears by her side, sword in hand.

  "Avery?"

  "Hi, Daddy." That's all I manage before I'm motioning for them to come. They move toward me without question, but before they can take more than a few steps, the doors burst open at my back. I spin around as a group of soldiers enter, filling up the space around us. They're the same type of soldiers that attacked the Summer Court in Faery, no insignia on them. They're simply dressed in black, wielding magic and weapons.

  There's no hesitation on my part. I go straight into battle mode.

  The fierce desire to protect my parents rises up inside of me, calling forth my magic. I've got a blade on me, courtesy of Derek, but I'm not using it. My emotions are one hundred percent focused on my magic. That's what I let fly free.

  Fire pours out of my hands, slamming like a wall into the soldiers closest to me. It sweeps them off their feet as others try to jump out of the way. The few that get through are stopped by my father, who works the sword like it's an extension of him.

  "Avery!" My mother yells out a warning, and I send another blast at the soldier coming at me, knocking him out.

  The way has been cleared, but I'm not sure how long that'll keep. I know my magic can only do so much. We need to keep moving. As we race out into the night, there are more of them coming.

  "We have to fight!" I shout, just as my mother shifts. It's been years since I've seen her in wolf form, but there's a warmth inside of me at the sight. I've always felt like that, that shifter side of me answering the call, even though I've never been able to shift. She stands tall, coming to the middle of my chest, her fur a deep brown and as shiny as glittering gold.

  "We're with you," Dad says as he swings his sword. All of this happens in a matter of seconds, and then the second wave of our attackers is upon us. I reach for my magic once more. The exhaustion of the last week, the worry for everyone's safety, among other things I won't name, hang heavily on my shoulders. The magic is slugging at best, having been spent inside the house.

  My mother is effortless in her attacks, grabbing the soldiers by various parts of their body and flinging them against the house or the trees.

  But my dad? I'm in awe of my father. Sure, he has trained me in the basics of sword fighting, but this is another level. He spins around, waving his sword as if he's in the middle of a dance. Every movement is fluid and precise. There's a sense of calmness about him it’s almost shocking.

  I tear my eyes away just as two soldiers reach me. Yanking out the dagger Derek gave me, I move before they have a chance to grab me. One swipe of the blade cuts the closest one on the arm. Blood gushes out. Ducking the other's approach, I spin around with a roundhouse kick. It sends him tumbling. I don't hesitate to push my fire magic out, but there is a heaviness to my limbs, and it's difficult to stay upright.

  Dropping down to the ground, I try to catch my breath. More soldiers are coming. If I don't do something soon, we'll be overrun. The soldiers are almost to me when I realize I've been neglecting a part of me during this figh
t. If my fire magic won't do, maybe my newfound water magic will.

  Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath, reaching deep inside of myself. Then I thrust my arms forward. Water and fire pour out of me, blasting our attackers up in the air and away. I'm breathing hard, but I push myself back to my feet and turn to my parents. They're staring at me in complete shock, but now is not the time. We have to move.

  "Run now, questions later."

  It's another fifteen minutes until I finally feel like we can stop. Mama is still in her wolf form, running a dozen feet in front of us as a scout. I have no idea how far back the soldiers are, but we have to stop. Dad has blood dripping all over.

  "Let me see," I say, halting his movements by stepping in front of him. He moves his hand long enough for me to see the gash. Grabbing my knife, I slice at the bottom of my shirt before I rip it off.

  "Avery—"

  "I need to bind it." It's the best I can do. He didn't tell me he was hurt, in his typical dad fashion. I know Mama stopped as well, her supernatural hearing alerting her without me having to shout. I can feel her presence at my back. I haven't seen her shift in years, and a part of me just wants to watch her move.

  "I'm sorry." I glance up at my dad's words and find him looking at me with all the sorrow in the world. My heart clenches at the sight. and I suddenly want to be the parent and chase his worries away.

  "Dad, we don't have to—"

  "No, we do. I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

  "Why didn't you?"

  "It was too complicated. Too much for one kid to handle. Even a strong one, like you." His smile turns into a grimace as I tighten my makeshift bandage. "You already had plenty to deal with being half witch, half shifter. We couldn't risk more."

  My mother is back beside us now. I glance over to find her eyes on me as well. Even in wolf form, she's still my mother, and I can read that look. She would do anything to take me away from all this.

  "Did you know about my magic?" They haven't seen me use fire and water magic before, since I kept that pretty under wraps until now.

  "Not exactly. It was always something that stayed in the back of my mind. But you never exhibited anything but fire magic, and that was your mother's side. Fae have elemental magic, since we're so tied to nature. But you only manifested your mother's bloodline. We thought—well, we thought you were safe."

  This is the first time I've heard my father refer to himself as fae.

  "Why did you leave Faery?"

  "Oh, pumpkin. There are so many reasons. It was too dangerous for us to stay. For myself and your mother. When we found out we were pregnant, I swore to do everything in my power not to have you growing up as one of them."

  Since visiting Faery, I can understand what he means. My thoughts involuntarily switch to Derek, but I push those away. He may be different, but he's still fae. And so are Nora and Julian. I can't ever let myself forget that.

  "I guess it didn't matter, did it?" I sigh, but I'm not bitter. Only tired.

  "We always knew you were special." Dad reaches over to take my hand into his, giving it a gentle squeeze. "We knew you'd do great things. We just didn't want you to carry this kind of burden."

  "But we don't get to choose that. I—I wasn't ready for this, but I'm in it now. And I need your help. I need to figure out this magic. I need to find a way out of this engagement. I need—"

  The growl beside me stops my rant. I look over to see my mother's full attention on me.

  "What engagement?" Dad asks. I shake my head.

  "Now is not the time. I need to get you somewhere safe. And then we'll talk."

  "Get us to safety?"

  "I've been watching you for the last week. You're in danger because of who I am. I've been waiting for them to come for you, and they did."

  "Avery, I don't—" But Dad never gets to finish.

  Another growl comes from my mother, but this one is different. Dad looks at her, understanding coming over his features.

  "It's too late. They're close."

  Just then, the shadows move, and I see them. They've used stealth to get close to us. Maybe even some cloaking magic. It doesn't matter. This is on me. I should've simply bound the wound and kept moving. I made a mistake. And now my parents are going to pay for it. There is no way we can hold them off, not when I feel like I've been run over by a truck. Not when my magic is so wonky. It goes between being too much and not enough. I don't know if I can control it when I'm feeling so exhausted.

  Turning to face the hoard, I try to find a way out of this, but they're on us before I can think of anything.

  Chapter 2

  Soldiers surround us in the blink of an eye. I have absolutely no time to get my bearings or try and find a way out. Mama gets low to the ground, a growl rumbling her big body as she gets ready to spring. My dad is on the other side of me, and I realize he's weaponless. His sword must've fallen somewhere back at the house.

  My emotions and magic are so heightened, I'm praying I don't hurt my parents. It's our only weapon against the assault. It's too volatile, but I have no choice. That will be our only way out of here.

  Stay calm. Stay focused.

  Stay calm. Stay focused.

  Stay calm. Stay focused.

  I can feel the sparks at the end of my fingertips, the fire magic I was born with mingled with the water magic I recently discovered. They're both there, both at the ready and begging to be set free. I'm terrified I'm going to make a mistake, but I don't know what else to do.

  The mob begins their approach, but then a twinkle of light catches my attention. I glance to the left only to find a portal opening up in midair.

  Derek steps through.

  My heart plummets and then soars just at the sight of him.

  I haven't had a moment to come to terms with my feelings or just how much I missed not being around him, and now he's here.

  He's not alone.

  "Right on time then," Nora says as the portal closes at her back. Derek and Julian are both armed, a sword in one hand, and in Derek's case, magic in the other. Our eyes meet and hold as chaos explodes around us.

  And then we're moving.

  The soldiers attack, but now there are six of us against twelve of them. I like those odds a lot better.

  I hear a shout and then Julian is throwing a sword overhead. It's my father who catches it. There's no hesitation in the way Dad moves. My mama jumps right into the foray, using her head to butt at one of the attackers. She sends him sprawling across the ground. She then picks up another soldier with her mouth and throws her against the wall.

  My battle magic is at my fingertips, and I send it at the man in front of me. He slams against the ground. I send a wave of water at him to push him away, using his body as a bowling ball. Two others go down, but more seem to be coming.

  Julian is suddenly at my back. "Fancy meeting you here."

  "Julian—" There are a thousand apologies on the tip of my tongue, but he doesn't let me get there.

  "Not the time." There's no malice in his words. He sends a wink my way as he swings a sword at his attacker before kicking him a few feet back. My mama is still on the other side of the group, biting people, while my father swings the sword like a professional. I mean, I knew he was good with a weapon, but even I'm surprised. I can't stop watching my parents. I'm seeing them in a whole new light.

  The distraction causes me to lose my footing. One of the attackers gets through, and the next thing I know, air rushes out of my lungs as a punch connects with my stomach. I double over, gasping at the pain. Derek shouts my name—I don't have to look to know it's him—as my attacker yanks my head back by my hair. They can't kill me. They need me. But clearly, hurting me is in the cards.

  Too bad for him, I don't go down easily. Pushing through the pain, I raise my arms and thrust them right against my attacker's chest. The magic inside of me—the one I know and the one I don't—rushes to the surface. Then the man is flying through the air. Fire pours out of me. Even after
all this time, the magic and the way it makes me feel surprises me.

  A tightness in my chest alerts me to something, and my head snaps up. Immediately, my eyes zero in on Derek and the men swinging their swords at him from behind.

  "Derek, watch out!" I yell as I throw a stream of fire at his attackers. The fire pushes the guy away, slamming him against the opposite wall. Derek turns, sending me a grateful nod as another guy attacks him. The clanging of swords sounds in the air around me as I spin trying to see if I can help any of my friends. The magic inside of me battles, fire or water. Fire or water. I don't know which one to use or how to use either one properly, but both are coming to the rescue.

  I rush to Nora, who's holding her own. She’s much more skilled with a sword than I could have imagined. But I guess that's just the way of court life, right? Everybody is a warrior in their own sense.

  She stabs the guy clean-through and spins around, bringing her sword down on the next one. But she's not fast enough, and two more are on her. That same feeling rushes over me. Instead of fighting it, I channel it. The desire to let it burst free is nearly overwhelming. I push my hands in front of me, pushing magic with it. This time, fire and water comes out, one in each hand. It sweeps the attackers up and down, slamming them against the ground.

  I don't even have time to marvel at what my magic is doing. There's no time to waste. We are getting overrun. The twelve against us has turned into twenty, and more are coming. If we don't get out of here now, we won't get out of here at all.