Large black eyes popped over the surface and soon thereafter a squat nose and little mouth. “Mistress, you must listen!” the door cried.
I gritted my teeth and crossed my arms. “Are you locked?”
The sound of a locking mechanism clicked through the hall. “Yes.”
“Unlock the door, Piffle,” I commanded, losing any patience I had left.
“Alright, but hear my warning again, Goddess Divine.”
I sighed, keeping my mouth shut, waiting for him to finish his piece.
The golden door cleared its throat. “I cannot say why you mustn't go. But I can say that there is a good reason Master Arthur has forbidden it.”
“And what is this very good reason?”
A booming voice echoed across the hall. “A slow death awaits all who enter the western corridor.”
I jumped, turning swiftly. The very king I meant to avoid came strolling into the room from one of the eastern tunnels. “Thank you, Piffle, for keeping our guest from entering.”
I raised my chin, flaring my wings behind me. “I am a Goddess of the Veil. Whatever you think will harm me, I promise, it will not.” I turned away from him, focusing my attention back on the locked door. “Now unlock yourself this instant.” The click of the lock resounded and a smile pulled at my lips as I reached for the golden handle.
“Piffle,” Arthur snapped, crossing the hall swiftly, “lock the door.”
Another click.
“Unlock the doornow, Piffle,” I commanded again, this time my hand already on the handle, ready to open it.
The click came, but the king was ready.
“Lock it, Piffle.”
Again a click.
I turned in a flash of anger, finding the king mere inches from me, his hand already reaching for mine.
“You dare use my servant against me?” he growled.
I scoffed in utter disbelief. “Youdare counter the wishes of a Goddess?”
“This is my realm, not yours. I rule here.”
“A Goddess rules everywhere,” I fumed, “and the Underrealm is Ishtak’s domain, not a king’s.” I shook my head. “I don’t have time for your foolishness.” I swatted his hand away. “Remove yourself from this entrance, Piffle.”
The door disappeared and the little fae was beside me, worrying his hands again.
Gazing into the utter darkness from the tunnel was like staring into an abyss. Light cast from the torches in the hall fell prey to the hungry mouth of the tunnel’s opening, refusing to illuminate more than a few feet within.
“Right,” I stated assuredly. “I will speak to Ishtak about this curse and find a way out of it. You may stay here if you wish.”
“But Mistress!” Piffle squeaked, slapping his hands over his mouth again.
Arthur’s arm blocked my way in an instant. It was massive and straining against his linen shirt as if growing in size right before my eyes.
I furrowed my brow, turning to look at the man.
But he was not a man. Not entirely so.
His chest heaved with the labor of breathing and two horns, black and segmented, pointed out from the top of his head. Twin fangs began to grow down over his lips, and I clucked my tongue.
