Scorched by Darkness by Alexandra Ivy Page B

Finn came to a sharp halt. His eyes widened, his senses on full alert.
    He glanced around, trying to adjust to the abrupt change of scenery. Gone was the endless ice and muted glow that was the only light. And in its place was a rolling meadow dappled with wildflowers. Daffodils, daisies and tulips were clustered in splashes of color. Nearby, a narrow stream danced over flat rocks, the gurgles of swirling water mixing with the cry of sparrows as the only sounds to break the silence.
    Overhead was a bright blue sky with tiny puffs of clouds that moved on a lazy breeze.
    It had to be an illusion. Right? Still, it felt remarkably real.
    “What is this place?” he breathed, cautiously crossing the grass that was spongy beneath his feet.
    “I’m not entirely sure.”
    Adair tilted her head back, allowing the sunshine to bathe her delicate face in golden warmth. She was still wearing her white robe, and her glorious copper hair was left free to spill down her back.
    His heart seized in his chest.
    She was as rare and mysterious as a frost flower.
    Seeming to sense his intense scrutiny, she lowered her head to meet his fierce gaze.
    “It appeared after I claimed the cave as my private lair,” she explained. “As far as I know it’s the only place like it in the labyrinth.”
    “Labyrinth?” he demanded.
    She waved a hand. “That’s what I call it. If it has a real name, I don’t know what it is.”
    Hmm. Labyrinth seemed to fit.
    “Is it magic?”
    She shivered. “Dreams.”
    He frowned. “You said that before. Dragon dreams,” he reminded her. “What does it mean?”
    “I’m not sure.” Genuine fear darkened her eyes. “The words whisper in my head when I sleep.”
    Finn gave a slow shake of his head. This was a place that could give anyone nightmares. Even a frost sprite who lived in dark, icy tunnels. At least in his homeland he knew that the walls wouldn’t be appearing and disappearing. And that his magic could free him from any potential danger.
    He gave a shake of his head. Now was not the time to worry about the hows and whys of their surroundings. Instead he needed to focus on the larger picture.
    “Start at the beginning,” he demanded.
    She absently moved to perch on a rock that overlooked the narrow stream. At the same time Finn stepped into the shade of a towering oak tree. The pocket of summer was a pleasant relief from the crushing sense of menace in the ice prison, but he would never be a sun-lover.
    “You know that we’re Sylvermyst,” she murmured softly, her gaze locked on the sparkling water.
    “Yes.” He pretended he didn’t feel a childish resentment because she wasn’t looking at him. Yeesh. “And that you worshipped the Dark Lord.”
    She released a short, humorless laugh. “It’s not like we had much choice.”
    “Everyone has a choice in who they worship,” he corrected.
    “Not us,” she insisted. “My family were slaves who did whatever was necessary to survive.”
    He bit back the urge to argue. He didn’t really care if they’d been disciples of the Dark Lord or slaves.
    Why should he?
    The past didn’t matter.
    “You came through during the war?” he asked, referring to the recent attempt by the evil deity to return to this world.
    She nodded. “There was enough chaos for us to slip through unnoticed. Once we were here we disappeared in the wilderness of Alaska.”
    “Why didn’t you seek out the Sylvermyst who’d fought against the Dark Lord?”
    “It’s what I’d hoped for,” she said softly. “Shortly after we arrived, I sought out information on our people. I discovered Ariyal and his tribe were already established in an isolated area in the Midwest.”
    Finn frowned. “I think I heard about him.”
    “He was forced to stay hidden at Avalon and serve Morgana le Fay,” she said.
    “Ah. Yes.” Finn had heard stories about the reclusive fey who’d been used as sex slaves by Morgana le Fay. And the fact that they’d been instrumental in the