“The girl, Shade, we’ve found her, my Lord.” Aveta cowered as he entered the throne room. The scores of sluagh that filled the space had hushed and moved to let him through easily. He narrowed his eyes at them, letting his power flow out in a crashing wave. They were filthy, and their dark, rough skins made the room reek of their dark powers. They pushed at each other, scared and desperate to get away from the stinging, cold power he emitted. It made their blood run colder, causing a panic to surge through the ranks. It made him laugh at their insignificance. They were but pawns for him to toss about as he pleased.
“Where is she?” Arthas stopped before the dais, waiting as she stepped down to bow before him. Her long black hair swayed as she leaned forward, acknowledging his superiority. His hands remained clenched, awaiting her response as she trembled and peeked up toward him, her dark eyes like a night sky. She appeared more fragile as time went by−unaware that he was draining her essence slowly. The longer he remained in the Unseelie kingdom; the rightful ruler always withered the weaker contender, even if she was his heir. He was her undoing, and she was none the wiser.
Aveta would never guess such a treachery from him. He wasn’t by any means scary looking. In fact, he would be considered very handsome in the modern world. His olive complexion was smooth, even with the shadow of facial hair along his chin. A slender build with lean muscle built for speed and agility was evidence of hard training for battle. It had sculpted his body, making his strength unsurpassed as a lethal weapon. But it was his status and power as Unseelie King that made him what he was: an epitome of power, ancient and unrelenting.
“She’s at the Scorching Scren Palace in the south.” She seemed to visibly suck her breath in as she continued with the obviously unpleasing news. “Whoever betrayed us has ensured that she lives and is now far, far away from here.” Aveta paused to observe his reaction, hoping his rage would remain calm and not be unleashed unto her. He was frightening, even to her−the cruelest ruler in all of Faerie. She’d hated that he had trampled into her castle, not really reclaiming his throne, but watching her every move nonetheless. It made her fume inside. She had enjoyed the Unseelie power alone for far too long and hadn’t relished sharing it, even if she had been the one to summon him. “I will find this traitor and peel his skin from his body.” She hissed the last few words, her own hatred toward losing Shade made her insides seethe.
Arthas laughed, he enjoyed watching her seethe. “You fool. Whoever it was, did it willingly. You need to pick better counsel, one of your own aids her.” His voice died as the memory of chains and centuries of darkness threatened to burst his hardened shell. He straightened and glared at Aveta, pressing his lips together before he spoke again. “And the Summer Seelie Queen, Kilara. Has she been found?” He had wondered of the fate of the Ancient Queen. She had not been laid to rest with him and the Spring Ancient, Rowan. It disturbed him greatly to be clueless of her whereabouts and all which had happened in his cursed slumber.
“It is rumored that they are planning to wake her. But only her descendant can find her. Shade is her direct blood relation.” Aveta was looking paler the longer she stood in his presence. If fact she was now somewhat green as his power made her stomach churn. He stifled a chuckle−it was amusing to watch her squirm.
“I think it’s time Rowan was awakened also. We can have a nice big family reunion, as they call it nowadays.” Arthas continued to frown despite his sarcasm. Rowan would not cooperate easily. Kilara’s younger sister was almost unbreakably loyal to the Summer Ancient. He’d have to make her cooperate, bind her to himself somehow, make her his pawn.
“But, My Lord, why do we need to wake her? She’s Seelie.” Aveta frowned at the mention of the Ancient. “Would that not work against us?”
“That is not of your concern.” She pushed his patience to the very edge and it was starting to annoy him beyond words. He snaked a tendril of power toward her, making her screech in pain as an invisible blade slashed at her arms. She fell to the ground, moaning as her dress shredded along her arms and blood blossomed along the rips, spattering across the floor. Arthas turned away, pulling his magic back into him, reigning in the dark blades. He would leave her alive for now, but she grated his nerves with every word she spoke. Her head hung down as she cradled her arms. The long black tresses of her hair clung to her sweaty neck and stuck to her face as she shook from the pain.
Her sobbing faded as he strode down the hall, back toward his rooms. Wanting to rest and think on what to do about Shade, who he’d yet to meet. But, the halfling had caused so much trouble for Aveta, he was extremely curious what made her so powerful.
Back in his chambers, he lay back on the soft feathered bed, closed his amber eyes and grinned to himself. He had to meet this ‘Shade’. She must be something extraordinary to put Aveta into such a twist with ease. Descended from Kilara herself, too. He had always had a thing for Kilara, though she had shunned him for Corb’s affections. He frowned to himself, knowing she’d tired of Corb, in the end, after all. It didn’t calm the twinge of hurt that stirred inside. Maybe Shade would see him differently. A concubine, royal bride from the Summer Seelie Court would be the utmost achievement.
He sat up elated with his newfound direction. He would find Shade and see what she was all about. Aveta might’ve failed to keep her captive and use her magic, yet if Arthas could woo her, he could tilt the powers of Faerie in his direction once more. A satisfied smile crept across his face, knowing what he had to do now. Soon, he would awaken the Spring Ancient, Rowan. She wouldn’t be a full ally, but she wouldn’t oppose his wrath like Kilara had. The weaker of the two sisters, he’d siphon her power until he could obtain the halfling. Nothing would stop him now. Once Kilara was bound to him, she would get her pay back for his own imprisonment. The full power of Faerie was closer now than ever, and its sweetness made him eager to start right away.