They were peculiar in every sense of the word. The ladies were covered with silver or gold body paints, leaving little to the imagination. Their eyes were framed with thick black eyeliner, the design matching the body paint. One woman’s hair was pulled up into a puff of white mess, and another had shaved half of her head. The other half was braided down and sprayed with a blue glitter.
I noticed a man with long silver hair, which ran down his shoulders like silk. Poking out through the strands were two pointed ears. His wings displayed an array of colors, like a peacock showing off its feathers. Their tattered edges gave them a mystical look that matched the rest of the tall room. White roses were a common theme; they were everywhere, growing around vines that wrapped around high pillars of gold and entwining with the diamonds from the chandeliers. Elderflower, white and delicate, smattered the edges of the earthy floor. Well-trodden paths led up to the thrones of thorns.
A woman with Cupid’s-bow lips and thick purple hair grabbed my arm. Her silver eyes glared into mine. “You!”
My eyebrows knitted together. “Who the hell are you?” I pulled her grip from my arm with hasty force.
“Jasper’s sister, Sparrow.”
He had so many I’d lost count. My eyes widened. I looked her up and down. She bore no resemblance to him, except for her diamond-shaped face, which was perfectly symmetrical. My heart stammered as she considered me, her eyes empathetic as she waited patiently for my response.
“Oh…”
“I know he didn’t run away. He talked about you. He liked you. We all mocked him for it, but now you’re here, I’m not laughing anymore. If anyone knows what happened to my brother, it’s you.”
Panic swirled up a storm inside my stomach. A rush of numbness ran through me. I did everything to hide it.
She arched an eyebrow, which was painted with purple glitter. “Where is he?”
My heart swelled. “I don’t know…” I answered honestly because his soul could be anywhere. My father had written to King Azrael about Jasper running away. Anyone could tell lies on paper without a fae suspecting, but in person, it was impossible. I was in trouble.
“He wouldn’t leave for good without a word.” She paused for a considerable length of time, making me uneasy. “If you know anything, I beg of you to tell me. He is my favorite brother. I love him.”
I dropped my gaze to the floor, staring at her bare feet and painted pink toenails. “I’m sorry.” I looked back up and met her stern look.
“Fine. Keep your secrets.” Her mouth twisted in disgust. “But mark my words. When I find out what happened to him, I will kill anyone who hid him from me.”
Realization washed over me. She thought we were holding him prisoner. The truth was much more sinister.
“I am not hiding him from you,” I said clearly, masking my building panic attack as best I could.
“You may not know, but someone close to you does. You father must know.”
“You should ask him then.”
She scoffed a laugh. “I can’t get anywhere near him. He has guards surrounding him at all times.”
“I liked Jasper too, you know. A lot.”
She bit the inside of her cheek. “He’s a good brother. A good person. If you hear anything, please tell me.”
I nodded, and she walked away, shaking her head as she did.
The memory of him followed me as I turned on my heel then hurried toward the tall doors, desperate for the moonlight that climbed through the cracks around it. I reached the wood and pushed against it, opening the door to the outside world. The fresh air did nothing to alleviate the squashed feelings in my lungs or the lump in my throat.
A stark, heavy truth weighed on me. It fell from the heavens, leaving nothing in its path as my memory pushed its way back into the forefront of my mind; Jasper had cared about me, and I’d remained loyal to the man who stole his life. I was allowing the same thing to happen again. I pinched my eyes shut, pulling my tears back.
“Find strength,” I told myself as wind swept through my hair. I inhaled deeply, wiped my eyes, and hurried back inside, book in hand. Without looking at the faces of any other fae, I kept my eyes focused on the ground. Climbing spiral staircases, I finally reached my temporary bedroom. I rushed to my bed and plonked myself down on the feather blankets. The headache that had intermittently pained my forehead all day forced my eyes shut. I rubbed my temples, then opened them. When I opened the book, my vision blurred, and the words fell into one another. I refocused, then parted my lips as I took in each sentence with as much clarity as I could muster.
Searching for a loophole in an evil plan was harder than the fairy tale villains had let on in the books I was read to as a child. Hundreds of pages with detailed spells, rituals, and potions lured me. I touched the parchment, sighing. It was full of sacrificial magic, also known as dark magic.
My father could kill Blaise with the sword of impervius only if he were an immortal, but if he were bonded to a mortal, with a spell linking our souls, then it would not work. He’d be mortal, like me. It was the best I could do. It was replicating my mortality to him.
The Sword could not harm mortals. It was spelled to harm immortals and couldn’t be used on anyone who was not. And until I figured out a way to break the spell, Blaise wouldn’t be.
I needed to find a way to protect him, and perhaps it was the only way I could.
I gasped when I finally found one—a binding spell. I devoured the four magic words and how to apply them. The only problem was it was sacrificial magic, a betrayal to everything I believed in.
“Sorry to disturb you.”
I whipped my head at the sound of his voice and jolted. Blaise looked incredible. His silver coat was buttoned all the way up. His eyes, a rich gray, locked onto mine. Black curls wove around his silver crown, and his skin was a luminous white. Everything about him reminded me of the moon.
I shoved the book under my pillow. I stretched out under the covers. “I was planning on getting an early night.” After I’d done the spell, I just wanted to sleep it all away—the plans, my father, the betrayal… my feelings. “Now’s not a good time.”
He cocked his head. “When will be? After we say I do?”
I shuffled, pushing myself into a sitting position. I pressed back against the wall, quietly grateful that I would not be left to these harsh winters for much longer. My conscience swirled, making me feel sick at the very thought. “Sorry, it’s been a lot to take in.”
“Your father is quite a man.” His lips were pulled into a tight frown. “Although, I noticed they did not bring much luggage. Enough for only a couple of days.”
I shrugged. “Your point?”
He rushed to my side, then kneeled next to the bed. His eyes investigated mine, flitting back and forth from each iris. He squeezed my hands, desperation clinging to his features. It didn’t look good on him. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”
There it was: the question that could undo everything. “There’s lots of things I don’t tell you.”
“I’ll be more specific then, shall I?” He let go of my hands, then took a seat on the side of my bed. “Is your father planning something?”
My chest heaved. “Honestly, probably. He’s always planning something or another.”
“Is he planning anything against me?”
My fingers were shaking. I hid them under the covers, then looked up at Blaise.
His eyes rounded as he took me in.
“Why are you so paranoid?” I asked.
“Why won’t you answer me?”
I scrambled closer, pushing the covers out of the way. I had to make this stop, or we’d be slayed in our beds. No matter my feelings about the attack, I couldn’t prevent it without endangering myself and my people. I ran my fingers down his cheeks and stopped over his chest.
“Don’t,” he whispered.
“Don’t what?” I asked softly.
He clasped my wrist, stopping me in my tracks
. “Assume that because it’s you, I will let my guard down. Tell me the truth!”
I jerked my hand back, then exhaled sharply. I leaned forward. His breath smelled sweet. His lips were aching to be kissed. His fingers trembled under my touch. “Why did you push me away? In the ballroom? I know you wanted to kiss me.”
Never had I been so brazen, but a distraction was needed, and I enjoyed it more than I wanted to.
“I want to kiss a lot of girls.”
“I’m not just any girl though, am I?”
His lips curved up slightly. “Don’t play with me.”
I ran my finger along my bottom lip. “I thought you were the only one to play with people. Their wants and desires. Their hearts.”
He clenched his jaw. “You go too far.”
“Then leave. The doors still open.”
He ran his hand across my thigh, moving my nightdress to the side. “You’re infuriating.”
“So are you,” I said breathlessly.
“You don’t know when to stop.”
“Coming from the master of self-control?” I taunted. “I think you’re the one who doesn’t know when to stop.” I sighed. “Here is the truth, Blaise. My father has come to see our wedding.”
And invade your land, kill your people… The words floated in my mind.
“That’s all I wanted to hear.” He looked relieved, and the knotting sensation returned to my stomach. Turned out I didn’t need Licia to grant me the ability to skirt around the truth. I’d become quite good at it on my own.
The words of the spell simmered in my mind, ready to be used, but dark magic left traces. I closed my eyes, focusing on the words I’d read, and allowed the spell to chip away at my soul. This magic had not been derived from my ancestors. It was from somewhere else. A place hidden. I felt like a cheat, but I had no choice and hoped my ancestors would understand. I hadn’t read the consequences for such a spell, and being it was from that book, there was bound to be dire ones.
Now who was the reckless one?
Blaise looked at me with wonder when I finally opened my eyes. “What are you thinking about?”
I inhaled deeply, ran my hands over his arms, and gripped my nails against his shoulders. My inner voice repeated the spell over and over as I focused on my intent.
He and I. As one.
I leaned into him. The spell needed to be sealed, and what better than a kiss?
My last one had killed a man. This time, it would save one.
We clashed together, sparks erupting within me. He deepened the kiss, gently stroking his tongue against mine. We crumpled into each other, falling hard, neither wanting to stop it from going too far. His breaths were fast, and I could hear his heart pounding to the beat of mine. I wrapped my legs around him, and he ran his hands up my back and into my hair. His eyes shined as he pulled an inch from me and rested his forehead on mine, both of us tangled in a mess of desire.
I held him tightly. Not because the spell required me to. It was done. I held him because he needed it. I could feel the want in his bones. “I’m not going to desert you.”
He squeezed tighter. “I know.” His heart cracked open a little, enough for me to know he had one. He took in deep, savoring breaths. “I don’t want to do bad things.”
His words caught me by surprise. “What bad things?”
He fell silent, then pulled away. “How can you marry a man who cannot love?” His expression was tortured as he examined mine.
“For the same reason you are marrying me. For our people, power. The kingdom.”
He stood, wiping the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve. “Please understand…”
“I do.”
He clutched his chest, hesitating on turning. He rocked back and forth on his heels. “Get some rest. We have a long day tomorrow.”
He ran his hand through his hair, disheveling his black strands.
I watched him leave, then panted, pushing myself back against the wall. We were bound, and the dark magic had coiled itself around my center.
I felt different.
My fingers itched to touch my staff, but I didn’t dare. I was afraid to. What I had done was wrong, unnatural. Only a fool wouldn’t peek at the consequences of such a spell, but I was too terrified to know the repercussions. It wouldn’t stop them anyway. What was done was done.
At least it would save his life.
I hoped.
TWENTY-FOUR
I ran down the halls. Fingers grappled at me from the shadows of the walls, trapping me there. Lifting my skirts, I ran around the corner and only stopped when I reached a dimly lit room. When I creaked open the door, Blaise’s face crumpled. He glanced around uneasily, looking straight through me as if I were a ghost. A glass bottle with a stopper sat on the desk, glinting from the light of the lamp. His father was slumped over in a green armchair in front of the crackling fire. The air was thick with ash, calling me back to the smell Jasper’s death had left lingering.
I woke up covered in a sheen of sweat. I opened my eyes and jumped out of bed. A knock on the door pushed away the details of the dream. I desperately tried to claw them back, to make sense of them, but they slipped away.
“Good morning.” The head maid entered my room, followed by three others carrying dress bags.
My stomach knotted. It was my wedding day.
***
My lips pressed together into a grimace. Long sleeves of vintage lace covered my arms and met at my collarbone, then the lace ran down, over the corset underneath. Ruffles of snow-white tulle made up the skirt, and the fabric flowed out. White light glimmered off the crystal detailing.
Loose soft waves of my hair rested against my chest. Half was pinned up with sapphire clips. My lips were coated with deep red. Pale-blue eyeshadow swept over my eyelids, painted into a gradient with shimmering white in the corners to make my eyes pop. I would be the best-dressed warrior princess in all of history.
I reached for my staff when they were done. I hadn’t used it since I left Magaelor.
“You won’t be able to bring it with you,” a voice told me from the back of the room.
I turned my head, then stepped down from the makeshift stand I’d been told to stand on.
A younger Blaise stood in the doorway. His features were softer than his brother’s, but his crown gave him authority. His dark eyebrows were lifted, his eyes big with flecks of blue and silver around the irises.
“Ah, you’re Niam, or Lucien?” I asked, recalling the names of his younger brothers who had been away at the fae academy.
“Niam.” He smiled, and his cheeks balled up. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, now that we will be family.”
I was careful with my words. I couldn’t be caught in another lie. “I’m happy to meet you too.”
“Are you excited?”
“Nervous,” I admitted, hoping he’d put it down to wedding jitters.
“I can imagine. Do you need help with anything?”
I shook my head. “Thank you, but I have all I need.”
“I’ll see you at the reception then.” Another boy reached his side, knotting his hand with his. He had grass-green eyes and a soft smile. His hair was gelled back, and he wore the most elaborate suit of blue and silver I’d ever seen. “This is Crawn, my boyfriend.”
“Your Highness,” Crawn said and bowed at his waist. “Blessings to you on this momentous day.”
“Thank you.”
They turned and left. I squeezed my eyes shut, and my hands dropped to my sides. It was obvious Blaise’s family and friends would be coming, but it didn’t hit until now. Would they die in the battle? I’d only tried to save Blaise.
“It’s time,” the court event planner told me through the doorway. The skin around my eyes felt tight. I ran my hands along the lace. Patches of sweat covered my forehead and hands. I picked at my fingernails as I was led from the room. I looked back at my staff. My heart skipped a beat.
“Can I get some water?” I asked.
>
“No time. There will be plenty of time to drink after.”
I stretched my fingers, trying to rid the tingling sensation as we reached the double doors.
My lip quivered, and my hands were shaking.
A song carried me up the aisle that felt like it went on forever. I looked to my left. My father was staring up at me with eyes that mirrored mine. He gripped his staff tightly. The others he’d brought filled the seats on my half of the ballroom. Some had to stand. When I reached the arch woven with lilies and white roses, I closed my eyes and crossed my arms over my chest, holding my shoulders.
I waited for the battle to start. To be married to a prince who would be dethroned by day’s end was a disgrace. At least he wouldn’t be dead. When I opened my eyes, everyone was looking at me. My eyebrows pinched together, crinkling my nose.
The ceremony began. Words of respect and strength were offered. A faery with large, green wings, eyes to match, and chestnut skin read from a small book. My eyes darted to my father’s, and my forearms strained as Blaise held my hands in his.
It all happened too quickly. Where was the battle? My father gave nothing away on his features.
The man doing our ceremony looked at me. “Do you, Winter Rose Mortis, Princess of Magaelor, take Blaise Draven Lazarus to be your husband in all mortality?”
They’d changed the words to cater to me. Everything crumbled around me as they waited for my response. I wanted to scream at my father. How could he let this happen if his plan was to attack? My father had sacrificed me for timing. The fae had let their guard down, and they’d be killed. I couldn’t stand it for a moment longer.
Tears swam in my eyes. Blaise mistook them for something else. He leaned forward, and his lips brushed against mine. Shock erased all my lustful feelings. I couldn’t stop the tears from streaming down my cheeks.
He gave me a half-clenched smile when we pulled apart. I couldn’t do it to him, or his family. I glanced to his brother, Niam, then back to Blaise.
The Fate of Crowns: The Complete Trilogy: A YA Epic Fantasy Boxset Page 19
