Three Kings

by Nikki Jefford

  “It will do,” I said, even though I had yet to enter. “Good night.”

  Lyklor and I reached for the handle at the same time. Our hands jammed together over the knob. My lips lifted over my clenched teeth as I glared at him.

  “Allow me,” Lyklor said. He didn’t stop at opening the door. “Aren’t you going to invite me in?” he asked. “We have much catching up to do, Sister.”

  I sighed heavily. “Fine. Come in.” We could probably use his help. Lyklor might not want to stay and fight, but he clearly wanted to escape. Three of us had a better chance of knocking out the guards in the courtyard.

  But first thing first. The sheath dress was coming off.

  “You, wait out there,” I ordered Lyklor as I stormed into Teryani’s massive walk-in closet, my mouth gaping open at row upon row of dresses. I pawed through before searching the dresser at the back of the closet where I had a little more luck when I came across a drawer of pants. Unfortunately, every pair looked like exotic dancer pants.

  Seriously, Queen T?

  Groaning inwardly, I pulled on a black pair with a floral lace pattern that stretched below the thighs and ended in a flare of lace and mesh from the knees down. I located a black tank top that left my belly exposed. At least it wasn’t the sock dress.

  I found Lyklor on his hands and knees beside Teryani’s four-poster bed. What the —? He pulled out two swords.

  “Look what I found!”

  I appreciated the exhilaration in his voice. Swords were always worth getting excited about, especially when we were undercover, outnumbered, and without weapons. Until now.

  “Right on!” I jogged over to join him. “Are there more hidden down there?”

  Lyklor lay on his side, looking under. “Yeah, she’s got long swords, short swords, and daggers.” He pulled them out as he spoke, sitting up after he had amassed a pile of blades on the floor. “Nice pants.”

  “Shut up.”

  “Want to show me some of your moves?” He wiggled his brows.

  “Hand me a couple of blades, then I’ll show you all kinds of moves.”

  “Juggling?”

  “Stabbing.”

  “Ouch,” Lyklor said, gripping his heart with one hand, totally smiling.

  I grabbed myself a short sword and a dagger.

  “I don’t suppose there are any sheaths down there?” I asked.

  Lyklor bent down and peered under the bed. “Nope.”

  “Damn,” I muttered. “The guards are going to notice us carrying these down the hall.”

  “Right, and they would have been totally blind to the swords if they’d been strapped to our hips.” Lyklor smirked. I kinda wanted to tell him to shut up again, but we needed to figure things out. “Ready to share your plan with me?” he challenged.

  I told him the first part, the part where he helped knock out the courtyard guards so we could open the gates and signal Teryani and her troops. I told him one of the royal guards had come with me. I didn’t tell him it was Ryo. Lyklor wasn’t the only one with the ability to lie.

  With a forceful huff, Lyklor shook his head. “Not a single one of my siblings could be bothered,” he said disdainfully. “They sent an elf to take back the castle. Liri dumped Dahlquist on your sister, and now Teryani sent you into Ravensburg with one single guard.” He shook his head again.

  “I volunteered,” I informed him, pursing my lips.

  “I’m sure you did. It doesn’t make it right.” He stared at me hard and asked, “Why? This isn’t your family. It isn’t even your realm. Why help them? Why help us?”

  His tone had softened in his confusion—each word like a caress my body responded to. I didn’t have an immediate answer. I wasn’t even sure why. Because I was an action junkie? Because it was the right thing to do? Because . . . I’d hoped to see him again?

  His gaze was way too invasive.

  I lowered my lashes and stared at his mouth instead, changing the subject.

  “Did Albedo and Malon force you to pierce your tongue?” I asked.

  “I did it myself.” Lyklor rubbed his chin.

  “You did?” I leaned forward, staring at his lips, waiting for a glimpse of the iron ball, but it remained hidden in his mouth.

  “After my false father shared how he switched Ryo and me as babes, I pierced my tongue. I knew it was my best chance at survival. If I was seen as untrustworthy by all, I wouldn’t be a threat to Albedo.” He smiled grimly. “It turns out the ability to lie has saved my skin more than once—and now yours.”

  “If Fae don’t trust you, then why are the citizens of Dahlquist demanding Aerith give you the crown?”

  “They don’t know about the piercing.” Lyklor raised his brows. “Yet. Knowing Albedo, he spread the word that I was Liri’s true younger brother. If the crown somehow ends up on my head, he’ll inform the citizens of the piercing, stroke their doubts, and encourage rioting to take me down.” He shrugged. “In the end, he gets his way.”

  “Not for long,” I said, raising my short sword. “It’s time to retake the castle.”

  “Right, we’ll just storm past every guard with our swords, and no one will stop us,” Lyklor said with a chuckle.

  “Can’t you glamour our swords? Make them invisible or something?” I asked. Use what you got; that was what Keerla always told me.

  Lyklor pursed his lips and gave me a hard stare before answering. “I can’t make things invisible.”

  “So, what can you do?”

  He looked away and shrugged. Now who was being elusive? Well, I didn’t need him to be forthcoming. I had a brilliant idea.

  “Glamour the two of us to look like Albedo and Malon,” I said, bouncing on the balls of my feet.

  Oh, good one, Mel! We’d have the castle gates opened in no time without a hitch.

  Lyklor shook his head. “Whoever glamoured you is strong. I’m not well practiced in the art of disguise. There’s a high probability I wouldn’t be able to return you to appearing as my sister, whom I’ve never met, remember, or keep it in place for long if I did manage the enchantment.”

  “I don’t need to be turned back into Sarfina. We’ll be out of the castle by then.” Come on, Lyklor, work with me here.

  The frown didn’t leave his lips.

  “Make me look like Malon and you can be you,” I pressed. “I’ll hold the swords. It still works.” When Lyklor hesitated, I huffed. “What is it now?”

  “I cannot change your sex.”

  My ears grew hot at the mention of fornicating—even though that wasn’t how Lyklor meant it. To make matters worse, my wayward eyes stared pointedly between his legs. Gah!

  “I cannot make a female male or a male female,” Lyklor expounded with a smirk.

  “Now you tell me,” I grumbled, folding my arms over my bosom.

  “So now what?” Lyklor asked.

  “Give me a moment to think.” I scanned the room, searching for inspiration; then I loosened my arms and walked around the large chamber, taking in the windows. Could we tie bed sheets together and lower them down for our troops to scale into the castle?

  I passed a polished oak armoire topped with crowns set upon velvet pillows on display. I stopped, pivoted, and returned to the display of diadems. Some were gold-toned, others silver, one frosted white and sparkling with diamonds. I picked up a silver circlet with oval sapphires spaced an inch apart and placed it on my head.

  “What are you doing?” Lyklor asked in a voice that dipped to the floor. He took careful steps toward me, eyebrows knitting into his forehead.

  I lifted my chin and grinned. “I have an idea. Make me Teryani. Make me queen. Then all the Ravensburg guards will have to obey me. Won’t they?”

  Lyklor groaned. “That is a terrible idea,” he said, shaking his head.

  Oh goodie. My favorite kind.

  Chapter Three

  Aerith

  Flames glowed from candles lit all around my royal bedchamber. Light danced up my neck, flickering over my
mischievous blue eyes.

  I was alone at the moment. Jhaeros had asked Galather to show him all the points of entry by portal throughout the castle. Should the wards falter, he wanted to know where all the access points were located and keep several guards stationed near each without giving away the exact location, which was secret to all but the Elmrays, Galather, and Folas.

  I sat on a cushioned stool in front of my vanity, brushing out my blonde hair, which tumbled down my shoulders in soft waves after being pinned up all day.

  I would not be alone for long.

  After endless stressing over attacks here and back home, Jhaeros would expect to fall into bed with exhaustion and steal some sleep before waking up and doing it all over again.

  Not tonight.

  Our relationship was still so young, yet it felt as though we’d spent a lifetime together. I thought of the first time I was portaled to Faerie as a young virgin elf to wed Cirrus Elmray, prince of Dahlquist. I’d never felt so alone or isolated in all my life.

  How times had changed.

  With Jhaeros, I never felt alone. Even apart, my confidence soared knowing that he was mine and I was his. Forevermore. I was determined to keep our spark burning bright.

  I set the brush down on the vanity table and smiled close-lipped at my reflection. A transparent yellow chemise clung to my breasts and hips, ending at my thighs in a delicate lace trim. It was roomy below my waist, gently covering my round belly.

  Jhaeros would not be expecting this.

  My smile widened as I stood and turned to take in my backside, approving the string of the matching lace thong. I faced the mirror again, picked up a dainty gold tiara with a sunstone set in the middle, and placed it over my bouncy blonde tresses.

  Aerith: queen of the night. Ruler of the bedroom. Empress of orgasms.

  I snickered to myself then bit my tongue gently as the door of the bedchamber opened.

  Jhaeros didn’t see me right away. He had a far-off look glazed over his face as he strode in and briefly turned his back to the room as he shut the door behind him. His thick, brown hair was mussed up like he’d been running a hand through it on his way to the royal wing. Too much worrying.

  I thrust my chest out and puckered my lips, which was hard to maintain while trying not to laugh at the surprise I knew was coming.

  When Jhaeros’s distant gaze drifted my way, he stumbled, righted himself, and stared open-mouthed as though he’d just laid eyes on a horned ogre in roller skates and a pink tutu, licking a swirly rainbow lollipop.

  He made a choking sound. I smirked and sauntered over to the edge of our bed.

  “Why don’t you slip out of those clothes and into something a little more . . .” I paused. “Enjoyable.” Placing my palms on the edge of the mattress, I leaned over the bed and arched my back.

  “Sweet blue sky above,” Jhaeros rasped.

  I flashed him a sultry smile over my shoulder. He didn’t move toward me right away, as though his ankles were chained to the floor. He drank me in. I loved that look on his face—the one bursting with desire and wonder—like he was seeing a naked female for the first time and wanted to commit the sight to memory. I savored it. I didn’t need him ripping my chemise off and pawing at me first thing. My lady parts were singing a different tune, beckoning Jhaeros’s fingers to pluck aside my thong like a violin chord and play me into the midnight hours.

  It was the shadows between the candlelight that caught him in a dark trance as he prowled toward me. The surprise was gone from his face, replaced with promises of wicked delights.

  He positioned himself behind me and lifted the chemise over my hips. Strong fingers cupped my bottom. Whorls of anticipation churned through me. It was about time we got it on. Way overdue. Tonight was our night. I shoved all other thoughts away. There was only one thing I wanted to concentrate on once Jhaeros lost the pants and—

  Pound. Pound. Pound.

  The wooden door groaned in protest at whoever punched it on the other side.

  Pitberries covered in tar and burned to char!

  I stood up so fast the back of my head connected with Jhaeros’s jaw.

  “Ouch,” he said roughly, but I was sure his irritation was over the interruption rather than the split lip I nearly gave him.

  I whipped around, apologizing hastily as Jhaeros rubbed his chin, the dreamy expression smacked right off his handsome face.

  I stormed over to one of the hooks near the bed and yanked off a pink satin kimono, tying the fabric sash around my waist as I yelled, “Who is it, and what do you want?”

  “Folas. Liri has dreamscaped into Galather’s chamber and requests an audience with you.”

  “I’ll be there momentarily,” I said to the door before turning to Jhaeros. We both frowned. I’d been waiting week after week for Liri to check in. Of all the rotten timing.

  Being denied sex was like going without sleep for too long. It was making me super, extra cranky.

  “I am going to kill him. K-I-L-L kill! But first I need him to get his kingly Fae ass back to Dahlquist. After which, I can’t actually kill him because I need him to take back his cursed throne. Arg!”

  Jhaeros folded his arms over his chest and glowered at the door as though Liri stood on the other side. “Want me to come with you?” he asked.

  I shook my head and tightened the bow in my sash, which was already coming loose.

  “I’ll deal with him myself.”

  Out in the hallway, Folas took one look at me before leading the way down the dark corridor. I sped up, matching then surpassing his speed as we breezed through the double doors leading into the outer open passageway, cool night air filling my lungs.

  Back inside the main hall, we marched to Galather’s chamber in the guards’ wing. Folas rushed ahead to open the door for me. I made sure my sash was still secure, lifted my head, and swept into Galather’s cramped quarters with his simple wood-framed bed, dresser, and washstand.

  Galather stood at attention, his back to the far wall in a space between the head of his bed and washstand. Liri’s projection stood in the center of the room with his legs apart, thumb hooked casually in his belt loop beneath a cream cable sweater, facing me. My anger was replaced by surprise when I saw he’d cut off his hair and styled the thick ash-blond locks around his face into a ruffled modern look. But nothing was more shocking than the warm glow in his cheeks when he smiled at me.

  I halted near the door. “What did you do to yourself?” I blurted.

  Folas snorted behind me.

  Liri smirked. “I had to blend in with the humans now, didn’t I? And this, sweet sister, is the smile of triumph.” He lifted his chest. Mine felt twenty pounds lighter at this news.

  “Hensley’s memories have returned?” I asked, clasping my hands together.

  “They have indeed,” Liri answered.

  “Super,” I said, “so why don’t you portal back?”

  Liri frowned. No. Didn’t like the looks of that.

  “One slight hiccup. If Hensley leaves the mortal realm, her memories will be wiped out permanently. I need Isadore to undo the spell.” Liri pulled his thumb out of his belt loop.

  “Okayyy,” I said, raising my brows for more. “Shouldn’t you get on that?”

  Liri glanced over his shoulder at Galather before returning his attention to me. “Galather has informed me of the situation. I need to know what is happening at Ravensburg before I make a plan.”

  Behind Liri, Galather looked at me and shrugged helplessly.

  “But in the meantime, you’re returning to Dahlquist, right?” I prodded.

  Liri stared at me for several seconds before answering, “I am not leaving Hensley unguarded. Jastra and I will remain in the mortal realm with her until Isadore is captured.”

  My eyeballs felt like they would explode in their sockets. “You’re kidding me. You’re going to protect a human rather than defend your own kingdom?”

  Liri puffed up his chest and stuck out his chin. “I a
m protecting the queen,” he said in a haughty tone.

  I marched up to his projection and glowered into his eyes. “Right now, I am the queen. And I order you to get your butt back to Dahlquist.”

  Liri looked down at me and snorted in amusement. “Miss me?”

  If he’d had the balls to show up in the flesh, I would have kneed him in the groin. “Like I miss a pit in a cherry,” I groused.

  I missed Pinemist. Home. Fhaornik and Mrs. Calarel. My friend Keerla. Brightwhisk Forest. Quiet evenings at home in front of the fire with a mug of sweetberry tea.

  Three times I’d been taken from my beloved home. I kept having to figure my own way back to Pinemist, no thanks to the pit head ghosting us with his spectral presence.

  I lifted my chin and chest. “If you don’t get back here soon, I will appoint a new regent in your place—Ryo or Lyklor—whichever proves himself more capable.”

  Liri growled, his teeth clenched and looking as though they could bite through flesh. Finally, I’d gotten his attention.

  “I am still king,” he hissed.

  I looked him up and down then raised one eyebrow. “I don’t see a crown on your head.”

  Color flared over his cheeks even from a realm away. “Aerith—”

  “I’ve heard enough,” I announced. “Being king means ruling your kingdom. You’ve abandoned yours.” I spun on my heel and strode out, leaving Liri to stare slack-jawed at my silky pink behind. Kiss this, Fae-hole.

  Let him rant to Galather and Folas. I was done listening.

  I hurried along the corridor, not wanting Folas to rush after me and escort me back to the royal wing. I could walk myself back to my chambers. Unlike a ghost, Liri couldn’t come flying at me through the hall. He was too proud to run after me. Too stubborn. Too preoccupied. Too—

  I rounded the next corner and ran smack dab into a warm, firm chest topped with an ash-blond head. Our bodies connected, and the friction undid my sash. My kimono opened up like curtains on a stage, exposing my double feature barely concealed in yellow lace.

  Liri’s snarl died on his lips as his gaze dipped below my chin.

  I gave a startled shriek and yanked the kimono closed over my chest, knotting the sash at my middle. Liri jerked his head to the right and stared up at the stone wall while I fixed my robe.