by Mindy Hayes
“Prince Marcus?” I asked, giving her my attention. We’d all lost someone to dear to us, but for some reason I wanted to know more about Marcus of Oraelia, about who he’d lost.
Her eyes shifted uneasily between Marcus and me. She refused to meet my gaze, her eyes touching just below mine, and I couldn’t fault her. She must have believed I despised her. On the contrary, I hurt for her. We had been close once upon a time. I knew about her relationship with Skye long before my father had exploited it. I could only imagine the amount of guilt she carried around. Why had she not confided in me? I could have been there for her, helped her make the right decision.
Lia cleared her throat and said a little louder, “His best friend, Nerida.”
“How do you know that?” Calliope asked.
Lia exhaled and slowly drew her eyes to Prince Marcus. His expression was somber, his eyes slanted at the corners as he surveyed the mass of fae. Or maybe he was angry. The straight line of his lips made it difficult to decipher.
“I watched it happen,” she said, distantly. “They were fighting next to one another. She was caught off-guard and Prince Marcus was preoccupied, fighting off several Rymidonians at once, unable to save her.”
I had often wondered if I had not been locked away in the castle if I could have prevented the deaths of my brothers, of my father. If I could have saved Sakari from Skye’s hand. Surely, if I’d been on that battlefield and had stood between them, they would’ve thought more clearly, would’ve thought through their actions.
I was foolish. I knew that. Skye and my father had been too far-gone to be saved, but Sakari … maybe. I fought against the intense jolt in my chest, the tears that wanted to flow freely.
“How do you know about Nerida?” Kai asked Lia. “I don’t think I have seen him with a single soul. He’s always alone.”
Lia hesitated before she answered, “Nerida was a friend of mine. She wasn’t a Royal. We shared a certain … connection. She loved Prince Marcus and he her, but they weren’t allowed to bond because she wasn’t a Royal. And from what I know, they weren’t supposed to spend any time together in public, so as to not draw the attention of his father. Hence why you never saw them together. They did so behind King Ronan and Queen Aislinn’s back.”
So, the look in his eyes wasn’t anger or somberness. It was sorrow, misery. He’d lost the woman he loved and he could show no one his grief. That was something I could understand. No one, not even myself, understood how I could mourn my father and Skye. I couldn’t show my heartache for them. It would mean showing heartache for tyrants, traitors … murderers.
“He never approached me at the Awakening,” Calliope said, reflective. “Every kingdom introduced themselves to me that night, trying to arrange a bonding, but I never once spoke with Marcus. She must’ve been why.”
“She was,” Lia said without reservation.
It must have been apparent that we were watching Prince Marcus, because his gaze cut to the five of us. I wanted to shy away from his stare, but I was fixed in place. The dark green of his irises intensified under the canopy of trees and foliage. My heart recognized something in him, latched onto the restrained pain in his eyes. Almost as quickly as he focused on us, he looked away.
“He’ll probably leave without saying a word. Should I greet him? I mean…” Calliope looked at us uncertainly, “He’s come to Faylinn a few times now, but we’ve never met. And I haven’t really thanked him for saving me. I should do that,” she decided. “Kai, will you stay with Lia and Cameron?”
He didn’t appear pleased, but Kai agreed without protest.
“May I come with you?” I asked. “I’d also like to properly introduce myself. The more Royals I become acquainted with, the better I think I shall feel about Rymidon’s positive transformation.”
“Of course, yeah. Good idea. Let’s go.” Calliope offered her elbow, and we walked arm-in-arm toward the daunting man.
“Prince Marcus.” Calliope prompted him to focus on us. His mouth set in a straight line, and his eyes narrowed, not as if he were angry, merely confused as to why we were approaching him. I was beginning to feel as though he kept his countenance as such to ward off conversation.
“Hi,” Calliope greeted, extending her hand. His eyes drifted to her waiting hand, scrutinizing before he slowly wrapped his fingers around her wrist. “I wanted to welcome you to Faylinn and officially introduce myself.”
He nodded curtly, but didn’t say a word.
Calliope was undeterred. “This is Sarai of Rymidon. She became queen after The Battle.”
When our eyes met, there was fire in his—a forest fire. I bowed my head. “Prince Marcus, it’s a pleasure.”
His brow lifted, but his facial expression remained the same—intense and skeptical. “I wasn’t aware Adair had a daughter.” The deep timbre of his voice amplified his stern face.
“You’re not the only one.” Calliope chuckled.
“Or rather, now that I think about it, it was rumored you’d died with your mother,” he said.
Part of me wished to be locked away in my room once more; sealing myself from his brooding glare, but the queen in me lifted my chin and said, “My father kept me hidden for my protection after my mother was killed, or rather, as security that he’d always have an heir to the throne.” He’d claimed protection, but I knew better now. However, this wasn’t the time to air all his crimes.
Prince Marcus pressed his lips tightly and nodded once. “So, you’re the only surviving member of your family?”
I kept my voice steady. “I am.”
His eyes softened, turning the forest fire to pools of woe. “That must be difficult. My sympathies to you and your kingdom. I understand that Adair’s Supremacy was quite strong.”
It was more difficult than I’d imagined, hearing my father’s name repeated in past tense. “I’m told he didn’t give our kingdom much of a choice in many matters.”
“Were you not under his Supremacy?”
“I didn’t need to be, though I’m sure there were a few times. I conversed with very few fae and believed everything my father told me. I had no reason not to.”
Prince Marcus subtly nodded, but said no more. His eyes never strayed from mine. They teetered between wary and captivated. Captivated by what, I wasn’t sure.
My story was unusual. I imagined most kingdoms were confused by my claim to the throne, but I had grown up in the castle. I wasn’t ignorant of how to rule Rymidon. What my father didn’t teach me, Sakari provided. No one would be able to mark me as naïve or weak. I might have been inexperienced, but what I lacked in experience, I compensated for in compassion and loyalty and commitment. Rymidon wouldn’t be spurned for long. I had every intention of rebuilding Rymidon and gaining every other kingdom’s trust once more.
“I assure you, Prince Marcus, that Rymidon is not the kingdom it was when my father was king. If possible, I’d like to arrange a meeting with Oraelia, outside of this celebration, to reinstate our alliance. I know we have plenty to offer Oraelia in trade, weaponry, and security, among other things.”
The corner of his mouth twitched before he rubbed his hand down his mouth and chin. Covering a smile? Or a laugh? “My father isn’t here tonight, but I will speak with him and have his advisor contact Rymidon. That is all I can do.”
Did he find me laughable? I attempted to keep lightness in my voice to remain civil, but his stance and expression led me to believe he wasn’t taking me seriously. “Thank you.”
“Well,” Calliope exhaled. “Enough shop talk. Let’s dance!” She waved Kai, Cameron, and Lia over.
I turned back to ask Prince Marcus if he would like to join us, but he’d disappeared. I scanned the meadow in hopes of catching him before he departed, but he was nowhere to be seen.
Chapter Eight
CAMERON
“If Calliope expects us to dance,” Lia grumbled as we walked toward Callie, “I’m out.”
“Party pooper.”
�
�Where did he go?” Callie asked Sarai as we approached, looking beyond her shoulder.
“I don’t know. When I turned around, he was gone.”
“Dangit!” She flailed her arms like a child throwing a tantrum. “I was trying to get you two on the dance floor together.”
Sarai looked startled. “What? Why?”
“He would be the perfect match for you.”
Sarai exhaled loudly. “Calliope…”
“What? You will need to bond soon, won’t you?”
“We’ve had more important things to worry about,” Sarai suppressed her laughter, “but yes, I presume I’ll need to in the near future.”
“I’m free.” I winked.
Sarai smiled, but I didn’t think she took me seriously. Calliope’s eyes shot daggers.
I raised my hands in surrender. “I was kidding.” Partially.
Kai reached for Calliope to dance, distracting her. I took that as my opening to dance with Sarai. I took hold of her hand and spun her around to face me.
“Omph!” she huffed when her chest collided with mine. I hadn’t meant to use so much force. I only wanted her close to me. With one arm around her waist, I took her hand in mine and spun us around the meadow. Her head tilted back as she laughed, carefree. It occurred to me that Sarai probably hadn’t had any fun in quite some time.
“What is this dance?” She giggled.
“Huh?”
“Your way of dancing. What is it called?”
Uh. “I just call it dancing.” We swayed from side-to-side. “How do you dance?”
Sarai’s eyes twinkled, and her mouth upturned. Taking a step back, she untangled herself from me and twirled in a circle. Her right leg extended out rhythmically with the music as she gracefully swayed her arms in the air. Her deep purple dress whirled with every spin and twist. Sarai looked ethereal. I doubted I’d ever used that word before, but that was exactly the word to describe her. I could stand back and watch her dance all night. She was enchanting.
“Calliope will kill you,” Lia’s voice came over my shoulder.
I inhaled and swayed with the music. “I know.”
“It would never work.”
“I know.” I exhaled.
“Then why do you insist on torturing yourself?”
My eyes shifted to Lia, and I smirked. “I guess I’m a masochist.”
She rolled her eyes and sighed like I was the biggest idiot on the planet. I probably was. To my surprise, Lia danced away from me, like she couldn’t help herself. Once she gained a bit of distance, she danced as if no one else were here. Not as much of a party pooper as I’d thought.
I watched Lia for a minute as her red hair swept across her face and her shoulders. She didn’t make eye contact with a soul. She danced for herself. Everything around her faded, a spotlight shining on her. My eyes zeroed in. Her movements were subtler than Sarai’s. Lia ignored everyone as she closed her eyes and let the music fuel her limbs.
A hand wrapped around mine, and I blinked, bringing my attention back to Sarai. Her teal eyes glimmered with laughter. For a brief second I’d forgotten about her. What happened to me?
I smiled, not looking back at Lia. “Where’d you learn to dance like that?”
“There wasn’t much I could do in my room when I was alone, so I danced.”
“A natural. It must be a faery thing.”
It was difficult to tell in the dark, but it looked like Sarai was blushing. Ten points for Cameron.
Time was nonexistent in Faylinn. We could’ve been dancing for minutes, hours, or days, and I wouldn’t have known the difference. I wanted to keep dancing. All night. Sarai was beautiful. The sky was unreal. Faylinn was nirvana. The faintest layer of fog settled over my mind. Before, it had taken more time in Faylinn to feel this way, but I already felt like I could stay forever and never miss the real world.
Calliope snatched my hand and dragged me out of the dancing crowd. I fought her at first, but it was pointless. She was so much stronger than me. I couldn’t win.
She placed a hand on either side of my face and examined my eyes. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m great,” I said, smiling. “Why?”
“You’ve got a glassy look in your eyes. I don’t like it.”
I snorted, brushing her hands aside. “You’re too worried. I’m fine. Perfectly sane.”
“Where do you go to school?”
I laughed. “Clemson.”
“Where were you born?”
“Walhalla,” I said with an eye roll.
“What are your roommates’ names?”
I blink once. Twice.
“Cameron,” she hissed.
I shook my head and cleared my throat. “Chase and Ryland.” That was weird.
She sighed. “Okay. I think we should get you out of here sooner than later. Maybe coming to Faylinn isn’t the best idea.”
“Sure it is. We’re having fun.”
“I’m going to put a Keeper on guard in the forest near your apartments, so if you need to get in touch with me, you’ll be able to.”
“That seems a little excessive, don’t you think, Cal?”
“Not when my best friend is a human. I want you to be able to stay in touch in case of an emergency. I should’ve done that in the first place. I hate being out of the loop.” She continued to examine my pupils. “Did you eat anything? Drink anything?”
“What, is this Wonderland?” I chuckled. “If I eat a cookie, will I grow into a giant? Or if I eat a mushroom will I shrink?”
“It’s not funny, Cam. Did you feel like this the last time you were here and just didn’t tell me?”
“Callie. I’m. Fine. And I’m pretty sure last time the circumstances were a little different. I had fear and sheer desire to survive driving me before.”
Sarai approached us. Hours must have passed while we danced, but Sarai didn’t even look winded. Not a single drop of sweat. “Is everything all right?”
“Yeah, I just want to get Cameron back home. I forgot the effect fae music has on humans. He’d never stop dancing if I didn’t make him.”
“Oh.” A frown formed on her lips. Was she disappointed I had to leave? “Well, before you take him home, I was hoping I could have a moment in private with you, Calliope.”
“Yes, of course. But first, where is Lia?” We searched the dancing faeries until I spotted her still in her own world, weaving in and out of the crowd, her face to the sky as she twirled.
“I’ll go get her,” I said.
“Oh, no you don’t.” Calliope stopped me. “Kai, will you get Lia and stay with her and Cameron while I speak with Sarai? And don’t let them dance anymore.”
He rolled his eyes, but it seemed to be aimed at Lia, not Calliope. He marched out to get Lia, while I waited.
“Declan, could you escort Sarai and me to the atrium?”
“Yes, My Queen.” Declan appeared out of nowhere. Sneaky son of a gun.
“Declan,” Calliope groaned.
“Where’d you come from?” I asked.
“Where have you been?” Calliope’s eyebrow rose, questioning me. “Declan’s my personal Keeper. He’s been here the whole night.”
My focus might have been captivated by someone a little more my speed. Kai was walking our way with Lia in tow. I gradually noticed faeries stepping aside, making room for her. Not to be polite, but as if she were a disease they didn’t want to catch.
“Well,” I cleared my throat and brought my attention back to Calliope, “he sure is stealthy.”
“Then I’m doing my job right.” Declan nodded at me and swept his hand in front of his frame so Calliope and Sarai would pass. You’d think I’d be used to Calliope as royalty by now, but as she walked away with Declan and a few other Keepers trailing behind her, scoping the joint, I couldn’t hold back my chuckle.
“What’s so funny?” Kai asked.
“She’s a queen.”
He looked at me like he wanted to admit me to a psych w
ard. Maybe he should. I’m in a magical faery land. My best friend is a faery queen. I have a crush on another faery queen who can never be mine. And my temporary roommate happens to be a faery turned human. I’m surrounded by faeries. How is this my life?
“I just have to remind myself sometimes.”
“Sometimes I have to remind myself that she’s mine.” Kai’s voice was so soft, he probably didn’t think I’d heard him. His eyes stayed fixed on her until she disappeared behind the castle gates.
Castle. I laughed to myself again. She lived there. I shook my head and pulled my attention back to the faeries chatting and dancing in the meadow.
“Are we leaving soon?” Lia sighed. “This music is going to kill me if we don’t leave soon.”
“Sarai needed to talk to Calliope first, but then we can go.” Lia and I began to sway with the music. Kai grabbed each of our elbows and escorted us forward. “Maybe we should wait inside the castle.”
With her arms folded across her chest, Lia let her eyes drift over the castle grounds. What’s she thinking about? Scratch that. There was only one thing she could be thinking about, or rather, someone.
To distract her, I said, “I have a feeling I’m going to be late to school in the morning.”
“What’s one missed test when you get to spend the weekend in Faylinn?” She shrugged.
“How did you know I was going to miss a test?”
“It’s like you think I never listen.”
“That’s because I didn’t think you did.”
“There’s a lot that you assume about me, Cameron.”
Chapter Nine
SARAI
With a heavy sigh, Calliope fell back onto the window seat in the atrium. “Oh, Sarai, that’s horrible. You shouldn’t have to deal with something like this right now.”
“My main concern is what they want with the blood, or if it serves a purpose for them at all.”
Calliope scratched her temple. “This might be a stupid question, but why would anyone want to drain our blood?”
I forget how little she knew and was still learning. “It’s the source of our powers: the healing, the elements, enticement, cultivating nature, everything.”
