"What? You're going to leave tonight?" Estelle said, her voice going up an octave at the last two words. She frowned, "So soon? But I haven't had enough of you yet!"

Killian glanced at the Queen of spies. Estelle felt a shiver as she felt the cold glare.

"My family has gone to Londaros and I will be traveling with Lord Killian to the city of light."

"Can I come?" Estelle asked, her eyes lighting up with curiosity and excitement.

"No." Killian's answer came as swiftly as the question. He was in a bad mood. Evans and Jacen were already two too many but who was this rude woman who was fighting against him for time with Cybelline?

Estelle stared at Killian and then looked at Cybelline. She whipped her head back and forth twice and her mouth fell open. Since when did an ice block like Lord Killian show interest in mere mortals?

She must be dreaming. She was going to pretend that the Ice Lord had said nothing.

"Ahem, so I came to ask for a favor." Cybelline said after a brief, awkward silence. Estelle snapped to attention.

"Ask and you shall receive. Anything you want" Estelle said magnanimously, trying to ignore to the part of the room that was rapidly turning to ice.

"I want all the dwarves in your kingdom. And all the pixies."

Estelle frowned, "Alistair owned a good part of them. The rest are state owned. And the Pixies are royal property."

Cybelline shrugged, "You said anything I want. And I did just save your kingdom." She sighed sadly, "But if I can't..."

Estelle thought for a moment, "The dwarves have all been recalled to the city after the attack. It will be hard for us, but." She smiled, "For you, anything. I will ask my guard to gather them together. You are very shrewd, we have one of the greatest population of dwarves and pixies, you will be one of the richest people in the realm once you put them to task."

Cybelline nodded, "I would like it in writing as well."

"But of course, they are yours anyways." Estelle waved a hand, "If you're leaving then I'm sure you'll want to make sure everything's settled"

Estelle leaned forward, "I do want to throw a banquet in your honor. Perhaps you'll even sit next to me?"

Killian turned to his right hand man, "Evans, how much of our army is by the city of thieves?"

Estelle blinked and suddenly stood up, "I think I hear my advisors calling me, I must go." Estelle shivered, the girl is pretty but she valued her life more.

Cybelline watched as the woman practically run out of the room. She shook her head.

Killian walked over and stood in front of her, "What would you like to do for the rest of the day?"

Cybelline looked towards the city, "I have a few things to take care of, I'll meet you in front of the city gate later." With a nod, she walked away.

Killian watched as the slight figure walk away, he gestured and Evans walked over.

"Do I displease her?" Killian asked, "She doesn't act like most women I've seen act around me."

Jacen rolled her eyes, "My lord, you may be good looking but normal women tend to be a little intimidated when they are in your presence. Only the foolish dare to be brazen in front of you." Then Jacen frowned, "Though, my lord, this woman seems neither shy nor foolish."

Killian looked at Lord Evans, "I am intimidating? Have I said anything wrong?"

Lord Evans barely managed a professional smile, "My lord, perhaps you could learn a little more about talking to women." Instead of scaring them into bits. Lord Evans wanted to add.

"And where do I do that?" Killian said.

Lord Evans and Jacen looked at each other, this Cybelline was no lady. The normal rules of courtship did not apply. They did not know.

Killian frowned, "Enough, I will go find some women and ask them."

Little did he know this decision would cause quite the commotion in the palace. That day, four ladies fainted after curtsying to the war lord, five jumped into the moat in order to avoid his icy stare, and one brave courtesan lasted a full ten seconds before running away in tears, leaving a frustrated Killian walking around an empty palace as all the women ran away in droves.

Women loved Killian because he was a Warrior lord, but they were content to admire him from afar. If he came too close then they found his presence too powerful to bear.

Queen Estelle, after hearing the news, rang for the fastest horse she could find and rode out, claiming that it was the perfect day for riding. Never mind that there was a storm fast approaching from the east. Even if it was a tornado, it would be safer than being in that man's presence.

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The dwarves of the City of Thieves were all gathered in the great caverns. Three days ago, all the dwarves of the city and surrounding areas had been called back to the caverns. The air was filled anxiety and worry. Children cried quietly in the corner as adults gathered in hushed tones.

"But it's not time yet. they shouldn't have called us now." A female dwarf with a scar that ran from her eyebrow to her chin said, in her eyes was a fierce light. She looked at their leader Oqir, "It's only supposed to be every two hundred years, only a hundred fifty has passed."

Oqir sighed, "Perhaps they learned our secrets. Kima, is there any way you can take the children and hide them?"

The woman with the scar named Kima shook her head, "They didn't just bring our clan, they brought every clan within the land, everyone has been brought here." Her hand curled up into a fist, "When this happens, at least we know when and how they'll take away. But this? We have no prior knowledge."

Oqir looked at the face of the the rebellion leaders. Every few hundred years the humans took their children far away to sell to other kingdoms. Luckily, they had built up a system in which they were able to hide some of their young. But this time...

"We've lived like dogs." Kima said, her eyes a lit with fire, "Enough."

Another dwarf stepped up and placed his hand on Kima's shoulder, "I'm with Kima, you saved us from the last round so that we could help save more of our people. We can not hide anymore."

Oqir sighed, and was about to open his mouth when the gong rang, and the rock gate opened.

The dwarves turned and squinted towards the light, unused to the brightness after long hours in captivity.

In the light stood a slender woman. They couldn't make out her visage in the light, until she stepped into the cavern. Behind her, followed a man they were all too familiar with.

Alistair shook out a handkerchief, the disgust on his face obvious. Cybelline ignored him and went to search for the dwarf guide she had met a few days ago.

"If you can't stand even the odor of misery, how could you stand the abject depravity you put these people through?" Her voice floated back the retching youth.

Alistair looked at her sharply, "Are you a fae lover? I heard those kinds of humans exist but I've never met one. Disgusting." He sneered and threw her a round black object, "Touch the center and their collars will burn. If they disobey you for too long, the mage fire will burn them and their families into a crisp as well. Death is the best way to teach these creatures."

Before he could say another word, he went flying. Cybelline dusted her boot as if she had touched something dirty.

"Trash stays outside." Cybelline walked further in and called out to crumpled heap, "Say another word and I'll turn you into a preztel. I'm really looking forward to it."

Cybelline motioned and the cavern doors closed once more.

Cybelline blinked and allowed her eyes to adjust to the dim lights of the cavern. It was a vast space with hundreds of caves. Little makeshift camps were set up all over the place. Thousands of dwarves were were gathered together, looking at this intruder with suspicion and disbelief.

Cybelline saw tiny children who held onto their parents, crying quietly so as to not make a sound. She frowned.

Cybelline saw five dwarves standing defiantly in front of her. Behind them, stood at least twenty dwarves who looked ready for combat.

The girl looked at Oqir, "Do you remember me?"

The aged dwarf shook his head.

"Giant chicken."

The dwarf started at the girl in disbelief, "But...you're..."

Cybelline smiled, "Yes."

The dwarf blinked, "By the Grace of the Gods."

Then Oqir's face paled "You are the new owner?" Cybelline did not answer. Oqir looked at his people and then said quickly "My people don't deserve to die for the dishonestly I did to you. Please, do not harm them."

"Oqir, don't waste time. If we capture her, we might be able to hold her hostage. Before she can activate the collars " Kima walked over her eyes wary, she spoke in Dwarvish. Oqir struggled for a moment then said to Kima, "This human understands our language."

The dwarves looked stunned, never had they heard of humans being able to understand Dwarfish.

"It is not enough they steal our freedom, but now they steal our language?" Kima barked a bitter laugh, a knife appeared in her hand, others saw her move and moved with her. By now the thousands of dwarves had quietly, quickly created a battle plan. Their warriors, men and women, stood in the front while the children were placed away from the danger.

Cybelline found herself surrounded by a band of dwarves, their eyes glinting with determination in the firelight. In their hands were crude weapons fashioned from the mined metals.

"I'm actually not sure how I came by your language. One day I woke up and I was able to speak it." Cybelline said calmly as they advanced, "But I am not here to fight. Nor do I want to keep you in captivity."

More dwarves gathered behind the female dwarf, Kima smiled bitterly, "Are you here to free us? What sweet lies you tell." She and the warrior dwarves continued to walk towards Cybelline.

Kima and these warriors were all orphans, they had been picked especially so that when their slave collars burned, they would have no families that suffered.

"Do you really think killing me would solve the problem?" Cybelline asked lightly, she picked a rock and sat on it. She looked at the black disk that could control the destiny of the people in front of her. "Do you think you can get to me before I use this to burn you all to a crisp?"

Kima's icy blue eyes seemed to burn with hatred, "I'll take you with me."

Cybelline nodded, "With you lot dead, there will only be less to defend your people. What a waste."

"It's a sacrifice I'm willing to make." Kima said as she and her warriors ran towards Cybelline, their daggers raised.

"No."Cybelline stood up, her eyes changed from a light green to a glowing jade, "It is not a sacrifice I'm willing to accept."

Two black wings sprouted from her back, emanating power. She was mesmerizing in that moment, the soft glow of power breaking into their hearts like a moonbeam forcing its way through a closed window.

Ancient magic, magic that died when their last queen had disappeared flooded the room. They felt the Source calling to them, its warmth as comforting as the light of the mother moon. Magic they had mined for could not compare to the vast river that beckoned them now.

Like dried roots in drought, they drank the magic that emanated from her.

CLANK. CLANK. CLANK. The dwarves who held knives dropped them in awe.

Kima looked at the fae in front of her, she had never seen any fae like her before.

"What are you?" She asked, her voice shaking slightly.

"Dark Fae." Oqir said quietly as he walked forward, "From the Court of Night."

"I've only of heard of Titania and her court of light Fae." Kima said, "Our stories have never mentioned the Dark Fae."

"Titania was the queen of the light fae, and Maeve her sister ruled the dark fae." Oqir answered, "Maeve died a long time ago, her followers dispersed and Titania ruled us all."

Cybelline looked at Kima, "Your people have gone through a lot. I can take you to somewhere safe, where you'll be free."

Kima looked to Oqir, "Elder?" She did not know this Dark Fae and while the offer was tempting, she did not want to make a hasty promise

Oqir stood in front of Cybelline, "How? Why should we trust you. What do you want from us?"

Cybelline looked at Oqir curiously, "Is there no trust between the fae"

"The fae were betrayed to the humans by fae. We are not all one and the same." The Dwarf said, "You are one Fae, how could you possibly save us all?"

Cybelline smiled, "I don't want or need anything from you. Once I take you out of this city, you are free to leave and live as you wish. But you need to listen to me until we are safely out of here"

Oqir shook his head, "How will you save all of us?"

Cybelline reached out a hand, "I'll show you. You'll have to trust me for a moment."

The old dwarf reached out a gnarled hand, Kima grabbed his arm. "It might be a trap."

"We have no choice." Oqir said, "If even there is a tiny chance..." He gently shook his arm free and gripped Cybelline's hand.

Suddenly the old dwarf had disappeared, and only Cybelline stood there. Kima's eyes widened and she gripped her dagger once more, "Where is he?"

Cybelline blinked, "Give him a moment, he's in a bit of shock."

"What are you talking about? Bring him back."

Cybelline only smiled and after a moment the Dwarf reappeared. He stumbled a little bit and Kima caught him. Oqir rubbed his eyes and looked around. Kima checked to make sure he was alright.

Suddenly the old dwarf began to smile, two river of tears ran down his face. The dwarves were stunned, this was an old man who had weathered thousands of years of hardship. He had never once shown anything but strength, but it was as if in that moment, an enormous weight had been lifted off of him. Fallen to the ground with the tears that splashed against the earthen floor.

"What...what happened? What did you see?" Kima asked.

Oqir gripped the girl, "Hope." He cried, his words falling as he looked to his people.

"I saw hope."

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Author's Note:

Hello! So sorry to have taken the hiatus on writing. Work and life came in between the writing and I would like to apologize to my readers. Thank you so much for following and reading, it means so much to see people still writing comments all these months. Thank you thank you!!