novelxo Chapter CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Noelle sat in front of the Mage Court for the emergency meeting feeling cold and numb inside. Queen Seranis was dead. Zach together with his four High Mage warriors were sent to the spot of the incident to make sure it was true and also to bring back the bodies. The warrior who had come to bring the information died the moment he finished relaying the news. Tyran communicated with the other convoys and fortunately nothing had happened to them and they were safely heading for the borders. So why did Queen Seranis get attacked?
A few hours later deep into the night, Zach and his Mage returned carrying Claus, High Lady Oriel, two of the royal army warriors and a Mage warrior who had escorted them. Noelle jumped to her feet and raced after them as they were rushed to the infirmary.
“There are a few more survivors!” Zach called out. “We need some more Mage to go and get them.
Two female Mage stepped forward together with one more male and they flashed to the scene.
Zach settled Claus on the gurney and Jax snarled behind him.
“They don’t heal like other beings, Zach. They need water.” he stated.
Zach almost rolled his eyes in irritation but followed Jax out of the infirmary towards the swimming pool. They laid the bodies of the mer-people in the water and suddenly a bubble of energy engulf each one of them as they drifted into the depths of the pool.
“Do you know what happened?” Noelle turned to Zach anxiously.
Zach rubbed his forehead with the back of his hand and ground his teeth. “They were attacked by the Dragons. They stole the Coral Spear and killed one of the ancients. I think it is because they want to weaken the strong link that the ancients have to cast this dark energy back. Without the Coral Spear or Queen Seranis....” His voice broke as he viewed the four mer-people in the pool.
Noelle felt a shiver run up her spine as suddenly Tyran burst out into the courtyard with Drake and Storm beside him. Storm was in his ulti-breed form and the Leo was snarling and snapping angrily at what happened.
More Mage were flashing in and out of the courtyard carrying more wounded warriors. By the time they were done, eighteen mer-people were barely alive in the Olympic size swimming pool and ten Mage warriors were fighting for their lives in the infirmary. Finally Queen Seranis’ body was flashed back to the Mage Fortress. Noelle couldn’t take it anymore and found herself bent over in the courtyard and dry-heaving. She had nothing in her stomach and seeing Queen Seranis’ mutilated body took its toll on her.
Queen Seranis had a gaping wound right across her stomach, ripping through everything inside. She had deep claw marks on both her arms as if they had snatched her out of her car or held her still while someone disemboweled her! More deep groves appeared on her cheeks and between her thighs. Her pale white face had the expression of terror and her sightless eyes were now covered by a white membrane. Noelle swallowed down the bile. It looked as though they had raped her first before killing her. What a horrible way to die! Did the same fate wait for her?
As if Tyran read her mind, strong warm arms went around her. “You shouldn’t be here.”
“I want to help.” Noelle protested.
Tyran frowned at her. “Look at you. You can barely stay on your feet. What aid can you possibly be to anyone?”
Noelle wanted to argue but she was too tired so she wrapped her arms around Tyran’s broad waist and closed her eyes. “Please take me to our quarters.”
She felt Tyran’s kiss on her head before he flashed them upstairs to their chambers. Once inside, Noelle felt as if death was clinging onto her skin. There was so much blood and death in the infirmary and the scent of it wafted around the area like a living entity, taunting and mocking them with its presence. The cries were even worse as some of the warriors lost their limps or sight.
This was just an attack and already Noelle wanted it to end. She could only imagine what Tyran went through during the battles with the Fae.
“I need a bath.” She stated as she started shedding her clothes to jump into the large bathtub.
“I wish I could join you but I’m needed downstairs. I have to relay the information to the mer-people.”
Noelle breathed and turned to Tyran. “How do you think they will take it?”
“Their queen died in our grounds.” Tyran ground out painfully. “We have to prepare ourselves for a possible attack from them.”
Noelle dashed back into Tyran’s arms. “Oh, Tyran! I’m so scared. I’m scared for you and for the Realm. When is this all going to end?”
“When we are sure the Dark Energy no longer possess a threat to our world.” Tyran engulfed her into his warmth and sighed almost defeated. “Get that shower, eat and go straight to bed. I’ll join you as soon as I can.”
Noelle nodded and Tyran placed a hot, assuring kiss on her lips. He was going to be alright, Noelle thought. Lord Mage was always going to be alright. She watched him as he flashed himself out of the quarters and went to the bathroom. After a nice long bath, she found food covered on the table and ate silently then went straight to bed. Lord Mage didn’t return that night.
“Prepare Queen Seranis’ body for the cremation ceremony.” Tyran barked as he re-joined his warriors downstairs. “Zach and Drake, you are to follow me to the Realm of Water for the returning of Queen Seranis’ body. Vincent, Tron, Byron and Galea, you are to join us. Call Feror, Amun, Sheila and Dawn for the convoy as well. The rest of you make sure no one else dies this night!”
As they prepared for their departure, Tyran could only fathom what was going to happen. Queen Seranis dying on the Mage soil was going to bring nothing but more trouble. The relationship between the two Realms was already dwindling, this blow was going to sever the strings completely. He had to prepare his Realm for anything. Though mer-people looked timid and delicate, he learned that they were not. They always went for the kill. They were all about kill now and ask questions later. Though Jax rarely killed, Tyran recognized the heartlessness and killer instinct in him. With the queen gone, the second in line was her younger sister High Lady Oriel. Tyran had met Lady Oriel several times and even though in her comfort zone she could make a good queen, she didn’t pack the same dynamite as her sister.
Queen Seranis’ body was sewn and washed and wrapped in Mayolin, a light-weight cloth used for wrapping royal bodies before cremation. Tyran hefted the body into his arms and stood in front of his convoy. He had no idea what to expect in the Realm of Water but him and his warriors were prepared for whatever it was. Zach took Drake’s hand and soon they all flashed out of the hall with the helpers and the warrior murmuring silent prayers for their safety.
Little Did Tyran know that Lyrah was watching from the dark corners....
I never want to see that female again—never want to see that female again—that female again—that female again! Noelle tossed in her bed as the words replayed over and over again in her head. Hot flames licked the sides of her arms as claws appeared in the darkness trying to get hold of her. Noelle turned to run but she felt the cold sharp talons shred her arms, her cheeks and grip hard on her legs, pulling her into the darkness! She screamed and yelled and suddenly Queen Seranis’ body was tossed from the darkness. It landed like a broken doll. It was blooded and shredded and her sightless eyes looked at her, blood tears running down her eyes and her face in utter horror.
Noelle screamed as hard as she could.
“My queen!” she heard a desperate wail. “My queen!”
The voice became clearer as she forced herself from the foggy dreamland to reality. Her eyes cracked open and a brown haired, dark eyed female was standing in front of her, her little hands tightly clutched on her apron and her face terrified and her eyes teary.
“Oh my queen!” The female sagged on the bed in relief.
Noelle frowned as she took in her surroundings. She was in her quarters and light was already filtering into the room. Her body was hot and sweaty. Her heart was hammering a hole in her ribs and she trembled as if she had a fever. What a horrible dream she had of Queen Seranis. She remembered clearly telling Tyran that she didn’t ever want to see the female again and it seemed the heavens granted her wish in the most unnerving way possible!
“Who are you?” She managed to croak through her raw throat.
“Oh!” The female bowed down. “My name is Esmira. I have been assigned to you, my queen, by our elder to see to your needs.”
Noelle never needed a helper before, why now? “I don’t need a helper.”
“I know my queen...but with everything that is happening, Elder Magnolia felt that you might need company to stop you from—from--” she stopped as she tried to recall the words. “Over-thinking...yes, that was the word.”
A small smile appeared on Noelle’s face despite the cold dread settling in her stomach. She knew Elder Magnolia. She was the white haired elderly female she met a couple of times. She shuffled out of bed noticing the unused space on Tyran’s side. He didn’t come to sleep last night. Her heart twisted in her ribs. She couldn’t feel his presence anywhere in the fortress. That was the source of the dread sinking deep in her gut.
“Where’s the Lord Mage?” She snapped her eyes to the young helper.
Esmira twisted her fingers together nervously. “He and his convoy left for the Realm of Water at early dawn, my queen.”
Noelle found herself sinking back into the bed. Tyran left without even telling her. What if something awful happened to him while he was there? She couldn’t bear the thought of living without him. Her heart hurt like he was already gone from the world. Tears prickled at the back of her eyes.
“Please, leave me for a moment.” She muttered to Esmira
The young female inclined her head and got up. “I’ll go get your meal ready, my queen.” She left the room.
When she did, Noelle buried her face in her palms and wept. All she wanted was for the emptiness she felt in her heart to just perish.
A few hours later, Noelle wondered in the Fortress aimlessly. It was much quieter than last night though people were still rushing around aiding the wounded. The hallway stunk of disinfectant and blood.
Noelle passed the helpers with drones in her head. She hardly heard the good-mornings they were giving her or the inquiries of her health and well-being. She walked for the longest time and found herself at the greenhouse surrounded by the familiar aroma of the roses. They brought a measure of comfort but didn’t take away the loneliness that had found residence in her heart. She touched the colorful petals and sunk her nose in them. She didn’t understand how the pull to Tyran could be that strong. She lived in the human world without him for a century yet she had never suffered such a thing.
“I thought I might find you here.” A voice came from behind her.
Noelle turned and Lyrah was standing at the doorway of the greenhouse looking lovely in a pair of blue jeans, a white T-shirt and a pair of snickers. Her pale locks were tamed in a long braid up her head and her skin glowing and vibrant. The only thing that gave away her wariness and anxiety was the look in her eyes.
“I’m glad to see you are alright, Lyrah.” Noelle said softly.
Lyrah laughed bitterly. “Alright? I’m not alright, Noelle. My brother had been jumping from one low blow to the next. He has been incriminated, he has been attacked and now he faces death in the Realm of Water for killing their queen.”
“It will not come to that.” Noelle stated sternly. She didn’t know if it was for Lyrah’s benefit or her own but she needed to say the words out loud.
Lyrah walked inside and ran her hand over the petals just as Noelle did earlier. “I can’t believe he went there without telling me. I would have gone with him to support him.”
“I think that is the reason why he didn’t tell us. He knew we would make a fuss to join him.” Noelle watched as Lyrah’s eyes widened.
“He didn’t tell you either?” She asked.
Noelle shook her head. “I learned of it today morning.”
Lyrah pursed her lips. “I can’t stay here and watch while my brother pays for someone else’s sins. I have to do something—anything.”
Noelle hugged her middle and looked down. “I wish for that too. I feel so...so helpless being his queen and not being able to help him in anyway other than stick beside him.”
“And you know how stubborn he gets when you so much as try to reason with him.”
Noelle could tell Lyrah was pondering on something. The last time the girl came up with a plan, Noelle landed in her crazy-uncle’s hands and almost died. “I don’t think we should go against his order to remain here, Lyrah. For both our safety.”
Lyrah nodded lightly but Noelle knew that the words didn’t reach her. “I heard Tyran got us unicorns. Have yet to see mine. Would you like to accompany me?”
Actually Noelle planned to head down to the stables the moment she was done there. She quickly nodded and they walked out towards the stables. Noelle wanted to talk Lyrah out of the crazy plan she had for trying to help Tyran but she didn’t even know where to start. What if something went terribly wrong again? What if this time someone actually died? Noelle snuffed the thoughts down. Lyrah was an intelligent and sometimes overly curious young female. She did what she wanted and whenever she wanted. She was much stronger than Noelle. She could survive anything. Noelle just hoped that whatever the female was planning wasn’t going to put her in grave danger.