Castle of Illusions (Wicked Kingdoms Book 4)

by Graceley Knox

  “I know. But I’d never ask you to.” I meet the gaze of each of them. “Please don’t push me on this. There is only so much I can take, and this is something that would wreck me.”

  They each nod and leave it for now.

  “Okay, so what about the Pixies?” Axel asks, looking to Puck for an answer. “Were you able to get them our message before you were taken? Or do we need to reach out again?”

  “I got Rhyannon your message, and she’s amiable to meeting, here on our turf, but she requests that we let her bring at least ten guards.”

  “That’s a pretty specific number. Is there something happening over there that we should know of? Did you see anything while you were there?” I ask, more curious than anything.

  “I didn’t see anything out of the ordinary, but I think everyone is bulking up on security due to the hit list the Order has out for any kingdom or ruler that shelters any leath cine and non-pure Fae bloodlines.”

  “Oh, so all of them then.” I roll my eyes. “Honestly, how the hell do they even know that they’ve got ‘pure’ bloodlines? Is that even a think after a millennia of being around?”

  Puck chuckles. “Well, yes, some of us have been around long enough that it’s actually a thing. Back in the old days, it was completely unheard of to mate or procreate with anyone outside of your kingdom.”

  I shake my head in disbelief, although the ways of the Fae have always been a bit off to me. I guess it was the way I was raised in a melting pot of different species, different abilities, different looks and personalities, that really, if you were going to be a racist prick, it was a good way to get stabbed with the pointy end during a practice round.

  “Moving on I guess…” I try to refocus my thoughts on what exactly we should do first. “Any ideas on what we should tackle first?”

  “Stryker, Pixies, Mab, then intel from Nicnivin?” Doyle suggests.

  I rub my hands together. “Alrighty then. Let’s make this shit happen.”

  If any one team can get the King of the Wild Hunt to see things their way, it’s my crew. Either that, or we’ll go down swinging.

  Chapter 11

  Not even twenty minutes after we’d sent word to Stryker, a ripple of energy rumbles through the courtyard where we’d been standing, watching Arela and Kiara finish up their training for the day.

  As much as I wanted to be surprised that we hadn’t received a pretty letter back from the King of the Wild Hunt, I just couldn’t pretend that I thought he’d be anything less than a less talk, more action type of ruler.

  Dare stands behind me, his hand on my hip as we watch Stryker and his men approach, hands held up in a sort of surrender that’s fooling no one as they walk through the gates of the Goblin Kingdom.

  I take him in. The fearsome man that could literally take my life as soon as he lays eyes on me if he believes Mab’s lies are actually true. He’s tall. Taller than Dare, and every inch of him is dark and menacing. His black hair is pulled back, out of his eyes, and a scar cuts across his sharp jaw. His eyes are black ringed in yellow, the pairing both spooky and off-putting, which I’m sure he’s accustomed to using to his advantage. He’s got more blades strapped to him than I thought was possible for any Fae, but if the sheath fits, wear it.

  When he speaks, his voice rumbles like thunder across the space between us. “I was summoned by Ever McElva. I’m here in peace and not enacting any one sentence.” He looks around, a dark brow raised. “Can any of you idiots fetch her for me, or are you going to stand her and gawk at me all day.”

  I snort, and his gaze zeroes in on me. I twirl in a circle, feeling more than a little bit ridiculous standing in front of this behemoth.

  “Well, here I am, in the flesh.” I cross my arms over my chest and wait for his reaction. Instead of surprise at my size, he smiles at me, a dazzling white swath of teeth on his tan face.

  “You certainly live up to the stories, Ever McElva.”

  I step forward, extending a hand for him to shake. “Once this business is behind us, I’d like to hear some of these stories people keep mentioning about me.” I wink at him. “Only believe the good ones.”

  Stryker shakes my hand but his attention is focused firmly on something over my shoulder. “You can relax, I am not going to jump your mate. Contrary to the popular stories, I do not steal woman and add them to a harem in my kingdom.” His voice is droll as he addresses Dare.

  “He’s not worried you desire me.” I know that much. Dare isn’t the jealous type. Other than the one-time Dax had seen me naked, he’s secure in the fact that I am his and his alone.

  “Then why is he staring at me like a tiger ready to lunge forward?” At his words, Stryker’s men lay hands on the pomelo of the swords at their hips and the tension in the courtyard skyrockets.

  “I really wouldn’t if I were you,” I caution. “And, he’s ready to grab me in case you try to take off my head. We’re unsure what you’ve heard from either Mab or her cronies, so we’re a wee bit anxious that you just showed up shortly after we sent a message to you.”

  “Was I supposed to ignore it?” Stryker tilts his head.

  “No, we just didn’t think you’d appear right away. Every other time we’ve met with a ruler, it requires back and forth, pomp and circumstance, all the boring shit.”

  “I don’t have the time for any of that nonsense.” Stryker drawls, stepping back from me and crossing his arms over his chest. “I was informed that you aren’t one to pussyfoot around.”

  Someone snorts behind me, and I can only assume it’s Kirin as it’s followed by the sound of a hand meeting flesh. Probably Eryn smacking the back of his head.

  “You heard correctly. So I’ll get right to it. Do you or do you not believe Queen Mab’s claims that I broke our blood oath?”

  I lean back into Dare as he closes the distance between us as I wait for Stryker’s decision on the matter. I’d never thought that I’d deal with the Wild Hunt. They kinda keep to doing their own thing. Whereas we’d hunted down rogues and crazies at MECA, they hunt down those that are too far gone to save. Those that have lost their grip on all reality and aren’t only a danger to the human realm, but the existence of the Faerie realms and those residing within them.

  My heart beats fast, much like what I’d assume the hooves of his black horse would sound like as it chases me down if he decides I’m guilty.

  “I’ve decided that it’s not really a matter for the Sluagh to handle. It’s more a political move and disagreement than an actual oath breaking, am I right?”

  I try to herd my scattered thoughts together at his question. It’s not like I’m going to say, ‘Oh, no, you’re wrong. Actually I break my oaths all the time. That’s me. Liar, cheater, and mistress of broken oaths.’.

  “It’s very much a game of perception. Mab thinks she woke Doyle up, but my daughter is actually the one responsible for that. While she gave him something that stopped him from deteriorating due to the poison in the Order’s blade, he didn’t wake up until after my daughter shocked him with her abilities.”

  “Are you the only one to witness this event?” He asks, his eyes narrowed on my face.

  “Nope. Pretty much everyone standing behind me was there. They all felt the blast of magic. And then a few days later, Doyle walked in, casual as you please, like nothing had happened.”

  “That’s it then?” Stryker growls the words, and I shift from foot to foot, afraid that I’ve upset him. He seems like the type of guy who would chop heads off first then ask questions, and I’d grown up hearing stories of the Sluagh and the Wild Hunt. They’re essentially the boogey man that Fae parents use to keep their children in line.

  “Then Mab showed up, gloating and trying to cash in her favor, and at that point, I told her that she hadn’t held up her end. She was not the one to wake up Doyle.”

  “And you didn’t call off your alliance?” Stryker asks.

  “No, I did not. I just said that I would not be granting her a returning favor
, as she didn’t deliver what she promised. She half-assed it so to speak.” I shrug. “I’m sure that whatever favor she wanted from me would require both of my ass cheeks in the line of fire, so I’m really not interested in an unfair trade.”

  Stryker’s lips twitch at my colorful description, but they quickly form into a scowl. “This is a complete waste of my time then.”

  “Unfortunately, I do believe it was.” I smile up at the brute, determined to make our first meeting a positive one. It’s not like you get to hang out with the big bad every day, so might as well make the most of it. “At least we got to clear the air, and I do appreciate you not coming in, axe swinging for my head until you’d heard my side of the story.”

  “If I leave this up to you to handle, will you act fairly, and without malice when finding a solution the problem?” Stryker asks, shifting his hands to his narrow hips.

  Something about the tone of his voice tells me that I’d better say yes if I want to come out of this unscathed so I nod my head, swallowing a ball of fear in my throat.

  “I need the words please. That’s how this works.”

  “Oh, right. Yes, sorry. I will do all of that, and then some.” I smile, hoping I did it right. A tingle goes through me and I feel Dare tense behind me.

  “What was that?” He snarls. “What did you do to my mate?”

  Stryker holds two hands in front of him. “Relax, I didn’t harm her. We struck an accord. It’s a binding agreement. So if she doesn’t do as she says, my hounds will be on her before she can blink.”

  “Undo it.” Dare tries to push me behind him, but I turn and face him, pressing both hands to his chest.

  “Dare, it’s alright. You know that I’ll fix this situation. Both fairly and swiftly. I think we’re getting a good deal out of this. It didn’t hurt me, just surprised me.”

  He presses his hand to my cheek, searching my gaze with his own before looking up at Stryker. “Apologies, we’re all a little touchy lately.”

  “Of course. I can’t say that I’m surprised. You’ve been busy.”

  “Yeah, that’s an understatement.”

  “Well, now that this is taken care of, I’ve got actual oath breakers to deal with.” Stryker dips his head to the both of us before turning on his heel and walking out of the gates of the Goblin Kingdom and disappearing into thin air.

  “Guys…” Kirin starts, his mouth wide open in awe. “That was the King of the Wild Hunt.”

  I laugh. “Yes, I know. We were all here.”

  “I want to be him when I grow up.” Kirin stares at the spot where they’d disappeared, completely unaware that he’s fawning over Stryker’s appearance. Either that or he just doesn’t care that he’s waxing poetic about the King.

  “Aw, that’s so cute. I think Kirin has a crush on Stryker.” I tease him, digging my elbow into his side as we walk back into the castle.

  “Oh shut up. You got a hard on for him too.” He laughs.

  “I got excited about that blade strapped to his arm. That’s about it.” I retort, taking Dare’s hand as he offers it, letting him lead me up the steps.

  Arela skids to a halt in front of us, no longer a sweaty mess from her sparing, instead her hair is wet, in a braid down her back. “Oh, you’re here. Okay good.” She pants the words as she rests her palms on her knees.

  I look her over, concerned over why she’s out of breath. “Yes, we’re here. What’s going on? You okay?”

  She waves me off. “I’m fine, but you’d better get in here. Queen Rhyannon is here, and her and Puck are going at it.”

  “If you had proper security when I had arrived at your Kingdom, I wouldn’t have been Fae-napped by Mab right outside your door.”

  I walk into the hall and see Puck pointing at his beaten-up face, leaning over who I can only assume is Rhyannon.

  “Do you see this? She broke my cheek bone.”

  “Don’t be dramatic. You seem fine to me.” The Pixie Queen dismisses Puck’s dramatics with a wave of her arm.

  “Dramatic? Dramatic? She tortured me for information, Rhyannon. And when you didn’t hear back the day after I left like you were supposed to, you did nothing.” Puck shakes his head, his face turning red in what I can only assume is frustration. “You should have followed up on your part, you selfish cow.”

  The room goes quiet at his insult, and I stop walking towards them, afraid that someone is going to get blasted to pieces.

  “Did he…” Arela whispers and I nod, not taking my eyes off of Puck and Queen Rhyannon.

  Rhyannon throws open her arms and I flinch back, waiting for the shock wave of magic to hit us, but instead she coos at Puck. “If I give you a hug, will that make it all better, you big baby?”

  My mouth opens in shock, and I look at Dare, thoroughly confused as to what the fuck is actually happening in front of me at the moment.

  Puck pouts his full mouth. “Yes, it would.”

  The petite pixie wraps her arms around Puck and squeezes him tight. He returns her embrace and I struggle to find the words to interrupt their embrace.

  Puck spots our small group over Rhyannon’s shoulder and smiles at us, his posture completely relaxed regardless of the fact that he just called her a selfish cow.

  “Ah, so glad you could join us. Rhyannon and I were just catching up.”

  “Uh-huh.” I force my feet to move forward, closing the distance between us. “Queen Rhyannon, pleasure to meet you.”

  She tilts her head to the left in acknowledgement as she looks me over. “Ever McElva, I presume. It’s nice to finally make your acquaintance.”

  I’m not sure if that’s a dig at the fact that it’s taken me this long to take her up on her offer of alliance or if she means what she says, but I leave it alone for now. I’m not going to poke that bear after her shouting match with Puck.

  “Thank you very much for coming to meet us on our home turf.” I smile at her, hoping that it at least looks sincere when I’m not sure if I should throw up a shield between us. She’d reacted far too calmly to Puck earlier and for whatever reason, I just can’t seem to wrap my brain around it and move past it. “So, you two know each other well?” I gesture between her and Puck.

  “Oh, we go back a few millennia.” Puck chuckles.

  “I see.” Well, I guess that could explain why he got away with his insult. “Well, we’re happy to have you, so let’s get down to it shall we?”

  “Yes, lets.” Rhyannon pulls out a chair and takes a seat, facing me as though she’s sitting on a throne, and I’m her subject begging for a favor.

  I can’t quite put my finger on it, but something feels off to me. Out of place or perhaps I’m just on edge after an eventful day of meeting the King of the Wild Hunt and seeing Puck battered and bruised.

  “You’d like an alliance with us. What are you looking for in return for our alliance?” I ask her, cutting through the bullshit.

  Rhyannon adjusts a cuff bracelet on her wrist. “We’d like access to the Druids and their healing.” She states and I school my features into a blank mask.

  “Druids? You think we know some?” I glance around at my crew, who’ve come to flank my sides. I’m not quite sure how she got the intel, but it can’t be from anyone that’s a friend to us. It’s been our best kept secret since Amren first came to the Goblin Kingdom.

  “Don’t play games with me, Ever. I know that Puck brought them to you. I have known him for a long time.”

  I raise a brow in Pucks direction, looking to him to respond to this as I’m at a loss. I can play stupid, lose any chance of an alliance with her, or I can admit it, and create a pandemonium of everyone wanting access to Amren and Brodie.

  “Rhyannon, we’ve talked about this before. You know that I can’t break my oath to them.”

  She raises a hand, and Puck stops speaking. “I know that Puck can’t tell me where they are. However, you have one right here according to my sources. And I’d like the opportunity to speak with one of them.”

/>   “And how do we know you don’t mean them harm?” I ask. “You understand that we have no control over them. They come and go of their own free will. And I will not, under any circumstances, essentially bind them to you or gift them to you like some sort of pet. They’re living beings, and the choice is theirs to make.”

  Rhyannon huffs and then leans forward. “I would not ask if it wasn’t a matter of great importance.” She looks to Puck, her expression almost desperate. “You know I would not. I have respected your promise to them for a millennia, but the time has come that I cannot ignore their abilities to heal any longer.”

  “Their healing abilities?” Puck asks, looking Rhyannon over with a discerning eye. “Are you sick?”

  “No, I am fine. But my child is not.” She grips the arms of the chair she sits in and her sadness pours off of her in waves. I look to Eryn, checking to make sure it’s real and not some sort of illusion, and she nods.

  “Has someone harmed your child?” I ask, knots in my stomach at the thought of anyone harming someone so innocent.

  “Yes.”

  I frown, not happy that she isn’t forthcoming with the details. “I’m going to need you to be more specific about what’s happening.”

  One of her guards’ steps forward, his armor clanging, and she waves him off. “It’s fine, Orin.” She sighs. “It’s not like we can keep this from them and expect them to help us.”

  I refrain from snapping my fingers and telling her to just tell us already because I can’t imagine the pain she’s feeling. Knowing your child is ill and there isn’t anything you can do to fix it for them. The thought turns my stomach and I draw in a deep breath.

  “Keep what from us?” I ask calmly, just as chaos erupts and a horde of men wearing blue cloaks with the crescent moon, the tips of the moon pointed upwards, branches underneath the swell of the moon, storm into the hall with a battle cry.

  Chapter 12

  Without a second thought, everyone in the room jumps into action and I begin shouting orders.