Waking alone in the woods Teak looked around. "Juniper" He cried out Pain soaked sobs Racking him. He didn't know where his little mate was he couldn't reach her on a mind link. A russling in the underbrush alerted him to someone close by. "Juniper Where is she." Ash cried. Moving to his brother Teak took note of the damage done to him. Being Lycan they all healed fast but something was fogging their minds. Some sort of poison must have been used. " We will find her brother. Where is Aspen and Banyon." Teak said Getting on their feet and moving carefully they looked for their oldest and youngest brothers. Banyon was found just waking up groggy and shivering from the poison. Aspen was found still fully under the control of the poison not moving. Using Mind link Teak called out to Nico and Dev. "Where is your mate is she safe." He sent to them. Dev was the one to answer. " Yes, Teak she is safe we killed 7 Rogues, but she is inconsolable. where is Juniper." Dev asked " She was taken By Rogues. We need help we are in pretty bad shape and Aspen has yet to wake up." Teak said. Giving Dev Directions on where to locate them her cut off the mind link and tried to help his younger brother. Nico and Dev sent several Epsilons to get them not wanting to leave their mate alone. the Quads couldn't blame them if the situation were reversed they wouldn't have left Juniper.
The castle was in an uproar When the Quads arrived. the King had assembled His army. Jax had just returned with an army of his own and Willow was crying nonstop. As soon as they stepped foot in the door Healers rushed the Quads taking Aspen to the infirmary for healing. Teak and the remaining 2 Quads Joined the King and his men in the Dinning hall to join the discussion. "We have feelers out all over Faeree. We will find her." The King told the Three. "I cannot Reach her where could they have taken her. " Teak said with a sob in his voice." We have sent a man to get the oracle. Maybe she can be of some help." Jax said. "We have a troop out searching the surrounding area." the king said. Silver rushed in the room with a tray of drinks and little Viles. "Take the mixtures boys you have been poisoned with Catimead Bile Its a plant tonic made from the Fallen hills plant called Vresile dragonia. This plant on its own is deadly but the potion made from it starts as sleep then seizures come on and you eventually die a slow death unless you are given the Mixture." Silver said taking the Mixture the boys drank it down followed by the drinks on the tray. the Mixture was vile in flavor and smell. " How is aspen will he be ok." Teak asked. shaking her head Silver said. " We do not know he is further along than the three of you. We need Juniper and her vines." she told them.
Juniper woke days later or maybe it was weeks at this point she didn't know. Shivering and alone her body hurt and her heart broke. Every Time she woke up Jeremy came in and tortured her in some way or another whips were his favorite but they hurt less than the knives. Juniper could feel that at home something was wrong. She hoped it wasn't one of her mates dead or her sister. She had not had food and the only water she got was whatever dripped in through the cracks in the ceiling. She had given up crying days ago her throat sore and voice gone from screaming. She wasn't one to pray often she didn't even know if she knew how but with nothing else to do, she tried. " Please she whispered if there is someone out there that cares please send help." she prayed. Suddenly a dim light blue glow appeared before her. Savannah stood there as before her as beautiful as ever. Juniper thought she was hallucinating. Savannah had a blue tint to her and was transparent. "Savannah How did you get here." she said to the vision. " Hush child I am here Through a window only you can see me. only you can hear me. your mates know where you are, and they are bringing an army to save you. Just hold on and have faith in your men." the vision savannah said to her. "Savannah its Jeremy he is a dark elf." Juniper squeaked out. " shhh you will be safe soon." Savannah said and disappeared. Juniper started to cry she had hope but feared it was all in her imagination. "They are coming" Trixie said in a small voice. Juniper knew she was tired she just hoped Trixie could hold out a little longer.
The past 5 days have been tortured for the three remaining quads. Between worry for their brother who has made no progress and not knowing where their mate was food and sleep held no merit. Sleep came when they had no choice, and they took shifts sitting at their brother's bedside. exhausted and wiry from lack of sleep the three of them would snap at each other. on the morning of the 6th day Banyon and Ash were at it again. "Why do you feel Teak, Aspen, and I Always have to follow your orders, just because you tell me to sleep does not mean I need to sleep." Ash said. " I am your older brother it's my job to keep you safe. "Banyon said. " A fine job you've do so far oh savior our mate is lost our brother is dying and the only thing you seem to worry about is whether or not I've eaten or bathed." Ash yelled. "If you cared for yourself, you would force yourself to do these things on your own. do you want to see our mate again smelling to the veil and back." Banyon said. "Your one to talk you haven't shaved or bathed when is the last time you slept." Ash said to him they went back and forth for a solid 20 minutes before they were interrupted by a knock on the door. Walking to the door Banyon opened it saying." what now." Before he noticed who it was. Savannah stood Before him with a beautiful smile on her face. " I have done it. she is safe and I know her location. She is in the hills of the Fallen Held captive by a Dark elf. We need to reach her soon though because she is being tortured. So, stop your fighting and get down to the dining hall the King has assembled the troops, and they are ready to go." Savannah told them. Banyon didn't respond running out the door. Ash thanked Savannah running after his brother. When Ash reached the Hall Teak was already there. Banyon had Mind linked him. "Everyone Fae born will lead Knowing the land best, everyone else will follow behind. Willow you will stay here with the Troop i have ordered to stay behind as well as your mates. everyone arm and be ready to defend your Queen when we reach her. I am told she is held in a cell in the bowels of the cave. She is unclothed only her mates are to enter that cell. Anyone Fae found there is to be brought before the Court to face justice if at all possible. You have your orders carry wings of the king on your journey and return a hero to the Fae." The King finished his speech with a pounding of his fist on his chest. The warriors Returned the pounding. Outside the castle Jax was giving his orders to the epsilon army he brought. " You will fight with honor, and you will fight with Bravery, Bring yourselves home and our luna." he shouted to his Army. Some of the Epsilons were already in animal form. Rows of Great cats, wolves. and bears lined the rows of warriors. Following the Army of Fae Ash spoke to Banyon. "Shes going to be ok Banyon she has to be." Banyon Had forgotten their earlier argument. " She will be ok little brother." Banyon said he didnt know if ash was trying to convince him or himself or even the goddess, but Banyon needed it to be true as well. The armies marched for what felt like hours without any confrontation. Banyon was beginning to believe he was on the wrong track when they came across a putrid smell. " Rogues" Banyon whispered crouching low. Three of the Epsilons nearest to him went in search of the smell. One of the three came back. Quickly " Alpha it two dead Rogues over there. "the warrior said. "The entrance of the cave must be close." Oberon Jesup said. Giving orders to the men to stay low and keep their eyes out for signs of the cave with his hands the troops continued slowly. In his head Banyon heard Juniper "Someone please help me." Her voice was weak and sent on a common link. Looking around Banyon could tell all his other pack members could hear her. "We are close My love we will be there soon." Banyon sent the private Mind link to her. "Please hurry Banyon He's coming back" She cried to him. His heart was breaking and he Spead up his search. Running through the brush he found the entrance. Ignoring the men telling him to stop he followed his own heart not even bothering to check the rooms and corners. Ash and Teak followed his lead. Teak ran into a room where a rogue was Sitting with a female Rogue on his lap. The woman had her breast out fondling him. The two were so caught up with each other Teak was on them snaping their necks before they had any idea anyone was in the room. Ash ran into a room where Fae were caged some were dead others looked to be close to death others were begging for help. Ripping the cage doors open he let them free Those too weak to walk were helped by the healthier ones. Ash ran to the next door opening it he found a hallway lined with doors on either side. Ash started looking in each cell. Releasing people in the ones that were occupied. Banyon Searched his way through room after empty room until he found a Hallway full of cells. From the end of the hall he heard a crack and a scream then another crack. Running full speed Banyon Mind linked his brothers telling them his location and that he found her. Ripping the door open Banyon ran into the cell. A man was startled to see him burst through the door. A dim light allowed him to see his mate. She hung in the middle of a dank cell damp and cold. Chains from the ceiling held her arms high above her head. She was strung up where her toes barely touched the floor. Bloody and broken her body was caked in dried blood. Deep gouges were carved in her arms, back stomach and legs. His little mate had been tortured by this Fae over and over again and he was going to die. Teak Came bursting through the door just before Banyon could reach the wretched Fool. " He will Be taken to the King Brother It was asked of us. We will not go back on our word." Teak said. Though he too wanted retribution he was a man of his word. "Banyon" Juniper said softly. It was as if she only just noticed he was there. Walking over to her he ripped the chains from the ceiling wrapping an arm around her to support her small body he wrapped her in his shirt. Banyon picked up his broken little mate with whispered promises of home. Teak grabbed the Dark elf by the hair walking him out of the cell. Jax met him with some Fae Kai they were the epsilon of the Fae army. Gadriel one of the Kai walked over to the Dark elf saying. "Raldha you are charged with kidnap of the Queen, and torture of her, you will be brought before the court. You Judged for your crime." Placing Black cuffs upon the Dark elf's wrist. The cuff's looked to be made of stone as soon as the cuffs touched the elf's skin it sizzled and popped. Jax took this time to explain that he, and the others had found many of the Rogues dead. The Alpha rogue had not been found, but Jax and Jesup thought it was safe to travel home. At the caves exit Ash was assisting the other captives leave the cave. Broken Fae of all sizes where being carried or walked out the Epsilon. and Kai were doing their best to assist them. Ash stopped all movement when he seen his little mate. " Princess." the word left his mouth as if ripped from his soul. "What have they done to you." Ash said rushing toward his brother who was holding his mate. Juniper gave a small smile she was so happy her mates had found her. She didn't know how they had but she was grateful for them. Juniper tried to take a deep breath, her ribs burned with the strain of it. She could feel Trixie working to repair her broken body and told her to relax and rest for a bit. She didn't want her wolf at risk. They live inside you with amazing powers, but they have limits too and Trixie was close Juniper could feel it. Ash looked at his little mate broken and wrapped in his brothers arms. Ash's own arms ached to hold her but fear of causing more harm stopped him. "We need to get her to Aspen, They both need her Vines". Ash said to Banyon. Nodding Banyon agreed. The trek home seemed longer to the men. They needed to keep watch for danger and they had more survivors with them than they expected. Walking on to the castle grounds Banyon carried Juniper straight to Aspen. Against Everyone else's protest he did what he knew to be right. Juniper upon seeing Aspen laying there still as death knew what to do. Ming linking Teak and Banyon she told them to take her and Aspen to the courtyard. Teak did his best to carry his brother as he was told. Placing Juniper close to Aspen Banyon stood back allowing her to do what she needed. Pulling her body close to Aspen she placed her head on his chest over his heart. Juniper heard a heart beat within him soft and strangled it was there. Placing her arms around him she willed the vines to come. Sending thoughts of healing to him and his wolf she let her tears fall onto his large chest. Aspens arms circled her small frame just as the vines enclosed them in their cocoon.
This part was different for me I enjoyed writing it. I hope you enjoyed reading it. Please like and comment. Let me know what you think. This story is almost at its end. Please let me know if you would like me to write another's story from this book. I'm thinking about Ian's story next and how he gets to come back from being a honey badger.