Storm Book 1 of Wings of Mist Series

Lead.

It's what she felt like as she moved toward the waiting carriage, her steps heavy and reluctant. It stood beyond the drawbridge, its white moldings gleaming in the harsh morning light like a cruel joke. The weather was fickle. Only last night, a storm had pounded against her window, reflecting the turmoil within her. Now, under a bright and cheerful sun, the day seemed to mock her despair.

"Rose." Her brother's voice pulled at her attention.

She turned to face him, his tall, commanding presence approaching with a solemn grace. Every glance at him felt like capturing a memory she might never reclaim. Her gaze drifted to her handmaiden, whose silent tears mirrored Rose's own sense of impending doom.

Bran's arms enveloped her, his embrace firm and desperate, but she remained rigid, feeling as though her own life had already slipped away—as if she were walking to her execution.

"Don't be like this." His voice was a pained whisper against her ear. "I can't bear to see you leave like this."

She withdrew from his arms, her wings dissipating with the movement, leaving her feeling exposed as she steeled herself to step into the carriage.

"Rose, please."

"You're sending me to the enemy, Bran." her words sounded clipped and filled with bitterness. "Pardon me if I'm not leaping with joy."

He recoiled as if struck, the weight of her words landing heavily between them.

"This might be the last time we see each other," she said, the gravity of the moment pressing down on both of them.

Rose gathered her emerald silks into her hands, the fabric cool and smooth against her fingers as she stepped toward the carriage. She grasped the guard's hand for support, climbing onto the stepping stool with a sense of finality.

"I will get you back." Bran's chest rose and fell rapidly as she moved farther away. "It's just until I can think of something, Rose…please."

"How will you get me back?" She spun around, anger and pain flickering in her eyes like wildfire. "I will be his wife! You can't steal me away once I marry him. It's over! My fate will be sealed the day he takes me as his bride."

Silence enveloped them in response. He looked down, unable to confront the truth, the light fading from his expression.

She sighed, resigned, and sank into her seat inside the carriage. "Farewell, Bran."

"Goodbye, Rose."

With a heavy heart, the guard shut the door, sealing her inside. Rose leaned back against the plush interior of the carriage, listening as the emissary exchanged formal farewells with her brother.

Before long, the carriage lurched into motion, its wheels thudding and rattling over the rough terrain as they drew closer to the ominous Wanola Forest. Rose fought against the rising tide of anxiety within her, attempting to occupy her mind by conjuring shimmering spheres of light that floated through the curtained window. The soft glow was a fleeting comfort, a reminder of the warmth she had left behind.

But as the carriage hit a deep rut, Rose nearly toppled from her seat, her head striking the side of the carriage with a sharp thud. A string of muttered curses slipped from her lips. She tugged at the curtain, wondering how far the party had gotten.

What she saw was so startling, it literally stopped her breath. The forest loomed before her, an eerie sight that sent her heart racing. Twisted birch trees rose from the ground like tortured souls, their white trunks gnarled and clawing at the sky. The branches intertwined like skeletal fingers, creating a canopy that filtered sunlight into ghostly patterns on the ground below. The sight was both haunting and fascinating, and it drew her.

Rose's pulse quickened as she took in the forest's unsettling beauty. It was a dark labyrinth, its tangled roots and clawing branches stirred feelings of dread. The air felt charged with a strange energy, as if the trees themselves were watching, whispering secrets that sent shivers coursing down her spine.

"Please stay inside, Princess." The emissary said from atop his dark steed.

Rose did the exact opposite. She pushed her head further out of the carriage, taking in the wary glances of the guards surrounding them, their expressions a blend of duty and unease.

"Princess, it is dangerous."

The emissary couldn't have spoken truer words. Yet its eerie allure wrapped around her like a siren's call. She inhaled deeply as the carriage wheels crunched over the fallen bracken. The earthy scent of damp moss and decomposition mingled in the air. Large claw marks marred the trunks of nearby birch trees, stark against the pale bark, drawing her attention as she wondered about the creature that left them behind.

They had been riding for the entire morning in heavy silence, and now hunger gnawed at her insides. "Can't we stop for a few minutes?" The rumble in her belly demanded attention.

Looking at the guards, the emissary sought their counsel. It was the guard in charge, who rode at the front, that shook his head slowly.

"I'm afraid not, Princess."

Rose winced and slumped her shoulders. "When do you think it would be possible, then?"

"Maybe in an hour. This part of the forest is full of wolves, I'm afraid."

A chill crept down her spine at the mention of wolves, shadows lurking just beyond the trees becoming all too real. The thought of their predatory eyes watching her made the unease even more palpable.

Leaning back into the carriage, the gnawing fear of danger that surrounded them momentarily eclipsed the urgency of her need for food.

To pass the time, Rose softly sang to herself, her voice weaving through the stillness of the carriage. The songs told stories of an ancient past—tales of love, loss, and triumph—each note glowing like embers in the dark wood. As she immersed herself deeper into the melody, her voice grew louder, ringing with an enchanting clarity that filled the surrounding space. The sound twinkled like birdsong, light and airy, and the guards outside couldn't help but smile to themselves, their spirits lifted by the comforting echoes of home.

One guard, unable to resist the allure of her voice, joined in, adding a deep baritone that blended seamlessly with her bell-like soprano. The rich vibrations filled the air, weaving a story of sound that danced on the breeze. Before long, the camaraderie blossomed, and all the guards became willing participants in her chorus. Their voices rose together as they navigated the winding path through the woods.

The emissary remained unmoved, his scowl fixed in place. He sat rigidly on his steed, his back straight as a pole, clearly displeased by the music that surrounded him. To him, it was nothing more than the frivolity of the light fae. It clashed with the severity of their mission and what it meant.

"We can stop here, my lady." The guard at the front peeked in through the carriage window after it came to a stop.

Rose nodded and allowed the man to help her down, her feet touching the ground with relief. The meal filled their bellies well, and she listened with rapt interest to the stories the guards had to share. One spoke of the battlefield, the other of his oldest son. Each man had a rich and unique past, weaving tales that made her realize these were the people she was sacrificing her life for. They all had worries, hopes, and dreams. Rose smiled at an amusing excerpt from one guard, but her gaze remained solemn. Their lives would improve from her sacrifice, but what of her life?

Her remaining existence felt doomed.

"Let's be on our way." The emissary stood, having eaten his meal at a distance from the others. "It'd be best if we reach a safe place to make camp before nightfall."

Inside, Rose screamed for delay. Her very being rejected every step that took her closer to the lands under dark fae control. It would be only a matter of minutes before they crossed over from Anova into the land of Cetera, a realm governed by the dark fae.

She hugged her silks closely, feeling the luxurious fabric brush against her skin, a bittersweet reminder of her former life, as she hung her head and entered the carriage once more.

As night fell and darkness painted the sky, the moon emerged, a silver orb twinkling among the stars. Rose found herself seated in front of a crackling fire built by her brother's guards, the warm glow illuminating their weary faces. The flames danced with wild abandon, casting flickering shadows that played across the forest, and she held her hands out toward the heat, savoring the comforting warmth that radiated from the fire.

A few guards skillfully skinned and roasted freshly caught rabbits on spits, the savory aroma curling through the air. Others stood watch, vigilant, their figures silhouetted against the flickering flames, ever-mindful of the darkness that surrounded them.

Before long, she took a bite of the tender rabbit. The meat perfumed by the flames burst with flavor that made her appreciate the small joy. It was a simple feast, yet it momentarily chased away the shadows lurking in her mind. The emissary continued to drone on about Cetera, but his words faded into the background. His crooked nose served as too big a distraction, as she noticed every flaw in his face, every detail pulling her attention away from the reality he was describing.

It didn't matter that she would no longer wear the brightly colored silks of her people, nor did she choose to cry for her soon to be shorn golden hair upon her marriage to the crown prince. All the extra words about etiquette and duty fell on deaf ears, overshadowed by the thoughts spinning in her mind.

She only hoped to stay alive long enough for Bran to regain enough power to rescue her from the Moon Palace. It was a long shot—a desperate hope—but it was the only flicker of light she had in the encroaching darkness.

Rose didn't kid herself about what might befall her. The truth was painfully clear. She'd likely die a prisoner within those oppressive walls, trapped in a gilded cage. The thought sent a tremor through her body, and she shook her head as if to dismiss it.

When it came time to repose, she closed her eyes and hugged the pillow close. All she wished for was a way to survive her fate. She pushed all detrimental thoughts from her mind, fighting against the worry that clung to her like a shadow. For all she knew, this night would be her last restful one.

She let the soothing sounds of the crackling fire draw her in, each pop and hiss offering a moment of calm. The warmth wrapped around her, mingling with the cool night air, creating a comforting cocoon. From a short distance away, the gentle chirping of cicadas filled the darkness, their rhythmic melody ending the day with a calming soundtrack. The sounds blended into the whisper of the wind rustling through the leaves, a lullaby that played just for her.

The scent of burned wood and lingering smoke wafted through the air, grounding her in this fleeting moment of peace. As she nestled deeper into the pillow, her body relaxed, the tension in her muscles easing. The world around her slowly faded as she surrendered to the pull of sleep, hoping that with it would come the strength to face whatever lay ahead.

Before she could enter her first set of dreams, the sound of yelling jolted her from her slumber. Blinking against the dim light, she looked around, disoriented, trying to grasp what was amiss. As she shook off the remnants of her sleep, something fell with a dull thud beside her. Puzzled, she turned to see what it was.

All color drained from her face as she stared at the severed head of the guard who had joined her in song only hours before. A rush of horror washed over her, and she let out a bloodcurdling scream that sliced through the night air, shrill and raw.

Instinctively, she scrambled backward, pressing her back against the cool earth, her heart racing wildly in her chest. The camp was in chaos. Shadows danced around her as they moved, their forms flickering in the flickering light of the dying fire. The sound of steel clanging filled the air.

She scrambled to her feet, mind racing as she calculated her options, her instincts screaming for her to flee. But just as she was about to make a run for safety, a powerful hand clamped down over her mouth, muffling her gasp.

"Don't make a sound."