by Ivy Clyde
“So many people died though,” I said as the sight of corpses littering the underground hallways rose up before me. “Lucia and I wanted things to be peaceful but people still died.”
Cade’s expression grew grim. “What are you talking about? There has been no bloodshed at all. Vishen’s people have surrendered.”
I shook my head. “The people who gathered at the coronation ceremony have died. Palace maids, soldiers, and guards lost their lives too. They were all innocent.”
“Who attacked them?”
“Vishen had more of his men stationed inside the palace. Not only that, he even had dark mages join in to kill the soldiers.”
Cade’s brows contracted. “Dark mages? Where are they?”
“Lady Chantal, Demitria, and I killed them.”
“You were able to kill them?”
“Have you forgotten what I can do?”
His eyes widened a fraction. “Are you able to conjure the black veil on your own now?”
I nodded. “You gave me the key to use my powers.”
His eyes closed as he let out a long breath. When he looked back at me, there was warmth swirling in his eyes. “I am so proud of you, Moira. You are more impressive than anyone I’ve ever met. You even outshine Rowan.”
A chuckle escaped me.
“I am being honest,” he said in a sincere voice. “Come. I want to show you something.”
Clasping my hand, he led me toward the doorway. Even though this was the ground floor of the Moon Palace, one could look over the grounds, the lakes, and the main wall in the distance fencing the whole area.
“Look,” said Cade, extending his arm forward. “Do you see them?”
My breathing got heavier as I stared out at a sea of gold surrounding the area outside the palace walls. Dawn was just breaking, casting the sun’s first light onto the golden-armored army gathered there.
“That’s Aelia’s army?” I asked in a breathy voice.
“That’s your army as well,” said Cade.
I stared up at him. “My?”
“Yours.” He smiled down at me as he pulled me against him. “What is ours is yours.”
Emotions I could never name swelled inside me at those words. My heart squeezed with both happiness and pain. Tears ran down my cheeks.
Cade’s arms wrapped around me, bringing me against his chest. His lips captured mine in a searing kiss. I melted into him, kissing him back fiercely because it was the only way I could tell him how I felt.
Words couldn’t describe the overwhelming love and trust I was feeling for my three princes at that moment. They’d come through for me during the most critical time of my life. They hadn’t let me down, keeping their promise to keep me safe and protected. I didn’t know the goddesses they prayed to but I could feel their blessings pouring down on me.
35
Moira
Three days later
I followed the two soldiers leading the way forward. My luxurious gown of silver gossamer reflected the leaping flames of the torches mounted on brackets. Cold, musty air skimmed over my skin as we headed deeper into the dungeons under the Moon Palace.
Over the past few days, the palace complex was restored back to its original state. The soldiers from both solar and lunar fae factions worked together to gather the bodies and take them to a different site. The ones who still breathed were rushed to a healers’ camp while the rest were given the last rite ceremony as their corpses slowly disintegrated down into flecks of glowing silver dust.
I wondered why Vishen allowed his men to kill the maids, servants, ladies, and other noblemen who’d gathered for the coronation ceremony. He could have simply told them to fight the palace guards and let the other bystanders go free. His lust for death and violence would never cease to sicken me.
I passed many cells with occupants. They were all horribly emaciated men and women in torn clothing, staring bleakly into the distance. As far as I knew, most of them were thrown into the dungeons by Vishen. As soon as I got urgent matters handled, I would be reopening their cases to judge whether they truly deserved to rot in these dark, dank chambers which didn’t allow a single ray of moonlight to penetrate its walls.
Getting imprisoned in the underground dungeons was a punishment worse than death. With no exposure to moonlight, the prisoners would slowly lose their magic. Once that happened, they would be exposed to the cold, dank air. While they would be fed twice a day, they would remain cold and uncomfortable in the cells. While humans eventually died, the immortal fae would have to endure the slow torture for eternity.
This is what Vishen would face for the rest of his immortal life. He would beg and plead for death but it would not be granted to him. Cold wrath flowed through my veins at the thought. He would be paying for everything he did for a long, long time.
The guards before me stopped before a cell and turned toward me.
“Your Majesty, we are here,” said one of them.
It was odd how easily I’d come to being addressed as “Your Majesty” or “Her Majesty”. The scared, hesitating high school girl had retreated deep into my mind and brought out someone different, someone who was born to be powerful and lead.
“Open the door,” I said.
The clang of the door opening echoed all around the underground passageway.
Vishen stared up at me from his spot on the ground. He didn’t bother standing up.
“You’re quite the actress,” said Vishen with a sneer. “I wouldn’t have believed Arian’s child could be born with such wit. You probably get it from your solar bitch of a mother.”
The guards behind me stomped into the cell but stopped as soon as I raised a hand.
“My father trusted you,” I said, staring down at him. He was put into white linen robes. Without the ostentatious black robes he usually wore, the man looked awfully insignificant. His hair was loose and spread around his shoulders. Only his glittering black eyes showed the malice he concealed. “How would any monarch know his own advisor can’t be trusted?”
He let out a scoffing noise and looked away from me.
I knelt down beside the man.
“Alana is dead,” I said. “Don’t you care your beloved niece died needlessly?”
He glanced back at me and something close to an emotion flitted through those dark eyes. “I told her not to attend the ceremonies. The child wouldn’t listen and went to witness it anyway. She was jealous of you. Hated you. So, she went to make sure whether you were really being wed to Eoghan.” There was a tinge of sadness in his voice.
“Many other young men and women died,” I said. “Do you feel remorse for them?”
A chuckle escaped him. “Why should I?”
“Do you feel remorse for the fae creatures you sacrificed to strengthen the Engorging Bell?”
Surprise flitted through his eyes as he stared at me. “How do you know about it?”
“I stole it from you.”
“You bitch!”
The two men behind me stomped forward and promptly hit him with the end of their spears. I waited until they gave him a few more blows and then raised my hand to stop them. They backed away at once.
“I know what you’ve done,” I said in a low, cold whisper. “The whole world will know of your villainy. For that, I reward you with spending the rest of your eternal life thinking of every single sin you’ve committed. Let regret be your company while you rot here.”
“Kill me,” he hissed. “I killed your father. Shouldn’t you do the same to me too?”
“And release you from all suffering?” I shook my head. “Death is bliss. It frees you from everything tying you to the world. You will never know it. You will be fed, clothed, and protected in these cells. As long as Amaris stands, you shall remain here.”
He lunged at me with clawed fingers but the two men hit him in the chest with spheres of glowing, hot energy. Vishen was thrown back against the stone wall. Curses fell out of his lips but he stayed down.
A cold smile curved my lips. I straightened up and met his furious gaze. I didn’t even have to touch him. My guards were enough to deal with him. Glancing at the two men, I gave a nod and stepped out of the cell.
I waited for them to lock up Vishen’s cell and then, followed them back to the upper levels of the palace. The sound of drizzling rain reached my ears as we walked through the corridors. A cool breeze wafted around me, bringing with it the scent of wet earth and jasmine. I breathed in deeply and exhaled the musty smell of the dungeons still lingering in my nostrils.
It was time to leave the past behind and look forward to the tasks lying ahead of me. I was on the throne and hadn’t even scratched the surface of learning the administrative structure for the kingdom. Lucia was going to help me with everything but she was still under strict supervision at the moment. The villainous mages who’d taken her down used dark magic to hurt her, injuring her magical core badly. Without magic, her healing powers had slowed down terribly.
“Wait here,” I told my guards when we reached Lucia’s chambers.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
A line of maids bowed to me. Two valets opened the door for me as I approached the doorway.
Entering the room, I found a tall figure seated near Lucia’s bed. A smile came on my lips as I recognized Cade’s back. Picking up my skirt, I hurried toward my mates.
Sitting down on the edge of the bed, I caressed Lucia’s silky-soft silver curls. She blinked up at me and smiled, but I didn’t miss the forced nature of it. Her body was still recovering from the thousands of bleeding cuts the mages cursed her with. “You’re in pain,” I said.
“I’ll live,” she whispered.
A frown twisted my features. I hated seeing her looking so weak and powerless.
“The healers say she is out of any danger,” said Cade. “Her magical core will also heal. Once that happens, she will recover quickly.” His voice was gentle and his lavender-hued eyes were warm. A sliver of comfort wound through me.
Rowan and Leon left for Aelia with two-thirds of their army yesterday, leaving Cade with the other one-third. He would stay with me until Lucia recovered enough to help me manage everything.
“Has she taken her medicines?” I asked. “It’s time for her to sleep now.”
“I have taken them, Your Majesty,” said Lucia.
“Don’t call me that,” I said. My cheeks warmed immediately. It was one thing to be addressed that way by the guards and maids, but different when Lucia said it. There was a slight teasing note to it that made me blush. Cade’s keen gaze didn’t miss my reaction.
“Would the two of you ever allow me to watch you get intimate?” He wagged his eyebrows as a mischievous grin came over his lips.
Lucia glanced at me with a confused look on her face. She wasn’t used to Cade’s infuriating teasing at all. She was used to Rowan’s grim nature and Leon’s lightheartedness but it would take her a while to learn to deal with Cade.
“That’s disrespectful,” said Lucia with a frown.
A cackle escaped Cade.
“Cade!” I scolded. “Don’t make her angry. She is not well.”
He put up his hands as he laughed at me too. “You’re so protective of her,” he said with a dreamy look in his eyes. “It’s cute and arousing at the same time.”
I punched him in the shoulder while Lucia’s frown deepened.
“Why does he speak this way?” she asked, looking between us.
“He is teasing, Lucia,” I said, kicking at Cade. The movement only made the fabric of my wide, flaring skirt brush against his legs. “He drives Rowan crazy. Did you know he got him so mad, Rowan nearly killed him? He was recovering in Aelia and that’s the reason he wasn’t here with them.”
“Hey, I was managing his affairs for him,” said Cade.
“You were recovering from a damaged core. Leon told me.”
A sheepish look came over him. “Yes, that too.”
“See,” I said, looking at Lucia. “Don’t take his words to heart or he will enjoy riling you up more.”
Cade frowned. “How did you know so much about me? Even Rowan and Leon aren’t immune to my leg-pulling.”
I smirked. “I am your mate. I know everything about you.” Glancing back at Lucia, I made sure she was well covered under the blanket. She didn’t have the magic to warm her body if it got cold because of her damaged core. “Are you ready to sleep?”
“Yes. You should rest too.”
“I will go now.” Leaning down, I kissed her forehead and then, moved down to capture her lips. I smiled as Lucia raised her head to kiss me deeper. Raising my head, I caressed her hair. I didn’t want to leave her at all.
“Let her sleep,” Cade reminded me.
I gave a nod and stood up from the bed. “I will see you in the morning,” I told her. “Sweet dreams.”
Lucia gave a nod and closed her eyes.
Cade and I walked out of the room and closed the door behind us.
“Make sure to look after her every need,” I told the maids who waited there.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” they replied in unison.
Taking Cade’s hand, I led him down the hallway to reach my quarters. These were temporary rooms for me to use until my real coronation. The suites reserved for the king and queen were far removed from these parts. I wanted to stay close to Lucia, so I chose to stay here for the time being. Later, we would both move into the royal couple’s bed chambers.
“How are you really feeling?” asked Cade when I closed the door of the bedchambers behind us. Moving close to me, he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into a gentle hug.
My fingers clutched onto the front of his tunic. Resting my head against his hard chest, I took a moment to breathe in the fresh citrusy scent he always seemed to exude. A long breath exhaled out of me. The tenseness in my shoulders loosened. “I am better now.”
Cade’s hands caressed my back. He was probably trying to comfort me but his touch was burning a trail of fire through my body. I closed my eyes, willing my mind to push away the hatred I felt for Vishen.
Cade placed his hands on the side of my face and turned my head upward so I was looking into his lavender-hued eyes. “You’re still too wound up.” Leaning down, he started kissing my cheeks, eyes, nose, and lips until I was choking with laughter.
Suddenly, he nipped my bottom lip.
My lips fell apart. He didn’t waste the opportunity as he drove his tongue into my mouth, sliding it languidly over my tongue. My momentary annoyance vanished at once as he deepened the kiss. The feel of his firm lips against mine soothed the sting of the bite instantly.
Heat coursed through me as he pressed my body against him. I easily melted against him as his hands roamed my sides.
His lips trailed kisses down my chin. Soft moans escaped me as I felt his warm breath against the sensitive skin of my neck.
Cade’s hands deftly untied the laces at my side and back while his mouth was still sucking the sensitive flesh of my neck. Part of me felt impressed by his talent to disrobe me. Most days I needed a maid to help me take off the lavish gowns I wore as the queen.
In another moment, I felt the gown slip down my shoulders. Cade tugged it further down, exposing the linen shift I wore underneath. For a moment, he let his gaze rest on the swell of my breasts peeking through the low neckline.
The look in his eyes made my cheeks burn.
Unable to take it much longer, I pressed against him and pulled him for another kiss. The touch of his searing lips is what I truly needed to wash off the conversation I had with Vishen earlier. The intoxicating scent enveloping me warmed me from the inside, driving away all my anxieties. At this moment, it was just me and him.
Cade’s hands lifted the hem of my shift and slid his hands over my bare thighs. I moaned out at the touch of his warm hands on my skin. He gently squeezed my asscheeks and pressed my stomach onto the hardened bulge at the front of his breeches.
“I want you, Cad
e,” I moaned as his hand grazed over the soft flesh of my stomach.
Soft chuckles escaped him. “I’m glad you’re not hesitating in asking what you want. Also, you have no idea how hot it is to hear you say that.” Moving his mouth to my neck, he pulled the soft skin between his teeth and grazed it lightly. My body jerked at the sensation and I pressed myself against him, eager to feel the heat radiating off him.
“Cade,” I breathed as his fingers deftly untied the lace at the back of my shift.
He tugged the shift down, letting it join my gown that was pooled around my legs. I was completely bared to him now. Heat pulsed deep in my core as he simply gazed at me. He didn’t even have to touch me to make me pant for him!
“What are you waiting for?” I whispered, struggling to meet his bold, lusty gaze.
With a sudden move, he pulled me against him. I gasped out as he lavished me with feathery kisses over the tops of my breasts.
He raised his head and looked at me with those piercing lavender-hued eyes. “Tell me again how much you want me.”
My cheeks burned hot. I did want him. “Cade!” I crooned. Gazing up at him, I gave a nod.
A brilliant smile flashed through his face before he closed the gap between us and pulled me in for a deep kiss. While my mind was occupied with the sweet warmth of his tongue entangled with mine, I felt his hand rise up to palm my bare breast, squeezing until I was moaning into his mouth.
With a sudden move, he separated from me and bent down to pick me up in his arms. “Let’s get comfortable,” he said, moving towards the luxurious canopied bed in the far corner.
Laying me down among the pillows, he moved over me, capturing my lips once more. My sensitive nipples were crushed against his hard chest. His touch on my bare skin ignited the fire in my core.
“Cade,” I breathed, my fingers pulling at his tunic.
Understanding what I meant, he straightened up and pulled the tunic off, baring his amazingly sculpted torso. Rising up, I kissed the hard ridges of his muscles. His moans drove me on as I left kisses all over him, taking my time to lick around the points of his nipples. Cade’s body was delicious.
