Class moved forward as usual that day, and to my relief, no one mentioned my loyalty vow again. After Blythe’s lessons, Kristen and I walked to lunch together. Servants hurried around, placing wooden trays out on the long tables for students to grab some food. A single servant, a fae woman with bronze wings, approached me with a tray.
“Vergeat Everston. Your lunch,” she said, inclining her head and handing me the tray.
I took it and thanked her as Kristen lifted one eyebrow at the VIP treatment I was receiving in front of my fellow students. Servants sometimes brought me my food, but this one seemed a bit too eager. The tray felt heavy in my hands.
“That doesn’t always happen,” I said to Kristen as we found a table near the edge of the room.
“You’re the highest-ranking student here,” she said. “If you marry Nathan, you’ll practically be royalty.”
I let out a nervous chuckle. Nathan and I had just started dating, and it was way too soon to think about forever. And yet, the girlish part of me awakened at her words and pictured me in a white gown, Nathan next to me in a smoking-hot tux. Was that even what fae wore at their wedding? I shook my head, casting my daydream away.
“So, any news of Peony?” Kristen whispered as I set my tray down, realizing that it was heavier because the servant had given me two wooden trays, stacked on top of each other. As there were no oversights in the dining hall, I pulled the bottom tray off the first, and a strip of paper greeted me.
A note?
A hidden note? But from who?
“Peony is doing well. She’s working on a project for his Majesty. She should be released upon completion,” I said breezily.
“That’s great,” Kristen replied.
I nodded absently as I scanned the note.
Meet me in the Borderlands at midnight. The week is almost up. Need to talk about what to do next. Must open a portal for me so alarms don’t go off.
It wasn’t signed, but it was clear that this note had come from Onyx. She was the only one who’d ask me to open a portal. Also, I recognized her handwriting.
I grabbed the note and made it disappear in my dress pocket, then slapped the trays back together before anyone could see, not daring to search for the eager servant who was clearly a spy.
Anxiety and guilt rose up like an ocean wave within me, threatening to pull me under. I owed Onyx for getting Thorsten into this mess in the first place, but I also owed the Summer Court. King Peter was despicable, but the Summer fae didn’t deserve to be put through more suffering.
“What was that?” Kristen asked in a low voice, observant as always.
I hesitated, but then I nodded. Kristen had taken a vow to work with me. She deserved to know. “A note from Onyx. I’ll meet her at midnight to discuss what to do next.” I swallowed. In order not to trigger the alarm, I’d have to open the portal from our side, which meant I’d have to get Caleb or find someone else I could trust.
9
Virgie
I didn’t know if anyone besides Caleb and Percival was able to open the portal. With Caleb imprisoned and Prince Percival being a nasty brat who would never help me, let alone keep this a secret from his father, I decided to question Nerissa during Potions class. I felt bad using my powers on her again, yet saw no other way. My only other option would be to ask Nathan and put him under even more strain. We were a team, but I needed to do some things alone. I didn’t want him to shoulder all the responsibility and suffer. Also, Onyx wouldn’t appreciate Nathan showing up at our meeting, something he would insist on if I told him about her note. He was as protective of me as Thorsten had been of Onyx. My heart clenched at the reminder that this was all my fault, making me more determined than ever to help Onyx.
In Potions, when we worked on a happiness draft, which involved some tiny, star-shaped, yellow flowers and tropical fruits, I mentally urged Nerissa to come over. Check up on me. See if I have any questions.
I found it easy to connect with her mind as Nerissa was warm and open and apparently very relaxed today, probably from all the potion vapor rising into the classroom. Her shield was barely up, not because she wasn’t powerful, but because she trusted me. Another wave of guilt overcame me. Besides worry that seemed to be the dominant emotion in my life.
Nerissa smiled as she floated toward me. “Virgie, how are you?” Her blue eyes sparked with happiness. “I heard you and my brother have been spending more time together recently.”
I nodded. “Nathan is great.”
Casting aside her usual formality, she took my hand and squeezed. “He really is. I’m so glad he finally found love.”
Love. The word made me feel weightless, it made me surge with elation, and then I deflated. Nerissa thought I was a good influence on her brother, and here I was using her. I swallowed down the bile rising in my throat, hoping that one day when I told her the truth, she’d forgive me. “I was wondering more about portals. How many fae can open them?” Tell me.
Nerissa’s big, golden wings fluttered slowly behind her back. “Ah, yes, portal opening, a very fascinating skill. A fae can return to her or his court from the human world by finding a ring of mushrooms. Unless the fae is very strong, a full moon is needed. It’s easier to go from this realm to the human world, due to the magic that flows through every living thing in this place.”
That was interesting, but not the information I was seeking. I tried again. “What about portals between the Summer and Winter Court?”
Nerissa frowned a bit. “Not many can open them. The two realms have different types of magic that don't work together well. Opening portals to the borderlands is easier.”
That wasn’t too helpful, either. “Can only the royal line do it, or also generals?”
Nerissa shook her head. “No, just the royals and a few nobles who have royal blood.”
I forced myself to maintain a smile. “So only King Peter, and his sons Percival and Caleb can do that.”
Nerissa nodded, but her expression grew puzzled, as if she was slowly catching on that this was not the conversation she’d intended to have with me.
Just answer my questions. It won’t do any harm. I’m only curious, I urged her with my mind. “There has to be a general who can open portals. I’ve heard rumors that the Winter Court has one.”
Nerissa shook her head and took a step back. I was losing her. “No, King Peter would never allow any of his generals such power.” Nerissa’s gaze narrowed. “Why all the questions, Virgie?”
I tried to calm her, but invisible armor surrounded her mind now. “Sorry,” I mumbled. “I’m just trying to learn as much as I can, in case King Peter needs me to go on more missions. I don’t like going into anything unprepared, and I know I’ll have some tough tasks coming if there’s going to be a war.” I bit my lip and tilted my head sideways. It was the truth. “Don’t tell anyone, but I don’t want to embarrass Nathan at any functions with my lack of knowledge.”
Nerissa’s face softened again. “Don’t worry, Amanda and Pierre will come by to prepare you for any upcoming events.” She floated past me before I could ask if I’d be in need of my PR manager and stylist any time soon.
Class ended, and I still had no clue what to do. Well, more precisely, what I needed to do was impossible. Caleb was the only one who could open the portal, yet there was no way I could get to him, yet alone have him work his magic. I would have to involve Nathan after all. But if I did, I would be the one to stomach the worry, not him.
Grabbing a couple of to-go bags from the dining room, I headed straight for his office.
“Virgie.” There was surprise in his voice as he opened the door a second before I was about to knock on it.
“I brought you dinner.” I handed him his paper bag, feeling shitty.
“How thoughtful.” He motioned for me to sit down and put his bag aside. “Please tell me the real reason you’re here.”
He knew me too well. My wings fluttered nervously behind my back as I sat down and tried to figur
e out how to approach this. “Do you know guards who are truly loyal to you?”
“Of course. Why do you ask?” Nathan cocked an eyebrow.
“I need guards that are willing to walk away during their shift from Caleb’s cell.”
Nathan’s brows knotted together. “What is going on?”
“If I tell you, it will only hurt you and then you won’t be able to help me.”
He sighed, but understanding filled his eyes. “I hate this.”
I reached across the table and squeezed his hand. “Please, if you trust me, let me do this. I’m sorry that I can’t give you details.”
Slowly, he nodded. “Yes, I have guards who I could station at the prison tonight and whom I could distract, by asking them for a report. I can buy you half an hour max before everyone begins to get suspicious.”
“Thank you!” I jumped up from my chair and hugged Nathan, somehow ending up on his lap. It felt good to be so close to him. “I’m sorry to drag you into this.”
“I would be more upset if you didn’t. Promise me you won’t endanger yourself.” Nathan’s voice was thick with worry.
“I promise.” A tingle swept over me as my vow sealed.
“Will you tell me the details afterward?” Nathan’s silver gaze met mine.
I inhaled deeply. “I’ll tell you what you need to know. I can’t bear to see you in pain.” We sat in silence for a moment, then I asked, “Can we go to Caleb around midnight tonight?”
Nathan nodded slowly. “With us both there, we need to cover our bases. It’s best if we act as if this is a romantic, late-night date to the palace.”
I let out a sigh of relief, grateful that he wasn’t making this any harder on me. “Yes. They’ll eat it up and speculate. Thank you.”
Nathan nodded. “All right. Be ready to leave at ten.” His gaze slid down my body, making heat rise in my cheeks. “I’m guessing you want to wear something practical, but you also need to sell this to the media. The more they get, the more they’ll leave us alone.”
I kissed him. “Will do. Thank you.”
A knock sounded at ten sharp on my apartment door, and I opened it to find Nathan dressed in a dashing, beige tuxedo, his hair combed to one side. The look was amazing, making him even more of a hottie than he already was.
“Wow, you look like a Hollywood star.” Blinking at his confusion, I added, “Those are the actors who star in big movies.”
Nathan chuckled. “I know who they are. Every year, I take a refresher on human culture. They do teach classes on that here, though it’s for the nobles.”
“I see.” That was surprising and impressive, but I doubted the Summer Court was teaching this for cultural reasons. King Peter viewed knowledge as power and wanted his court to know how to deal with humans. The practice of abducting them may have died down in recent years, but them finding out about the fae realm was always a risk, as some fae were careless when they stayed in the human realm.
“You look stunning.” Nathan extended his elbow, and I took it, walking slowly in my billowing, orchid gown. “Are you going to be all right in this, though?”
I smiled. “I’ll be fine.” I could pick up the skirt if I had to run, and it was handy to hide the two sheathed daggers that were strapped against my upper thighs.
The carriage ride to the palace was spent in silence. At least we were going in with a better plan this time around. And Nathan had magic to keep us undetected.
Thank you, I’ll see you later, I told the Pegasi telepathically as Nathan and I got out on the outer balcony, and the castle rose in front of us. The river cascaded through it, magnificent as always. The trees and flowers were in full bloom, yet, it no longer seemed like paradise, but a beautiful illusion that lured you in and clamped its maw shut around your throat.
A few nobles strolled outside, and I glimpsed humanoid shapes with wings flitting behind shrubs and pillars as Nathan and I entered the courtyard through the archway. Flashes surrounded me, and clicking noises assaulted me, reminding me that the media was always watching and that it would hungrily devour whatever Nathan and I would give them. I smiled and waved before turning to Nathan and giving him a peck on the lips. This PDA had the desired effect. Our first public kiss led to an avalanche of flashes and a swarm of fae with colorful wings encircling us.
“Virgie, are you and Nathan engaged?” someone yelled.
I forced my jaw to relax. I had to give them a bit more, even if I hated this.
“Not yet,” I said in the sweetest voice I could muster, sweat beading on my nape.
“Nathan, when are you going to propose?”
“Are you going to live at the Vasara Center or the Summer Castle?”
“Has King Peter given his blessing?”
Nathan smiled, managing not to grimace or shove the fae away even as they pressed in, making it hard to breathe. “For now, all I have to say is that Virgie and I are indeed in a relationship. We are greatly enjoying getting to know each other better and are looking forward to taking a gondola ride tonight.” With that, he expertly swept me away from the reporters, wrapping his arm around my waist and lifting us into the air. Once again, we crossed the river and landed on the cobblestones on the other side. Then hand in hand, we ran into a corridor while flashes continued behind us.
“There are gondolas here, like in Venice?” I asked.
Nathan chuckled. “Really, that is your first question after the media’s attack?”
I shrugged, trying not to think about the media bringing up our future, trying not to wonder whether Nathan might be interested in binding his life to mine forever. “It’s healthy to live in the moment.”
Nathan gave me a long look but didn’t press the topic. I was grateful. We had known each other for only a few months, it was way too early to think about forever, even though he was very special to me, and I was in love with him. I was in love with Nathan. I let the words sink in before raising my mental shield. Thinking this was one thing, but I wasn’t anywhere near prepared to say it out loud.
We cut through the corridor and back into another, smaller courtyard. The river still flowed through here, and it turned out the gondola rides were, in fact, real. Unlike the gondolas in Venice, here no one had to punt us through the river. A gondolier only helped Nathan and I to get into a long boat and then we were off. The media snapped more pictures, which led to Nathan and I silently holding hands and me leaning my head on his shoulder. It was much too dangerous to speak when we had so many witnesses, and I wasn’t in the mood to share any more kisses with the whole Summer Court.
The gondola ride took us down a narrow stream that went through several royal gardens and under several foot bridges. When it was over, we still had time to kill, so Nathan and I got ice cream from a servant, peppermint and chocolate for me, and lemon sorbet for him, and we sat in one of the gardens. We talked about light topics, such as the construction of the Summer Castle, yet it was informational as Nathan practically gave me a map of the most popular spots and the most isolated ones. We finished our ice cream cones, and I realized from the sky that midnight was drawing close.
“We need to meet Caleb,” I said.
Nathan guided me toward the maze. Why he would do so, I didn’t understand. The last time I’d been in the maze it’d been for Percival’s birthday party, and it hadn’t been fun. “What are you doing?”
“You’ll see.” Nathan squeezed my hand as we stepped into the center of the maze, a large circle with a few benches. Then he let go and slid one of the benches to the side, leaving the grass open. “We can’t let anyone see us going to the dungeons.”
I eyed the clearing, wondering what he was getting at. Nathan focused his gaze on the sky, and I found a carriage drawn by a Pegasus making circles through the sky before landing in our private courtyard. A few flashes popped from deep within the greenery that surrounded us, and I understood. Nathan didn’t have to tell me to step into the shadow as he opened the carriage door, then closed it. I pressed my
self into the leaves, letting them wrap around me, and Nathan did the same as the Pegasus sailed into the air, hopefully tricking whoever was watching into believing that I had returned to Vasara Center.
A few fae muttered from beyond the maze. I stayed put as Nathan paced around, looking at the stars above, as if he were watching me leave. Footsteps crunched grass and twigs as the media, full of gossip, left us alone to write their articles.
We waited for a few minutes, then Nathan’s voice sounded clearly in my head. Follow me. I need you to convince my guards to leave the dungeon to give me a report when I call on them telepathically. Since the guards need to be present to activate the magical surveillance, it will stop when they’re gone, but it’ll come back on when they return. Remember, Virgie, no more than half an hour. They’ll get suspicious after that.
I nodded and followed him through the mostly empty castle. I barely noticed as we stopped at the top of the dungeons, my heart pounding violently in my chest. I waited in an alcove and watched Nathan head down the corridor. He vanished around a corner where I knew the royal offices were.
I’m going into my office at the Summer Castle, he spoke into my mind. I’m going to ask the guards to see me now. Ready?
One moment, I replied and reached out with my mind to find two active minds nearby and two dull ones. Caleb and Peony were probably sleeping. I connected with the active minds, the guards. It’s okay, follow your High Commander. The prisoners won’t go anywhere. The vines are watching them. Then I said to Nathan, Ready.
Soon, footsteps sounded, and two guards with bronze wings walked past me, their faces relaxed as I hid under the darkness of the alcove. As soon as the guards were up the stairs, I dashed downstairs and toward the room that held Peony and Caleb. Like last time, the door wasn’t locked, allowing me to enter without difficulty. Yet, as I watched their sleeping forms, I realized the oversight in my plan. Vines were still around Caleb’s wrists. I cursed silently, and he stirred.
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