by Kristie Cook
Afterward, he looped his arm through mine and led me out of the front of the manor for the first time since I’d arrived. We walked the perimeter of the plaza as he introduced me to the shops’ and cafes’ owners and employees, reminding me of the stories he’d already told me about them and their families—how he and Saoirse had prevented them from becoming property of other courts. As we spoke with them, they obviously revered their prince, and I myself was in a bit of awe, but as we headed back for his home, another feeling began to override that, tightening my gut in knots.
He walked me all the way to my room, stopping just outside the double doors. His head cocked to the side as he studied me.
“Something is wrong,” he said, not as a question.
My gaze averted for a moment before I looked him in the eye. “You speak so highly of yourself and what you have done for your people. It is truly impressive. Yet . . . this . . .” I gestured between him and me. “You’re still allowing this. You’re still making me your property.”
The light in his eyes dimmed as they filled with sadness. He lifted his hand, as though to brush his fingers over my cheek, but then stopped himself and dropped it instead. “If it were up to me, none of this would be happening. Not like this.”
“Then why don’t you stop it?”
“You made a deal with a fae—with a king, no less. It is not my place to break it.”
“So you took advantage and claimed me.”
“I’m trying to do what I think is right,” he ground out, his jaw clenching at my accusation. “You are better off with me than with my father or any of my brothers.”
Crossing my arms over my chest, I lifted a brow. “So you think you are saving me? I don’t need to be saved!”
“You don’t know what you need!” he snapped, his voice a near growl. I pulled back, and he blew out a sigh. He pushed a hand through his hair, loosening the ponytail. When he spoke again, his words were calm, soothing. “I had hoped tonight would make you feel better about all of this. That perhaps you could find a way to be happy here.” When I didn’t reply, he released a long breath, and his voice lowered even more. “This is not exactly what I want either, Elliana, but I have a plan. I have my reasons. I just need you to trust that I will do all that I can to make it right for both of us.”
Then he turned and strode away, leaving me more confused than ever. I wasn’t sure if I should be insulted or relieved.
As I slipped into my room, I knew it really didn’t matter how I felt. How he did. He was right—I’d made a deal. I’d committed to this long ago to save my sister. I’d go through with it. And for whatever his reasons were, Tor had committed to it, as well. I’d just have to trust that he would, indeed, make it good for both of us.
Chapter 19
Sleep evaded me, as the closer morning light came, the more nauseated I grew. The knots in my stomach created their own knots until I was just a big, tangled mess of tension and queasiness. Not that sleep brought much rest anymore, always filled with real-life terrors of the past posing as dreams. When the sun rose and I could hear a swarm of activity elsewhere in the manor, though, the last thing I wanted was to be awake. I lay in bed as long as I was allowed, wishing for a last-minute miracle to save me from this nightmare.
To be honest, I couldn’t explain why this day, this party made me so sick. In my head, I knew it really meant nothing. This was not the ceremony. The Court of Souls already knew why I was here. Probably all of the Shadow Lands knew about the Tormentor’s inevitable wedding by now. It was not like some big secret was being revealed, an unexpected announcement being made. As I’d been told and witnessed myself at Winter Court, the fae loved their balls, and this was simply an excuse for one.
That said, I was not full fae, and as far as I knew, not Shadow at all. I didn’t know how the people felt about this union, especially those of the Court of Souls, knowing this mandate came from the man they despised. They might have felt some sympathy for my predicament, but they also might have felt suspicion and disdain, seeing me as an outsider. Still, I’d never really fit in anywhere, not even in my own family, so that wasn’t what had me all tied up either.
I really couldn’t pinpoint the why. I just knew that dread was eating me alive.
A pounding on my door brought me out of a doze sometime later in the day, and when I didn’t respond, Saoirse stormed into the room, spewing a string of what sounded like faerie profanity by the tone and sharpness of it all.
“What the hell are you still doing in bed?” she demanded as she threw open the drapes. “You should be getting ready! And you haven’t eaten all day? You better stay away from the faerie wine until you have something in your stomach.”
“What’s wrong with you?” I croaked, pulling the thick blanket over my head.
“Me? You’re the one who looks like shit warmed over.”
“You’re acting like a mother hen instead of a drill sergeant,” I muttered.
I was suddenly laying cover-less in the bed, Saoirse having ripped the blankets off of me. She stood over me, hands on her hips.
“I was going for future sister-in-law,” she said with a cheeky grin.
She forced me out of bed and into the bathroom. By the time I finished cleaning up, the two fae from last night were there, along with a third and Saoirse overlooking them all, because today I had to look extra-special, I supposed.
When they were done, I stood in front of the mirror, and rather than notice the beautiful dress or how they’d fixed my hair, all I saw was terror filling my brown eyes. Saoirse stood behind me, her head tilting as she watched me, then she said something in their language, and the other three scurried out of the room.
“Prince Toridhan will not force you to do anything you do not want to do,” she said once they were gone. “He would never force anything on anybody. He knows too well that kind of torment himself.”
Toridhan. I hadn’t even known that was his full name until now. Tor wasn’t short for Tormentor after all. For some reason, that knowledge made me feel slightly better.
“Then why are we doing this at all?” I asked.
She shrugged. “It’s just a party. We do love our parties. And it’s a way to appease the king, because word will surely get back to him that Tor has formally announced his engagement. It’s buying Tor time, Elli. That is all.”
I studied her reflection in the mirror, her gaze locking with mine. I could see the truth in those amethyst eyes, and relief flooded through me.
A sigh escaped as my shoulders dropped from my ears and my chest loosened. “I wish he would have said so. I wouldn’t have wasted the day in bed.”
“He’s a male.” She rolled her eyes, and as if that explained everything, she turned for the door. “I need to get dressed myself. There’s wine on the balcony, if you want an early start.”
From said balcony, I watched the attendees enter in an endless parade below, all of them dressed scantily to show off the swirls and runes decorating their flesh, as I sipped on a glass of sweet wine. I’d only just finished it when Saoirse returned, dressed in a gauzy dress that left nothing to the imagination. Not only were her well-defined muscles and fae markings on display, but so were her breasts, dark nipples hard and pierced with little pearls dangling from them. If I hadn’t still felt a little queasy, despite her earlier assurances, I might have been turned on. On the other hand, she was already feeling more like a sister, and I really had no interest. I could admire her powerful beauty and sexuality, but I felt nothing more. Shit. What was happening to me?
“Ready?” she asked.
I followed her through the back halls, avoiding the crowds at the front of the manor. Merry chatter and music grew louder as we approached, but then we ducked into a room where Tor waited in what appeared to be his office. He gave me a once over, followed by an approving smile. I tried to return it and failed.
“It’s just a party,” he murmured. “It only means what you want it to mean.”
I didn’t kno
w what to make of that. Saoirse was about to leave to announce us when several male fae rushed into the room. One, who seemed to be the leader, began speaking in Faelic, but Tor cut him off, saying something curt as he tilted his head toward me.
“I am sorry, my lord, my lady,” the fae said in English with a brief bow. “The situation in the Elven Lands has escalated. Word has been sent that an emissary with a small company is headed for the Shadow Lands, seeking the king’s help.”
Tor’s brows came together in a scowl as he looked at me. Of course, my interest immediately piqued at the mention of the Elven Lands, but also because he’d said none of the other fae ever came to the Shadow Lands. Perhaps he only meant the Light and the Dark fae. Maybe that didn’t apply to other races of the realm, such as the elves.
“We need to intercept them before they reach the Court of Shadows,” Saoirse said. “Caellach will never align against the Winter Court.”
My face must have shown my confusion, because Tor explained further, “He sent his men to Winter Court to scuffle with them as a distraction so he could get to you. That is not the same as forming an alliance against them.”
“Maeve has gone too far, though,” the one who’d spoken before said. The others had all lined up near the door, remaining silent as though awaiting orders. “The elves need our help.”
Now Tor looked to his sister.
“We need all the allies we can muster,” Saoirse said.
Tor nodded. “Yes, we do. But we must be careful. Send a party to intercept and bring them to the Mistwood outpost. I’ll meet you there later.”
The leader inclined his head in a small bow, and the fae filed out.
“I want to go,” Saoirse said.
“Of course,” Tor replied.
“I’m going too,” I blurted, and they both looked at me with raised brows. I shrugged, trying not to look overly eager, though something told me I needed to go, to help.
Tor shook his head. “It’s too dangerous.”
“I thought I was the most dangerous creature in this realm.”
“Exactly. It’s too dangerous for everyone else.” He held his arm out to me, crooking his elbow. “We’ll keep the torture of this ball to a minimum here, then when we leave, you can choose to stay and enjoy the party or you have a perfect excuse to skip out early, if you prefer.”
I scowled, not liking his answer and change of subject. “I know how to fight without killing everyone around me. I’ve kept my power suppressed for years. I actually have a lot more control than either of you give me credit for.” Do you really, though? I ignored the voice because it wasn’t helping. “I can help you. Isn’t that what you want?”
“Why are you so interested?”
I paused, searching for the right answer—for me as well as for him. “I don’t know,” I admitted. “Maybe because Maeve is involved? That feels . . . I don’t know, personal for some reason. Besides, I’ve been in this manor, in this town for weeks. You say I’m not a prisoner. Prove it. If anything, let me stretch my wings. I can scope the situation out from the sky.”
Saoirse laughed. “Oh, love, you are not the only one here who can fly.”
She strode out, and I turned to Tor.
“I do not think this is the best time for you to be seen, especially by potential enemies. You are wanted by many, and not necessarily alive,” he reminded me. “But I promise I will personally take you out beyond the walls and allow you to fly as soon as I return. Now speaking of your wings . . . I do love to see them.”
He tilted his head, his turquoise gaze traveling along my neck and over my shoulder, and I could almost feel the caress tangibly, a warm spray of tingles spreading over my skin. My stomach dipped with a different kind of anticipation—one of need and desire to be physically touched. My wings sprang out on their own, and his long fingers trailed over the top edge, causing a shudder to rack through me and my thighs to clench. And I didn’t mind my body’s betrayal one bit.
He held his crooked arm out again, and I slipped mine around his, for some reason surprised at how much larger, thicker, stronger it felt than I was used to. Most men weren’t built like him, let alone any women. Saoirse probably came the closest, but still a far cry from the muscular prince. I understood now why some women gawked over men’s arms—the strength was steadying, reassuring . . . and turning me on. Shit. I really was a hot mess anymore.
The introductory announcement of our entrance was as awful as I’d expected, horns blaring, a booming voice declaring, “Prince Toridhan and his future lady, Elliana Knight,” and all the following gasps and whispers, as if this really was news to them. Taking my hand, Tor led me in a dance around the center of the room, guiding me expertly through the twirls and turns of a choreography I didn’t know. We finally made it to the head table, the guests returning their conversations and own revelry. I barely had time to lift a glass of faerie wine to my lips and start taking in the sparkling silver and gold décor when a female soldier hurried up to Tor by my side.
“My lord,” the fae whispered. “We found the group and have intercepted them.”
“Did you take them to the outpost?”
“I’m sorry, my lord, but she refuses to go anywhere until she speaks with you personally.”
“She? Who is she?”
“The leader. She claims . . .” She dropped her voice to a low whisper, but I still picked up her words. “She claims to be relation.”
Saoirse must have heard, too, because she spun toward us, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.
“She was near the borders, but closer to here than to the Court of Shadows. She was specifically looking for you, my lord.”
“I will go soon. I must—”
“I’m sorry, sir, but it is urgent that you come. She was being followed. A band of Winter Court soldiers is narrowing in on her. If they get too close to our borders . . .”
Tor gave a curt nod. “Understood. Call the Skaelach.”
He motioned to Saoirse, who unceremoniously disappeared.
“I am sorry to have to leave so abruptly,” Tor said to me. “But again, feel free to stay for the party or return to your room—the choice is yours. I promise nobody will notice either of our absences.” I doubted that but nodded. He gave my hand a quick squeeze, turned to leave, but then turned back once more. He leaned in close, his mouth by my ear, his breath cool on the sensitive flesh. “And you are wrong, Elliana. You could be very easy to love.”
Scowling, I watched him and several others leave the party. That was one of my most protected secrets I shared with nobody, not even Brielle. How did he know?
I was glad he’d left. Because with a little too much faerie wine, I might have felt the urge to admit to him the same: he could be very easy for me to love.
One glance around the large room, I realized he was right—nobody paid much attention to his exit, everyone already drunk and oblivious. I returned to my room and out to the balcony. Below, in the courtyard, Tor, Saoirse, and a whole company of fae were gathered, almost everyone mounted on various types of creatures, some with wings, some not, including a couple of gryphon. A few of the creatures looked quite similar to Sasha, which surprised me, since she was an angelic being and not of Faery. Many of the fae sprouted their own wings, some thin and colorful, like those of butterflies, and others gauzy with rainbow flashes, similar to those of dragonflies.
Tor and about half of the company—those who could fly—launched into the air and flew off toward the south, Tor leading them in a V-formation parallel to the mountain behind his home. My brows pulled together as I watched the prince, wondering if he was like my brother, able to fly without wings. Then I saw them, nothing more than dark smoke floating on the air, the stars shining through them: wings of shadow.
For some reason, as I watched, I felt as though my heart flew off with them.
A few minutes later, those on foot began to file out of the courtyard through a side gate, slipping into the dark cover of night. As the tail end dis
appeared from my extensive sight range, an indescribable yet very real sensation tugged on my gut, so hard that the breath flew out of me.
“I need to go,” I said aloud, my voice full of conviction. I couldn’t explain it, but my intuition was practically shouting at me, shoving me off the balcony. I snapped my own wings out and took to the air, hurrying before I lost their trail.
I caught up to those on the ground quickly, slowing my speed so as not to alert Tor, whose group was much farther ahead, such small specks in the sky, they could have been birds or even bugs. When those on the ground rode into a forest and I lost sight of them under the trees, I had no choice but to catch up a little closer to the airborne company, so I didn’t lose track of them, too. We banked to the left and lifted up, over the mountain, and the farther we flew, I began to wonder why they hadn’t sifted—though I couldn’t be sure all fae had that ability. Something I’d failed to ask.
Below us, Saoirse exited a tunnel in the mountain, leading the ground troops across a narrow valley before they entered into another tunnel, the rear end of the group yet to emerge from the first. Tor’s flyers tilted up to clear the next mountain, but when they passed over the peak, they disappeared completely.
“What the hell?” I gasped. I’d lost sight of them altogether. Same with those on the ground. All I could do was keep flying and hope I caught up with Saoirse’s company when they came out the other side.
As I crested the mountaintop, though, magic zinged over my body, and everything changed. A portal—we’d crossed through some kind of fae portal.
And on the other side was a snow-covered field, a small battle raging in the bright light of a huge, full moon.
Tor’s group dropped to the ground, merging with Saoirse’s as they appeared seemingly out of nowhere, and they all joined in the battle.
Knowing I could be easily seen now, I manifested an invisibility cloak as best as I could to hide myself. I wished Charleigh were here with her more powerful cloaking magic, because I knew Tor could probably spot me, and perhaps Saoirse, too. Hopefully none of the others were as powerful as them. Not that it really mattered. What could they do about me now?
