by Ivy Clyde
There was no shelter anywhere. Panic gripped me once more. I didn’t want to go back to the place where we came from. Those students would all be gathered there and heading for the castle door because of the rain. Just as I was resigning myself to drench in the rain, I suddenly spotted a door to the castle.
I was sure it wasn’t there a second ago.
As the rainfall got heavier, I had no choice but to try it. The door opened at a gentle push of my hands. I walked inside, glad to be away from the cold drizzle. The hallway was dark but warm. Looking forward, I spotted a patch of bright light flooding out of an open room at the far end of the corridor.
Unsure of standing in the dark, deserted corner of the castle, I decided to take my chances and strode toward the room. It was probably a classroom which meant there might be a teacher or adult around.
Reaching the room, I walked into a vast brightly lit rectangular-shaped room. Large chandeliers hung overhead, bathing the entire space with their golden glow, allowing me to take in the paintings that covered the walls. Many more were left to be stacked up on benches that dotted the room.
“Wow,” I breathed, looking at them. Each of those paintings could be considered a masterpiece. The subject varied from outdoor sceneries to depictions of faerie creatures. Some of them seemed to be scenes from some old war stories, featuring ancient heroes amidst bloody battlefields. The colors and artistry were so vivid, my eyes couldn’t decide which way to look.
After a while, my gaze settled onto a painting of a forest. It was one of the simplest ones from the masses of intricately portrayed scenes, but it looked life-like. I felt like I was looking through a window. The patches of sunshine falling through the leafy canopy looked real to the eye. The light and shade seemed to move in a natural pattern, like a breeze was blowing through the branches. I’d never seen anything so incredible in my life before.
“Do you like what you see?” asked a voice.
“Yeah, it is beautiful,” I whispered. It took me a moment to realize I’d just answered someone. Whirling around, I faced the person who’d asked me the question. My heartbeat sped up at once as my gaze met the cold amber eyes of Prince Leon.
9
Leon
The silver chimes hanging by the window of my study clanged softly, creating a surprisingly musical tune. Curiosity flickered through me. The alarming bell had never gone off in the past five years since I created this space in the castle for my personal use. The door to my secret hideout was securely hidden and sealed. Even my father, King Drustan, would have trouble finding this place.
So, who could be here? The question had me standing up from my chair and close the book I’d been perusing. The soothing chimes of the hanging bells calmed my inner turmoil but my curiosity kept growing.
I walked out of the room and found light pouring out of the doorway of my gallery where all my paintings were stored. No one in the kingdom had ever laid their eyes on my creations. A sliver of rage tinged my curiosity. Who’d dared to break in here? I marched forward, intent on finding out the person who’d been cunning and talented enough to see through my illusions and barriers.
The back of a woman in the Court’s uniform was presented to me as soon as I reached the threshold. A subtle fragrance of honeysuckle and apple blossoms wafted into my nostrils. At once, my body stiffened. I’d smelled this alluring fragrance on another person that morning. But it can’t be her, my mind retorted. There was no way that powerless young woman could break through my barriers.
I sucked in a shuddering breath, feeling the effects of the fragrance luring my senses to calm down. Something about this stranger was suppressing the rage I was trying to get a hold of. I shouldn’t even be bothering to find out her identity. I should be incinerating her right away!
The woman walked toward one of my paintings. Her feet stepped closer as she stared at the forest scene. A minute passed. And then, another. She seemed transfixed by the simple image before her.
I swallowed the feelings choking me. No one had ever seen any of these paintings and here she was, staring at one of them without a word. Did she like it? Did she hate it? Was she finding fault with it? Anticipation and a kind of desperation collided inside me.
The world thought of me, Prince Leon, as a cold, arrogant fae prince who didn’t deem anyone worth his attention. No one knew of the Prince Leon who loved to hide and paint. They didn’t know of the man who preferred to drink wine and play his flute under the moonlight.
I raised my hand to strike. Power manifested around my fingertips, concentrating at the center of my palm. I should kill this female wanderer right now. It was the only way the secrets of my heart could be safeguarded. Queen Brenna or any of the kingdom’s enemies couldn’t know of my weakness and use it against me.
Just as I was about to unleash the lethal strike, something stopped me. A painful spasm lanced through my chest. It was so severe, I had to clutch a hand over the spot under which my heart throbbed. A moment later, the pain subsided.
I raised my hand to attack again but pain rippled through my chest again.
Why won’t you let me attack her? I asked my magic. It had never been so against me before. Fine, stop attacking me, I told the part of my soul that throbbed with power. I won’t hurt her. Not yet, anyway.
The pain vanished completely.
“Do you like what you see?” I asked in a loud voice.
“Yeah,” the stranger answered without even turning back.
A moment later, she whirled around, as if she suddenly became aware of my presence.
My surprise was reflected in her widened blue eyes. While I’d caught her scent, I didn’t really believe the intruder to be her. How could someone as magically handicapped as her be able to pass through my barriers? It made no sense at all.
“Hi,” she said in a squeaky voice. She braved a smile at me. Her silhouette glowed with a soft golden light and the scent of her natural fragrance hung heavy in the air. Was she even aware of how alluring she looked at that moment?
My body reacted to her immediately. Her scent and lush curves were igniting a hunger deep within me. My hands closed into tight fists. Was she really not unaware of what she was doing right now? I decided to test her.
I took several steps toward her. Moira moved backward at once.
“What are you doing here?” I asked just as her back hit the wall.
“N-nothing,” she stammered. “It was raining.” She gestured toward the windows. “I needed a place to escape from it. That’s all.” She tried to side-step me but I slammed a hand on the wall beside her, effectively cutting off her escape. She gasped and tried to go the other. My other hand planted on her side, effectively caging her in. “What do you want?” she asked in a small, shaking voice.
“Do you know I could execute you for barging in here?” I asked in a low, soft whisper.
Fear clouded her eyes but she squared her shoulders and attempted to glare back at me. “You’re lying. Why would I be killed for walking inside the castle?”
This close, I couldn’t help but admire the deep cobalt of her eyes that reminded me of Scottish lochs in summer. Her upper lip was thin and bow-shaped but the bottom rim was full and luscious. My tongue flicked out involuntarily to lick at my own lips. Her gaze followed the move. The golden halo around her glowed even more brightly.
Moira was absolutely charmed by me despite her fear. A thrill shot through me at the thought.
“Are you really a hapless fae abandoned in the human realm?” I asked, looking deep into her eyes. “You are able to break through my barriers and enter this place. You make Demitria and Chantal think you’re linked to us through some ancient mating bond. How do I know you’re not some kind of spy?” My suspicions grew stronger and I took a step closer to her.
“Stop!” she gasped, putting her hands on my chest, keeping my body away from brushing against her lush curves. The move infuriated me. Capturing her wrists, I pinned them against the wall. A victorious feeling swirl
ed inside me as I pressed my body against hers.
“Let me go,” she hissed, twisting her wrists in my hold. I tightened the grip and kept her pinned against the wall. The heat of her body seeped through my clothes, making the fire inside me burn hotter. I leaned closer, letting the tip of my nose brush against the skin of her neck.
“Get off me!” she shouted, struggling against me. I didn’t listen. She was probably enjoying this moment with me. Every girl in the royal court wanted to get close to me. I was the third prince after all. Being my mate would be a breeze compared to being with Cade or Rowan. Those two were embroiled in court politics too heavily. Being my mate was the safest and most comfortable while enjoying all the benefits that came from being royalty.
“Stop pretending,” I whispered against her ear. “I know what you’re plotting. You’re here to seduce me.”
“I’m not!” She twisted her body this way and that, effectively grinding her lower abdomen over my crotch. The heady fragrance and the heat wafting from her body almost made me lose my mind. It was a struggle not to take a bite of the soft skin of her neck. The urge was so compelling, I gave in to my desire.
My teeth sank into the flesh of her neck.
Moira’s sudden, shrill cry broke me out of my trance. Her struggles became more desperate. Her breathing sounded irregular as sobs escaped. It felt like someone had dumped a bucket of ice-cold water on me.
Leaning back, I took a look at the poor woman in my hold. Her silhouette was no longer glowing. Her fear and anguish were making the air between us so thick, I choked on it. A second later, I realized I was grinding the bones of her wrist.
Shocked, I let go. Black finger marks now covered her exposed wrists.
I swallowed and looked down at my hands. Shock rendered me speechless. I couldn’t believe I touched her. Not just touched…I smelled her and bit her. No other woman, fae or human, made me lose control so badly. Countless women, both old and young, had tried their best to entice me but I’d been able to stay aloof. What was about Moira that made me lose my mind to her so easily?
I looked toward her but she’d already disappeared.
Nothing about her behavior made any sense to me. If she was really a spy, she would have kept up the pretense and let me continue until I’d ravished her. I’d wanted to bury myself in her heated core. She only had to stay calm and let me take her. Instead, she’d fought all the way through it. The fear I’d sensed from her had been real.
A shout of frustration escaped me. No woman ever drove me to such confusing and conflicting emotions. Guilt weighed heavy in my gut. While I acted entitled, I didn’t really force women into submitting to my whims. I was a fucking prince. There was no dearth of willing partners to warm my bed.
I should have killed her despite my discomfort. That way, she wouldn’t be able to mess with my head. My gaze fell on one of the windows. It was indeed raining outside. Did she really come in here accidentally? Another worry chased that thought. What if she spoke about this to someone else?
“Fucking hell,” I muttered, running fingers through the long locks of my crimson strands. I had to find her and threaten her not to tell anyone. Even better to just kill her, a part of me gave me the reminder.
A glance out of the windows told me it was late afternoon. Since it was tea time, I could probably find her in the castle’s dining hall. Deciding to check there, I walked out of my hidden chambers.
Even though my mind was preoccupied with the consequences of someone finding out about the paintings, my gaze kept sweeping over the students loitering the hallways. I was determined to find her and make it clear she had to keep her mouth shut or die.
Reaching the dining hall, my gaze swung across the vast room. Ignoring the flirtatious glances the female students threw at me, I walked further inside. Someone laughed and uttered ‘Moira’. I turned around and found my half-brother, Cade, seated in a nearby table with a gang of beautiful young women.
“It was so funny to see her dance like that,” said one of the girls. “Your Highness, you have an amazing sense of humor.” Cade grinned smugly.
“I am so full of ideas on how to have more fun,” said Deirdre, the daughter of a powerful noble. Her dark eyes gleamed with malice. “She can scream so loudly. It was the most fun I’ve had in a while.”
“Aren’t you going to thank me, Deirdre?” said Cade. “I provided you with such a humorous distraction.”
The young woman ran a finger down his chest in a seductive gesture. “Of course, My Prince. Thank you for providing us with such good entertainment.”
I walked forward and went to stand before Cade. The girls smiled at me automatically but my half-brother became alert.
“What do you want, Leon?” he asked, not even looking at me.
“What are you all talking about?”
His lavender-hued eyes studied me before he straightened in his seat. “What’s it to you?”
“I find her suspicious,” I told him plainly.
“Suspicious?” he scoffed. “She can barely see through a simple illusion. I made her see spiders and she screamed her head off. It was quite entertaining.” The girls around him tittered and laughed, falling back into discussing Moira’s distress with great interest.
I frowned at my half-brother. “Are you sure she wasn’t pretending?”
“Why would she need to pretend? The girl was genuinely terrified.” He leaned onto the table and stared up at me. “Are you suspicious of her or just interested?”
“Yes, Prince Leon,” said Deirdre, fluttering her long lashes at me. “You have never expressed interest in any woman before. If you’re in need of company, one of my friends would be glad to be by your side.” Wrapping her arm around Cade’s broad bicep, she leaned against him. “You will have to excuse me though, Your Highness. I like Prince Cade the most.” She fluttered her lashes bashfully but it didn’t hide the conniving grin on her lips.
Cade smirked up at me.
I turned away. There was no information to be gathered from them other than they were all looking forward to bullying Moira in the future. What gave me pause was Moira succumbing to their illusion but successfully seeing through mine.
On my way out of the dining hall, I met with Rowan. My eldest half-brother’s face was dark as usual. He wasn’t much of a talker but after the death of his mother, he was reduced to brooding all the time. I knew he was surrounded by liars and betrayers. They were all looking for an opportunity to either use him or kill him. If he didn’t stay on guard, he wouldn’t survive the war for the throne Queen Brenna was waging since we were all born.
“I want to speak to you,” I said just as he was about to walk past me.
He halted, glancing at me.
“Somewhere more private,” I added.
He took a moment to consider the request before gesturing toward the door. In the far distance, I felt Cade’s eyes on us. Ignoring him, I followed Rowan into the corridor outside.
“What is it?” he asked.
Looking around to make sure we were alone, I began. “You were the first to meet Moira outside Aelia. Can you tell me about your first encounter with her?”
His expression hardened. “Do you wish to take her as a mate?”
A part of me wanted to say ‘yes’ but I controlled my body’s mad desire for the strange woman. “No. I want to know whether you think there is something suspicious about her. Do you think she is pretending not to know any magic? Don’t you find it strange how an elf woman could survive on her own in the human world without any help?”
Rowan’s expression relaxed slightly. “It is rare,” he said after a moment. “However, I don’t think she is pretending to be powerless. She doesn’t seem bright either. I was coming back from Lost Sanctum when I met Lord Artemis who was on the verge of losing his mind. He’d lost her in the Troll Bazaar and in desperation asked for my help to find her.” He let out a long breath. “Do you know where I found her?”
“Where?”
&nbs
p; “In an abandoned alley with a night-walker. Even an adult human with no knowledge of the paranormal avoids the bloodsuckers. She was easily lured away by one. I watched her use very feeble solar magic to fend him off but without my interference, she would have perished on her own. She is really clueless and stupid.”
“Anything else?” I asked, feeling like even Rowan had missed out something about her.
He shrugged. “I let Artemis take her away. Back then, I had no idea she would happen to have the ancient mating seal on her. If I knew, I’d have let the night-walker make a meal out of her.”
Surprise flitted through me. Even he wanted to get rid of her.
“Thank you, Brother,” I said stiffly and walked away.
Still unsatisfied with what Rowan said, I decided to check with Lady Chantal once more. At the very least, she could tell me what she planned for Moira. She was too old to be studying with twelve-year-olds in the Belenus Court. As far as I could guess, someone like her would be either sent off somewhere to do manual labor or be adopted by a family who would have the patience to teach her some magical skills.
Lady Chantal’s office was in a different wing of the castle. I hurried there before she disappeared somewhere for the night. Reaching the corridor of her room, I found a group of mud pixies zooming out of the open door. They chattered in their high, shrill voices and flew right over my head.
Reaching the door, I knocked.
“Prince Leon.” Chantal looked up from a goblet in her hand. It was barely five and she’d already started drinking. “What can I help you with?” she asked, rising from her chair. Her white gown reflected the last rays of the dying sun that came in through the window behind her
“I am sure he is here to ask about Moira,” said another voice from the corner.
Of course, Lady Demitria also had to be present. The female mage rarely seemed to go anywhere. For a moment, I couldn’t help but wonder whether the rumor of them being lovers was really true. Discarding the thought, I asked my question directly. “Is Moira really handicapped magically?”
