Prisoner of Darkness

by Nissa Leder

  “She should be thanking you,” Poppy quipped. “She’s powerful now and much less fragile.”

  Yes, mortal Scarlett would have died from the injury from last night’s battle, regardless of the enchantments on the weapons.

  “Maybe.” Cade shrugged. “But she didn’t have a choice. Not really.”

  There was no other way he could explain to Poppy how he felt, so he left it at that. He couldn’t let the guilt consume him, though. He was king now, and his people depended on him.

  He wouldn’t go out of his way to hurt Scarlett and would keep members of his court from hurting her as well, but if she ever got in the way of protecting his people, he’d do what must be done.

  When Scarlett woke up, Kaelem was gone. The pain in her side had faded and was tolerable. Bending over hurt, but as long as she was careful, she could move.

  As she slipped on a dress, he entered.

  “Oh, sorry.” He looked away.

  What had gotten into him? Normally, he would have jumped at the chance to catch Scarlett inappropriate. He’d have said at least one improper comment.

  “You okay?” Scarlett reached around to tie the back of her dress, sending a shooting pain through her side. “Ow.”

  “Here, let me help.” Kaelem came over and tied her dress.

  “Thanks.”

  Scarlett couldn’t read his thoughts, but she could feel solemnness coming from his aura. What had happened to make him so different?

  Kaelem went into his closet and when he came back out, he held the mirror he’d trapped Ashleigh in. “I thought you might want to visit her.”

  Scarlett’s heart fluttered. He’d let her see her sister? She nodded.

  “I’ll put you inside the mirror with her for a few minutes, then I’ll pull you back out.”

  Was it a trap of some sort? Even so, at least she’d be with her sister again. “Okay.”

  Kaelem held the mirror in one hand and, with the other, spun his hand in a circular motion.

  Scarlett felt as if her body was dissolving into thousands of pieces. Her skin tickled as she moved freely through the air. The world around her blurred. When it came into focus again, she was inside her house.

  Her piano sat where it always had, a Chopin book open and ready to play.

  “Ashleigh?” she yelled.

  Something shattered in the kitchen. “Scar?”

  Ashleigh came running to her, an apron on and flour sprinkled on her nose.

  They hugged each other tightly.

  “You’re okay?” Scarlett asked as she looked her sister over.

  Ashleigh had been in a mirror world of their house the whole time. Had she realized she was trapped?

  “Of course, I’m okay,” she said. “Just trying to get stuff done before Vance’s birthday tomorrow.”

  Last time Scarlett had talked to Ashleigh, she’d been preparing for his birthday.

  Time wasn’t moving here.

  “I thought you were camping?” Ashleigh asked.

  “It got boring,” Scarlett lied. She couldn’t do anything to upset Ashleigh.

  She’d been worried the whole time that her sister had been lost and lonely and afraid. But whatever spell kept her here apparently also kept her oblivious.

  Scarlett joined Ashleigh in the kitchen as she continued to make the cake she’d started before Scarlet had showed up. As Ashleigh baked, Scarlett asked her how things were going.

  Scarlett’s stomach tightened when she realized Ashleigh’s boyfriend might be looking for her. He could be worried—or worse, not worried. Even if Ashleigh didn’t realize the confinement of the mirror, life outside went on.

  But Scarlett would have to worry about that later. None of it would matter if she didn’t help Kaelem steal back what he wanted from the Winter Queen. If something happened to Kaelem in the process, Ashleigh might be stuck in the mirror forever.

  Scarlett pushed the negative thoughts away. She didn’t have long with Ashleigh, and she didn’t want to waste her time.

  “What about you, little sis?” Ashleigh stuck the cake she’d just mixed into the oven. “Anything exciting in your love life?”

  “Not right now,” Scarlett said. “I’ve had a few other things to focus on.”

  “Don’t be afraid to love. It feels glorious.”

  Love. Was Ashleigh that enthralled by the guy she’d been seeing? Scarlett knew she was infatuated, but love?

  Scarlett felt her body dissolve again. When it molded back together, she was back in the room with Kaelem.

  “I hope whatever it is we’re here for is important.” Scarlett stomped toward the closet. She needed a moment alone.

  “Scarlett, wait.”

  She turned back.

  Kaelem grabbed her hand.

  When their skin touched, the room around Scarlett disappeared and a new image surfaced.

  Coldness attacked her. Ahead, she saw a prison cell with bars of ice. She approached it slowly, worry in the pit of her stomach.

  These weren’t her feelings. She was in a different mind.

  When she peeked through the bars, a girl sat in the corner, head down and arms clutching her legs.

  “Aria.” Kaelem’s voice said from the body Scarlett was in.

  The girl’s body language shifted, relaxing as she peered up. Her eyes sparkled as she said, “Brother!”

  Scarlett returned to her own body. Kaelem dropped her hand and watched her as he waited for her to speak.

  Scarlett’s mental wall fell.

  It was his sister? He’d stolen Scarlett’s sister to save his own. What kind of ludicrous logic was that? Anger boiled inside Scarlett. Her sister was in love, and she was happy. It might be a frivolous crush—or perhaps it was real—but either way, Ashleigh found a way to smile again. Losing their mom had been hard on her.

  And now she may have lost that. Even if Ashleigh went back to him, what could she tell him? That she hadn’t been gone; he was mistaken. Then he’d think she was crazy.

  The frailness of the girl in the vision surfaced to Scarlett’s thoughts. She pictured Ashleigh miserable, rotting away in a prison cell. What would she have been willing to do to save her?

  “I shouldn’t have taken your sister,” Kaelem said.

  Scarlett glared. He was in her head, listening to her thoughts. She’d learned to feel his presence.

  You’re a hypocritical asshole.

  He grabbed her arm and squeezed.

  “Now, now. You should be grateful I haven’t killed you.” The Ice Queen’s voice was cold. “Yet.”

  The girl lifted her head, eyes full of fury. “Fuck you.”

  “Is that anyway to speak to a queen?”

  “You’re not my queen.”

  Nevina stepped into the cell as the bars parted for her and shot a dagger of ice into Aria’s arm.

  Aria shrieked. She screamed again and again as another hit her leg and another her foot.

  “You have no power here, princess. The sooner you learn that, the easier it will be for you.”

  When Aria spit at Nevina’s feet, she gripped Aria’s arm.

  Aria’s skin turned blue as she was frozen in place.

  Kaelem released Scarlett’s arm. “I am sorry I took your sister, but I am not sorry for doing what I felt needed to be done.”

  The rage in Scarlett simmered. Aria looked so breakable. She remembered when Kassandra had showed her a vision of Ashleigh dying—how it broke Scarlett’s soul to see even the possibility.

  “I am going to do what I must for my sister,” Kaelem said as he looked out the window to his right. “But I won’t make you help me. I can release your sister now if you’d like. I’m the only one who can.”

  What? Scarlett hadn’t seen that coming. She could take Ashleigh and go. But where?

  If it were Ashleigh trapped in a cell of ice, Scarlett would want help saving her.

  “No,” Scarlett said. “We couldn’t stay here. It wouldn’t be safe.”

  Scarlett wanted to
take Ashleigh and run, but she couldn’t. She couldn’t get home without Kaelem’s help and, after seeing the vision, Scarlett knew he wouldn’t risk taking them back and losing his chance to save his sister. Ashleigh was safer in the mirror until she could be freed back in the mortal realm.

  After Scarlett had more time to figure out how to tell her everything.

  It didn’t matter if Kaelem deserved her help. The image of Aria froze in Scarlett’s mind. She would do what she could to help him.

  “How are we going to save your sister?”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Cade checked his suit in the mirror. He had brought his own Summer Court outfit to wear, one of the finest suits he owned. He was king now, and he needed to look the part.

  After a quick knock, Poppy entered his room is a long, mulberry dress. Her blonde hair was curled and hung down to her waist. She’d worn a dress the other night, but he hadn’t noticed how gorgeous she was. The wall of steel she normally kept so high detracted from her natural glow, but tonight, he saw her as a woman.

  “You look lovely,” he said.

  He could have sworn her cheeks flushed. “I want to apologize. I shouldn’t have challenged Scarlett without discussing it with you first. I still think it was a good idea, but it wasn’t my decision to make.”

  Cade just nodded. He may have not wanted to see Scarlett get hurt, but he was glad Poppy showed how strong the Summer Court could be.

  Another knock startled them both.

  “Enter,” Cade said.

  When the door opened, Cade expected it to be a Winter servant to see if there was anything they needed.

  Shock rippled through Cade as someone else—someone entirely unexpected—stepped through the doorway.

  His mother.

  Scarlett checked her hair in the mirror one last time before heading to the Winter Ball. They didn’t have a plan yet, but as it was the last night of the celebration—the official Winter Solstice—it was now or never.

  Kaelem sat in the chair by the window as he waited for Scarlett.

  “Think I’m ready,” she said.

  It wasn’t like it mattered how she looked, but fixing her hair calmed her nerves.

  Kaelem stood and took Scarlett’s hands into his own. “Thank you.”

  “Don’t make me regret it.”

  Scarlett couldn’t see into Kaelem’s mind, but she felt his distance. It made sense he was nervous, but it seemed as if there was more to it than that. She wanted to ask him, but she didn’t.

  They linked arms as they entered the ballroom.

  The room was breathtaking. Pillars of ice held a balcony that circled the room. Glass chandeliers hung from the clear ceiling that showcased the stars above.

  Music echoed through the room as fae twirled in dance.

  The Winter Queen sat on a blood red throne—a stark contrast to the snow-white dress she wore—on top of the balcony.

  The ballroom flooring was a transparent sheet of ice—though not slick—with brightly colored creatures swimming beneath its surface. Some looked like mortal fish, others more otherworldly.

  Kaelem led Scarlett to the middle of the dance floor. “Dance?”

  Scarlett let him pull her close as they glided together across the ice, reminding her of their night together at the club. She felt the burn of the Winter Queen’s stare, making the mistake of meeting her eyes. The queen’s expression didn’t change, but a shiver ran through Scarlett.

  Scarlett shifted her gaze away. As Kaelem spun her around, someone else watched Scarlett.

  Dressed in a royal blue velvet gown, buttoned up to her chin, was someone Scarlett hoped she’d never see again.

  Kassandra.

  Scarlett’s entire body tensed.

  Kaelem raised an eyebrow. He must not have been listening to her mind.

  Scarlett glanced toward Kassandra.

  Kaelem spun around, and, when he saw the former Summer Queen, his grip on Scarlett tightened.

  The dancers parted as Kassandra approached Scarlett and Kaelem.

  “How surprised I am so see you so alive,” Kassandra said.

  “A happy surprise, I’m sure,” Kaelem replied.

  Kassandra tipped her head to the side. “Some might say.”

  Scarlett wanted to speak, to say something snarky or witty, but it felt as if she’d swished a bottle of super glue in her mouth and opening it was impossible now.

  “Your body may be fae,” Kassandra said. “But it seems as if you’re still as clever as a mortal.”

  “Scarlett is a guest of the Unseelie Court.” Kaelem stepped slightly in front of Scarlett, putting himself between her and Kassandra. “And under its full protection.”

  “It’s nice to see the Unseelie Court has broadened its horizons to include mortals.”

  “We are missing a perfectly good song.” Kaelem pulled Scarlett back into dancing position. “Shall we?”

  Scarlett nodded, and then Kaelem led her far away from Kassandra.

  “I hate her,” Scarlett said. “I couldn’t even stand up for myself. God, I’m weak.”

  “You are not weak.” Kaelem tipped her chin up. “You’ve been fae for less than a month, and you’re already stronger than any new fae I’ve ever seen. Hell, you’re stronger than a lot of those born full fae.”

  Scarlett wanted to believe him, but the way her mouth just froze, unable to utter a single word just at the sight of Kassandra, convinced her otherwise.

  Poppy and Cade entered the room. From the look Cade gave his mother, Scarlett doubted he’d invited her here. Was today really the first time Kassandra learned Scarlett was alive? Why wouldn’t Cade have told her as soon as he found out?

  Scarlett let Kaelem twirl her around the dance floor for the next hour, until her feet throbbed and all she could think about was sitting down.

  “Not much longer, darling,” he whispered in her ear. “Pretend I just said the funniest thing you’ve ever heard.”

  Scarlett fake-laughed as believably as she could. Her eyes met Cade’s. A grimace appeared on his face.

  As she looked away from Cade, another stare met hers. Laik, the Seelie Queen’s advisor, watched her and Kaelem as they moved across the dance floor. Scarlett gazed into his eyes, swearing she sensed fear.

  The Winter Queen rose from her throne. The crowd hushed. Scarlett turned her attention to Nevina.

  “I would like to thank you all for joining us in our celebration of the Winter Solstice. Today marks the longest day of darkness in Faerie, when our power is at its height.” Her gaze found Kaelem. “As always, we are loyal to our allies visiting us from the other courts, and we celebrate the continued peace between our peoples.”

  Next to Scarlett, Kaelem muttered something under his breath.

  “Please continue the celebration. Servers will be around with more wine and hors d’eourve as the festivities continue.”

  The crowd shifted back into the flow of dancing. Kaelem pulled Scarlett close and whispered in her ear, “We should make our move soon.”

  Scarlett searched for Kassandra but couldn’t find her. Cade and Poppy twirled on the dance floor. Scarlett wished she could make Poppy trip and fall flat on her face, but she didn’t know how.

  As a server passed Poppy, the tray full of wine in his hand fell to the ground and splashed onto the bottom of Poppy’s dress. It wasn’t Scarlett’s doing. Was it just a weird coincidence?

  Kaelem wrapped his hand around Scarlett’s waist and guided her away from the crowd as everyone stared at Poppy and Cade.

  He whispered into her ear, “I thought a diversion to hide our escape was necessary.”

  Scarlett giggled.

  When they were out of the ballroom and away from the crowd, Scarlett asked. “So what’s our plan?”

  Kaelem shrugged. “We don’t exactly have one.”

  Perfect. Attacking the Winter Court during the day their power was strongest without a plan.

  What could go wrong?

  Chapter
Twenty-Three

  Scarlett hurried next to Kaelem. They headed toward the prison where Aria was being held. Getting to it was easy enough when he had visited her, but her cell was guarded with extra magic.

  “Last time, I hid my trail. No one should have known I’d visited her,” Kaelem said as they walked down a dark hall that got colder with every step. “That doesn’t matter this time. We need to be as quick as possible. If we succeed, they’ll know it was us.”

  Kaelem reached out a hand to stop Scarlett. He closed his eyes. “Two guards up ahead.”

  They continued, and, as they rounded the corner, two winter guards with swords of ice blocked the way.

  “No visitors,” one said.

  A cloud of darkness burst from Kaelem’s hands into the guard, who flew backwards.

  The other sliced his sword at Kaelem. Kaelem ducked and sent a kick into his stomach. The guard buckled over.

  The first guard was back on his feet and headed toward Scarlett.

  God, she had no idea what she was doing. What was Kaelem thinking wanting her help? The guard lunged at her. She spun and missed the blow.

  He turned around and tried again.

  Scarlett felt a burning feeling in her hands. Instinctively, she lifted them and a ray of light shot through the air and hit the guard directly in the chest.

  He dropped to the ground.

  Kaelem had taken care of the other guard.

  “Did I kill him?” Scarlett asked.

  A wave of guilt rippled through her. Could she have taken another life?

  “No,” Kaelem said. “He’s just out cold. He’ll wake up eventually.” He grabbed her hand. “Let’s keep going.”

  It was so cold, Scarlett could barely feel her face anymore. Kaelem tugged her further into the ice tunnel. He paused, holding Scarlett back.

  “There are no other guards.”

  That was good, right?

  Kaelem, reading her mind, replied, “Good, yes. But also strange.”

  He went first, Scarlett right behind. They turned the last corner to find the dungeon empty of any guards. Kaelem rushed ahead, crying out when he reached the cell at the end of the corridor.