Whims of Fae - The Complete Series

by Nissa Leder

  Her words seemed genuine. Had Raith died in the forest? Cade hadn’t been the one to kill him, but maybe a creature got to Raith and finished the job, and the bond between Cade and Poppy had another cause. “He…died?”

  “You killed him, didn’t you? To become king?”

  “I…” He wasn’t sure what to say. He’d told everyone he’d killed his brother. If he told Scarlett the truth, she could use it against him. But he wanted her to know he’d listened to her words in the battle and after the remorse of having thought he killed her had hit him, he spared his brother. Sort of, at least.

  But had he really? He’d left Raith there to be eaten by a forest beast. Would it have been more merciful to finish the job himself? Or if Cade had just helped Raith, maybe he would have surrendered. The castle was a lonely place, and Cade could use an advisor. There was no denying their brotherly relationship had its issues, but they’d been close once and Cade missed having Raith in his life.

  “You what?” Scarlett snapped. “You got your precious Summer Court crown for your dear mother. Don’t act like you’re sorry.”

  She was right. He couldn’t play the victim. And, even if Raith lived, any chance of having him in his life vanished the moment Cade left him in the forest to die. He couldn’t undo the things he’d done.

  “What do you want from me?” Scarlett asked. “I’m no longer a helpless mortal desperate for you to feed on my pain.”

  “I just wanted to apologize.”

  “And you have, so we’re done here.” Scarlett stomped away before Cade could think of a meaningful response.

  A few moments later, Kaelem exited the throne room. He said to Cade, “All yours.”

  The Winter Queen sat on her throne, eyes on Cade as he entered. The door swung shut behind him.

  “Hello, new Summer King. I didn’t think you’d be joining us this year.”

  The throne room was long and narrow, with a rounded ceiling made of ice at least thirty feet above. A silver rug led the way to the queen. Marble columns lined the room, connected by arches that matched the shapes of the windows. Crystal chandeliers hung down, reflecting the light shining into the room.

  When Cade reached the throne, he bowed. He wasn’t sure exactly what he was supposed to do. They were equals in Faerie: both rulers of their courts, but he was there as a guest so he would show respect whether it was custom or not.

  Nevina tipped her chin.

  “I’ve come to discuss relations between our courts,” Cade said. “I know things haven’t always been civil between us, but I hope to continue the peace between our peoples.”

  “The peace that got my father killed in the war?”

  “A war I was not alive for.” Cade didn’t fear showing reverence toward the Ice Queen if it would keep peace in his kingdom, but he knew he must also appear strong if he wanted her respect. “I am not my father. Nor are you yours.”

  “Your mother reached out to me when you took the throne,” Nevina said. “She claims our courts may have a common goal.”

  His mother mentioned she’d been in touch with the Winter Queen. She hadn’t shared what she’d told her. Instead, she’d warned Cade to be prepared for war against Winter. Which was it?

  “My mother is a trusted member of my council.”

  Nevina’s eyebrow lifted into a perfect arc. “She didn’t tell you what she shared with me.”

  Cade kept his mouth clamped shut.

  “We are both rulers of Faerie courts, cursed with bound magic limiting our power, while the mortal realm fae have no restrictions.”

  His mother had mentioned a plot to unbind their powers, but Cade hadn’t thought she’d meant it. The danger it would bring if either the Seelie or Unseelie courts found out wasn’t worth the risk.

  “We’ve spoken about the situation,” Cade said.

  “And do you agree with your mother? Should we join forces and break the burden placed against us?”

  “I’ll take it into consideration.” It wasn’t a choice he’d make lightly.

  “Very well.” The queen nodded once. “Our fae powers were never meant to be restrained. I hope you come to the same conclusion your mother and I have. The time for change has come and sides will be chosen whether you’re ready or not.”

  Teaming up with the Winter Queen would guarantee peace between their courts, for the time being, at least. But at what risk?

  Chapter Fifteen

  Scarlett sat in an empty library, arms crossed in front of her and a grimace on her face. She’d marched away from Cade like she knew exactly where she was going, up the curving ice staircase and into a room at the top of the stairs that happened to be full of books.

  She’d wanted to read one while she waited, but she was too afraid she’d touch something she wasn’t supposed to and the Ice Queen would decapitate her with a sword of ice or something equally brutal.

  Nevina gave Kassandra a run for her money when it came to creepiness. Scarlett had experienced Kassandra’s mind gift first hand, and she had no desire to ever do so again. But Nevina was a fae queen, too, and Scarlett had no intention of underestimating her abilities.

  Maybe if Scarlett had been there with a different man, she’d have flown under the queen’s radar. But she was there with Kaelem, someone the queen obviously wanted. Scarlett wouldn’t be granted three strikes before the Ice Queen knocked her out.

  No, Scarlett needed to be on her best behavior.

  She’d been sitting for at least fifteen minutes now. Kaelem should be done.

  Scarlett went back downstairs. The door was still shut, but Cade was gone. Either he gave up or Kaelem left and Cade entered.

  One of the fae who served the food passed Scarlett.

  “Excuse me. Do you know where I’d find the Unseelie King?”

  The woman looked startled, but answered, “He went to your bedroom.”

  Why would he go to her bedroom? “Where exactly is that?”

  “Fourth floor, Miss.”

  “Thank you.”

  When Scarlett found him, he was shirtless and posed on the turquoise and silver design comforter in a less than appropriate position. Unlike the rest of the castle Scarlett had seen, this room was not made entirely of ice. Stone covered the walls and floor. The mahogany bed frame held an intricate design of roses and matched the fireplace hearth across the room, a fire crackling inside.

  “There’s my date,” he said.

  Scarlett used her magic to swing the door shut. It was becoming more second nature all the time. I’m not your date.

  “Now, darling, it’s okay to admit your feelings for me.”

  I’m here because I have to be. Nothing more. “Why are you in my room?”

  Scarlett craved a nap. Her exchange with Cade had her in a bad mood, and Kaelem’s chipper mood wasn’t helping. Her mother had taught her the best cure for crankiness was to sleep it off, and taking that advice sounded perfect right then.

  “Your room?” Kaelem grinned. “Our room, darling.”

  A string of swearing filled Scarlett’s thoughts causing Kaelem to laugh. “Now, now, we have to play our parts.”

  “I need to have better control of my magic if you want me to be any help. So, when we’re behind closed doors, my trainer is the only part you play.” They were going to steal from the Ice Queen. Right now, Scarlett would be more a liability than anything. He needed to get his priorities straight if he actually hoped to succeed.

  “All right then. Let’s practice.” Kaelem scooted over and patted the empty area of the bed next to him, bedding now wrinkled beneath his weight. “We could have some fun to refill your magic supply.”

  Scarlett started to refuse, but then she realized how perfect his abs were. The urge to run her fingers over them struck her. Or better yet, her mouth. He’d taste so lovely.

  No, ew. Scarlett shook her head side to side, desperate to shake away such vile thoughts.

  Kaelem held his stomach as he roared with laughter.

  “I th
ought I’d learned to block you out.” Scarlett huffed.

  “You are getting better at it, but I can push right through the shield if I want.”

  “Ugh.” Scarlett reluctantly sat on the edge of the bed. “I don’t know why you have any delusions I’m going to be of any good to you.”

  “I know you’ll do everything you can.”

  And she would. She’d do whatever was in her power to help him if it was the only way to save her sister. He’d used her love as a weakness.

  “It’s not weak to care for someone,” Kaelem said.

  “Like you care for anyone but yourself.” Scarlett almost regretted her words. She didn’t know Kaelem that well, but he’d taken her sister and she couldn’t forgive him for it.

  A candlestick flew from the bedside table at Scarlett. Instinctively, she blocked it with her hands.

  “Lesson one: your magic is your greatest asset. You need to lose your mortal habits. You have better protection now.” A pillow lifted from the bed right into Scarlett’s face. “If that was something else, you’d be dead.”

  “I was listening to you, not preparing to be attacked by a pillow.”

  “Lesson two: always be prepared. You don’t think someone wanting to hurt you won’t distract you? The stronger the distraction, the more vulnerable you’ll be.”

  She’d show him distraction. Using her magic, she threw a pillow at Kaelem.

  He caught it. “Lesson three: know your opponent’s strengths and weaknesses. I can read minds, and unless you learn to keep me out, I’ll always know your next move.”

  “That’s not fair.”

  “Aww, darling, hasn’t anyone already let you in on the secret that life isn’t fair?”

  “Don’t mock me.”

  “I’m not. But if you want to make it in the fae world, you need to learn no one plays fair. It isn’t in our nature.”

  Our nature. That included Scarlett now.

  She wasn’t a human anymore. And if she kept acting like she was, she’d never save Ashleigh.

  “Being fae isn’t as bad as you make it seem,” Kaelem said.

  “You’ve never been human.”

  “Neither have you, not really.”

  Scarlett glared at him like he’d just insulted her mother. But he was right. Even if her fae nature had been masked, she’d always had it in her.

  But being mortal was all she knew. Sure, humans could be selfish and backstabbing and spiteful. But they could be kind and generous and selfless, too. The fae were too proud. Magic and power were their currencies.

  Scarlett and Kaelem trained more, until finally, Scarlett’s magic ran too low to even lift a feather.

  “I need a break,” Scarlett said. “I’m going for a walk.”

  Scarlett wore the heaviest jacket she could find from the closet. The Winter Queen had provided clothing for all the Solstice guests from other courts, as a way of showing her hospitality, or so she said.

  It was all a ruse if you asked Scarlett. When Kaelem had prepared her for what to expect, he’d told her that the Solstice was when Winter Court fae were at their strongest.

  She’d remembered Cade explaining the courts to her. It seemed like so long ago when she’d spent that day with Cade, when they’d played in the waves. He’d been carefree then, if only briefly. It was a side of Cade she questioned still existed. Scarlett had learned how the fae courts worked. How each seasonal court was tied to Faerie and at their most powerful during their respective season.

  But Scarlett and Kaelem weren’t tied to a season, so their magic was stable. It should give them an advantage. The numbers, however, weren’t in their favor: two against who knew how many. The pressure overwhelmed her.

  Scarlett needed fresh air. She walked down the staircase and found the front door guarded by one fae. When she approached the door, it opened.

  “Thank you,” she said as she stepped outside.

  Instead of following the path that headed into the forest, Scarlett veered off to a path that led around the castle. Hedgerows bordered the path, coated in a thin layer of snow. The cobblestone beneath her feet was perfectly clear.

  An opening in the bushes appeared. Scarlett entered a round garden area, miraculously free from any snow or ice. How was that possible?

  Rose bushes lined the area, planted on the highest tier. The next row had hydrangea and irises. The bottom row had tulips in every color. Although she hadn’t inherited her mother’s green thumb, Scarlett found comfort in the presence of the flowers. They were the one thing that had kept her mother calm on her worst days. She’d prune the garden while talking to the voices in her head. It was strange how much Scarlett missed those days.

  In the center of the area, someone sat on a bench, his back to Scarlett. When he turned his head, Scarlett saw it was Jaser.

  “Hi,” she said. “Sorry to interrupt.”

  “Join, if you’d like,” he said.

  Scarlett sat next to him. “It’s beautiful. How are all the plants alive in the cold?”

  “Magic.”

  “Of course.” That was the answer for everything.

  Jaser chuckled. “Not a fan?”

  Scarlett shrugged. “If you would have told ten-year-old me that there was a world where magic was real and someday she’d have powers of her own, I would have peed my pants in excitement.”

  “Peed your pants, huh? That’s attractive.”

  “It’s a human expression,” Scarlett said. “Guess I shouldn’t use it anymore.”

  A rose that had fallen to the ground drifted upward and over to Scarlett, hovering in the air. “You might physically be fae now, but you’ll never erase your mortal memories.”

  She took the rose and twirled it in her hand. “Thanks.”

  “You’re okay, though?” Jaser asked. “I was glad to see you didn’t die, but surprised to see you with the Unseelie King of all people.”

  “He’s helping me.” Scarlett inhaled the scent of the rose, its sweetness tingling her nose. “I’m still learning how to be fae.”

  “And what about Raith?”

  “Raith?” Could Scarlett trust Jaser to keep a secret? Jaser and Raith were friends, but Jaser now worked for Cade. If he told Cade that Raith still lived, Cade would hunt him down.

  “He’s alive,” Jaser said, watching Scarlett as if waiting for her reaction.

  “Oh?” She was trying to act dumb, but doing a horrible job at it.

  “But you already knew that. I saw him leaving the Winter Castle.” Jaser took Scarlett’s free hand. “You can trust me.”

  Scarlett smiled. Knowing she had a friend sent warmth through her. But if the time came and she had to choose between Jaser and Kaelem, as long as her sister remained in the mirror, she’d have to pick Kaelem. And she couldn’t underestimate Jaser’s loyalty to Cade. As a Summer Court subject, Jaser could easily choose his king over his friendship with Scarlett. “I should be heading back in before Kaelem thinks I got lost in a secret lair.”

  “Goodnight, human.” Jaser winked.

  “’Night.”

  Scarlett snuck back into the room as quietly as she could, praying Kaelem was already asleep.

  “No such luck, darling.” He lay in the bed, the blankets covering his lower half, his upper half shirtless.

  Was he wearing anything?

  “Guess you’ll have to come to see for yourself.” Kaelem winked.

  “Sleeping on the floor never killed anybody.” Scarlett walked to an empty spot on the ground near the fireplace that lit the room. She’d slept on the carpet before, but the stone beneath her feet was so hard.

  Kaelem pulled the covers off of himself, exposing pant covered legs. “I’ll keep the pants on, but clothing is optional for you.”

  The lace had begun to itch. There was no way Scarlett could sleep comfortably in it. Her skin needed to breathe. She slipped the dress off, leaving her in bra and panties.

  A jolt of lust hit her, from Kaelem no doubt.

  “The rest i
s staying on.” Scarlett crawled under the blankets next to Kaelem and pulled them over her body. She turned so her back faced him. “And no cuddling.”

  The bed quivered as he laughed and rolled over. “We fae aren’t always selfish jerks.”

  “I’ll believe it when I see it. Name one person you care more about than yourself?”

  “My sister.” Sincerity filled his voice. He hadn’t mentioned anything about a sister. Probably just a ploy to gain her sympathy.

  “Me too,” Scarlett said. “And you’re the one who took mine from me.”

  “I hope someday you’ll forgive me.”

  “Doubtful.”

  Scarlett pulled the covers into her chest. If his sister were so important to him, he’d never have taken hers. Or did Scarlett’s sister not count since she was mortal?

  Kaelem shuffled away from Scarlett as the room grew dark. “Sleep tight, darling.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  A knock on the door startled Cade. It was late and he had just taken off his boots and shirt. “Yes?”

  “It’s me,” Poppy’s voice drifted through the closed door. “Can I come in?”

  “Sure.”

  The door opened and Poppy’s head peeked in. When she looked at Cade, she froze for a moment, but continued into the room. She was still dressed in her leather guard uniform.

  “I’ve been going back and forth all day, but I think you need to know what happened earlier.”

  Cade could sense guilt coming from the bond.

  Poppy told him how she caught Raith leaving the Winter Castle and chased after him. She’d been fighting him when he trapped her. When she’d finally broken free of the tree restraint, she saw him talking to Jaser.

  When Poppy was about to charge Raith, a woman fae ambushed her from behind a tree. Poppy didn’t know who she was, but she was skilled in combat.

  “I should have told you sooner,” Poppy said. “I just didn’t want to upset you while you were here.”

  Relief swam through Cade. He was glad Raith got away. He shouldn’t be. His older brother was a threat to his legitimacy as king. But, Cade couldn’t deny it was happiness he felt to know Raith lived.