Three Kings

by Nikki Jefford

  With so many servants hustling to put together the suite, everything was ready quickly.

  Ryo and I stood near the mantle, watching the activity and answering questions in far-off voices as servants asked where we wanted certain items placed. I felt like I’d detached from my body—like I was watching everything from a hot-air balloon high in the sky.

  Once everything had been set up, Giselle and Jana entered the suite in short, flimsy powder-blue gowns.

  My fingers curled and nails bit into my palms as they skipped up to us. They halted two feet away and dipped into bows.

  “Congratulations, Prince Ryo.”

  “Well done, Prince Ryo.”

  I narrowed my eyes.

  “We will come by first thing in the morning to bathe you.”

  “No, you will not,” I snarled, placing my hands on my hips. “I am perfectly capable of bathing my mate.”

  Actually, he could bathe himself. Every time I remembered Albedo slapping Ryo on the shoulder in congratulations, a fresh wave of anger rolled through me. I knew Ryo didn’t see our union as a conquest to boast about, but it still irritated the hell out of me. In the whirlwind of it all, I hadn’t had time to consider how Devdan and Lyklor would take the news. My heart squeezed.

  I might be mated, but the mission was still the same. We needed to retake the castle.

  After that . . . I didn’t know.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Aerith

  Lyklor leaned one arm against the wall of the throne room’s antechamber, his eyes half closed, sleepy and bored. He made it look as though it wasn’t worth his energy to stand upright.

  We had a rare moment alone while Jhaeros, Galather, and Folas waited for us in the throne room.

  I sat in an armchair, holding a letter from Teryani—one I read aloud to Lyklor. She expressed frustration that Albedo continued to rule over her castle. Malon’s imprisonment pleased her. She made no comment regarding Lyklor’s part in delivering him to Dahlquist, nor did she mention the capture of my sister and Ryo.

  “‘Please send all the royal guards you can spare along with any citizens who would like to fight on behalf of our family,’” I read aloud, finishing the last of Teryani’s letter. I set it on the table in case Lyklor had any interest in reading it over again himself. “What do you think? Should we send more of our guards to your sister? How many?”

  Lyklor shrugged. “You’re in charge.” He followed his statement with a loud yawn.

  I schooled my face, refusing to vent at him the way he was no doubt accustomed to.

  “Help me up,” I said, reaching out my hand.

  Lyklor waited two seconds before pushing away from the wall. He walked over, hanging back as though he expected me to strike him.

  “I don’t bite,” I said with a laugh.

  Lyklor scowled as he stepped forward, took my arm, and helped pull me to my feet. My belly bumped into him as I stood, and a panicked look flashed over his face. He took a large step back.

  “Are you okay?” he asked in alarm. “I didn’t mean to—”

  “Give my unborn child a concussion?”

  Lyklor’s eyes widened even more. I laughed again.

  “That was nothing. I’m fine.” I placed a hand on my belly. “You’re going to be an uncle, you know.”

  “Some uncle. You don’t even know me,” Lyklor grumbled.

  “I’m trying to get to know you.” I took a step toward him, but he backed away, resuming his spot against the wall. I sighed. “Well, let’s go in, shall we? Galather will have Albedo’s latest courier awaiting us by now.”

  That got Lyklor following me to the door. The only thing that appeared to interest him was news of Mel. Sometimes it felt like it was the only thing preventing him from portaling out of Dahlquist.

  Before sweeping into the throne room, I reached up and touched the crown on my head for reassurance. Hopefully, Albedo was ready to make a trade.

  Speckled light shone through the stained-glass windows built high into the throne room’s ceiling. Royal guards stood stationed at their posts with extras gathered near Folas, Galather, and Jhaeros.

  Lyklor followed me up the dais. Instead of taking the chair beside me, he plopped down on the edge of the platform, swinging his legs. I saw this from the corner of my eyes. My main focus was on the courier, a different messenger with spiky white-and-blue-tipped hair. His sole focus was right back on me. Lyklor might as well have been one of the outer courtyard cats swishing his tail at my feet for all the attention he was paid.

  I placed my elbows on the throne’s armrests.

  “Well?” I asked impatiently, my voice booming as though Dahlquist was truly mine to command.

  The courier dipped into a bow before straightening.

  “I come with glad tidings from Ravensburg.”

  “Oh? Has Teryani regained her throne?” I leaned forward, cutting the courtier with a razor-sharp gaze.

  Eyes a muted shade of blue blinked several times from beneath his head of spiky hair. “Um, no, King Albedo still rules Ravensburg.” I huffed. The courier swallowed. The king sent me to inform Her Majesty that Prince Ryo has taken Melarue as his mate, who now—”

  “What?” I shouted, jumping to my feet without help.

  In front of me, Lyklor stopped swinging his legs.

  Galather and Folas grabbed the courier by his arms. His blue spikes swung from one side to the other, eyes rounding like wagon wheels.

  I lifted my skirts as I stormed down the short set of stairs leading from the dais to the flagstones below and over to the spiky-haired courier.

  “Your Highness, please do not fret. Ryo’s mate has been given every luxury: a royal suite, servants, gowns, and jewels.” Words spilled from his pale pink lips, only adding to my aggravation. “She is being treated like a princess.”

  I grabbed him by the collar and yanked him toward me, glaring into his alarmed blue eyes. “I know exactly how an Elmray princess is treated, you insolent prick.”

  He was only the messenger, but that didn’t stop me from wanting to shoot an arrow through his neck and return him screaming and bleeding to Albedo.

  I released his collar with a hiss and pointed to the back doors.

  “Lock him in the dungeons.”

  “But, Your Majesty, I have not yet delivered your brother-in-law’s invitation to celebrate the union.”

  “Out! Get him out!” I snapped. I would not send Albedo’s messenger back to deliver a full report of my distress. I refused to give him the satisfaction. I grabbed Galather by the arm before he could drag the courier away. “Keep him far from Malon.” I also didn’t want that little cockroach to hear of this.

  The muscles beneath Galather’s tunic were taut. “I will personally see to it,” he gritted out between his teeth.

  Folas appeared at my side. “If there’s any more information to be had from him, Galather will get it.”

  We watched as two guards assisted Galather in leading the courier out of the throne room.

  Jhaeros tightened his fists and glowered at the retreating figure. He looked like he wanted to go with Galather and knock the messenger around a bit. But we all knew it wouldn’t do any good. It was too late. Mel was mated to Ryo. My little sister had become an Elmray.

  My strength broke apart. Jhaeros caught me, and I sagged against his chest.

  “Do you think Albedo forced them?” Jhaeros flung his question out like a fistful of pebbles.

  Lyklor jumped down from the dais, scowling. He folded his arms across his chest. “Albedo would do anything if it got him one step closer to the throne of Dahlquist.”

  I squeezed my eyes closed and covered my lids with my hand. “I should have never let her go.”

  “We will get her back,” Jhaeros assured me in a firm voice.

  “But she will be mated,” I whispered.

  My baby sister forced to become a bride. I’d kill Albedo for this.

  “At least it is to Ryo,” Folas offered. “He wil
l treat her well.”

  I lowered my hand, opened my eyes, and glared at the blond guard. Folas probably just wanted us to stick around in Faerie forever. I didn’t need any more ties to the Elmray family.

  Lyklor cleared his throat. “I am ready to be king,” he announced.

  I was in too much shock to show surprise or speculate on Lyklor’s reasonings.

  I pulled away from Jhaeros and leveled a gaze at the golden-haired prince. “Good,” I said. “Because I’m going back to Pinemist for reinforcements and putting an end to this insanity once and for all.”

  “Take as many of my guards as you want,” Lyklor said.

  “Your guards?” Folas growled.

  “Your generosity in this matter is appreciated.” I gave Lyklor a curt nod. “Jhaeros, please work out the particulars with Lyklor. I will be in my chambers. I have a slight headache.”

  Jhaeros frowned but let me go without protest. Folas, on the other hand, jogged to keep pace with me as I swept through the throne room. He waited until we were in the quiet of the corridor to speak.

  “Aerith, please don’t make rash decisions. You cannot give the throne to Lyklor.”

  I stopped and planted my hands on my hips, lowering my voice. “There is nothing rash about this, as you well know, Folas. And Dahlquist has never been mine to give. It belongs to an Elmray heir. As long as Liri deserts his kingdom, it belongs, by all rights, to Lyklor.”

  Folas drew his lips back, showing all his teeth. “I cannot serve that lying prick.” His eyebrows pinched together over his stormy gray eyes.

  “I’m sure you never imagined serving me either, and I believe we’ve come a long way.”

  “This is different. He cannot be trusted.”

  “Maybe if you gave him a chance.”

  Folas gave his head a violent shake. “I beg you to reconsider. Make Ryo king and your sister queen.”

  The suggestion made me hiss like an angry cobra. “I am not leaving my sister in Faerie.”

  Folas folded his arms. “You would take her from her mate?” he challenged.

  “I would take her home,” I shot back. “I’m sure Ryo will have no trouble following. Now leave me be.” I whipped around and stormed off.

  As soon as I reached my room, I tore the crown off my head and vowed never to wear one again.

  As soon as Folas portaled Jhaeros and me into the guest room back in Pinemist, I rushed out of the room yelling, “Fhaornik, we’re home!”

  I scurried down the upper hall and gripped the banister as I descended the staircase.

  Halfway down, Fhaornik appeared in the foyer below and faced the front door as though I’d walked in from outside.

  “My lady?” he asked hopefully.

  “Up here,” I said.

  Fhaornik turned, lifting his chin toward the stairs, and listened. I cleared the remaining steps as fast as my pregnant belly would allow me and threw my arms around Fhaornik, breathing in his musty scent as though it was the sweetest rose.

  Jhaeros took the stairs in the dignified manner I’d become accustomed to.

  “I must greet Mrs. Calarel,” I said, pulling away from our beloved butler. “Is she in the kitchen?”

  “She is, my lady.”

  Jhaeros took the space I vacated, clasping Fhaornik on the shoulders. “We have missed you, Fhaornik.”

  “As have we—ever so much.” I heard a crack in Fhaornik’s voice as I left the foyer.

  Mrs. Calarel stood with her back to me, kneading bread dough when I entered the kitchen. I didn’t wish to startle her, but in the end, I did when she turned to add chopped chives to the loaf and caught sight of me. She gave a squeak of surprise followed by a sob as she grabbed a kitchen towel and swiped flour off her hands before rushing over to give me a quick, light hug.

  When she stepped back, tears poured down Mrs. Calarel’s cheeks. Without warning, they streamed from my eyes, too, and soon we were both crying. I noticed she wore the plumeria pendant we’d gifted her after our trip to Hawaii. I looked at it, touched my neck, and smiled, blinking back tears. Mrs. Calarel nodded and smiled then pointed to my belly and lifted her eyebrows, her smile widening.

  “You . . . are . . . home?” she rasped.

  My heart squeezed, and my smile faltered. I shook my head. “Not for long, but soon,” I promised her.

  Now that I was home, I never wanted to go. If Mel wasn’t trapped at Ravensburg, I’d be tempted to leave the Elmrays to their fate.

  Jhaeros and Fhaornik entered the kitchen. Mrs. Calarel beamed at the master of the house, a fresh cascade of tears flowing down her cheeks.

  “We have missed you too,” Jhaeros said. “Soon we will be home to stay. In the meantime, can you prepare a simple meal for five?”

  Mrs. Calarel nodded eagerly. She lifted a finger.

  “One hour, perfect,” Jhaeros said. He turned to me and touched my arm. “Stay here and rest while I fetch Keerla and Devdan—he should know too. Folas can come with me.”

  “I will remain with the queen,” Folas grumped from the doorway where he hung back watching all of us.

  I released a great big sigh. “I won’t be queen for much longer, but you may stay with me Folas, even though I am perfectly safe now that I am home.”

  I walked Jhaeros to the front door and kissed him on the lips, a swirl of emotions going through me at being home and knowing we had to leave again.

  I stared out at the lane beyond his manor, both foreign and familiar.

  “I wish I could go with you,” I said.

  “I will be quick.” He tucked loose strands of blonde hair behind my pointed ear. Jhaeros pressed one last kiss to my lips before striding off in the direction of his small stable.

  I remained standing on the porch, waiting, breathing in the fresh, crisp air of Pinemist. Oh, how I’d missed it. Fhaornik brought out a shawl for me then disappeared back inside. Folas remained silent by my side.

  Jhaeros appeared atop a brown-and-white painted horse moments later. He offered me a smile before taking off at a trot down our private lane to the public road.

  Clutching the shawl around my shoulders, I remained standing on the front stoop long after Jhaeros disappeared from sight. I had half a mind to stand outside until Jhaeros’s return, but the sight of my father’s short, stout figure rushing up our drive was enough motivation to head inside.

  “Want to make yourself useful?” I asked Folas. “Send my father away.”

  I left the Fae guard to deal with my meddlesome father, retreating into the house and closing the front door behind me. Fhaornik must have started a fire in the parlor. Gentle flames licked at a fresh pile of logs. I sat on the sofa in front of the mantle and swung my legs around, laying my head against the armrest. I closed my eyes and listened to the soft crackle of the fire. I didn’t reopen them until after I heard the front door open and shut and one set of footsteps enter the parlor.

  “You were successful then?”

  Folas’s jaw was locked and his face pinched in irritation. “He says he will not leave until you speak to him.”

  “Then let him wait. We will be gone soon enough.” I reclosed my eyes, never expecting to fall asleep, but at some point the crackle of the fire faded and I slipped away into a deep luxurious slumber.

  “Queen Aerith, they’ve returned.” Folas gave me a gentle shake.

  “Arg, stop calling me that.” I rubbed the sleep from my eyes with my fists.

  Folas helped me to my feet as Jhaeros led Devdan, Keerla, and a white-haired female roughly Mel’s age into the parlor.

  “Keerla!” I cried.

  “Aerith!” she returned, lips splitting into a smile.

  She looked as gorgeous and fierce as I remembered in tight leathers and windswept brown hair flowing over her shoulders like a cape.

  We spread our arms and met in the middle of the parlor, grasping one another in a hug. Keerla gave me a good firm one, unlike everyone else who treated my belly like a ticking time bomb.

  “
This is Sana, my second-in-command,” Keerla said, indicating the female with two long white braids hanging over her shoulders.

  “Good to meet you,” I said politely.

  “And you as well.” Her eyes didn’t quite meet mine.

  “Hello, Princess,” Devdan said with a grin. His tone was teasing, but his greeting sobered me up in an instant. He wouldn’t like the news about Mel any more than I did.

  “It is queen now,” Folas informed him, glowering at Dev, “but you may address Melarue as princess the next time you meet.”

  “Folas!” I cried, my mouth hanging open. It wasn’t like him to speak out of turn.

  Devdan’s eyebrows slashed across his forehead, and his jaw tightened. “What do you mean by that?” he asked in a low, dangerous voice.

  I gave Folas a quick glare before turning to Devdan, Keerla, and Sana. The Fae guard was lucky I didn’t send him outside to wait with my blustering father. The warmth had drained from my friend’s eyes. She folded her arms tight around her chest.

  I offered a quick explanation about Albedo taking Ravensburg Castle and Mel and Ryo sneaking in. Beyond her brief glimpse of Cirrus and Liri at our tournament, Keerla wasn’t familiar with the Elmrays other than Ryo during his recent visit to help eliminate ogres. Devdan had met most of the family and visited both castles the first time he and Mel came to Dahlquist to try to rescue me from Liri.

  Devdan stood gritting his teeth as I delivered the news we’d received from Albedo’s courier.

  Jhaeros moved to my side. I leaned my shoulder against his familiar comfort.

  “Will you help us get my sister back?” I asked.

  “Of course,” Keerla said.

  Sana looked at Devdan, who nodded, appearing too angry to speak.

  “I guess I get a trip to Faerie after all,” Keerla said.

  Fhaornik entered the parlor, announcing lunch.

  I took Keerla’s arm, and we led the way to the dining room. “How is the rebuilding going?” I asked my friend.