by Nissa Leder
“Welcome to our home,” the queen said. “It’s an honor to meet you.”
Sage looked at Raith, wide-eyed. Was she afraid he’d tell them the truth?
Raith bowed. “The honor is mine.”
“What makes you think we can help?” the king asked.
Sage explained what Kaelem had said, how he’d met a servant whose memories showed that Raith’s mother was Kassandra’s sister. “The servant worked for the Summer Court but fled here, which is where the Unseelie King claims to have seen her.”
“You’re friends with the Unseelie King?” the king asked.
“He’s an acquaintance of Raith’s,” Sage replied, eyes locked on her father’s.
He didn’t blink. With his hands gripping the throne arms, he stared at Sage with furrowed brows.
“He’s a Summer Prince,” Sage added.
“The one who lost the battle against his brother?” The king’s expression turned sour. “I’d heard he’d been killed.”
“Obviously not.” Sage huffed. “It doesn’t matter who he is. Will you help us or not?”
The king’s glare fixed on Sage. His distaste for Raith was apparent, but Raith didn’t want her getting herself into any trouble. Royal blood or not, Raith didn’t think the king would take kindly to rudeness.
The queen spoke before the situation could escalate. “I will see if I can find her.” She glanced back and forth between her husband and her daughter.
“Thank you, mother.” Sage turned to her and dipped her head.
“For now, you may take your old room. I’ll have a servant prepare it for you two.”
For them both? Raith shouldn’t have been surprised. Sage had basically just claimed him as her lover. Why wouldn’t they share a room?
“Thank you for your kindness,” Raith said. He’d learned long ago the importance of being polite to fae royals. Nothing struck their egos more.
“We will take a walk around the castle grounds while we wait for our room,” Sage said, avoiding her father’s gaze.
Raith followed Sage outside through a door on the side of the castle to a creek surrounded by trees shedding their leaves. Though it was spring, the Autumn Court lived in a continuous cycle of birth and rebirth. The sound of flowing water sent serenity through Raith. The colors of fall all around was the most beautiful sight he’d ever seen. The bright colors of the Summer Court plant life dulled in comparison.
Sage stopped and turned toward Raith. “Thank you for playing along.”
“Any time,” Raith said. “Why didn’t you just tell them the truth?”
“The Autumn Court is different than the rest.” Sage bent near the creek and placed her hand in the water. “It’s old-fashioned in its beliefs. While the rest of the courts let go of past standards, the Autumn Court has hung on as tightly as it could.”
“They don’t know you prefer women?” Raith plopped down a few feet behind Sage. Close enough they could speak quietly, but far enough he wouldn’t get wet.
“They know, or at least they knew I did. I know they hoped I’d change my mind. I am not the daughter my father wanted. Thankfully for him, he got two.”
“You have a sister?”
“Yes, younger. She’s probably pent up in some tower studying as good princesses do. I haven’t seen her since I left.” Sage frowned.
“I noticed your father’s throne was bigger than the rest.”
“Yes, only men can be rulers here in the Autumn Court.” Sage sighed. “Women are to be subservient. It’s ridiculous and why I left.”
Wow. Raith didn’t know the Autumn Court was so chauvinistic. According to its history, The Summer Court had been open to women rulers for over three centuries. “Yikes.”
Sage had come back here for Raith. If pretending to be her lover made it any easier for her, then it was the least he could do.
“We should head in,” Sage said. “Mother will expect us at dinner.”
Raith admired the plant life surrounding them. The energy radiating from it gave him a buzz, like the perfect moment after drinking alcohol when every inch of him felt good but his mind was still his and not the wine’s.
The closer to the castle they got, the slower Sage walked.
Before they went inside, Raith said. “Thank you. I owe you.”
“Don’t forget it.” Sage smiled and slugged Raith’s arm.
Nearly getting eaten alive by wolves turned out to be one of the best things to happen to Raith. He was thankful to call Sage a friend, and he’d be even more thankful to learn everything he could about his mother.
Cade blocked the sword swinging at his throat. He pushed it back with his own sword, and, with a spin, struck at Poppy’s feet.
She jumped over the blade, landing in a somersault then rolling into a crouch.
“I admit, you’ve improved,” Poppy said as she stood. “But you have yet to take me down.”
Cade sprinted toward her, sword raised. They matched each other stroke for stroke, the clinging of blades ricocheting through the circular stone training room where they’d trained for the Battle of Heirs.
Although the people of the Summer Court thought Cade had defeated his brother and earned the crown, he and Poppy knew the truth: the Battle of Heirs continued.
And, thanks to a visit from the Fates, he knew he needed to end the battle once and for all.
Poppy shrieked as she lunged, sword aimed at Cade’s heart, determination in her eyes.
Cade dove out of the way, quickly spun and used his free arm to take out Poppy’s legs from behind.
As she fell to the ground with a thud, her weapon slipped from her hands. Cade pushed himself on top of her, his sword above her throat.
“I did it,” he said, pleased he’d finally won a sparring battle.
“Took you long enough,” Poppy replied.
Cade could feel her body beneath his. The bond that remained between them intensified any interaction they had, both sensitive to each other’s emotions. A new thrill rushed through Cade, stirring his stomach.
Poppy stared at him, something dancing in her eyes.
As lust radiated through Cade, he wondered if it was just his own or if Poppy, too, felt what he had.
Cade pushed himself up, reaching out his hand to Poppy. To his surprise, she grabbed on and let him help her up.
“Lunch?” he asked.
“Sure.”
They walked silently to the dining room. The hallway and staircase to the castle’s bottom floor remained empty, the only noise a sputter of a candle hanging on the wall. Cade knew the castle staff feared his mother, but he’d hoped they’d be less afraid after he became king. That wasn’t the case, though.
Now they just feared him, too.
White porcelain plates sat inside larger golden chargers at each place along the long dining table. A floral centerpiece decorated the middle, surrounded by unlit candles. With a small amount of magic from Cade, the wickers flamed.
After he and Poppy sat, a mortal servant came and filled their glasses with water then asked what they’d like to eat. Once she’d left to have the food prepared, Cade flicked his hand and the door swung shut.
“The Fates came to visit me,” he said, carefully watching Poppy for her reaction. He wasn’t sure how much she knew about the women known for spewing off important prophecies, but as a child he’d been taught not to always trust them.
Poppy raised an eyebrow. “What did they say?”
Cade told them of their warning. That the Summer Court was in danger if he didn’t fully become king.
“We should have killed Raith when they fled the Winter Court,” Poppy scoffed.
Part of him agreed. It was an opportunity now lost. But he hadn’t wanted to kill Raith. He’d been relieved to see that his brother was still alive until the Fates had come and made him question it. “Kaelem would have fought back.”
“He wouldn’t have hurt you. They left the Winter Queen and your mother both alive. He knows killing anoth
er ruler would be frowned upon by all the other courts.”
“But he could have hurt you.”
Poppy’s cheeks blushed. Was she embarrassed at the thought of Kaelem getting the best of her? He was an Unseelie King, uninhibited in his fae power. He’d taken Cade down in the Winter Court battle. As Summer Fae, the odds were not in their favor to defeat a mortal realm fae. Cade was reminded of Nevina’s suggestion to join forces and take on the Seelie and Unseelie courts. It was ludicrous to think they stood a chance with their hands tied behind their backs thanks to the curse placed on the seasonal Faerie courts. Yet, there were four Faerie courts and only two in the mortal realm.
“It might have been worth it, if it earned you the crown,” Poppy said, her gaze avoiding Cade’s.
“No, it wouldn’t have.”
His time with Scarlett had taught him to care for someone else, regardless of his royal station. He’d always feared getting close to anyone, afraid all they’d see him as was a prince. But his day at the beach with Scarlett had changed him.
Since she’d left the Summer Court, he’d spent most of his time with Poppy. Perhaps it was just the bond between them, but he trusted her. She was a fierce warrior, ready to sacrifice herself if it was best for the Summer Court. Cade couldn’t have picked a better second for the Battle of Heirs.
“I received an invitation to the Seelie Court for the queen’s annual ball,” Cade said. “I’d like you to accompany me.”
“Of course. I’d be honored to serve as your guard again.”
“The Seelie Queen frowns upon bringing guards. You’d be joining me as a date. But if war breaks out, I won’t turn away your many skills.” Cade chuckled.
Poppy grinned—an expression Cade rarely saw her wear. “Very well. If I must be your date to keep you safe, then I better pick out a worthy dress.”
The only time he’d ever seen Poppy in anything other than fighting gear was at the Winter Court. He wouldn’t have guessed she’d look as lovely as she did in a dress, and he wouldn’t admit it aloud, but he liked the idea of her wearing one again.
“Yes, we wouldn’t want anyone mistaking you for my guard this time.”
“No, definitely not.”
Kaelem’s offer played in Scarlett’s mind. If Ashleigh didn’t miss her old life so badly, maybe she’d be happy there in Faerie until Scarlett felt it was safe for them to return to the mortal world. Well, for Ashleigh to return. Scarlett wasn’t sure where she belonged anymore.
But taking away her memories? Scarlett couldn’t think of a worse violation. Memories were sacred. They were what made everyone who they were. Would taking them from someone change who she was as a person? And Ashleigh used the word love with her new boyfriend. Scarlett couldn’t steal that feeling from her sister.
There had to be another way. If Ashleigh would just listen to Scarlett, she’d understand reason. Scarlett wanted Ashleigh to have everything she ever dreamed of. She also wanted her safe.
Scarlett knocked on Ashleigh’s door, this time waiting to enter. She hadn’t respected Ashleigh’s pleas to leave her alone. No wonder Ashleigh’s hatred of Scarlett grew.
No answer.
Scarlett knocked again. “Ash, it’s me. Can we talk for a minute? Then I’ll leave you alone. Promise.”
Still nothing.
Scarlett should leave her be. She could try again later. But she needed to try one more time to make Ashleigh see how much Scarlett wanted to make her happy. Then she’d respect Ashleigh’s wishes and leave her alone forever if that was what she wanted.
Scarlett turned the door handle and cracked open the door. “I’m coming in.”
Darkness filled the room. She flicked on the light.
To her surprise, the room was empty. The chair by the window faced outside, but Ashleigh wasn’t in it. Scarlett checked the bathroom. Still no Ashleigh. Strange.
Ashleigh hadn’t left the room once since she’d learned the truth about Scarlett. Where would she have gone? Maybe Aria convinced her to go for a walk.
Scarlett was about to give up and try again later when a piece of paper on the bed caught her attention. She picked it up. It wasn’t Ashleigh’s handwriting.
Scarlett,
Please, please, please don’t hate me. Ashleigh begged me to help her, and I couldn’t ignore the desperation in her eyes.
I’ve taken her back to her apartment for a few days. She needed to let her boyfriend and friends know that she’s okay. After she’s had a chance to say goodbye, I’ll bring her back kicking and screaming if I have to.
In the meantime, I’ll keep her safe. Promise.
Forgive me. I owe you my life, but I couldn’t watch Ashleigh feel like a prisoner another moment longer.
Aria
* * *
The rage began in Scarlett’s fingertips, tingling her nerves as it traveled up her arms. When it hit her heart, a scream exploded from her lungs.
All the glass in the room—from the windows to the chandelier to the vase full of roses on the nightstand—shattered, clear shards scattering across the floor.
Scarlett’s body shook as her furor consumed her. Who was Aria to decide what was best for Ashleigh? Scarlett was her sister. And she had risked everything to help Kaelem rescue Aria. What kind of thanks was stealing Ashleigh?
Her fury turned to betrayal as sobs attacked Scarlett’s chest.
Someone appeared in front of her, wrapping his arms around her.
“Shhh….” Kaelem said as he hugged her. “What happened?”
Scarlett cried against Kaelem’s shoulder until her tears subsided. “Your sister took her.”
Had Kaelem known? Scarlett reached her mind toward his. In his confusion, a crack appeared. She slipped in.
Aria? Why would she take Ashleigh?
“She thought I was treating Ashleigh like a prisoner by keeping her here,” Scarlett answered.
You sneaky thing, jumping in my head like that.
Kaelem pulled back, a smile spread across his face. He wiped Scarlett’s tears from her cheeks.
Scarlett pointed to the note on the bed.
After Kaelem read it, he said, “She will protect her. Aria is the fiercest thing I know.”
“Was she fierce when the Winter Queen imprisoned her?” Scarlett snapped, immediately regretting her words.
She waited for Kaelem to snap back, but instead, he said, “No, she was naive then and in love.”
“If anything happens to Ash, I …”
“It won’t,” Kaelem said. “I’d love to keep you company here at the Unseelie Court while you await their return, but I’m afraid I have to go to the Seelie Court for the queen’s ball.” He groaned.
“Take me,” Scarlett said. She couldn’t sit here alone, spending the hours worried for her sister. And as much as she was mad at Aria for taking Ashleigh without consulting her first, Scarlett knew Aria was right. Ashleigh was miserable there, and if Scarlett followed them to the mortal world, Ashleigh wouldn’t get the closure she needed.
“I can’t.”
“What?” Scarlett was good enough to force into being a date to the Winter Solstice but now that she actually wanted to go with him, he wouldn’t take her?
Reading her thoughts, he replied, “I’d love nothing more than to have a companion join me, but you’re part Seelie and the queen will sense it, and she’ll wonder why you’re with the Unseelie King.”
Scarlett’s body slumped. She couldn’t sit here alone. She’d go mad. “There’s no way to hide my Seelie nature?”
Kaelem tilted his head to his side.
Scarlett tried to read his thoughts, but his mental shield was too strong.
“You won’t like it,” he said.
“I won’t like staying here by myself, either.”
“If you feed from my emotion, it will mask your Seelie aura. But you’ll have to be constantly full of my magic or she’ll know.”
That wasn’t so bad.
“The only emotion I can keep consisten
tly strong enough to suffice will be lust.” His stare met hers and she could feel his desire. “The best chance will be if you’re full of your own lust as well.”
Raith’s face popped into Scarlett’s mind. The bond between them remained, but he was far away in Faerie searching for answers about his mother, weakening their connection.
They’d agreed in so many words they were each free to do what they wanted. And they’d never even committed to each other to begin with. Being fae differed from being human. With emotions much higher for fae, monogamy wasn’t as prevalent as it was in the mortal world.
And although Scarlett understood Raith’s need to learn more about his mother, he’d left her again. They were on separate paths, and if their paths reunited again, then so be it. She wouldn’t wait around for some guy to bring her happiness.
She was no damsel in distress tied to some prince. Her life was hers to live, her choices hers to make.
“Then that’s what we’ll do,” Scarlett said.
A smirk appeared on Kaelem’s face as his silver eyes bore into hers. “We’ll leave tomorrow.”
Desire radiated through Kaelem’s body as Scarlett agreed to the terms of attending the Seelie ball with him, certain parts more excited than others.
His ganacanagh nature made him hornier than most fae, which by nature thrived on lust as it was, and he’d wanted Scarlett for a while now. But he’d grown to respect her more than any other female fae not related to him and forced himself to respect her boundaries. He owed her after everything he’d done to entice her to help him save Aria, and, even when he’d given her the chance to abandon him, she’d chosen to stay.
But she’d agreed on what needed to be done to mask her Seelie nature, and Kaelem could only be so much of a gentleman before his ganacanagh nature won out.
More than anything, they couldn’t risk the Seelie Queen discovering Scarlett’s mix of fae nature. The Seelie Court fae were elitists, forbidden from mating with fae from other courts and most of all, from mating with humans. However, Scarlett had come into existence because someone had broken both of those rules.
