Whims of Fate

by Nissa Leder

  “Please,” Scarlett pled. “I’ll do anything.”

  “You’re too late.”

  When Scarlett tried to step toward them, her feet wouldn’t move. Neither would her arms. She was paralyzed.

  Tears of blood dripped from Ashleigh’s bulging eyes. Kassandra held her tight until Ashleigh’s body went limp, falling to the ground.

  Kaelem held his breath as his body left the Unseelie Court and evanesced to the mortal realm. His body tingled as it moved swiftly with magic. His first year of evanescing left him nauseous any time he moved a long distance, but now, it was second nature and a pleasant sensation.

  His body appeared in front of a mundane human apartment complex. Cars sat side-by-side, parked tightly in the crowded lot. Kaelem stepped over scattered cigarette butts on the sidewalk as he followed the pull inside of him.

  Mortals were interesting creatures. Not only did they have such short lives, but they chose to risk lethal disease to shorten their lifespans even more by smoking these disgusting things. Kaelem held his breath so he wouldn’t inhale their toxic scent.

  The sound of the voices inside the apartment poured out through the cracks around the door as he approached. Giggles and cheers mixed with conversation. A party. This would be more interesting than Kaelem had planned.

  He had two options. Wear a glamour to disguise himself as a human. Or use his magic to make himself entirely invisible to the mortals. The second option of the two was the easiest, but the first sounded more fun. So, Kaelem pictured himself wearing bleached jeans and a steel blue hoodie, similar to the outfit one of the characters wore the day before on his favorite soap opera. He preferred suits but could pull off modern human style, too. His clothes molded into what he’d envisioned.

  As he knocked on the door, he remembered his ears and their tops rounded.

  A male mortal, tall with thick biceps and a large neck, answered. He stared at Kaelem, mouth gaping.

  Who is this guy? Pretty sure I’ve never seen him. Oh wait, is he in my Lit 201? No, that guy has brown hair. Maybe Paige invited him? She should have been here an hour ago. If she ditches me again…

  Human minds were the easiest to slip into.

  “Hey there,” Kaelem said. “Paige here yet?”

  “No,” the guy sighed.

  If she shows up for this jackass and ignores me…

  “Mind if I come in?” Kaelem dropped his hands to his sides, feigning awkwardness.

  I could just slam the door in his face. That’d show Paige. But then I’d look like an ass. “Sure, man.”

  Kaelem stepped inside. Some people were gathered around a cheap plastic table while others sat on the couch and recliner facing the television, a super hero movie on the screen. Kaelem had already seen the movie and he was less than impressed, to say the least.

  Everyone stared at him. Maybe he should have made his features look a bit more mortal. Oh, well. He turned his head to a familiar face.

  Aria stared at him, wide-eyed. She wore heeled black boots that covered her leg to her knee, a black mini-skirt, and a loose sparkly tank top. Unlike Kaelem, she’d glamoured her eyes duller and added a few blemishes to her skin.

  It wasn’t her glamour that bothered Kaelem. It was the fact that she sat on a chair, alone, no Ashleigh in sight.

  Don’t be mad, Aria’s thoughts played in Kaelem’s mind. She’s in the room behind me with her boyfriend.

  Kaelem reached out and heard Ashleigh’s voice, followed by an unfamiliar male one. You took her without telling anyone.

  She needed to get out of that place. You don’t know how it feels to be trapped like that.

  And you don’t know how it feels to be helpless when someone else hurts someone you love.

  Aria’s cheeks flushed. I…I was stupid before, but my powers are back now and I’m smarter. I can protect Ashleigh for a few days. We haven’t heard anything about Nevina or Kassandra seeking revenge. It’s a risk that has to be taken.

  Kaelem looked at his sister, really looked. She’d rebounded from the weak state Nevina had caused, a hardness in her stare that didn’t exist before her capture. He’d missed her every day, the anger growing inside him like a fire engulfing a forest. To save her, he became what he despised, forcing Ashleigh into the same fate Nevina had forced upon Aria.

  But unlike the Winter Queen, Kaelem hated himself for it. He reached into the next room and into Ashleigh’s thoughts.

  What if he doesn’t forgive me? I hate lying to him. But my sister needing me is all I could tell him. Such a lie. She doesn’t need me. She isn’t even human. What if she’s right? What if someone comes for me and hurts him, too?

  Kaelem’s chest tightened as he pulled out of Ashleigh’s head. He’d come there to steal her again, to return her to Scarlett in hopes of some semblance of forgiveness. Yet, he couldn’t do it. She’d only blame Scarlett.

  He could do what he suggested. Take Ashleigh then take her memories. But it was a violation that couldn’t be undone, and he’d already taken enough from the poor human.

  A small chuckle rumbled from Kaelem’s throat. There he was, standing in a filthy mortal apartment, feeling sorry for a human.

  Keep her safe, or I’ll never get Scarlett to forgive me.

  Aria pursed her lips, lifting an eyebrow into a perfect arc. She seems to have enlivened a new Kaelem, I see.

  Is me hoping to avoid eternal hatred such a bad thing?

  Aria grinned. Not at all, brother.

  Two of the mortal girls closed in on Kaelem.

  “Your hair is so pretty,” one said as she ran her fingers through the long side of Kaelem’s navy hair.

  “And sexy.” The other touched his shaved side.

  Shit. He hadn’t used his glamour to hide his ganacanagh gift, and mortals were the most susceptible to its power.

  Be careful, Kaelem said inside Aria’s mind. He didn’t know what he’d do if something happened to her again.

  Same to you. Cupid seems to have his eye on you. Aria smirked then winked.

  Kaelem shook his head and laughed as he left the apartment without ever speaking a word aloud to Aria, then evanesced away.

  Sweat pooled on Scarlett’s forehead. Her heart raced as she shifted from the world of dreams back to reality.

  A nightmare. That was all. Kassandra hadn’t hurt Ashleigh.

  Yet.

  Scarlett rolled over. The red numbers of the alarm clocked shined noon. It had taken some time, but Scarlett had transitioned to an Unseelie sleeping schedule. No matter when she woke, it would still be dark.

  Always night in the Court of Darkness.

  With a glance at the fireplace across the room, Scarlett lit a fire with her magic. Warmth spread through the room as the embers crackled, brightening the room with an orange glow.

  “And she wakes,” Kaelem said as he opened her bedroom door and entered.

  Scarlett pushed herself to a sitting position and checked that her nightgown adequately covered her chest.

  “Still so modest.” Kaelem wore nothing but a pair of boxers.

  Scarlett studied his face, careful not to look elsewhere. She’d improved her ability to block out his ganacanagh gifts, but hadn’t quite mastered it. The more of his body that was exposed, the harder it was.

  “Someday you’ll quit fighting it.” Kaelem smirked as he sat on the edge of the bed. “Having second thoughts about joining me?”

  “No,” Scarlett snapped. “Maybe I just don’t see you sexually.”

  Kaelem tipped his head back and roared in laughter. “Please. You may be better at keeping me out of your head now, but I see the struggle in your eyes.”

  “Cocky as ever.” Scarlett pulled the covers over her breasts.

  “If you’re so immune to my gifts, then you’ll have no problem stopping us as we feed from each other’s lust.”

  “Piece of cake.”

  “Then let’s begin.” In three long strides, Kaelem arrived at the bed. He placed a hand on Scarlett’s knee, s
till hidden beneath the covers.

  “Now?” A shiver crawled up her leg like a spider.

  “Is that an issue?” Kaelem’s hair was pulled into a low ponytail with a few strands hovering in front of his self-assured expression.

  “No.” Scarlett gulped. Her heart fluttered. She could do this. It was nothing more than a game. Like spin the bottle or truth or dare. It didn’t mean anything.

  Kaelem tugged the blankets off of Scarlett and pushed himself on top of her, straddling her.

  Scarlett’s arms hugged her side as his face moved closer to hers.

  “Don’t look so enthused,” he quipped.

  He trailed a finger down her cheek then tipped her chin up so her eyes stared into his.

  Scarlett’s heartbeat sped as his lips pressed down onto hers. She’d kissed him before to make Cade jealous. Part of the ruse, she’d claimed.

  Kaelem was attractive, as most fae were, but it was more than that. He held an innate allure few possessed. A security that showed in his confidence. Scarlett had always had a thing for self-assured guys. Her kryptonite, as Natalie would always joke.

  As drawn to them as she was, Scarlett always kept the control. Things never went further than she said. She’d managed to hold onto her virginity until her night with Raith, and that had been the only time she’d gone all the way.

  But as weak to lust as she had been as a mortal, it was ten times worse as a fae. Add in Kaelem’s ganacanagh gift and Scarlett was lucky to have already held on so long. Her arrangement to attend the Seelie ball with him was dangerous. She held a burning match in her hand and, if not careful, she would get burned.

  Kaelem took her face in his hands as the kiss intensified. Any misgivings Scarlett had slipped away as his tongue trailed her lower lip, causing a quiet moan to escape.

  This encouraged him, and his pelvis crushed against hers. The lust in the air thickened. Scarlett absorbed it. It filled her, her magic buzzing. Heat swam in her veins.

  Though still clothed, it felt intimate. Too intimate.

  Scarlett pulled away. “That should do for now.”

  Breathing heavily, Kaelem moved off of her. “We leave in an hour.”

  Chapter Seven

  Cade had his servants pack his things for him.

  He still wasn’t used to having servants of his own. His mother’s had helped him on occasion when he was prince, and some were servants of the castle itself, keeping it tidy, preparing meals and such. But his mother had chosen three servants that were his and his alone, two humans and one fae, there to attend his every need.

  The humans had pledged their lives in exchange for something. Usually, they wanted their memories erased or their pain dulled. Sometimes, they wanted to avenge a loved one, but a strong request like that cost them.

  They were never forced into service, Cade assured himself. Not since his father’s reign, that was. Before that, the Summer Court was known for stealing humans from the mortal realm. And now, his mother urged Cade to reconsider the laws his father had put into place. With human emotion so fulfilling to the Summer fae, he understood her motivation.

  But he couldn’t ignore the wretched taste the thought alone left in his mouth. Was luring them into Faerie as servants by preying on their weaknesses any better?

  What would he be willing to do if it meant keeping his people safe? How far would he go?

  Once his things were packed and ready, he’d send a servant to help Poppy, then they would leave for the Seelie Court. While he waited, his mother visited him.

  They sat in the corner of his room, where two high-backed chairs were placed for conversation. Kassandra’s legs were crossed beneath her long, midnight blue dress and folded her hands in her lap in her lap. A large ruby sat atop a golden band on her fourth finger.

  “You inherited your father’s heart,” she said. “There is honor in kindness, but rulers don’t have the luxury of honor.”

  His mother gave him too much credit. Was it kind when he brought Scarlett into their world? What about when he nearly killed her? Was leaving his older brother to die alone in the world honorable?

  “I am not my father.”

  “You are fae, my son, and our natural tendencies are selfish. But you care for others. The human girl, your brother. I’ve even seen the fondness you carry for that guard of yours.”

  “Poppy is loyal to me. I respect that.” He wanted to remind her Scarlett was no longer human, as his mother very well learned at the Winter Court.

  “You must be smart now, my son. War is coming, one way or another. Choosing what to fight for will change the fate of the Summer Court.”

  “And how do I know what the right choice is?”

  “You don’t.” Kassandra tilted her head to the side. “But the decision that strengthens the Summer Court best prepares us for whatever the future holds.”

  The warning the Fates gave Cade stirred in his mind.

  His mother continued. “Nevina will either be our enemy or our ally. Strife between our courts has existed since far before either you or I were born. But it doesn’t have to stay that way.”

  “You think I should join with her to take back our power from the mortal realm courts. Is that not suicide? Attacking them with our hands tied behind our back seems the surest way to bring destruction to Summer. Do you not remember what happened at the Winter Solstice?”

  He’d tried to avoid the topic, but she needed reminding of how a fight against the mortal realm courts could go.

  Kassandra pursed her lips as her eyes burned into Cade’s.

  His mother was too proud to admit defeat. But she’d joined Nevina in a personal attack against the Unseelie King, then Kaelem and Scarlett had taken the two queens down.

  They’d left them both alive. Mercy, perhaps. Or intelligence. War was ugly and no ruler wanted to bring its destruction to his court. No matter the reason, partnering with Nevina against Kaelem could prove fatal.

  But if war was really coming, Cade and his people needed all the magic they could get. And if he partnered with Nevina and broke the curse, they’d be better prepared.

  It was a big if, though, and Cade wasn’t one for gambling.

  “I am still weighing all the options. I value your council and will keep your thoughts under advisement.” Cade nodded, indicating their conversation was now over.

  Kassandra stood and curtsied. “I hope you make the right decision, son.”

  Cade hoped so, too.

  For now, he would go to the Seelie Court to represent the Summer Court. But Nevina would want an answer soon, and no matter what he chose, Summer would make an enemy.

  * * *

  Scarlett linked her arm with Kaelem’s as they dissolved at the Unseelie Palace and reappeared at the Seelie Court.

  Scarlett blinked as she oriented herself after evanescing. Kaelem swore it would eventually be fun, but the queasiness twisting in her stomach was not fun in any way.

  High upon a tree-covered hill sat an ivory-colored castle with a golden roof shimmering in the sunshine. If the Unseelie Palace was the Court of Darkness, then this was the Court of Light. A few other smaller buildings were scattered among the trees.

  Behind them stood a tall stone fence, differently shaped rooflines peeking above its top. Scarlett wondered how far the houses spread and what else lay behind the wall?

  Ahead, another fence enclosed a section of the grounds, but instead of the opaque stone it was made of twisting gold metal.

  “This way, m’lady.” Kaelem tugged Scarlett through the golden gates.

  The lust between them still swam through Scarlett. Any time it would get low, they'd need to replenish it. It was part of the deal she’d made and necessary for her safety. She hoped she could keep things from going too far like she had that morning.

  A white stallion and golden carriage with an embossed vine pattern waited for them on the other side of the gate. Kaelem helped Scarlett balance as she stepped into the shimmering carriage. Once they were both seat
ed, the horse started toward the castle on the hill.

  How did it know to leave?

  “They’re well trained,” Kaelem said.

  Scarlett quickly pulled her mental shields up. She needed to be more careful now. Kaelem didn’t need to know her every thought.

  The horse trotted at a steady pace. Scarlett looked out as she rode. Horses roamed in the pasture to the side of the road. Some were black, some brown, some white with spots. But none were solid white like the one that pulled the carriage.

  One stood out from the others. Instead of spots, it had stripes and was smaller than the rest.

  “That’s a zebra!” Scarlett blinked her eyes to make sure she was seeing clearly.

  “Yes, the Seelie Queen is fond of exotic animals.”

  Scarlett searched further and noticed the tall neck of a giraffe. “Are there lions?”

  Could fae powers keep a wild animal from harming anyone?

  “Yes, but those are elsewhere.”

  Scarlett gulped. She’d lived through Kassandra’s powers. Surely a lion should seem less intimidating.

  The path curved around a hill. As they approached another set of gates, the horse slowed. Once the gates opened, the horse continued through. It circled around a large fountain, water flowing from its top to the pool below, not stopping until it reached the castle.

  Now closer, Scarlett admired the details of the castle. The same vines that decorated the carriage curved around four columns that framed the tall golden double doors, their metal sparkling in the sunlight. Two octagonal turrets rose—one on each side of the entrance—each covered in windows looking out to the never-ending view down the hill to the village below.

  A man in a black suit opened the carriage door and escorted them inside. His jade eyes avoided Scarlett and Kaelem. Scarlett could feel the distaste pouring off of him. Could he really hate them that much simply because they were Unseelie guests?

  That was something the fae and humans shared: hatred based on being parts of different groups. With as much wealth and magic as the fae possessed, they still found excuses to dislike one another.