The Faerie Plague (Dark World: The Faerie Games Book 5)

by Michelle Madow

  “Perhaps not,” she said. “But it stops them from trying to rise up against us again.”

  Fury swelled inside of me.

  But I reminded myself of my goal, and forced myself to focus. “If you want the cure, and if you want Avalon’s help against the afflicted, then you will allow me to free the half-bloods,” I said. “And you’ll allow them to leave the Otherworld—to go to any realm they choose.”

  “Calm yourself,” she said. “We’re here for a diplomatic conversation. I don’t like being threatened.”

  I nodded, focused on breathing steadily, and pulled my magic inward.

  The air around me stilled, the last bit of electricity disappeared, and the Empress nodded. “I want both of those things,” she said slowly. “But what makes you so convinced that the half-bloods have magic as strong as full fae?”

  “Because I’ve seen it for myself,” I said. “Julian—show her your arm.”

  Julian removed his leather jacket, pushed up the sleeve of his t-shirt, and showed Sorcha his bicep. As I already knew, there was no tattoo around it.

  She narrowed her eyes, as if trying to see through glamour. She gave up after a few seconds. “How is this possible?” she asked.

  “I removed his tattoo with the Holy Wand,” I said, and then I looked to Aeliana. “Would you like me to remove yours, too?”

  “Yes.” She gave me a knowing smile. “I most certainly would.”

  “Kneel before me.”

  She did as I asked, and I pushed my multi-colored magic through the wand and out toward her. It surrounded her in a brilliant, sparkly orb. Tendrils of it entered her skin, and she pressed her lips together to muffle her screams.

  Sorcha stepped toward me, as if she was going to try to stop me. “You’re hurting her,” she said.

  “I’m freeing her.”

  I reversed the flow of my magic, and the tendrils sucked the red dots of poison out from Aeliana’s body. The poison came out quickly at first, and then it slowed. Once there was none left, I let go.

  The orb of light surrounding Aeliana shattered and disappeared.

  She gasped and fell forward onto her palms. She took a few quick breaths, and looked up to me, her gray eyes wide. “Did it work?” she asked.

  “Take a look and see for yourself.”

  Aeliana forced herself to her feet. Then she reached for her sleeve and pulled it up to her elbow.

  The tattoo was gone—as I knew it would be.

  She stared at the unmarked skin for a few seconds, stunned.

  “Test your magic,” I told her. “Create fae light.”

  She let her sleeve fall back down, cupped her hands in front of herself, and focused.

  An orb of golden light appeared in her palms, and her lips widened into a circle of surprise. Then she giggled like a young girl and released bubbles of golden light up to the sky, her eyes following them upward until they popped out above the trees.

  The Empress cleared her throat.

  Aeliana dropped her arms to her sides and stood straight, like a soldier.

  “Is it true?” Sorcha asked. “Is your magic as powerful as a full fae’s?”

  “I can’t say for sure, since I’ve never experienced what it feels like to have the magic of a full fae. But the magic inside of me feels strong.” She turned to face me. “Strong enough to join Avalon’s army and help you fight the demons, as payment for you granting me my freedom.”

  I opened my mouth to say she didn’t have to pay me back, but then I closed it. Because Avalon needed the half-bloods’ help.

  There was too much at stake for me to free them and not accept their loyalty in return.

  We all stared silently at Sorcha.

  “You and the people of Avalon will help the Otherworld until all traces of the plague are gone from the realm?” she asked.

  “We’ll help until everyone infected is cured, and until everyone fully succumbed is turned to ash.” I assumed that was what she meant, but with the fae, it never hurt to be careful of wording. “In return, you’ll permit me to free the half-bloods. You’ll do everything in your power to stop the fae from rebelling against me as I do so. You won’t bind their magic ever again. And you’ll allow them to leave the Otherworld to go to any realm of their choosing.”

  “I don’t see why that won’t be possible,” she said. “However, you seem to think that all of the half-bloods will choose to go to Avalon. You’re forgetting that the Otherworld has been their home for thousands of years. I believe many will choose to stay.”

  “They may,” I said. “And those who stay will be angry. But the fae are far more experienced fighters than the half-bloods, and I have no interest in seeing my people slain, especially so soon after they’re freed.”

  “And I have no interest in having a civil war break out in the Otherworld.”

  “For once, we agree on something.”

  “I wouldn’t say it’s the first time,” she said. “But you call the half-bloods ‘your people.’ Do you mean all of the half-bloods? Or only those who choose to go to Avalon?”

  “I mean all of them,” I said, ready to present the final part of my proposition. “And once they’re free, the half-bloods will need a queen they can trust. A queen they know is powerful, and has their best interests at heart. A queen they’ll be quick to follow.”

  Any traces of friendliness vanished from her face. “Are you threatening to try taking my place as ruler of the realm?”

  “Not at all. You’re the Empress of the Fae, and I have no interest in taking that title from you.” She relaxed slightly, and I continued, “But the Otherworld is in ruins. Much like when you brought order back to the realm after the Century of Fifty Queens, a new political system—one where all citizens are free—will need to be established.”

  “There will be much to change,” she agreed. “I assume you have some thoughts on the method of approach?”

  “I do,” I said. “It won’t happen overnight, but I believe that if we work together, we can prevent civil unrest and rebuild the Otherworld. So I’d like to rule by your side—as not only the Queen of Wands, but also as the Queen of the Half-Bloods.”

  She pursed her lips and stared at me.

  She’s going to say no.

  My heart raced, and I tightened my grip around the wand. This had been going so well. I’d really thought it was going to work.

  We had other options, but they were mainly violent. So many innocents would die.

  Please, say yes.

  “I won’t step on your toes,” I said, hoping to find the words that would convince her to agree. “In fact, I want to learn from you. I fully believe that if we work together, we can bring the Otherworld into a new Golden Age. One that Queen Gloriana would be proud of. I think that’s what Prince Devyn wanted, too. I think it’s why he went to such great lengths to ensure I stepped into my position as Queen of Wands, and to ensure that we met at the Crossroads like this today. Whatever we decide here will determine the fate of the Otherworld. And I want that fate to be a good one.”

  Julian’s intense energy radiated from his spot beside me. If necessary, he was ready to fight.

  I was, too.

  But I hoped it wouldn’t come down to that.

  “If you try anything against me, I will turn on you,” the Empress finally said.

  “As you should,” I replied. “But as long as you work with me, and as long as you don’t turn against me and my people, I intend to work with you—not against you.”

  “And you promise that Avalon won’t turn against me, either?”

  “Avalon wants peace with the Otherworld so we can fight as allies against the demons,” I said. “I’m a half-blood fae who was born and raised on Avalon, and whose soulmate is a half-blood born and raised in the Otherworld. I’m tied to both worlds. If you agree to the deal, I’ll be the chain that links our kingdoms together.”

  The wand’s crystals glowed, their light soft and steady. I’d said everything there was to
say.

  Now, it all came down to the Empress.

  “Very well, Selena Pearce—chosen champion of Jupiter, Queen of Wands, and Queen of the Half-Bloods,” she said with a genuine smile. “You have a deal.”

  48

  SELENA

  I STOOD outside the door that led to the small dining hall used for more intimate occasions, fiddling with the skirt of my gown with one hand and holding the Holy Wand with the other.

  Vita stood next to me, radiant and happy. Her golden hair gleamed, as did her ice-blue eyes that matched Julian’s. And while she was still thin, she no longer looked like she could be blown over by a bit of wind.

  It was amazing what a few meals of mana and holy water could do for someone.

  “Just wait until you see the inside,” she gushed, seemingly oblivious to my nerves. “I helped Iris with the color palette—blue, violet, and silver, of course. And I was in charge of the flower arrangements. They bring a bit of the Otherworld to Avalon. You’re going to love it.”

  “So you officially accepted her offer to become her apprentice?” I asked.

  “Yes.” She beamed. “I feel like I’ve finally found a place where I can be useful. You see, I’ve never been much of a fighter, which is funny considering my brother is the chosen champion of Mars. But while he might disagree, celebrations are important. They keep up our spirits and bring people together. We need events to look forward to while we’re home—like celebrating the coronation of the Queen of Wands.”

  That was what tonight was about—my coronation. But after the Faerie Games, I’d had enough with official ceremonies for the next century. So my mom and Iris had settled on a small dinner in my honor with the leaders of Avalon.

  A fire message appeared in Vita’s hand. She unrolled it and smiled. “It’s time,” she all but squealed. “Are you ready?”

  “Yes,” I said, although really, I was ready to get this dinner over with and move on to more important matters, like the meeting with Sorcha, my mom, and the Queen of Swords tomorrow where we were going to discuss the details of our strategy for helping the Otherworld.

  But after everything my mom and dad had been through these past few weeks—not knowing if I’d ever come home, or if I was alive at all—I’d agreed to this one night to celebrate my return home.

  Then, tomorrow, I had serious work to get started on.

  Vita opened the door slightly, so we could hear everyone inside.

  “And now, it’s my honor to welcome our special guest for the evening,” Iris said brightly. “The Queen of Wands, Selena Pearce!”

  Vita flung open the door, and I zeroed in on the four most important people in the small group. My mom, my dad, Julian’s mom, and Julian. They watched me with pride from the center of the room.

  But before walking toward them, I glanced at Vita, who was watching me expectantly. “The room looks amazing,” I told her, and she smiled again.

  “You mean it?” she asked.

  “Yes. I mean it.”

  And I did.

  There were light blue, violet, and silver flowers everywhere. Petals were placed perfectly over the tables, the bouquet centerpieces overflowed with life, and flowering vines twisted along every piece of decor, including the chandeliers.

  I glanced around, happy to see so many familiar faces. Thomas, Sage, the Queen of Swords, her mate Noah, Skylar, Bella, the three mages, and more. They were all dressed for the occasion, in everything from a tight black leather dress (Bella), to wide, colorful gowns (the mages.)

  If only Torrence were here, I thought. She’d love this.

  But she was going to be here—soon. With support from his sisters, Reed left for Mystica yesterday to speak with the Supreme Mages. He’d sworn not to return to Avalon unless Torrence was by his side.

  And once Torrence was back on Avalon, we were going to have a party that would blow this one away. Because she was going to get back to Avalon. I refused to accept anything else.

  “What are you waiting for?” Vita said, quietly and quickly. “Go inside.”

  Right. Of course.

  I stepped inside, and petals representing each color of my magic drifted down from the ceiling and fluttered around me. Julian clapped, and the others followed suit, until applause sounded throughout the room. But this applause was tempered and quiet—a far cry from the raucous cries in the arena.

  Now that I was a co-ruler of the Otherworld, I was going to make sure no one died in that arena ever again.

  The applause died down, and all eyes were on me. “Thank you,” I said, looking around at each of them. I needed to say something.

  But what?

  Nothing could truly encompass everything I’d been through in the past few weeks, and everything I’d discovered about myself along the journey.

  So, short and sweet was going to have to work.

  “The entire time I was in the Otherworld, I was fighting to get back to Avalon,” I said, and the wand’s crystals glowed, like it enjoyed the spotlight more than I did. “Back to my home. But while I was in the Otherworld, I found the Holy Wand and unlocked my magic as a half-blood fae. I realized I’m tied to the Otherworld as much as I’m tied to Avalon. So, as your Queen of Wands, and as the new Queen of the Half-Bloods, I’m going to be returning to the Otherworld to free the half-bloods from over a millennium of slavery. With our new alliance in place, I’m going to lead any fae who want to leave the Otherworld—whether half-blood or full fae—to Avalon. Together, we’ll join forces and win the war against the demons once and for all.”

  At first, silence.

  They hated that I was returning to the Otherworld.

  Then my dad stepped forward and smiled. “To our Queen of Wands and the Queen of the Half-Bloods—my daughter, Selena Pearce,” he said.

  “To the Queen of Wands and the Queen of the Half-Bloods,” everyone else repeated, then the champagne was poured, and the celebration began.

  49

  SELENA

  AS THE GUEST OF HONOR, I had to do my round of the room and speak to everyone in attendance.

  “I think it’s important that you resume your studies,” Tari—the Headmaster at Avalon Academy—said. I rarely saw her in anything but her Avalon uniform, but tonight she wore a bright yellow, patterned dress that was striking against her dark skin. “You’re still only sixteen, and have much more to learn about your witch magic.”

  “I definitely want to learn more about how to use my witch magic,” I told her. “But as you know, the Otherworld needs me. I’m going to have my hands full there for quite a while. However, I plan on taking a class or two next fall, once I hopefully have a small bit of extra time to devote to studying.”

  “I’m glad to hear it.” She smiled. “But I’m thinking that private tutoring might be in order, given how different your magic is from the other witches. And we’ll have to condense everything into a shorter amount of time to fit with your schedule.”

  “That makes sense.” I gazed around, since while I did intend on eventually resuming my studies, it was far from the first thing on my mind.

  Finally, I located the person I was searching for in the far corner of the room. Skylar had pulled the hood of her silk cloak over her head, but the bright red hair sticking out from the sides of it made her impossible to miss.

  “If you’ll excuse me,” I said to Tari. “I just saw someone I still need to thank.”

  “Of course.” She sipped her champagne, and I picked up my glass to head toward Skylar.

  She picked at a platter of grapes on the buffet, so her back was toward me as I approached.

  “Skylar,” I said softly, not wanting to startle her.

  She spun slowly around, looking everywhere except at me. “Selena.” She lowered her eyes and clasped her hands together in front of her waist. “I’m so grateful for your safe return.”

  “Thank you,” I said.

  “Is there something you wanted to speak with me about?” Her eyes darted around the room, like she
wanted to escape this conversation at the first possible moment.

  “I’ve been wanting to thank you for coming to me on the beach,” I said, and she stilled, and swallowed. “As hard as it was to make that decision, so many people were saved by my returning to Avalon and meeting with the Empress of the Otherworld. We’ve already been getting as many vials of the cure to her as possible. Our alliance is going to change the lives of so many for the better.”

  “It will,” she agreed.

  “I was too wrapped up in my emotions to see it clearly before, but I can now. And I’m grateful to have your assurance that with Reed working with the Supreme Mages, they’ll get Torrence off Circe’s island.”

  “It was my pleasure.” She glanced over my shoulder. “Now, if you’ll excuse me—”

  “Wait,” I cut her off, and finally, she looked straight at me.

  She seemed worried. Or uncomfortable? Maybe a bit of both.

  “The witch who was with you on the beach,” I continued. “You never told me who she was. And I’d like to personally thank her, too.”

  “I’m afraid you won’t be able to do that,” she said. “At least, not any time soon.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because she’s not from Avalon. She’ll come here eventually, but not for some time. Once she does, I’m sure she’ll be more than happy to see you again.”

  “Again?” I asked. “But I still haven’t met her.”

  “Yes, you have,” she said quickly. “On the beach.”

  “Right.” I nodded slowly, since I’d hardly call that an official meeting.

  Skylar wasn’t telling me something. I couldn’t pinpoint what it was, but it was there.

  Then again, all prophetesses were odd and mysterious. They tended to keep their visions to themselves until the time was right to act on them. Which was frustrating, but it was their way. And I wanted to be a kind queen like Gloriana—not the type that forced information from innocent people. Whatever Skylar was hiding would become clear eventually.