The Ice Diamond Cuff (Custodian Novel #4)

by Alison Pensy

  The Ice Diamond Cuff

  (Custodian Novel #4)

  Smashwords Edition

  Copyright 2013 by Alison Pensy

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the author.

  Published by Laxsaro Publishing, Publishing on Smashwords / April 2013

  ISBN: 978-0-9825438-7-0

  CHAPTER ONE

  Faedra was standing in the forecourt of Todmus and Allora's new home. Her arms were up in front of her and her hands were moving with determined dexterity.

  "Just a little more to the left, if you please, Faedra," Allora said.

  Faedra kept her focus on the heavy onyx statue of a winged horse rearing behind a shield of a coat of arms, which was hovering just above the front door of her friend's newly completed mansion. She moved her hands ever so slightly in that direction, motioning with her fingers, as if she were pushing something tangible. Stone scraped on stone as Faedra eased the coat of arms into position with as much care as she would place the star on top of a Christmas tree.

  "Right there," Allora said, clasping her hands together. "That's perfect."

  Faedra smiled and brought her hands down to rest on her hips. She looked at the heavily pregnant Allora who was standing to one side of her, the Lady's eyes glistening with happiness. Then she looked to her other side where Allora's husband, and ruler of this realm, stood staring in muted awe. Faedra returned her gaze to their finished house and breathed a sigh of proud achievement. Though, to call it a house was a little bit of an understatement. At least they were able to finish it in time for the new addition to her friend's family.

  After destroying their home just a year ago while trying, and succeeding, to kill the evil tyrant sorcerer who had overthrown Todmus and held his wife and daughter prisoner for years while he ruled the realm with malevolence, Faedra had promised the little man that she would help rebuild it. And she had kept her promise. Her powers had helped maneuver most of the heavy blocks into position for the stone masons to do their jobs. It was the best thing she could have done to learn how to control her powers. She had only crushed one set of workman's toes over the entire building process. In the grand scheme of things, she thought that was pretty successful, and besides, Lady Allora was able to heal the poor man's digits with a couple of carefully applied poultices, so no long term damage done.

  Yes, today was a very good day.

  Faedra stared at the elegant facade of the manor’s front. The stately mansion's entryway was accented by two stone pillars, holding up the platform that was now home to an equally elegant statue and coat of arms. The brick walls had been painted a warm cream, and rows of windows let in lots of light. Wisteria had been planted along the front of the house, and with the help of the fae realm to speed up their growth, the beautiful, sweet smelling blooms were weaving their way up the trellises in between the windows. Faedra could only imagine how beautiful it would look when the plants grew to maturity and framed the windows and entrance way, welcoming all who entered with their fragrant perfume.

  Yes, this house was everything the foreboding castle that once stood in its place was not. Although, in happier times, the castle probably was a cheery dwelling, but when laughter was replaced by fear, Faedra suspected that any warmth was probably gone forever. Allora had confided in Faedra that she wanted a house instead of another castle. After spending several years in the previous castle's dungeon, the Lady had no desire to be reminded of that fact on a daily basis.

  "Thank you, Faedra," Todmus said, taking hold of Faedra's hand. "You have done a wonderful job on our home."

  "No worries, Todmus. It was the least I could do after destroying the other one." Faedra shot him a sheepish grin.

  Todmus patted the back of her hand. "It was a means to an end, my child."

  Faedra opened her mouth to speak but was cut off by a girlish squeal that ripped through the air. All three turned their attention to the gardens from whence it came. Faedra raised her eyes and shook her head at the sight she saw.

  "Higher!" a little voice squealed. "Faen, take me higher!"

  Faedra crossed her arms over her chest and cast a sideways glance at Allora. So far, she hadn't sensed any anxiety from the little girl's mother at the sight of her daughter being flown above their ornamental garden by an adult fae who should know better.

  The little girl squealed again as her 'pilot' climbed higher than the fruit trees, spiraling ever upwards.

  "Dive bomb, Faen!" she squealed again. "Do another dive bomb!"

  Quite apart from the fact that Faedra wondered where on earth little Skylar had learned that phrase, her heart almost leapt to her throat as she watched her Guardian come to almost a complete stop, suspended just below the clouds, before obliging the little girl. He swooped downwards and nose-dived towards the ground, tucking his wings close to his body to increase the speed. Skylar squealed again.

  Faedra sucked in a gasp and put her hand over her eyes, watching through parted fingers as Faen pulled up inches from hitting the ground. Faen flew Skylar just above the soft lawn allowing the little girl to skim her fingertips over the blades of grass before pulling up and spiraling towards the clouds in a display that would make the Red Arrows envious. Flying Skylar high above the trees, his deep resonating laughter penetrated right to Faedra's soul.

  Allora cast the Custodian a sidelong glance. "He will make an excellent father, no?"

  Faedra returned Allora's cheery grin with a nervous one of her own. She had no doubt Faen would make an excellent father, but an icy chill ran up her spine at the thought of what kind of mother she herself would make. As far as Faedra knew, she could have a 50/50 chance of giving birth to a beautiful fae girl or a fire breathing dragon, and, as yet, no one had been able to reassure her one way or the other. She was the first person in all of fae history to find herself in this predicament. Not even Draconis had been able to shed any light on whether absorbing Savu's life energy would have done anything to change her genetics. She inwardly shuddered.

  "One day that will be your child squealing with joy in her father's arms," Allora continued, snapping the young Custodian from her musings. Faedra could only hope so.

  Faedra watched as Faen flew towards them and landed gracefully a few feet away. He lowered Skylar to the ground as if she were a precious vase he was setting down on a display pedestal. As soon as the little girl's feet hit the gravel, she ran towards Todmus, arms outstretched, her curly blonde tresses bouncing down her back with every step.

  "Papa, Papa! Did you see me flying?"

  Todmus scooped his daughter up and swung her around, his face awash with pure joy. "And all this time, I thought you were a young ovate." He looked over to Allora. "Mama, I was wrong. I believe we have a fairy in the family."

  Skylar grinned and poked her daddy in the arm. "Oh, Papa."

  Allora stepped across and wrapped her arm around her husband's waist and planted a kiss to his cheek. Todmus
balanced Skylar on his hip and leaned into his wife's caress.

  "Thank you for entertaining our little monster, Faen," Allora said.

  "It is good practice for the tournament," Faen replied. "I have won the event in every tournament I have competed. I do not intend for that to change this year."

  "I am sure you will make your king proud," Allora said. "Please, won't you both come and join us. I have prepared a celebratory lunch, now that the house is completed."

  The druid family wandered towards the house.

  Faen looked up at the coat of arms Faedra had placed above the door. "Nice job."

  "Thanks."

  He held out a hand. "Shall we?"

  Faedra smiled and twined her fingers with his. They stepped forward to follow their friends into their new home.

  "It is a big year for Azran this year. What with the Seven Realms Tournament and a royal wedding. I imagine your father is pulling his hair out," Todmus said to Faedra as they entered the kitchen.

  "He seems to be taking it all in stride," Faedra answered.

  "So, how are the wedding preparations going?" Allora asked, handing Faedra a cup of herbal tea and placing a plate of home baked cookies on the kitchen table they were all now seated around.

  "Great," Faedra replied, her eyes lighting up at the question.

  In actuality, she was preparing for two weddings. One would be the mother of all royal weddings, held at Azran castle. Royalty and ambassadors from all realms would be in attendance. All realms that was, except the World of Men. As much as Faedra had begged the king to let her two best friends, her uncle and his wife attend the wedding in Azran, her father had not conceded to her request. As upset as she was about it, she understood his motives. She found herself in an odd predicament. On the one hand, she was going to be queen of Azran one day. They would be her people and she had to do whatever it took to protect them. On the other hand, she had grown up amongst humans and wanted her friends to be a part of her new life. But the fae had long since evaporated from the memories of men and now only existed in fictional stories. Humankind no longer knew of, or believed in, the fae, and, unfortunately, Mankind had a tendency to shoot first and ask questions later. The havoc they wreaked on their own kind was proof enough that the rest of the seven realms should remain a tightly held secret.

  The king had allowed one exception, though. Her dad. He had seen, and been a part of that world now, ever since Vivianna had kidnapped him. It was obvious his lips would remain sealed for time immemorial.

  Even though she comprehended her wedding would be a spectacle beyond her wildest dreams, it saddened her a little because, apart from a handful of guests, there would not be many people she knew at her own wedding. She was secretly looking forward more to the intimate wedding she had planned to take place in her village church, surrounded by family and friends, with no hint of pomp or circumstance.

  Faedra had a thought, which brought her attention back to Allora. "Actually, I'm glad you asked. I need to borrow Skylar next week for her final fitting."

  Skylar bounced about on her chair with excitement. She was overjoyed by the fact that she was going to be Faedra's flower girl.

  "Finish your mouthful before you start talking, young lady," Allora warned, sensing her daughter was eager to say something but still had her mouth full of cookie.

  Faedra's lips quirked as she watched Skylar gulp a large chunk of cookie without chewing, eager to be able to get her words out. Hadn't her own mother said the exact same things to her when she was that age? And no doubt, she would be saying the exact same things to her child, too.

  Faen caught the look on Faedra's face and covered her hand with his. He gave it a little squeeze.

  "Oh, Mama. You will love my dress, it's so pretty. I almost do look like a fairy in it, don't I, Faedra?" Faedra nodded. "I can't wait until I can wear it all day long," Skylar said, her big blue eyes sparkling with excitement.

  "Well, you won't have to wait much longer now," Allora said, smiling at her daughter's exuberance before turning to the Custodian. "Thank you for inviting our daughter to be a part of your wedding. You can see how much it means to her."

  Faedra smiled. "Actually, I'm the one that is thankful. I don't have any sisters so I'm grateful that Skylar and Jocelyn are willing to take on the flower girl and bridesmaid's duties for me, they look so cute together.

  "How is Jocelyn?" Allora asked.

  "She is well, thank you for asking," Faen replied.

  "She should be graduating any time now, should she not?"

  "Yes. Actually, the week before our wedding. We planned it that way."

  "Your mother must be very proud," Allora continued.

  Faen tried to hide the hint of a grimace, but Faedra caught it. She knew his mother was proud, but she also knew she would have preferred it if her only daughter hadn't decided she wanted to be the first female Guardian ever in the history of Azran.

  After helping keep Faedra safe, yet again, the king had offered Jocelyn any position within the realm that her heart desired. Faedra remembered the look of shock on Faen's face when his little sister told the king, without a second's hesitation, that she wanted to be a Guardian. The king's eyes had widened at her request, but he coughed back his surprise, made the unprecedented ruling, and obliged her.

  Much to everyone's surprise, the young fae was excelling in all her classes and was due to graduate top of the school, even above the males. Who knew?

  "Yes, she is," he replied.

  "Does she know who she's going to be assigned to, yet?" Todmus asked.

  "I think she knows, but she's not letting on," Faedra chimed in, obviously a little disgruntled by the fact that Jocelyn, or the king for that matter, wouldn't divulge where she was going. Faedra had a selfish reason for knowing. She missed her young friend and was hoping she wouldn't be sent too far away. She still relied on her company a lot in Azran. She was really the only female friend she had there. Definitely the only friend she could gripe to when her 'princess training' got a little overwhelming.

  The pleasant conversation continued throughout lunch until it was time to say goodbye. Faedra had to make her way back to Azran for her daily 'princess training' as she not-so-affectionately called it. Ever since it had become apparent that she would eventually be queen, her father had insisted that she learn the proper etiquette for such a role. She could see his point, but, good Lord, if she thought office politics were bad, they didn't hold a candle to 'realm ruling' politics.

  She dabbed at her mouth with her napkin and placed it on the table beside her plate.

  "I'm sorry to cut and run, but Father will get his knickers in a twist if I'm late for my lesson," she said with a heavy heart.

  Allora placed a hand on Faedra's forearm, warmth and support exuded from the Lady's eyes. "It will get easier, my dear. You'll see."

  The reluctant princess responded with a weak smile. "I hope so. I still don't think I'm cut out for any of this."

  Everyone got up from the table and Faedra leaned over to give each of her close friends a hug.

  "Don't forget, the rehearsal is next week," Faedra reminded them.

  "We will be there," Todmus said, clasping Faen's hand and giving it a shake.

  Skylar started bouncing with excitement again at the mention of the wedding. Faedra smiled at the little girl and it carried on up to her eyes. She could only pray that she would be lucky enough to have a child like her.

  Faen took hold of the ruby staff that was leaning against the wall, and clasped Faedra's hand. "Ready?" he asked.

  "No," Faedra replied.

  Faen smiled and shook his head before announcing their destination. "Azran Castle, stables."

  Faedra looked up at him, eyes narrowed, just before ruby red laser lights encircled them and they disappeared.

  CHAPTER TWO

  The smell of horses hit Faedra's nostrils before her eyes focused on their surroundings. She closed her eyes and breathed it in. A smile crept across her face
and she felt her shoulders relax. There was no other scent like it in the world. She felt strong arms encircle her waist and opened her eyes to see her Guardian smiling down at her.

  "Better?" he asked.

  Faedra looked around the stalls at all the beautiful horses, most of which were munching hay. They must have just been fed.

  "Yes, thanks," she replied.

  "Thought it might help," Faen said as he cast a surreptitious glance around the stables before lowering his head.

  Faedra couldn't help her giggle, which garnered her a confused look from Faen.

  "We're about to get married, Faen. You don't need to worry about anyone catching us kissing."

  Faen shrugged a shoulder and his lips quirked to one side. "Old habits die hard, My Lady," he said before closing the last few inches between them and covering Faedra's lips with his own.

  Faedra melted into his embrace. It was her idea of heaven, being surrounded by horses and in the arms of the man she loved.

  When Faen pulled away, Faedra noticed a mischievous glint to his eye.

  "What?" Faedra asked, her tone cautious.

  "What say you that we take a couple of your father's horses and go for a ride? I think you could use a good gallop, blow the cobwebs away."

  Faedra's eyes widened. "Why, noble Guardian, are you suggesting I play hooky?"

  Faen's scampish smile answered her question. He brought his hand up and held his thumb and forefinger an inch apart. "Just a tad. We can take a short ride and no one will even notice you are a few minutes late."

  Faedra shot him an incredulous look. "I'm too much of a bad influence on you. The Faen I first met would never have broken the rules. Now look at you, actively encouraging your future queen to play hooky. Tut tut, what would my father say?"

  Faen's expression dropped. "You are not going to tell him, are you?"