“I’ll show you respect when you deserve it,” he said with little emotion in his voice.
The heat from his chest coursed through my palm and up my arm, making me realize I was still touching him. Damn him! I pushed the towering fae away, annoyed even more when he didn’t stumble. “Let’s go.”
Neva was already waiting at the balcony door, ready to lock up. I moved to stand under the awning and spread my wings, all the while doing my best to ignore Finn. I refused to look at him, worried too many of my feelings would be on display. I didn’t want him to feel like he had any control over me.
Once Finn was out of my house and the door was locked, I grabbed on to Neva and disappeared without saying a word. If Finn was smart, he’d know to follow my trail before it dissipated. Teleporting always left a magical signature behind, but it only lasted a split second. If he wasn’t quick enough, then my plans were about to change, and maybe I’d begin listening to the inner darkness that didn’t ever want to shut the hell up.
In an instant, we went from downtown Los Angeles to Sri Lanka, an island at the tip of India. Neva and I were standing on a deserted beach, and I grinned. “I guess he isn’t as smart as he is good looking.”
Neva’s eyes widened as she stared behind me.
“You’re right. I’m smarter,” he murmured in my ear as he passed by me, continuing toward the ocean.
Pissed at the way my skin reacted to his closeness, I flipped him off even though he couldn’t see it. Neva shook her head at me. “Should you use the spell now, Ms. Lucinda?”
“I think that would be best.” Bending down, I pulled the vial from my boot and swirled it around. “Hopefully Beatrix is as good as she says she is, or his sister won’t get the hour I’ve promised.”
Neva didn’t seem worried as I pulled the cork on the glass bottle. The liquid smelled like lavender and citrus as I brought the sparkling contents to my lips and drank it in one gulp.
My wings unfurled, and the tips hardened on their own, narrowly missing Neva. She squeaked and backed up as my body glowed purple, then my normal teal. Power rushed through me, and I managed to point my hands downward just in time for magic to pour out of them and into the sand around us.
Finn was back and picked up Neva right before she could get zapped. Instead, he absorbed the power aimed for her. I tried to shut it off, but I couldn’t, and I was ready to go back to LA and rip Beatrix’s head clean off.
Another minute passed before I finally had control of my body again. “I’m going to kill her.”
Finn stepped closer after he set Neva back down. “Actually, you should be thanking her. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were human.”
It was the first time he’d spoken to me without some sort of attitude, but I was more shocked that he couldn’t get a read on my magic, not even in the slightest. I assumed the witch’s spell would only mask my particular magical signature, but based on Finn’s words, it seemed as if she’d hidden my essence completely.
I closed my eyes and focused inward. My magic still swirled within me, and my wings were still present, which saved me from finding and killing Beatrix.
“Can you fly?” Finn asked.
I flapped my wings, and my feet lifted off the ground several inches. “Apparently so.”
I reached for Neva, but Finn stepped between us. “How about I take Neva? If your body starts to reject the spell, you could hurt her.”
A refusal sat at the tip of my tongue, but I swallowed it down. He was right, and I wouldn’t risk my friend, because that was what she was to me, regardless of how much she also assisted me. “Fine, but only if she’s okay with it.”
Neva met my stare before answering. She’d been fearful of the darkness Finn contained before, so I wouldn’t subject her to more if she still wasn’t comfortable with it.
She finally nodded, then took a step closer to him. “I’ll be fine.”
“Well, now that everything is sorted, let’s get on with it. We have a long flight ahead of us,” I said and stretched my wings out. It had been months since I’d used them for any considerable amount of time, and I was eager.
Sri Lanka was the closest we could get to the islands by using magic. From there, the only way into Fae Islands was by flight or boat. The latter was only an option if we didn’t need to stay under the radar. Teleporting there was out because there was no set entrance to the realm, and we had to have a physical place in mind for us to use that particular perk—not just the middle of the ocean.
The trip would take about two hours, and, even though we hadn’t left the beach yet, I was ready for it to be over. The longer I had to see Finn, the more conflicted I became. Not only with him but myself, for reasons I was hoping I could work out before we landed.
I couldn’t let anything distract me from what we were about to do. I knew I’d only get one shot at killing King Zephyr and if I failed, it meant I was dead and that wasn’t an option I was willing to accept.
When Fae Islands’ boundary came into view, I had a hard time breathing normally. A panic swirled inside me I hadn’t experienced since I was a child, and I didn’t like it one damn bit.
My arms crossed to hide my trembling hands as I took in the shimmer of the forcefield that would transport us from Earth to a realm only supernaturals were allowed to access. The shimmer wasn’t visible to humans, and if a human was out in the ocean on their boat or flying over in this exact spot, they would pass through it without being transported.
When we reached the portal, Finn paused, waiting for me to make the first move. I held my hand over the forcefield and took a deep breath.
I could do this. The king didn’t control me any longer. I was stronger than he could ever dream of being. I was not the same fae as when I left three years ago.
With those words, I pushed through the magic with my wings and was floating in the fae realm before I could blink. Finn and Neva were right behind me, but I paid them no attention as I searched for any signs my presence had triggered a warning to the wrong people.
We hovered in the sky for several minutes, and once I confirmed nobody was coming for us, I finally relaxed enough to take in the beauty of my surroundings. East Island caught my attention first with its jungle-like forest and vibrant foliage. LA had nothing close to that. The nature was the only thing I missed about these lands.
Then, I focused on North Island. Crops and orchards took up most of the land while houses occupied the rest. The fae who lived there were more service-oriented and provided nearly all of the food to the other islands. They grew fruits and vegetables and harvested grains. Any animals that lived there were for work or companionship, because none of the fae I knew ate meat.
We only consumed what the animals gave us, like milk and eggs. In my darkest days, I’d considered eating a steak once. The humans certainly knew how to make them smell tantalizing, but when it was set in front of me, I couldn’t do it. That day had been the first in which I began to find myself again. Or at least, the new me.
Though, I wasn’t sure that was true. I’d found the person I thought I was supposed to be, but arriving back here and being around Finn and Neva was showing me I still had a lot to learn.
The sky around us was clear and the air refreshing. For the first time in a long while, I could take a deep inhale and not taste exhaust. Though, none of the beauty or cleanliness took away from the fact I wasn’t welcome on the islands.
With that reminder, I sped up, and Finn did, too. We needed to get out of sight as quickly as possible or his sister’s decision wouldn’t soon matter.
Finn dipped down low and flew into an orchard, so I followed. The trees grew oranges and apples, then further on I saw pomegranates, my favorite. I snagged one as we began to slow, and a house came into view. Finn landed first and set Neva down, who wobbled but caught herself, so I kept my interest on the fruit in my hand.
My nails dug into the hardened shell and broke it in half. Just as I picked out a clump of seeds with my finge
rs, a woman stormed out of the house several yards in front of us. “Who the hell do you think you are eating our food?”
Chapter 7
I ignored her and took my time enjoying the juicy seeds, while keeping one eye on the female who inched closer. She tucked her blonde hair behind her ear, then surprised me with a grin before leaping and wrapping her arms around me. The action caused me to drop the fruit, and I raised a brow at Finn while keeping my arms at my side.
“I was totally kidding. Eat all you want. Well, so long as you’re Lucinda.” She stepped back, but still held on to my arms. “I’m Ivy. Thank you for not finding my brother as repulsive as I do and actually listening to him. I really thought you wouldn’t come, and then we’d be in even more trouble, because he probably would have pissed you off. Then, on top of the king, I’d have to worry about you coming after us, and damn, this whole thing is a lot to take in.”
Holy shit. Who the hell was this girl, and why did she talk so damn fast?
Finn sighed. “Ivy, leave her alone. She’s not our friend and certainly doesn’t want your hugs.”
She released me and whirled around to face him, blonde hair flying around her as she pointed a finger into his chest. “You shut your dirty mouth. I wasn’t talking to you, and Lucinda didn’t seem to mind.” She turned back to me. “Right?” Her big doe eyes stared at me, and I cringed.
Gods, what was I doing here?
“I have no opinion on whatever it is you do. I’m just here to let you know what I’m willing to do, and if you’re good with the risks, then I’ll stay. If not, I’m out of here. For now.”
My words caused her to frown, but I didn’t let it get to me. I had to get my walls back up and stop letting feeble emotions rule my decisions. I wasn’t there to be friends with these people. I’d only come to figure out what kind of sickness she had and use that knowledge to destroy the king. If it helped them at the same time, then so be it.
Back in LA, I might have been all about helping the little guy against a tormenter, but I was quickly realizing that I could lose who I was to these people if I put them first. King Zephyr was no ordinary bully, and this would be unlike any assignment before.
Ivy circled me, then glanced at Neva and back at me. “Why can’t I sense any magic from you even though you have wings, but she has no wings and I can feel her magic?”
I winked. “I’m special.”
She snorted. “Right. Seriously, though. Why?”
Finn stepped closer and grabbed her elbow. “Ivy, that’s enough.”
She appraised me once more, and I was finding it hard to get a read on her. She had the snark I usually enjoyed, but there was a goodness about her that made me uncomfortable. I didn’t often spend time with the people I helped. Especially not since Neva had begun helping me.
“You really think she can help us?” Ivy asked Finn, as if I wasn’t standing right next to them.
“I do. She has her own motivations and actually, we need to talk about those, so let’s get inside before anyone sees her. You might not remember Lucinda, but I know plenty of others who will.”
Neva approached me as I ignored Finn’s words and snagged another fruit since Ivy had knocked mine out of my hands with her lack of grace. Breaking it in half, I gave one side to Neva before digging into the other. I was hesitant to follow Finn and Ivy into their house, and Neva knew it. She was getting too good at reading me.
“How are you doing?” Neva asked between chews, and I sensed her eyes trying to see something in mine that I wouldn’t allow her to find—fear.
“I’ve never been better. Let’s get this over with.” I finished the pomegranate half and tossed it behind me before we entered the small farmhouse.
Any emotions or worries I’d been letting get to me earlier were safely tucked away. I knew what needed to be done, and I wouldn’t let foolish things like feelings—mine or anyone else’s—distract me. Not even the way Finn made my skin heat when he leveled his silver eyes on me.
Ignoring those thoughts, I moved past him as he waited at the door for us and gestured toward the left. The first thing I saw was a small living area with one wooden rocking chair and a tattered brown couch. Ivy came skipping into the room from behind the doorway and pushed her way past her brother before taking the chair.
She watched me intently, but I didn’t mind. I did the same back to her. She was maybe an inch shorter than me. Her light green eyes stood out against her sun-kissed skin and held a pureness that I’d never known.
I opted to stand and leaned against the wall with my knee bent and arms crossed. My hope was the stance would keep Ivy from throwing herself at me again. I didn’t do hugs. I’d have rather made out with Dante the bloodsucker.
Neva took a place on the couch, still eating her fruit, picking at the seeds with her nimble fingers, and Finn found a spot on the wall across from me. I arched my brow at him. “Would you like to do the honors, or shall I?”
He ignored me and turned his attention to his sister. “So, we have a bit of a problem.”
Ivy crossed her legs and feigned surprise with a gasp. “You wouldn’t say?”
His chest grumbled. “Now is not the time for your special brand of sarcasm, Ivy.”
“But it’s so much fun.” She pouted and I decided I could like her a little more, as long as she kept her hands to herself.
Neva sighed, likely pity for Finn because she understood exactly how he felt.
“Like I was saying, there’s a problem. Lucinda is willing to kill the king, but she can’t do anything about the spell or poison you took on. We can search for someone who can at the same time as finding a way to get to King Zephyr, but there are no guarantees we will. If Lucinda is able to kill him before we can prepare a witch, or another capable fae, then you could die.” That last bit caused the color to leave Finn’s face, as if the reality of losing his sister was finally hitting him.
“I didn’t want to take this choice from you, but I need you to know that I can figure out another way. We don’t have to take Lucinda’s help,” he added when Ivy didn’t respond.
“Right, because letting you take on dark magic in hopes you’ll figure out how to remove the spell yourself has been working so well. I won’t live the rest of my life as a prisoner, Finn. I’m ready to be free, and if the only way that can happen is in death, then that’s what it will be. King Zephyr doesn’t deserve to live any longer.” Her resolve was something to be admired, and if I’d met her before the king had broken my innocence, I could have seen us being friends.
She turned to me. “Do whatever you need to in order to end the king. Just make sure he can’t do to anyone else what he’s done to me ever again. I don’t care about the consequences.”
Finn moved toward his sister, bending down onto his knees and taking her hand. “Ivy, I can’t lose you, too. Please, think this through. Think of Maddox.”
The ache in his voice pulled at me at the same time I wondered who Maddox was. The curiosity didn’t outweigh the emotions and I wanted to stab someone. Why the hell was I allowing myself to care that he was hurting?
Because he makes you weak. You need to get—
I closed my eyes and pushed the voice away with a wave of my own power. I was getting really annoyed with it. I’d never had my subconscious be so loud, not even when I needed it most. This was how I really knew I was losing it and had to figure out a way to find myself again. Maybe revisiting my past wasn’t the way to move forward.
I shook my head and pushed away from the wall. I needed space. Lots of it. “I’ll be outside. Remember, I only promised to wait an hour and the clock started the moment we crossed the forcefield.”
Without waiting for a reply, I headed back outside and slammed the door behind me. When I was twenty paces out, I heard the door open and shut behind me. Neva was likely coming after me, but I didn’t want her to guilt me for my abrupt retreat, so I picked up my speed and spread my wings.
Then, I remembered I wasn’t actually wel
come on any of the islands and there was nowhere for me to go. Son of a bitch. What was I thinking coming back before I was actually prepared to kill the king?
Something about Finn Barlow was screwing with me, and I needed to get the hell away from whatever was happening.
There was a warmth blossoming in my chest that made me physically sick from the overwhelmingness of it. At the same time, the dark shadow within my mind was getting louder.
While I didn’t agree with the voice in my head, it was safe from hurt and betrayal. It would keep me from being vulnerable. It was exactly what I needed to hold on to. Wasn’t it?
Kill them. Kill the king.
I shook my head. I couldn’t kill them, but I would end the king. Ivy had already said she didn’t care what happened to her. I’d be doing everyone a favor, but most importantly, myself. Yes, this was my path. No more feelings or distractions, just doing.
Decision made, I spread my wings and lifted my feet from the ground with one flap. I didn’t even bother to glance back at Neva. She’d be fine with them. I couldn’t afford to allow her the chance to change my mind. I’d come back for her later.
Just when I was maybe five feet in the air, rough hands grabbed my waist and jerked me back down. “I don’t think so,” Finn hissed as I smashed into his chest, knocking us both to the ground.
Damn him for being so tall. I landed on top of him, and my still-spread wings hardened and caged us in, barely missing his arms. My legs tangled in his, and our hips lined up almost perfectly, allowing me to file away just a few more details about him that I really didn’t need.
With my wings supporting me, I stared down at him with no emotion. “And here, I thought you couldn’t stand me.”
His eyes heated, the charcoal melting through the lighter silver until there was none left. Based on the hardened twitch between us, I felt confident I was right and continued, a plan forming as I spoke.
Dark Fae Cursed (Broken Court Book 1) Page 6
