Despite our state of undress, silken warmth settled over me. My eyelids grew heavy, drooping. Can’t let myself sleep. Can’t entrust my life to Roth. My...boyfrenemy. Must protect myself. But oh, I’d never been so tired... Should I use my earth magic to produce a mound of dirt around me?
The ability was so new, mostly untested. What if I buried myself?
The king settled beside me and gently smoothed a lock of hair from my cheek. “Sleep. I’ll stand guard.”
“Still don’t trust you,” I said, the words a bit slurred. But maybe I would rest for a minute. Only a minute! Then I would stomp away, like a halfway decent evil queen, and leave Roth in my dust.
“Tell me what I have to do for a chance to win your forgiveness, and I’ll do it.”
My too-heavy lids slid closed, remaining awake an impossibility. I managed to murmur, “Can’t even think about forgiving you until my sisters are found.”
I thought I heard him whisper, “I am up for this challenge. For any challenge, as long as you are the prize.” Then darkness cloaked my mind, sleep overtaking me.
40
I welcome all...to my thrall.
I awoke in Roth’s arms, still clad in my underwear and a boatload of jewelry. Took a moment for my brain to switch from Power-save to On, memories surging. My escape. The ball. My stabbing. The king’s tender aid.
He’d spent the night with me, and this time he’d stayed.
He thought he loved me.
My stomach bottomed out.
With one strong arm under my head acting as a pillow, and the other draped over my waist, with my back pressed against his chest, I felt loved. Cherished, even. But I’d meant what I’d said; I couldn’t forgive him unless my sisters were found. If I couldn’t forgive, I couldn’t trust.
What would he do if—when—another portion of the fairy tale came to pass? Toss me in the tower again?
Also, I would never be first with King Roth. I would always come after Farrah.
My hands fisted. Sunlight filtered through the overhead canopy, twining with the forest’s azure glow. Birds chirped. Crickets sang. A tabby cat with half an ear brushed against my knee. Boomer! He purred happily. And there was Crouton, Cuddles and Nutty, too. And Bitsy. And all the others! The whole gang had arrived.
I extracted myself from Roth’s hold, a task more difficult than I’d anticipated, then skipped to my crew. My newly healed shoulder offered a mild protest.
“Hello, everyone,” I said, doling out kisses and pets.
Lava ants, bees and butterflies converged on me, tickling my skin as they created an exquisite ball gown. I laughed, enchanted, then lavished praise on my army, thanking them for their friendship and help.
A tree limb stretched toward me, offering a leafy bowl overflowing with cracked nuts and berries.
“Thank you, Allura,” I said, patting the tree. “Why don’t you come out? I’d love to meet you face-to-face.”
The only response was a gentle, rolling wind. I’d take that as a no, thanks. Very well. I shared the bounty with my friends, giggling when Phobia showed off his metal stinger to a spidorpion I hadn’t yet met.
A muffled noise had me spinning around. Roth was awake and peering at me with a strange look on his face. Dark locks stuck out in spikes. The stubble on his jaw had thickened overnight. Still clad in his underwear, his tattoos and piercings were on magnificent display. Want to touch. Resist!
“Good morning, Everly.” His sleep-rich voice sent shivers careening down my spine.
“Good morning, Roth.” We’d never spoken after sleeping together. What’s more, this was the first time I’d been free of my prison. A sense of vulnerability overtook me.
“The forest suits you,” he said.
Do not preen.
Another tree limb stretched toward me, offering a pile of folded clothes—an outfit for each of us—toiletries on top.
Roth rubbed his eyes, frowned, then rubbed some more. “How?”
“Allura likes me. I think. She hasn’t confirmed or denied it.”
Astonishment and awe battled for supremacy in his emerald eyes. “Is there no one you cannot enchant?”
“Uh, only everyone?”
Tension settled over me as we bathed in our underwear, brushed our teeth and dressed. Allura had gifted Roth with a simple white tunic and leather pants, his usual attire. She’d gifted me with the exact same.
“Matching outfits, Allura? Really?” I said as I braided my hair. “I guess this will be our uniform. Go Team Evil.”
Roth chuckled, the sound like music to my ears. “I think we are adorable.”
I arched a brow, asking him, “Yeah, but who wears it better? And shouldn’t you be heading home now?”
His amusement fled in an instant, leaving me with a staggering amount of guilt. I hated guilt! “You wear it better. Would I be a cad if I admit I prefer you out of the uniform?”
I snorted.
“...single file line, if you please.” Noel’s voice interrupted our conversation, and we stiffened.
In unison, we reached for a dagger. Leaves clapped together, and branches parted. Like a safari guide—even dressed like one—Noel marched into our camp, followed by Truly, Hartly, Thor, Warick, Nicolas and Ty, with Ophelia as the caboose.
“Hartly!” I dropped the dagger and sprinted to my sister. She sprinted to me, too, and we met in the middle, hugging, crying and hugging some more. Thor raced around us, yapping.
I pressed my forehead against hers. “Hisnow disno yisnou knisnow isni isnam hisnappisny? Bisnecisnause yisnou isnare hisnere.” How do you know I’m happy? Because you are here.
She snort-laughed, then sniffled, her eyes welling with tears. “Whisnat misnakes misne smisnile? Fisnacisnial misnusclisnes.” What makes me smile? Facial muscles.
“Are you okay? Were you hurt? I want to know everything!”
“I’m well. I met a troll, hated him, loved him, tamed him, and realized I’m kind of awesome. But what about you? When I heard about your imprisonment...”
“I’m well, too. I met a prince, liked him, then hated him, and now I’m trying to ditch him.” We hugged again, clinging to each other. This girl was my lifeline. “I can’t apologize enough about Mom. Nicolas was right. I’m responsible for her—”
“Hey, hey. Don’t do this, Ever. I don’t blame you. I never blamed you, and I hope you aren’t blaming yourself. We knew nothing about magic.”
Her announcement humbled, relieved and staggered me.
I heard Noel tell the others, “No fighting. Not with the fangless troll. Not with the gorgeous sorcerian.” She blew Ty a kiss.
He glanced over his shoulder, clearly expecting someone else to be the recipient of her flirtation. Then he frowned.
Truly braved a step closer to me, hesitated, then braved another. “I’m so sorry, Everly. I never should have left you when you were poisoned. And I should have listened to you when you warned me about what would happen when the Charmaines learned about our connection. I should have done so many things differently.”
I opened my arms. With a whimper, Truly hurled her body at me. We hugged. “I’m sorry, too,” I told her. “I should have told you the truth right from the start, and I never should have asked you to choose between your girlfriend and your sister.”
“You did what you thought was right. And while I’m happy you never had to deal with our father,” she said, “I’m sad we missed seventeen years together.”
“Agreed.”
Beaming, Noel pressed a hand over her heart. “I just love a good reunion. I love being responsible for a good reunion even more. Aren’t I the best mediocre friend of all time, Everly?”
“I do, and you are.” At the moment, I could deny the oracle nothing, all forgiven. You can forgive her, but not Roth? “Am I strong enough now?” I asked her.
She patted my cheek. Before she could speak, Roth and Nicolas faced off, glaring death threats at each other.
I jumped between them to push them apart. “Roth, Nicolas isn’t the one who abducted your family. He’s just the smarmy POS who didn’t help you out. You don’t have to like him, but you aren’t allowed to hurt him. Nicolas, if you taunt Roth, I will make you regret it.”
As long as I maintained my link with Roth, no other sorcerer could syphon from him.
To reassure Roth I had his back, I pushed the barest stream of power his way, giving rather than taking. His entire body convulsed, and I feared I’d hurt him. Then his gaze shot to mine, his irises ablaze with...with...what was that? Primal possessiveness?
My eyes widened. He did like our connection.
To my world-rocking shock, he lifted his hands in a gesture of surrender and retreated without attacking Nicolas.
Thank you, I mouthed, and he nodded.
In theory, I should be able to protect our friends the same way, at the same time. Other sorcerers had no problem linking with multiple people.
To experiment, I reached out with a spiritual hand... Yes! Unlike before, when I’d tried this in the midst of battle, I had no trouble. I had strengthened.
I drew back without creating a link with anyone else. First, I would seek permission.
Wanting to avoid a conversation about what had just happened, I focused my full attention on my stepdad, giving him a hug. In typical Nicolas fashion, he awkwardly returned the gesture of affection.
When I pulled back, I searched his gaze for any glint of hatred, but found none. A reason to celebrate!
“You truly fare well?” he asked, chucking me under the chin. “You handled the new king when left on your own?”
“I do, and I did. How do you fare?”
“Better, now that we’re all together again.” Tone gruff, he added, “By the way, you and your sister have the worst taste in mates. A troll commander and the leader of Sevón. Really?”
Rather than correct his assumption about Roth and me, I hugged Ty. Because why the heck not? Roth stepped closer to me, white-knuckling the hilt of his dagger.
Jealous? I smiled at the green-eyed monster of a king, saying, “You aren’t the only one who has other people vying for their hand in marriage, Majesty.” Okay, so Ty and I had zero romantic interest in each other. Big deal. Let Roth think whatever he wanted to think.
“Being in the middle of a lovers’ spat is always fun,” Ty muttered, but his eyes twinkled.
Though stiff, Roth shook the sorcerer’s hand, shocking me anew. “Thank you for saving my sorceress while I was trapped in another dimension.”
Uh, had I entered another dimension?
“But,” Roth continued, “your services are no longer required. I have signed on to Everly’s roster.”
He’d what? I sputtered for a minute, then managed to eke out, “Unfortunately, there are no open positions on my staff.”
He presented me with an indulgent smile. “I have met the terms of our bargain, sweetling. I wanted a chance to prove myself. You wanted the safe return of Truly and the safe return of Hartly.” He spread his arms, all Behold! “You got yours. Now, I get mine.”
“This reunion happened without a contribution from you.”
“The outcome mattered, not my involvement.”
Well. He wasn’t wrong. Great! I’d have to keep up my end of the bargain and think about the possibility of forgiving him.
Problem: as I dragged my gaze over our group, I couldn’t help but wonder if fate had brought us together for a reason, arranging us like dominoes. One would fall, and the others would follow.
41
When all is lost, do not despair.
Dare to act, dare to care.
When Warick’s army arrived, I sent my insects and animals away, including Phobia and Webster, my staunchest supporters. Just for a day, maybe two. If a troll warrior were to stomp on one...if a sorcerer were to eat one...if anyone were to hurt one in any way, intentionally or unintentionally, I would unleash hell. Better safe than sorry.
I’d been on my own so long, the sheer magnitude of the crowd left me uneasy, my sense of foreboding only growing stronger.
We set up camp there in the clearing, erecting tents Ophelia had conjured and constructing firepits. Working with a troll commander and a sorcerian overlord had to be hell on earth for Roth, but he never complained.
Over and over, he glanced in my direction, making certain I remained nearby. I always turned away, too afraid my heart would betray me. Tomorrow we would go our separate ways; I would put our fairy tale behind me, mourn the death of what could have been and kick off my new beginning.
Beaming with pride, Hartly introduced me to her boyfriend, “Everly, meet Warick, the most wonderful guy in all the worlds. Once upon a time, he wanted to kill you. Now, he’s your biggest fan. Warick, meet Everly. The most wonderful sister and best friend.”
Oh, how I envied their hard-won happiness.
He banged his fist against his chest and inclined his head. “I have...forgiven you for harming my youngest brother. Ha rtly told me of the many times you protected her from—quote unquote—‘unscrupulous rogues.’ I will be forever in your debt.”
“I will always protect her,” I said, and yes, the words were a warning.
“The very reason I let you live,” he replied.
“Let me?” Ha! “I could drain you in minutes, and you couldn’t stop me.” I smiled sweetly, batted my lashes and added, “If you harm my sister, I’ll prove it.”
Hartly gave me a thumbs-up. “You’re so fierce!” She rested her head against her boyfriend’s chest and said, “Isn’t she fierce, Warick?”
“The fiercest,” he echoed, though he sounded unconvinced. “To drain me, you’d need your head, yes? I could take yours in seconds.”
Hartly slapped his chest, saying, “We play nice or we get our toys taken away, remember?”
His shoulders rolled in, yet still he kissed her temple. “I don’t want my toys taken away.”
Hartly and I shared a toothy grin.
Truly watched the entire interaction, as envious as I was.
One of Warick’s men called him over. He kissed Hartly’s temple before stalking away, never addressing my threat—because he didn’t see me as a threat.
“Isn’t he wonderful?” Hartly asked as she sat before a roaring fire.
I plopped down at her side, and Truly did the same, Thor running circles around us. For once, he let me pet him without trying to bite off one of my fingers.
One hour after another passed as we talked about everything and nothing. We teased. We laughed. I only wished Foreverly could have stepped from a mirror to join us.
A mirror that continued to call to me. Look. See.
Resist! To see anything, I’d have to syphon more power from Roth or link with someone else. I’d already burned through the magic I’d derived and stored from the spidorpion bites.
The trolls remained on their best behavior at least. Well, all but one. A three-horned brute who eyed me like the last slab of meat at an all-you-can-eat buffet. He stopped only when Warick joined us at the fire, sitting behind Hartly, wrapping his muscular arms around her; she leaned back, propped against his chest, completely at ease.
Up close and personal, he was shockingly handsome, with thickly lashed bedroom eyes. He had an aquiline nose, and lips a lovely shade of rose. As sunlight filtered through the treetops, his dark skin developed a burnished copper tint, and the horns protruding from his scalp sharpened.
Warick and Hartly could have passed for “Beauty and the Beast.” But Hartly wasn’t the real Beauty and Warick wasn’t the real Beast. Another couple had the...honor; they were somewhere in Enchantia, living their fairy tale. So were Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and the Little Mermai
d. How many others?
“I miss Farrah,” Truly admitted.
I stiffened at the mention of her name.
Truly looked like she wanted to say more, but Roth was striding over, and she lapsed into silence. His gaze was on me as if there was nothing else in the world worth seeing. I couldn’t bring myself to protest as he eased behind me, his legs bracketing mine, and wrapped an arm around me to pull me closer.
“I can’t stay away from you.” He brushed his stubbled cheek against my smooth one, his heat and Christmassy scent enveloping me.
My heart leaped, then crashed. “For now,” I grumbled.
“For always,” he said, and nipped my earlobe.
My breathing quickened. What had happened to my icy captor? I could resist him. I wanted him back.
Truly decided to forge ahead. Earnest, she peered at me and said, “I know Farrah did terrible things to you when grief overwhelmed her.”
“She flayed the skin from my back. That goes beyond terrible. But, uh, she did terrible things to you, too, and trauma isn’t a good enough excuse.”
Hadn’t I used trauma as an excuse?
Still Truly persisted. “She regretted it. Before my escape, we talked. If Noel hadn’t told me you would need my help out here, I would have stayed put and worked things out with her.”
I wanted my twin happy, no matter what. “You should escort Truly to the palace,” I told Roth.
“We can certainly discuss it.” He kissed my temple and said, “What a shocking turn of events. Never did I think I would aid three sorcerers and an army of trolls. Or see their commander place a female on a pedestal—and not just to peer up her skirt.”
“Attention everyone,” Noel called, moving to the center of the campsite. “I thought you’d like to know that we are about to be invaded.”
What! Roth and I stiffened in unison, then jumped to our feet. Murmurs of shock sailed through the clearing.
Suddenly, armed soldiers stepped from the shadows, surrounding our camp.
I readied my hands, preparing to syphon. Roth palmed his daggers—my daggers—giving one to me. I’d had no idea he’d kept and carried them.
The Evil Queen Page 43
