Holiday Crown

by Nikki Jefford

  “Okay,” I said.

  Alok’s intense stare made me ache with anticipation. I’d spent the past year wondering what it would feel like to have sex. It was like an unfinished puzzle driving me crazy with the urge to complete. The big question would soon be answered.

  “I’ll sneak into your room tonight,” Alok whispered as though he was already tiptoeing his way to my guest chamber.

  “Let’s do it now,” I said.

  “Now?” His eyes widened. “Here? In the attic?”

  A taunting smile lifted my lips. “Unless you really want to wait,” I said sweetly before rocking my hips over his.

  Alok’s eyes squeezed shut, and I was pleased to get a moan out of him. He pulled me down and rolled us over, reversing our positions so he was on top.

  “I want you to be my first too,” he rasped, grinding against me. “You’re the only female I’ve ever wanted to mate with.”

  “Flatterer.” I chuckled.

  “You know I can’t lie.” Alok growled.

  That was something I did know, and it sent surges of electric bliss straight to my ego.

  “I want you and no other,” Alok continued. “I wanted you from the moment I saw you, Fraya Keasandoral. One day, I want to claim you as my life mate.”

  “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” I scolded, even as my belly did flips. I was nowhere near ready to settle down. Alok’s fervor still surprised me. I would have thought a fifteen-year-old Fae male would want to keep his options open. Maybe there was a bit of a romantic in me because his proclamations were making my heart go gooey. But I was still practical. And curious. And ready to have sex for the first time.

  I’d chosen a difficult outfit for getting undressed. We were still dry humping one another through our clothing, kissing, panting, and gasping so loud that we never heard the intruder until he roared in outrage and yanked Alok off.

  Alok fell over a wood chair and hit the ground several feet away. Lark stood over him, fingers curled into fists, and murder glittering in his blue eyes.

  “Get up, you piece of filth!” Lark bellowed.

  Alok lifted himself off the ground and held his head high as though he was the prince and Lark the underling. Both males glared at one another with a deep hatred that chilled my heart.

  I got to my feet and hugged my arms around my middle, feeling sick to my stomach at being discovered and witnessing my cousin’s violent reaction.

  “You think a lowly servant such as yourself has the right to touch my cousin?” Lark sneered.

  “I’m not a servant,” Alok said through clenched jaw.

  “Son of a servant. Not even her son. An orphan.” Lark’s upper lip curled.

  “I. Am. Not. The. Son. Of. A. Servant.” Conviction and pride stamped each word Alok enunciated.

  “I will have you and your servant mother out of the castle before nightfall,” Lark said with a cruel smile.

  “Lark!” I snapped.

  Ignoring me, my cousin folded his arms and lifted his nose, looking down at Alok.

  The dark-haired Fae returned his cold grin. “You are not king of the castle. And you’re just jealous that Fraya wants me, not you. It’s pathetic.”

  Lark’s face contorted in rage. “Fraya’s my cousin, you sick piece of shit.”

  “I’m the one who’s sick?” Alok taunted.

  “I don’t think of Fraya that way. She’s family.”

  This confrontation was getting way out of hand. I didn’t appreciate Alok trying to sully my close friendship with Lark by making lewd suggestions.

  “I wonder, does your elf blood make it possible for you to lie, halfling, or is your tongue pierced like your father’s?” Alok raised his dark brows.

  With a roar, Lark launched himself at Alok, getting in the first hit. They grabbed one another between punches, ending up on the ground, rolling around trading blows. My heart lurched up like the model rocket Aunt Mel had brought back to Pinemist on her last visit.

  “Lark, stop!”

  Lark grabbed Alok by his head and slammed it against the floor.

  Normally my cousin listened to me. Being so blatantly ignored had me blinking several times.

  “Stop!” I said louder.

  Alok pushed Lark aside and kicked him.

  Footsteps pounded up the stairs.

  “What’s going on up here?”

  My racing heart slowed and stuttered to a stop as my father entered the attic.

  Oh, pitberries.

  His voice inspired the males to separate and pick themselves up off the floor. My father glowered, looking between them. The hard lines of his jaw tightened. “Why were you two fighting?” he demanded.

  My stomach bottomed out, sure that Lark would sing like a canary. But my cousin pressed his lips together in defiance. We weren’t just family; we were best friends. His steadfast loyalty touched my heart despite his cruel treatment toward Alok. Lark was only trying to look out for me. I didn’t have a brother. He was the closest thing to one.

  “Lark?” My father’s deep voice filled me with dread.

  Lark said nothing.

  “Alok, do you want to tell me what happened?” Dad asked, casting the dark-haired Fae a look of contention.

  Taking his cue from Lark, Alok admitted to nothing. Instead, he narrowed his eyes at Lark and said, “You have no idea who I am,” before storming out.

  “A low-class pit head, that’s who,” Lark called after him.

  My father crossed his arms over his chest and narrowed his eyes on Lark. “Very well, nephew. You refuse to speak. At least I can count on Fraya to tell me the truth. You can go now.”

  I grimaced. Face mottled red, Lark still managed to shoot me an apologetic look before slinking out of the room.

  My father’s eyes locked on mine.

  “Aren’t you supposed to be out finding a tree?” I asked.

  “Don’t change the subject.”

  Yikes, my dad could be really intimidating when he wanted. My forehead wrinkled. Taking a deliberate look around the attic, my father’s focus zeroed in on the pile of rumpled blankets on the floor. My next breath caught in my chest. A tight frown appeared over my father’s face.

  “I’m not blind, Fraya.”

  Yeah, too bad our butler, Fhaornik, hadn’t walked in. Then there would have been nothing to see or report back on.

  “Did you and Alok have sex?”

  Gah! Straight to the point. I wished my mom was the one who had found us. My cheeks were flaming redder than Rudolph’s nose.

  “No.” I should have left it at that, but teenage rebellion rose up in me when I added, “We were interrupted before we had a chance to get that far.”

  Oh, Sweet Sky. Way to go, Fraya.

  My father’s nostrils flared, and his head jerked.

  “And what of the consequences?” he demanded. “Are you ready to have a child? How would you feel stuck at home nursing a baby while your friends were out touring the realm, competing in tournaments?”

  “I was going to drink a tincture afterward. I’m not stupid.”

  “That is debatable,” he said without missing a beat.

  Had my father just insulted me? My mouth gaped open. Tears stung my eyes. I was mortified when I felt the first wet tear track down my cheek. More leaked out. I tried to hide my face. Unlike some of my female friends back home, I never wanted my parents to see me cry—not even to get out of trouble.

  My father’s face fell, his shoulders dropping. “Fraya.” He whispered my name with love and anguish.

  “I don’t want to talk to you,” I said, storming past him. I flew down the narrow stairwell to the corridor below, tears blurring my vision as I ran to my room where I flung myself onto the bed, burying my tear-soaked face into the covers.

  Sometime later, a light tapping came at the door.

  “Go away,” I called.

  “Fraya, it’s your mother.”

  Ugh, this day was getting suckier by the minute. I remained facedown o
n the bed as my mom entered my chamber, shutting the door behind her. Soft footsteps approached the bed. I waited impatiently for her to expand on my father’s disappointment, but my mom said nothing.

  Unable to take the silence for long, I turned around and gaped when I saw my mom’s face splotchy from crying.

  “Mom! Nothing happened.”

  “I know,” she said softly, bowing her head. “I’m just not ready for you to grow up. I know I cannot slow the hands of time, but it feels like just yesterday you were my baby girl and we had all the time in the world together.” Mom’s voice cracked, and tears spilled down her cheeks. Her tears made me start crying again.

  I scrambled out of bed and wrapped my arms around my mother. “I’m still your baby girl,” I said through tears.

  “I know,” Mom said, hugging me, but her tone was one of resignation and heartache.

  “Mom!” I said again. Oh my Sky, she was making me feel worse than Father.

  She sniffled and pulled my head against her shoulder.

  “Look, maybe I was rushing things. I was just curious, but I can probably wait a few more years.”

  “That long?” Mom pulled back and looked at me. A second later, we erupted into a fit of laughter. It made me want to cry all over again because I had the best mother in all the realms, and the best father—even if he thought I was an idiot.

  “Why didn’t you go get a tree?” I asked, ready to change the subject. I stepped away from my mom and wrapped my fingers around my leather wrist cuff.

  “Oh,” Mom said as though she’d forgotten all about the abandoned trek. “After your father grabbed an ax from the armory, Lark insisted you would want to help chop down the tree. He was convinced you’d come along if he asked you one more time.”

  Pitberries. I felt so bad. Stupid hormones making things awkward for everyone. From here on out, I’d get a handle over myself—keep it to kissing. I could wait. I just wished Lark hadn’t called Alok a servant. I think deep down my cousin struggled with his sense of self-confidence. His fathers shared the throne with his uncle Liri. He wasn’t full-Fae, nor was he a full-time resident of Dahlquist. But he was the kingdom’s firstborn prince. The situation wasn’t typical, even in a place like Faerie, so I imagined it could be confusing.

  “How am I going to face everyone at dinner?” I groaned into my hands.

  “Your father and I are the only ones who know . . . well, us and Lulu and, of course, Lark and Alok.”

  “Dad thinks I’m a dummy,” I said with a pout.

  “No, he doesn’t. He’s just having a hard time accepting that you’re growing up. Harder than I am,” Mom added with a sad smile.

  “What will happen to Alok?” My heart twisted thinking of the gorgeous Fae. I already imagined my parents would keep us apart, but I didn’t want him or Lulu to be tossed out as Lark had threatened.

  Mom cleared her throat. “Lulu arranged for him to work in the stable. We agreed it was best if he wasn’t around the family.”

  My heart sank. The position was much lower than aiding his mother in the castle. Alok would hate mucking out stalls and feeding animals.

  “It’s for the best,” Mom repeated, seeing the look on my face.

  Not for Alok, I wanted to say. It was my fault he’d been banished to the stables. I had to find a way to sneak out and apologize. I should be the one sleeping in the hay. I’d been the one to proposition him. Ugh. It was so unfair. Total class bias. I couldn’t care less whether Alok was a servant or a secret Fae prince. To me, he was marvelous—a male who could make me laugh, yearn, and glow from within. I still wanted him to be my first. We’d just have to wait. Well, I would have to wait. I didn’t expect him to. I wasn’t naïve. I understood males had biological needs. Perhaps he would forget all about Fraya the elf once he bedded a few of the castle’s pretty faeries. My heart sank. I hoped that wouldn’t be the case, even though it would be better for everyone.

  Chapter Five

  Aerith

  Back and forth, Jhaeros paced our guest chamber, wearing a path into the rug. “I should take her home at once,” he said.

  “The situation is dealt with,” I countered from the plush armchair where I sat with a decorative pillow in my lap. I couldn’t stop tugging at the beaded tassels.

  Coming to an abrupt halt, Jhaeros turned to me with an incredulous look. “They were about to have sex on the attic floor. What’s to stop them from a romp in the hay?”

  I lifted my chest. “Fraya assured me she intends to wait at least several years.”

  “And you believe her?”

  I narrowed my eyes. “Yes, Jhaeros, I do. I trust our daughter.”

  “I used to,” he said with a huff.

  I stopped fiddling with the tassels and folded my hands on top of the pillow. “Even if they had gone all the way, it wouldn’t have been the end of the world. It’s going to happen one day.”

  “One day doesn’t have to be today!” Jhaeros snapped. “I’m taking her home after dinner, and that’s final.”

  Ohhh. I don’t think so.

  I stood up and threw the pillow at my bullheaded mate. His eyes rounded in surprise. I closed in on him, getting directly in front of his face so he could feel my hot breath. “Remember who you are speaking to. I’m not your daughter. I’m your mate. We make decisions together.”

  Jhaeros’s lips lifted over his teeth. He looked ready to bite. Dark brown eyes traveled down my neck to my chest before snapping back up. I recognized the hungry look in his eyes. He couldn’t decide whether he wanted to fight with me or fuck me.

  Anticipation fluttered like snowflakes through my belly. If anyone was getting lucky tonight, it should be the adults. All those pent-up emotions had to go someplace.

  I was pretty sure my mate would relent to a quickie before supper, but Folas burst into our chamber. If it hadn’t been for his harried, wild appearance, I would have yelled at his intrusion.

  “What’s happened?” Jhaeros asked.

  “It’s Malon,” Folas said, pressing his fists to the sides of his head. “He’s escaped from the dungeons.”

  “What?” I screeched.

  I’d forgotten all about the evil cousin Liri kept imprisoned beneath the castle. We’d all advised him against such idiocy, which had only strengthened his resolve. The white-haired king said it pleased him to think of the black-haired miscreant rotting away in a dark cell.

  “How did he get loose?” Jhaeros asked, sounding way too calm. I was sure his heart had to be racing inside that delectably chiseled chest of his.

  “It looks like someone let him out,” Folas replied. “The dungeon guards were all asleep. Someone must have used sleeping powder.”

  “We need to portal the children out immediately,” Jhaeros said, heading for the door.

  “We can’t,” Folas said miserably.

  Jhaeros and I gaped at the blond guard.

  “Liri took precautions. He had the castle spelled to shut down all portals in or out of Dahlquist should Malon ever escape his cell.” Folas shook his head.

  Fucking Liri. He’d endangered my family yet again while he was conveniently stuffing his face with mashed potatoes and gravy in the mortal realm. Hensley had told me all about the holiday feasting. I hoped he choked on a cranberry.

  “I’m going to kill him,” I seethed.

  “First, we have to catch him,” Folas said. “But when we do, we should dispose of him once and for all.”

  “Not Malon. Liri,” I said.

  Folas pursed his lips. “But yeah, Malon needs to go too.”

  After tossing ornaments out of the way, our family squeezed together on the sofas and chairs, sequestered inside the parlor. Reed and Ronin sat on either side of Ryo on one sofa. Across from them, Gayla pressed against Fraya. I sat on the edge of an armchair with Jhaeros standing at my side. Folas stood behind his daughter, and Lark leaned against the sofa near his brothers.

  Folas had two dozen guards stationed outside the parlor and another ten i
nside with us. It was difficult to appreciate the security when I felt like a sitting duck.

  “I’m going to hunt him down,” I said, getting to my feet.

  “You stay. I’ll go,” Jhaeros said.

  “I know this castle as well as any Elmray,” I countered.

  “You don’t really mean to go out there, do you?” Fraya asked, her face blanching.

  Folas folded his arms across his chest. “We need to stay and protect the children.”

  “That’s what you are for, Folas,” I said. “Someone helped him. For all we know, it’s a sorcerer. They could blow more of their sleeping dust over the guards outside. We have to find them and stop them before they get to us.”

  Folas shook his head. “The castle is warded against sorcerers. I would have known if one tried to cross through.”

  Well, that was one relief. Isadore had given me a lifelong fear of sorcery.

  Ryo puffed out his chest. “I am acting king. I will go.”

  “That’s exactly why you have to stay here,” I said, whirling around to face him.

  “Not this again.” Ryo scoffed.

  “If not for your kingdom, then for your boys.” I lifted my brows.

  Ryo didn’t argue.

  “We already have guards looking for him,” Folas said, his arms still tightly wrapped around his broad chest.

  “And if we’re lucky, they’ll find him first, but I’m not waiting around to find out.” I turned to my daughter next. “Keep the children calm until we get back. I don’t plan on allowing Malon anywhere near this parlor, but if any enemy should get through, don’t hesitate to take him down.”

  A bow and quiver filled with arrows rested on the low table in front of Fraya. There wasn’t an elf in all the realms who could outshoot my daughter. Right before gathering, Folas, Jhaeros, and I had grabbed as many weapons as our arms could carry from the armory before locking it up and stationing more guards at its doors.

  My daughter said nothing, merely nodded, a tight frown on her face.