Crown of Betrayal (Wicked Kingdoms Book 2)

by Graceley Knox

  He tilts his head in thought and taps a finger to his lips. He leans one elbow on the arm of his chair and responds. “Anything else?”

  His words imply more than what we’re talking about. He shouldn’t have baited me today. Because I mentally accept his challenge.

  I arch a brow. “As a matter of fact, yes. I need to know what the news is for finding a Druid. Any luck yet? I can’t wait forever and–”

  “We haven’t found one yet.” Teag pounds his fist on the table in front of him, his actions jostling paperwork and knick knacks.

  His words drop like an anvil in the middle of the room. All side conversations stop. Not even the wooden chairs dare to creek as everyone adjusts themselves in their seats. Everyones attention goes from Teag to me. Back and forth they watch and wait for my response.

  “Then I guess we’re done here.” I rise from my chair and nod. My meaning is clear. Teag hasn’t held up his end of the bargain. So we’re done. I feel nothing. My mind is clear and my heart beats a steady rhythm.

  “Ever, wait…” Tore stands as well, his tone pleading.

  I offer him a half smile and shake my head before I turn and stride from the room. Behind me the room erupts in shouts and one roar of anger. I hear five simple words before I descend the stairs and my heart stops.

  “You know what to do.” Teag issues the order, and I know. I know that he’s going to force my hand.

  I start running through the castle. Out of the front doors and down the steps. I run, my legs pumping faster than they ever have before. I run past the fountain I first met Arela at, past the gates into the courtyard, and past the field that took my blood from me. Time seems to slow as I make my way back to my SUV. In what seems like hours, but was really only mere minutes I slide to a stop next to my SUV and grab for the handle. It slips from my grip, my palms sweaty, and I curse.

  “Fuck!”

  After another two tries I get the door open and jump inside. I slam the car into drive and hit the gas. My truck fishtails and I correct it. Faster than a bullet from a gun I get out of there and head home.

  I know I won’t get there before anything can happen, so I reach into my middle console and grab my phone. With one hand I dial Doyle. He picks up after two rings.

  “Hey, Ev–”

  “Shut up and listen. Ward the house. Lock it down. I’m on my way. More when I get there.”

  “Shit!” I hear muffled movement and then Doyle’s shouted commands. He comes back to the phone his tone no longer jovial, but steady and focused. “On it. ETA?”

  “Thirty minutes out. Ward for goblins, D. More later.” Without further explanation I hang up and toss my phone into the passenger seat.

  *

  Twenty-five minutes later I swing my SUV down the drive, spraying gravel behind me. I round the curve before our house comes into view and slam on the breaks. Sitting in my driveway is an official MECA SUV.

  “Shit!” I slam my hand on the steering wheel. “Gods-fucking-damn it!”

  I put the car in park and let my head drop back into the headrest. I stare up at the ceiling and I know I’m wasting precious moments but I just need a second. I need to think. To clear my head and calm my racing heart before I face someone from MECA. I stare up at the pilling fabric on the roof of my SUV and a laugh bubbles up from my lips.

  “Couldn’t just give me the rest of the day, eh?” I ask the question aloud to the universe or whoever the fuck is listening and I wrap my hands tightly around the steering wheel. I take a deep breath and blow it out in a rush. “Now or never.”

  I grab my phone and my bag with my weapons and clothes from the back seat and exit the car. I slam the door hard so my crew will know I’m here. And so will our visitor. I tuck my gun in the small of my back in the holster but keep my stride steady. The cool metal sends a chill through me, calming my nerves, and the shaking in my hands. I peek inside the interior of the SUV as I walk by. Rich leather and polished mahogany. So its a higher up, then. This is either very good or very bad.

  I take my time approaching the deck and the front door. Whoever it is that’s here can’t know that I’m on red alert or they’ll ask why. They’ll ask too many uncomfortable questions that I can’t and won’t answer.

  I grip the screen door, and turn the handle of our front door. It’s not locked, and I push it open. Before the door reveals my face to whoever is inside, I fix a smile on my face. Wide and carefree, I plaster it there and vow to keep it no matter what.

  “Hey-o! Who’s home?” I step through the door and place my duffle bag in my cubby that we keep by the doors. I turn my upper half toward the island in the kitchen while I mess with my bag, and take stock of the situation.

  Everyone’s here. Eryn is messing around at the stove making tea and putting pastries on a plate. Kirin is picking something from under his nails with a sharp blade. Doyle is looking straight at me, his expression forced in a semblance of calm. I smile and look to Axel. He’s sitting on a stool, his legs thrown up on the counter, ankles crossed, playing a game on his phone. It’s a code. Means someone’s here and its time to play the part. I see no one else in those twenty seconds it takes me to take stock of the room and the vibe of my crew, but I don’t let it lull me into a false sense of relief. If anything, it makes my spine stiffen.

  “Whose truck is out front?” I hike a thumb over my shoulder.

  “Head Guard Freddie’s here.” Kirin sneers, his voice low, lip curled in distaste.

  I bite my lip so I don’t smile at Kirin. It’s tough, but I refrain from laughing. None of us are fond of authority. Which is why we’re the number one crew. That also means that we have to play the politics game sometimes. Kirin just chooses to do it with sarcasm and thinly veiled comments.

  “Ah. Well where is he then?” I raise a brow. “He looking for contraband in the back…”

  I trail off as he comes around the corner from the living room. His face is fixed in an expression like he just sucked on a lemon. Two guards flank him. He comes to a stop at the end of the island and folds his hands on top of each other on the tile.

  “I see that Ever has arrived.” He addresses us like we’re back in class and he’s about to give a lecture.

  I almost pull something trying not to roll my eyes at his pompous tone.

  “Thank you for gracing us with your presence, Ever. Now that you are here I can get on with my business…” he looks around the kitchen and grimaces, “and leave.”

  Before any of us can take offense to his horrendous manners, Eryn places her perfectly arranged plate of treats in front of him.

  “Tea and treats?” she asks. Her voice is soothing, her smile disarming.

  Frederick smiles back at Eryn and picks up a cookie. “Why thank you, Eryn. How thoughtful of you.”

  Eryn nods and grabs her own cookie before she steps back and leans against the counter next to the stove.

  Frederick takes his time munching on his cookie, and I make eye contact with Kirin and Doyle. Both of them look skyward. I grab a cookie and shove it in my mouth to stifle a snicker.

  I swallow my mouth full and address our guest. “So, Head Guard Frederick, what brings you to our neck of the woods? You could have called and we would have come in to meet with you.” Honestly, they usually did just call us and we’d go in. Him taking time out of his busy schedule of kissing ass and pissing off guards was making my hands itch to stab something.

  Frederick wipes the crumbs from his mouth with a napkin, folding it neatly before he responds. “Well I’ve got some news for you all.” He clears his throat. “You see, the Elders have found that they have a few unanswered questions from your time within the Goblin Kingdom that they would like answered.”

  None of us move. We all hold our breath while he pauses dramatically. I try to control my heartbeat, but it picks up in tempo and I hope that his guards aren’t sensitive to it.

  “They’ve called a formal trial to go over the events all at once. With all of you.”

 
I avoid eye contact with my crew and look directly into Frederick’s eyes. “Well okay then. When is it?”

  He narrows his eyes at my shrug. “Two days from now. You and your crew are to appear in front of all the Elders. You will be submitted to a truth spell. All of your answers will be recorded and a judgement will be made.”

  I frown. “A judgement? What kind of judgement?”

  Frederick smiles. “The judgement of whether or not you and your crew will return to active duty, or if you will no longer be Guards of MECA.”

  “The fuck?” Kirin shouts at the same time Doyle asks “Why?”

  “Sir? What is happening? We’re suspended? What’s going on?” Eryn asks calmly.

  Frederick shakes his head and refuses to answer our questions. “Until your hearing, that is all I can say on the matter.”

  “This is bullshit!” I slam my palm on the tile, the noise reverberating through the room. My crew quiets down and I face off with the Frederick. “Give me something. An explanation as to why you or MECA would sideline the best crew you’ve had since the original few?”

  He sighs and signals to one of his guards. “I can’t say anything. I’ll see you on Wednesday. I suggest you take this time to get your stories straight and come clean with any details you may have left out in the first place. If not, the truth spell will loosen your tongues.” With those final words and a muttered thank you to Eryn for the tea, he leaves our house. Only one of his guards on his heel.

  We all stare expectantly at the remaining guard. He stares right back.

  “Well, are you fucking mute, or are you going to tell us what the hell is going on?” Axel’s outburst surprises all of us, and every head in the room snaps in his direction.

  The guard laughs and smiles. “I had to wait until he was out of earshot. Plausible deniability and all that shit.”

  I wave a hand. “All right, let’s hear it then.”

  “Someone has stepped forward with information about your visit in Goblin. They claim that you guys are hiding something from MECA.”

  Kirin throws his hands in the air. “Fucking-a.”

  Doyle smacks his hand on his forehead. “For the love of the Goddess.”

  The guard continues. “I don’t have to tell you that a visit to Goblin itself is already cause for keeping an extra eye on you. Add in the fact that after you were cleared, someone claims you lied? It’s not looking good for you guys.”

  I grab my pony tail and tug in frustration. “Perfect. Just. Fucking. Perfect.”

  Doyle watches me for a moment before he asks his own questions. “What was your name again?” he asks the guard.

  “Galen. My name’s Galen.”

  “Ah, well, Galen, thank you for the information. It’s appreciated. Before you go, let me ask you this – do they have any idea who brought this ‘information’ forward?”

  Galen shakes his head.

  “No? All right, well how about how the Elders are feeling about it? Are they set to disband us?”

  Galen winces and we all curse.

  “Son of a bitch! This is ridiculous. We’ve done nothing wrong!” Kirin runs a hand through his hair and mutters to himself while he paces a tight circle.

  “I’ve got an idea…” I trail off and we all look to Galen.

  He holds his hands up in front of his chest. “I can take a hint. This is me leaving.” He walks around the island to the door. With his hand on the door he turns around. “If it means anything, the rest of us Guards are rooting for you guys to come out on top of this.”

  We all nod to him and watch him leave.

  When we hear the gravel crunching under the tires of their SUV we all heave a sigh of relief. I grab another bite of my cookie and wait another few seconds for them to clear the driveway. Once I’m sure they’re gone I look up and make eye contact with each member of my crew.

  “I’ve got a plan. It’s completely fucking insane. But I’ve got one.” I rub my hands together. “Who’s with me?”

  Each of them nods and says yes. I smile a cheshire grin.

  “Okay, so here’s what’s going to happen….”

  CHAPTER

  FIVE

  –Queen Odaine Travelle Fitzpatrick of the Goblin Kingdom–

  I sit on a chaise, my perfectly manicured hands clasped in my lap. Maids scurrying around my chambers, their gazes averted from me. I swish my foot back and forth in impatience and look to the clock by the door. He should have been here by now, but his time schedule is not like everyone else’s. He tells time in his own way, as most of the ancients do. Anger still boils through my blood though. How dare he? I’m the Queen!

  I nibble on the necklace my husband gave me. Rubies and sapphires. A beautiful piece and one that costs more than most cars in the human realm. It means little to me. I didn’t become Queen so I could get pretty jewels. No, I did it so I can protect my sister from harm and to raise my family stature. After all, that’s what a dutiful daughter does. I get lost in my own thoughts and rub at the faceted surfaces of the gems. It takes me a few moments to hear the silence. I look around and notice that each of my servants are frozen in place. I frown. The entire room is suspended in place. The fountain spring in the corner has even stopped gurgling. A trickle of unease tickles my throat.

  “I know you are here. Show yourself.” I push up from reclining as I issue the order. I turn my head this way and that, but still can’t see him.

  “Ah, Queen Odaine. What fun would that be?” he asks.

  I turn to look where the voice is coming from, but still see nothing. I spin slowly and eye each dark corner of the room. “I grow tired of your games, Trickster.”

  He heaves a heavy sigh. “Oh, fine. Ruin all my fun.” With a dramatic poof of smoke, he appears to me.

  “You rang?”

  I huff. “Yes, yes I did. You owe me an update. Or did you forget our deal?”

  “How could I forget our deal when you constantly remind me of it?” he mutters lowly.

  “What was that?” I ask the question to give him a chance to change his words. My earlier anger starts to creep back in.

  “Nothing. I said, right you are. Apologies for keeping you waiting, Queen Odiane. Where shall I start?”

  “Well, at the beginning of course!” I wave my hand regally and lean back against the chaise.

  “Yes, of course. Silly me.” The Trickster bows low. “The mission was successful. He is now free.”

  “And? What else?” Does he think I read minds?

  The Trickster shakes his head. “What else would you like to hear?”

  “Don’t play with your words, Trickster. Don’t forget I know your name. Tell me about him. Is he mentally sound? Will he be able to do what I want him to?” I worry my lower lip between my teeth. I need the plan to work. It has to work.

  “Again, my apologies, Queen Odaine. He is not stark raving mad, but he still would like to marry his cousin, so if that is mentally sound, then yes, he is.” He paces around the room in a tight circle. “He will be able to do what you want him to do, but only with your help. He is cut off from his resources. Naturally, because no one knows he’s escaped.”

  “They don’t? And how, may I ask, did you pull that off, Trickster?” I raise a brow.

  “You may not ask.” He pushes his shoulders back, his tone full of steel. “But rest assured they don’t know he is missing and won’t until I want them to. What else do you need from me to fulfill our bargain? I grow tired of this game.”

  I stand abruptly and face off with the Trickster. He’s tall and thin, his clothes aren’t of the current fashion, but are made of quality linens. I look him up and down and appraise him. I curl my lip in distaste. Even when I was poor, I ensured my clothes were always impeccable.

  “Do not forget you are at my mercy until I say so. I want him to snatch her after this meeting I heard about. We told her Elders about her involvement with Dare and they are going to get rid of her. She will be vulnerable then, and you must strike.”


  “I have not forgotten, and it will be done. A word of caution to you, though. Do not forget who I am, Queen Odaine. I may appear as a thin man to you, and you might think I dance on your strings, but it is quite the opposite. I do what you wish out of boredom, not compulsion. Remember that.”

  With another poof of smoke the Trickster disappears just as quickly as he appeared and I’m still in my chambers. My servants resume movement and a few eye me now that I’m standing, as they had last seen me sitting, but I ignore them.

  Soon, my plans to secure a future for myself and my family will be in place, and the threat to my rule will be eliminated. For good.

  *

  –Puck–

  I crash land into my favorite spot this side of the realms. A little Fae favorite called the Broken Keg Pub. Here, I can stop and listen to the gossip with no one the wiser. It helps that I own the joint, but no one knows that.

  No one knows who the real owner is.

  Or who the real me is, for that matter.

  They all assume I’m the man I choose to appear to them as. Tonight, I’m especially interested in any rumors surrounding a particular leath cine and her missing mother.

  “What’ll ye have?” I slap my hand on the bar in front of the customer and wait for him to make up his mind. I drum my fingers on the bar in front of where he sits and I smile.

  The Fae leans closer before he responds. “Some mead and information will do me.”

  I raise a brow. “Information eh? I may be able to help you out depending on what exactly it is ye want to know.”

  “Have you seen a female around here? Short, darker hair, and strange eyes?”

  I pull his draft and slide the frothy mug across the bar top. “I see lots of females with dark hair and strange eyes. We’re all Fae in here. Anything else that would help?” I tilt my head and give the Fae a second once over.