Frost in the Snow

Randle crouched behind the low wall as a snowball soared over his head. He scooped up some snow of his own and prepared to return fire. He poked his head up and just barely managed to get out of the way of the next one. He popped up and launched one back. Cassidy had just popped up to prepare another attack and he got her in shoulder. She dramatically spun around and collapsed, making a speech about being too young to perish.

Randle was so distracted by Cassidy’s theatrics he didn’t see the oncoming assault from Dex. It got him square in the chest. Dex stood cheered.

“I WON!” he yelled enthusiastically. “I did it!”

Cassidy was still on the ground, lamenting her last words. Randle grinned but rolled his eyes. His cousin had always been over the top. It was one of the things he loved about her. He admired the way she was unapologetically herself in all things. He didn’t have the courage. He was too afraid of what the court would think. He didn’t know if Cassidy got away with it because she was closer to the throne or if they were amused. He could never rule anyway. Princesses ascended, not princes.

“Ok, I think we need hot chocolate,” Cassidy said as she climbed to her feet.

“Hot chocolate sounds delightful,” Dex said. “However, I feel I am unable to join you.”

“Why?” Cassidy asked as brushed the snow off her coat. “You’re with me. They aren’t going to tell me no.”

Since her birthday earlier in the year, Dex had been spending a lot more time with the two of them. He didn’t flinch nearly as much when she used contractions now. He still struggled with it a bit sometimes. He also wasn’t used to being invited everywhere. Cassidy was third in line for the throne. If anything happened to their aunt, Cassidy would become the Crown Princess. Very few people in the palace would tell her no.

“I do not wish to make trouble,” Dex said.

“You aren’t,” Cassidy said with a snort. “I am, and they can just deal with it.”

She looped her arm through Dex’s and started to pull him toward the palace door. Randle shook his head as he followed. He loved his cousin for making sure Dex was always included. Most of the royals didn’t approve of Dex. He was one of the lowest levels of worker. They would never condone Randle’s relationship with him, but Cassidy did.

“Go up to my rooms and I shall find someone to bring up hot coco and something sweet,” she said.

She skipped off toward the kitchen and Dex lingered awkwardly. He wanted to hang out with them, but he was also afraid of consequences. Randle couldn’t blame him. The fae were not known for being kind in their assumptions.

“Cassidy has ordered you to spend time with her,” Randle said. “No one here can touch you.”

“I fear I shall be causing her undue burdens for her kindness,” Dex replied, shifting slightly.

“Cassidy is more than capable of causing her own undue burdens,” Randle said with a grin. “She is rather known for it around here.”

Dex chuckled and let Randle take his hand. They walked quickly up to Cassidy’s rooms, not wanting to be accosted by anyone before Cassidy could join. While the people of the palace were more than willing to tattle on Cassidy for breaking the rules, who she spent time with was not a rule. There was nothing they could gain from doing anything with the information.

The Frost Festival was in a few days. It was a busy time around the palace. Dex didn’t have family to spend it with, so Cassidy had been going even further out of her way to make sure Dex had festive things to do and focus on. She’d even gone out to get him presents.

He might never be able to have an official family with Dex, but Cassidy was determined to make it feel like one. As soon as their aunt produced a direct heir, Cassidy was going to see about leaving the palace. Randle wanted to go to. He had a better chance at it than she did, but he didn’t want to leave her there. He was more capable at getting along with the other royals than she was. He wouldn’t be alone like she would be. He wouldn’t leave without Dex either. He wasn’t sure if Dex would agree to go.

There would be time to figure that out later. The lighting of the festival tree was later in the evening. For now, he wanted to enjoy the company of his friends by the fire. 

Rage Excerpt 12: Open Attack

 I couldn’t get the door open fast enough. Ty and Tray tried to stop me, but after one fierce glare they let me be.

The room was filling with smoke. Nic was already rushing around to bring everyone into the main rom. I looked around, but I couldn’t tell where the smoke was coming from. It just seemed to be everywhere.

“What happened?” I asked Nic.

“I have no idea. The window shattered and smoke started pouring it.”

“Have you seen any flames?”

“None.”

“They want to flush us out. For some reason they don’t want to launch an outright attack on a Committee building,” I said as I brought my sleeve up to cover my face. The smoke was getting thicker.

“Vanessa… we can’t stay in here, we’ll suffocate,” he said amidst a fit of coughing.

“We can’t go outside either. The room next to us, is it empty?” I asked.

When Ty nodded, we all started moving at once. It didn’t take me long to get the lock open with a bit of magic. They really should ward against that. I jerked my head toward the window, and James and I crept up to it. Slowly and carefully I pulled the curtain back just enough to peer through.

There were two witches in the courtyard behind the building. One of them was coaxing a small fire to increase in intensity, while the other was directing the smoke through our broken window.

“Thomas still has his bow and we’ve got your magic,” James murmured to me as we watched. 

“I’ve got a better idea. I was able to catch the signature of one of the Committee member’s magic,” I said with a grin. “That means I can send him a fire message.”

“What will that get us?” Nic asked.

“We can get the Guard to surround them. So far we’ve had to play defense. I’m more than a little ready for some offence.”

James kept an eye on the witches in the courtyard while I slipped away to send the message. I didn’t want to be too close to them, but they would feel my magic either way. At least this would only be a little burst.

It wasn’t long before my phone rang.

“Parker,” I answered.

“I have contacted the Guard. I also warned them you might send something out from the second floor. I wouldn’t want them storming up to get you too.”

“I appreciate that. Do you have any witches on staff?” I asked.

“None that will be close enough to help. What do you have in mind, Ms. Parker?”

“Just little containment.”

“Very well. I shall meet with you in your room soon. We don’t have time to wait.”

“We helped ourselves to the room next door,” I said.

“Very well.”

We both hung up, and I turned to Cassidy.

“You up for a bit of containment?” I said with a grin.

“I would love to be of assistance,” she replied.

“I will aid as well. I would like to see firsthand what we are up against,” Randle added.

The three of us went to the window and watched as the witch’s frustration grew. They hadn’t expected it to take us this long to leave.

I focused on the fire for a minute, trying to gauge the amount of power being used to keep it alive. It didn’t seem like he was worried about it getting snuffed out.

“As soon as that fire goes out get ready to freeze them where they stand,” I murmured.

I took a deep breath, shattered the window with a brief touch, and flung a solid chunk of magic at the flame. It went out immediately, much to the surprise of the witch fanning it. Before they could react, their bodies froze mid movement. I summoned more of my magic and did my best to mimic the bubble they had used against me more than once. I wasn’t as strong as they were, but I hoped it would hold.

“I don’t think we can hold them for long,” Randle said through gritted teeth. “Their magic is fighting hard against ours. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“The Guard needs to hurry then.”

I felt a surge of magic join mine. It surprised me enough that I almost lost my grip on mine.

“I can help you keep their magic in check,” Gus said as he stepped up next to me.

Dex also squeezed in and added his magic to Cassidy and Randle’s. Still, they were focused and strong. I didn’t know what was taking the Guard so long.

“In Vale they train fairies with witches in combat. They learn how to fight each other. It isn’t so much that they are strong, it’s that they are skilled at exploiting weakness in other’s magic,” Gus said. “While their governance is brutal, their unity among races is unmatched.”

“Perfect. That should make this easier,” I snarked. 

This excerpt is taken from a lightly edited first draft. All content here may be changed or removed from the final book.

Rage Excerpt 10: The Rescue

Dex gave me a panicked look before scurrying off, no doubt to tell Randle what happened. As soon as the door closed behind us, I pointed to the balcony, and everyone followed me. I created a box of silence for us to talk in.

 “That sadistic bitch! We can’t leave without Cassidy!” Nic growled as soon as the box was covering him.

“We aren’t. We just need a plan,” I replied. “The problem is, I don’t know where they are keeping her…”

Just then, a small rock flew into view and tumbled across the balcony. I held up my hand before creeping to the edge of the balcony and peering down. Randle was looking up at me. He looked disheveled. He started to open his mouth, but I shook my head and held up a finger. I turned and slipped back into my box.

“Randle is down there. I’m going to bring him up,” I said. 

“Is that a good idea?” Nic asked. “He’s one of them.” 

“He helped her before. Maybe he’ll do it again.”

Nic and Ellie both nodded. Tray was silent. I walked back to the edge and held my fingers to my lips. He nodded. I called on my magic and used a gust of wind to bring him up. He was so surprised, he almost called out, but at the last second, he brought his hands to his mouth. He landed harder than was intended, but I was trying to keep from using the magic for too long. I held up my finger again, telling him to wait, and I expanded the box. I made sure he could sit on the table comfortably without touching the box. I gestured from him to get on the table. He looked confused, but nodded and came forward. As he passed through the boundary of magic, he shuddered and quickly scrambled onto the table. 

“What was that?” he whispered. 

“You don’t have to whisper in here. I made a soundproof box. No one can hear us.” 

“That is really amazing,” he said with a touch of awe. “I have heard a lot about you, Vanessa. I have tried to keep tabs on you to make sure Cassidy was ok. You do not disappoint.” 

“Thank you? I think?” I said as I furrowed my brow. “I’m not thrilled about the spying thing… but we can talk about that later. Tell me, how can we help Cassidy?”

“It is… well… I know where she is being held. I do not know how to release her. The Queen will not let me enter, and you cannot leave your room.” 

“Lucky for all of us, I’m not good at following the rules. Does her room have a window?” I asked. He nodded, looking perplexed. “Perfect. How I just got you up here? I can get her down from up there.” 

“But then we will still be trapped. You will never make it off the grounds. Once Cassidy is discovered as freed, I will lose my life for treason, so I will be of no assistance to you.” 

“First of all, you will not be dying today. Not if I can help it.” 

“You cannot. The Queen will not be persuaded by an outsider.” 

“Randle, you underestimate me,” I said with a grin. “Your Queen does too. Do you trust me?” 

“Yes,” he said with no hesitation. 

“Good, then saving your life will be easy. Now, tell me what I need to know about this room Cassidy is in.”

This excerpt is taken from a lightly edited first draft. The content here may change or be removed all together from the final book. 

Rage Excerpt 7

The horses came to a stop by a set of blue-green colored glass doors. The way the light shined off them, they almost looked like seawater. The gardens here were the most incredible I’ve ever seen. Flowers from all the seasons bloomed and thrived together. I slid off my horse, still marveling at the beauty around me. As tired as I was, I just wanted to stay right here and admire the view.

Randle came around to my side of the horses, a knowing grin on his face. I could hear the others climbing out of the carriage as I looked around wistfully one more time.

“Your quarters are ready for you. You will have two rooms. They are adjoining. So you may meet and settle without worry of others,” Randle said as he approached me. He placed his hands on both of my shoulders and leaned in to kiss my cheek, a high honor from a fairy of royal blood. “Do not drink the wine,” he whispered, barely audible, against my skin.”

“Thank you again for everything you’ve done,” I said with a smile and a slight nod. Everyone made their way over to us.

“It is my honor, Vanessa. Now, I have business to tend to. Dex will escort you from here.”