False Queen

by Nikki Jefford

  “My master has been a collector of swords since he was a wee thing,” Fhaornik told me, sweeping an arm at the rows of blades neatly mounted on the wall as though he could see them. “The crossbows are a recent addition, gifts from my master to your lovely sister.”

  A tinge of envy twisted through me.

  I was happy Aerith had someone who showered her in bows and arrows and loved her enough to go anywhere, do anything—even kill a queen of Faerie—to protect her, but it rubbed at the fresh wound over my heart.

  Why couldn’t Devdan be cool like Jhaeros?

  Gah! Had I really just thought that?

  I spent the remaining time before supper taking out my frustrations on the dummies. Hopefully Jhaeros had some fresh ones in the attic because I’d demolished the one’s he’d left out. Straw guts and bits of burlap sack covered the flagstones.

  When I asked Fhaornik for a broom he said he’d clean it up. I insisted I be the one to sweep my mess. It gave me another task to attack. But no matter how much I struck dummies with the swords, or swept at the floor, the argument with Devdan kept playing over in my mind.

  Anger, hurt, guilt, and heartache consumed me. I wasn’t going to be able to eat a bite of dinner with the way my stomach tightened. Not eating wasn’t going to win any points with Jhaeros’s cook.

  When I finished cleaning up the weapon’s room, I selected one of the swords before asking Fhaornik to show me to the guest chamber.

  Despite my offer to see to the fire, one already blazed inside the room’s hearth and looked as though it had been going for a few hours. Warmth radiated around the small, cozy room with its zany framed portraits of mythical creatures, thick pastel rugs, and a mountain of decorative pillows—some furry, some frilly, and some beaded. Aerith had to have been the designer behind this particular chamber. It filled me with comfort standing in a space that had my sister written all over it.

  Two oil lamps were lit on stands at each side of the bed, casting a glow over the walls.

  “You will find fresh clothes in the trunk,” Fhaornik said, turning to the chest against the wall. “Mrs. Calarel is preparing your bath downstairs in the bathing room.”

  I set the sword on top of the bedspread. Inside the trunk, I selected a pair of snug trousers and a fresh blouse. After bathing, I put on the clean pair of clothes, using the same leather waist cincher I’d arrived in.

  I’d hoped Fhaornik, and even Mrs. Calarel, would eat with me so I wouldn’t be left alone with my thoughts, but they’d eaten their meal while I was bathing.

  I sat alone in a drab dining room with a long dark brown table and murky oil paintings. Five flames burned from the candelabra at the center of the table. I tore off chunks of bread and stuffed them in my mouth, chewing as I waited for the stew to cool off. I’d already burned my tongue twice. It turned out I’d worked up an appetite in the weapons room.

  When Fhaornik offered me wine, I thanked him and declined.

  Hot cocoa with marshmallows would have been good.

  Pain stabbed my heart.

  Would Devdan come back and apologize?

  Should I be the one to apologize? It wasn’t like I wanted to turn him into a lapdog that followed me around obediently.

  We’d had the best time together traveling around the mortal realm. I couldn’t imagine having as much fun with anyone else. How could he just walk away from all that?

  How could I let him?

  After dinner, I brought my coat upstairs and set it on the trunk with the sword I was borrowing. I wanted everything ready for Saturday night. I paced the guest room and wondered if Devdan had gone back to his old cottage. Was he sitting in front of his fire, thinking about me right now? Did his heart ache like mine?

  Or was he snuggled up beneath his blankets, slumbering without a second thought of me?

  I should get some rest too. Maybe tomorrow I’d pay a visit to Keerla and Master Brygwyn. And perhaps the day after that—Devdan. Maybe. If he was lucky.

  While pacing the room, the flames began to flicker in the lamps. The air rippled in front of the hearth. I dove for the sword, snatching the handle as a male with shaggy black hair stepped through the undulating circle that had formed, as though appearing out of thin air.

  Chapter Eleven

  Melarue

  T

  he dark-haired prince gave a start when he saw me.

  “You’re the king’s brother,” I said, lowering my sword while maintaining a firm grip on the handle.

  “Ryo,” he supplied.

  “You’re early. I wasn’t expecting anyone until Saturday night.”

  “Oh. I, uh, didn’t mean to intrude.” He looked at the ground. “I knew it was Aerith’s birthday and thought I’d come by in case you stopped in to wish her well.”

  Was he bashful? What a difference from Liri. Were they truly related? They looked and acted nothing alike. Even their hair color was at complete odds.

  “Well, I’m glad you’ve come.”

  His head snapped up. “You are?”

  I sheathed the sword and put on my coat. “I thought you were going to dreamscape, but it looks like you stepped through a portal.”

  Ryo nodded. “I did—arrive by portal.”

  “Cool.”

  “Yeah,” he said, grinning widely. Thick black hair fell over his eye when he nodded. He brushed it aside. “Are you ready to go?”

  “Yes.” I took a step toward him then stopped. “Wait. Not yet. Let me run downstairs and grab Aerith’s cake. It’s not too late to surprise her.” Reluctantly, I set the sheathed sword down on the bed. It would be too hard to carry it and the cake box back up the stairs. “Don’t touch that while I’m gone. And don’t leave!”

  “I won’t.”

  I planted my feet shoulder width apart and folded my arms. “You won’t what?”

  “I won’t leave until you’ve returned,” Ryo said, spreading his arms open. “Feel better now?”

  Even though he’d promised not to leave until I returned, I hustled out the door, down the hall, and took the stairs down two at a time. The halls were dark and silent. I had to call forth flames in my palm several times to avoid running into the banister or tumbling down the staircase. A weak fire still burned inside the parlor where I’d left the cake box. It wasn’t like Fhaornik would have noticed it sitting there.

  A twist of unease fluttered through my chest as I remembered Devdan setting it gently down. He’d helped me pick it out at a bakery in New York City yesterday.

  I lifted my chin. Well, not everyone got to have their cake and eat it too. Is that how the saying went? I wasn’t sure. I mean, if you had a cake, why in seven hells wouldn’t you eat it? That’s what it was made for!

  As I reached for the box, a little voice inside my head said I ought to leave a note. Fhaornik wouldn’t be able to see it, nor would Mrs. Calarel be able to read it aloud to him from what I’d seen. For someone so efficient, Jhaeros hadn’t thought that one through. I snorted to myself. Still, I didn’t want to worry his staff when I disappeared before Saturday. And I wanted to leave something behind in case Devdan came by to apologize.

  I left the parlor in search of parchment and a quill, holding a small ball of fire in front of me as I rushed around the first-floor rooms. As luck would have it, I found a small office beside one of the sitting rooms and was able to quickly locate what I needed from there. I scrawled out a brief note, ink smudging in my hurry.

  Gone to Faerie. Be back soon.

  –Melarue

  I wasn’t much for words, which made postcards my preferred form of communication. But there was no wishing for anyone to be where I was headed.

  I grabbed the cake box and ran back up the stairs to the guest chamber.

  Ryo hadn’t moved from his spot, as though his promise not to leave had included not moving either. With his midnight hair, he blended well into the room’s shade. But he didn’t look ominous in the least. He was like a friendly shadow, especially when he beamed at me as I cro
ssed through the doorframe.

  “Here, take this,” I said, handing him the cake box. I snatched the sword off the bed, spun around, and smiled. “Ready.”

  Ripples reappeared in the air. Ryo nodded at the wavering circle. “I’ll keep the portal open while you go through and follow right behind.”

  I nodded and walked through, half expecting to be jettisoned out the other side into fields and rolling hills like last time. But the journey was much smoother, like stepping through jelly without the sticky mess.

  I appeared in a shadowed bedchamber, pillar candles lit from every corner of the room. A fire blazed in a hearth. Despite the candles and crackling fire, the room was dim and cavelike with dark furniture, gray bedspread, and curtains.

  Ryo stepped through the portal and set the cake box on a nearby end table.

  “Are we in the castle?” I asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Whose bedchamber is this?”

  He stuffed his hands in the pockets of his trousers and shrugged. “Mine. This is where I portaled from.”

  “Okay, you can take me to Aerith now.”

  Ryo smirked, not moving from his spot.

  “What’s so amusing?” I demanded, rubbing my thumb over the hilt of my sword.

  “She’s in bed—with her lover. Are you sure you don’t want to wait until morning to see her?”

  For someone who’d seemed shy moments ago, Ryo now flashed me a naughty grin. It made my stomach swirl with excitement, quickly followed by guilt because for one instant, I felt like kissing those devilish lips.

  “Ew,” I said, followed by, “What lover?” Had Aerith started her own harem since becoming queen of Dahlquist? I knew power could change a person, and my sister did seem horny all the time.

  “He’s an elf. I don’t know if you remember him from before. He was my aunt’s fiancé before she croaked.”

  I snorted. “So, the not-so-mysterious lover is Jhaeros.”

  Ryo’s eyebrows pinched together. “You know him?”

  “Oh yeah, for a long time. He’s okay, I guess.”

  Ryo leaned forward. “What was he doing with my aunt?”

  “How should I know?”

  Actually, I did, but I wasn’t about to rat out Jhaeros and Teryani. Jhaeros had done it for Aerith, and Teryani had done it for the crown. The fewer people who knew, the better.

  Ryo pursed his lips. “Don’t you and your sister tell each other everything?”

  “Oh sky, no.” I laughed, which eased Ryo’s lips into a smile.

  “Anyway, he’s not bad,” Ryo said. “He’s teaching me swordsmanship.”

  “Jhaeros?” I asked with a snort. “I’d probably make a better teacher than him.”

  “He’s pretty good,” Ryo said, folding his arms.

  “So am I.” I narrowed my eyes. “Or maybe you have a problem taking lessons from a female.”

  “Hey, if you want to help me handle my sword, I have no objections.”

  Heat blasted up my cheeks. “Ew! That’s not what I meant, you pervert.”

  Ryo’s eyes widened. “That’s not what I meant either.”

  “Yeah, right.”

  “It’s not. I can’t lie.”

  My face relaxed.

  That’s right. He couldn’t. This could be fun.

  Stroking my chin, I looked the young prince over with renewed consideration.

  “What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done?” I asked.

  Ryo shook his head, causing the inky ends to brush against his shoulder blades. “Just because I can’t lie doesn’t mean I’m required to answer.”

  “Okay, different question. Which of your sisters is your favorite?”

  He squinted at me. “Why do you want to know?”

  “Just curious.”

  My favorite of the Elmray sisters was Teryani. She’d conspired with us and arranged to portal us anywhere we wanted. She was definitely the best of Ryo’s sisters.

  But Teryani wasn’t the name on his lips.

  “That’s easy,” he said with a smile. “Aerith.”

  “Aerith’s my sister,” I informed him, planting my hands on my hips.

  “She’s mine too.”

  I narrowed my eyes. “Do you like her as more than a sister?”

  “Ew, no. She’s my older, pregnant sister-in-law.”

  I smiled at the genuine horror in his dark brown eyes. “Good. I’m glad you’re not an obsessive wacko like Liri.”

  Ryo’s upper lip curled back. “We’re nothing alike.”

  I nodded, liking what I was hearing. “Okay, well, I suppose I’ll have to wait to surprise Aerith at breakfast. Am I to stay in my old room in the servants’ quarters?”

  Ryo shook his head roughly. “Not a chance. That was by Liri’s orders, but he’s no longer in charge. Your sister is.” A smile replaced Ryo’s frown.

  “Wicked,” I breathed. “I bet Aerith makes a badass queen.”

  Ryo loosened his arms, grinning widely. “She does. I hope Liri never returns.” Realizing what he’d just said, Ryo’s eyes expanded. He covered his mouth with his hands then lowered them. “Not because I want to be king. Things are just better with Aerith in charge.”

  “You wouldn’t want to be king?” I asked curiously.

  “And be stuck in this castle all my life? No, thanks.” His voice dropped when he spoke next. “I want to travel and visit other realms . . . the way you do.” He looked up at me through thick, dark lashes.

  A stirring fluttered through my chest that spiraled down into my belly while warning bells went off in my head. Ryo was giving me the love-dove look, and my heart had grown wings.

  Stop it, heart. You like Devdan!

  Ah, but right now I like this dark drink of handsome standing before us.

  Ew!

  My heart merely laughed and fluttered some more. I squeezed my toes together in my boots, trying to get a grip on myself.

  “Aerith can’t rule here forever. She’s got a life she loves back in Pinemist.”

  Ryo nodded, a look of sadness passing over his eyes before he blinked it away. “I’ll show you the guest chambers. You can take your pick. Let me grab a lantern first. The corridors will be dark.”

  “No need,” I said, calling forth fire into the palm of my hand.

  Ryo’s eyes glowed in the heat of my flames. “Wow,” he breathed.

  So maybe I was showing off the tiniest bit.

  Leaving the cake behind, we entered the dark wide hall of the castle. All was silent and still.

  “Are there no night guards?”

  “They’re stationed in the royal wing and at the castle entrances, but we’ve never had need of them in the family or guest wings.” Ryo led the way, cutting a dark figure in the light of my fire.

  “Wasn’t your aunt murdered in the guest wing?”

  I mean, I knew it had been Jhaeros, but Ryo didn’t. At least, I didn’t think he did. Murder wasn’t a big deal in Faerie the way it was in the mortal realm, which is why, like postcards, mystery thrillers would likely go over like a piece of petrified wood with faeries. They’d be all like, “Someone got killed? Just another day in the life of Faerie.” Still, the stabbing of a queen seemed like it would warrant more guards.

  “My aunt’s guards were right outside her chamber, so you see how little good it does. Once one of my siblings decides to kill, you’re better off trying to kill them first. It worked for Liri.”

  My flames sputtered as I waved my arm. “My sister, Shalendra, is a total bitch, but I’d never wish her dead.”

  Ryo stopped. “You have another sister?”

  “Unfortunately.”

  “Any other sisters or brothers?”

  “Nope. Just the two.”

  “Well, at least one of them turned out nice. Is Shalendra older or younger?”

  “I’m the youngest.”

  “Me too,” Ryo said with a wide smile like it bonded us or something.

  “Yeah, I know.”

  W
e rounded a corner, and I jumped when I saw the corridor lined with what, at first, looked like bodies. But it turned out they were life-size marble statues of beautiful females in various poses, some nude. The first one we passed had round ears.

  “Teryani’s old wing,” Ryo announced. “Most of these sculptures are from the mortal world.”

  We passed a headless statue of three nude females. The one in the middle had her back—and ass—to us, and each of her arms draped over the breasts of the other two facing forward. I lowered my flame so Ryo wouldn’t see the blush creeping into my cheeks. It wasn’t like I wasn’t experienced with this stuff now, but it still made my insides uneasy. Luckily, Ryo’s not-so-naked back was to me as he opened the door beside the statue. He pushed it open and swept out an arm for me to enter first, announcing, “One of Teryani’s guest rooms.”

  I hurried in, crossing my fingers that I wasn’t stepping into a chamber of nude portraits and busts. The light of my fire cast a glow around a large room decorated in white-and-cream classical furniture and antique side tables. Everything looked pristine and dignified. I swear the bedchamber gave off airs.

  “Too stuffy,” I said, wrinkling my nose. “And not enough color. What about Jastra’s wing? Is it all teal?”

  Ryo chuckled and motioned me out of the room. “Cirrus’s wing is next and then Jastra’s.”

  We backtracked, leaving behind the corridor of boobs and butts. I’d already made up my mind that I would not stay in any of Cirrus’s rooms, even if they turned out to be awesome. He’d stolen my sister from me and not allowed me to visit. I could barely remember what he looked like. I’d only caught glimpses of him at Aerith’s tournament before he took off with her. I was glad Liri had killed him. If he hadn’t stolen Aerith in return, I might have even thanked him. Thank the sky the bleach head had turned his sights elsewhere.

  We rounded another corner, and I was momentarily blinded when the light from my flames bounced off a mirror and beamed back into my eyes. Again, I lowered my arms. Dark spots rimmed in light floated around my vision as I blinked rapidly.

  We continued down the hall, my fire glinting off the reflective surfaces that followed us.

  “This is Cirrus’s wing?” When Ryo nodded, I asked, “What’s with the hall of mirrors?”