Treachery

by E. A. Weston

  Treachery

  E. A. Weston

  Contents

  Copyright

  Copyright

  Acknowledgments

  Avalon

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Newsletter

  Other Books by E.A. Weston

  Copyright © 2015 by E.A. Weston

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever, including Internet usage, without written permission from E.A. Weston, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in articles and reviews.

  * * *

  ISBN-13: 9781530507917

  ISBN-10: 153050791X

  * * *

  Cover Design by Ruxandra Tudorica at Methyss-art.

  Map drawn by Antony Weston.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead is coincidental.

  Acknowledgments

  To my Readers – without you this dream would not be possible. Thank you for waiting patiently for this book.

  To Ruxandra – Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You made another one of my visions come to life with this cover.

  To Antony – My brother and artist. Thank you for drawing the map and making Avalon become a tangible place.

  * * *

  Avalon

  Avalon

  * * *

  Prologue

  I was excited when father announced Avery and I were betrothed. He kept me in the dark and would not give me even the slightest hint of what he was doing. But now, I can’t keep the smile from my face as I dance around the fire with him.

  My love my true mate my one and only.

  We dance for hours before Killian announces he is leaving. I want to find my brother a mate, of all the fairies I know, he is most deserving.

  “I wish he had a love like ours,” I sigh, as I watch him walk away.

  “One day Ari, I promise, he will be happy. I have asked the Goddess to bring him a love as she has brought me.” Avery smiles down at me, his handsome face and enchanting brown eyes shining with love.

  “I am counting the moons until I can call you my husband.”

  I whisper and twirl into his arms again. Avery and I dance until the sun crests the horizon. He walks me home, leaving me with a gentle kiss on my cheek and the promise of another day. Walking up the grand staircase I smile at one of our maids, Raisa. She gives me a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Telling me, she is happy for me and I will make a beautiful bride.

  Falling onto my bed, I sigh and close my eyes with all my thoughts of Avery and the happiness he brings to me, my heart is ready to burst. Soon my eyes feel heavy and I begin to sleep.

  “Wake up princess, we are under attack!” Connor’s voice pulls me from my dreams. Groggily, I pull on my robe and slippers, following my guard through the castle to the dungeon.

  “Why are we here Connor?” I ask as my eyes adjust.

  “You will be safe in here princess. Please hide.” He urges, pushing me into the cell and slamming the door with a loud clang.

  “Conner, please hurry back,” I beg.

  “Of course princess. I will keep you safe.”

  With a nod, he rushes out of the dungeon, leaving me alone in the cold dark cell.

  Chapter 1

  Killian

  * * *

  I watch as they lay my princess upon the pyre and set her out to the unknown. The waves taking her further and further away from me, while my heart is ripping from my chest as she floats. Avery stands beside me, before nodding to the guards to set the flames to her. Hearing the sizzle as they light their arrows brings me to my knees.

  “Loose the flames,” Avery announces, as tears fall freely from my eyes.

  “Take this pain away brother,” I choke out, his hand rests on my shoulder.

  “I have had but two moons with her, why has the Goddess punished me so?” I ask again.

  “I don’t know brother,” he replies, his own voice thick with emotion.

  “I should have stayed away, all of my years I have prayed to the Goddess to bring me home and when she does, she takes away my soul.”

  I watch as the fire takes hold, sending orange flames into the night sky. Avery pulls me up off of my knees and holds me tight.

  “This is the best way Killian, at least, she can have a proper royal burial.”

  “Take my pain away Avery. Slice my heart from my chest and cast me upon her body. I don’t want to live anymore.”

  I feel his strong arms hold me tighter against his chest, me, the Prince of Avalon crying like a child upon my best friend’s shoulder.

  “I am truly sorry Killian, I wish you had more time with her.”

  Taking a deep breath, I pull back from him asking to be left alone on the shore as I watch my true mate ascend the land of eternity. My thoughts drift back to when I first saw her; it feels like a lifetime ago now. That night, in Granite, when my world turned upside down. Her pale blonde hair and her amazing blue eyes, the way I felt the minute she crossed into the club and directly into my heart, spearing me with a force unknown to both of us.

  A fresh wave of anguish washes over me, as I replay the short two months, we have spent together. My life will never be the same. I don’t even have a picture of her to keep me sane at night, because I know, without her I am sure to lose my mind.

  * * *

  “You are the light that guides me

  That shows me the way.

  You are the love

  That shines through my heart.

  You are everything I need

  To keep me safe.

  You are my moon

  * * *

  And you are my stars

  I take your love.

  To hold with my own

  To give me strength when I am alone.

  You keep me safe

  In all that I do.

  * * *

  You are my moon

  And you are my stars.”

  * * *

  I recite the poem of lovers as I watch the glow of the flames in the distance - it is now a dot on the horizon. I want to wait until I see her no more. I can’t leave even if I wanted to.

  “Killian please.”

  I hear a faint echo of her voice. Standing, I listen again waiting to see if my mind had tricked me, but then I am hit with such a force of panic and pain. Springing, I begin to fly towards the pyre, hope blooming in my chest. I call out to her, as I beat my wings as fast as I ever have.

  * * *

  “Princess? Reagan, I’m coming, I’m coming.”

  Chapter 2

  The smoke burns my throat making me choke and gag, calling out for help is too difficult now, even i
n my mind, I can’t seem to muster the strength. Trying to move is hard. I am tied down by my wrists and ankles but struggling only makes the flames lick closer to me.

  Tears of terror stream down my face as I beg for anyone to come get me, my mother, my father, Claudia, but most of all I want Killian. I need to get off this damn, floating inferno. I need to accept that this is it - this is how it will end for me. I just hope the smoke gets me first. Staring up at the stars I allow my body to relax, allowing my fate to take over and send me to wherever fairies go when they die.

  Out of the corner of my eye, through the tears, I catch a glimpse of something black swoop over me, hope blooms within my heart, but fades just as quickly. How can Killian save me?

  “Princess please I beg of you, tell me you are alive.”

  The pain in his voice startles me, as it rings through my head igniting that hope once again.

  “Killian yes! I’m here, please help me.”

  I watch as he flies closer to me only to have flames force him back, each angle he tries, fails. His form retreats and I no longer see him, until he lands on top of me stealing the last of my breath. His hands work quickly, to free me from the ropes, wrapping his arms around me he pulls me up over the flames as they lick at our feet catching my robe on fire. My scream rings out as the flames climb up my robe. Killian dives below the water without giving me warning causing me to swallow a lungful.

  We break the surface seconds later with me spluttering and coughing.

  “How many times are you going to kill me?” I choke out.

  Killian just wraps his arms around me as his body wracks with sobs. We drift back to land, grateful to have solid ground under my feet. I fall down onto my back with Killian still clinging on to me.

  “Princess,” he sobs refusing to let me go, “you were gone Reagan I swear it.” He cries again.

  “I can’t breathe Killian,” pushing him off me, I take a deep breath coughing up the last of the water. He looks awful, kneeling there, his face is pale and drawn, and his hands are shaking.

  “Killian what the hell is going on? And why did you try to kill me, twice!” my words cause him to jump to his feet.

  “I promise Reagan you were gone,” he says again.

  Standing on wobbly legs, I take a step towards him pressing my soaked body to his. I kiss him taking every ounce of love he is giving me.

  “Take me home Killian,” I whisper. Nodding his head, he springs up into the air.

  “I would like to stop and say goodbye to Avery,” he tells me keeping my face close to his. “I can’t believe I almost killed you,” his whisper full of despair. My body aches as we land in front of the house Killian is sharing with Avery, as soon as we step inside all hell breaks loose. Avery looks like he has seen a ghost, he starts asking Killian questions, how, when, why? But Killian just shrugs never letting me go.

  “We must speak brother,” he mutters, taking a seat near the fire. Avery quickly brings us a towel each, draping them over our shoulders.

  “We have much to discuss but I must say the Goddess has worked magic tonight Killian.” Avery stares at me for a few minutes shaking his head.

  “I am saying goodbye brother,” Killian announces, his voice is hollow as he looks at his friend.

  “No Killian! You can’t you are our prince, our rightful leader you must not leave again, I beg of you brother.” Avery kneels down in front of Killian pleading with him.

  “Stand brother you do not take a knee before me. I have disgraced my people and my true mate it is better if I take my leave for good this time. I fear Avalon is no place for my love.”

  I watch the back and forth between them. Killian, adamant he is leaving while Avery begs him to stay. I can’t imagine how far away Killian’s home is but they are acting like this is a goodbye forever.

  “Can’t you come visit?” I ask Avery.

  “No Reagan, I do not wish to leave Avalon it is my home.”

  “Oh, but why would you leave? How far away is your house?” I ask looking at both of them.

  Avery answers first, “I beg your forgiveness, but I have never been to the human realm and I do not wish to see it,” He looks at me apologetically. Killian takes my hand in his kissing my knuckles.

  “Will you be okay to travel all the way back to the Romloc?” he asks, tilting his head toward me.

  “Okay fairies, I think you both are mixed up,” I say, slumping back against the sofa. “I am not going back to the Romloc, or whatever that is, nor am I going to Faircrest. Killian and I are getting our own house here in this place,” I wave my hand around the room. Both of them look at me, and Killian frowns.

  “You said you wanted to go home.”

  “Yes I meant here Killian, this is my home now, remember, where you go I go,” I tell him resting my palm against his beating heart.

  “But we can’t live together here Reagan it is forbidden,” he tells me again but I am sick of this rule already.

  “Are you really the prince of this fairy world?” I ask standing.

  “Yes I am, I will explain it all to you, Reagan, I promise I will.”

  Holding my hand up I silence him.

  “Then change the rules, Killian, because I am not spending another night without you.” There I put my foot down, that should do it.

  After an hour or so of talking, I am walked back to the ladies house. Opening the door, I frighten Nerida into a scream before she ploughs into me asking a hundred questions. All the fairies rush out of the room thanking the Goddess.

  “You are a miracle Reagan,” Elvia whispers, as she helps me out of the wet robe. I dress in a satin nightdress and she tucks me into bed.

  “I am truly happy that you live Reagan.” She smiles as she leaves me to sleep.

  I can’t though, thoughts of Claudia come back to me, and I have a distinct feeling she was real and perhaps she is the same Claudia, Killian was telling me about. Sitting up in the bed I look out of the window, the sky is like black velvet with tiny pinpricks of light. Everything that has happened to me since I have been here is enough to send any sane person packing, but not me, no sir. I am insane, or I just love punishing myself, throwing myself back against the pillows I try to sleep but nothing will help.

  I watch the sky go from black to a dusty blue as the hours tick by. I wonder when it is back home and if Alex has gotten over my leaving. I miss her and her crazy ways but I know she has Ryder to take care of her. The sun begins to rise and so do the fairies of the house. I hear them mumble as they walk around but none of them come to see me. Turning my phone on, I scroll through the pictures quickly needing another fix of home.

  I listen as the house grows quiet, everyone must be gone training maybe they didn’t want to invite me after last time. Taking myself out of bed I walk through the small rooms looking at the stuff. It’s a quaint house with minimal furniture. Opening the door, I find Samiel standing there with a smile stretched across his face.

  “Good morning,” he bows to me.

  “Hi” I reply stepping out into the sunshine, “can I go that way?” I ask, pointing to my right, to a row of buildings I have never been to before. He looks around for a minute trying to decide then nods his head, following me as I walk around exploring the camp. Taking my time I look into each doorway, I find most of them are empty houses or some type of sleeping quarters.

  “Are these available?” I ask, closing the door behind me, as I step back into the blazing sun.

  “Yes, they are extra quarters for warriors families,” Samiel tells me.

  We walk through the woods at a slow pace because my body is still heavy and sore. Samiel comes up beside me as we walk around.

  “May I ask a question?” he looks at me from the corner of his eye.

  “You just did.” I smile at him and his eyes grow wide as he nods dropping back a pace. “Samiel I was joking you can ask me anything.”

  Walking back to my side he clears his throat, “are you really from the human realm?” he l
ooks worried as he asks.

  “Yep, I sure am 100 percent human,” I tell him, waving my hands up and down my body. He laughs at me and it sounds beautiful, “how long have you been here?” I ask looking around the camp.

  “Oh, since the King and Queen were killed,” he answers looking sad.

  “Did you know them?”

  “Yes, I did. Every year the Queen started the summer solstice, by lighting the bonfire and dancing with the King.” He smiles at me, “Tonight we will have our first Solstice with a member of the true royal family.”

  “Hey hang on a minute, today is summer solstice?” I ask and he nods. “Oh, wow I forgot my own birthday.” I sigh, sitting on a fallen tree.

  “Birthday?” he questions.

  “Yeah the day I was born 22 years ago,” I answer, resting my head in my hands, feeling a sadness wash over me.

  “We must celebrate!” Samiel announces, clapping his hands and laughing, “come, we shall start the festivities now.”

  Grabbing my hands he pulls me up into his arms taking flight. We soar over the trees and I feel happy, it’s weird not being up here with Killian, but Samiel seems like a nice guy. We fly around the camp with Samiel dipping and swooping making me laugh. I start to feel relaxed until two other fairies join us barking at Samiel. I feel his body tense as he glides back down to the training grounds.

  Killian and Avery are standing there, both angry. Samiel bows to me then drops on his knee in front of Killian speaking fast.

  “What’s going on?” I ask Killian, who looks really pissed, he glances at me “tell me, Killian, now.” I demand.

  “Samiel is your guard, he does not have the right to touch you, or fly you around the sky.”

  “Seriously? I am not allowed to be with you but I can’t have friends either.”