Queen of Dark and Light (Whims of Fae Book 6)

by Nissa Leder

  Having grown up in the fae world, he’d never faced any timidity over the human body or its wants. Fae were known to explore consensual lust in nearly all its forms.

  He remembered how comfortable she’d been the night they’d made love, so she wasn’t completely averse to the more carnal pleasures. Her bashfulness of the desires of others was endearing.

  A server walked around holding a tray of champagne glasses. Kaelem tapped his shoulder. “Where would we find the bedrooms?”

  The server looked between them with a sly grin. “There’s a staircase at that end of the room.” He pointed to the left. “Just take it to whatever floor you need.”

  “Thank you,” Kaelem said.

  “Have fun.” The server winked.

  They weaved their way in the direction the server had pointed until they found a spiral staircase leading up.

  “After you,” Kaelem said, letting her head up first.

  When they made it to the top, they followed the hallway to a room with 207 written on the door.

  “This sure feels like a hotel,” Scarlett said. “Do we knock?”

  There was no slot for a key card like the mortal hotel they’d gone to before, so Kaelem gave three knocks and waited. “Guess it’s empty.” He turned the handle. “Anybody home?”

  He opened the door to a large room with a wood floor and gray wallpaper. When he stepped inside, the lights turned on and the fireplace lit up.

  “Fancy,” Scarlett said as she followed him in.

  They passed the bathroom to the left and a closet to the right. A desk sat on the far side of the room, underneath a window. Next to it stood a small refrigerator.

  “Is that a mini-fridge?” Scarlett opened it. “It is!” Bottles of liquor had been placed inside. She pulled out two small shot containers and tossed one to Kaelem. “I don’t want to think about the war or the Spirit Realm or anything at all. So, let’s drink.”

  She unscrewed the top and downed the golden liquid inside. “Oh, cinnamon. Yum.”

  Kaelem did the same.

  Scarlett grabbed another pair. “This one looks lemon flavored.” After another shot, Scarlett pulled out a large bottle of wine. “Let’s play a game.” She opened the desk drawer and pulled out a deck of cards.

  They hopped on the bed and she divided the deck into two, giving half to Kaelem. “Okay, whoever has the lowest card drinks.” She flipped over one of her deck. It was a seven of clubs.

  Kaelem did the same. “Jack of spades.”

  He once spent an entire weekend watching a poker tournament on TV. At first, he thought the game was silly. How were numbers and symbols on paper supposed to be entertaining? But within an hour of watching, he figured out the rules, and found the whole thing fascinating. This game was simpler, but the addition of liquor made it quite fun.

  Scarlett took a drink from the bottle and flipped another card.

  They played the game until they’d gone through three bottles of wine and six shots each. At first, Kaelem had thought it had been mortal alcohol, but the effects were too strong.

  Scarlett tossed the card deck to the ground. “Okay, game over.”

  He watched her squint as she giggled. He’d seen her drunk before, but a new carelessness danced in her eyes now.

  For so long, he questioned his true feelings for her. How strong could they really be? How much was he capable of caring for someone?

  But being with her at that moment, with no idea what the future would hold, he finally knew just how much she meant to him.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The familiar freeness of alcohol left Scarlett feeling light.

  They’d drank everything in the mini-fridge, bottles scattered on the floor.

  Kaelem’s tie had loosened, and his shirt was slightly untucked. He leaned against the backboard of the bed, gaze lowered.

  “Look at you,” Scarlett said. “You almost look relaxed.”

  He unbuttoned the top button of his dress shirt. “I am not always perfect.

  “No? That’s something I never thought I’d hear you admit.” She scooted toward him and grabbed his hand. “I’m going to read your fortune.”

  He turned his torso toward her. “And what does my future hold?”

  His hand was warm in hers. She flipped his hand over and traced her finger over the lines of his palm. “Ohhh. Interesting.”

  Kaelem chuckled. “Is it, now?”

  “Fascinating.” Scarlett held back a laugh of her own. “Curious.” Out of vague remarks, she moved on. “You will meet a beautiful woman. Yes. Very pretty.”

  “How very pretty?”

  “So pretty,” Scarlett said. “But wait, maybe it isn’t a woman. Maybe it’s a man.”

  “Interesting.” Kaelem lifted his gaze to meet Scarlett’s. “What if I don’t want to meet any new beautiful people?”

  Scarlett’s hand tingled against his. “No? Why wouldn’t you want that?”

  He reached out his other hand and locked it with hers. “Maybe I’ve already found someone beautiful.”

  Heat rushed to Scarlett’s face. His words were cheesy, but somehow, the sincere tone of his voice washed away any corniness.

  Kaelem pulled Scarlett on top of him. His hands found her hips as he looked at her, lust in his eyes. “I want you, Scarlett. All of you. I never thought I could desire someone as I desire you.”

  She rested on his lap, unsure of what to say. She cared for him. Of course, she did. She had for a while, even if she hadn’t been ready to admit it to herself yet. “What do you desire from me?”

  “Everything. Your body. Your soul. Your heart.” His hands moved to her waist.

  She’d already crossed the physical line with him. Their bodies had merged, skin to skin, and it had been wonderful. She couldn’t have asked for more passion.

  But he was asking for something else now. This was no mere sensual game. If she leaned in and kissed him, it would mean so much more.

  She stared at his silver eyes, always so full of intensity. He was more alive than anyone she knew. He found passion in things most would find silly, like coffee and soap operas. She had always envied his excitement for the mundane.

  And from the moment she’d met him at the Summer Court, he’d let her make her own decisions. Even when he’d done what seemed unforgivable by trapping her sister, he’d offered to let her go without anything in return. She’d chosen to help him then because even though he’d blackmailed her, she saw his love for his own sister and understood why he’d done what he did.

  He’d helped her to learn her magic and taught her to own her gifts. He’d always believed in her, never treating her fragile like so many others did.

  Kaelem’s hand trailed up her arm and to her cheek. “I love you, Scarlett. Truly.”

  The words filled her heart and froze it. She’d never expected him to say something so mortal. But the human part of her melted at the thought because she felt it too. “I love you too.”

  The declaration wasn’t a promise of anything but the feelings of their hearts. She had no illusions that their words would lead to a happily ever after worthy of a fairy tale. Life for the fae was different. A war lingered in their future, and even if they could come out victorious, both could live for centuries. She might not know what their destinies together held, but she knew that, right then, she wanted all of him too.

  With the words spoken like a bond, Kaelem pulled her mouth to his.

  Their lips collided, fireworks of passion exploding inside her.

  His hands roamed her body as hers unbuttoned his shirt. Clothes flew across the room as their skin pressed together. His mouth tasted of vanilla, his lust of pine trees. The air around them turned electric, every touch between them a shock of passion.

  This moment was all that mattered as any thoughts of past or future fled her mind. She wanted Kaelem in every way. She wanted his heart, body, and soul. She dropped her mental shield, allowing his mind to flood her own.

  His barrier was
already lowered, and as she peeked inside his mind, she felt the intensity of his feelings for her.

  When their bodies became one, she felt a wholeness she’d never before felt.

  This moment was everything.

  This moment was perfect.

  Chapter Fourteen

  After hours of training with Raith with not a single break, Cade fell back onto the utterly uncomfortable thing that was supposedly a bed.

  When they had crossed the threshold between the Summer Court and Darkland, Cade had felt a wave of coldness wash over him. The Summer sunshine had warmed him, heightening his connection to his magic. The Darkland, however, felt like death. Its sky was an eternal gray.

  They’d been instructed to pitch their tents in a field of nothing but dirt that was also gray. In the distance stood a structure that Cade guessed was the castle. He’d noticed Raith avoiding even a glance in that direction.

  As soon as their tents were set up, they were instructed to get to practicing.

  Cade had expected an hour or so of sparring before they’d be allowed to go back to their tents, but no, that was not the case. Over three hours had passed before they’d been allowed to break.

  “Tired, brother?” Raith asked as he stepped inside the tent with two plates of food in his hands.

  Cade sat up. “I’ll survive.”

  There wasn’t any point in complaining, especially since the entire Summer Army was forced to do the same. None of them asked any questions or gave any gripes, so Cade would just have to suck it up.

  Raith handed him a plate. “Eat up. Rumor has it we don’t get to break for long.”

  Cade resisted a groan.

  As Raith had predicted, before they’d even had a chance to finish their food, a horn blared, calling them back outside.

  They followed the crowd forming toward the front of the camp. As everyone slowed, Cade looked ahead and nearly choked when he saw who stood at the front of the soldiers.

  Morta waited, her chin held high, as the rest of the Summer Army gathered around. Nevina and Ajax hovered to her left, Kassandra on her right with Nona a few feet further back. All were dressed in black, which seemed normal for any of the Fates, but Cade had never seen Nevina in anything light colors.

  The Summer Army wasn’t the only group gathered. Soldiers surrounded Morta and the others on every side. Had the Autumn and Winter armies come to the Darkland to train too?

  Raith stiffened next to Cade. “Keep your head down. We don’t know if Morta can somehow see through your glamour.”

  The brothers shifted to the right, behind two taller soldiers.

  If Morta could sense Cade in the crowd, things would not end well. The best Cade could hope for in that scenario was a quick death. But he doubted he’d be so lucky. Morta would make an example of him. Would she torture him in front of his own people? Would they try to stop her?

  A few minutes later, Morta’s voice carried through the crowd. “Welcome to the Darkland. Your queens and king have sent you here as we prepare for our attack against our enemies.”

  Raith looked at Cade and rolled his eyes.

  Morta continued. “Things are changing in the fae world. Those who once tried to oppress us will now see the monsters they’ve created. We will make them pay for what they’ve done. Blood will pour from their bodies. We will not hold back.”

  In all the times he’d listened to her speak, he’d never heard her talk so morbidly.

  “We will create a new order in all the realms,” Morta said. “Those who follow me will be rewarded. Those who defy me will pay.”

  No one spoke, but Cade saw the side glances of all the soldiers around him. Did they trust her words?

  Cade couldn’t resist a peek through the soldiers in front of him.

  A fire had been lit behind Morta, its glow turning her into a silhouette. “Rest up tonight. Tomorrow, we attack.”

  Scarlett dreamed of Kaelem’s body close to hers, his stare holding her as if she was as precious as crystal.

  But something pulled her from the pleasant thoughts as a vision took hold.

  A dark gray sky hovered above as an army circled around a blazing bonfire.

  In front of the flames were five figures all dressed in black. The crowd of soldiers was silent as the center figure—Morta—spoke, “We will create a new order in all the realms. Those who follow me will be rewarded. Those who defy me will pay.”

  No one spoke, but the soldiers looked at each other, unreadable expressions on their faces.

  Sparks flew from the fire, floating through air until they fizzled out into nothing.

  Vengeance filled Morta’s stare. “Rest up tonight. Tomorrow, we attack.”

  Scarlett surged up in the bed.

  The battle was coming sooner than she anticipated. They weren’t ready. She didn’t know how to defeat Morta. Her people were counting on her. Her fae court allies were counting on her. And she didn’t want to let them down.

  Kaelem rolled over and groggily opened his eyes. “Everything okay?”

  “Morta is ready to attack. I had another vision.” Suddenly too warm, Scarlett lifted the blankets off her legs.

  Kaelem sat up. “What did you see?”

  “A huge army listening to her talk. She said they’re going to attack tomorrow.” Panic rose up Scarlett’s throat.

  Last night had been wonderful, a perfect moment free from the pressure of everything and everyone. But reality had come back, swinging with a vengeance.

  Kaelem got up and got dressed as Scarlett slipped her dress back on.

  She met him at the edge of the bed and leaned into his embrace.

  When she pulled back, she met his gaze. “I need you to do something.”

  “Anything.” His hands held the small of her back.

  “You need to leave me here. Go warn everyone that Morta is coming. We need everyone there to fight if we hope to stand a chance.”

  “But what about you? We need you there more than anyone else.”

  “I will be there soon. Cerise will help me to the Spirit Realm so I can find out whatever Dana wanted me to know.” Scarlett brought her hand up to his face, resting her fingers on his cheek.

  He leaned into her embrace. “And if you don’t make it out of there on time?”

  “I will.” She lifted herself on to her tiptoes and pressed her mouth to his. She would never tire of the taste of his mouth and the pulse of electricity that traveled through her when they kissed.

  With a deep breath, he pulled away. “If I don’t leave now, I don’t know if I’ll be able to.”

  “I’ll see you soon,” she said, knowing full well she had no idea when, or if, she’d see him again.

  He turned and, without a glance back, left the room.

  Scarlett closed her eyes and waited long enough for him to leave the mansion. She didn’t want to second-guess herself. She knew what needed to be done.

  After a few minutes, Scarlett returned to the room she’d met Cerise in the night before.

  She knocked and entered without waiting for permission. Time was running out, and she needed to get into and out of the Spirit Realm as soon as possible.

  Cerise stood by the window on the far side of the room, dressed in the same outfit she wore the day before. “I knew you’d choose to risk it.” She turned to face Scarlett, a grin on her face.

  “I had a vision. Morta’s army will attack soon. I need to learn what I can so I can defeat her.”

  Cerise walked to the bed. “Lie down on your back.”

  As Scarlett followed her command, Cerise pulled a vial of liquid and a tall candlestick out of a bedside drawer. “When you drink this, you will fall into a deep slumber. There, you will face three challenges before you meet the truth you seek. If you don’t make it to the end by the time the wick burns out, you will be trapped forever. “

  Scarlett nodded. “Got it.”

  Maybe she was being an idiot. Maybe she should trust her power and find a way to fight Morta, even
if she couldn’t kill her. But if Dana had wanted Cerise to help her into the Spirit Realm, it must have been for a reason.

  Her mind was made up.

  She took the vial from Cerise and pressed it to her lips. As she tilted her head back, the liquid slid down her throat and the world around her faded away.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Sage heard Jade’s voice as she awoke from a deep slumber.

  The last thing she remembered was watching the life fade from Tamara’s eyes. A sense of euphoria had rushed through her knowing she’d done it. Tamara had paid the ultimate price for killing Vienna.

  The poison had caused her vision to flicker, and within seconds of winning the battle, Sage had passed out.

  As she stirred awake, she realized she hadn’t died.

  “Sage?” Jade asked.

  A cool, wet cloth wiped Sage’s head. She tried to speak, but her voice was nothing more than a mumble.

  “You’re okay,” Jade said. “We gave you the antidote in time.”

  “How did you know?” Sage’s voice cracked, but she managed to get out actual words this time.

  She opened her eyes to see Jade wiping her face.

  “Your skin was turning green and, well, no one was surprised that Tamara would cheat.” Jade removed the cloth from Sage’s skin and dipped it into a bowl of water.

  Sage tried to sit up, but her muscles were weak. “Vienna’s body?”

  She was set to burn when the moon climaxed in the sky. It was Woodland tradition. If Sage had slept through it as her body fought the poison, she would have missed it.

  “It’s going to burn in a half hour.” Jade lifted Sage up and helped her rest on a pile of pillows. “Your body will need at least the rest of the night to recover. I can petition that we postpone the burning.”

  “No.” Sage slid her legs to the side of the bed. “We can’t disregard the ritual. I must go to her now.” As her feet hit the ground, she pushed herself up. Her knees wobbled, but she was able to support her own weight, barely.