My eyes went wide. If Roth or his men died because of me...
Some costs were too high!
Or not. I watched, dumbfounded, as the prince targeted CL with incomparable savagery. Every furious swipe of his sword suggested rage and vengeance versus protection. His men were no different.
The violence...a true bloodbath. The soundtrack. Grunts and groans, howls and curses. Saxon flared his wings, leaped into the air and used two short swords like scissors, cutting off a centaur’s hoof. Vikander laughed as he skewered a centaur with a spear. A centaur collapsed a few feet away; Reese ripped open his throat.
So why did I want to smile? A chill swept through me.
Didn’t matter. I would rather be of service—or part of me would. Argh! Torn again. The other part of me wanted to run and never look back.
Well, that part of me could suck it. I was fully charged and teeming with strength. I would help. Had I borrowed a magical ability, too?
“Look to the sky,” Roth commanded as he moved in front of me.
Who was supposed to look to the sky? Me? Yeah, definitely me. He didn’t want me to see his macabre handiwork. Too late. I could never unsee it—never wanted to.
As a centaur had thrust a spear in my direction, the prince had blocked, then kicked the beast in the chest, spun around and lopped off his head. Blood still arced from the severed artery.
Roth picked up the head, bowling-ball style, and lobbed it at another centaur, who took the hit to the face, stumbled back and tripped over a fallen beast.
The epitome of fury, the prince advanced. His target had no idea Vikander was sneaking up behind him...swinging his sword... A second head plopped to the ground.
Do not vomit. Worse, do not enjoy the sight.
A spear slicked through Reese’s side. Though he opened his mouth, no sound escaped. He banged a fist into his temple. To clear his head of pain? On his arms, his scales flared, the razor-sharp tips glistening with moisture. Only then did he dive into his opponent. Those scales sheared off a huge hunk of the centaur’s torso.
I almost vomited, I also almost laughed. What’s wrong with me? The two sides of me needed to merge or battle to the death; I couldn’t take much more of this.
When a spine landed at my feet, minus a body, the soul-chill gained new ground. Finally, the nausea won. I hunched over and emptied my stomach. My knees buckled and I crashed to the ground.
Unfortunately, the commotion distracted Roth.
Distraction always came with a price.
As the prince turned to check on me, CL—the last remaining centaur—kicked his sternum and galloped away, soon disappearing from view.
Vikander and Saxon gave chase but didn’t go far. The fairy darted to Roth’s side, and the avian hastened to Reese’s.
I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand and closed in on Roth, as well, a little embarrassed. I hadn’t been of service at all. I’d been a hindrance, and he’d gotten hurt because of it. The force of the kick had sent him flying. He’d landed in a tangle of bushes and now lumbered to an upright position. He wheezed with pain, and concern nearly robbed me of sense.
Be okay, be okay, please be okay. “Roth?”
His wild gaze landed on me. Voice gruff, features pinched, he said, “You are well?”
“I am.” If only I had healer magic. “How are you?”
“I’m fine.” He rubbed his chest. “Or I will be fine. Just as soon as I collect your rescue tax. And your fool’s tax. What were you thinking, entering the forest? I told you to remain behind.”
14
One battle is done, but another looms.
Who walks away, who greets their doom?
“Queen Violet sent the centaurs to murder me. I was running for my life,” I snapped. “But please. Tell me again how foolish I am for doing whatever proved necessary to survive.”
He grumbled something unintelligible.
I left him in a huff, deciding to aid Reese. I patched the mer’s injuries as best I could, considering our limited resources. When I finished, he took my hand in his and peered deep into my eyes. He said nothing, made no sound, and yet, in a perfect moment of understanding and peace, I felt his gratitude and adoration for Roth, a friend and honorary brother. I felt his deep respect for Vikander and Saxon. Mostly, I felt his desire to love and be loved.
How he shared, I didn’t know, but I welcomed the insight. No matter how happy people seemed, they had hurts, too. Underneath our skin, we were all the same, fighting for a little slice of happiness in an unhappy world.
“Thank you,” I whispered, and he nodded.
“Come,” Roth said, closing the distance to help me stand. The battle had ended, yet he still exuded savage intensity. War must live in his bones. “We’ll take you to our camp. We can protect you better there.”
I could have given a token protest, but I wanted to see Truly too badly. “Thank you.”
“Walk only where we walk. Touch nothing. If there’s a risk to take, we will take it, and you will stand down. You will do what I say, when I say. Understood?”
“Hey, if you want to take risks while I stay safe, go for it. You’ll hear no complaints from me. I’m happy to do my part—breathing—so you have a reason to go on.”
Some of the intensity dulled at last.
During the twenty-minute trek, Roth kept pace beside me, the others lagging behind. With his long legs, he could have eaten up the distance no problem, leaving me in his dust.
I took advantage of our stolen moments together. “You said Noel told you where to find me. Does she speak inside your head?” Was he bonum et malum, too? Mom had mentioned two queens who’d partaken of New Beginnings.
He frowned before admitting, “Princess Truly is the one who speaks to Noel. But I never mentioned the oracle’s name.”
Oops. Guess I had no reason to hide my acquaintance with Noel. I was only surprised the oracle hadn’t told everyone about my sorcerian ancestors.
She probably planned to blackmail me.
“Noel speaks to me, too.”
First he projected astonishment, then curiosity.
“Did she tell you why my survival matters so much?” I asked. Maybe she’d given us different answers.
“Apparently, the fate of Enchantia rests in your dainty hands,” he said, his tone dry.
Or not. “Clearly, you doubt Noel’s claim. Has she been wrong often?”
Now he glowered. “Never.”
“Yet you think she’s wrong this one and only time?”
“I think she speaks in riddles, and I have yet to decipher this one.”
Okay. Yeah. I knew the feeling. “Is that why you did the whole white knight routine?” Something he would regret as soon as he learned I was a sorceress. Unless I changed his mind. We’re not all bad, promise!
“I’m a prince. I do what I want, when I want.”
Ha! “You missed me. Admit it.”
His glower returned a thousand times darker, and I grinned. He had a very evil queenish vibe right now.
Speaking of the fairy tale, what would come next? If Violet were the Evil Queen, and I were Snow White, then the centaurs would be the Huntsman, and I would soon meet and greet the Seven Dwarfs.
Excitement reenergized me, making me feel drunk and stone-cold sober at the same time.
But something inside me shouted, You’ve got this all wrong.
“Or,” he said, “perhaps I hoped to receive another of your infamous tongue-lashings—without words.”
As my cheeks heated, the tension he’d carried like a second skin began to fade.
“The girl who so boldly killed a troll blushes when we talk of kissing?” He laughed outright, and I noted a little of the rust had returned.
But oh, what a beautiful sound. I’d missed it, and I’d missed him.
His friends gaped at me as if I’d just walked on water.
“Tell me something about you,” I said, switching tracks.
“Why?”
“Why not? It’ll help us pass the time. And if we are going to end up kissing, I’d like to know you better first.”
Intrigue lit his eyes. “Why don’t you go first, then? Help me know you better—for our kiss.”
Very well. “I like fresh tomatoes, but I hate sundried ones.”
He gave me a look: that all you got?
Okay, okay. I popped my knuckles. “A year ago, I stood in line for twenty-two hours just to get my sister an autographed book.”
“So you are stubborn and determined. Tenacious.” He sounded impressed.
“Your turn,” I prompted.
He thought for a moment. “Multiple maids have snuck into my bed and hidden, revealing themselves only when I crawled under the sheets.”
I barked out a laugh. “Oh, my gosh. You’re bragging!”
“Perhaps.” His mouth curled up. “Or maybe I’m offering a suggestion?”
Heat bloomed in my cheeks, and he chuckled.
“Tell me something personal,” I said, “that doesn’t involve maidens.”
Again, he did some thinking, “I have been referred to as the ‘mince prince.’”
“Because you leave your opponents in little pieces?”
Clipped nod.
“That is...”
“Horrifying?” he asked, brow quirked.
“Hot.”
He jolted, his intrigue back and brighter.
Vikander motioned for Roth, who nodded and motioned to Saxon.
As soon as the avian and his gorgeous wings reached us, Roth told me, “I’ll be back in a moment. Stay with Saxon.” After I agreed, he stalked to the fairy.
Keeping pace beside me, Saxon whispered, “As soon as the prince realized we were to rescue the flaxen-haired maiden with eyes like mirrors, he could not get to you fast enough.”
My heart skipped a beat. “Why tell me?”
“I have noticed the way you gaze at him. We all have. But you are not the one for him, mortal. His cares about family, those of blood, and those he loves, and his kingdom. You do not qualify. If you pursue him, you will be hurt.”
Ouch. I gave him my best man-eater smile. “Have you happened to notice the way he gazes at me? Maybe you think I will hurt him, yeah?”
“Exactly,” he said with a nod, taking the air out of my tires.
“Look, I understand putting family first. I do it, too. But who do you think is the one for him?” The girl I’d seen in his bed?
“That isn’t my story to tell,” he said, then slowed his gait, falling several feet behind me.
Well. The guy had a highly effective way to end a conversation, that was for sure.
We reached their camp, a lovely site within a clearing, hidden by a wall of snapping flowers on one side and a towering cliff with a rainbow-colored waterfall on the other. Truly sat before a crackling fire, stirring the contents of a boiling pot. Behind her was some kind of telescope. A little farther, horses grazed in a makeshift stable.
She popped to her feet. “Everly?” She wore a dress more serviceable than fashionable, with a camouflage pattern in different shades of russet, amber and emerald. A bow strap crossed her chest, the weapon’s tip rising over one shoulder. A quiver hung from the belt cinched around her waist.
My heart leaped, and I almost blurted the truth. I’m your twin! Last time, I’d decided to wait until I’d spoken with Violet. This time, I didn’t want to risk Truly’s distress or disbelief. If she booted me from the group before we’d had a chance to get to know each other, I’d never get over my regret.
Can’t risk it. Until she trusted me—liked me—I had to stay quiet.
Still, I couldn’t bring myself to treat her like a distant acquaintance. I dropped my pack, sprinted over and threw my arms around her. “I’m so happy to see you.”
Though hesitant, she hugged me back. “I’m happy to see you, too. How was your meeting with Queen Violet?”
I winced as I drew back, and she patted my hand.
“That bad, huh?”
“Worse,” I grumbled. “My mother—the woman who adopted me—grew up in Airaria.” Tread carefully. I wouldn’t lie, but I wouldn’t be nudged from my current plan, either: win her over, then spill. “Mom loved Violet, and even encouraged me to seek her out. But within a minute of meeting me, the queen ordered her soldiers to attack. For no reason!” Ignore the spike of hurt.
She gave my hand another pat. “I’m sorry.”
Reese passed us, then sat before the fire to do a more thorough patch-job on his wound.
“Prepare the camp,” Roth called. “There’s a sorcerer nearby.” The disgust and disdain in his voice sent a shudder skidding down my spine.
“How do you know?” I asked. Don’t look guilty.
He tossed a satchel in Vikander’s direction. “I overheard the centaurs muttering about him.” Expression softening, he said, “Do not worry. I will not let the sorcerer harm you.”
“Thanks?”
As the fairy opened the satchel, revealing hundreds of metal shavings, I shifted from one foot to the other. Don’t. Freaking. Look. Guilty. Having friends had never been so important.
Vikander held one of the shavings in his fist. The shaving grew, lengthening beyond his grip, then thickened. Soon, he held a spear with two pointy ends.
Awed, I said, “My mother used to read bedtime stories about fairies and their allergy to metal.”
“Most fae are allergic to metal, yes. All but the House of Iron.” He winked. “If you think this skill is impressive, you should see what I can do with the iron in my pa—”
Roth elbowed him in the stomach, the fairy’s sentence ending in a gust of air.
I rolled my eyes. “How many have fallen for your roguish...charm?”
“Countless.” Vikander shrugged. “I’m an equal opportunity charmer.”
“You say charmer, we say annoyer.” Saxon confiscated the first spear and stalked to the camp’s border. With his wings gliding up and down, he hovered in the air while anchoring the weapon to the ground, the shaft angled. A shaft he hid with foliage.
Reese watched his friends with a smile.
“So, fairies wield magic like witches?” I asked, keeping my tone casual, acting as if I witnessed the instant making of a spear every day.
“We do, just not in the way you mean.” Vikander grabbed another metal fragment and created a second spear. “We commune with an element. Earth, wind, fire, water. My family has an affinity with earth, more specifically, iron. Hence they are known as the House of Iron.”
Fascinating. “Wait. I thought you were from the House of Love.” Which I now realized had been a joke.
A shadow passed through his eyes, there and gone. “I was part of Iron, until I was disavowed.”
“I’m sorry.” I knew how bad it hurt to be rejected by family.
“I am sorry for the way my mother treated you,” Truly said. “She used to be kind and caring, if always fearful tragedy would strike me. Perhaps because my father blamed me for every drought, broken trade agreement and kingdom dispute, and often threatened to murder me. Over the years, Mother grew more like him. The day he died, I swear she became him.”
Did she not know Violet absorbed Stephan’s seer magic? And dang, how crappy was my twin’s childhood? She’d been repeatedly blamed for disasters. I’d been showered with love.
Truly sighed. “She claims everything she does, she does to protect me and the kingdom.”
Everything...like forcing her daughter to marry a guy she didn’t want? I had to find a way to help.
Roth strode our way. Ignoring Truly, he picked up my backpack. “If you’d like to bathe, there’s a
pond on the other side of the waterfall. You’ll be safe there. And private.”
A ray of light lovingly stroked him, making his eyes sparkle. Not for me, not for me. “Washing off centaur blood sounds amazing.”
“Come, then.” He twined our fingers, his skin roughened by calluses, and steered me toward the waterfall. I relished the strength of his grip and the warm friction that sizzled between us.
“Take as long as you’d like. No one will bother you.”
Cool mist caressed my face. “Will someone drug me?” I asked, remembering what he’d done at our first meeting.
Far from shamed, he unveiled a slow, wicked grin. “I didn’t—don’t—know you. I couldn’t take a chance you would attack my men while they slept.”
That, I understood. Still. “You seemed to know me the first time you glanced at me.”
He stiffened. “I am a prince. I never explain myself.”
“I am a prince,” I mocked, and the corners of his mouth curled again. “Don’t drug me, Roth. I mean it.”
He offered no assurances, only said, “To protect my people, I will always do what needs doing. But in this case, I will consider your forgiveness the first payment for your mounting debt.”
First payment? “I’ll be happy to pay in full...after you’ve worked off your bad-decision tax.”
A new laugh burst from him without a hint of rust. “Let me guess. I am to cater to your every desire?”
I fought a laugh of my own. “You are, yes. Just until your debt is fully satisfied.”
He gently chucked me under the chin before handing me the pack. With an even gentler nudge, he urged me to walk through the water. The cold droplets rained over me, perfumed with water lilies.
I came out the other side and discovered a spacious grotto with an Olympic pool–size cenote, surrounded by a flat limestone ledge, everything illuminated by a swarm of lightning bugs.
Euphoric, I stripped down to a smile and wrist cuffs, then waded into the water. I sudsed up, scrubbed my hair and teeth, then washed my clothes. I left my hair down, letting the locks dry naturally, and returned the signet ring to my neck, then dressed in the outfit Allura had given me before I’d angered her.
The Evil Queen Page 18
