“Everyone has secrets in this court.” She smirked. “And I will dig them up.”
SIXTEEN
My heart pounded as I was escorted into the ballroom for the masquerade ball, to welcome the fae to court. It was unrecognizable under the silks in silver and white. Snow appeared to fall from the ceiling but never land, a glamour. Florence must have had help from a faery or two. Branches reached out along the walls, like fingers grappling for the long oak tables covered in silk cloths of glacier blue. It appeared as a winter wonderland, reminding me of Niferum, which was where I was sure her inspiration had come from. Even the glass flutes were frosted, carried on clear trays by servers dressed in dark-fae-inspired fashion. Net pointed out in different directions as if it had been torn from the skirts of the women’s dresses, which had beaded tunics woven with dark red. The men wore navy-blue, black, and silver tunics.
I spotted Florence. She wore a silk gown that pooled around her feet. Fake, glistening wings were fastened to her back. She smiled as she walked toward me, holding a flute. Her painted nails shimmered purple, matching her violet eyes. “Your Majesty.” Her blonde hair was tied back, showing off her high cheekbones and flawless skin. “You’re too pretty.” Her eyes flicked down toward my dress, then back toward mine. She fingered her matching necklace. “You look like your brother more and more with age. You’re about to turn nineteen, right? That’s how old he was when we first met, before we started dating.”
I smiled as I held her words close to my heart. He and I did share the same sharp features and hooded blue eyes, but that was it. I never saw him when I looked at my reflection, but it was nice to hear. “Thank you. He’s at peace, you know.” I don’t know why I said it. It wasn’t exactly true, but I guessed a part of me wanted to heal the part of her I saw was still broken, even under her watery smiles and shrill laughter. He’d have wanted me to tell her.
“I truly hope he is. He’ll always belong here.” She placed her hand against her chest. “I make room to love another, but it doesn’t push him out.”
For the first time, I felt a connection with her. We shared the same loss. I always had known she loved André. She was far too good at playing pretend to let others see it though. “I never thought I’d like you,” I admitted.
She chuckled. “Stranger things have happened.”
“You’ve outdone yourself.” I looked around us. My gaze landed on icicles spelled to look as if they were hanging from over the doors. “You had help, I assume.”
“A couple of my friends from Niferum offered. I met them when I came up to fight in the battle.” She looked over my shoulder. I whipped my head around and saw Adius.
“You’re still with him then?”
She looked down. “He’s a good man.”
“He is,” I said in agreement. “I should try some of those glacier cakes before everyone else arrives and I won’t get a chance to eat.”
The fae who was a mirror image of Blaise, with slighter softer features, giggled when he entered the room, arm in arm with the dark-skinned, elaborately dressed Crawn. Next to them, Lucien, who looked nothing like his brothers, strutted as if he were above everyone else. While they both were lean and tall with dark features, Lucien was muscular with a long nose, piercing green eyes, and thin lips. He reminded me of his dead father, Azrael. I wondered if either of them knew their brother had killed him.
Niam’s silver-blue eyes found mine. He waved me over, smiling broadly. Lucien nodded once as I walked toward them. I guessed the cake would have to wait. It always did.
They bowed, and I hugged Niam, to his surprise. “Your Majesty. Great to see you again.”
“It’s Winter to you,” I said softly, then turned toward Crawn. “I’m glad you’re all here.”
“It’s been wonderful,” Niam gushed. “The people are so nice. We got told they wouldn’t be, but it shows if you give people a chance, they can show their true selves, and I know there is good in everyone.” He babbled, racing from one thought to the next. “Oh my, your gardens are something else, and the apples in the orchard, so good.”
“We came a long way.” Lucien’s voice cut through the conversation. “To watch you take back the throne.” He didn’t finish, but I already knew what he wanted to say. The dangerous glint in his eye warned me. The throne we helped you get.
“I appreciate you taking the journey.”
His stare was invasive. “My brother insisted.” He didn’t mean Niam. “Speak of him, and he shall come.”
I looked behind me and saw Blaise, who’d slipped through an alternative entrance. He wore the same suit he’d worn when we’d danced before our wedding. Silver patterns swirled throughout the dark fabric. It was tailored to his lean but strong body. Mischief danced in his smoky eyes, and his black hair curled around his forehead. His crown demanded respect. Or was it the way he carried himself? I couldn’t tell. Everyone bowed or curtseyed, even some of the lunas who’d filed into the room.
“Brothers.” He looked from Niam to Lucien. “I hope you’re not causing trouble.”
“Never, brother.” Lucien gave him a look. “Now that she’s here, you won’t need us around.”
The way he spoke of me sounded like it left a bad taste in his mouth. Lucien pulled Niam away who mouthed good-bye as he and Crawn were taken to the drinks area.
“Sorry about him. He believes he knows things.” He took my hand and led me onto the dance floor where a string quartet played. The scents of pine and evergreen filled the room—Florence’s doing, I was certain. “You have outdone yourself with this ball.”
I gazed upward. “It was Florence, and wait, what foolish ideas does he believe?”
He twirled me around, then pulled me far too close. “He thinks you’re a risk to Niferum.”
“Why would he think that?”
He smirked. “He believes you have my heart.”
I scoffed a laugh. “Right.”
“He thinks it.” He shrugged, and his expression changed.
“You can’t give your heart even if you want to,” I said, though I wondered how different our lives would be had he not worn the Crown of Discieti. He’d have been capable of love and would likely have a fae queen at his side.
He pulled me tighter, until I could feel every fold of him against me.
“People will talk,” I scolded.
“I don’t care.” His eyes glinted, and I held my breath. “We are king and queen. I hold no care for their opinions.” His moves were scandalous. He did it on purpose. “Have you forgotten about your sparkly pet yet, love?”
A pang of pain shot through my chest. “I’ll release him once we find the Objects.” I eyed those dancing around us. “We shouldn’t discuss it here.”
“Not here,” he said in agreement. “I want to enjoy tonight while it lasts.” He leaned down to whisper in my ear.
“While it lasts?”
“For now, you’re being receptive.”
“What’s gotten into you?”
“Like I said, I realized some things when you left.”
“Yes, that the…” I lowered my voice. “Object was stolen, and you needed to get it back.”
“I said I needed to retrieve what had been lost to me. I’ve sent our people to find the Dagger, so now one of the things dear to me is about to be returned, I’m working on earning back the second.”
My heart skipped a beat. I could barely catch my breath between spins. “The second…”
“Don’t play coy.” His expression hardened. “It turns out, even with the curse, I can’t stop thinking about you.”
“You told me before you can’t feel that way about me. The curse makes it so.”
He paused, then dipped me and brought me back up, close to his lips. “When you died, my heart broke.”
“I didn’t know you had one,” I teased, but my smile was faint.
“We both know that isn’t true.” He looked down at my dress. “I must say, I have excellent taste. You in that is going to
get me in trouble.”
Someone cleared their throat. I was so focused on him, I hadn’t even seen her approach us. Blaise sighed, then looked Darlina up and down. Her moon-stricken eyes glared into mine.
“Yes, Darlina?” Blaise asked.
“Your Majesty,” she said, only to Blaise. She glanced at me with venom in her eyes. “I was hoping to have the first dance with you.”
“I’m busy.”
“With her?” She looked me up and down.
“Yes.”
I spotted Nissa talking to Lord Abor and Corbin, and I smiled. She was already putting herself to work. “It’s okay.” I stepped back. “You can dance with Darlina.”
Her eyebrows shot upward, and his face crumpled. “She can wait. We can finish.”
I smirked. It was rare I had the upper hand with him. I leaned over to whisper into his ear this time. “Things left unfinished are often more satisfying when completed.”
He grabbed my wrist, staring into my eyes as I pulled away. “Don’t play with me.”
I didn’t care who was looking. “I thought you liked games.”
Darlina looked murderous. I moved away from them both, grinned, and turned on my heel toward where Marissa stood. “Marissa.”
“Your Majesty.” She walked with me to a more secluded area of the room. “The mission is complete.” She removed her red fur-trimmed cloak and set it on the back of a chair. “Adius and the others are loading the books from the carriage as requested.”
“Keep this between us, Marissa. Tell no one, not even Nissa.”
“She came to me earlier. I’m glad she agreed.”
“I never doubted she would.” I saw my mother hovering close to Lord Gregoir. At least she wasn’t stuck to Vahaga’s side. When she saw me, her stare grew more… pointed? She flicked her head as if to gesture me to her. “Excuse me, Marissa.” I grabbed a handful of my skirts, pulled them to my ankles, and walked across the hall. Different nobles vied for my attention, but I didn’t look their way. I’d be there all night if I did, lost in pointless conversations and small talk, though it did sound appealing when compared to whom I was about to address. “Mother.” I pressed my lips together. “What do you want?”
She looked around us, then grabbed my arm and pulled me into the emptying hallway. She ushered me into a corner and shook her head. “You will take me to André.”
“I can’t do that. It’s against the rules.”
She pursed her lips. “You do not care about rules any other time,” she said. “At the very least, I was glad to find out you locked away that ridiculous Berovian faery. It’s about time you did something right. The lords were impressed. If you keep it up, perhaps they’ll overlook your past transgressions.”
“I’m not here to impress them, Mother. I am here to lead them. I will listen to their council if I deem it worthy advice, otherwise, they will need to start understanding I am queen, not them. Maybe I will forgive their transgressions, but not the other way around.”
She quirked an eyebrow. “You’re playing a dangerous game.”
“I never stood a chance if I played fair,” I explained, hushing my voice. “Taking you to André is a move I cannot afford to make right now. If we are caught or the ancestors get angry, they could remove me from the throne, something they can’t do for my bringing the fae to court or for how I dress, although I’m sure Vahaga wishes they could.”
“I haven’t asked much of you.”
I scoffed a laugh.
“My son.” A cry croaked in her throat. “Your coronation is in two days. It only reminds me how he was supposed to be king. I need to know he is safe.”
“He’s dead, Mother.”
“As if I need reminding. His soul. I need to know his soul is at peace.”
“Fine,” I said. “We will go tomorrow evening, when I know Vahaga will be preaching. The priestesses should be doing their blessings on my crown and ceremonial robes tomorrow.”
“Then it is the perfect timing. Would you not agree, dear child?”
“Don’t call me that,” I snapped. “If only to shut you up, I will take you. You might then see the truth for yourself. If you won’t believe me, you will believe him. If he comes,” I said, recalling his fast departure last time. Could he even come back if he wanted to?
“I do believe you.” Her hooded eyes regarded me. “Else I wouldn’t have asked to go.”
***
The ball simmered as midnight came and went. I slipped away when no one was paying attention. Several nobles dwindled our liquor reserves, guffawing at a table near the quarter and jesters. A flurry of fake snow landed on my shoulder. I looked up at the ribbed ceiling as my mind wandered.
Tomorrow, before they went to bless my crown and my evening trip with my mother to find André’s spirit, I would have time to pour through the banned books that had been stashed in my private library. I planned to go back to my room as I thought about Cedric and how he was still locked up. I’d ensure efforts to find the Sword and Dagger were doubled down tomorrow. I wanted to have him released soon. I also wanted to speak with him before I sent him back to Berovia. He had betrayed me, but I still cared for him. I always had. It was complicated, what I had felt for him. I enjoyed being with him, and even his kisses, but I couldn’t deny how I felt for Blaise. Even when I wanted to pretend otherwise, there had been a connection between the king and me since I went to Lepidus for our wedding. I couldn’t shake him, and a part of me no longer wanted to.
Especially after what he’d said earlier. I found myself walking in the direction of his chambers, not fully aware of what I was doing.
A guard stationed at his door looked at me, then nodded and stepped out of the way. Furrowing my brows, I creaked the door open. Slivers of moonlight illuminated him from the shadows of his room. An oil lamp flickered. His tortured eyes found mine.
Blaise rubbed his temples, then shook his head as if to remove darkness. He smiled, but there was pain in it. “Missed me?”
“Why did the guard not announce me?”
He shrugged. “I told him if you came, only you, to let you in.”
My heart stammered. “You knew I’d come?”
He smirked but said nothing.
“You’re hurting again,” I stated. “That smile doesn’t fool me.”
“It’s the curse.”
My gaze narrowed. “You’re certain?”
“Yes.”
He didn’t elaborate.
I pressed my lips together. “You were fine when you arrived.”
“I was away from you.”
I swallowed thickly. “What… What does that have to do with the curse?”
He closed the distance between us, his eyes focused with an invasiveness to his gaze, as if he could reach into my soul. His lips brushed mine. He closed his eyes for a moment, then growled softly. Pulling away, he cursed.
I stepped back, stunned.
“You should know first.” He shook his head. “I’ve set Cedric free. He’s gone back to Berovia.”
My jaw dropped. The words didn’t hit the back of my head. “You set him free?” I stretched out the words. “How? Why? When?”
“He gave up the location of the Dagger and Sword.”
My eyelid twitched. “Willingly?”
“Yes.”
I tensed my shoulders. “I’d planned on speaking with him.”
He glanced at his hands. I wouldn’t have noticed if he hadn’t looked. A few specks of blood spotted his white sleeve. “What did you do?”
“I wasn’t lying. He did willingly relinquish the location of the Objects, after some persuasion.”
Rage streaked through me. “Did that persuasion come at the end of your fists?”
“He also gave up where the Amulet was.”
I balled my fists and spat out through gritted teeth, “You hurt him!” My voice changed, frightening me. “What condition did you leave him in?”
“I did what you wouldn’t, and I won’t apologiz
e for it.” His words grew hollow. “He stole from me after I let him stay at my court.” He rubbed his knuckles. “Luckily, I heal quickly.”
My heart felt like someone had a fist around it. “I can’t believe you.”
He tilted his head. “He wasn’t so lucky. We gave him a potion to slow his healing, else it wouldn’t have worked. Without his magic, it wasn’t long before he’d taken enough hits.”
“You bastard!” Tears formed in pools in the corners of my eyes. “He was only trying to help his family, to protect the people he loves.”
Anger spilled into his features. “What do you think I was doing?”
I stood in stunned silence.
He grimaced. “I need to break the curse, and he was standing in between me and what I want. Again.”
“I hate you.”
“No you don’t.” He reached out to touch my cheek with his fingers, and I lost it.
I slammed my fists into his chest, but he stood unflinching against them. I landed hit after hit, tears blurring my vision. “I should have you locked away!” I seethed. “Cedric was my…”
He arched an eyebrow. “Betrayer?”
“Friend.”
He grabbed my wrist as I went to hit him again. “Stop, Winter!” His eyes widened, the smoky gray glossing. “Stop.”
“I’m going to send for him to come back.”
“He doesn’t want to see you. He didn’t before he left, and he doesn’t now.”
Confusion clouded my mind. “He was sorry for hurting me. He told me.”
“Before you locked him away.”
“He had to understand.”
“He did, but it’s over now.” He let go of my wrist.
My eyes watered. “I won’t forgive you for this.”
“I didn’t kill him.”
I scoffed a laugh. “What was I thinking? That makes it okay.”
The Fate of Crowns: The Complete Trilogy: A YA Epic Fantasy Boxset Page 66
