Faery Realms: Ten Magical Titles: Multi-Author Bundle of Novels & Novellas

by Rachel Morgan

Alicia took a deep breath, trying to massage her raw nerves.

  “Whatever happens, stay with me at all times.”

  Alicia had every intention of doing what the dark fae wanted her to do. Despite seeming upset that she was a dragon fae, both Ritasia and her brother appeared to genuinely want to help her. Besides, what choice did Alicia have but to trust them?

  Ritasia took her hand, but there was no smile on her lips. Alicia imagined the ball was going to be like entering the lair of the dragon fae for the Denkar kind. Only it was Alicia who had to worry about the Venician fae’s intentions.

  One wrong move…and Alicia was history.

  ***

  Deveron arrived at Alicia’s door. Rather than barging in this time, he knocked, not wanting to catch Alicia half dressed and have her bite his head off in reaction.

  When there was no answer, he shoved the door open. The women were gone. Panic spread through him like a twister tore across a Texas plain in the stormy spring.

  He returned at once to the ball.

  “Are you Joslo?” a lady asked as she grabbed his arm and smiled broadly.

  “No, my lady.” He pulled away.

  Then to his further alarm, he saw Micala, not in costume, of course. A guard was trying to remove him from the ballroom for not wearing a mask.

  Deveron appeared next to Micala, then hurried him outside of the ballroom. “What’s wrong? Where’s Cassie?”

  “Can we go to the privacy of your guest chambers, my lord?”

  Had the royal guard come after Micala, looking for more answers about Alicia? Deveron took his arm and they appeared inside his guest quarters.

  “Cassie is back at her home, my lord. But that is not the problem.”

  “What?”

  “Alicia’s mother came searching for her. Apparently, she was supposed to spend a couple of days with the girls, but she came early. Here I am entertaining Cassie instead, and there’s no sign of Alicia.”

  “Then what?” Deveron’s heart raced as it was, worrying about the women. But if Alicia knew her mother was concerned about her whereabouts…

  Yet, Micala would have used his fae magic to make Alicia’s mother forget about her. The look on Micala’s face indicated it wasn’t the worst of their problems.

  “She was like a mother grizzly. I’ve never seen a woman so irate. But that’s not all of it, my lord. She’s the fae.”

  “What? I thought it was Alicia’s father.”

  “Apparently not. The woman wore contact lenses to hide her eyes, but she grew so angry, not even the contacts could disguise the fae fire encircling them.”

  “Does she know which fae you serve?”

  “No, my lord. She seemed too shook up. She took Cassie with her, I assume home, and then I came straight here. I think she believed I was just interested in the human girl. We were sharing an ice cream sundae when Alicia’s mother found us. I told her I’d never seen Alicia, only Cassie, and befriended her, as I often did when I was bored with fae life.

  “She grilled me some more, but I stuck to my story, that I’d found Cassie alone, and made friends with her. I felt sorry for her that she was by herself. I think Alicia’s mother believed that perhaps another fae had stolen Alicia away due to her abilities, and made Cassie forget all about her. Anyway, the mother didn’t seem to think I had anything to do with Alicia’s disappearance.”

  Deveron paced. “Alicia’s a dragon fae.”

  “What?”

  “The mother wasn’t a royal was she?”

  “I saw no medallion, but if she disguised her eyes, I would think she’d hide any other evidence she was a fae. The only thing that’s in our favor is she must have broken away from her people. They wouldn’t get involved, don’t you agree?”

  “No. We can’t be certain of that.” Deveron pointed at a wooden chest. “Find another mask. We’ve got to locate Alicia and Ritasia in the ballroom and move them at once.”

  “Where to, my prince?”

  Deveron snorted. “Anywhere that we can think of that might be safe.”

  ***

  As soon as Alicia and Ritasia arrived at the grand ballroom, she feared the worse. The place was crowded. Everyone wore disguises. The sweet waters the women wore scented the air like the faery garden, and faery tunes played, giving the deadly environment a sugar sweet coating. But Alicia knew somewhere in this crowd, Lorelei was waiting to strike at her…like a rattler poised.

  Couples danced in the center of the floor, the ladies’ gowns rustling with the fae movements, smooth as ballerinas dancing with their gents in a faery all-star cast.

  Ritasia nearly cut off the circulation in Alicia’s hand she gripped it so tightly. She whispered to Alicia, “Deveron will wear black. As in the bad fae, like your Westerns always depict the unscrupulous cowboy. Bad to the bone in black.”

  Alicia couldn’t help but smile at the thought. He was bad. His kisses were so divinely good they were sinfully bad…good, whatever.

  And whatever brought that to mind, she had no idea.

  But what she wouldn’t have given to have his arm wrapped around her waist, keeping her safe right now. Though she appreciated Ritasia’s “protection,” Alicia was certain her fingers would drop off within a matter of minutes from lack of circulation.

  “I don’t see anyone wearing black tonight. The fae here appear to like the lighter colors,” Alicia said, straining to see the taller males.

  “That’s precisely why he would wear it. Besides he’s trying to keep his dark fae image with you.”

  Alicia stared at Ritasia. “I don’t understand.”

  Ritasia’s lips turned up. “I believe he thinks you are intrigued by the notion he is an evil dark fae. He isn’t evil, you know. Anymore than I am. Some are, of course, just like some humans are. But, for whatever reason, he is trying to please you. You didn’t hear that from me, however.”

  Twice now Ritasia had alluded to this idea that Deveron cared for Alicia. But how could he, being that she was only half fae, and a dragon fae at that?

  Still, her heart beat faster as she considered the possibilities. She and a dark fae? Nah. He was a prince of the dark fae. No way could he see her as anything more than an intriguing mission, an interesting dangerous diversion. Even if he did have…feelings for her, she was certain his queenly mother wouldn’t permit him to do anything about it. And what about Alicia’s mother? She’d have a fit to think Alicia had fallen…well, she hadn’t fallen, maybe was developing a slight crush, a big crush on the dark fae, when Alicia’s own fae dad had left her mother so many years ago.

  She and Ritasia moved through the standing crowds, trying to see some sign of Deveron. Once Alicia pointed at a man, but Ritasia shook her head. “His clothes are very similar to Deveron’s. A nearly black navy blue.”

  Then Alicia thought she spied Micala. But how could it be Micala? He was supposed to be at South Padre Island with Cassie.

  Just as soon as she saw the man who looked like Micala, another man pulled her away from Ritasia.

  “Dance with me,” he said, and swung her away on the floor, swirling her to the unfamiliar steps. Her feet barely touched the floor as he glided away from Ritasia.

  She only glimpsed the dark fae female briefly, dancing nearby with a man with a blond-haired wig, but a few strands of red hair poked between the blond strands. Prince Phillinois?

  If she kept her eyes on Ritasia, and Ritasia watched out for her, maybe they’d be all right.

  The blond she danced with held her so tight, she didn’t think she would be capable of freeing herself from his grasp. Though she wanted to look for Deveron, too, she figured she’d better keep her eye on Ritasia as Alicia at least knew where she was.

  Suddenly the low lights in the ballroom went out, and cries of surprise, then laughter filled the air.

  The man who held her, whispered in her ear, “Dragon fae.” And then he took her away, somewhere far away as the darkness swirled around her, and she grew dizzy.

  Drago
n fae echoed in her mind. Dragon fae…the dark fae may be evil but the dragon fae even more so.

  Die, dragon fae spy…die.

  Was she dreaming? Or did the fae speak the words to her, taunting her as he carried her away?

  Ritasia. Would Ritasia or Deveron ever know what had become of her? Would they give up the game of protecting the half human/half dragon fae now? Or would they search for her with all of their hearts to free her from the clutches of this man who she knew was truly evil?

  She could imagine Ritasia having a fit when she’d lost Alicia as soon as the lights went out. And Deveron, where was he?

  She came to the realization that while she was in the faery world she would have to learn to be a faery, just as when she was in the human world, she lived as a human. But how could she live as a faery when she’d never been one before?

  It was high time she learned how.

  First, if she could get a bow and arrow, she’d shoot the fae who took her away from her friends. She frowned at herself. Is that what being a dragon fae was all about? Warrior-like and vengeful?

  Didn’t matter. If it saved her butt, she was all for it. “Where can I get a bow and arrow?” she asked.

  Her words echoed back to her.

  She realized then she was in a dark room, lying shackled to a plank of wood covered in a thin blanket. No longer was she traveling with the fae in the black void. Where was she? And how long had she been here?

  But most importantly, how would she get herself out of this place?

  Chapter Thirteen

  Deveron and Micala had found themselves in pitch blackness once they’d returned to the ballroom. Then when the lights turned on again, he knew deep in his heart, they’d lost Alicia.

  When he discovered Ritasia dancing with none other than Prince Phillinois, Deveron did the unthinkable and broke in on the dance.

  “I have an urgent matter to discuss with my sister,” Deveron said.

  “For Rastonion’s sake, Deveron. Do you mind? Talk to her after we finish the dance,” the Venician prince retorted.

  Ritasia pulled free. “I will return.”

  Deveron quickly wrapped his arm around her waist, and grabbed Micala’s arm, then transported them to his guest chambers. He released both at once.

  They pulled off their masks and deposited them in his chest.

  “I don’t think there’s any mistaking what has happened,” Deveron said, trying not to sound as bitter as he felt. How could a half human, half dragon fae stir him up so? He had promised to protect her. That was the only reason, he assured himself. And a dark fae always kept his promise.

  “I was sure I heard her cry out,” Ritasia said. Her eyes grew tearful. “Phillinois wouldn’t release me to go to her, and the man who’d taken her from my grasp, I thought was one of the palace guards. It was hard to tell from his mask.”

  “Did you see his faery dust trail?”

  “Yes, silver with a touch of auburn.”

  “Can you pick up the trail?”

  She nodded. “I couldn’t get free from Phillinois. He knew I was trying to go to Alicia’s aid, and he had no intention of letting me do so.”

  “Let’s go then before the trail grows cold. We have twenty-four hours to find her before we lose the trail completely.”

  If he had anything to say about it, they would find Alicia within the hour. Being a human wouldn’t equip her for the hostile way a fae could treat her. Would her instincts of being a dragon fae begin to surface? She would need them to survive, he feared.

  “Ready?” He slipped his arm around Ritasia’s waist, then grabbed hold of Micala’s arm. They both nodded and together they transported to the ballroom, appearing only briefly to find the beginning of the faery dust trail left by the fae who’d taken Alicia hostage.

  The music had stopped and everyone stood speaking to one another, but as soon as the dark fae royals were noticed, even the conversation ceased.

  “We shall return,” Deveron said to Phillinois, then vanished again with his sister and Micala.

  They stopped numerous times at the places that the man who had taken Alicia had rested. As they stood on a parapet of the Neferon castle overlooking the Obian Sea, Deveron finally remarked, “It appears he worried we might follow him. I only hope that someone else hasn’t taken Alicia from him to confuse us.”

  Ritasia shook her head and pointed at the trail. “There is still only one. He seems to be traveling alone with her. We appear to be only about an hour behind him, as bright as his trail is.”

  Deveron took a deep breath. “Let’s continue, shall we?”

  A dark-haired woman ran across the wall walk headed straight for Deveron, smiling broadly.

  “Lady Minxsta,” he said under his breath. He definitely didn’t want their busybody distant cousin to sidetrack them.

  “Prince Deveron, Princess Ritasia,” she said, grinning from ear to ear and curtseyed deeply at the same time. “Whatever are you doing here? You must come and see—”

  “We are on a most urgent mission, Lady Minxsta,” Deveron said, curtly.

  “You wouldn’t happen to have seen a guard from the royal palace of Venicia arrive here with a blond-haired female wearing sea green gowns, would you have?” Ritasia asked, politely.

  “Why yes. Do tell, what is going on? Before one of our guards could question the man, as the young girl seemed extremely unwell, the man and she vanished. Do not tell me that he had taken her against her will, and you are attempting to rescue the poor girl?”

  Before any could answer her, she looked from one royal to the other, then smiled. “Ooooh, how intriguing. Is she a princess from another kingdom? Why would you wish to be the ones to rescue her? Is she—”

  “We must go before the trail gets cold,” Deveron said, abruptly.

  The woman tugged at a dark curl draped over her shoulder, then smiled again. “He wore a silver tunic and butternut breeches. His hair was blond, but streaked with a few strands of gray. And he had a strange, small, upturned nose. Looked way too small for a man-sized face. I guess you know what the young lady looks like.”

  “Lady Minxsta, we really must be—”

  “The girl, who is she? She looked terribly unwell.”

  He knew they had to depart or be caught up in a conversation with the lady for hours. And yet he couldn’t leave until he heard more about Alicia’s condition. “Yes?”

  This seemed to spur the lady on to new delights of storytelling. The fact that her favorite prince and princess cousins would be interested in what she had to say…

  She would talk about it for days at court.

  “Oh, yes, well, the poor little thing looked terribly frazzled. He held her tightly against his chest as she looked as limp as a starved ear of corn. But even at that, she struggled to free herself from him, and I, well and one of our guards, were concerned she was being held against her will. And now with your appearance, we learn she was. Oh the poor little thing. She squeaked out something about needing a bow and arrow…I think. It was awfully hard to understand her. And of course, that didn’t make much sense.”

  Deveron glanced at Ritasia who took a deep breath.

  “Anything else?”

  “Only one thing. I thought it was an awfully odd thing to do. No one does such a thing when we are among our own kind. Never. It was just so queer.”

  “What?” Deveron tried to keep his tone of voice reasonable, but the lady was pushing him to the brink.

  Ritasia ran her hand over his arm to try to calm him. He didn’t need calming. He needed to know what was so odd!

  “She turned invisible. Now don’t you think that strange? I mean, here she is as visible as you or I, but then her fae aura surrounds her, clearly indicating she’s turned invisible to the human eye. Of course I attributed it to the man’s taking her hostage and wearing her out with his transporting her, possibly even having drugged her. She did look in pretty sad shape. So maybe her senses were out of balance.”

  He glan
ced at Ritasia whose eyes couldn’t have grown any bigger. “Ritasia, we must go.”

  She opened her mouth to speak, then nodded.

  “Lady Minxsta, as always a pleasure,” Deveron said.

  She smiled broadly and curtseyed low. “Please come back soon with the poor little thing. We will make her most welcome. Oh, do you need some of the royal guard to go with you? You really shouldn’t be the ones traipsing across faery kingdoms, trying to bring her home. Where is her home, anyway?”

  Deveron made a curt bow to the lady, not wishing to get drawn into an all day discussion, then transported Ritasia and Micala once again.

  When they stopped in a garden of another fae minor kingdom, Ritasia said, “What does it mean, Deveron? Why would she now be invisible?”

  “She is seventeen. Remember when we were first that age? That’s when we began to gain some of our powers. We are many years older now, but she really is seventeen. I appear eighteen and have been that for years. You are nineteen…the same thing. But she is the real magical seventeen.”

  “Are you saying she’s to be immortal like us?”

  “No, only that being half fae, it seems her abilities are just now appearing.”

  “So she can transport herself?”

  He shook his head. “I don’t know.” He pointed at the ground. “Here’s the guard’s trail. We see no faery dust for Alicia. She doesn’t leave a trail. Maybe being only half fae, she never will. She may never be able to transport herself like we can either. And even if she’s able, it may be months before she can.”

  Micala stretched his arms. “He seems to be crisscrossing the continent. Do you think he’ll settle down soon?”

  “I hope so,” Deveron said, looking at where the trail led south. “But I’m sure when we find Alicia, he’ll be long gone or fear our wrath should we locate her.”

  “I hope they’ve fed her,” Ritasia said, her voice ragged with weariness. “They won’t know she’s half human and needs to eat. It’s a good thing we can eat to enjoy the food, or leave it alone. But I don’t imagine she can live without it entirely.”

  Deveron frowned. He hadn’t considered how fragile her human half could make her. “Then we mustn’t lose any more time in locating her.”