“The post…can’t leave it…”
Panic exploded in my chest, making my ears ring. I was just twenty feet from the guard shack and once they were here, I’d have no way to slip back undetected.
I had to think and fast. Letting them wander around wasn’t working any longer. If they kept chasing this phantom fox, they’d get suspicious.
You’re bored. Gossip. What about Onyx? I felt the guards’ shields relax. With trembling hands, I dug out the third plant.
“Can’t believe the generals actually signed the order,” a guard said.
“She’s so young and inexperienced.” A second one backed him up as I pushed the dirt and pine needles back into place, covering the holes, and gathered the plants and the shovel into my arms.
“But she seems sharp and talented. Haven’t seen something like her in a long time,” another guard disagreed.
I broke into a run as the fourth guard said, “What the hell? Why are we standing here?”
You’re bored! Talk about some upcoming event. They were catching on. Without being able to come up with another thought, I ran across the snow-covered part of the river, not caring about leaving footprints now, expecting an arrow in my back. But I reached the boulder, hoping my last command had kept them occupied long enough for me to escape. Nathan grabbed my arm and pulled me down just as one of the guard’s voices rang out.
“Someone’s here.” Weapons were drawn with a series of clicks.
“Notify the others. It’s either a spy or an intruder.”
I pressed into Nathan, feeling his tense muscles against my body, but not caring how inappropriate this was. I didn’t want to die. If these guards brought us to Onyx, she would pardon us, but I doubted King Peter would be as kind.
“Footprints!”
Panic surged into my chest. “What do we do now?” I whispered. “We can’t run, but we also can’t wait until they return with reinforcements.” There was too much open space between the boulder and the trees.
“Hold on tight to the plants.” Nathan maneuvered me around so that my back was firmly pressed against his front. Despite all the fear, a different type of tingling invaded me as our hips lined up. I might be a virgin, but I wasn’t a stranger to other things, and right now, my body begged me to get more from Nathan. “Trust me,” he whispered in a husky voice, and pulled me up into a standing position. Instinctively, I leaned into him. His arms wrapped around my waist, and his wings flashed in my periphery. Oh lord, he was going to fly us out of here.
“Trust me,” he breathed into my ear again, his voice calming. We took to the sky, rising into the icy haze, and I realized that fortunately for us it had grown so foggy up here that I could barely see a foot ahead. Both dressed in white, we would blend into the sky and escape the Winter warriors. But would Nathan be able to find the location of the portal in these conditions?
After a few minutes of flight, Nathan lowered us with grace. The snowy ground came back into focus. The wind slashed through my coat, but Nathan’s body warmed me. It was only when we landed in the area of thin trees and crunchy snow that I noticed the tiny ripple in the air in front of us. Nathan glared at it, concentrating, probably using telepathy with Caleb, and it grew.
Shouts and footsteps rang out behind us. The reinforcements had arrived.
“They couldn’t have gone far!” a female voice shouted.
The portal grew big enough for us to step in, green and shimmering, and revealed plants and grass, a bright sun, and Caleb grinning.
“There’s something over there!” someone shouted as Nathan and I jumped into the portal. We landed on the grass. My heart hammered as behind us, half a dozen Winter fae hurried for the portal. But before they could reach it, it snapped shut.
“That was a close call.” Caleb whistled and pushed off a tree trunk.
“Do you think they saw us?” My heart beat like a drum. “Can they reopen the portal?” Would this be considered an act of war?
Caleb waved my questions away. “Nah. We constantly invade each other’s territories. They’ll think you’re just regular spies. And no, they won’t reopen the portal. Most guards don’t have the ability. But even if they could, all they saw was the Summer Court. They won’t know where they need to go exactly.”
I glanced at the Varsara Center, which was conveniently not in direct sight where the portal had been. So this was why we had chosen this particular spot for the portal.
“I see you got what you came for.” Caleb took the snowdrops from me, and I was glad I had managed not to crush them. “I’ll deliver them to the king. I have to see him for lunch anyway.”
I didn’t mind not seeing the king. I’d had enough adrenaline for one day, but I glanced at Nathan, expecting him to protest. To my surprise, he nodded. “Thank you, Caleb. I’ll debrief Virgie.”
Caleb started toward the Vasara Center, and I was about to follow him when Nathan caught my wrist. “Perhaps we could relax after everything and have lunch here.” At my quizzical gaze, he added, “A picnic.”
I nodded. “That would be nice.” A bit of time to compose myself before facing the others was good. Plus, the further we were from everyone, the likelier Nathan would tell me more about the king and his plans.
I paced, trying to get the adrenaline to wear off. Yes. It would be good to spend more time outside of the closed Vasara Center. A servant fae, probably summoned by Caleb, brought us a blanket and a basket, which held sandwiches with lox, avocado, and cream cheese as well as an insulated bottle filled with a light-yellow drink with a citrus scent. Nathan spread out a blanket as I surveyed the offerings, my heart slowing down to its regular pace.
“What will this do to me?” I sniffed the citrusy concoction after Nathan poured me a glass.
“It will replenish your energy. It’s mostly made from lemons.” Nathan took a sip, and I followed suit, loving the sourness exploding on my tongue. I unwrapped my mozzarella tomato sandwich and inhaled it in two bites. It was yummy, and I was starving.
“You did well,” Nathan said.
“I alerted the guards.”
He shrugged. “They would be bad guards if they hadn’t noticed us.”
I blinked. “So, you expected them to realize we were there?”
“Yes. How you would act under the pressure was part of the test, and you passed.”
I pressed my lips together, a flash of anger crossing my heart. “Why didn’t you tell me this before? I nearly died when I realized I couldn’t stop them from looking my way.”
Nathan leaned back on his elbows. “It was important to see how you reacted in a high-stress situation. It’s not high stress when you know everything that’s about to happen.”
“Okay.” He had a point and the softness in his voice melted away my anger. “What happens now?”
He smiled. “King Peter will be satisfied. He’ll give a speech, letting everyone in the Summer Court know that the Everstons are once again officially working for him.”
“Everston,” I corrected, shivering on the inside. Getting closer to the king was good, but more limelight also meant more scrutiny, which was the last thing I needed.
“I’m really proud of you.” Nathan’s face softened. “You barely needed me there.”
I grinned. “I told you I was strong.”
Pain invaded his features, and his mask came down for a precious second. “It’s not easy to let others stand on their own feet after watching helplessly as your family gets butchered.”
I gasped, speechless at this sudden revelation. Nathan blinked, his eyes widening as if he couldn’t understand how the past had made it past his sealed lips. Turning away from me, he packed up the basket in a few quick moves and rose. I followed suit, unable to do anything but stare at him as he folded the blanket. He avoided my gaze, and I stayed silent, sensing that no matter what I said, it would only make everything worse. Losing one’s family was one thing, but seeing your parents killed in front of you was unthinkable.
C
hapter 18
Nathan and I walked back to the Vasara Training Center in silence. It was clear from his tense jaw that he regretted letting me see his scars. I wanted to grab his elbow, or pat his shoulder, or something, but I didn’t, afraid I’d make everything worse.
“King Peter practically raised you,” I blurted, unable to hold in my thoughts any longer. “It’s no wonder you serve him so well.” Could I dismantle the only security Nathan felt? Did I want to? One thing was clear: to influence Nathan and stop the coming war, as well as the sacrifice of Peony, Kristen, and the other former earthbound fae, I had to work on his stubborn loyalty.
“Yes.” Nathan’s professional tone returned. “Nerissa and I are grateful.”
Did you make a vow to King Peter? The question danced on my tongue, but refused to come out.
We entered the gate of Vasara, which closed behind Nathan, and stepped onto the flowering grounds. I didn’t have much time to get more information out of Nathan, so I tried one last time. “King Peter puts a lot on your shoulders.”
Nathan nodded and frowned slightly. “It is a lot of pressure. I am the youngest High Commander in the history of the Summer Court. Everyone is watching me.”
I recognized my chance. “I can imagine. I feel the same way.” I bit my lip, knowing I needed to show vulnerability, but not wanting him to think me incapable. “At least you don’t have Pierre trying to dress you every day.”
My attempt to lighten the mood worked, because Nathan eyed his white suit and offered me one of his rare smiles. “That is a relief indeed.” I laughed, wondering how I could bring out that sense of humor more. But the sparkle in Nathan’s silver eyes quickly died. “My position carries a lot of responsibility.” His gaze flicked to the sides, but we were alone on the front grounds of Vasara. Classes were in session and all the fae would either be packed in classrooms or out back, training with weapons. “Sometimes I wish I were born a low-level fae. A guard to follow easy rules, not make decisions that could impact thousands.”
“Soldiers die all the time.” The words shot out of me before I could stop them.
Nathan flinched. “Trust me, Virgie, I understand the horrors of war.” I felt his magic flare with tension. “I may be a High Commander, but a High Commander goes into a fight with his troops. And I saw the horrors of war as a child.” Nathan took a step closer, sadness in his eyes.
My breath hitched as I had to admit that there was so much more to this High Commander than his unyielding loyalty to the king.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, knowing I couldn’t push him further today, yet also understanding that this was the beginning of a change. Since trust had to go both ways, I added, “I understand if you’re not ready to talk about the details. I’ve been through some things myself at Nocturnal Academy.” I choked up for a second. I had never spoken of the Wild Hunt to anyone, yet with Nathan I suddenly had the urge to share. “The vampires planned to violate, then kill me. They made me feel like I was nothing…shit, I don’t know why I said all of this. Forget it.”
Nathan’s gaze blazed with anger, and I stumbled back. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you.” He pinched the space between his brows. “I wish I could go after each and every one of the vampires who hurt you and make them pay.”
But he couldn’t. He was loyal to the king and would stay by his side until the king announced it was time for war.
“What about the breeding program here?” I dared to ask. “Will it be like that?”
Now, it was Nathan’s turn to flinch. “Neither I nor my parents ever approved of it, and it hasn’t been put into motion yet. If we all work together and restore the health of the Summer Court, it might never have to be put it into motion. As an Everston, you can create peace in our lands, which will heal them.”
I nodded slowly. So Nathan had some capability to think on his own. “You really think I can do it?”
Nathan smiled. “Absolutely.”
We walked in silence for a moment before my thoughts turned to the Everston who had served the king before me. “Did your parents know my father?” Had my father not been as skilled as Nathan in compartmentalizing? Had King Peter driven my father to drink?
Nathan sighed. “I’m sorry, but I already told you all I knew about your father.”
I bit my lip. “How about your family?”
He took a breath. “My family had a vacation home near the border of the Summer lands, on the shore of a beautiful lake. That’s where it happened. We don’t know if the Winter fae who attacked us were rogues or if they were ordered by the Winter king.”
I swallowed. Onyx’s father. Would he have done such a thing?
“They came in the night and broke into the cottage. My parents were sleeping.” Nathan gazed at a far point in the distance, the silver in his eyes turning to water. “They didn’t have time to react or use their magic, even though both were great warriors. My sister and I barely escaped from the house. We ran into the forest and all we could do was listen to their screams. Nerissa doesn’t remember it. But I do.”
Slowly, Nathan’s hands closed into fists.
“Nathan, I’m so sorry.” My throat went dry.
“It is in the past and the past can’t be changed.” Nathan raised his chin. “Many nomad families lived in the area. When King Peter heard of the murder of his High Commander, he sent reinforcements. His troops killed all the Winter families vacationing in the area.”
I gasped. “You knew them? They were friends of yours?”
He nodded. “Yes, as a child, I played with many of their children. It was different back then.” He let out a sad chuckle. “Well, we believed it to be a peaceful time. I enjoyed playing with the Winter fae, seeing how different their magic was from ours.” A sad smile played on his lips, then it vanished, and he turned serious once again. “It wasn’t wise. My parents tried to warn me against befriending Winter fae children.”
I gulped as I understood how much violence Nathan had witnessed. His former friends hadn’t received a trial. They had died for the crimes of a few horrible Winter fae. “These children were innocent. They should’ve never been butchered.”
“King Peter had to protect me and my sister.” Nathan gritted his teeth. “He had to do it for the good of the Summer Court. We were the only remaining Bitterbays. The two of us have never returned to our vacation home. Neither have the other fae. Spring Lake has since been abandoned by all fae.”
My lunch rose in my throat. “There should’ve been a trial, not an execution.” How could I serve such an awful king and do what he would ask of me? “Nathan. War will bring more of this horror to both courts.”
“Virgie, I know, but there is no other way. King Peter has the best interests of the Summer Court in mind.” Nathan folded his hands in front of him. “I don’t want anyone here losing their loved ones. It isn’t fair, and it changes you forever.”
“We will all lose more loved ones if there is war. We have to try for peace. For the sake of the Summer and Winter Court,” I tried again.
Nathan didn’t reply, but he also didn’t say no, which I hoped meant that my words were reaching him. Before I could speak again, the doors to the wood and clay mansion were flung open and Nerissa walked out. The glow around her wings vibrated, and her hands were pressed together tightly. Something was very wrong.
“Sister,” Nathan said, his tone matching the worried look on her face.
Nerissa held up a scroll. “King Peter wants us all immediately to come to the Summer palace for a meeting.”
Chapter 19
As soon as the Pegasi-drawn carriage landed at the Summer Palace, guards ushered us from the center courtyard and into the throne room. No one spoke, which only served to increase the tension that pulled my shoulders upward. The king was already waiting on his tree throne, kid prince Percival standing next to him. Positioned behind both of them were important advisors whose names I couldn’t remember, but whom I’d seen at the Harvest Ball. Everyone was dressed in
green and gold, and no one spoke.
Nathan and Nerissa took a spot on the left side of the king, and I joined them, my heart pounding rapidly. Caleb and Peony were on the right side. Caleb stood tall, his body tense while Peony twisted her hands together.
“Now that everyone is gathered, let us begin,” King Peter boomed. “Caleb Kallan, stand before me.”
Peony turned pale, and my stomach knotted. Caleb, however, kept his head high as he stepped in front of the king, exactly at the spot where Onyx had been only a few days prior. The leaves on King Peter’s head curled with anger, and my breaths grew shallow as I wondered what was about to happen to Caleb.
“I gave you everything, Caleb Kallan. My name, my home. Riches and education others only dream about. You are even in line for the throne should none of my legitimate children survive.” Percival puffed out his chest at the last words of the king, clearly thinking that being born into a royal line was the highest achievement.
“And how have you thanked me for this?” King Peter gripped his throne arms hard, and the tree branches groaned in protest as they grew darker. Whatever nasty energy he was shooting into them, I wanted to stay as far away from it as possible.
“Your Majesty, Father.” Caleb bowed his head lowly. “I greatly appreciate everything you’ve done for me, and am deeply apologetic if I have disappointed you in any way.”
King Peter leaned forward and went for the kill. “Disappointed? Disappointed!” Spittle flew from his mouth. “I was right to suspect that you were up to no good. Interviewing my guards and your soldiers brought me the truth. You embarrassed me when you chose to work with that princess of the Winter Court and her vampire lover to free the earthbound fae. You did not, as you led me to believe, work alone.”
Blood drained out of me. So that was why we were all here. Great. King Peter would never trust Onyx after she and his son had worked together behind his back. Even if she managed his impossible demands and freed Petra from the wastelands, King Peter would find a way to back out of his part of the deal.
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