I frown. “The easier what will be?”
Her eyes close in one, slow blink. “Your accession to power, of course.”
I watch her lift an elegant hand. She gives me a soft smile. I might even say it’s reassuring, if it weren’t for the regretful gleam in her eye. “I am sorry I cannot explain more, but we are running out of time. The darkness is already leaving me. Wield it wisely, my dear Serafina. The innocents need someone like you.”
She snaps her finger. The diadem vanishes. I panic, then feel the subtle weight of something on my head. My fingers brush against the smooth metal, and my skin zings with its power. I drop my hand and turn my attention back towards the chair.
I inhale sharply. The fine room and massive desk are nowhere to be seen. I am back in the cavern.
Vagar stands along the edge of space. Suddenly, he drops to his knees and lowers his neck in a great show of reverence. I glance across the cavern and see the stunning Fae standing in the center of the room. A cloud of black billows at her feet. She is smiling at Vagar, and I get the feeling they’ve met before.
The floor begins to shake. Loose stone crumbles from the walls.
I groan. Not another earthquake!
“Who are you?” I shout above the noise, determined to get answers.
She turns to me. Contentment shines from her eyes. “They call me Queen Lani. I was once the queen of all that is good. Now, I am free.” The black smoke travels up her legs. The mysterious Fae takes one last breath, smiles wide, and then she’s gone. She’s literally vanished into a cloud of smoke.
“SERA!” My head whips towards the path.
“SERA! Where are you?”
I know that voice…
Vagar arrives by my side. I spare him a glance, then take off in the direction of the sound. The creature follows close behind. I’m no longer afraid of him. He’s an ally. I feel it in my bones.
I turn left, then right. The path isn’t as dark as I remember. I navigate it with ease, my heart thumping in my chest.
I make another turn and run right into a muscular torso. Strong hands steady me. I look up into familiar violet eyes and the weight of my trials finally pushes me over the edge. I begin to cry, but I smile through the tears.
“Bass,” I whisper his name, and it’s like I’m able to breath for the first time in weeks. I throw myself at my friend, holding tight. I inhale the scent of his cologne, and the familiar smell soothes me.
Bass is stiff beneath my arms, but I don’t release him. My cheek rests against his shoulder, content to rest in this happy moment, momentarily forgetting about the crumbling cave around us.
“Sera? You recognize me?”
The odd question interrupts my happy daze. I lean back, frowning when I see Bass’s apprehensive expression.
“Of course, I recognize you.” I tilt my head to the side. “Why wouldn’t I?”
His eyes move to the top of my head. His breath catches, and he murmurs, “You got the diadem.” He lifts a hand and slowly reaches up until his fingers brush against the metal. Power zips through my skull, shooting down my spine. Bass pulls back. My vision goes black for a second, but clarity returns quickly. And I’m not just talking about my sight.
My memories… all of my memories hit me like a bucket of ice water, shocking me out of ignorance.
The two Seelie Sentries showing up at the bar.
Running with Pascale through Central Park.
I remember it all.
I stumble away from Bass. Betrayal and hurt stab me in the chest.
Bass is King Sebastian. King Sebastian is Bass. The Unseelie king is one of my closest friends, and I had no idea.
But he did.
Bass knew all along. Pascale is the one who wiped my memories. But instead of telling me the truth, he let me stay in the dark. Words cannot describe the amount of anger coursing through my veins.
My palms land flat on his chest, and I push back with all my might. I’m irritated when he doesn’t move more than a couple of inches.
“You definitely remember,” he mutters dryly.
I’m so close to losing control. All I’ve experienced since Pascale’s mind swipe plays on repeat.
The fear…
The pain…
Knowing Bass stood by and let it all happen… it’s infuriating. And my soul is hurting.
“How could you?” Emotion thickens my voice, making my words barely audible.
But Bass is Fae. He hears me easily.
Another tremor shakes the cavern.
Bass grabs my hands. I try to yank away, but his grip is strong. He gives me a shake.
Behind me, Vagar grumbles his objection to me being manhandled. Bass ignores him.
“Sera, I will explain everything later. Right now, we need to get out of here before the mountain collapses on us.”
I want to defy him and plant myself where I stand, but his next words clear me of the selfish desire. “Jordan needs you.”
This time, Bass releases me when I pull back. I take off. Again, I marvel at how clear the path seems this time around. I don’t need to trail a hand along the wall or use fire to know where to go.
Sunlight flickers through an opening ahead.
Wait…
That’s not right.
My feet slip against the uneven ground as I skid to a halt. Vagar’s massive fingers wrap around my arm and keep me from falling on my behind. Bass frowns and steps closer to me, giving Vagar’s hand a pointed look. The creature gives another disgruntled grunt, but his grip loosens.
Once Vagar releases me, Bass meets my questioning gaze. “What is it?” Even now, after weeks of deception and manipulation, the fact he knows me so well makes my stomach flip.
“I see the sun.” Last I checked, the entrance to the cavern had been blocked by a cascade of stones.
The corner of his lip lifts, and I hate myself for how attractive I think he looks. “How do you think I got in here?”
I’m not given the chance to respond. An agonized moan reaches my ears, and I’m back to running.
I reach Jordan. She’s curled on the ground. Blood has seeped through the majority of the cloak I’d given her. I fall to my knees, leaning over her. “Jordan? Can you hear me?”
Her lashes flutter open, and glazed eyes meet mine. “Sera?”
I grab her hand and press it against my chest. “It’s me.”
“You’re…” Jordan coughs. Flecks of blood hit my face. I don’t wipe them away. All of my attention rests on my friend. She’s pale… dangerously pale. I’m afraid I took too long. I kick myself for wasting time with Bass. Jordan’s life is more important than our reunion. “You’re back.”
“Yes,” I confirm, tears gathering in my eyes. “I’m back. And I got the diadem.”
Jordan’s eyes shift to the top of my head. She smiles weakly. “I knew you’d get it.” Another bout of coughing attacks. I continue to clutch her hand like a lifeline.
What is Queen Aria waiting for? I’ve completed her task. Why aren’t the troops coming in to save us? We should be called back by now.
Annoyingly, Bass seems to be able to read my mind. “You must exit the cavern, Sera. Only then will the Seelie know you are successful. They cannot see into the cavern.”
I hear what he’s saying, but I can’t imagine leaving Jordan’s side. She doesn’t look good. I can’t leave her alone. What if something happens while I’m gone?
“Go,” Jordan tells me. Maybe my expressions are just easy to read. How else could both Bass and Jordan be so in-tuned with my thoughts? “I’ll be fine.”
I bite my lip, glancing between Jordan and the blue sky which suddenly decided to make its appearance on the Cursed Mountain.
“Go.” Jordan weakly tugs her hand. I release my hold. She shoos me with the same hand, before it falls to her side.
Reluctantly, I get to my feet. I look at my friend, loathing the idea of leaving her alone.
Bass steps closer. “I’ll stay with her, but if you
want her to survive, you need to go out there.”
We lock eyes. Seconds pass, and I see the truth in his gaze.
Fae can’t lie.
Bass is Fae.
With a firm nod, I turn around and step towards the exit. I am almost out of the cavern when I hear a hurried, “Wait.”
I stop, turning slowly towards Bass. His body is rigid, but his hands flex and unflex at least three times before he speaks. “Do not tell them you remember your past.”
My eyes grow wide. That’s not what I expected him to say. “Why not?”
His smile is sad. “Because they can’t know who you are, or they will kill you.”
Bass let me believe we were strangers for weeks, but he speaks the truth. I might be angry, but I’d be a fool to not heed his advice.
I turn back around without another word. With a deep breath, I step out into the sunlight, announcing my victory to all who are watching, and hopefully saving Jordan’s life with my sacrifice.
31
The roar of the crowd is deafening. I blink, confused. I’m no longer on the mountain. Through magic, I’ve been transported back to the town center where the queen kicked off the contest. Blurry faces are smiling at me, and unfamiliar voices are chanting my name. I want to retreat back to the cavern and hide, but one look over my shoulder confirms I am surrounded by enthusiastic Fae. I don’t know where Bass and Jordan are. I try to find them, but my sight fills with nothing but strangers. Panic begins to rise in my chest, clawing its way up my throat. I am seconds away from screaming.
“Serafina!” Camden breaks away from the sea of faces, closing the distance between us. His hands latch onto my arms. I cringe. I’m covered in filth, and the prince is as pristine as ever. I try to step back and break his hold, but he has other plans.
Without warning, Camden yanks me forward and crashes his lips against mine.
The crowd goes wild. Hoots and cheers assault my ears. Camden’s arms wrap around me without a care for my disheveled state. One hand sneaks up my back and fingers dig into my hair, holding me in place as his lips move against mine. I’m shocked, but instinct has me kissing him back. Though, my mouth doesn’t move as enthusiastically as his.
It doesn’t matter. Camden releases a quiet groan when he feels my response. He breaks the kiss and presses his forehead against mine, taking a shuttering breath. Bright, green eyes trap me within their depths, and I can’t help but notice there is a similarity between the color and the color of the cavern queen’s eyes.
His mouth lifts into a smile, and there is no denying his genuine happiness. “You did it, Sera. You won the contest.”
His words snap me out of my daze. Right, the contest.
Supposedly, I’m his fiancé now. I’ll have to address that soon, but there’s more pressing matters at hand right now.
My spine straightens, and I clear my throat. “Jordan’s hurt. She needs help.” I go to move away, but Camden’s arms don’t slip away. Actually, his grip tightens.
“Jordan is at the castle,” he tells me. “The moment you stepped out of the cavern, I ordered all contestants transported to the healers. She’s being treated as we speak.”
I cannot begin to describe the depth of relief I feel. My legs begin to shake, finally succumbing to the effects of my stress. Camden’s arms are the only reason I don’t fall into a helpless puddle on the ground. “Thank you,” I whisper, my eyes closing as I silently request whatever deity watches over us to make sure Jordan is alright.
The crowd continues to shout, congratulating me on my victory. They don’t know I’m in the middle of a near-breakdown. Some yell for Camden to kiss me again. Heat gathers in my cheeks, and I duck my chin to hide the evidence of my embarrassment. All I want is to go check on Jordan, then take a shower. And maybe sleep for three days straight. A sigh escapes me. Sleeping on a mattress sounds heavenly.
Suddenly, I’m aware of how quiet the crowd has fallen. I lift my chin and look at the Fae over Camden’s shoulder. All eyes are trained on something behind me. I turn. Camden’s arms fall away.
The crowd parts like the Red Sea. Queen Aria glides towards us, her head held high, and her chin parallel to the ground. The train of her green chiffon gown flows elegantly behind her. She’s the epitome of grace. Two guards flank her on either side. Camden shifts so he isn’t behind me, positioning his right bicep slightly in front of me in a protective stance.
I’m not given the chance to wonder about the move. Stark purple eyes catch mine. Bass walks five steps behind the queen. His demeanor is back to that of the aloof Unseelie king. My heart hurts. I can’t believe he’d left me in the dark for so long. I’ve never felt so betrayed.
The queen stops three feet away. Camden bows. I remember Patricia’s training and dip into a respectful curtsy, only rising when Camden does.
I lift my eyes to the queen, but her attention rests solely on the diadem adorning my head. Her eyes gleam, and her excited voice breaks the silence, “Serafina Roberts. Congratulations. You have proven yourself worthy to marry my nephew, Prince Camden.”
The crowd erupts, clapping and chanting my name. They fall silent, once again, when the queen raises a delicate hand.
Camden’s fingers brush mine, and I take it as a cue to speak. “Thank you, Your Majesty.” My voice lacks emotion, but at least I don’t stutter.
Queen Aria’s attention remains on the diadem. I begin to wonder if she ever plans to take her eyes off it.
Camden leans towards the right, his head blocking the queen’s view. She has no choice but to meet his gaze. When he sees he has her attention, he clears his throat and respectfully says, “Aunt, with your permission, I’d like to escort Serafina back to the castle. She needs to see a healer and rest.”
Yes!
I’ll be able to check on Jordan!
I could kiss Camden for his thoughtfulness. The thought elicits another heated blush. Maybe I shouldn’t think about kissing him again, not while he’s still under the impression we are engaged. It will send mixed messages.
“Of course,” the queen waves a dismissive hand, her eyes, once again, searching out the diadem.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Camden reaches back and laces his fingers with mine. I don’t resist his gentle tug, more than willing to follow him if it means I can escape all of this attention.
Our escape is thwarted when the queen lifts another hand, and one of her guards steps forward, blocking our path.
I look at Camden for guidance, but he is frowning at the queen. “Your Majesty?”
“You may leave once I have the diadem.” She gestures to the mentioned object. I swear, she is practically salivating.
Camden’s back muscles flex. “I was under the impression the diadem was intended for my future bride.” It’s a challenge. I hold my breath, waiting to see the queen’s reaction.
Queen Aria wears a light smile, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “Of course, dear nephew. The diadem is, indeed, intended for your bride.” Calculating green eyes slide toward me before slipping back to the prince. “I only wish to keep it safe until the day you are wed. That is reasonable, no?”
She presents it as a choice, but the hard glint in her eye and the stiffening of her guards reveal it isn’t a choice at all.
Camden’s hand tightens around mine. I squeeze back, hoping he takes that as encouragement. I don’t care about the diadem. She can have it.
Camden releases a long breath. “Of course.” He turns to me and tilts his head to the side, confirming he has my permission.
I nod, then tip my forehead down so he can have better access. He drops my hand and goes to remove the diadem. I feel him tug, but the diadem doesn’t move.
I peek up through my lashes, and I see Camden’s eyes widen with astonishment. He tugs again, but, again, the diadem remains in place.
“What is going on?” Queen Aria snaps, abandoning her calm and collected image.
“It’s…” Camden pauses, at a loss for how to describe what h
as happened.
“It’s what?” She demands. Her malice puts me on edge, and I’m afraid what she might do when she realizes what’s going on.
Camden’s lips press together. He must share my fear, but we don’t really have a way to avoid telling the truth. He straightens, puffing out his chest, and turns to meet the queen’s impatient glare. This time, he places his entire body in front of me. “The diadem is stuck to Serafina’s head. It has chosen her.”
My eyebrows draw together.
What does he mean it chose me?
“Like Hell, the diadem chose her. She is a human,” the queen spits out the word with venom. She stomps forward, completely abandoning her graceful air, and reaches out to snatch the diadem from my head. Only, Camden is in her way. He doesn’t move.
“Move aside,” she commands.
“No.”
The crowd gasps. As do I.
The shock on the queen’s face is almost comical. “I do believe I’ve misheard you, Prince Camden.” There is a threatening edge to her voice. I’m suddenly afraid of what she will do to Camden if he continues to protect me rather than listen to her. I can’t stomach the idea of anyone else getting hurt. There’s been too much bloodshed already.
So, I place my hand on Camden’s back, silently urging him not to fight me on this. Then, I step beside him. I’m not so brave as to move any closer to the queen, but I won’t hide behind Camden and let him be punished. My body trembles, but I force myself to put on a blank face and look at the queen. She smirks, and steps forward, reaching for the diadem.
Tension rolls off Camden. He looks ready to intervene the moment the queen makes a move against me. I hope he doesn’t. I don’t need to know the queen well to know that will not end favorably for either of us.
I hold my breath and wait for the inevitable, proud of myself for not fidgeting or leaning away. Either Queen Aria will be able to get the diadem and she will leave me alone, or she won’t and there will be untold hell to pay.
Slender fingers disappear above my line of sight. I feel pressure when she touches the diadem. Sharp pain flares behind my eyes, and I gasp. Whatever power resides in the simple piece of metal, it does not like the feel of the queen’s touch. It gets worse when she begins to tug, trying to remove the diadem. I try to hold the signs of my discomfort back, but it magnifies with each of the queen’s pulls.
Shadows and Sorcery: A Collection of Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance Novels Page 157
