Prisoner of Darkness
Page 17
Scarlett, too, had regained her energy, but she had yet to gain the courage to face her new truth: she could never have a normal human life.
A knock on the door caused her gaze to move.
May I come in? Kaelem’s words spoke in her head.
Since learning of her mind powers, he’d spoken to her a lot that way. He said it was to help her practice at gaining control.
Sure.
Kaelem entered, a mirror in his hand. It was the mirror that held Ashleigh. He’d offered to release her the day they’d returned to the Unseelie Court, but Scarlett asked him to wait.
She’d wanted to regain her energy first. Once she had, she wanted time to decide what to tell Ashleigh. Day after day passed, and still, she couldn’t bring herself to tell her sister the truth.
Scarlett was officially a chicken. After everything she’d been through, nothing scared her more than telling Ashleigh the truth about everything.
“You can do it,” Kaelem said aloud. “It won’t ever be easy, nothing ever is, but you’ll work it out.”
Scarlett glared at him. Who was he to tell her what would happen? It was his fault. He trapped Ashleigh, stealing her from her human life. She could have been left alone, cuddled next to her boyfriend watching Netflix. But instead, she’d been missing from her life, failing her college classes, and Scarlett didn’t know how to explain to her that she couldn’t go back. That world was no longer safe for Ashleigh.
But neither was the fae world.
“I am sorry,” Kaelem said. “I shouldn’t have taken her like that and blackmailed you into helping me. I was desperate.”
Scarlett stared at the mirror.
Kaelem continued, “But she wouldn’t be safe in the mortal world anymore. Not once Kassandra found out you’d survived and were now fae.”
He was right. Scarlett’s decisions hadn’t just altered her own future, but they’d altered Ashleigh’s as well. Crying and fuming about it wouldn’t change anything.
Although Kaelem still flirted with her and was skilled at getting under her skin, something had changed in him during their stay at the Winter Court. A new sincerity showed itself at times.
“Can we stay here in the Unseelie Court until I can figure out how to keep her safe?” Scarlett asked, hating the request as she spoke it.
“Of course. For as long as you need.”
She took a deep breath. She would tell Ashleigh everything. Together, they’d figure out a plan. They’d have no choice.
“I’m ready,” Scarlett said. “Let her out.”
Also by Nissa Leder
Curse of the Veil
The Unveiling of Brielle Davis
The Undoing of Brielle Davis
The Unbinding of Brielle Davis
Whims of Fae
The Two Princes of Summer
Prisoner of Darkness
About the Author
Nissa Leder was born and raised in Washington State, but now lives in the sunny Phoenix Valley with her husband, Joe, and their two boxers, two cats, and pet poison dart frogs.
Always an avid reader, she didn’t realize her love for writing her own stories until her freshman year in college. Once she knew her life’s calling, she began studying the craft of writing and eventually obtained an MFA from Spalding University.
When she isn’t writing down the stories that fill her head, she’s likely at the tennis courts working on her forehand or journeying to another world by reading a book. She’s a big believer in following your dreams and encourages everyone to shoot for the moon and pursue their passions.
Nissa loves to connect with readers! Find her on her website (nissaleder.com), Facebook (facebook.com/nissa.leder), Twitter (@NissaLeder), or send her an e-mail (nissaleder@gmail.com)
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