Forever With The Fae King (Mated To The Fae King Book 5)

by Bailey Dark

  “Do you understand what you’ve done? What you almost did?” Altair murmurs.

  Sadal nods. “Do it,” he whispers. A tear streaks through the blood on his cheeks. “I’ve been waiting for hundreds of years.”

  "I'm glad you understand," Altair speaks like a priest absolving Sadal of his sins, but I know Altair's anger still burns in his chest.

  His sword plunges into Sadal's chest without a sound. Sadal hiccups in surprise, eyes wide. He gapes at Altair and blood drips from his open mouth. I can't hide the sorrow in my eyes or the downturn of my lips as I watch Sadal's life slip away from him. He sighs, drooping backward as Altair withdraws his sword. The Dark God is finished. Despite his crimes and his cruelty, I hope he rests in peace.

  No one speaks a word as they circle around me, waiting for my magic to pull them home. The Shades lean against the threads of the prison, stretching them. “Please,” one of them hisses. “Release us.”

  “I don’t think so,” Thal says, glaring at them.

  The Shades howl in unison, sounding like fighting cats. I turn my eyes towards Freia and curl my lip at her. She’s studying Sadal’s corpse with disgust. Suddenly, his body fades, dissolving into ash and fluttering away on a breeze. I wonder if Sadal would have truly changed if he hadn’t been tempted by Freia. “Enjoy them,” I say to her with a sarcastic smile. “I hope they never stop shrieking.”

  Freia scowls at me but I don't have time to debate whether or not it was wise to anger a Goddess. I unsheathe my dagger and drag it across my palm. My blood pools in my hand, and I see my reflection waver in it. "Lanuae praesens,” I murmur.

  And the world goes dark.

  Chapter 19

  Altair

  “Verity?” I shake her gently, heart pounding.

  She transported us out of the Ether and into the courtyard of my palace in Desmarais. A cold wind gusts over us and I see flakes of snow in the air. The courtyard is littered with discarded wagons and crushed defenses from the battle a few months prior. Above us, the castle walls have crumbled from the explosion I instructed my alchemists to set-off if we were overrun. The towers have fallen, lying broken at the base of the castle walls. I hold Verity tightly in my arms, listening to her shallow breathing and faint heartbeat.

  “Verity?” I lick my lips nervously. She doesn’t respond, her skin is pale and sallow. “Please.”

  “Is she alright?” Erzur asks. Her brown eyes show hints of concern.

  “She needs a healer,” Thal says, glancing towards the castle. “We all do.”

  I rise, hoisting her limp figure into my arms. She doesn’t stir when I break into a sprint. I try not to jostle her in my arms, but her head rolls back and forth in time with my movements. I take the stairs two at a time, dodging debris. Servants and soldiers rush out of the main doors, gaping at us. Bells ring in the city, and I wonder vaguely if they’re announcing our arrival. The sight of soldiers and servants in the halls gives me hope that healers will be here as well despite the castle being near ruin.

  “A healer,” I say, stopping beside a soldier. “Where are the healers?”

  He points up the stair to the second floor. "They've set up in the second-floor salon, it was the only room large enough."

  I nod. The castle seems unfamiliar to me now. Its opulent marble floors are cracked from the weight of the heavy stones that fell from above. The red carpet that ran along the main halls is thin and moth-eaten, worn by the boots of a thousand soldiers. Furniture and décor are missing, likely looted, and windows are shattered. My home is destroyed. But none of it means anything if Verity doesn't wake. She must, I think desperately, she will.

  I burst through the door to the salon, a room that was once used for mingling with friends after long dinners. Now, the bookshelves that lined the walls have been replaced with brewing stations and cupboards for ingredients. The plush sofas are gone and cots in neat rows are in their place. The healers turn in unison towards me, pausing in their work. Some of them gasp when they recognize me.

  “She won’t wake up.” My voice sounds broken and weak.

  "Put her here," the nearest healer says, gesturing towards a cot. I lay her down gently. Her skin is feverish now, hot enough to burn my hand when I run it over her bare skin. The healer rips her blood-red cloak off of her and studies her body. "What happened?"

  I shake my head. Where do I begin?

  “Is she injured?” The healer snaps impatiently.

  “No,” I say. “Not enough to cause her to fall unconscious.”

  “I take it she’s a Bloodbane?” The healer eyes her cloak.

  “Yes,” I say, nodding.

  He tuts. “You need to get out. You’ll only be in the way.”

  “No,” I say sharply. “I can help. Tell me what to do and I’ll do it.”

  “My King.” The healer eyes me knowingly, as if he understands my urge to stay with Verity. But it isn’t a simple desire, it’s a need. “You must go.”

  I lay a hand on the hilt of my sword, my hand trembles. “I won’t.”

  The healer’s eyes dart between my hand and my face. He stiffens, glowering at me. “You may be the King, but this is my infirmary. You are endangering my patient and you must go.”

  “Altair.” I turn at the sound of the familiar voice. Navi stands in the doorway. Her auburn hair is longer now, brushing over her shoulders. Her sharp green eyes are softened with sympathy and I feel my shoulders sag at the sight of her. She reaches for me. “Now that you’ve returned, there are things we must discuss.”

  I know she’s right. I know the healer is right. But the thought of leaving Verity while she may be dying has my heart in pieces. A hand takes my elbow, tugging me out of the room. The healer slams the door and I hear the faint click of a lock. I drop into a crouch, head in my hands, in front of the door. My mind whirls, the impossibility of these last few days finally catching up to me. Months of war for a lifetime of peace, I assure myself. But will it be peace without Verity?

  “Altair,” Navi says. Her voice gains an edge. “Get up.”

  “Careful,” I growl.

  She doesn’t relent. “You’ve been gone for three months.”

  “What?” My voice is a guttural rasp.

  Thal and Erzur, watching, gape in surprise. “You lie,” Erzur says accusingly.

  Navi narrows her eyes at the ebony Queen. “I gave up that habit. As I said, it’s been three months and there is much to discuss.”

  “Time flows differently in the Ether,” Serus says. I jolt at the sound of his voice and the cat melts out of the shadows.

  “I have to get to Santaya,” Erzur says, spinning towards the stairs.

  “Wait,” I bark, finally relenting and rising to my full height. “Let me walk you out.”

  Erzur tosses me an amused grin. “A gentleman. That’s what I like about you, Altair.”

  “I’ll be right back,” I assure Navi as I follow Erzur down the stairs.

  Silence hangs heavy between us until we reach the main doors. I lift a hand and call for a mount for Erzur. We wait while a stable boy fetches one. Erzur watches me with a calculating look in her eyes and she heaves a sigh. Her hints at attention would be amusing if not for Verity lying prone upstairs.

  “What is it?” I ask.

  “You’ll be glad you asked,” Erzur quips. She turns to me and holds out her hand. I look at with confusion and she takes mine with it, shaking it. “I’m ending our bargain.”

  “What?” My brows raise. Images of her sun soldiers attacking my borders flit through my mind.

  “Don’t worry,” Erzur says. “Consider your debt paid.”

  I study her suspiciously, but there are no signs of malice on her heart-shaped face. "Why?" I ask, not daring to hope.

  The stable boy arrives with her horse, and she swings onto it gracefully. "Verity has impressed me. Her sacrifices for us all are more than enough payment for the help of my sun soldiers in a single battle. Thank her for me, will you?"

  I nod
dumbly as Erzur steers her horse out the gates. I watch her until she disappears down the road leading to the main highway. Her words have left me stunned and I’m still not sure if I should allow myself to trust her—to let myself believe in a future with Verity. It’s all I could have wanted. Suddenly, the thought of accepting our forbidden love fills me with trepidation. Will Verity even want me? What’s more, will she live?

  My shoulders sag, and I turn back into the castle. Navi and Thal are waiting for me beside another familiar face. Haru beams down at me from the top of the stairs. She's dressed in comfortable traveling trousers and furry gloves. She wraps her arms around my shoulder and pulls me into a tight hug. "Gods, you're so thin," she says, eyes filled with sympathy.

  “It’s good to see you, Haru,” I say, forcing a smile. I study her and then look around at the bustling castle. “Haru, I can’t thank you enough.”

  She silences with a raised hand. “Don’t. You saved us all. You all did.”

  "Let's not dwell on it," Thal says. His green eyes rove over Haru and I suppress a grin. Looking as greasy and travel-worn as he does, he doesn't stand a chance with her. But Thal will certainly try. He rubs his palms together. "I'm starving, anything in the kitchens?"

  “Come on.” Navi gestures for us to follow her down the stairs. “Altair, can we talk now? Will you be focused?”

  “I’m focused,” I snap.

  “Almost all of the refugees have returned,” Navi says.

  I glance towards Haru who confirms with a nod. “Perhaps a few more ships.”

  “Excellent, and the infrastructure?” I ask as we enter the warm kitchens. The smell of warm bread wafts over us. I pause in the doorway, eyes wide. “Oh, gods.”

  The kitchen is lit with a warm glow, bustling with activity. The ovens are on, fires burning with pots of boiling water or stew. Cooks and scullery maids move to and fro, chopping ingredients, pulling fresh goods from the oven, or stirring their concoctions. My throat is tight as I watch. Life here is almost normal.

  “Altair,” Navi says. I tear my eyes away from the scene before me to the others. They’re watching me. Thal meets my gaze and I see a flicker of understanding in his eyes.

  “Coming,” I say.

  We gather around the large counter in the middle of the kitchen. I catch the scullery maids looking at me curiously from time to time. I wonder how many of my people would truly believe I've returned—or if they would accept me again. After all, I am the King who brought war on their country and forced them to flee. I'm the King that destroyed my own palace out of spite. I push such thoughts from my mind and bury myself in the warm stew, fresh bread, and water. The stew sits comfortably in my belly and I sigh, pushing the bowl away from me.

  “If you’re ready,” Navi says, eyes twinkling.

  “Go ahead,” I groan, resting a hand on my full gut.

  “Desmarais is doing well. Almost all businesses and trades have reopened. Trade has begun again with our neighbors to the North,” Navi says, listing off the good news. “It’s more challenging in rural areas. The villages will be hit hard this winter. Their food stores have been depleted, and many of their homes and farms were destroyed by Sadal's army."

  I rub my temples. This is what I wanted, I remind myself. I want to be the King who cares. I want to protect my people and provide for them. “What else?”

  “Those who couldn’t reclaim their farms or homes are taking refuge in Desmarais and Anholla,” Navi continues. “We expect more when winter really strikes.”

  “And that will put a strain on the city.” I nod. “How much is left in the treasury?”

  “Enough to rebuild your castle three times over.”

  I sigh. “Finally, good news. Send trade ambassadors to our Neighbors in the North. As unhelpful as they were in this conflict, I’m sure they have an excess of food stores. Offer what we need to for food to feed the people. But be frugal. I don’t want to give them a penny more than they deserve.”

  “I already did,” Navi says with a smug smile.

  My brows raise in surprise. “Well, look at you.”

  “I spent enough time with you to know what you would do,” Navi says.

  I grin wryly. “I’m not sure about that. But, tell me, have we made a deal, yet?”

  “We have.” Navi straightens. “Shipments of food are already on their way.”

  “Good. Make sure soldiers are present at the docks when it arrives. I don’t want anything to happen to that food.” I stretch, exhaustion hitting me like a boulder. Thal’s eyes are slipping closed while he sits upright on his stool. We both need some sleep. “If that’s all, Thal and I need to rest.”

  “I think I’ll sleep right here,” Thal mumbles. “Don’t make me move.”

  I chuckle. “Alright, but don’t blame me if the cooks hit you with a broom.”

  Thal grunts in response. I slip off of my stool and stagger up the stairs to the main level. I keep my eyes trained on the worn carpet as I mount the stairs to the second floor. I stop outside the salon-now-infirmary and stare intensely at the door. I can hear bustling within, glasses clinking, and soft footsteps. Suddenly, the door flings open, and the healer who kicked me out stares at me. His eyes are filled with sympathy and my heart stops.

  “Come in,” he says. “She’s awake.”

  A chill in my veins, I follow him inside. My eyes find Verity immediately. She’s resting on the cot where I left her. Some color has returned to her cheeks but they’re still sunken. There are dark bruises under her eyes. Her lips are dry and cracked. She smiles at me and lifts a thin hand in greeting. Relief floods through me, weakening my knees. I rush to her side, dropping to my knees and taking her hand in mine. Her skin is still hot, too warm for a mortal, but it’s cooler than before. She still wears the ring I gifted her months ago on her little finger. I press it to my lips, locking my eyes on hers.

  “Verity, how do you feel?” I ask quietly.

  “They tell me I’m not doing so well,” she says. “But I’m not sure if I believe them.”

  “What’s wrong with her?” I ask, glowering at the healer.

  “It’s a sickness of her magic,” the healer says. “We don’t know much about this type of illness. It may pass, it may not. Only time will tell. In the meantime, her body will reject her magic. She used too much of it in too short a time without enough strength.”

  “Is she going to die?” My voice is guttural, pained. I hate to even ask the question.

  “No,” the healer says and my shoulders sag. Verity squeezes my fingers tightly. “But she will need a lot of rest.”

  “When can she be released?” I ask, brushing my lips over her fingers.

  “Tomorrow perhaps.” The healer turns away to rummage through one of the cupboards, leaving us a few feet of privacy.

  “I have some good news,” I whisper.

  Her pale blue eyes drift over me and she cocks a brow. “Spill it.”

  I grin at her, happy to see she has some life to her. “I spoke to Erzur before she returned to Santaya.” I pause, letting the moment build. I don’t know if I can tell her. I’m not sure how she will react to the news. “Erzur has agreed to release me from my bargain.”

  She’s quiet, eyes wide. “You mean?”

  I run my tongue over my lips nervously. “Is that something you would like?” My words are hesitant, faltering.

  Verity doesn’t speak. She tugs her hand from my grasp and my heart sinks. I drop my gaze to my knees on the cobblestone floor. Verity’s blankets rustle and from the corner of my eye I see her wringing her fingers. Suddenly, Verity stills. She waggles her fingers in front of my face and I catch a glint of metal from her ring finger.

  “What?” I trail off, lifting my head, heart fluttering.

  “Look.” She frowns, showing me the ring on her finger. It sits above her second knuckle, stuck. “This one doesn’t fit.”

  “Shall I get you another?” I cock a brow as Verity studies the ring.

  She smiles m
ischievously. “Is this a second proposal?”

  “It is,” I confirm with a smile.

  “Then I’ll have to think about it,” she sighs theatrically.

  I muse, playing along. “Is there anything I can do to persuade you?”

  Verity turns on her side, wincing. My thoughts flash back to the battle we fought. It feels like it was only hours ago that we risked losing it all. My stomach churns as I picture the Shades sprinting after Verity and the wild look of fear in her eyes. She looks peaceful now, but I see a new darkness in her eyes. Neither of us will ever be the same. She studies me just as intently and trails her fingers over my cheek.

  “Are you sure a wedding is a good idea? There’s so much to do here to restore Alnembra,” Verity murmurs.

  “I think a wedding would be a perfect opportunity to improve everyone’s spirits. A boast of overcoming darkness,” I say, enjoying the way her fingers linger over the scruff on my chin.

  “Then we should do it soon, and somewhere public,” Verity says.

  “Is that a yes?” My lips quirk into a smile.

  A flush creeps up her neck and to her cheeks. “It is.”

  I press a kiss to her palm, heart thrumming with joy. A part of me hadn’t believed that Verity would forgive me for betraying her for Erzur and her armies. I had worried that our brief kisses and private confessions might be nothing more than a drawn-out goodbye. But here we sit, Verity pallid and sick with magic, but beaming. I match her grin and I don’t think I could stop smiling if I tried. I kiss her gently, careful with her fragile body. She sighs softly as I pull away.

  “I love you,” I whisper, pressing my forehead to hers.

  Her pale blue eyes sparkle. “I love you too.”

  Epilogue

  Altair

  My heart pounds, so loud I wonder if everyone in Desmarais can hear it. I stand on the front steps of the palace.