:::Early Update! Mostly because I am really. freaking. excited. about this chapter!:::

I pushed my horse into a gallop toward the forest path. There was this dark feeling in my gut that pushed me to go faster. It was a dark, cloudy night and that made the atmosphere all the more foreboding.

I plunged into the forest and was immediately disoriented. The path had disappeared completely. I brought the horse to a halt before we went crashing into the thick underbrush and dismounted. I looked around. The path was nowhere to be seen. We had barely entered the forest. I should have been able to see the road from where I stood, but there was only darkness and trees. The underbrush was so dense that my horse would never be able to make it through. I gave him a quick kiss on the nose thanked him for bringing me this far and roped him to a nearby tree. Then I conjured up the sharpest sword I could, and began hacking at the underbrush, hoping I was going the right way.

The deeper into the forest I went the more worried I became. I'd been chopping away at thick bushes and vines for over an hour and still, there was no end in sight. I stopped for a moment to look at my hands. Blistered had formed where the hilt of the sword rubbed. I sighed and picked the sword up with pained hands.

Hours later I dropped the sword. My hands were raw, my feet sore. My arms and face were scratched from the branches. I sat down against a tree and began to cry. "This isn't how it's supposed to be." I whimpered to myself. I felt helpless. I couldn't save Dryden like this, lost in the forest.

The wind picked up a little, tugging at my clothes and hair. "Follow me." The voices whispered.

I wiped my eyes and stood. I really had no other option but to do as the voices said. They tugged and pulled me back through the path I had cut and suddenly, I broke the treeline. I stood on the plains right below the castle. "Thank you." I whispered to the wind.

"Go!" The wind howled. "Go now! She is here!" It cried. I didn't need to be told a second time. Even though my legs ached I broke into a run as the clouds gathered ominously overhead. I reached the castle gates just as it began to downpour.

I had planed to throw the doors open dramatically and call Breia out but as I approached the doors, something inside me felt like I should go quietly. I cracked the door open and slipped inside.

The castle was eerily quiet as I wandered quietly through the halls. I had no idea where Dryden was. I was about to call out to him when I found myself at the staircase to his room. I tiptoed up the staircase to the door. I was about to open it when I heard voices. I pressed my ear to the door to listen. It was Breia.

"Where's your pretty little princess now Dryden? She's not here to save you." The evil woman chuckled. "She's abandoned you. Just like everyone else hasn't she?"

Dryden's response was a broken, whimpered "No. Nadia loves me."

Breia laughed. It was a melodious, seductive sound that only hinted at evil. "Is that what she told you? Didn't I tell you the same thing one time? Like mother, like daughter." She crooned.

"What, what do you mean?" Dryden stammered.

"Why, my dear, Nadia is my daughter!" She chuckled. "Tylar is her father, the fool."

I could barely hear Dryden's shocked, "It's not true."

I threw the door open. "Actually it is." I said dryly. "But Breia, I am nothing like you." I glared at the woman.

She stood over Dryden, whom she had cowering in a corner.

"Nadia!" She sounded delighted. "How nice! Fate has brought me everything I wanted!" She smirked at me. "Dryden as my prince and my daughter to make me unstoppable."

"The only thing fate has brought you is your end." I growled as I drew on my magic. I let it pool in my fingertips as her smile faded.

"Stupid girl." She shook her head at me. "You're not strong enough to stand against me."

"I'm stronger than you could ever hope to be." I retorted.

Breia let out an angered shriek and lunged for me. I threw up a magic shield and she bounced away.

"Not bad." She seethed.

I formed a ball of energy and hurled it at her with all my might. She sidestepped like it was nothing. The smirk on her face enraged me.

I flew at her with every intent of ripping her head off with my bare hands but I found myself chained to the wall. "Now Nadia. Is that anyway to treat your mother?" She crooned sarcastically.

I yanked at the chains and screamed. She laughed. "I'm going to do what I should have years ago. I'm going to take your power as my own. But first, I'm going to finish what I started and destroy you precious Dryden while you watch."

Frantic, I pooled my magic again and broke the chains. "Don't you dare touch him!" I grabbed a handful of her hair and yanked her head back, throwing her to the ground. "If you hurt him again I will kill you!" I screamed. She began to stand up but I kicked her back. There was a wild look of rage on her face as she stared up at me. She launched herself off the floor and into my stomach, knocking us both through the open door and into the stairway. Before I could catch my balance to ran down the stairs and in to the castle.

I regained my footing and went to check on Dryden. He was still in the corner, staring wide eyed at the door. I knelt in front of him. "Are you ok."

He slowly nodded. "I'm fine." He said softly.

I took his hand in mine. "I sorry it took me so long."

"Are you really her daughter?" I could tell that he was confused.

I nodded. "Yes. Her and Tylar." I sighed. "Just because she's my mother doesn't change anything Dryden. I'm nothing like her. I do love you and I would never hurt you. You know that right?"

He nodded. "I know."

I sighed. "She's still somewhere in the castle. I have to go after her." I looked into his eyes to make sure he was ok. "Will you be ok here while I deal with her?"

"Yes." His eyes were huge as the stared back at me. I began to stand but he kept ahold of my hand and pulled me back down. "Nadia?" I could tell that he was trying to be brave, but was really terrified.

"What is it?" I asked softly.

He quickly leaned forward and kissed me long and hard. I wash taken aback, but quickly melted as he wrapped one arm around my waist and twinned his fingers into my short curls. My face grew hot and my chest tight as my heart pounded violently. The kiss seemed to last forever and his lips lingered on mine as he slowly pulled away. "I love you too." He whispered huskily in my ear.

I stood on now shaky legs and walked breathlessly to the door. I paused for a moment to cast a glance back at Dryden. He smiled and then I was out the door.

I had no idea where to begin looking. I knew that the castle halls changed frequently and that the castle itself was huge and labyrinth-like. I began to wander and just hoped that the castle was on my side.

Apparently it was because I quickly found myself standing at the door of the ballroom. It was flung wide open. I stepped inside, knowing that it was where Breia was. As my foot crossed the threshold the room was transformed into the ball I'd longed to see again. "This is not a good time for this." I thought to myself.

I ran down the stairs and began to search for Breia but the crowd was thick. I was just glad that my dress hadn't transformed into a ball gown like before. Dancers whirled around me as the orchestra played and I scanned the crowd for any sign of the fae woman.

Finally, I saw her on the other side of the room. She was surrounded by a crowd of people. She lounged on a raised chaise longue, regally looking over the people who were draped around her. I began to head in that direction.

The closer I came to her, the more warped the room became. The colors became muted and the music began to distort into an eerie waltz. Dressed became more ragged and faces less friendly. I noticed that everyone was now wearing masquerade masks that resembled disturbing and evil creatures.

As I pushed my way through the sneering people I began to catch glimpses of the man I had met the first time. It almost seemed like he was following me but he was very subtle about it, dancing with a girl here, just a glimpse in the crowd there. As I continued toward Breia I began to notice a change in him. His features became more animalistic. His eyes grew darker. And at some point I realized that I knew this man. It was Dryden. I kept my eye out for him so that I could scold him and send him to safety but I couldn't get close enough to him to speak to him. I could tell he was watching me though.

Finally, I stood before Breia. She leaned back on her throne-like daybed and smiled. "Welcome to my world dear daughter."

I started up the stairs to where she sat. "I don't think so." She crooned. She waved her hand and the stairs were gone, leaving her on a raised platform I couldn't reach. She smiled. "Looking for this?" She tugged a chain, pulling a figure from the shadows.

I almost didn't recognize him. His dark fur covered his face and his green eyes held nearly no trace of humanity. His elf like ears were fawnlike and his fangs were longer. Large horns curled out from behind his ears. He looked like some strange cross of wolf, ram, and human. He refused to look at me.

"You're too late Nadia. Dryden is mine. You can't save him." Breia's voice was soft, almost sypathetic.

"You're wrong." I whispered. Dryden's long ears twitched.

"Excuse me?" She hadn't heard me.

"You're wrong!" I shouted. I used my magic to force the ground I stood on to raise to her level. " I can save him." I ran to Dryden's side. He reached a long-clawed hand out to me.

"Nadia." My name was just a whisper on his lips.

Before I could reach him Breia blocked the way. "I'll make you a deal Nadia. You can have him. He can be all yours forever and ever."

My eyes narrowed. "What's the catch?"

"Join me darling. Rule the world with me." She pleaded.

"No." I said flatly. I wanted nothing to do with her.

"Think of it Nadia. You and I. We'd be unstoppable. We could have anything we wanted!" She insisted.

I shook my head. "I want you gone. Out of my and Dryden's life." I snarled at her.

Her smile shifted to a sneer. "Fine." She waved a hand and the people who had been ignoring us up to this point suddenly surrounded me. Several dozen hands grabbed me. I tried to struggle but found that I was held fast.

"If you won't willingly join me then I'll kill you. I only need your blood anyways." SHe produced an ornate dagger and started towards me. I struggled as much as I could. I had no desire to harm the people who held me. I would not be a murderer again.

I pulled on my magic and created a shockwave that shoved everyone, including Breia away. The people who'd held me disappeared and the ballroom once again was abandoned. Only Breia and I remained. "Where's Dryden?" I yelled at her.

She laughed. "He was never here darling. It was only an illusion. Just like everything else in this room." She paused. "Now, let us finish this."

I nodded. "Let's." My tone was menacing.

We circled each other, Breia talking the whole time. "Who will make the first move girl? Do you really think you can outlast me? Can you really kill your own mother?" She taunted. Then she began to describe, in graphic detail, what she planned on doing with Dryden once she had done away with me. The more the talked the more enraged I became. However I quickly realized that she was trying to provoke me. I also realized that she was rambling because she was afraid. I began to grin.

"What?" She snapped. "What are you smiling at?"

My grin grew even larger. I knew I probably looked a little deranged. But it was having the exact affect that I wanted.

"What are you smiling at you little wretch?" Breia screamed franticly.

And then I began to laugh. I channeled everything I had into my laughter, remembering the night that I broke down and scared Dryden. I thought of all the pain and anger and fear that I'd felt over these last two years. And I directed it all at Breia.

Breia let out a shriek and flew at me. I took a step and slammed into her with all the magic I could muster sending her flying into the far wall. I marched towards her. "Now you listen to me 'mother'." I sneered the last word. "I am not your daughter. I am your end, your undoing. You sought to be eternal but your solution is the very thing that is going to kill you."

I grabbed her by the throat. "You will never harm anyone again." I pulled her off the wall and thought of the iron door that held the never-ending darkness behind it. I willed the castle to shift. The door formed before my eyes on the ballroom wall. I shoved the door open and raised Breia to her feet.

"What are you going to do?" Her eyes were wide with fear.

"Put an end to you." I said quietly. I gave her a shove, sending her stumbling backwards into the room. I pulled the door closed, silencing her screams.

Fatigue hit me all at once. I sighed and leaned against the wall. Dryden was safe and that was all that mattered. Suddenly, I heard a noise behind me. It was the sound of clapping. I whirled around. Tylar stood in the doorway. "It looks like I have terrible timing." He chuckled. I smiled and took a step towards him before collapsing to the floor.

I awoke in my own bed, disoriented and aching. I tried to sit up but just moaned instead. "Oh stars! It hurts."

Dryden and Tylar were both by my side in an instant. "Nadia!" Dryden cried. "You're ok!"

"I'm alive if that's what you mean." I coughed. "I feel like I fell off a cliff."

"The fight with Breia, channeling so much magic, it put quite the strain on your body." Tylar explained as he smoothed my hair back. "You'll probably have to stay in bed for several days."

I nodded. That was fine with me. I was ready for some rest.

Dryden took my hand and kissed it. "I'm glad you're alright."

I smiled softly at him. "I'm fine. Are you ok?"

He nodded. "A little shaken, but Breia didn't do anything to me."

I squeezed his hand in mine. "Good."

Tylar watched the two of us with a mysterious smile on his face. "Did you ever have to slap him?" He asked cryptically.

Dryden looked confused. I just smiled. "Not literally, but yes, much like you, he had to be slapped every day."

"So you did find a man like me." He chuckled. "Good for you."

Dryden just shook his head. "I'm not even going to ask."

I just smiled up at him. Then I realized that he still wasn't human. "Dryden, the spell isn't broken?" I had assumed that once Breia was dealt with the spell would fade.

He shook his head. Tylar spoke up. "It's something that can be reversed once you've regained strength. I can teach you the spell, but I'm not powerful enough to reverse it myself."

I nodded. "Well when the time comes."

Dryden shook his head. "I'm not sure that I want to change back. What if you don't like me as a human?"

I laughed, making my ribs ache even more. "Dryden, you could be a frog and I'd still love you. Think on it for a few days. We'll cross that bridge when we get to it."

He nodded.

"Adelaide had her babies. Healthy twins, a boy and a girl. They named the girl Lilly after Elan's father." Tylar stated.

"And the boy?" I asked.

"Tylar." He beamed.

I chuckled. "I'm not surprised actually."

"One more thing." Tylar said. "And then we'll let you get some rest."

"What?"

"Why did I find my horse tied to a tree at the beginning of the path to the castle?" He asked quixotically.

I laughed. "It's a little bit of a long story. I'll tell you some other time."

He shook his head. "Fine. You get some sleep now. You'll be fine in a few days." He kissed my forehead and left the room.

Dryden stared softly down at me. "You saved me." he whispered.

I smiled. "Breia will never hurt anyone again."

"I didn't mean just from Breia." He said softly. I knew exactly what he meant.

"Dryden, you did the same for me." I squeezed his hand in mine.

He smiled and kissed my lips tenderly. "Get some rest. I'll be here when you wake up."

I sighed contentedly and closed my eyes. I felt myself begin to drift almost immediatly. I was even more exhausted than I'd though. With my hand still in his, I began to dream of the bright future we had ahead. And in my sleep I wore a silver, rose-budded dress and I danced with a green eyed, dark haired man in an exquisite ballroom of masked people. And we were beautiful monsters, the both of us.

The End

:::Holy. Crap. I've been working on this novel for 4 years now. I started on it when I was 16. It's been my baby. I've lovingly poured myself into it, surprising even myself with some of the turns. I can't believe I'm done! I think I'm in shock!:::