by Nissa Leder
The scene changed again. Scarlett was back in the bedroom, but this time she was with her sister who shouted at her.
“It’s all your fault, Scarlett,” Ashleigh said. “If you’d have been a better daughter Mom wouldn’t have killed herself.”
“That’s not true.” Tears streamed down Scarlett’s face.
Cade breathed in the pain.
“You stressed her out all the time. Seriously, what kind of person are you?” her sister yelled.
She kept throwing insults at Scarlett who could do nothing to stop her. Instead, tears poured from her eyes.
Cade chugged and chugged the emotion, power bursting inside him.
Then Scarlett’s dream went black.
Cade jumped out of her mind and looked at her lying next to him in the bed. He’d taken things too far, causing her to black out. He should feel bad, but the magic inside him sent ecstasy through his veins. He was too high to feel. Too powerful.
He held his hands out in front of himself, face up. A green orb glowed in his palms.
With summer magic this strong, there was no way he’d lose the battle.
Chapter Twenty-One
Scarlett awoke alone in Cade’s bed, her eyelids heavy. She remembered falling asleep in his arms, and then she remembered her dreams. She felt sick to her stomach. Why did she dream such horrible things? She’d come to this place to get away from those feelings, but lately they’d been resurfacing more and more.
“Good morning,” Cade said as he walked through the door.
“Make it stop.” Scarlett pleaded with her eyes. The memories made her dizzy. She’d felt in control yesterday, like maybe she was starting to handle the pain. But a night of dreams had torn the hope from her.
Cade sat on the bed next to her and placed her hand in his. The emotion inside Scarlett emptied until her mind was clear again, like a weight had been lifted from her thoughts.
She thought of her mother and her sister but felt nothing but numbness. It was better this way.
“I have battle practice this morning,” Cade said, hand still twined with Scarlett’s. “Will you be all right?”
Sometimes he acted like she was nothing more than a pet. Other times, like now, he treated her like she was someone he cared about.
“I’ll be fine.” She withdrew her hand and pushed herself out of the bed. “I may go outside and explore the castle grounds, if that’s all right.”
“Of course. Just don’t wander too far. It’s dangerous outside the castle walls.”
Scarlett looked to the scar on her leg. She knew all too well the trouble she would find if she tried to leave. Somehow, she had escaped the creature, but she still wasn’t sure how. And there’d be no point in running now. She couldn’t leave, not with the bargain she’d made with Raith, which she wasn’t about to share with Cade. She didn’t know exactly what happened when someone broke a fae bargain, and she had no desire to find out by breaking one.
After Cade left, Scarlett drew herself a bath. As she soaked in the hot water, she thought of her unusual encounter as Cade and Raith competed in The Hunt. For some reason unbeknownst to her, the Unseelie King—apparently a seductive ganacanagh— spent over an hour talking with her. Kaelem asked her questions about her life before entering Faerie—about her family, friends, hobbies. He claimed humans fascinated him. With the Unseelie Court in the mortal realm, he liked to get to know them better, or so he said. Scarlett didn't believe him. He was probably laughing at the mundaneness of the human life.
He offered to answer some of her questions, though.
When she asked him if humans were safe in the Unseelie Court, he bluntly said, “No, humans are never safe around the fae.”
Cade had already told her as much, but knowing that two fae courts resided in the mortal realm caused Scarlett to shudder. It was one thing to bring humans here to Faerie, but another for the dangerous creatures to live alongside humans. The Summer Court fae were powerful, but something inside Scarlett screamed that Kaelem was far more of a threat to her than anyone here in Faerie. Cade had said that the Seelie and Unseelie had limited the power of the seasonal courts of Faerie, leaving their fae gifts unrestrained.
Before she could ask anything else, Raith had shot the beast, and Kaelem evanesced Scarlett behind the thrones. Then he vanished. She wasn't even sure why he came to The Hunt. He didn't seem too concerned about who won. Did he care who would be king?
What fascinated Scarlett most was how the courts interacted with each other. Did they feud like European countries did in the sixteenth century? Or did they coexist somewhat peacefully? Scarlett guessed it was more the former, at least if Cade’s reaction to Kaelem was any indication. She kept her conversation with Kaelem to herself.
After Scarlett had enough soaking, she got out and dressed. She braided her hair into a French braid, then headed outside. The other day, Cade had shown her the back entrance, which was unguarded. It was magically enchanted as only a castle exit, though, and Scarlett would have to walk around the castle to get back inside. She didn't mind. The weather in Faerie was perfect, at least here in the Summer Court. Like a perfect June day, the sun warmed her skin as a slight breeze blew past.
She exited the castle to the garden, another benefit to the castle’s back door. There were rose bushes like the ones on the courtyard, and then there were tulips, chrysanthemums, hydrangea, and peonies. As a child, Scarlett’s mother taught her about different types of flowers. Most kids loved picture books, but Scarlett’s favorite was a gardening book of her mom’s, filled with pictures and descriptions of flowers.
Roses were her mom’s favorite flower. She’d spent every morning grooming the rose bushes she had planted along the backside of the house—even when she was off her meds. It was the one consistent thing her mom did. After her mom died, Scarlett tried to keep them healthy, but she didn’t inherit her mom’s green thumb. Between going to school and doing her homework so she could pass her senior year, Scarlett had little time, and, frankly, gardening just wasn’t her thing. Ashleigh would have kept them as perfect as their mom had no matter how busy she was, but she was away at school finishing up her first semester of college.
As Scarlett walked through the garden, she found yellow snapdragons, her favorite—partly because she loved their shape, but mostly because they had the word dragon in them which, as a child, convinced her they were from a magical land. She supposed that, now that she was here, it was true.
The numbness from Cade’s feeding had worn off already. She hadn’t told him her recovery time improved every day. It was one of the many signs that she wasn’t like other humans. Surprisingly, the pain and fear the nightmare had resurfaced was manageable now. This morning she thought it would consume her, but now, she breathed it in and exhaled it into the wind to drift wherever the breeze would take it.
Even though Scarlett knew the danger she was in amongst the supernatural creatures, a part of her felt this place was right. It was an unexplainable feeling but one she couldn’t ignore.
For now, she had no choice but to stay. But what about after the battle? Would she ask to remain, and, if so, what would she be to whomever became king?
Or could she finally return home and face her life again?
Raith spun and struck his daggers down onto Jaser’s sword.
“Better,” Jaser said. “But still predictable.”
“We've been training for weeks now.” Raith dropped his daggers to his side. “Of course you know my moves.”
“And your brother and you used to train together. Won't he know them, too?”
Raith groaned. Would Cade remember how Raith fought? Probably. But he didn't know about Raith’s nature magic. Neither did Jaser. During the first training sessions, Raith was convinced Jaser would get on his last nerve. But the more he got to know Jaser, the more Raith realized he wasn’t so bad. A brilliant warrior, too.
Maybe even a friend.
Raith had already learned a lot. He wanted to trust Jase
r with his nature magic secret, but he couldn’t risk it. Maybe Jaser was devoted to helping Raith win the battle now, but allegiances could always change. Cade wouldn’t try to bribe Jaser. He would follow the rules and win or lose fairly. Kassandra, on the other hand, would fight dirty, doing whatever she could to assure her little boy’s victory.
“How’s your summer magic coming along?” Jaser asked.
Raith cupped his hands and thought of his power. A small blue orb appeared and then vanished. “Shitty.”
“You'll get it.” Jaser hung his sword on the wall. “Eventually.”
“Before or after my brother blasts me into oblivion?”
Raith was confident with his nature power, sure, but if he could master his summer power, too, then he’d really be able to show his brother up.
“Past kings have won the battle without their summer magic,” Jaser said.
“Yeah, like one out of ten of them.”
“Better than none.”
A knock on the door interrupted their conversation. Jaser opened it to a male human servant with an envelope in his hand. He grabbed the note and the servant hurried away.
“I don't know why they're so scared of me.” Jaser flipped the envelope over. “Looks like it's for you.”
Raith flung it through the air to his hands and opened it. Inside was a note from the infirmary saying that the king was drifting away.
Raith crumpled the note in his hand.
“Everything all right?” Jaser’s eyebrows furrowed.
“The king is getting worse.”
“How is that possible? Fae aren't as frail as humans. We don't get sick.”
“No idea.”
It wasn't a surprise, really. The king had been going downhill for a while. But never had a king died from this kind of sickness. Raith wasn't close to him, at least not anymore. At one time, he had spent countless hours following the king around. He taught Raith horseback riding. But as Raith got older, Kassandra had gotten in the way. She'd convinced the king that the boys needed to focus on their education. They could worry about royal duties later, when they were older.
“You want to call it a day?” Jaser asked.
Raith lifted his daggers. “The king may not have much longer. All the more reason to train.”
Jaser brought a steel staff through the air and to his hands. “Very well.”
The two sparred for another hour. At first, Jaser got the best of Raith, tripping him to the ground. Then Raith took Jaser’s advice to be less predictable with his movements. Instead of thinking his moves through, he let his body take over, moving with a cat-like grace. Finally, Raith pinned Jaser to the ground with his daggers crossed above Jaser’s neck.
“Bravo, prince. Bravo,” Jaser said.
Raith helped Jaser up and again, they fought. Repetition was key, Jaser repeated over and over.
“To be a strong warrior, everything must become second nature.” Jaser lunged from Raith and somersaulted across the room. “Your weapon becomes an extension of your body, your mind free from confliction.”
Jaser charged at Raith, sword high above his head. Raith blocked a blow with his daggers. As he pushed Jaser’s sword away, Jaser kicked Raith in the stomach, taking the breath from his lungs.
“And always expect the unexpected.” Jaser laughed as Raith gave him a vulgar gesture.
After battle practice, Raith headed to the back of the castle to clear his mind. In truth, he wasn’t even sure he wanted to be king. Running a court sounded about as fun as being a living dartboard. But he didn’t like to lose, least of all to his little brother. Cade and his constant need to be perfect got on Raith’s last nerve. Raith believed his little brother had what it took to be a good king, but his momma’s boy tendencies could get in the way. Raith didn’t trust Kassandra. He never had and likely never would. Perhaps it was just jealousy. Kassandra came into his life so quickly after his own mother died. But he was just a boy who wanted motherly love. Had Kassandra taken him in as her own, maybe Raith would think of her as a mom.
When did he get so sentimental? Fuck. He would win the battle and become king, and then he could do with Kassandra what he pleased. End of story. If only he could figure out the summer magic.
Raith flung the back castle door open and stepped outside, letting the sunshine pour down on him. It was a nice change after spending three hours in a room of stone. As he walked through the garden, he saw someone through the rosebushes. He closed his eyes and could sense the faint human emotion. It must be Scarlett, drained from Cade’s morning feeding. Raith picked a blue snapdragon from a bush and rounded the corner.
Scarlett didn’t notice him at first. She was too busy staring at the rose bush in front of her.
“Hello, love.” Raith twirled the flower in his hands.
Scarlett peered up at him, her blue eyes bright. “Stalking me now?”
Raith smirked. “You are rather stalkable.”
Scarlett grinned. “That doesn’t sound creepy at all.”
Raith felt for her emotions. She seemed at ease with him. When she glanced back at the rose bush, he sensed a small burst of pain.
“For you.” Raith handed her the snapdragon he picked.
Scarlett took it. “Thank you.”
“What brings you out here?” Raith asked. “Planning your escape?”
“I made a bargain to stay.” Her expression shifted, sadness settling in her eyes. “Have you upheld your end?”
“Of course, love. Your friend is home safe and won’t remember a thing.”
“Good.” Grief trickled from Scarlett now.
“I must say, that kiss was something else.” Raith puckered his lips. “For a human, that is.”
A new feeling flowed from Scarlett now: lust. She must have liked it, too. “I aim to please.” Her cheeks blushed. “I mean, I’m glad it wasn’t bad.”
“Anything but.”
“I wouldn’t have wanted you to back out of our deal. It was nothing more than a business arrangement.” The lust buzzing from her told him otherwise.
“We could make a new bargain—one to get you out of here before the battle.”
For a moment, Scarlett’s eyes widened, then they returned to their normal size. “What kind of a bargain?”
“We could start the kiss where we left off, and let it take us where it will.” Raith was confident if they kissed again, neither would be able to stop. He was also certain she’d turn him down, but the game was fun nonetheless.
“I’ll take my chances here until the battle.”
“Very well.”
As much as he would have enjoyed taking her right there in that garden, Raith had other plans for Scarlett.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Scarlett kept a smile from appearing on her face. The thought of their kiss made her lips tingle. And his offer was tempting—too tempting. But she’d waited this long to have sex, so there was no way she would lose her virginity in a bargain, no matter how good the sex may be.
“I should be getting back inside now.” Scarlett didn’t want to have a chance to change her mind.
“If you reconsider.” Raith winked.
“I won’t.”
Scarlett followed the cobblestone path around the castle to its entrance. The guards opened the door for her with their magic without a word. When she got back to her room, a note was waiting for her on her bed. It was an invitation to tea with Kassandra. Great. Her presence was required at noon, in proper attire. Scarlett picked up the pocket watch from Raith from her bedside table and opened it. It was already eleven thirty. She’d better hurry.
The dress she wore to the gardens was one of the simpler dresses in her closet—and she doubted it qualified as nice enough for tea with the Summer Queen. Scarlett slipped into a navy velvet dress instead. She brushed on a little makeup, and with no time left to do anything different with her hair, made her way to the parlor.
Her stomach clenched. Why would Kassandra want to have tea with her? The qu
een’s distaste for humans was as clear as a cloudless sky. But Scarlett couldn’t exactly refuse the invitation.
Kassandra lounged on a cream-colored chaise, her burgundy dress draped carefully. Across from her was a matching chaise, both next to a marble fireplace.
Something else caught Scarlett’s attention: an exquisite grand piano, the fanciest one she’d ever seen, with roses carved into its feet and a glistening sheen emanating from its gloss. Oh how her fingers wanted to glide across its ivory keys. She’d lost herself in playing so many times, and even though pain had kept her away, she still craved the peace it brought.
Scarlett approached the queen and curtsied. “Thank you for the invitation.”
She wasn’t completely sure of fae etiquette yet, but she’d bet that being overly polite was the best option.
Kassandra nodded. “Sit.”
Scarlett obliged.
Kassandra clapped her hands. “Music.”
From behind the pearl grand piano in the corner of the room, a fae man began to play a song with an upbeat tempo. Scarlett resisted the urge to wiggle her fingers to the beat.
Kassandra hummed along. “Ah, isn’t it lovely?”
“Very.” Scarlett folded her hands in her lap.
A girl servant came into the room, a silver platter with a teapot and cups in her hand—the same girl who brought Kassandra fruit during the hunt. She carefully set the platter on the table between the chaises and poured the tea. Slowly, she handed Kassandra hers first and then Scarlett’s.
“Thank you,” Scarlett said.
“Off you go,” Kassandra said. “Bring us fruit.”
“Yes, my queen.” The servant hurried away.
Kassandra sipped her tea. “So, what did your human existence consist of?”
“Um… school, family, friends?” She wasn't sure what Kassandra meant, so Scarlett kept her answer general.
“And what do they teach you in human school?”
