Castle of Illusions (Wicked Kingdoms Book 4)

by Graceley Knox

  “Okay, okay, focus. Let’s make sure we stay sharp.” I circle a finger in the air, our signal for missions-a-go.

  I watch with a shrewd eye as the top members of the Seelie Court descend upon our merry band of outcasts. Oberon, as usual, is stunningly perfect in his boyish features. If I didn’t know that he was older than most human civilizations, I’d think he was only a kid. But his pretty=boy looks don’t fool me.

  Tatiana on the other hand, knows how to make a fucking entrance.

  She walks as though she’s floating on air, a midnight blue gown trailing behind her. Her hair is done in elaborate braids, flowing down her back in a silvery cord. Her narrow eyes, framed by gray lashes, take in everything in the room, not missing a single detail as she rests her hand on Oberon’s forearm, his taller frame dwarfing hers.

  I trust that someone in the room has eyes on both rulers, and I turn my attention to the men that are meant to be guarding my children. I know instantly who’s who by their chosen ensembles.

  Tybalt wears dark-brown trousers and a simple, button-down white shirt, with golden hair matching his father’s. Glasses rest on his long nose, and he wears only a single knife on his belt.

  Kaol, however, takes after their mother, with sharp features . . . his eyes, a swirling mercury, his cropped hair, a dark storm-cloud gray. He’s tall, but not broad, but I’d never mistake him for someone who can’t hold his own. With every step forward, his muscles ripple under his black leather pants, and his arms, strapped with knives, left bare by his leather vest, are impressive in their size.

  Teag moves forward, his hands outstretched to Tatiana. “Tatiana, Oberon, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the Goblin Kingdom. It’s been too long.”

  A smile stretches across Tatiana’s face, and it’s dazzling.

  “Whew, she’s working that glamour.” I whisper, to my crew, low enough that only they can hear my words.

  “She’s hot,” Kirin adds with a low whistle.

  “Bro, Oberon will take your head off with his bare hands, and then eat you for lunch.” Axel knocks his shoulder into Kirin’s, hopefully to make him pick his jaw up off the floor.

  “Keep an eye on the sons. I want to know their reaction to me when I step forward.” Doyle nods. “Let’s see if their egos are going to be a problem.”

  I’ve purposefully kept out of their direct line of sight for this reason. That and it always amuses me when people scramble to close their mouths when they see how short I am. For some reason, they all think I’m some sort of half-giant, half-light elven goddess.

  Teag shakes hands with Oberon, acknowledging the couple’s sons before turning to our group. “And may I introduce, Ever McElva, the lady of the hour.”

  I refrain from snorting at Teag’s introduction and step past Doyle’s broad shoulders, keeping my focus on Tatiana, the unknown in the room as far as I’m concerned. She eyes me up and down, her appraisal almost a physical touch. The only show of surprise is the quick pursing of her lips, but otherwise she remains unmoved by my appearance.

  Oberon, however, drops her hand like a hot potato and walks forward, pulling me into his arms in an unexpected and awkward hug. “Ever, my girl. So good to see you.” He pulls back, keeping both hands on my arms. “And you look absolutely radiant. Motherhood suits you.”

  I dip my head to the side, giving him a show of respect. “Thank you, King Oberon. It’s lovely to see you again.” I step around him, ignoring his charms even as they beat at me like the winds of a monsoon, trying to wear me down and succumb to his glamour. “Queen Tatiana, it’s an honor to meet you.” I give her a sort of half curtsy and hold out my hand.

  She doesn’t hold out her own. Instead, she offers a sort of curtsy of her own. “So you are the one that has all of Faerie up in arms.” She tilts her head. “I thought you’d be taller.”

  I laugh. “That’s not the first time I’ve heard that.”

  “It won’t be the last either, I’m sure.” She smiles conspiratorially at me and then gestures to her sons. “May I introduce you to our sons, who will be guarding your children.”

  Tybalt steps forward and presses his fist over his chest. “Lady Ever, it will be an honor.”

  I wave a hand. “I’m not a lady, just Ever is fine.”

  Koal unsheathes a blade, and the temperature in the room drops twenty degrees. He slices it on his palm and holds it out to mine. “I offer you my oath that I will protect your children with my life.”

  Dare comes up behind me, places a hand on my lower back, and nudges me forward. I reach for the blade Koal holds, handle toward me, and slice my own palm before shaking his. “I accept.”

  I hadn’t expected either of their sons to swear an oath to me, let alone a blood oath, as I’d assumed their parents had covered their asses. I look up at Dare, towering over me as I wipe the blood on my palm on my pants without any ceremony. “So what now?”

  “Queen Tatiana, King Oberon, I’m Dare Fitzpatrick, Ever’s mate, and son of King Teag.” He presses his closed fist over his chest. “Thank you for honoring our children with your sons’ protection.”

  “Speaking of which . . .” Oberon looks around the hall, rocking back on his heels. “Where are the wee ones?”

  I tense, unsure if I really trust anyone outside of Nicnivin, who’d approached me before everything had gone to shit. Before she really had a stake in the game so to speak. I clear my throat to respond, but Dare beats me to it.

  “They should be arriving any moment.” He smiles jovially at the pretty king.

  I’m glad someone knows what the hell is happening next as I’m not quite sure what to say other than, ‘Thanks for farming out two of your sons. Much appreciated. Hopefully they don’t lose a head protecting my kids. Toodles.’.

  “Ah, here they are now.” Dare hums as Siana walks through the door with both Ronan and Raley each on a hip.

  I watch as Siana assesses the situation, and I’m thankful that even though we gave her the go ahead, she’s clearly taking the twins safety seriously, and is making her own decisions. I take Ronan from her and Dare takes Raley.

  “Thank you., Siana.” I whisper to her, gripping her hand in mine to she’ll stay close. I’d like as many people close to me as possible while we deal with this political cluster of a situation.

  “So these are the little darlings that are causing such a fuss.” Tatiana rubs her knuckle under Ronan’s chin, and I wait for his reaction to her.

  He’ll either love her and giggle, or he’ll give her his serious face. He leans back, into me, and I sway back and forth, hoping to keep him calm if he doesn’t like her, but I needn’t have worried as he’s not particularly interested in her. Instead he turns his attention to her son, Koal, his arms outstretched.

  I sigh in relief that at least he seems to like someone. “Well, I guess we know who Ronan’s favorite will be.”

  Koal steps forward and leans down so he’s face to face with Ronan, before he looks up at Dare and I. “May I hold him?”

  Dare nods, and I reply. “Sure, it’s not like you’re not going to get to know each other in the next few years or anything.”

  I wait for Koal to hand his brother an armful of weapons that Ronan could get his chubby little fingers on, and then pass him over into the giant Seelie’s arms.

  “Hello there, little guy. I think you and I are going to have a lot of fun as you grow into your own, aren’t we?”

  Even though I’m mated, and I’m fully happy with Dare, there’s something about a muscled man holding a baby that just sends all the feelings of lust straight through you and I sigh again, this time with a little bit of a crush on the man meant to protect my son. I hear at least four other women in the hall sigh along with me and I grin internally.

  Poor Koal. He has no idea that he just became one of the sexiest men in Goblin. And that’s saying something, because between Dare and his plethora of brothers, it’s not like we’re lacking for eye candy around here.

  The door
s to the hall push open and Kiara comes flying in, not caring that we’re all standing here awkwardly and waiting to see what happens next.

  She stops dead in her tracks when her gaze lands on Oberon and Tatiana.

  “Oh. I’m so sorry, I didn’t realize.” She bows slightly, but not so much that her gaze is ever averted from the King and Queen. “King Oberon, Queen Tatiana. Lovely to see you as always.”

  Tatiana nods at her, not batting an eyelash at the fact that the Queen of the Unseelie’s daughter is here.

  “Kiara, my girl, what are you doing here?” Oberon asks, clearly not able to keep his curiosity at bay.

  “I’ve been here for a few months now, King Oberon.” She smiles at him, like she’s dumber than she looks, and I bite my tongue to keep from laughing.

  I know the game she’s playing. It’s not like we’re all delusional and she’s going to become best friends with the twin’s guards. They call them the light and dark court for a reason. Because they’re as different as night and day.

  “I’m so sorry, but may I borrow Ever for a moment?” Kiara asks, and I narrow my eyes, looking her over for any signs of distress. I don’t see anything, but after years of living with her mother, I can only imagine she’s gotten good at hiding her true emotions.

  “I think Ronan is in good hands here.” I look to Tybalt and gesture to Raley in Dare’s arms. “Feel free to get to know them. I’m sure they’ll love you just as much as Koal.”

  Tybalt shifts from foot to foot and I grin as I turn away from them and walk toward Kiara. Clearly Tybalt didn’t sign up for this and isn’t quite sure what to do with babies.

  Join the freaking club, buddy.

  But I’m sure he’ll learn quickly. It’s not like being around them at all times will leave room for much else.

  “This way.” Kiara leads me out of the hall until we’re past the doors. She smiles and waves a hand, a spark of magic leaving her fingers. “Ah, that’s better. Now they can’t hear us.”

  I raise a brow. “You’ve got my full attention here. What the hell has got you in a tizzy?”

  “My mother sent me a message.”

  I place my hands on my hips. “And?”

  “And, she says that the Order has a stronghold, and she’s got the location. She’s going to send scouts ahead and report back.”

  Shock rockets through me. “Why wouldn’t you come tell me this immediately? It’s not like we haven’t been waiting for a break for oh, say, months.”

  “I was trying to find you. It’s not like the castle is small or anything. I checked everywhere but the main hall first.” She gestures to the two men holding my children. “I thought they were coming yesterday, so I didn’t think anything of it.”

  “Yeah, well, here they are. Now, tell me where the Order compound is so we can plan a recon mission at least.”

  “My mother didn’t say.” She frowns. “Something about not wanting you to go in halfcocked until she knew it was safe and hedging her bets.”

  I shake my head. Of course Nicnivin would say that. “Okay, fine, so now what? You expect me to sit here and wait, knitting mittens for my children while she’s out there sticking it to the jackasses that have basically made me a prisoner in my own home?”

  I know it’s not Kiara’s fault that I’m stuck here. I also know it’s not her fault the order has a hard-on for me. But up until my outburst, I hadn’t thought much about the fact that I was used to being able to come and go as I please. Even at MECA, I’d done my own thing. Made my own rules.

  Here, now that I’ve got children to think about, a family to protect, and half of Fae waiting to see how I handle this fucked up mission of purifying the Fae races, it’s not like I can go out for an afternoon walk in the meadow.

  I rub at the tension throbbing in my temples. “Sorry, Kiara. I shouldn’t have taken that out on you.”

  She waves me off. “No worries, I know it’s been a stressful few months.”

  I scoff. “Yeah, more like a stressful few years. But it is what it is. We press on, and we continue to fight against these delusional bastards.” It’s not like I haven’t dealt with my fair share. First there was Cashel, determined to marry me even though we were cousins. And now, the Order. Everywhere I turn, I’m surrounded by idiots. “Was there anything else your mother said?” I ask, kicking the toe of my boot at the cobblestone beneath my feet.

  “Oh, yes. Sorry, I forgot.” She leans in close like she’s sharing a secret and hadn’t already put up a barrier to keep listening ears from hearing our conversation. “Mab has apparently trying to speak with the Sluagh. So far, my mother has been able to hold them off, and keep them from responding, but she’s not sure how much longer she can divert Mab’s ire away from them.”

  “I thought your mother had nothing to do with the Wild Hunt?” I ask, curious.

  “They stay in her court as welcomed guests. Of course she has something to do with them.” She raises a finger. “She doesn’t control them, but she most certainly has Stryker’s ear.”

  “I’m assuming Stryker is the King of the Sluagh?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  I refrain from a sarcastic comment back, but it’s not easy. “Sorry, it’s not every day you’re faced with the Wild Hunt because some Queen’s got a hair across her ass even though she didn’t hold up her end of the oath.” I say the last bit louder, hoping that Mab can somehow hear me.

  Rude cow.

  I see someone approaching out of the corner of my eye and I wave at Kirin to walk through the doors. He stops first before crossing the threshold, putting his hand out before him like he’ll walk into a wall of glass.

  I laugh at him. “It’s not like I’d let you smash your face into a shield, Kirin.”

  “How do I know? You were just threatening me earlier today.” He nods at Kiara. “Princess.”

  Kiara grits her teeth loud enough that I can hear it standing next to her at Kirin’s nickname for her. There’s some sort of energy between them, but no matter how much I pester Eryn, she refuses to confirm or deny my suspicions that Kirin and Kiara are meant to do the nasty. And in a whole bunch of fun and inventive ways.

  “What’s up, am I needed in the hall?” I ask, refocusing Kirin on why he’d come out here in the first place.

  “Two things. One, yes, Tatiana and Oberon are about to head out.”

  “Okay, and, the second?”

  “Oh, Gwyn just arrived, and he’d like to chat with us about something going on at MECA.”

  I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Did you tell him we’re a bit busy at the moment?”

  “Well, duh. But it’s not like he’s listening to me.”

  “Who’s with him?” I ask, craning my neck to see past Kirin’s broad shoulders, but I don’t see Gwyn anywhere.

  “He’s only got Liam with him, surprisingly.”

  “Alright, well, I guess one thing at a time.” I turn to Kiara. “Can you please repeat what you told me to Kirin and get him up to speed so he can get things rolling on our end. Kirin listen to Kiara. Try not to infuriate her.” I ignore both of their offended looks and walk back into the hall, ready to say goodbye, hello, and everything else in between.

  Chapter 9

  I’d seen Tatiana and Oberon off without a hitch or political incident and for that, I’m sure Eryn is praising the gods. Once their sons are on their way to their new quarters in what we’ve dubbed home base, aka the main hall that all of us have suites in, so they’ll be close to the twins, I face Gwyn.

  He’s one of the original few guards that created the Magical Enforcement and Containment Agency, and also the son of the original King of the Wild Hunt. I make a mental note to pick his brain about Mab and her mission to sick them on me, and clap forearms with him.

  “Gwyn, it’s good to see you again. Although I can’t say your timing is good.”

  “Ah, Ever. Never one to mince words.”

  “Yeah, well, can’t blame a girl when she’s this busy. Liam.” I tip
up my chin at Gwyn’s second in command.

  “Ever, nice to see you.”

  “Yeah, yeah, all the niceties. Let’s get down to it, gents. Kirin tells me that you’ve got something to talk about regarding MECA?”

  As much as I’d like to shoot the shit and talk about the good ole days when me and my crew were chasing after rogue Fae, partying it up, and occasionally getting in trouble with our higher ups for ignoring orders, I’ve got bigger and badder shit to focus on.

  Gwyn ignores me, instead turning his attention to my son and daughter. “And who do we have here?”

  “Gwyn, meet Ronan and Raley. Kiddos meet Gwyn and Liam.” I huff out an exasperated breath. “Now that you’ve been properly introduced, seriously, what brought you all this way?”

  “Well, we’ve finally sorted out most of the filth that was within MECA’s ranks, and I thought you’d want to know.”

  I raise a brow and glance at Doyle, Axel, and Eryn, not buying it.

  “We’d also heard Doyle was awake and we wanted to come and welcome him back from the brink of death.”

  “Yeah, he’s here. We’re all excited. Again, guys, I really don’t have time for this shit. And it’s not like you to beat around the bush, Gwyn. Spit it out.”

  “We’ve heard you’re making alliances with those within Faerie and I wanted to officially offer the support of MECA and their guards to you, Ever McElva.”

  I draw in a surprised breath. As far as I’m aware, MECA has never sided with any one Fae Kingdom let alone some half-breed girl who’s stuck in the middle of a shit-storm of epic proportions. “Uh, well…” I look at my crew, who all wear similar expressions of shock. “I’m not quite sure what to say to that, Gwyn.”

  “Just say you’ll consider accepting the offer.” He counters, grabbing the glass of water set in front of him by a maid.

  “What strings are attached with this offer?” I ask, sure that there are plenty that I could become tangled up in if I just say yes without finding out all the details. Like what in the seven hells they want in return for their allegiance.