Work of Fate (Dual Court Kiss Book 2)

by Britt, Samantha

  “I would like to help in any way I can.”

  “I know you care for my granddaughter,” the queen said with kindness. “But I believe my husband will find your presence, here, inappropriate. Perhaps it is best for you to return to Winter Court. I will promise to send you any information regarding Gwen’s wellbeing the moment I learn of it.”

  Kalan’s Wrath flared in objection. He tried to control it. “I would be obliged if you let me stay.”

  Queen Orla’s eyes widened; she noticed the prince’s struggle to contain himself. “Prince Kalan? Are you alright?”

  Kalan offered a tight smile. “Yes. Just worried for Gwen.”

  The queen eyed him skeptically. “That is not everything, is it?

  Tell me,” she paused, seeming unsure of how to choose her words. “Are you still feeling… strangely… regarding Gwen?”

  The prince’s laugh sounded constricted. He lowered his eyes to the floor. “My feelings for her grow every day.”

  Queen Orla frowned. “That is troublesome.”

  “Not really,” Kalan countered while breathing in through his nose to calm himself. “Not with knowing what I know.”

  “And that is?”

  The prince lifted his head and drew his brows together in confusion. “Gwen did not tell you of the information we learned in Eirie?”

  The queen thought for a moment, then said, “I do not believe so.”

  Without hesitation, Kalan informed Queen Orla of the Elder’s reveal in Eirie.

  “Oh my,” the queen began to pace the room. The prince could see her struggling to accept the truth. “That is… interesting.”

  “Very.” Kalan added, rubbing his temples.

  “It explains why you have all the symptoms of Wrath, I suppose.”

  Kalan nodded. “That symptom, I could do without.”

  The queen gave him a knowing and compassionate smile. “It also explains the pain Gwen has been complaining of. It’s why Cai and I allowed her to visit Eirie in the first place.”

  Kalan’s heart tightened with the thought of Gwen in pain because of him. Even though he knew it was a sign of their lifemate status, he wished he could erase it for her.

  “I would do anything to protect Gwen from any pain or danger.” Kalan needed to express the extent of his emotion to one of the two fae in existence who knew what his devotion felt like. “She owns my heart, body, and soul.”

  Queen Orla moved towards him, and placed a soft hand on his arm. “I know.”

  “I came to help protect her,” Kalan said in a choked voice, returning to the issue at hand. “Is there any idea where she might be? My discomfort has lessened since I arrived in Summer Palace. Are you sure she is not here?”

  The queen’s lips pursed as she processed his short speech. “Positive, the palace has been searched from top to bottom.

  “Pray tell,” Queen Orla began, but hesitated for a moment. She looked unsure of herself when she asked, “How did you enter the palace?”

  Kalan believed the answer was obvious. “I fazed here.”

  The queen’s eyes widened. “Directly?”

  Kalan nodded slowly, unable to understand the meaning behind the queen’s change of expression.

  “That should not be possible,” she muttered, seemingly lost in thought.

  Kalan shrugged. “My mother’s informants revealed her soldiers were able to counteract the wards guarding Summer Court and the palace to gain entry for their attack.”

  “Yes, we know.” The queen continued to eye him quizzically. “But the Winter Fae did not faze into the palace. They walked, like all of the guests. If they managed to disarm the spell protecting the palace from entrance by fazing, why did they not utilize it?”

  Kalan frowned, not knowing what to offer by way of an explanation. “I do not know. Perhaps they did not lower the fazing ward? Maybe I can faze into Summer Palace because of my connection to Gwen?” He swallowed. “Maybe because of our shared blood?” He hated acknowledging their familial connection.

  Silence settled over them as the two fae contemplated the reasons behind Kalan’s access to the palace. Queen Orla shook her head and returned to their previous discussion.

  “Though Gwen is not here,” the queen began, “I believe you are feeling better because you are nearer to her personal space. In the beginning of our marriage, I recall giving Cai items of mine.” Queen Orla blushed, making her look even younger.

  “It would help him control his emotions when either of us would leave each other’s sides for extended periods of time,” she finished quickly.

  The prince couldn’t help but think the information would have been good to know weeks ago. He could have obtained things of Gwen’s to diminish his agony over their separation. It was pointless to think of what could have been, though. Kalan needed to focus on the future. On finding his lifemate.

  Where would Gwen be if not at Summer Court? In an instant, Kalan froze. His breath caught in his throat.

  Queen Orla noticed. “What is it?”

  The Elder’s voice floated across Kalan’s mind, causing icy fear to fill his veins.

  “Given the precariousness of your safety in the Fae Realm, we would also strongly insist your reunion take place and remain at Summer Court. Our Sight reveals you will be protected there.”

  “Something the Wise Ones told Gwen,” the prince managed to sound stronger than he felt. “They recommended Gwen not leave Summer Court. Their Sight allowed them to determine she would be safe here. They implied she would not be so anywhere else.”

  The queen paled. “Cai and I did not hear about that.”

  “I cannot believe this is happening.” Kalan began to pace the length of the room. “If my mother would have just stayed her hand. She lacks proof Gwen is responsible for the Human Realm disasters. She acted on pure speculation to protect my future, and she actually put my future in jeopardy by trying to harm my lifemate. Why won’t Fate intervene?” The prince wasn’t sure he wanted Fate to intervene; it caused a fair share of problems lately. Regardless, Kalan could not deny his devotion to the entity which worked to bring him and Gwen together.

  “Cai and I have written to both of your parents. We explained Gwen was without the use of her abilities during many of the disasters she was accused of causing. Your father seemed open to believing Gwen would be unable to bring about those events without the use of her powers, but your mother did not.”

  Kalan frowned. He had no knowledge his father received any such information, and felt irritated to be left out of the loop. However, he also felt relief to have more legitimate evidence absolving Gwen of involvement with the irregular occurrences in the Human Realm. If only his mother was not blinded by her righteous indignation, she might stop her crusade.

  “Is Gwen by herself?” Kalan was thinking where Gwen would go and did not doubt San Antonio would be high on the list. Maybe Ronan has already found her.

  “No.” The queen’s answer surprised him. “Duke Aeron was with her and Jai during the attack. We believe they left together.”

  Kalan leaned against the dark green wall. He was glad to know Gwen wasn’t wandering around unprotected, but disliked the variable the duke’s presence added to the situation. He could have fazed them out of Summer Palace and taken Gwen any number of places.

  A booming male voice approached the door the queen used to enter the room. Kalan pushed himself off the wall and straightened his posture as King Cai entered the room.

  “Your Majesty,” Kalan bowed low before the king could say a word.

  “Prince Kalan,” King Cai’s tone revealed his surprise and dismay. “What are you doing at my court?”

  “Cai,” the queen stepped between the males as Kalan raised himself to meet the king’s eyes. They were hard… and strained. The attack unnerved the king greatly.

  “The prince is here to help us find Gwen,” Queen Orla continued. “He already informed me the attack was initiated by his mother. King Kheelen and the prince had no
thing to do with it.”

  “And you believe him?” The king’s tone was much softer when speaking with his wife.

  “I do.” Queen Orla replied calmly.

  “Why?”

  “Because he is Gwen’s lifemate,” his wife answered without hesitation.

  The king’s eyes narrowed, and his disapproving look grew. “Impossible.”

  “It is not,” Queen Orla countered with confidence. “Let the prince and I explain why.”

  Chapter 27

  “Gwen, please open your eyes.”

  Gwen heard Aeron’s request, but found it difficult to comply. Her eyes seemed glued shut following her leap out of the Summer Palace window.

  “You are safe, Gwen,” Aeron’s voice was soft as he cupped her cheeks with his hands. “There is no need to worry. Don’t cry.”

  It wasn’t until he said the words that Gwen realized tears were streaming out of the corners of her eyes. She pried them open and saw Aeron’s blurry face inches from her own. She was laying on an unfamiliar couch, and Aeron was kneeling beside her head.

  Gwen couldn’t focus on anything but his face… and the last image she saw before they fazed out of Summer Court.

  “Ja-i?” Her throat constricted as she tried to speak her guard’s name, causing the word to break.

  Aeron wiped his thumbs under her eyes. “Shh. Take a breath and give yourself a chance to calm down.”

  Gwen shut her eyes again. His avoidance wasn’t a good sign. “Please,” she croaked. “Tell me.”

  Aeron’s hands slid from her face as he sighed. “You already know, Gwen.”

  “Oh, God.” Gwen’s tears increased. She turned her head into the back of the sofa and sobbed. Aeron remained by her side and pulled her hair away from her face. The tears soaked the fabric.

  After some time, Gwen heard Aeron whisper, “It is not your fault, Gwen.” It was unnerving how he seemed to know exactly where her mind went.

  “How can you say that? He was protecting me. The Winter Fae were there for me. This is all my fault.” She hiccupped.

  “Jai died doing his job. You are safe. He succeeded.”

  She didn’t acknowledge his words. “I can’t do this anymore. I. Can’t. Do. This. Anymore.”

  “You can and will,” Aeron’s voice was harsher than she expected.

  Gwen turned around to face him, shooting daggers with her eyes. Aeron’s face revealed his own anger, but also compassion. He knew she was suffering and felt sorry for her. Gwen’s desire to argue fizzled out of her. New tears started to fall.

  “I’m not cut out for this.”

  Aeron’s eyes softened, losing evidence of his own frustration. “For what, exactly?”

  Gwen sniffled. “Being Fae. A princess. Trying to live up to my grandparents expectations. To you and Ian’s expectations. For dealing with Kalan. All of it. Take your pick.”

  Aeron looked genuinely taken aback. “What expectations do you presume I have?”

  Gwen let out one disbelieving laugh. “That’s what you focus on?”

  He shrugged. “It is the only complaint I can personally address. So, I ask again, what expectations do I have?”

  Gwen looked up to the high-beamed ceiling. “The same as every Summer Fae, I guess.”

  “Please elaborate.” Aeron would not let up.

  Gwen tried to think of how best to answer. She frowned in concentration. What did she think Aeron expected of her? She blushed as she recalled the kiss they shared in her rooms. She would not bring that up.

  “Haven’t we been friends?” Aeron asked. “Have I failed in acting as a confidant for you?”

  Surprised, Gwen turned to look him in the eyes. “Of course not,” she replied. “It’s just…”

  “What?”

  She looked back at the ceiling. “I don’t know. It’s how I feel with all Summer Fae. Everyone thinks I will do great things for Summer Court. They’re happy to know their royal bloodline isn’t going to end with my grandparents, but all I want to do is return to my life before any of this happened. I want to be a doctor. I want to get married and have kids one day. Running for my life isn’t what I expected when I first learned about being Fae.”

  Gwen inhaled repeatedly to catch her breath. She didn’t turn to look at Aeron’s reaction to her words. Instead, she continued to unleash her pent-up thoughts and emotions, “I want to be normal. Like before. I’m not meant for the role Summer Fae are trying to fit me in.”

  “No one is trying to fit you into a role, Gwen,” Aeron countered softly. “You and the role are one and the same.

  “And,” he reached out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “You were never normal. Could never be normal.”

  “Is that supposed to make me feel better?” Gwen asked with strained humor. “That I’m a freak?”

  She could hear the smile in Aeron’s voice. “Are you insinuating all Fae are freaks?”

  “No,” she whispered. “Just the dual-court one raised in the Human Realm, with no idea who or what she was. The fool who didn’t know the implications of her existence on those she cares about.”

  “Things occur the way Fate orchestrates them to,” Aeron offered in comfort, but the effort fell flat.

  Gwen scowled, thinking of all the trouble “fate” caused her and those around her. “You will have to forgive my lack of trust in fate. I’m not really a fan.”

  “You don’t have to be.” Aeron’s words were not reproachful. “But that does not negate the truth of my words.”

  Gwen opened her mouth to argue, but blew out an exhausted breath instead. Arguing wouldn’t make a difference in her situation. With that thought, Gwen scanned her surroundings.

  She was on a fancy ivory couch. She saw light blue pillows adorning the furniture around the room. The house was nicely decorated, but not as formal as the palaces Gwen lived in the past few months. Though, it seemed vaguely familiar.

  Gwen shivered as she registered the cool air temperature. Her gown did little to keep her body heat from dissipating into the room.

  “You are cold.” Aeron stood and walked to a wicker basket against the nearest wall. He withdrew a thick, mink blanket and returned to Gwen’s side. He fanned it over her. She was surprised by the weight of it. Her shivers slowly subsided.

  “Thank you,” Gwen snuggled deeper into the blanket. She turned on her side to look at Aeron as he sat on the wooden coffee table, facing her.

  “My pleasure.” Aeron smiled softly, watching her.

  “Where are we?” Gwen watched Aeron’s face become expressionless. It betrayed nothing.

  “Do you have a guess?”

  She did, but Gwen could not imagine the implications if she was right. She simply gave Aeron a searching look.

  A corner of the duke’s mouth turned up, and he verified her unspoken answer. “We’re in Winter Court.”

  “What?” Gwen sat up too quickly, causing her head to spin. “Woah,” she murmured, slumping sideways onto her locked left arm.

  “Careful,” Aeron instructed, leaning forward to help hold her up by her shoulders.

  “I’m fine,” Gwen told him as the room came back into focus.

  Aeron nodded but did not move away from her.

  Now that Gwen knew where they were, she realized why the space looked familiar. There was no question it was decorated in a style similar to Winter Palace.

  Gently, Aeron began lowering Gwen back down. “You need to rest.”

  Gwen thought about arguing, but she knew she was in bad shape. The events of the evening sapped her of most of her energy. She allowed Aeron to tuck the blanket around her neck as she laid back down.

  “What if someone finds us?” Gwen asked with halfhearted worry. In truth, she was too tired to care if anyone found them at the moment. Her body and mind were shutting down.

  “Don’t fret,” Aeron rubbed his hand up and down Gwen’s arm. “I’ll keep watch. Rest.” His voice faded into the air between them as Gwen drifted off to sleep
.

  ***

  “Can you ice-skate, Lady Gwen?”

  Gwen couldn’t hide her excitement as she bounced on her toes. Kalan was going to freeze the pond so they could skate!

  “Not me. You.” Gwen grew wary of his playful smile. He was crazy.

  “I thought you were driven, Lady Gwen,” he challenged following her refusal. “I didn’t think you were one to give up before even trying.”

  Gwen hated she couldn’t ignore his bait. She walked to the pond in the Winter Garden and began working on freezing the large body of water.

  She felt the air shifting around her. She pulled in power from the environment; the sensations overwhelmed her senses. She breathed through the onslaught of Summer and Winter power coursing through her body.

  “Wow,” Kalan whispered in wonder.

  The pair observed her flawless creation.

  “I knew you were powerful, but I had no idea you were capable of this. You could rival any of us royals with your strength.” Gwen blossomed under his appraisal. She worked so hard to master her abilities. It was wonderful to accomplish something with them.

  “You are amazing.” His reverent words squeezed her heart. Gwen could not ignore her complete absence of pain. It has to be him.

  “I’m sure I’m ordinary.” Please tell me I’m wrong.

  “There is nothing ordinary about you.” His eyes peered directly into her soul. “I knew that from the moment I saw you.”

  His hands cradled her head, lighting sparks beneath their touch.

  “Gwen?” A distant voice called. Gwen looked at Kalan’s mouth. The words did not come from him.

  “Gwen?” Kalan’s hands stroked her face gently. She was drowning in his blue eyes, soaking in their adoration when they suddenly changed to emerald green.

  Gwen jerked back, but Kalan’s hands held her head in place.

  “Wake up, Gwen.” Slowly, Kalan’s face began to change. His eyelashes lightened, accompanied by his eyebrows. His adoration morphed into worry.