by Ivy Clyde
“Because I don’t know how to use my magic to attack back.”
“Yes. And when you lose control, your magic unleashes itself in the most destructive manner.”
“Can you teach how to fight with magic?” I asked.
He looked struck for a moment but then gave a nod. “I can teach you. For some strange reason, you have an extremely powerful core. Unlike the rest of us, you don’t need to spend years strengthening it. You can start learning things right away.”
He went quiet for a moment but held me against him. His warmth seeped in through the thin fabric of the blanket and heated my skin. Even though everything he said made matters more complicated, I felt safe at the moment.
“I can’t help but wonder who your real parents are,” he said after a while.
“Do you know of any fae who have the same weird powers as me?”
“That’s the thing. Whoever it was, had to be extremely powerful. If they are alive, they have to be part of the royal court. And yet, I can’t imagine any of them being your parents. Your heritage is a riddle.”
We fell quiet for a while, each lost in our own thoughts.
“Does Poppy know what happened today?” I asked.
“No. Other than you and me, no one knows what happened tonight.” His gaze turned grim. “Promise me, Moira. You will not speak of the matter to anyone. Do you understand? It’s the only way you will stay safe.”
The number of secrets I had to keep was rising. My closeness with Rowan was a secret to both Leon and Cade. My intimacy with Leon was a secret to both Rowan and Cade. My secret murder spree was now a secret to both Rowan and Leon.
“Are you listening to me?” Cade shook me by my shoulders. His sharp touch flared up the pain in my shoulder.
“Ow! Yeah…”
“Forgive me,” he said, removing his hand away at once. “Let me apply some more ointment to the wound.”
“Ointment?”
I looked toward my left shoulder and noticed a thick vomit-green paste covering the large burn there. Only now, I noticed the herby smell wafting from it.
“Lie down on your stomach,” he said, moving away from the bed. “You need to rest and heal by tomorrow morning. I don’t want anyone to suspect you with their deaths. Remember, you can’t say a thing to anyone.”
“Don’t worry,” I said, lying back on my stomach. “I don’t want to die yet.”
Cade chuckled and came back with a bowl of healing ointment. With gentle hands, he spread another layer on my shoulder and back. The pain receded further away.
I started understanding why Rowan wanted to keep me away from him. Just being close to Cade for an afternoon was enough for three high fae to come after me to literally kill me. I would have worse enemies on my back if they suspected how truly close I was to the three princes.
To my surprise, I didn’t feel any fear. A kind of stubborn need to protect the three princes flared up inside me. They all wanted to be close to me. And I liked them back. I wasn’t going to let anyone come between us. They were my fated mates. Until I’d chosen one of them, I was going to stay close to all three of them and protect them.
23
Moira
I barely slept through the night. Cade settled down on a couch by the bed and snoozed off at dawn, so I passed the time watching him relax as sleep stole over him. With his golden curls falling over his forehead, he looked painfully beautiful and innocent.
After the way he took care of me, I knew I could trust him. The mask of a reckless, cruel playboy had fallen off him already, revealing the kind, caring man hidden underneath it.
The skin on my shoulder and back prickled and itched but I stopped myself from scratching it. From a previous injury when my mom threw a pan of boiling spaghetti at me, I knew my skin was rapidly healing under the herbal ointment Cade applied before. My own elven magic was also aiding in mending my injury. Without it, the terrible burns would have probably killed me in a few days.
During the few quiet, peaceful hours of dawn, my mind went back to the things Cade spoke of. He’d tried hard but I could see the fear in his eyes as he told me about the new power I’d manifested earlier that evening. He didn’t say it but if some ancient king of the lunar fae had the same abilities as me, it meant that one of my parents was related to them.
From what Isla told me, the two factions of the lumina fae were at war for centuries now. By chance, did a solar fae and a lunar fae fall in love and had me? Did they hide me because such a relationship was forbidden? For the first time, I had a tiny clue to my real parents’ identities.
The only person who could have any possible information about my parents was the woman who gave me birth and brought me up as her own daughter. Was she truly unaware of where I could have come from? Or did someone from the Order make her forget? Suddenly, I couldn’t wait to find out. Maybe, Isla could help me look into my surrogate mother’s memories and see if there were any clues there.
I fell into a light doze just as the sun was coming up but was soon awoken by Cade. He brought me breakfast and a fresh linen dress to put on. With my uniform in tatters, I had no choice but to wear the long-skirted outfit.
“We’re going back to school,” said Cade in a grim tone. “If anyone asks where you were last night, say you were with me. Don’t mention a word about what really happened.”
“I won’t,” I assured him. “Has the news of their death spread yet?”
“It has,” he said shortly. “That’s why we’ll leave now before more people know and the nobles appear here. I don’t want them to see me or you here.” Handing me a plain black cloak, he added, “Put this on.”
Both of us were cloaked and hooded when we stepped out of Poppy’s cottage. It was still early, so the market square wasn’t as crowded as yesterday afternoon. However, there was a definite air of excitement. Whispers of murder and war were everywhere.
Cade took me away to a far corner where horse-driven carriages were waiting to pick up passengers. We climbed into one going in the direction of Belenus Court. Our hoods were drawn low over our faces, so no one recognized Cade. To our luck, we didn’t seem suspicious as a lot of fae folk preferred to keep their faces under hoods and veils.
The ride back to the castle was quiet. As we passed by the vast field of goldflowers, I couldn’t help but think of the three girls lying dead somewhere there. The number of people who died because of my exploding magic seemed to be growing. A part of me felt guilty but I didn’t dwell on it long. My magic protected me from them. If it hadn’t taken control of the situation, I’d be the one who was dead.
When the coach came to a stop near the forked road, both Cade and I climbed down.
We hurried to the castle’s gates but before we could reach it, we were stopped by the most unexpected person.
“Leon,” I gasped as he stood like a wall before me and Cade.
His amber eyes focused on the spot where Cade held my hand. Striding forward, he snatched my hand out of Cade’s grasp. “Let her go,” he hissed.
“It’s not like you think it is,” I said as he grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the gates. “He really helped me yesterday.”
Leon came to a sudden halt. Turning around, he asked, “Helped you or sabotaged you?”
“Sabotage?”
“Are you telling me he didn’t know the queen is sending people to get you this morning?” asked Leon in a tight voice. “Her maids are already packing up your things. Lady Chantal is somehow keeping them at bay from finding out you’re not in the castle grounds.”
I didn’t even have to look at Cade. “He really didn’t know.”
Leon’s gaze shifted from me to his brother. “What are you playing at?”
“I don’t have to answer to you,” said Cade in a cold tone. He strode forward and came to a stop beside me. Keeping an expressionless mask over his features, he added, “Remember what I told you.” With that, he casually walked away.
Leon’s hold on my hand tightened. �
�What’s going on? Why are you with him?” His gaze took in my attire. “Where did the two of you disappear to?”
“I will explain everything to you at a later time,” I said. “But right now, shouldn’t I be going to see Lady Chantal? She must be worried about me.”
Leon’s amber eyes flared with anger but he reined it in. Taking a deep breath, he nodded, “Come on, then.” He led the way inside the grounds and toward the castle. I tried to stay calm and not panic. It was only a few days ago that the queen called me to the palace to meet me. Back then, she didn’t say anything about moving me from Belenus Court so quickly.
“Do I have to go live in the palace now?” I asked, keeping pace with Leon.
“I think so,” he said in a grim tone. “I don’t know why she is so impatient but Rowan needs to watch out. You’re the weapon she will be using to suppress and control him.”
I came to a stop. “Can’t I refuse to go?”
The anger in Leon’s gaze shifted to anxiety. “Don’t even think about it right now. Just play along until I can figure something out.”
“You will help me?”
“As much as I can.”
That was good enough for me. “I will go the rest of the way on my own,” I said. “If I really end up having to go to the palace, you can find me there.”
Moving closer to me, he leaned down and kissed my cheek. His arms came around me as he pulled me against his chest. “Don’t be scared,” he said in a voice filled with warmth. “I will watch out for you.”
My eyes closed as a sense of safety stole through me.
Separating from him, I gave a nod and walked toward the castle doors. Leon didn’t follow me as I entered through a doorway that led the way to Lady Chantal’s chambers.
My heart pounded in my chest as I rushed up a staircase and then ran down the corridor. A few men in purple and gold liveries were already spread in the hallway leading up to the office room. I slowed down, wiping away all nervousness from my face. They couldn’t know I wasn’t in the castle until a few minutes ago. I knocked on the door.
“Come in,” called Lady Chantal’s voice.
Pushing the door open, I walked inside. Suddenly, a large shape flung itself on me. “There you are!” cried Isla, squeezing me hard. “Where did you disappear to?”
“Ssh!”
She stopped talking at once and let me go. Stepping away, she let Lady Chantal and Demitria move forward to inspect me.
“Are you okay, Moira?” asked Chantal.
“Yeah,” I said despite the remnants of the burn wounds from last night. While the pain had reduced to a bearable intensity, they were still visible on my skin. They would take a few more days to heal fully but I chose not to bring it up now.
Next moment, the door closed with a loud snap. Demitria made a complicated hand gesture. A silver membrane, barely visible to the eyes hovered over the door’s surface.
“Is it done?” whispered Chantal.
“Yes,” said Demitria. “Speak freely.”
Chantal placed her hands on my shoulders and leaned down to stare at me. “Queen Brenna has asked you to be moved into the palace. We think she wants to rush this wedding with Prince Rowan, so we want to prepare you for what to expect.”
“They will take you to be inspected,” said Demitria from beside her. “You will be stripped naked, bathed and every corner of your body will be open for inspection by a lady officer of the harem. Do not object and play along.”
“Wait, what?” I stared between Chantal and Demitri. “Why?”
“It’s a ritual,” said Chantal in a calmer voice. “Physical perfection is held to very high standards in the fae society. They will also want to make sure you are in the best of health and carry no diseases that could be passed on to a royal heir.”
“So, some stranger gets to see me naked?” I asked, my voice taking on a panicked, high-pitched tone.
“Yes,” said Demitri. “They won’t just see you but also touch you. Everywhere. Again, do not object and comply.”
I swallowed.
“You can’t afford to anger the queen at the moment,” said Chantal in a grim tone. “You have no support or any powerful allies to help you. For the time being, concentrate on staying alive and unhurt. Once we figure some things out, Demitria and I will help you.”
My teeth sank into my bottom lip. Their desperation was making me feel worse.
Chantal and Demitria stepped away from me and turned to Isla. “Fetch the brownie maid,” said Chantal.
Isla gave a nod and walked out of the door.
A few minutes later, she came back with Gilly who was covered from head to toe in a hooded cloak. I was able to recognize her because she stepped before me and looked up at me.
“Take her as your personal servant,” said Chantal. “She will be able to slip in and out of the palace in your place. You can use her as a messenger and keep her as a loyal aid by your side.”
I looked down at the child-like creature. She stood still but her thin body shook with tiny tremors. The brownie maid needed medication to heal the wounds on her face. She looked sickly and in pain.
“I’m not sure she’ll be up to follow me,” I said after a while. “She needs to rest and get better.”
“She can rest in the palace,” said Demitria in a hard voice. “But right now, you need her. She will be your only source to exchange news with the world outside the palace. We thought we had more time in our hands to train you but the queen is being extremely impatient. Things are chaotic at the moment which is why it’s important to act with our heads, not our emotions.”
I didn’t like what they were saying. Would the palace turn into a prison for me? Panic choked my throat. I looked down at the sickly creature. “Do you want to come with me?” I asked her.
“I will follow mistress until my death,” said Gilly, looking up at me with large brown eyes.
Her words left a cold feeling in my chest. “You don’t have to go that far for me.”
“But, she will,” said Isla in a grim tone. “You bought her yesterday and now, you are her mistress. You are responsible for her well-being now.”
I cringed at the idea of having “bought” her. Back at the market square, I just wanted to free her from the obnoxious slave trader.
A knock sounded at the door. Chantal, Demitria, and Isla turned their heads in unison. Their nervousness was making me edgy too.
“Remember what we told you,” said Demitria before walking toward the door. She opened it and let a familiar man walk inside. He was the same person who’d taken me and Demitria to the palace the other day.
“There you are, My Lady,” said the man, inclining his head toward me. “I was afraid we’d be returning empty-handed.”
“Moira is here,” said Chantal. “You may take her now.”
“My Lady,” said the man, gesturing toward the door. “Follow me, please.”
I glanced at the three women before me. Their expressions were impassive.
“Come, Gilly,” I said, walking toward the open door.
“Who is that creature?” asked the man.
“She is my personal maid and is coming with me,” I said, striding forward and walking out into the corridor. I had no idea what I was walking into but hoped my princes, Lady Chantal, Demitria and Isla could help me. Gilly’s presence didn’t ease my discomfort but added to it. I didn’t know how to care for myself in this strange world but now I had to worry about her too.
Gilly and I were made to climb inside a luxurious carriage and then driven away from the castle. No one asked me for any instruction. They were following someone else’s commands and I was just an object in their hands.
I tried to calm my mind. It was the only way to survive the schemes the queen was plotting against Rowan. Thinking about him reminded me of my need to protect him. I was sure Leon and Cade were pawns in her game too.
I will protect them, I vowed. My intention was so strong, my magic pulsed harder in my veins. A
slight sense of comfort stole through me. Even if everyone else failed me, my magic would be there to protect me.
24
Moira
My neck was stretched out as I stared up at the ceiling. The petals of the goldflowers depicted on the ceiling were a vivid gold, making me wonder whether real gold had been used to paint them. Gazing around me, I realized that this grand room was as big Leon’s chambers and just as luxurious with dark wood furniture and lavish drapes on the bed, couches, and windows.
“What do you think?” I said, looking toward the short hooded figure before me.
“It doesn’t matter what I think,” said Gilly in an emotionless voice. “As long as it pleases my mistress, it pleases me too.”
“Did they teach you to say that at the brownie academy?”
Gilly stared up at me with confusion in her dark brown eyes. “We are not sent to any academy.”
“Right,” I muttered, knowing she didn’t get my little joke. Spotting a plush sofa in the corner, I went to sit on it. “Come over here, Gilly.”
She walked over to me.
“I am going to take off your hood, okay?” I said.
“My ugly face will upset mistress,” she said in a small voice.
“It won’t.” I slowly moved away the hood and looked at her badly injured face. The cuts had dried up but the burnt skin on her face still looked raw and painful. The iron blade affected Deirdre horribly but she could still bear it since she was a high fae. Gilly, on the other hand, was on the lower spectrum and would have a worse time healing from the wounds. I promised Gilly I wouldn’t be upset but the thought of Deirdre doing this to a creature as small and innocent as Gilly made rage burn inside me. Controlling my emotions, I asked, “Do you remember the medicines Deirdre was taking?”
“Yes, Mistress.”
“Would you be able to make the concoction on your own?”
“Yes, Mistress.”
“Good. Then, go get those herbs and make yourself the paste. I want you to heal up as fast as possible.”
