Castle of Illusions (Wicked Kingdoms Book 4)

by Graceley Knox

  “And what do you want in return?” Doyle adds, taking the words out of my mouth. Gods, I’d missed him finishing my thoughts for me.

  I hike my thumb over my shoulder at him. “Yeah, what Doyle said.”

  Gwyn looks at Liam and Liam shrugs. “Won’t know until you ask her.”

  “Ask her what?” I ask, the chains on my mood about to snap if someone doesn’t get to the gods-damned point.

  “We’d like for you to consider training the cadets at the Academy.”

  I bend over laughing at the thought of me teaching their trainees to be obedient and follow orders. “You’ve… got… to… be… joking…” I squeeze out the words between loud peals of laughter.

  “I told you she wouldn’t believe you.” Liam comments to Gwyn, and I sober, blinking at them in confusion.

  “Wait. You’re serious?”

  “Deadly.” Gwyn replies. “After getting rid of anyone with ties to the Order and their allies, we’re pretty short in the instructor department, and seeing as how you and your team were our most effective and deadly team other than my own unit, I thought it would be a good idea to have the best teach them.”

  “Well now you’re just buttering me up with flattery.” I roll my eyes, not disliking the sensation of one of the men I’ve worshiped as one of the best warriors to walk either side of the realm, telling me how amazing myself and my team are.

  “Is it working?” Gwyn asks.

  “Slightly, but only slightly.” I waggle my finger at him. “Seriously though. Why would you want me? I can understand my team. They have a semblance of discipline. But I took the rule book, threw it out the window, and then lit it on fire.”

  “She actually did do that once.” Kirin pipes in.

  “You see? I’m not a very good role-model.” I mean, I’m sure I’ve improved a bit from my teenage raising hell days, and yeah, I’ve got Arela and Ronan and Raley, but still. I did just throw some fireballs at some Order members the other day.

  “I don’t think you give yourself enough credit, Ever.” Gwyn says.

  “Yeah, well, I guess it’s a flaw.”

  I’ve never really thought about it. I’ve just done what felt right. Take down the ones causing trouble, threatening the safety of those who can’t see us, or those who can’t protect themselves. Simple. Easy. Done.

  “There’s a girl, who reminds me a lot of you. Her name’s Ruse.” Gwyn scratches at his beard covered chin. “I think you’d get along with her.”

  “Okay, well, we’re a little pre-occupied currently, but if we have free time, we’ll pop in and we’ll teach the cadets at the Academy a few things.”

  “Yeah, like what not to do when you get caught breaking the rules.”

  Liam chuckles. “Please don’t. I’m responsible for them and breaking them of bad habits is hard enough.”

  “Are you having troubles with any of them? Are they not happy about the changes?”

  “There are a few trouble makers. Typical bullies that will end up getting taught a lesson. But for now, we have it handled. I just think they need instructors closer to their own age so they can relate to you.” Gwyn smiles. “I’m an old man after all. So I don’t know anything anymore.”

  This time I laugh, long and hard. “Yeah, well, they clearly haven’t seen you in action yet. Or they wouldn’t be doubting your skills.”

  We shoot the shit for a little bit longer, ending Gwyn’s visit on a positive note. As they head out, Gwyn pulls me aside with hand on my arm.

  “What is it?” I ask.

  “I just wanted to officially let you know that me and my men are with you. We’ll back you when you go on the offensive with the Order. Just give us a where and a when, and we’ll be ready.”

  I pull the old Fae into a hug and remember what I was going to ask him earlier. “Thank you for that. I did have one question before you leave?”

  “What’s that?” he asks.

  “Stryker. The Sluagh. Who is he to you?”

  “Ah. I’ve heard about your disagreement with Mab even in my neck of the woods.”

  “Yeah, she can’t keep her mouth shut apparently. I know it’s a touchy subject, but you’re of the Wild Hunt, and I need every advantage I can get.”

  “Stryker is my half-brother. Full blooded Sluagh, whereas I’m half goblin, half Sluagh.”

  “And is he a fair man?”

  “He’s nothing if not fair. However, he will exploit any weakness, and he doesn’t stand for oath breakers.” Gwyn sizes me up. “Did you break your oath as Mab says you did?”

  I frown at Gwyn and put my hands on my hips. “Really? You think I’d do that? I’m not stupid. I have children who would be caught in the cross hairs. Not to mention everyone else that’s foolish or brave enough to throw in with me in this fight.”

  “How did Doyle really wake up then?” Gwyn looks over my shoulder at the man in question and narrows his eyes. “He doesn’t seem to be effected. Showing any signs of lethargy etc.”

  “Well, at first he just deteriorated. Then Mab gave us some sort of concoction to feed him. It stopped him from getting worse, and he slowly regained his usual form I guess you’d call it. Like he appeared to be healthy, but he wouldn’t wake up.”

  “So she kept him from dying then.”

  “But she didn’t wake him up.” I hold up one finger. “So it’s really whatever way you slice the issue. She stopped him from dying before he could be woken up, but she did not wake him up. Raley did.”

  “You’re infant woke him up.” Gwyn’s voice drips with suspicion.

  “Listen, if I hadn’t seen her slap at him, and felt the bolt of energy that blasted out from her little body, I wouldn’t have believed it either. Kirin, Axel, Eryn, Dare, and everyone was there. It’s not like it’s my word against hers.”

  “So he just woke right up? I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

  “No, it took a few days, but then we were introducing the twins to the centaurs, and Doyle just walked in the hall, casual as you please, like he’d never missed a day.”

  “Ah. Well that would explain it. You’re right. It’s a matter of perception. Would he have woken up if she didn’t give him the potion? Or would he have died? We’ll never know.”

  “So should I speak with Stryker? Let him come to me? You know I’m not really the patient sort, Gwyn. And after being preggers for a while, I’m itching for a fight. My whole team is.”

  It’s not like I want to put myself in danger for funnies. I want a controlled situation, a dash of danger, and a whole lot of adrenaline. That feeling of having a purpose, of serving a greater good is so far ingrained in my being, I’m not sure how I survived my pregnancy without murdering someone. I suppose sparring with Kiara and teaching her to defend herself helped. And caring for Arela.

  “I can understand that. I’d reach out to him and see if his response is genial. If it is, set a meet. If it’s not, let me know and I’ll see if I can’t talk to him. Although I am not his favorite of my father’s bastards.”

  “Welcome to the club, I haven’t heard from my mother in months since she found out I was having a baby and haven’t given my uncle Caddox an answer as to whether or not I’ll accept being the heir to the Light Elven Kingdom.” I roll my eyes. “It’s not like I need another group of people to fuck up with my influence at the moment, you know what I mean?”

  Gwyn claps a hand to my shoulder and smiles. “Don’t worry, Ever, fate has a way of working things out in her own way.” With that, he heads for the door with Liam, and I wave them off.

  I know he’s right. And I know that no matter what I do, the gods have their own plans for me that I’ll never know. It’s not like I can dial 1-800-Goddess and just ask for a sneak peek into the future of one, Ever McElva.

  At that thought, I head off in search of Arela, the only girl I know who’s got a direct line with the Goddess of Fae. If anyone can get that fickle bitch to give me an answer, it’s the girl who’s been speaking with her since she was
captured by Cashel.

  Chapter 10

  After a few hours spent with Arela, trying everything we could think of to call the Goddess to give us some gods damned answers, we’d given up, grabbed some sweets, and hung out in my room until we’d passed out.

  I’d woken up to Dare coddling our daughter as she fussed, talking with Arela and I’d taken my time to appreciate the moment. I’m not sure how many instances of calm well get in the coming days, or hell, even years, but if there’s one things I’ve learned it’s to enjoy them while I can. So I grabbed the moment with both hands, held on tight, and enjoyed the sight of my mate and my semi adopted daughter slash sister as they found joy together. Not long ago, I’d been worried that the spark of life from Arela’s eyes had been missing when we’d gotten her back from the clutches of Cashel, battered and bruised.

  I shouldn’t have worried. If there’s one word that describes Arela, it’s survivor. And I hope that she never loses that determination to live her life to the fullest, no matter what’s waiting around the corner.

  After a while, I’d gotten up, hugged Arela tight, and then sent her on her way so she didn’t miss any of the practice time she’s got set up with Dagan.

  “Where did you sleep last night, Dare?” I ask as I toss on a long sleeved dark grey t-shirt and a pair of black jeans. Dare rubs my back as I lace up my boots, and I look up at him, smiling and accepting the kiss he drops on my lips.

  “I slept on the couch with the twins.”

  I wince. “Ouch, I’m sure that wasn’t comfortable.” I can barely stretch out on that thing, and I’m about a foot shorter than he is.

  “I didn’t want to wake you or Arela. You both looked peaceful, and she seemed to have a tight grip on your hand.”

  My chest tightens when he mentions it. “Yeah, she seems to sleep better when she’s got something to hold on to.” We head out the door, making our way to the main hall so we can strategize making a meet up with the current King of the Sluagh. “I noticed she started doing that after she came back from her time with Cashel.”

  Dare growls low at the mention of Cashel. “If he were still alive, I’d string him up and skin him. Twice.”

  I rub a hand down his arm and intertwine our fingers. “I know, but we got her through it. So now we just keep loving her as hard as we can and we make it work.”

  “Finally! She lives!” Kirin howls from his place in at the big table in the middle of the hall as we walk in.

  I flip him the bird, and grab a muffin, shoving the sweet confection in my mouth. I swallow a few bites before I address any of them, taking the offered cup of coffee from Doyle when he hands it to me.

  “Alright team, we’ve got some shit to handle. You guys ready for it? Or are you a bunch of lazy slackers now?” I raise a brow in challenge.

  Fuck you’s and hell no’s ring out, and I grin.

  “Well, okay then. Let’s figure out the best plan of attack for the following.” I tick each thing off on a finger. “How to infiltrate the Orders compound once Nicnivin gets back to us that it’s mostly safe. How in the seven hells we’re going to approach the King of the Sluagh without me losing my head, and we’ve got to see about what the Pixies want.”

  Doyle holds up his hand like he’s a little boy in school and I point at him. “I thought we weren’t going to deal with them, as they’re known for having eyes and ears all over.”

  “True, but since Mab’s gone round the bend, I figured it can’t hurt to have one more ally on our side. If we’re too formidable a foe, perhaps she’ll back down.”

  Axel snorts. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a time where any of the Kingdom’s rulers have backed down. Even when it was completely irrational and uncalled for. They live for this shit.”

  “Yeah, well, apparently you run out of hobbies other than waging war when you’re millennia years old rather than a few hundred. Go figure.”

  “So, first thing. When should we hear back from Mab?” Dare asks.

  “That is a very good question. I should ask Kiara.” I look around, but I don’t see her anywhere. “Does anyone know where she is, by chance?”

  “Last I heard, she was doing training with Arela as they’re pretty close in skill set at the moment.” Kirin states between chewing bites of his apple.

  “Okay, so table that for now. They both need the time with Dagan and Dax so they can be better prepped to handle this shit when the time comes. Moving on.”

  “What did Gwyn have to say about his brother?” Doyle asks.

  “Not much, other than he’s fair, and he loathes oath breakers. So he’s basically the perfect King of the Wild Hunt.” It’s not like it’s in his genes or anything.

  “That doesn’t give us much to go on.” Doyle frowns.

  “Yeah, I know. I was hoping we could talk to Puck and get his take on it. I thought I remembered him sharing a story about striking a deal with Stryker once, but I haven’t seen him in days.” Dare scratches his head and I narrow my eyes at him. “Do you know something about his whereabouts?”

  “No, I just find it odd that no one has seen him in a few days. It’s unlike him to not be bothering us at every turn.”

  I snort. “That’s so true.”

  Like we’d summoned him out of thin air, the tall trickster and in the middle of the table with a bang, scattering bowls, sending drinks flying, and food tumbling to the floor.

  “What the fuck!” I shout, surprised more than upset that he’d ruined our breakfast. “Puck, nice to see you.” I quip, and then get a good look at him.

  He’s bloodied, bruised, and covered in cuts.

  He picks up his head from where it was resting on the solid wooden table. “Give me a minute to catch my breath, and I’ll explain.”

  “Eryn, can you go get Amren, please? Looks like Puck could use some patching up.”

  “On it.” Eryn hustles out of the room, and we all stare at Puck, lying in the middle of our food, his chest moving up and down in a quick rhythm.

  I drum my fingers on the table, impatient for an explanation as to what the hell happened, but understanding that it probably wasn’t good, and he might just need a moment to process.

  Puck drags himself up to a seated position, remaining at the center of the table and not bothering to get down. “Mab got me.”

  I lean back in my chair like he slapped me. “Excuse me?”

  “She caught me when I was headed to deliver a message to the Pixies for you, Ever.”

  “She did this to you?” I push back from my chair, shouting the words. Not at Puck, but more in anger than anything else. Despite the bumpy beginning to our friendship, I’d grown fond of the Trickster.

  “She wanted information on how to get to you. What your weaknesses are, and the best way to harm you without physically touching you is.”

  “And did you tell her?” I ask, in a calm tone. I know what torture is like. I know the shit that can fly out of your mouth when someone’s got a blade pressed to your skin, slicing your flesh, and cutting even deeper into your psyche.

  Puck scoffs. “Of course not. I’ve been through worse. Although her guards were certainly creative.”

  “I can’t believe she had the gall to even attempt this.” I pace back and forth, beyond agitated. The feeling of not knowing what Puck had been going through, due to his affiliations with me making my skin crawl like a thousand tiny bugs are walking over me.

  It’s like when Arela was taken all over again. That helplessness that steals your breath like a thief in the night. Your chest constricts, your blood rushes through your head and all you want to do is make them hurt in the same way they hurt you and yours.

  “I’m not surprised.” Puck frowns. “Although I am surprised she was able to get to me. It’s not like I’m very easy to capture.”

  “How exactly did she catch you?” Kirin asks, and Puck just smiles.

  “Like I’d tell you. You’d lay traps all over just to fuck with me.”

  Kirin smiles, an
d clasp a hand on Pucks back. “That’s true, but at least you’d get a laugh out of it.”

  “You mean you’d get a laugh out of it.” Puck deadpans.

  Kirin nods. “Yeah, that’s what I said.”

  I chuckle at their back and forth, happy that at least Puck doesn’t seem to be as effected as he could be considering the circumstances. “If you two are done playing grab ass, I’d like to figure out how the hell we respond to this. Clearly Mab is out for blood. And that means she jumps to the top of our shit list with the Order and a select few others.”

  “Well, I think that we need to stick to our plan.” Doyle jumps in. “Before your grand entrance, Puck, we were discussing how to approach Stryker about Mab’s claims, and if he’d be open to a discussion.”

  “I’m sure he would be. So long as you’re open to giving him something in return.” Puck muses.

  “Like what? My third born child?” I ask. “I’m running out of favors to give people, and quite honestly, this whole deal with Mab has put a sour taste in my mouth.”

  “Could one of us grant him a future favor?” Axel asks, and I answer before the final word leaves his mouth.

  “Absolutely not. You’ve all sacrificed enough just being associated with me. I won’t have anyone else’s blood on my hands.” As it is, I have nightmares that I can’t wash the blood completely from my hands. I want to be able to wake up in the morning and look into the mirror and recognize the woman staring back at me. Someone who puts her family first, no matter the cost to herself. Not some pathetic girl who wasn’t strong enough to fight back against her enemies without sacrificing others.

  “We might not have another choice, Ev.” Axel replies, a small smile on his normally stoic face.

  “I can’t, Axel. I can’t let any of you take a blade meant for me.” I look at Doyle, thankful that we’d gotten him back, but I can’t go through that shit again. I’d lose my mind and end up rocking in a corner, overtaken by guilt and drowning in fear.

  “Ev, you know I’d do it all again.” Doyle hugs me to his side and I hug him back.