Summer's Fugitive (Fae Crossing Book 2)

One

The wind blew constantly, its powerful gusts carrying colorful autumn leaves to some destination only it knew. Despite the wind-driven cascade, the tall trees of the Fae Realm were still full of yellow, purple, green, orange, pink, blue and red leaves. The hills were colored in every shade and the air carried the musky-sweet smell of the earth readying itself for sleep.

When Kaleigh had emerged from the Fomorian's underground lair into Twilight's domain, she had been relieved. The terror of the dark and the fearsome creatures within were left behind and the clear sky had been a welcome sight. But her freedom had been short-lived. The fae of the Winter Court, who guarded the entrances and exits of the Fomorian lands, had taken her as a spy. They accused her of collaborating with the Darkside and there was nothing Kaleigh could say or do to convince them of her innocence. Once they reached the Everdark she was sure Queen Eira wouldn't give her a chance to explain either.

Their unfriendly manners were emphasized by the sharp spears that drove her along toward what she was sure was her doom. It seemed so long ago that Kaleigh had been brought to the Fae Realm, so long ago that her crazy roommate had spoken of the dangers of the Winter Court and the Queen who led them. Even the Fae King, Gaidon Silverwood, who had been kind if not helpful, had warned Kaleigh she would find no friends among the Winter Fae. Yet there had been the Crystalline Cat, Sharik, who made his home in the frost covered Everdark, who had helped her. His actions gave Kaleigh hope that not all the Winter Court would seek her destruction.

Kaleigh was pushed along and she shuffled through the crunchy leaves, trying to ignore her growing dread. The soldiers surrounding her bristled with pale thorns, their smooth skin reflecting the small amount of light filtering through the trees. She heard laughter carried on the breeze and noticed the looks on her captors sharp faces harden as they scowled at the surrounding trees. Kaleigh looked around too, wondering if the Wild Fae Sharik had spoken of were watching now, laughing at her predicament. Would they help her? And if they did, would they be any kinder than the Fae surrounding her now? She squinted into the half-light trying to discern anything helpful-or not-on its way. She heard a strange bubbling sound and followed the gazes of her captors as they spun toward it. Kaleigh had barely recognized what it was before it was sweeping around them. The air became humid and fresh as the river flowed through the air, swirling twice around them before continuing along its way.

The Winter Fae shouted and cursed at the water and whatever had moved the river so strangely through the air and trees. Kaleigh finally saw the tiny faeries flipping and dipping in the fast moving current as they squirted water playfully at the moody soldiers. The tiny Water Sprites laughed and continued their game even as the soldiers shouted for them to move along. They looked like they had no intention of complying with the soldiers demands. Kaleigh had the sudden urge to slip under the floating water and run. She hesitated, glancing at the soldiers. Her captors were preoccupied with their visitors. She took a step back and another. No one noticed her movement.

She turned her attention to the river, staring at the water uncertainly. The river flowed fast, bubbling through the air. A single Sprite fluttered above, watching her. No one else noticed what she was doing. Kaleigh knelt down to look beneath the current. There was enough room she could easily crawl under the water and escape. She glanced over her shoulder once more to assure herself that her captors were truly distracted, then she scrambled beneath the river toward the other side. The Sprite dove around her, giggling, and Kaleigh gave it a thankful smile. A tiny drip on the end of her nose was the only warning she received.

The river suddenly dumped on her in a heavy splash. The water rushed by her ears and she scrambled the last few feet to the other side, coughing and sneezing water from her nose. She glared at the Sprite as it laughed, kicking it's feet in the air with it's mirth. She flicked water from her hands and pulled herself to her feet then met the pale eyes of one of the soldiers. He had noticed her escape and began struggling through the river with great difficulty as the Sprites dove and tugged at his hair. She didn't waste time but turned and ran. When she glanced back, none of the soldiers had escaped yet and the Water Sprites were enjoying trying to drown them.