The Faerie Wand (Dark World: The Faerie Games Book 4)

by Michelle Madow

  The Faerie Wand

  Dark World: The Faerie Games 4

  Michelle Madow

  Dreamscape Publishing

  CHARACTER LIST

  Selena Pearce: Chosen champion of Jupiter, the king of the gods. Lightning magic. Half faerie, half witch. Her faerie magic is bound and her witch magic has yet to show. Adopted daughter of Queen Annika Pearce (the Earth Angel), and Prince Jacen Pearce (vampire.) Biological daughter of Prince Devyn Kavanagh (fae gifted with omniscient sight) and Camelia Conrad (powerful witch.) Soulmate of Julian Kane. Lives in Avalon, but has been kidnapped to the Otherworld.

  Julian Kane: Chosen champion of Mars, the god of war. Combat magic, and the ability to pull weapons from the ether. Half-blood faerie, with bound faerie magic. Soulmate of Selena Pearce. Lives in the Otherworld.

  Torrence Devereux: Powerful witch. Daughter of Amber Devereux (powerful light magic witch) and an unnamed father. Best friend of Selena Pearce. Lives in Avalon during the weekdays, and at the Devereux mansion in Beverly Hills on the weekends.

  Reed Holloway: Mage. Younger brother of the triplet mages that helped found Avalon—Iris, Dahlia, and Violet Holloway. Has lived in the mage realm of Mystica for most of his life, and moved to Avalon a few weeks ago. He’s betrothed to a princess in Mystica.

  Thomas Bettencourt: Half vampire, half wolf shifter. Gifted with magic over technology. Leader of the Bettencourt vampire coven, which is based in a luxury hotel in Chicago. Mated with Sage Montgomery. Lives in Avalon.

  Sage Montgomery: Half wolf shifter, half vampire. Alpha of the Montgomery wolf pack, which is based in Hollywood Hills, LA. Mated with Thomas Bettencourt. Lives part time in Avalon, and part time with the Montgomery pack.

  Sorcha: Empress of the Otherworld. She’s worried about a deadly plague spreading in the west. She’s concerned about the plague crossing the Eastern Mountains and spreading in the east, where the citadel—the most populated part of the Otherworld—is located.

  Lavinia Foster: Powerful dark magic witch, with demon ancestors. Lilith (a greater demon) sent Lavinia to the Otherworld with Lilith’s daughter, Fallon, so Lavinia and Fallon can exterminate the fae. Lavinia created a plague using Fallon’s demon blood to do the dirty work for them.

  Chosen champions for this year’s Faerie Games (all are half-blood fae who live in the Otherworld):

  Antonia: Chosen champion of Apollo, the god of archery and music. Perfect aim. Hooked up with Felix. Killed in the sixth week of the Faerie Games, by Julian.

  Bridget: Chosen champion of Minerva, the goddess of war strategy. Future sight magic. Killed in the second week of the Faerie Games, by Selena.

  Cassia: Chosen champion of Ceres, the goddess of agriculture. Earth magic. Believed she was in a relationship with Felix. Killed in the fourth week of the Faerie Games by Pierce, after an intense torture session by Octavia.

  Cillian: Chosen champion of Pluto, the god of the Underworld. Metal magic. Killed in the third week of the Faerie Games, by Octavia.

  Emmet: Chosen champion of Mercury, the messenger god. Air magic. Was in a relationship with Pierce. Killed in the seventh week of the Faerie Games, by Octavia.

  Felix: Chosen champion of Venus, the goddess of love. Seduction magic. Seduced Antonia, Cassia, and Octavia. Killed in the eighth week of the Faerie Games, by Selena.

  Molly: Chosen champion of Diana, the goddess of hunting. Animal shifting magic. Killed in the first week of the Faerie Games, by Octavia.

  Octavia: Chosen champion of Neptune, the god of the sea. Water magic. Believed she was in a relationship with Felix. Killed in the eighth week of the Faerie Games, by Selena.

  Pierce: Chosen champion of Vulcan, the god of fire. Fire magic. Was in a relationship with Emmet. Killed in the fifth week of the Faerie Games, by Octavia.

  Gods we’ve met so far:

  Bacchus: God of wine and celebration. He hosts the Faerie Games.

  Juno: Queen of the gods, and the goddess of marriage and family. Juno creates the rules of the Faerie Games.

  Venus: Goddess of love. She marks soulmates. She helped Selena and Julian figure out a loophole in the rules of the Faerie Games.

  Vesta: Goddess of the hearth. She lives in the villa with the chosen champions and acts as a neutral mother figure to them.

  Vejovis: God of healing. He fully heals the champions who aren’t killed in the arena, so they’re physically ready for the next challenges.

  WHERE WE LAST LEFT EVERYONE:

  Selena and Julian were the final two players in the Faerie Games, and refused to kill each other. They proposed to Juno that since there’s no rule for what happens when there are soulmates as the final two of the Games, that Juno should add a new rule to the Games for this situation. Juno’s new rule is that if the two of them can complete a dangerous quest given to them by the Empress of the Otherworld, they can both live. If they fail the quest, they’ll die. The Empress’s quest is that Julian and Selena must find the Holy Wand of legend and bring it to the citadel.

  King Devin—ruler of the violent vampire kingdom, The Tower—sent Torrence, Reed, Sage, and Thomas on a quest to find four mythical objects. If they bring him the objects, he’ll tell them how to get to the Otherworld so they can rescue Selena. The four of them have successfully retrieved Aphrodite’s girdle and Circe’s staff. Now, they must retrieve the Nemean Lion’s hide and the egg of the Phoenix to complete their quest.

  Will Selena and Julian find the Holy Wand? Will Torrence, Reed, Sage, and Thomas find the final two objects? And most importantly, at what cost?

  Turn the page to find out…

  1

  Selena

  I woke with Julian’s arms around me. Warm, safe comfort. Cocooned next to him with my eyes still closed, I could pretend we were in my room in Avalon.

  But we weren’t in Avalon.

  We were in the Otherworld. In a country villa outside of the citadel, to be exact.

  After the Empress had exiled us beyond the city walls, many fae had watched in curiosity as we started down the main road. But none of them offered to help. If we looked their way, they drove off in their carriages, scattering like we had the plague.

  Drained from using so much magic during the final Faerie Games competition, I could barely walk without Julian’s support. So when an elegant carriage had stopped in front of us and the faerie princess inside had offered us shelter for the night, we couldn’t refuse.

  I could barely keep my eyes open on the way to her villa. All I remembered was her telling Julian that she was a friend of the Empress, and that she had some sort of connection to Earth.

  She’d had a servant show us to the guest room. I hadn’t bothered changing out of my singed, muddy dress before collapsing onto the gigantic bed and falling asleep.

  That dress was nothing like the smooth, silk fabric currently against my skin.

  I rolled over and opened my eyes. Julian’s ice blue ones gazed down at me. His chest was bare, and his lips curved into a small smile, his blond hair glowing in the sunlight that beamed through the window.

  He was a golden god. And he was mine.

  I couldn’t believe I was lucky enough to have him as my soulmate.

  “Please tell me you were the one who changed my clothes,” I said groggily, wiping the sleep out of my eyes.

  “Someone had to get you out of that filthy thing.” He glanced appreciatively over my body. “The princess didn’t want you dirtying her sheets, so I sponged you down, too. Privately, of course.”

  A thrill tingled down my spine at the dream-like memory of Julian massaging the sponge over every inch of my body.

  H
e brushed his thumb over my cheek, pulled my face to his, and kissed me.

  How did he taste so fresh, even in the morning? It must have been an Otherworld thing. Everything here was smoother, crisper, more radiant.

  A sparkling facade to mask the sinister shadows lurking beneath the surface.

  We eventually pulled apart, and I trailed my fingers along his toned, muscular biceps. Even though the gods had given us immortality when they’d gifted us with their magic—a fact I hadn’t let myself dwell on while we were playing in the Games—I’d never be able to get enough of Julian. Especially when we were in the center of a plush, four-poster bed in a magnificent room fit for royalty.

  “How long was I asleep?” I asked.

  “Twelve hours.” He propped himself up against the mound of pillows and rested his head in his hand. “How do you feel?”

  I reached inside myself, and my magic hummed and crackled. “Better,” I said. “My magic feels back to normal.” I wiggled my fingers, and electricity buzzed between them as proof.

  The light reflected in his eyes, desire swirling within them. “How much better?” he asked, lowering his hand to caress the outside of my thigh.

  My core ignited, and I rolled on top of him, wrapping my legs around his hips. “Much, much better,” I said, kissing him on the sensitive spots along his collarbone in between each word.

  He groaned, and his hands went to my waist.

  My lips were almost on his again when a loud knock sounded on the door.

  I straightened and whipped my head around, glaring as if whoever was interrupting us could see through the door.

  Julian sat up, captured my lips with his, and coaxed me back down on top of him. “Ignore them,” he murmured, bringing the comforter up to my shoulders so it tented around us. “Be quiet, and they’ll think we’re still asleep.”

  I moaned a soft yes and sank into his kisses, throbbing with desire as I moved my hips slowly against his. My hands wandered to the top of his breeches, and I tugged at them, desperate for my fill of him.

  Another knock, more insistent this time.

  I groaned and flopped down on my back beside Julian. My breathing was heavy, and my face was heated. The covers moved as he adjusted his breeches. His cheeks were as flushed as mine felt, his jaw muscles tense as he reined himself in.

  I needed a shower. A cold one. That was something I missed from Avalon. Having the option of showers or baths.

  Although I wouldn’t mind a repeat of that sponge bath…

  I was still trying to compose myself as the doorknob twisted and the door swung open.

  A half-blood servant stood before us, his arms straight by his sides. “Apologies,” he said, not meeting either of our eyes. “The afternoon meal is ready, and Princess Ryanne ordered me to escort you to the dining room immediately after you woke.”

  I curled my fingers into my palms, stopping myself from flinging lightning at the door to shut it in his face.

  Princess Ryanne was the only fae who’d offered us shelter. I doubted she’d appreciate it if I accidentally started a fire in her villa.

  Julian took a deep breath and sat up. “We need time to get presentable,” he said.

  “Prince Redmond and Princess Ryanne are impatient for you to join them. You may come as you are.” The half-blood glanced at Julian’s bare, sculpted chest and cleared his throat. “Although I do recommend putting on a shirt.”

  2

  Selena

  The servant led us to the dining room, where three fae were sitting around a banquet table covered in trays of exotic fruits, small sandwiches with the crusts cut off, and sweetmeats. Bouquets of bright flowers sat between each platter, and glasses of honey wine had already been poured.

  The fae rose from their chairs when Julian and I entered.

  Princess Ryanne stood at the head of the table to my left. A dainty crown of green leaves sat upon her head, perfectly contrasting with her long platinum hair. Her wings glowed turquoise—I remembered the turquoise from when I was in her carriage.

  A man with dark hair, fiery red wings, and stern topaz eyes stood at the opposite end of the table. I assumed he was Prince Redmond. He, like Princess Ryanne, appeared to be in his mid-to-late twenties.

  A young man around Julian’s age stood at the center of the table, facing us. He shared Princess Ryanne’s platinum hair, although his wings were orange, and his topaz eyes matched Prince Redmond’s.

  They were all dressed in simple but beautiful daytime clothing woven with threads of silver and gold.

  Julian and I looked out of place, no matter how luxurious the silk pajamas were. But I held my head high, unwilling to show an ounce of intimidation. We were chosen champions. Our magic was equal in strength—or even stronger—than the fae.

  The young man in the center smiled immediately. “Dante must have really rushed you out of that bedroom, didn’t he?” he asked.

  “Aiden,” Princess Ryanne chided, and I ran my fingers through my hair to get out any tangles. “Apologies on behalf of my son,” she said. “He has a tendency to say everything that pops into his mind.” She glared at him again, but he just rolled his amused eyes.

  “No apologies necessary,” Julian said. “It was very generous of you to invite us into your home.”

  “The food looks delicious,” I chimed in.

  My stomach growled, and Aiden chuckled.

  When was the last time I’d eaten?

  The tiny bit of bread I’d managed to get down yesterday morning before the final fight of the Faerie Games. And given the amount of magic I’d used during that fight… no wonder I was famished.

  “Come, sit.” Princess Ryanne motioned to the two place settings across from Aiden. “No fae is allowed to go hungry under our roof. No chosen champions, either.”

  I glanced at the servants standing silently behind them. “And the half-bloods?” I asked.

  Her smile tightened. “We keep them satiated, too,” she said, motioning to the table again. “Might I suggest the passion fruit? It’s the perfect season for it right now.”

  The little sandwiches caught my eye over the fruit, and my stomach growled again.

  I didn’t know what Princess Ryanne’s motives were for sheltering Julian and me for the night. But I didn’t need to be asked to sit down and eat twice.

  Because what better way was there to find out someone’s motives than over glasses of wine and a luncheon fit for royalty?

  Julian engaged the Gallagher family—that was Redmond, Ryanne, and Aiden’s last name—in civil chitchat as I inhaled more food than I’d ever eaten at once. I definitely polished off two platters of finger sandwiches on my own. And now that the Games were finally over, I even indulged in a glass of honey wine.

  Once I couldn’t swallow one more bite of food, I sat back in my chair and wrapped my arms around my full stomach.

  “If you want more sandwiches, let us know.” Aiden chuckled as he poured himself a third glass of wine. “There are plenty more where they came from.”

  “I think I’m good.” I also laughed. “But tha—” I stopped myself right before thanking him for the offer. “I’ll let you know if I get a second wind.”

  “Second wind?” Princess Ryanne held her tiny silver spoon above her passion fruit.

  “Sorry—it’s an Earth term,” I said. “In this case, it means if I get hungry again before we’ve finished lunch.”

  “Ah,” she said, although she still sounded slightly confused. “Yes. If you get a ‘second wind,’ do let us know.” She set her spoon down, straightened, and raised her chin. Her eyes were a stunning, deep shade of violet. “Anyway, I’m sure the two of you are wondering why we offered you shelter for the night.”

  I sat straighter, surprised by her openness.

  No way will she tell us so easily. Not without trying to get us to agree to a tricky fae bargain.

  “Yes,” Julian said. “It was kind of you to be so inviting when others were not, but I’ve been wondering if
there was more to it.”

  Aiden looked at me, at his mother, and then back at me again. “Come on,” he said with a friendly smile. “I know you’ve been focused on your food, but the resemblance is obvious.”

  Everything stilled, all eyes on me.

  He couldn’t mean…

  “Prince Devyn is my brother,” Ryanne said, and I sucked in a sharp breath as the connection sank in. “Which means you—Selena, the chosen champion of Jupiter—are my niece.”

  “Oh,” I said, unsure of what else to say. “Oh.”

  “Your father is keeping his distance because of the whole ‘not messing with the most likely future’ thing he’s so insistent about,” she prattled on, despite my obvious shock. “But I wasn’t about to let my niece—and her soulmate—embark on a dangerous quest with nothing but the shoes on their feet and the soiled clothes on their backs.”

  “I have my lightning,” I said defensively, my electricity spreading out in spiderwebs along my arms. “And Julian can pull weapons out of thin air.”

  Julian pulled a dinner knife out of the ether, smirked, and placed it next to his plate.

  Aiden’s eyes brightened at the display of his powers.

  No one else looked amused. Especially not Prince Redmond, who had been basically silent throughout the meal.

  “What about proper fighting gear?” Ryanne raised an eyebrow in challenge. “Dried food? Water bladders? Sleeping rolls? Transportation?”

  I frowned, since she might have had a point.