The Dark Pretender

by Nikki Jefford

  “I came from Goldendale.”

  The guards exchanged confused looks, their foreheads wrinkling.

  “Goldendale? Where is that?” one of them asked.

  “Far from here,” I said with a smirk.

  “Funny,” said a muscular green-and-gold-clad guard. “Seize him.”

  The Ravensburg males in maroon and black frowned and held back, perhaps put off by the idea of taking orders from a Dahlquist guard. That left one guard lunging for me. I spun around and hoisted myself onto the table. The clerk barely had time to yelp as I slammed my palms onto his shoulders and leapfrogged over his large head. The clerk tumbled back and tripped over his fire. Sparks shot out. The clerk lost his hold on my letter to Lark. He tried to snatch it back up before the fire consumed it. He was too late; the parchment lit and curled.

  Incompetent buffoon!

  This entire visit had turned into a complete and utter waste.

  I scrambled out an open window at the back of the room.

  “Don’t let him get away!” a male shouted.

  I ran between the clerk’s hut and the sleeping shacks lined up alongside it in short rows. An arrow whizzed past me, missing me by a foot. Thank goodness Fraya wasn’t the one firing, or I’d have an arrow protruding from my back. I dashed into the trees. The guards crashed through the forest behind me. When I glanced over my shoulder, I saw three of them had drawn their swords.

  I sprinted for the moss-covered tree I’d arrived beside and spread my arms before reaching the spot. Blue ripples appeared like waves rising with a storm. As I dove for the portal, my foot caught on something. I winced as I landed on the ground and pain shot up my left leg.

  Damn tree root, I thought, even though it made no sense. When I was yanked back, I realized I hadn’t tripped at all. One of the guards had caught up and grabbed my ankle as I sprang from the ground for the portal.

  My only escape had closed the moment I hit the ground.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Alok

  I kicked at the guard—one of Dahlquist’s—anchoring me. His sword was still sheathed. It was probably why he’d outrun the other three guards. After dislodging the guard’s hold on my foot, I scrambled to my feet. As the determined male reached for his sword, I opened a new portal. The guard stopped going for his weapon to run after me, straight into the portal. Hopefully, it would close before the other three caught up.

  The familiar rush of wind blew my hair off my shoulders. I braced myself for landing, moving my legs through the portal. It helped me keep my balance when I was spit out of the vortex. I stepped onto a hill of dry, cracked earth surrounded by pools of thick, bubbling tar. The stench smacked me in the face. It was like all the horse shit in all of Faerie ended up in these foul lands. There wasn’t any vegetation to be seen in any direction.

  My pursuer landed on his hands and knees before the portal closed. At least I didn’t have to fight off all four guards, though this one still had a sword.

  The male’s head snapped up. He wrinkled his nose. “Where are we?” he demanded.

  I grinned, happy to answer this particular question. “Swampia.”

  “Son of a whore.”

  “Yup.”

  Before the guard could get to his feet, I jumped on his back and went for his sword. He leaned to one side, dumping me onto the crumbling earth. I kept hold of his sword handle but struggled to pull it free as the male bucked. We kicked up clumps of dirt that then rained over us. A bubble rose up over the tar pond beside us, bursting at the surface, where it spewed its foul stench into the atmosphere.

  The guard gagged. “Seven hells, it smells like a horse’s ass.”

  “Give me your sword, and I’ll open you a portal out of here,” I offered.

  “I know who you are, Alok Elmray. The only portal you’re opening is to Dahlquist Castle to answer for your crimes.”

  “Pass,” I said with a laugh. “I’d rather bathe in tar than turn myself over to Lark and Liri.”

  The guard rolled over onto my hand, crushing my fingers against the steel pommel. I winced as the hard ball rammed into my bones. We lay struggling on our sides. I banged my knee into the guard’s back. He gave a grunt but didn’t lift off my hand. Cursing, I punched him in the side of the head. The angle was all wrong, which didn’t give my strike the kind of force I needed.

  The male let off my hand as he flipped around, facing me on the ground before slamming his forehead into mine.

  Tiny white stars exploded over my vision. I scrambled back as the guard stood and drew his sword. The blazing sun overhead reflected from the long steel blade. As the male took measured steps toward me, I reached my hands behind my back and clawed at the dusty soil.

  The tip of the blade pointed an inch from my neck. The guard’s nostrils flared. He didn’t look much older than I was, mid-twenties perhaps. Lips curled, he said, “Open a portal to Dahlquist.”

  “Isn’t there someplace you’ve always wanted to go?” I asked. “I could take you anywhere. Sky’s the limit.”

  The guard narrowed his eyes. “I gave you an order.”

  A darkness thicker than the tar pits swallowed me up at those words.

  “A prince doesn’t take orders,” I snarled, throwing dirt into his eyes. While he rubbed one hand over his face, I jumped to my feet and kicked him in the stomach, quickly followed by his sword arm. The weapon dropped from his fingers. As I dove for it, the male charged me, his eyes slit and watering. He grabbed me by my jacket. I tried to push him into the bubbling swamp, but he fisted the edges of my coat. I thrashed and slipped out of the sleeves, breaking free. I had less than a second to act on that fleeting opportunity as the guard’s fingers fisted my freed coat. He blinked away the sand. In two swift strides, I pushed him backward into the black marsh.

  A sound more like a slurp than a splash crashed over the male as he landed butt first in the tar. He released my jacket and, with it, the letter I’d written Lulu. My heart sank as my words were lost in the thick black muck.

  The swamp didn’t cover the guard’s head, and it wouldn’t kill him. Reed had once dared Ronin to portal to Swampia. The little idiot had done it, then returned with tar-covered arms and hands, which he proceeded to smear all over his brother. The twins had stunk for days. I remembered Peridot and Kaylin groaning about it to Lulu.

  While my attacker struggled in the syrupy sludge, I grabbed his sword. I could sell the faerie blade for much-needed currency in the elven realm.

  Gripping the hilt, I smiled down at the tar-covered Fae. “Enjoy the walk back to Dahlquist. It’s far west of these parts. When you make it back, you can inform King Liri that he’ll never have my head.”

  I saluted the downed guard with a smirk. As I walked toward my newly opened portal, the male yelled “traitor” at my back.

  I had one more stop to make before returning to Goldendale. One that was only slightly preferable to Swampia. Maybe this trip wouldn’t be a complete waste.

  Fraya

  The rough pounding on my door had to be from Helio. I replaced my scowl with a thin smile just in time as Helio barged into my chamber.

  He was dressed entirely in white. I, too, wore all white—a long, sleek short-sleeved gown with a plunging V-neck. I’d swept my hair into a high bun, teased loose strands at each cheek, and stuck shimmering pins throughout the updo.

  Tonight was the Black and White Ball. I could already imagine Alok cloaked in black, looking all dark and moody. It gave me shivers of anticipation.

  Helio looked me up and down, his lips pursed. “Beautiful, as always,” he noted.

  “As are you,” I replied.

  He smiled slightly. “I hope you will try to enjoy yourself tonight. You’ve been acting strange ever since you arrived. Is it your monthly cycle?”

  “Yes,” I said, seizing upon his insensitivity and ignorance. “It puts me in a mood.”

  Helio wrinkled his nose. “Unfortunate timing.”

  “I know. Such a shame.”

&nb
sp; He narrowed his eyes. Maybe I should have tried harder not to sound sarcastic. He lifted his chin and looked me over. “Well, at least you will be finished at the end of the week in time for our wedding night. I’ve held out long enough this week.”

  “Why are you rushing the ceremony?” I demanded.

  Helio stuck his face in mine, breathing hard. “Why aren’t you more excited?”

  “Because you have been acting horrible ever since I arrived at Amberhill.”

  Helio snorted. “Need I remind you that you were the one who came after me? You sent me that letter. You begged me to meet you at that inn in Pinemist. You threw yourself at me.”

  “I never begged!” I wanted to rip the smile from his lips.

  “I did the honorable thing afterward by offering to make you my wife. You said yes.”

  “I know what I said,” I retorted.

  Helio’s arm shot out like a snake striking. His fingers were like fangs digging into my wrist.

  “Don’t you dare embarrass me this week, Fraya. If you try to leave early, I will hunt you down before you ever make it home, and I will make you sorry.” I lifted my hand to slap him, but he was too quick, grabbing my wrist before I could land a hit. His cruel fingers squeezed. “It would be a shame if your aunt’s wine shop were to burn down,” he lowered his voice, “or your family’s beloved butler and cook were to be hurt during a home robbery while your parents are away.”

  Sick fury surged through me. I broke out of Helio’s grasp and snarled. “Try to harm anyone in my family, including our staff, and you will be the one who is sorry. I have connections from my mother’s first marriage in Faerie. Her brother-in-law is a Fae king.”

  I’d never spoken of it to Helio. I’d had no reason to. Nor had I mentioned my aunt Melarue and her royal status. But Helio had met my elven aunt Shalendra back when I’d competed in Thistleborough, where my aunt and her mate owned a wine shop. As part of his charming act, Helio had placed a sizable order from Aunt Shalendra to be delivered to Amberhill.

  There was nothing of the enchanting elf from before. He took a menacing step toward me. I drew back, heart lodged in my throat.

  Helio wisely kept his hands to himself. “Faeries have no authority here. Any interference would be seen as an act of war. The entire realm would back me against such an intrusion.”

  My heart sank at the truth of his statement. Most elves weren’t fond of Fae, my aunt Melarue being an exception. If faeries came after an elf, on his own turf no less, the realm would rally together faster than I could say “pitberries.”

  I placed my hands on my hips, attempting to calm my racing heart and heavy breath. “Forget about the Fae. It’s me you’d have to worry about.”

  Helio’s lips parted. He burst into laughter a second later. His continued hilarity set my teeth on edge. Collecting himself, he swiped invisible tears from the corners of his bright eyes. “Are you planning to shoot me with an arrow, Fraya?” He lifted a mocking brow.

  In my mind, I saw the arrow protruding from Conall’s neck. I saw the blood rushing out of his body like he was a goblet of wine, tipped over, draining over the ground. My arms shook. I tried to still them, and when I could not, I hugged my middle.

  Helio looked me up and down with a frown. “I do not enjoy speaking to you this way,” he said. “We had fun before. I don’t know what’s gotten into you this week, but it would be a whole lot better for both of us if you returned to normal. We’re good together. Everyone can see it. Your parents didn’t even send a chaperone with you. Even they know you’re my responsibility now.”

  I wanted to puke. Instead, I forced a smile. “Changes are always nerve-racking. I suppose I’ve lost my head a little since arriving.”

  Helio chuckled, his features softening. He offered me his arm. I took it, forcing myself not to dig my fingers into his flesh as he’d done with mine. Pit head!

  “Your beauty puts all others to shame, Fraya. This gown looks angelic on you. Our guests will be enthralled. I cannot imagine bestowing the title of Lady Moongold on anyone more deserving.” His winsome smile did nothing for me. I’d come to hate his compliments as much as his threats.

  We swept down the “hall of pomp,” as he’d called it. The painted eyes of Helio’s ancestors watched from either side. Their gazes felt lingering as we made our way to the ballroom. At least Helio made no more conversation. Instead, he lifted his head as though he’d won me all over again.

  Black-and-white crepe paper decorated the ballroom. Huge bouquets of white roses were tied with black ribbon that rested on pedestals in each corner. Elves were dressed in all black or all white, and some wore a combination of both.

  As I danced with Helio in the center of the ballroom, my thoughts wandered far away from Amberhill with all its sunny, blinding finery. I thought of family and home. I tried not to fall into despair as the hours brought me closer to the end of the week and a fate as dark as the eclipse my family was witnessing in the mortal realm. Even the comforting presence of Alok was missing. His sister had arrived with her friend in a black corset gown. She kept looking at the door, presumably expecting her brother.

  After we danced several sets together, Helio led me toward a group he introduced as neighboring friends. They were actually nice. But when they began asking what Pinemist was like, Helio became bored and set off after Vocla, Taine, and Arli. I continued making conversation, my mouth seeming to come up with answers as I noted Helio leave the ballroom with his buddies.

  As soon as I could make a polite exit, I headed back to my room. Striding down the hall, I resisted the urge to give the peeping portraits a rude gesture. The guest corridor was tranquil and empty with everyone at the ball or cardroom Helio had set up. I was blissfully alone, until Alok rounded the corner dressed in the same trousers and tunic he’d worn to the lake.

  His frown killed any flutters that might have risen over my heart. As he approached, I noticed his clothes were rumpled and filthy, his jacket torn. A putrid smell filled the hall, growing stronger with each step he took.

  With swift strides, he reached me.

  I wrinkled my nose. “You stink.”

  “I know.” He held out a small brown glass vial.

  I kept my arms at my sides as I stared at it. “What is that?”

  “It’s the last of my sleeping powder. I want you to have it.”

  My head snapped up and my lips drew back, exposing my teeth. Foolish of Alok to remind me that he’d once knocked out me and my family with this cursed faerie substance. “Why are you bringing me this?” I asked in an accusatory tone. Why did he have to go digging into that painful part of our past?

  “In case you ever need it,” Alok said.

  “Maybe I’ll use it on you,” I said tersely.

  Alok lowered his head. “I wouldn’t blame you, but I wouldn’t waste it on me.”

  Mine were empty words. I knew exactly who he had in mind for the powder. Hope surged through me. Perhaps I could use the powder on Helio and his friends to escape.

  I snatched the vial from Alok’s fingers. He might as well have handed me the key to my freedom. Emotion overcame me. Before I could stop myself, I threw my arms around him. Head pressed against his chest, I felt Alok go completely still. My arms circled his waist, unconcerned that his clothes were dirty and that I was wearing white. Not even caring about the odor coming off him. All I wanted was to be in his arms.

  Familiar comfort enveloped me as Alok slipped his arms over my shoulders and drew me in closer. It felt way too good. Safe. My family would be disgusted if they knew whose embrace I craved more than any other—which male made my heart pound with life.

  I tightened my hold, pressed in closer, crushing my breasts against his chest. Alok lowered his face into my hair and inhaled sharply.

  “Fraya, darling, are you all right?”

  Warmth left my body at the sound of Helio’s voice at my back. To anyone who didn’t know him well, they’d think he was merely concerned, but I heard sharp ed
ges surrounding his words and felt them pierce my chest.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Fraya

  Alok’s grip tightened around me before loosening one reluctant finger at a time. I stuffed the vial between my breasts, hiding it beneath my gown before turning around.

  “Thank you for your assistance, Prince Alok,” I said, stepping away.

  “Assistance?” Helio looked suspiciously from Alok to me.

  I nodded. “I fear I drank too much after you left the ballroom. I was feeling wobbly on my way to retire to my room when Prince Alok appeared and prevented me from stumbling.”

  “How fortuitous,” Helio said sarcastically, not sounding convinced at all. “I suppose that means you’re not up for a game of campaigne. I was just bragging about your skills to Miss Naedove. She thinks she can beat you. I wagered she could not.”

  I likely could beat her. My parents were expert players and had ensured I was too. It was a rite of passage in the Keasandoral family. But I was in no mood for board games, plus I had to make my lie as convincing as possible despite Helio’s distrust.

  “Perhaps tomorrow, when my head is clear.” I pressed my hand to my forehead for show.

  “Nonsense,” Helio said. “Even tipsy you could beat her.”

  “Maybe, but I’m tired.”

  Helio sniffed the air. “What is that foul stench?”

  “It’s me,” Alok said with a frown. “I was just about to draw a bath.”

  Helio’s jaw loosened. He looked Alok over with a tight smile. “It was fortunate you happened along when my fiancée was in need of supporting hands. But how have you come to be in this state? You have not had an ill experience in Goldendale, I trust?”

  Alok rubbed the tips of his long pale fingers together as he regarded Helio for several seconds before answering. “I returned briefly to Faerie.”

  “Ah.” Helio clasped his hands behind his back and lifted his head. “I didn’t realize the realm had such a distinct . . . aroma.” Helio’s eyes shone when he grinned. “Fraya and I were just talking about Faerie. The brother of her mother’s first husband is a king there. Did you know?”