Whims of Fae - The Complete Series

by Nissa Leder

  “Nona, darling, do you agree with your sisters? Will their plan work?”

  Nona smiled. “Yes, father, my sisters are wise.”

  Ankou finished his glass of wine. “Then it’s settled. When the opportunity is right, send Raith in and bring me the Otherworld Queen.”

  Chapter Three

  Scarlett stirred the food on her plate—purple potatoes, the ripest fruit, poultry of some sort. It was even more delicious than fae food, but she’d only eaten a third of it. Now, all mixed, it looked completely unappetizing.

  The dining room sat in the east wing of the castle, in a turret with the highest ceiling she had ever seen. A circular, stone table sat in the room, a long silver runner lining its middle. A glass vase with an assortment of white flowers decorated the center.

  Scarlett’s skin absorbed the sunlight pouring in through the skylight above. She closed her eyes and soaked it in. Serenity washed over her.

  “As beautiful as ever, darling,” Kaelem’s voice echoed through the room.

  When Scarlett opened her eyes, Kaelem was sitting across from her with his feet on the table.

  “And you’re as proper as ever,” Scarlett replied.

  “I’m quite the gentleman.” Kaelem leaned back in the chair.

  With the sunlight highlighting his gray eyes and his suit fitted just right, he looked dashing. Scarlett counted the buttons of his jacket. She could have it off so quickly. Then she could remove his shirt. Or maybe she should go straight for the pants.

  What was she thinking?

  His ganacanagh gift seemed stronger than ever. Had something in him changed or had Scarlett’s new power somehow weakened her ability to resist him?

  Scarlett pulled her head out of the gutter.

  “And what brings you here unexpectedly?” Scarlett asked. “Not that it isn’t a pleasure to see you.”

  “I always love the chance to see you, but I’m here to talk business.”

  Ashleigh’s face flashed in Scarlett’s mind. Had something happened to her sister? She should have gone back right away and brought her here where she could keep her safe. She’d become more powerful than she could have ever dreamed.

  So powerful, she was afraid of herself.

  “Your sister is safe,” Kaelem said.

  How did he know what she was thinking?

  “I’d like to say it’s because I know you so well and we’re soul mates, but your mind is an open book right now. You really let your mental shields drop when you’re emotional.” He mockingly shook a finger at her.

  Shit. Scarlett raised her wards. She needed to be more careful.

  “I also heard the part about the difficult decision of where to unbutton first.”

  Scarlett’s cheek’s flushed.

  With her shields up again, it was easier to subdue his ganacanagh nature. She couldn’t block it out completely, but at least it wasn’t as strong now.

  “How’s Ashleigh doing?” Scarlett hated staying away from her, though she’d grown tired of her cold shoulder.

  “She’s alive. Aria’s doing her best to keep her happy, but your sister is mortal, and she misses her human life.”

  So did Scarlett. Even with the beauty and magic and status turning fae and now Sidhe had given her, she missed Friday night pizza with Natalie and weekend hikes with Teddy. She and Ashleigh had always had their battles, but, at times, they had each other’s backs.

  All of that was gone. Having a sister to fight with was better than having no sister at all.

  “Does she ask about me?”

  Kaelem frowned, pity filling his aura. “No.”

  Scarlett straightened her posture. She was a queen now. Not a broken human who needed the love of her sister. “Any sign of the Fates?”

  “None. They’ve been surprisingly quiet.”

  Why would they take Raith and vanish? It had only been two weeks in this realm, but still. Scarlett expected them to attack right away before anyone could come up with a protection plan.

  Kaelem took his feet off of the table and evanesced into the chair next to Scarlett. “We need to be ready for them.”

  “We don’t even know what they want.” Scarlett smoothed out her dress. Looking at Kaelem so closely was dangerous. She didn’t trust herself.

  “We know they want power. And we might not know their exact plan, but gaining allies now will help us be better prepared when we learn their intentions.”

  “Great. Then find us some allies. I’ve been queen for two weeks. I need to learn how to rule before I can worry about forming alliances.”

  “You took the tree’s power. I can feel the magic buzzing from you now. I don’t know what type of magic you have, but I know it’s strong. Others will sense it, too.” Kaelem placed his hand on Scarlett’s knee. “You’re stronger than you realize.”

  Scarlett met his gaze. “I don’t know what I’m doing. I don’t want this. No one will look at me as a leader to ally with.”

  “You underestimate yourself.”

  Scarlett closed her eyes and pictured herself in the chair Kaelem had been in before. Her skin tingled. In a blink, she evanesced there.

  “Look at you. You’re learning new things all the time.” Kaelem smirked. “Don’t be afraid of power. Use it.”

  “I plan to.” Scarlett stood. “Next time I see the Fates, I will make them pay. That’s my only concern. I’m not fit to be queen or to find allies. I’m sorry.”

  Kaelem sighed. “Very well.”

  “Thank you for your visit. Please don’t tell my sister you came here. I will come to the Unseelie Court soon to visit her.”

  Kaelem evanesced to Scarlett. He gently kissed her cheek. “I look forward to it.”

  After Kaelem was gone, Scarlett returned to the library.

  She might not be ready to lead others, but Kaelem was right, she was powerful. Her days of needing protection from others were over. She would learn everything she could about her new magic and when she found the Fates, she would destroy them.

  Cade groaned as he walked down the stairs. He doubted any other fae royalty were summoned by their mothers as often as he was. If his mother was sick or injured, it might not annoy him so much, but his mother was in perfect health, fully capable of coming to him.

  She just liked to act like she was still the Summer Queen.

  Truthfully, she had been interim queen longer than she had known. Cade had lied—unintentionally at first—when he told everyone he’d defeated his brother. And even when he’d discovered Raith was alive, he tried to convince himself it didn’t matter that he hadn’t officially surrendered, despite the bond between him and Poppy still existing.

  But before Raith had given himself to the Fates to save his mother, he had spoken the words needed to end the Battle of Heirs, and now Cade was the true Summer King.

  The magic coursing through him now was more than anything he could have imagined. He could summon Summer energy as easily as breathing. He could feel a constant connection to his court and its people. He was the strongest fae in his court.

  But here he was, attending to his mother’s call like a five-year-old.

  The guard standing outside Kassandra’s bedroom moved aside when Cade arrived. She’d always had private guards, but having one stationed at her door at all times was new. Cade wasn’t sure what she was afraid of. She was in far more danger when she was queen.

  His mother sat in her usual chaise overlooking the castle grounds.

  A pianist gracefully moved her fingers on the piano keys as a peaceful tone sang throughout the room. Her curly black hair fell to the middle of her back. The cream-colored dress stood out against her dark skin. Her focus remained forward as she paid no attention to Cade’s entrance.

  “You wanted to see me?” Cade asked, biting back his bitter tone as much as he could. It wasn’t just the annoyance of being treated like a child that bothered him. But ever since learning that Raith’s mother was Kassandra’s sister and, worse, that Kassandra may have tri
ed to murder her, Cade didn’t know if he could trust her anymore.

  Or if he should have ever trusted her to begin with.

  But he didn’t want her to know of his doubt. Not yet, at least.

  “This arrived for you.” Kassandra held up a midnight blue invitation decorated with his name in metallic silver writing.

  He took it. The silver seal on the back embossed with a cursive K was already broken. Cade pulled out the matching invitation inside.

  You are formally invited to the Unseelie Ball taking place this Saturday, Unseelie Time. A night of alcohol and dancing and anything else your fae heart could desire in the Court of Night. RSVP ASAP.

  Sincerely, Kaelem.

  “How did you get this?” Cade asked. It was addressed to Cade. How much more specific did it need to be to go directly to him?

  “I’ve asked all mail be delivered here, filtering it out so you aren’t bothered with mundane letters is the least I can do to help you out, son.” Kasandra adjusted the slender gold crown on her head. It was much smaller than the crown she wore as queen, but a statement nonetheless. “The Unseelie King throwing a ball? Such an odd thing for the Night Court.”

  Cade slipped the invitation back inside its envelope. “Well, you know Kaelem. He isn’t a typical Unseelie King.”

  “Is that admiration I hear in your voice?”

  Cade glanced to the young woman playing the piano again. Normally, his mother excused the pianists when she summoned him.

  “You needn’t worry about her. She’s mortal,” Kassandra said.

  Cade reached out and sensed her aura. The faintest bit of mortality emanated from her. It was so weak, it was no wonder he hadn’t noticed it before. Her emotion had been depleted.

  “How long has she been in the Summer Court?”

  Kassandra spread out her fingers and looked at her nails. “A month or so. She’s the favorite of my new pets.”

  “Pets? Who’s bringing the mortals here?”

  As far as Cade knew, Kassandra had rarely been to the human realm.

  “I send out my guards to find the best ones.” Kassandra folded her hands in her lap. “Enough about that. What would make the Unseelie King hold a ball? Did something I should know about happen when you were gone?”

  “Nothing you need concern yourself with. “

  Kassandra pursed her lips. Her eyebrows furrowed, but she didn’t respond.

  “You raised me to be our court’s king. You have to let me do my duty, mother.” Cade glanced to the pianist one more time. There was no sheet music in front of her, but her eyes were fixated as if there was. She was a pretty girl, but radiated not even an ounce of happiness. Even when he’d completely drained Scarlett, she’d still held an inner light. “Did she come here willingly?”

  “Of course.” Kassandra raised her chin. “It’s time for my nap. Thank you for visiting.”

  Cade clenched his jaw. He was king. He would leave when he pleased.

  Kassandra stood and headed to the bed.

  He sighed. It wasn’t worth the fight.

  After he left his mother, Cade headed to Poppy’s room. He hadn’t wanted to indulge his mother’s skepticism of the invitation, but it was out of the ordinary for the Unseelie Court to hold a gathering.

  It was the only court that didn’t hold an annual festival. Until Kaelem became king, its rulers rarely attended other events. It shouldn’t surprise Cade that Kaelem would be the first to break tradition. Even as a prince, he’d involved himself in other court festivities.

  But Cade knew that there was more to it than simply a gathering. The fae world’s equilibrium had been shaken when they’d entered the new realm and Scarlett had gained the tree’s power.

  It wasn’t a coincidence that Kaelem was hosting a ball.

  Cade hesitated in front of Poppy’s door.

  Before Raith had surrendered, Poppy would have felt Cade coming. The bond from the Battle of Heirs ritual had connected them. Now, the bond was gone. The magical tether might not exist anymore, but Cade couldn’t deny the closeness he felt with Poppy.

  He was Summer King. He shouldn’t be afraid of knocking on a woman’s door.

  Why did his stomach clench after he knocked?

  Poppy—dressed in her usual black leather outfit and ponytail—answered the door.

  “Hi,” she said.

  “Can I come in?” Cade asked.

  “Of course.” Poppy opened the door and stepped aside.

  Poppy’s room was small—nearly a quarter the size of Cade’s room—with only the necessities: a dresser, a bed, and a large storage chest. There was no clutter. Her dresser top was empty save for a candle. The only color in the room was the pink hue of the wallpaper, and even that seemed more gray than pink. Even the taupe comforter was perfectly smoothed out and tucked over the bed just right.

  After Cade entered, Poppy shut the door. “Everything okay?”

  “I just finished speaking with my mother.”

  “By choice or did she summon you again?” Poppy chuckled. She liked to make fun of Cade’s inability to deny his mother whenever she called. He’d complained to Poppy many times, but it never changed anything. No matter how frustrated Cade was, he always obliged his mother’s requests.

  He frowned. “You should already know the answer by now.”

  “You can say no, you know?”

  Could he? He didn’t want to answer her every call, but he always did. He didn’t like that she’d opened something addressed specifically to him, but he didn’t tell her not to do it again.

  “I assume you didn’t come here just to complain about your mother.”

  Cade handed Poppy the invitation.

  She pulled it from the shiny envelope and read it. “Hmmm. What do you think it’s about?”

  “I’m not sure. It could be a trap.”

  Poppy handed it back to him. “Maybe. Or it could be a chance for him to gain allies. He’s a cocky bastard, and he’s never given us a reason to trust him, but it sends a bad message if you don’t go. Are you prepared for the consequences of that?”

  She was right. Refusing the invitation after everything that had happened could earn him an enemy. Maybe a few. He had worried Scarlett wouldn’t let him and Poppy leave the Sidhe realm. He’d done little to earn her respect. But she’d allowed him to go with no promise that he was on her side.

  Would she be there?

  “Will you attend the ball with me?” Cade stared at Poppy as he waited for her answer.

  He remembered the taste of her lips on his in the cave after Rowen had saved them. How far would things have gone if Sage hadn’t interrupted them? A part of him wished their moment hadn’t been disrupted, but another part of him was thankful. It had been a reckless decision with no thought of how it might affect their future and the future of the Summer Court. He confided in Poppy more than anyone. If things between them became awkward, who would he have to entrust with his secrets?

  Redness settled in Poppy’s cheeks. Was she remembering their moment together, too? “Of course. I’ll serve as your guard whenever and wherever you need.”

  “I don’t plan to bring any guards. It would be as my date.” Cade fought the urge to fidget. Asking her to be his date walked a fine line, but he didn’t think bringing an official guard would send the right message. And, truthfully, he liked the idea of Poppy as more than just his guard.

  “Sure.” Poppy’s large eyes stared into his.

  He wanted to close the distance between them, but he didn’t. “Perfect. I’ll let you know soon when we’ll leave.”

  Poppy was Cade’s greatest ally. He trusted her more than anyone else.

  Was changing their relationship worth the risk?

  The breeze drifted through the trees, blowing the berry, rust, and honey-colored leaves from their branches. More would grow back in the same hues, not green like anywhere else.

  The familiar colors were comforting to Sage. The Autumn Forest had been where she’d spent most o
f the last five years.

  She now faced the only other place she’d ever called home: the Autumn Castle. Ivy covered most of the stone, making it look green from afar. Sage inhaled the magic from the life around her.

  She’d been able to cross the hedge protecting the castle grounds without a problem. It honored her royal blood, despite what her father might think of her. The magic that protected the castle belonged to the court, not its ruler, and Sage’s blood was as much the blood of a princess as it had been before she’d left.

  That should have been the hard part, but halfway to the castle, her feet had frozen in place, and she now stood motionless.

  Why did facing her family again petrify her so much? It was understandable the first time she returned home. She hadn’t spoken to them in years and, though she’d never regretted her choice to leave, she’d always wished she’d respected them enough to say goodbye. But Raith was counting on her then. He needed information and it was worth the sacrifice of revealing her secret in order to help him. She’d sucked it up and faced them again and was welcomed home more than she could have hoped to have been.

  He was counting on her now, too. Even if he didn’t know it.

  She remembered the look on his face when he made the bargain with the Fates, the blankness that washed over his features. He went to them without a glance at anyone. It was so unlike the Raith Sage had grown so fond of.

  That Raith was gone, for now. They’d get him back.

  But they needed all the help they could get, which brought Sage here to speak with her father.

  Sage gritted her teeth and continued toward the castle.

  The two guards didn’t move as she passed them. They too could sense her royal blood. Unlike the hedge, they were under her father’s orders, so he must not have forbidden her entrance.

  The door opened for her and she went inside, heading straight to the throne room.

  Her father sat upon the throne, a crown atop his head and his owl perched on his shoulder. Sage had expected as much. What she hadn’t expected was the woman in the icy blue dress and platinum hair standing in front of him.