Three Kings

by Nikki Jefford

  Um, yay? How would Sarfina react?

  “About time,” I said, lifting my chin.

  He looked over, his stare sending icy pinpricks leaping down my spine.

  Maybe my answer had been too enthusiastic. Fae didn’t exactly go into cheerleader mode even when they were pleased with an outcome. I searched my mind for something to add before deciding silence might very well be the best option. I pursed my lips.

  Albedo led me to the same orgy parlor Teryani had brought Folas and me into after our dinner as guests a little over a week ago. Inside, settees were toppled, cushions scattered the floor, and black moustaches painted beneath the noses of marbled busts.

  “Excuse the mess. Malon hasn’t gotten around to cleaning up yet,” Albedo said as he took a stand in front of the grand mantle where no fire burned. Like me, it was dormant, waiting. A poker leaned against the stone frame. I wondered if it was iron. Maybe human servants were responsible for stoking the palace fires when they were lit.

  “A royal prince never cleans up after himself.”

  My chest flamed at the sound of Malon’s petulant voice. He stood with his back to us at the far end of the room, pissing into a potted plant. I wrinkled my nose. Teryani was right about her cousins being animals.

  “Malon!” Albedo snapped. “Need I remind you this is now our castle, and one should never take a piss on his home?”

  “Good luck with that,” came a third male voice.

  My heart twisted and flipped.

  Nooo, my mind screamed. Not Lyklor. He was supposed to be one of the good guys. I’d vouched for him. I scanned the room, locating him stretched languidly across one of the settees that hadn’t been pushed over. He had his boots on the armrest, crossed at the ankles, and was throwing an apple into the air and catching it.

  My heart shriveled inside my chest.

  How long before one of them noticed I wasn’t who I appeared?

  Malon zipped up his trousers and strode straight for me. My fingers reached down my thigh even as I hissed a reminder to myself that I had no short sword on me. I concentrated on not flinching as Malon closed in.

  I am Sarfina, I repeated over and over in my head.

  “You made it, cuz,” Malon said with a smirk. “Now tell us everything. Is Ryo dead?”

  The bastard sounded so damn gleeful.

  “That was my brother you nearly killed,” I snarled into his face.

  “No, that is your brother,” Malon said, pointing at Lyklor, who kept tossing and catching his damn apple.

  I planted my hands on my hips. “So I’ve heard. You could have told me.”

  “We’re telling you now.” Malon’s eyebrows jumped.

  It was taking all my willpower not to grab his neck and burn it clean off.

  I wondered if that would work.

  “Don’t you want to meet your sister, Lyklor?” Albedo asked.

  Not sparing me a glance, Lyklor said, “Hi,” in a bored tone.

  I sniffed and folded my arms. “Well, the reception here leaves something to be desired.”

  Albedo chuckled, barely smiling as he did, which came across all icky and evil. “This life was denied to us for so long it may take time for us to become refined. Malon, get Sarfina a chair.”

  Malon scowled but did as he’d been told, lifting a cream armchair and setting it down on its legs with a thump. I took a seat, my heart pounding. At least they hadn’t forced Ella to sit with them as they defiled the parlor. Hopefully she was hidden somewhere safe in the castle.

  Albedo laced his fingers together. “Now, tell us everything that is happening in Dahlquist. My brother Ryo still lives?”

  “He is recovering. Last I heard, he was in bad shape.” I swung a glare at Malon, who shrugged then pushed a vase off an end table. The sound of breaking glass jolted me. Lyklor still caught his apple, as though he was used to such disturbances.

  Albedo’s lips drew back. He bared his teeth at Malon.

  “You hate the décor,” Malon said. “We might as well smash it before we order the servants to take it away.”

  Albedo turned his attention back to me. “And what of your sister Teryani? Had she discovered she could not return to Ravensburg before you left?”

  “I never saw her. I’ve been locked in the dungeon,” I reminded him. “How did you get rid of Teryani, anyway?”

  Albedo’s grinning lips looked like cracked pavement readying to trip someone off their feet.

  “I cannot take full credit for Teryani’s banishment. Isadore was monitoring all portal travel between Dahlquist and Ravensburg. Teryani was foolish enough to leave her castle without a ruler. I never expected such negligence from her,” he said, tsking. “The moment she left, Isadore teleported us in and coordinated me the rightful king of Ravensburg.” Albedo smiled smugly.

  He made it sound so simple. Well, hopefully it would be just as easy to take the castle back. So far, the three faeries didn’t suspect a thing.

  Lyklor tossed his apple again, but Malon snatched it before it could fall and took a crisp bite.

  “Dickhead.”

  “Goldilocks,” Malon returned, taking another bite before dropping the apple over Lyklor’s head. Lyklor jerked away before it could hit him, sitting up with a huff. “Can’t even greet your own sister, and supposedly, I’m the uncivilized one.”

  Lyklor flicked a gaze my way. His eyes returned in a flash, widening when he saw me.

  I couldn’t stop myself from glaring at him.

  He quickly moved his attention elsewhere, anywhere besides me.

  “You should not have wounded our brother,” Albedo said to Malon. “You were supposed to get him on our side.”

  “What can I say? Diplomacy isn’t my forte, nor is stupidity, and he was being stupid.” Malon set another chair upright before jumping onto it. He grinned down at Albedo.

  “Get down,” Albedo said.

  Malon jumped off, landing on the floor with a heavy thud. “If the idiot hadn’t been intent on showing off for that miserable harpy, he may have listened to reason.”

  I clenched my jaw.

  “He may still,” Albedo noted, clasping his hands behind his back.

  No way. Not Ryo. They didn’t know him at all. He was here with me to take these bastards down. I dug my nails into the armrests of my chair, imagining the upholstery was Malon’s face. The monster saw me glowering at him and grinned. He snatched the apple off the cushion beside Lyklor and brought it over to me.

  “Where are my manners?” he said, a shine in his eyes. “Are you hungry, Cousin? Would you like an apple?”

  “Malon, leave Sarfina alone,” Albedo ordered. “She’s on our side.”

  “Is she?” Malon asked, raising a brow. “Let’s see your tongue.”

  I stood up and stuck it out, making an ugly face at Malon as I did.

  “Okay,” Malon said, tossing the apple over his shoulder.

  “And what of Aerith?” Albedo asked, keeping his place at the hearth as though it were his throne. My head jerked at the mention of my sister. “Did she mention our encounter to you?”

  My ponytail swept side to side when I shook my head.

  “I can’t wait to kill the elf bitch and her sister,” Malon spat. “We should have them stuffed afterward and brought here to replace these lifeless statues.” He laughed viciously.

  All I saw was red. Red and the iron poker beside Albedo. I started toward the hearth with only one intention. I’d run the poker through the bastard’s heart. He wouldn’t laugh then.

  Albedo’s attention was on his brother as I started toward the hearth. As I neared, his head began to turn.

  Lyklor flashed over, jumping in front of me. “Sarfina, why don’t I escort you to a guest room before we scare you off?” he suggested.

  I gritted my teeth, aching to punch him in the face.

  “Sarfina won’t be scared off, but she’s probably tired after her ordeal,” Albedo said. “You may show her to a room.”

  “And
remember, she’s your sister, so no funny business,” Malon called after us.

  I still wanted to go for the poker, but Lyklor pushed me out of the parlor, giving me a final shove into the corridor.

  “Hey!” I snapped, rubbing my back even though it hadn’t hurt.

  Lyklor grabbed my arm and dragged me down the hall past guards who grimaced at us. Were they unhappy about the new leadership? Why didn’t they rebel? Aerith had once tried to explain Fae politics to me, but I’d faded in and out of the lesson—mostly out. I’m pretty sure I remembered some kind of antiquated law requiring guards and servants to be loyal to whomever wore the crown. I couldn’t wait to open the gates and signal Teryani so she could sweep through the hallways to retake the castle.

  But what happened if two Fae claimed the crown and occupied the castle?

  Hmm. Guess I’d find out.

  Lyklor’s grip was rough. I yanked my arm free and hissed at him. “Stop manhandling me, jerk face.”

  Lyklor clenched his jaw. “Let’s get you settled, shall we?” he said sharply, yanking open a door. “Here’s an available room,” he announced.

  “Don’t you dare push me,” I said as the bastard shoved me inside with the brunt of his body against my back. I stumbled in.

  Lyklor pulled the door closed behind us, leaned against it, and scowled at me through the dark. “What in the seven hells are you doing here, Mel?”

  Chapter Two

  Melarue

  Mel?

  How did he know it was me?

  Oh my sky, had the glamour worn off already?

  I tilted my head and attempted to look at myself sideways, but it was extremely difficult trying to examine my own face without a mirror.

  “I can see through glamours,” Lyklor supplied. “Comes with the ability to lie.” He extended his tongue and pointed at the iron ball in the middle.

  “Really?” I asked, momentarily forgetting how annoyed I was at him. “What else does it do?”

  “Wouldn’t you like to know,” he said, folding his arms across his chest as he perused my body all while flicking the piercing around his open mouth, making the silver toned ball dance.

  “Ew,” I said, even as my body heated. I clenched my legs together and folded my arms over my chest to cover my nipples before they poked through the red sheath like thorns. The darkened chamber didn’t do me much good when we were standing inches apart and possessed keen sight far superior to humans.

  Lyklor retracted his tongue and chuckled. “So, what are you doing here?” he asked, raising a brow.

  “What are you doing here?” I fired back. As though I could forget what I’d just witnessed of him lounging around while Malon destroyed Teryani’s parlor.

  Lyklor huffed. “I’m a prisoner, remember? Different jailors now.”

  I stuck my face in his. “Funny, you looked quite cozy from where I stood.”

  “Oh, sure. Hanging out with those two is like enjoying a deluxe Caribbean cruise.”

  “You’ve been on a Caribbean cruise?” My mouth hung open.

  Lyklor’s arms fell to his sides. “I’ve been a lot of places—wasn’t exactly keen on spending time with family. Maybe now you can see why.”

  “I despise your brothers,” I said, my arms tightening over my chest.

  “Cousins.”

  “Whatever. They’re vile rodents who should be exterminated.”

  “Yeah, I saw you going for the poker,” Lyklor said, shaking his head.

  “You did?”

  “Please tell me you have a better plan than waving a metal rod at them. Better yet, please tell me you didn’t come alone.”

  “I’m not telling you anything. I don’t trust you,” I said, lifting my chin.

  Lyklor glowered at me. “I saved your skin, and you know it.”

  “You foiled an attempt on Malon’s life,” I shot back.

  “Arg! You are the most insufferable female I’ve ever met.” Lyklor slapped a palm to his forehead. I moved my hands to my hips and puffed out my chest, taking pride in my ability to provoke the golden-haired prince. He wasn’t ignoring me now. His eyes slid to my chest. “I prefer you in breeches, by the way.”

  My spine stiffened. “Yeah? Well, so do I,” I snipped to mask the hurt from my voice. Did he not find me attractive? I couldn’t even blame it on looking like Sarfina since he could see through the glamour. Gah! Why did I care? I didn’t!

  I pushed past him and reached for the doorknob.

  Lyklor snatched my wrist and held it, squeezing hard.

  “Stop grabbing me!”

  “Tell me the plan,” Lyklor growled.

  “No,” I snarled, shoving his chest.

  He’d pushed me around long enough. It was my turn.

  “Oh, for sky’s sake, I’m on your side,” he said as I shoved him away from the door.

  Ha, as though I’d take him at his word. I stalked toward him, smirking as I said, “Liar, liar, pants on—”

  His eyes expanded. “Don’t you dare,” he warned.

  “Light your pants on fire?” I asked sweetly, reaching for his breeches.

  I expected him to jump back, not forward. Lyklor rammed into me, grappling to take hold of my hands as though that would prevent fire from flaming over my fingers. I turned sideways and smashed my shoulder into his chest. He stumbled backward, tripping over the edge of a thick rug and tumbling back, but not before grabbing me and taking me down with him.

  It was worse than face-planting the floor. I flattened over him like a pancake, my breasts landing directly in his face. Hot breath wafted between my boobs. I tried to scramble off, but the restrictive dress bound my upper legs together. Instead of standing, I squirmed all over him while he laughed.

  “This isn’t funny,” I snapped, rolling off to push myself from the floor. In the process, the dress rode up my thighs. I tugged it back down. “Ugh. I need different clothes. I’m sure Ella wouldn’t mind if I borrowed something. Where is she, anyway?”

  The smile left Lyklor’s lips as he picked himself up and brushed off his jacket sleeves even though there was no dust on them. “Albedo had her locked in the dungeon.”

  “Then we need to free her,” I said, taking sweeping steps toward the door.

  “If you attempt that, the guards will stop you and alert Albedo. Then you will be in a cage, as well. Or worse,” Lyklor said. “Malon seems to have it out for you.”

  I whipped around and glared at him. “Malon is mine.” I looked down at Lyklor’s hips, searching for a sword. “I need a weapon.”

  “They don’t allow me any.”

  I groaned. My fire magic was totally awesome, but I didn’t want to worry about it running out. I needed a sharp-tipped backup.

  “Are you really here on your own without a weapon?” Lyklor raised his brows.

  I pursed my lips.

  He sighed. “How can I convince you to trust me?”

  “You can stop pushing and grabbing me for starters.”

  Lyklor lifted his hands in the air and rolled his eyes skyward.

  “Why do you want to help?” I asked. “You said it yourself, Teryani kept you prisoner in the castle. What is it you want?” I folded my arms, daring him to tell me the truth despite his silver tongue.

  His jaw tightened. No silver in sight. “I want to be free of Albedo and Malon once and for all. I want out of this entire family.” Wow. This was something new. An Elmray who didn’t think the sun rose over his family’s kingdoms. “I figure I can slip away easier after the battle.”

  “Do you even plan to fight?” I demanded.

  “I told you I have no weapon.”

  “What if you did?”

  Lyklor picked at the cuff of his jacket, rubbing his thumb over the edge before meeting my eye.

  “If I saw an opportunity to flee, I might take it.”

  “So, you admit to being a coward.” My shoulders sagged as though pushed down by his hands. Was there nothing that would entice him to stay and fight? A kiss? H
e didn’t deserve such honors from my lips.

  “My false father did not teach me to be noble. Instinct, not honor, has kept me alive my whole life.”

  “Sure, blame your uncle or dad or whatever. Blame Albedo and Malon. Blame your upbringing,” I said, glaring at him. “Thank goodness you don’t want to be king. You’d make a lousy ruler. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a kingdom to save.” I swung around, grumbling to myself as I stomped toward the door. This wasn’t even my realm, and I was willing to fight, unlike this prick.

  “Wait,” Lyklor said.

  My hand hovered above the doorknob.

  He breezed over and sighed. “I’ll take you to Teryani’s chambers. If anyone asks, say you demanded the best accommodations in the castle and a new wardrobe, seeing as you had to leave your own behind at Dahlquist.”

  I pursed my lips, thinking it over. I had to admit, it made sense—not that I’d admit that to Lyklor. And it would raise suspicion if I exited the room while Lyklor remained behind.

  “Fine,” I said, storming into the corridor. “Is this some kind of joke?” I demanded, raising my voice. “You think that closet you call a room is good enough for a princess?”

  I could have sworn Lyklor started to smile. His lips quickly thinned. “Perhaps you would find the royal wing more tolerable.”

  “I’ll take Teryani’s room. It’s not like she’s using it anymore,” I said, whipping my ponytail from side to side as I strode down the hall. A gorgeous blond-haired guard glared at me. Good. Let that rage build. Be ready to unleash it, I wanted to tell him.

  When we were between guards, Lyklor inched close to me and whispered, “Does my sister really behave this way?”

  “Worse,” I said.

  He grimaced. “Then you’ll excuse me if I forgo the family reunion.”

  “She’d probably like you,” I said. “She seems to support any brother who isn’t Liri—and any cousin for that matter.”

  “If she supports Albedo, then I question her sanity.”

  Smart prince. I smirked.

  We made it to Teryani’s chamber without any more pushing, tripping, falling, or hot, heavy Fae breathing down elf breasts.

  “I trust the queen’s chamber will be more to your liking,” Lyklor announced at the door.