Whims of Fate

by Nissa Leder

  “We aren’t just going to leave him here?” Cade asked. What if someone saw me come in here with him and finds him like this? That’s why Nevina had me bring him.

  “Should we take him to the Seelie Queen like this?” Nevina asked, irritation coating her voice thick like tar. “This is why I come up with the plans and not you.” She huffed. “There’s a side exit. We’ll leave and head back to the ball and dance together like we’ve been there the whole time. Can I trust you to lead, or will I need to do that, too?”

  “I…” Cade started.

  Nevina didn’t wait for him to finish his reply. “Let’s go.”

  Hurriedly, Scarlett shifted back underneath the desk. She held her breath as they walked by.

  After she heard the door shut behind them, Scarlett waited until they had time to get far away. Then she rushed to Laik.

  He lay passed out on the floor. Scarlett touched his arms, which were freezing. Using her healing magic, Scarlett warmed him up.

  The blue in his lips disappeared as he regained color in his cheeks. After she’d warmed him, Scarlett focused her magic on the stab wounds.

  Should Scarlett tell him what happened? The Seelie Queen would not be happy at those who did this to her advisor—who now knew where the power they wanted was hidden.

  Scarlett couldn’t care less about Nevina, but what about Cade? She heard his thoughts. He disapproved of Nevina’s methods, but he’d willingly agreed to help her. He was such a puppet. First to his mother, now Nevina.

  Would he ever stand up and make his own decisions?

  If Scarlett told Genevieve, what would she do to him?

  Scarlett didn’t know and she didn’t want to find out. She hadn’t forgiven Cade for what he’d done, but she wouldn’t be the one to get him killed. He would find a way to do that for himself if he kept trusting the wrong people.

  Laik’s body twitched. His eyes opened, his gaze meeting Scarlett’s.

  “I…” Scarlett began, but she didn’t know what to say so, instead, she darted out of the room and back to Kaelem.

  He’d be the only one who stood a chance of protecting her if Laik told the Seelie Queen who was there when he woke up with no memory.

  Chapter Twelve

  Couples twirled around the ballroom, just as they had when Scarlett had left it.

  “She returns.” Kaelem smirked as Scarlett approached him.

  Should she tell him what she just saw?

  If Laik told the Seelie Queen Scarlett was there when he awoke, Kaelem could protect her better if he knew the situation ahead of time. But would he want her to tell the Seelie Queen what she saw?

  Why was Scarlett so set on protecting Cade? She should want him to suffer after everything he’d done. But he’d surprised her at the Winter Court.

  Part of her understood why Cade had helped Nevina. He wanted his people to have all their power. Having it stolen from them as the mortal realm courts had done seemed unfair. But taking Laik like that and letting Nevina torture him was not okay. It was something Kassandra would do. Scarlett had hoped Cade would realize his mother wasn’t the best role model, and, albeit slowly, maybe he was learning.

  She didn’t want to be the reason something happened to Cade, no matter what had happened between them. Even if she couldn’t forgive him and wished for revenge, if something happened to him, Kassandra would become the Summer Court Queen again, and that was the last thing Scarlett wanted.

  “I just needed a minute.” Scarlett smiled. “Did I miss much?”

  “I drank three glasses of wine while you were away.”

  “I best catch up.” Scarlett went to the bar and got another glass of wine.

  She should stay sober. If the Seelie Queen attacked her, the better her state of mind, the better chance she had to defend herself.

  But getting drunk sounded so much more fun. And it wasn’t like Scarlett would stand a chance against Genevieve anyway. She might as well enjoy what might be her last moments.

  Scarlett chugged the first glass the bartender gave her and handed it back. “Refill.”

  Kaelem watched her. As he opened his mouth to speak, Scarlett covered it with her hand.

  “Are we not here to have fun?” she asked.

  He nodded, mouth still covered.

  “Then the more wine, the better.” Scarlett pulled her hand back and started on the next glass of wine.

  The sounds of Laik’s screams echoed in her mind. Such anguish. And Scarlett had just sat there and listened. God. How worthless was she?

  She took Kaelem’s hand and pulled him to the dance floor.

  In one hand, she held her half empty glass of wine. With the other, she grazed Kaelem’s cheek. His skin was so flawless. She tucked the long side of his navy hair behind his ear then ran her fingers over the shaved side.

  “You are handsome.” Scarlett giggled. Her fingers moved to his lips. So smooth.

  Kaelem wrapped his hand around Scarlett’s back and pulled her into him. “I knew you couldn’t resist my charm forever.”

  Scarlett let him lead her to the music. It was a slow song with a strong piano melody. She leaned her head on his chest and inhaled his vanilla-oak scent.

  If these were her last few moments, she could think of worse things to be doing.

  She shouldn’t want him, not after what he’d done to Ashleigh. But he’d been the only one there for her since she’d turn fae. He’d taught her to control her magic and given her a place to stay when she had nowhere else to go.

  In that moment, she knew she couldn’t hate him.

  Three glasses of wine and a few dances later, Scarlett’s entire body tingled. The music of the orchestra drifted through her veins like a feather through air. The melody of a flute blended with the song of the piano like cinnamon mixed with sugar, so sweet inside Scarlett’s head.

  Kaelem grinned as his hands grazed her lower back.

  The buzz of the alcohol twined with the hum of desire swimming through Scarlett.

  She felt more alive than she ever had.

  As the guests fizzled out, Kaelem linked his hand with hers and they returned to their room. Once inside, he guided her to the bed, where he pulled her on top of him as his lips found hers.

  She unbuttoned his shirt as her breathing grew heavy.

  Her mouth pressed into his chest, drawing a moan from his lips.

  Kaelem ran his fingers through her hair.

  Scarlett absorbed the lust pulsing from him.

  High off of desire, Scarlett controlled the pace as she teased him with her tongue.

  Kaelem liked games, and Scarlett found that so did she.

  Raith stared at the cabin in front of him surrounded by trees. It was small, with a stone fireplace climbing up its side.

  “You okay?” Sage asked next to him.

  “Yeah,” he replied.

  They’d followed the directions Sage’s mother had given them to the last known home of Talia. If she was here, Raith could ask her about his mother.

  It was what he wanted. So, why did a pit of nerves fill his stomach?

  “You want me to go see if she’s here?” Sage asked.

  “No, let’s go together.”

  One step at a time, Raith climbed the porch stairs and approached the door.

  He knocked and waited, Sage hovering behind him.

  A male with short blonde hair and amber eyes answered the door. “Hello.”

  “Hi, I was wondering if Talia still lived here?”

  A woman stepped out from behind the man. “You’re so much bigger than the last time I saw you.”

  Her dark hair was pulled into a low bun. Her gray eyes twinkled as she looked at Raith.

  “Talia.” Raith bowed.

  Until he’d seen her, he hadn’t remembered her. But now, as her eyes stared into his, a spark of recognition hit him.

  “You’ve come to ask about your mother, I take it.” Talia walked over to a sitting area with two chairs facing a couch. “Please, sit.”<
br />
  Raith took one of the chairs, Sage the other.

  “And who is this lovely woman?” Talia asked.

  “My friend, Sage,” Raith answered.

  “Hello, Sage.” Talia smiled. “This is Ram.”

  Raith didn’t come here to exchange names. He’d searched for her on a quest for answers about his mother. But now that he was there, he wasn’t sure anymore. Did he want to know the truth? Would it help anything?

  “You look a lot like her,” Talia said. “Not at all like your father.

  Raith examined the room. It was small with plain furniture and little decoration. A fire burned, warming the sitting area. They’d passed many cabins like this one before arriving, but this was the first one they’d entered.

  “Raith has heard rumors about the death of his mother,” Sage said, pulling Raith out of his trance.

  “I knew someone would come eventually. After that Unseelie bastard pried into my mind, it was only a matter of time.” Talia stood, went to the kitchen and poured herself a glass of wine. “Can I get a drink for anyone else?”

  Both Raith and Sage nodded.

  “I met your mother when she was a young woman living in the Faerie forest with her mother and sister. She was always so kind.”

  “She didn't grow up in the Summer Court?” Raith asked.

  “Her family lived in the forest just outside court.”

  Raith had been so shocked when Kaelem told him that Kassandra was his aunt, he hadn't stopped to think about any other family his mother might have.

  “How did she die?” Raith blurted the words before he chickened out. Hearing about her life pierced him like a knife to the leg, enough to hurt like hell but not enough to put him out of his misery.

  “She wanted to go out riding. Your father always worried for her and he offered to go too, but she insisted on going alone. She was always so free in the forest.

  “She never came back. Your father ordered every soldier to search, but there was no trace.”

  So, what, she just disappeared? It wasn’t what Raith expected. He thought Kassandra had stabbed her in her sleep or something of equal brutality. He asked about Kaelem’s statement that Kassandra made his father forget they were sisters.

  “Yes, there was nothing I could do.” Talia’s gaze met Raith’s. “She loved you more than anything, though.”

  Raith wanted that to be enough, but it wasn’t.

  He reached out and placed his hand on Talia’s. He hated to do what he was about to do, but he had no choice. Something was wrong. Like air blowing through a net, Raith invaded her memory. On the surface of her thoughts, he saw Talia standing at the edge of the forest, watching his mother ride away. But the memory was blurry—a sign of being tampered with.

  She thought she was telling Raith the truth, but she didn’t know the truth. Someone had messed with her mind.

  Kassandra.

  She’d erased his father’s knowledge of her relation to his mother. Of course, she would have wanted everyone to think his mother had just ridden off and never returned.

  Raith wanted his mother, and if he couldn’t have her, he’d settle for revenge.

  Kassandra would pay.

  Chapter Thirteen

  As Scarlett stirred awake, she felt an arm wrapped around her waist, a body pressed into her back.

  Kaelem’s body.

  The night before swirled into in Scarlett’s mind—a blur of dancing and alcohol, kissing and exploring hands.

  And Laik frozen on the floor, his memory stolen.

  The Seelie Queen hadn't come for her yet. Maybe Laik had been too delirious to realize who she was.

  Scarlett sighed a breath of relief. She was safe. For now.

  A sly grin spread across her lips when she thought of what happened after she'd left the library.

  Things had heated up with Kaelem—a frenzy of passionate fire. It had taken everything in Scarlett, but before things had escalated to the point of no return, she'd pulled away.

  A cruel move in the game they played.

  It hadn't been easy. She’d wanted to devour him. Being fae heightened everything inside of her, including the desire she felt as Kaelem’s lips tasted her most sensitive parts.

  She hadn't forgiven him for trapping Ashleigh, not completely at least. But the anger faded more every day and her fae nature grew, sharpening her hunger for lust.

  Scarlett wanted to tell him what she’d seen in the library, but she wanted to protect Cade. Why, she still didn't know. But she did, so, for now, she would keep it to herself.

  Kaelem shuffled next to Scarlett. “Morning, darling.”

  Scarlett pulled the sheets over her chest. “Morning.”

  Kaelem kissed her bare shoulder blade. “Last night was…fun.”

  “It was.” Scarlett held back a grin.

  She wasn't sure what to say. It was many things, fun included.

  A knock interrupted their conversation.

  Scarlett wasn't sure if she should be relieved or nervous.

  Kaelem hopped out of bed, nude, and slipped on a pair of pants.

  Scarlett pulled a dress over her head as Kaelem opened the door.

  Laik stood alone, shifting his gaze to the ground as he looked at Scarlett.

  Scarlett’s heart raced. Was he there to confront her about the night before?

  “How can we help you?” Kaelem stepped in front of Laik, blocking his path to Scarlett.

  Did he think Scarlett was still undressed?

  “I’d like to speak to you both alone.” Laik looked side-to-side. “I have some confidential information to share.”

  Kaelem hesitated, but let Laik enter. “We’ll be leaving today, so there's no need to convince us to go.”

  “I know,” Laik replied. “This is something else.” After he entered the room, the door shut behind him.

  Panic reverberated through Scarlett. She should have told Kaelem. Protecting Cade wasn't worth her own life. Not when her sister needed her. How had she not thought of Ashleigh sooner? What kind of sister was she?

  Laik’s eyes met hers. He dipped his chin as if to reassure her everything between them was okay.

  “I come to you to share a prophecy given to me by the Fates,” Laik said. “The Seelie Queen will not interfere with their predictions. Rumor of a new war is everywhere, and the Fates told me of another power in another realm.”

  Scarlett watched Kaelem as they listened to Laik. His expression was still, showing neither excitement nor annoyance. Did he believe what Laik said?

  “Why tell us this?” Scarlett asked.

  She tried breaking into his mind but was met with a shield as impenetrable as a stronghold.

  Laik grinned. “Clever, trying to see into my head for the truth. But thoughts aren't always to be trusted.”

  He’d felt her attempt. Had he felt it in the library, too?

  “It's a fair question, don't you think?” Kaelem asked.

  “Very much so.” Laik shifted his attention to Scarlett. “I know you have no reason to trust me, but I hope you'll consider what I say. The Fates told me of a power in another realm. The entrance comes where the realms all meet at the time of a solar eclipse. They claim the power will change the fate of the war.”

  Why was he looking at her? Surely, Kaelem needed to know this more than she did. But the Unseelie and Seelie Courts weren’t friends, so, then again, why would he tell Kaelem any of this?

  “Where the realms meet?” Kaelem asked.

  “They mentioned three stars coming together. I’m not sure what they mean by that or what it has to do with the eclipse.”

  “And you’re trusting me with this information?” Kaelem curved his eyebrow. “Last time I checked, your queen and I weren’t best friends.”

  Had Kaelem read her mind? Scarlett checked her mental shields—still up. He must have had the same doubt she did.

  “You’re right, our courts have had their issues. But when we teamed up to come to the mortal realm toget
her and hinder the other courts’ magic, we became allies, and I fear they haven’t forgotten that. Should one of them access this power—well, what do they say, an enemy of my enemy is a friend?”

  “Very well,” Kaelem said. “Thank you for this information.”

  “Our courts don’t have to hate each other.”

  “No,” Kaelem looked at Scarlett, “they don’t.”

  As Cade slipped on his shoes, something shuffled behind him. Poppy had left the room to get some fresh air a few minutes before. How had someone else gotten in without using the door?

  Evanescing was banned for court outsiders, but Laik was Seelie and as the queen’s advisory, surely, he’d be granted evanescing rights. Had the memory potion failed and he’d come for revenge?

  “Hello, Prince,” the trio of voices rang through the room.

  The Fates, again. Was it normal for them to visit a ruler so often? And they’d said prince again. Raith wasn’t the one living at the Summer Court and caring for its people. Cade was king.

  He turned to the dark-haired beauties. “Yes?”

  “So handsome,” they said. “And lonely.”

  “I’m not…” Cade started. But he was. How did they know? “Are you here to ramble more useless information?”

  “Useless, no, never. We speak of could-be’s, future king.”

  He deserved to be king. If they had valuable information, it would be wise to listen. “What must I do?”

  “Only you can decide.” They approached him. The woman on the left reached out a hand and ran a finger down his cheek. “Another power exists for the taking. When the moon covers the sun at the three stars, a door will open. Through it, the power will be at an island’s center.”

  “The center?” Their riddles drove Cade crazy. Couldn’t they ever give simple answers?

  “More will attempt. Not all will succeed.” They stepped back and, in a blink, vanished.

  Cade groaned in frustration. Stupid Fates with their stupid cryptic talk. With a groan, Cade fell back onto his bed.