A Cursed Reign (Whims of Fae Book 5)

by Nissa Leder

  “Thank you.” Scarlett took the dagger. Ankou needed to die, but who would ever want to take his place?

  Avel continued, “It took many years, but eventually I found a way to create this place with my magic. We are still cursed to the sea. These legs only work in this small bubble. But it’s allowed us to live as close to how we once did as possible.”

  “What happened to the Sea Goddess?”

  “My best guess is she died for good. I’m not sure what that entails for sea creatures like us.” He shrugged.

  The steel of the dagger chilled Scarlett’s core. She’d always expected to die someday. For so long, she’d been human, or at least thought she was. Even when she’d turned fae, she knew someday death would greet her. But now, the only way she could be killed was with the weapon heavy in her hand. It should be reassuring, but it wasn’t. Ashleigh would someday die. Even the fae in her life wouldn’t live forever. Would she too want someone to take her place as the Sea Goddess had?

  It was a question to ponder another day. Right then, the only person she wanted to use the dagger on was Ankou.

  “I need to get back,” Scarlett said. She could have left it at that, but she couldn’t resist asking one more question. “Why are you giving this to me?”

  She was relieved, of course. But she’d expected it to be more difficult to earn his trust.

  Avel lifted his shoulder in a half shrug. “You were human once, too. I can sense it in you. You want to protect people. Not hurt them. That was clear when I read your thoughts during the show. It’s why I wanted you to attend with me.”

  Heat flamed in Scarlett’s cheeks. Of course, she hadn’t been monitoring her mental shields. She checked them now. Down, as usual.

  Avel grinned. “It takes time to get used to the magic. Trust me.” He turned back toward the city. “I’ve seen the things Ankou has done.”

  “You have?” Had he had visions like she had?

  “The Sea Goddess didn’t leave me much, but in the bag she had with her when I stabbed her, was an orb. I didn’t think it meant anything until, out of nowhere, an image appeared inside right after she died. It was Ankou, angry at something and throwing someone into a fire. Every so often, the orb sends me glimpses of him. He wants destruction and will never settle for peace. After receiving the letter from the former Otherworld Queen, I knew I’d likely give you the dagger before you even showed up. But meeting you has made me even more sure of the decision.”

  Scarlett smiled. Sometimes she questioned every choice she made, afraid it wasn’t queenly enough or the best for those counting on her. But now, just being herself—a girl who started out human—had been enough to secure the weapon needed to defeat Ankou.

  “You best be getting back to the land,” Avel said.

  “Will you be taking me?” she asked.

  “I avoid the water as much as I can.” He smiled. “I will escort you back to the exit where Nelly will take you from there.”

  Scarlett firmly gripped the dagger’s hilt. She would return to the castle and meet with Vida to come up with a plan to rescue Rowen and defeat Ankou.

  Chapter Twenty

  Cade’s mouth was bone dry by the time they made it to the throne room.

  Neither he or Poppy spoke on the walk from their room, unable to talk freely to one another with the advisor and three guards escorting them.

  “You two may enter,” the advisor said. “My Queen has asked to speak to you privately.”

  Privately?

  When Cade and Poppy were through the door, it shut behind them. They continued toward the throne where Nevina was waiting. Her right leg was crossed over her left as she sat with perfect posture. Once they were a few feet away from the throne, she lifted her arms and ice rose around all three of them.

  “To keep out any undesired ears,” she said.

  Cade’s magic could break through the ice, but not fast enough for a quick escape. Still, if she had meant them harm, surely she wouldn’t have asked to see them alone.

  “I never liked the Spring Queen,” Nevina began. “I always believed she should have joined us in our quest to regain our full power from the Seelie Queen since she was to benefit as much as the rest of us who did what needed to be done. I thought she deserved a lesson. Sitting back while the world battles around her was never practical.”

  If Cade had any made any guess as to what this conversation was going to be about, it wouldn’t have been this.

  Nevina tapped her fingers on the throne’s arm. “Marching in and capturing her wouldn’t have been enough. I knew she needed to see what making complacent decisions could cost her. When Morta instructed me to have my soldiers attack anyone in their path, I refused. The goal was to force the Spring Queen into choosing our side. Her people needn’t die. But Morta insisted. She claimed the only way to really secure her allegiance was the threat of her people’s safety.

  “Everything had gone as planned. She didn’t even hesitate, offering her allegiance right away. I almost thought Morta might have been right. But then she killed her.”

  The vision of the Spring Queen’s head severed from her body flashed in Cade’s mind. She’d surrendered and Morta hadn’t even blinked as she killed her.

  “It might have been an unneeded death,” he said. It was unneeded. There was no question in his mind. But he chose his words carefully. It could be a trap to trick him into saying the wrong thing.

  “I don’t trust them,” Nevina said. “I’ve always been leery, but I wanted our rightful power returned to us and I knew they would make that happen. Now that we have it, I think we should part ways.”

  Poppy interjected, “You saw what they did to the Spring Queen. Even talking about this could get us all killed. They can see the future. What if they realize we’ve betrayed them?”

  She was right. Cade hadn’t thought about their visions. The necklace Kaelem gave him protected against mind gifts, but did that include visions?

  Nevina lifted a bag sitting next to her on the throne. “I’ve been taking these pills filled with Lumon powder, a rare herb that prevents anyone from having visions of the person consuming it.

  “What are you suggesting?” Cade asked.

  “Morta already suspects your lack of commitment to the cause. I did what I could to convince her you’re dedicated, but I don’t think she trusts you. Remaining in her grasp is not a risk I would take if I were you. Go to the Unseelie King and offer your allegiance for protection, and bring a message for me. I will continue my role as the evil queen willing to do anything the Fates ask of me. But when the time comes, my allegiance will be against them.”

  “Why take that risk?” he asked.

  “In the battle ahead, I’m a needed ally. Ankou and the Fates are powerful, but they have a worthy opponent and require all the help they can get to win the war. If they prevail, I will be nothing to them. They’ve never spoken of what their plans are after they win. I don’t believe that to be an accident. Morta would not have killed the Spring Queen so quickly if she respected our positions as fae rulers.”

  Cade couldn’t deny her logic. “How do I know you’re telling the truth?”

  “You don’t. Just as I don’t know that when you leave here, you won’t go straight to the Fates and tell them my plan. But despite our differences and the wars amongst us, we all care about Faerie and want to keep the realm safe. I don’t believe Ankou or the Fates desire the same thing.”

  “Very well. I will return to the Summer Court and reach out to Kaelem.” Cade reached out his hand.

  Nevina stood and shook it. “After we ensure the future of Faerie, we can return to being enemies.”

  “I’d love nothing more.”

  Cade and Poppy immediately left the Winter Court and evanesced back home to the Summer Forest. When he arrived at the castle gates, the guards stopped him.

  “It’s me, your king.” His forehead furrowed in confusion.

  The gates swung open and Kassandra walked out, a large crown ato
p her head. The same crown she’d worn as queen. “You’ve returned home, my son.”

  “Why am I being stopped outside my own castle?” His voice was thick with annoyance.

  “I just had a visit from Morta and, after discussing it, she’s decided the Summer Court will be a better asset to the upcoming war if someone more experienced rules.”

  “I am the Summer King.”

  “Things are changing, and I’m afraid we must do what’s best for the people. Don’t you agree, son?”

  Morta had no authority to make decisions for his court. And despite her order, the magic of ruler still swam in his veins. But unless he wanted to strike down his own mother, he had no choice but to follow her order.

  He refused to seem happy about it.

  “Very well,” he said. “May I at least come inside and rest?”

  Kassandra nodded to the guards who stepped aside to let him and Poppy pass.

  Kaelem paced back and forth across the balcony outside his room.

  The shimmering city below usually brought him comfort, but tonight, the flickering lights made him nervous. He should have heard something from Scarlett by now. How long did it take to get to some city in the ocean and retrieve a weapon?

  Who was he kidding? It could be a short trip or a long one. Or a trip she would never return from. He had absolutely no idea and neither had she.

  Sitting there worried would do no good. He needed to prepare as if she would return at any moment, ready to strike Ankou down.

  Kaelem opened the balcony doors with his magic and went back inside, heading straight for his desk. He wasn’t one to sit there often, but he plopped down and opened the middle drawer on the right. He pulled out the scroll he’d given to Cade. In the craziness of everything after his initial meeting with Nico, he hadn’t checked it in a while.

  When he unrolled it, a message appeared.

  A lot has changed. Must speak in person. On my way to your court.

  As the ink disappeared, someone knocked on his mental shield.

  Yes? he asked.

  Lola replied, You have a visitor. A hot king. She laughed in his mind. The Summer King. Get it?

  Leave it to Lola to come up with a ridiculous joke.

  Hilarious, Kaelem teased. Send him to my room.

  Kinky. She laughed again.

  He ignored her and went to his dresser to get some willow tree powder. Whatever Cade had to say, the fact that he’d come all the way to his court to say it meant it was confidential.

  Lola opened the door and escorted Cade in. “You two have fun.” She winked.

  Confusion flashed on Cade’s face as he looked at Lola then Kaelem.

  “Bye bye.” Kaelem waved to Lola, who chuckled as she left the room.

  After the door was shut, Kaelem sprinkled the powder in front of it. “I’m surprised to see you here. I thought we were avoiding public contact.”

  “Trust me, I prefer to stay away from you as much as possible, but this was unavoidable,” he said. “The Fates had us attack the Spring Court. They claimed it was to force the Spring Queen to choose their side, but when she surrendered, Morta killed her and placed Nona in charge.”

  This didn’t surprise Kaelem. He hadn’t predicted the Fates to be women of their word. “And this scared you into giving up your role as spy?”

  Cade gritted his teeth. “No. If you’d let me finish what I have to say…”

  “Go on.” Kaelem gave an internal laugh. Somehow, despite everything going on, getting under Cade’s skin still proved entertaining.

  “After we returned to the Winter Court, Nevina called a private meeting with me and Poppy. She doesn’t trust the Fates anymore either and has asked I inform you she will betray them when the time is right.”

  The Winter Queen backstabbing someone. That came as no surprise. But to defy anyone as powerful as the Fates and their father meant she was scared. “And why would she do that?”

  “Nevina doesn’t believe the Fates will stay out of Faerie once they’ve won the war,” Cade said. “And I know she’s right.”

  “Oh?”

  “Morta has decided to give the Summer Court back to my mother, claiming it needs a leader with more experience.”

  Kaelem resisted a chuckle. The once momma’s boy didn’t seem so infatuated anymore. “And you disagree?”

  “It has nothing to do with experience. I was raised to lead my people. I’ve made difficult choices and sacrificed to be the king they need. Morta wants someone hungry for power and she’s found that in my mother.”

  Things were turning and Kaelem couldn’t know for sure if it was for the better. He could never trust Nevina’s word, but he could count on the fact she would always protect herself and her own court first. If she felt threatened by the Fates, he trusted she would do what needed to be done. “What now?”

  “Nevina recommended I flee to your court. I thought she was taking things too far, but with my mother now supposedly queen, it will be safest for Poppy and me to leave,” Cade said. “Will you offer us protection?”

  “Of course.” He might enjoy causing the Summer King annoyance, but he’d actually grown to respect him.

  “I don’t want my people hurt. When the time comes, if I can convince them to follow my orders not my mother’s, I ask they be spared.”

  Kaelem nodded. “If they switch their allegiance in battle, they can help us. If not, I’m afraid they will be the enemy.”

  Cade sighed. “Very well.”

  “One more thing,” Kaelem said. “I need to be sure you haven’t chosen their side and this is a ploy to gain information. Remove your necklace and let me into your mind.”

  Cade opened his mouth and blinked, looking truly astonished at the idea. He hesitated but removed the necklace.

  Kaelem entered his mind, and all his shields were down. He saw the conversation with Nevina, the Spring Queen’s head falling to the ground, a Winter soldier with his sword raised above a fae child. Everything Cade said had been true, but Kaelem kept going just to be safe. He saw conversations with Poppy and when Cade slit a fae woman’s throat. The thick guilt he’d felt in that moment punched Kaelem as if he’d done it himself.

  The Summer King was young and inexperienced, but he had the empathy a great ruler required.

  The list of allies on their side was growing. If Scarlett returned with the dagger, Kaelem believed they stood a fighting chance.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Relief flooded Scarlett as she evanesced back into the castle. Not only was she thrilled to be back with the dagger, but it was the furthest she’d ever evanesced and she was worried she might not be able to make it. But she had. Her power continued to grow as she used it more. She was learning to wield all of the magic now running through her veins.

  She’d appeared in her bedroom, as she’d hoped. As excited as she was to be back from a successful trip, a moment to herself was what she needed.

  The dagger felt heavy in her hand, the pressure of everything sinking into Scarlett. If Ankou somehow got ahold of it, he’d be unstoppable. One of the Fates could kill Scarlett and take her crown.

  The element of surprise was crucial. If Ankou learned of the weapon, he would be prepared.

  Scarlett went to her dresser and pulled out one of the shirts Ashleigh had given her from the Unseelie Court. She wrapped the dagger in it and stuck it back in the dresser.

  Then Scarlett fell backward onto her bed.

  As her back contacted the mattress, the room disappeared and a vision struck her.

  A forest appeared, its warm colored leaves scattered across the ground. At first, Scarlett thought it might be Faerie, but then she saw the familiar thick-trunked tree with curved branches and three vertical stars etched into the bark. It was the tree in the forest her mother took her and Ashleigh to as children.

  And then she noticed them: Rowen, Natalie, and Teddy were all tied to stakes that had been pounded into the ground in front of the tree, their mouths gagged. Ankou steppe
d out from behind the trunk, his face full of glee.

  A group of redcaps circled from behind him, creating a perimeter. A few seconds later, two of the Fates appeared.

  “Poetic, I feel,” he said. “Three beautiful sacrifices all close to dear Scarlett’s heart.” He approached Rowen and slid his fingertips across her cheek. “Unfortunate for you, though. I’d planned on using someone else but then you were all alone and easy to snatch and I must admit, I can be quite impatient.”

  Rowen’s eyes narrowed. She’d been wrapped tightly with a rope to secure her to the stake, her arms pinned to her side.

  It was the same for Natalie and Teddy.

  Ankou moved to Natalie and wiped a tear from her cheek. “There, there. It isn’t personal. Unfortunately, you unknowingly made friends with a supernatural creature. You did find out about the fae world, but your friend had your memory erased.”

  Teddy let out a muffled scream.

  Ankou moved to him. “And you, beautiful Teddy. Apparently, Scarlett had quite the heart for you back in her mortal days. I’m afraid her heart’s been stolen by not one, but two fae men. Don’t feel too bad. It’s impossible for humans to compare to supernatural beauty and strength.” He looked up to the sky. “Sunset will be here soon enough and then you won’t have to worry about anything.”

  Scarlett yanked herself from the vision. She needed to get to them. How long did she have? She lunged to the dresser to grab the dagger but as she placed her hand on the handle, she froze.

  She needed to save them but if she rushed in with the dagger, unprepared, she could lose her chance and ruin everything. There was no time to come up with a plan, but her best chance to save everyone was by killing him once and for all.

  Still in the mortal outfit, she slid on a pair of tall boots and slipped the dagger inside. Then she grabbed her staff. With no more time to waste, she closed her eyes and evanesced to the first place she thought of: Raith’s room.