I nodded, hoping against better judgement that he wouldn’t ask me to influence Onyx to betray herself or her new court. “The king could demand that her warriors back up anything she says. They cannot lie as purebloods.”
Nathan rubbed his forehead and blinked. “They cannot lie intentionally, but fae can speak lies if we believe them to be true. That’s part of the trickery we have used so well over the ages. Or we can simply omit the truth or mean something with our words that the listener does not hear. That’s why tonight, Virgie, you must convince Onyx to lay bare the truth. I am sorry you are being pressured like this so early in your career.”
Our gazes met. Nathan’s eyes softened for a moment, but then he stood, concluding this meeting. I pushed off the wall and straightened, hiding my fear. Nathan might be sympathetic to me, but he would not be toward Onyx. Already, I could feel the pressure of his thoughts trying to invade my head.
Nathan crossed the apartment. “Try to rest up and meet me at the carriage thirty minutes before sunset.”
“I will.” I swallowed hard, wondering how I would get out of betraying my former friend.
No one bothered me that day. We didn’t have classes as it was our day off. Peony and Kristen were probably sleeping somewhere, getting much-needed rest, while I spent the day wandering around the Vasara Training Center, trying to come to terms with my new role as the king’s mental arm-twister.
Nerissa was gone from the office, too, leaving me no one to talk to. Onyx wouldn’t deceive King Peter, right? Maybe there would be no need to make her speak the truth, and I could just pretend. She was reasonable. She’d want peace. Even when she went on the offensive as she had with Preston, she’d acted in self-defense.
What if King Peter wanted to force a confession from her? He couldn’t, not by himself, and I’d never do that. Nathan could communicate telepathically, not read minds, fortunately for me and Onyx. But what if the king found someone who had mind reading abilities? I shuddered at the thought. My skill to influence people was terrifying enough.
The day seemed to drag and move too quickly at the same time. At last, after dressing in another whitish-purple gown that complimented my wings, I went to find Nathan at the open gate. His stood next to the carriage, his expression unreadable.
“What, exactly, will I need to do?” I asked as Nathan held open the carriage door, and I stepped inside.
Once he sat down opposite me, he handed me a parchment scroll, rolled-up and tied with a golden ribbon. “We will escort the princess and her three guards to the throne room. King Peter expects you to encourage the princess to be open to what he has to say.”
Nathan had done this to keep some stress off of me. To allow me to get ready for what I had to do. Even though I was grateful, I didn’t feel calm. Not in the least.
“All right.” I was happy to encourage Onyx, but only with the use of my words.
Nathan nodded, then looked straight ahead, hiding his emotions as our carriage took flight and the trees below shrank. The flight to the palace was over quickly, and we landed in the courtyard. King Peter was not waiting for us.
Nathan opened the carriage door. “This is your chance to prove to everyone that you are loyal to the court. I believe in you.”
I almost expected him to pat me on the knee. Instead, Nathan offered me a hand as I got out of the carriage, and upon seeing the usual media storm gathered on the cobblestone plaza, I clasped his fingers tightly while waving with my other hand. At least no one assaulted me with questions about telling off the Brat Prince. Hopefully, the calming drink had made him forget our exchange. But what if it hadn’t? What if King Peter was testing me after I had stood up to his son?
I scanned the crowd for the child prince, but couldn’t find him anywhere. Even though the media wasn’t bombarding me with questions, heavy tension hung in the air. Only the nobles had showed up to this event, and there was no trace of any celebration as they stood on their balconies. The regular people of the Summer Court were absent tonight. They weren’t important enough to be here to listen to a decision that would affect them all. I pressed my lips together, not liking this one bit.
Nathan linked his elbow with mine. “We need to go to the front entrance.”
The front entrance was, according to him, where the portal would open. It turned out to be a balcony set high above the valley below, next to the roaring waterfall. Nathan stood with his hands behind his back as several guards waited. I wouldn’t be alone with Onyx. Not even for one second. This was a test. King Peter wanted to ensure that the newest Everston would bend to his will. For my sake and that of the other earthbound fae, I had to make him believe that.
Nathan and I watched the mist rise from the waterfall, forming dancing rainbows that faded with the setting sun. At last, the now-familiar blue glow cut in front of the scene and widened.
Guards readied their spears, and Nathan moved to the doorway of the great balcony but didn’t leave. As I watched, his hand flicked to his sword, and he shot me a worried glance. Even though he was doing much better at holding his tongue, he still wanted to be my protector. I gave him a firm nod, letting him know that I could stand on my own.
Anyhow, it wasn’t Onyx I was worried about.
The portal opened to show the same palace from last night, only the sun was setting on the Winter side, too, and the ice palace and the mountain buildings looked dark against the pink sky. Three Winter fae, including Sela and the male from last night, stepped through, followed by a face I hadn’t seen in months.
“Princess Onyx Vinter.” I dropped into a curtsy. Even though Onyx had helped me back in Nocturnal Academy, she did scare me sometimes, especially given how unpredictable and bullheaded she was. Unlike me, Onyx wasn’t one to make the rules work for her. She challenged the rule makers and forged her own path.
Onyx’s eyes narrowed. Her purple hair blew in the breeze, and her muscles flexed underneath the cobalt-and-black suit she was wearing that was similar to her warriors, but sported silver accents that made it fancier. A sheathed sword hung from her belt, and a cape the color of a deep glacier blew behind her. She stood like a warrior, and I guessed she had received plenty of physical training. Onyx didn’t just have her ice magic to rely on now. The heavy crown that sat on her head and appeared to be made out of ice crystals was another reminder of all the power she possessed now.
“Virgie? I was told I would meet the Ambassador.” Her voice rang out with confidence, not an ounce of fear even though she was in enemy territory with only two guards.
I smiled as Nathan tensed next to me, reminding me that I could not let on that Onyx and I were friends. I had to stay professional until Onyx was safely out of the palace.
“I am the Ambassador,” I said coldly. “I will take you to the throne room.” I gave her a tiny shake of my head, letting her know that now was not the time to ask questions, then motioned for her to follow.
We walked into the archway and back into the palace. Nathan and six Summer guards flanked us. We had an entire escort. Small talk, I figured, would be appropriate. I was dying to hear about what Onyx had experienced, so I slowed my pace, even though the media was waiting in the main courtyard.
“I understand you have taken over the Winter Court.” It was a good, neutral way to start the conversation. I hoped Onyx realized that we needed to stay within the box.
“Yes. In my father’s absence, I have found myself in command,” Onyx said. “Thorsten has been a great help, as he is also now in a position of power.”
“Thorsten?” I asked. Of course she hadn’t brought him. King Peter would not appreciate a vampire coming to court and would see it as an alliance between the Winter Court and the vampires, and therefore a threat. Thorsten had probably been furious with Onyx only bringing two guards, not that she needed a protector.
“Everything has been such a big change for both of us.” Onyx blushed the tiniest bit. “Without each other, we would not have kept our sanity.”
Nath
an quickened his pace so that he was now walking on my other side, and I wondered what he was thinking about this conversation. Did he know that Onyx and I had been more than classmates at Nocturnal Academy? I shot him a glance, trying to read him, but as usual, his face was an impenetrable mask.
We entered the main courtyard, to the media storm. Lights flashed and questions flew, but I stared straight ahead as Amanda counseled me to do in these important situations. If I couldn’t talk freely, she said, it was best if the media drew their own conclusions without having a direct quote from me, which they could twist and turn for their purposes.
I didn’t dare speak again until we entered the next corridor, another grand one with waterfalls that led to the throne room. Onyx admired the scenery and the fireflies, though tension lived in her gait.
“You are here to make peace, right?” I asked, remembering my task and my test.
Beside me, Nathan’s gaze drilled into me. He was watching me all right.
“I am hoping for peace. We do not need to fight.” Onyx faced me directly. Despite her new warrior walk, fear flitted through her eyes. She knew that King Peter would not be a warm audience. “How is your new court? And how is Peony?”
“Peony is doing well. Better than before.” How could I communicate that I wasn’t going to throw Onyx to King Peter’s wrath? “I love my new court, and I’ve met some amazing people. We need to keep the peace for everyone’s sake.” I stared at Onyx as if I were trying to manipulate her, but did not apply the mental pressure.
Nathan nodded. I had said the right thing.
Finally, we reached a set of double doors, which were between twin, towering trees and probably led to King Peter’s throne room. Nathan nodded at me again, and I knocked.
King Peter’s voice boomed, “Enter.”
15
Two guards pulled open the massive throne room doors without so much as a grunt to reveal a wide, cobblestone walkway that led past two rows of enormous trees. The ceiling was open to the night sky. Lanterns hung everywhere, and insects buzzed. King Peter sat on a massive throne on the other side of the open space. The throne was flanked by two trees which appeared to have bent over and extended their arms for him, forming a grand chair with twisted branches. To his right was a smaller throne where Percival sat, puffing out his chest, ready to observe whatever his father had planned. If Percival had put in a bad word about me, he didn’t show it. In front of guests, the young prince smiled like an angel.
“Step forward,” King Peter Kallan ordered, grasping the wooden arms of his throne. As he dug his fingers in, a few spiked vines sprang from between his fingers. The short vines curled as if waiting to lash out.
Next to me, Onyx tensed, but continued walking.
“We want peace,” I whispered, needing her to remember that.
She nodded, and I released a breath. However, King Peter’s rage became even more apparent as we neared, stepping over several dirt beds that hadn’t grown trees yet. The prickling sensation of his magic washed over me. I had to try to calm him. Nathan’s mental shield had dropped before, which meant that the king’s could too. As we stopped just twenty feet from his throne, still flanked by about a dozen guards, Onyx bowed at the waist. “Thank you for your audience tonight.”
“Rise and speak your business,” King Peter snapped. “I am surprised you did not bring your vampire consort. In fact, I am surprised the Winter Court didn’t bed them sooner.”
I held my breath. So he knew about Thorsten. I gritted my jaw at King Peter’s hypocrisy. The Summer Court had allowed the vampires to enslave us for generations. Two of his children had worked with the vampires and now he was shaming Onyx. I relaxed my jaw and focused. I couldn’t let my anger show or distract me. Getting Onyx out of here alive and with a peace offering was the mission. I stared at the king, sending out my mental pressure. Calm down, calm down.
But he did not. A hint of color crept into Onyx’s face as she rose. “I would like to discuss a truce,” she said all businesslike, rising above the jab.
“A truce.” King Peter leaned back in his chair, letting the dangerous vines fall. As he did, Onyx’s shoulders dropped. “Your kind has done significant damage to the Summer Court. The nature of the Winter fae is to fight. It is in their blood. Your father has also employed underhanded tactics and tricks.”
“I am not my father.” Onyx squared her shoulders. She eyed King Peter’s hands, as if expecting more vines. “With him banished to the fae wasteland, I took over the Winter Court. My goal is peace.”
King Peter focused on her, his milky-green eyes darkening. He leaned forward, boring hatred into Onyx as the leaves on his crown curled. “My daughter Petra has gone missing. A powerful princess such as her could not have fallen to any magic that is less than royal. Tell me, do you know of her whereabouts?”
I tensed. King Peter already knew that King Olwen had banished Petra, and yet, he insisted to hear it from Onyx. He was testing her and trying to get her to admit the Winter Court’s wrongdoings.
“We are here to discuss a truce,” Onyx said, too quickly.
“We have already mentioned a truce.” King Peter balled his hand into a fist. “I have met my end of the bargain. I demand answers about my children’s whereabouts.”
Onyx balked.
“Now is the time to enlighten me with the truth.” As he spoke, King Peter flicked his savage gaze to me.
I nodded while I wondered if I could influence someone without looking at them. King Peter had to crack his own armor for my mentalist powers to work, just as Nathan had. But with the leaf crown sitting on his head, the power of the Summer land itself flowed through him.
I felt Nathan staring at the back of my neck and took a tiny step forward. Onyx glanced at me with surprise, and I stared at her. My head ached as I turned the other half of my focus to King Peter. Maintaining the mental state was difficult even after practicing through all those classes during the past week. Sweat formed on my nape.
Onyx turned to King Peter. “I will tell you the truth. King Olwen was fighting Gregory Vulthus and your daughter, Petra, allied with Vulthus and got in the way. She pulled King Olwen into the fae wastelands when he opened the portal.”
I gasped on the inside. I hadn’t compelled Onyx to reveal this. She had done so of her own free will, probably deciding she needed to throw the lion something, even at the risk of only further wetting his appetite.
King Peter rose from his throne, the leaves quaking on his crown. The ground below me trembled as it absorbed and reacted to his rage. I stepped back into Nathan, who grabbed me and pushed me behind him. This time, I didn’t resist. I was strong, but I also wasn’t a fool. I had no physical training and no weapons on me.
“Petra is in the wastelands because of Olwen!” King Peter boomed. “I knew it! I’ll destroy Olwen myself.”
Focus. My pulse raced in my ears as I turned my full attention on King Peter. The Winter and Summer guards didn’t move, but their hands flew to their swords. Onyx froze, also waiting.
King Peter advanced on Onyx, and a single, thorny vine extended from his open palm. It shot at her and wrapped around her wrist. Onyx stood her ground. “I want more of the truth,” he said. “So my daughter is alive, but suffering. Who took the life of my son, Preston?” His nostrils flared and darkness swirled in his eyes. “Tell me!”
The king’s power shifted to focus completely on Onyx, who held her ground, not taking even a single step back or showing any other signs of fear. A manic grin spread across King Peter’s mouth. He suspected Onyx. Despite his inability to mentally influence her, he wouldn’t let her go until he squeezed every morsel of information out of her. I needed to distract him. Now.
I continued staring at Onyx while putting all of my attention on the sudden opening in King Peter’s magical armor that had probably been caused by his outburst of anger. For a horrific moment, I sensed his core. A darkness swirled there deep within golden light, smoldering and growing tentacles as it fed off
King Peter’s rage and grief. I breathed out calm and peace, forcing my own terror down as I drew my brows together at Onyx but shot my mental powers toward the king.
“We want peace,” I said, more to King Peter than to Onyx. “Perhaps we should come clean so we can move on.”
Onyx widened her eyes at me, bewildered, as her guards stood at attention.
“The truth will allow us to move on with the truce,” I repeated, aiming the words into the magical opening.
“Yes,” King Peter said, loosening the vine on Onyx’s wrist to reveal a bracelet of scratches and blood. “The truth will set you free. Your father has caused me a lot of pain, but I am willing to forget his awful deeds and work with you, Onyx Vinter, if you help me put the full glory of the Summer Court back together.”
Was it working? I couldn’t believe it. Onyx blinked, and I feared I’d worked on her instead, but she faced King Peter and forced a look of calm onto her face. “I am sorry, but I do not know who killed Preston. He was a great teacher at Nocturnal Academy. Some of the vampires were jealous of him. I am afraid that one of them or a group of them might’ve hurt him.”
King Peter released Onyx and snapped the vine back into his palm. Onyx held his gaze, ignoring the blood trickling from her wrist.
“I can see why your generals are rushing your coronation. You are bold and reasonable.” Disappointment flooded King Peter’s words. He had been expecting a confession and a chance for bloody revenge. “Perhaps we can negotiate after all.”
I held in my sigh of relief. King Peter’s magical shield snapped shut as he took his focus off revenge. So far as he knew, I had compelled Onyx to speak the truth. King Peter retreated to his throne, which lowered with several groans to collect him. The trees lifted him back up like dutiful slaves.
“I would like to negotiate.” Onyx tilted her head. “What are your terms?”
“I want my daughter returned.”
The Nocturnal and Fae Prison Academy Boxset [A Complete Paranormal and Fantasy Series Boxset] Page 79
