Curse of Thorns (Wicked Fae Book 2)

by Stacey Trombley

  Finally, I give up on sleep and cross the room to the window. I sit on the sill and stare out over the grounds. The view here isn’t as expansive as it was in the Flicker Court. I could see for miles there, the mountains far in the distance and the desert wide open before me. It was lovely. Here, I can see a few hundred feet of Luminescent courtyards and gardens then the edge of the Iridescent Forest, and that’s all. Still, it’s distracting enough that the pressure on my lungs lessens as I breathe the cool air.

  Soft snow begins to drift by. The Luminescent Court is quite near the Frost Court, so occasionally, their magic drifts north enough to sprinkle the lands with snow. It’s quite fitting for this element. Lovely white, glistening snow. The two courts are natural allies. As is the Flicker Court for very different reasons.

  A distant shout grabs my attention. My breath catches as a guard sprints towards the palace below, pointing up toward my window.

  Whoops.

  I’d let my guard down, not even thinking about someone seeing me here.

  If I used shadows to cover my body, most light fae can’t see me at all. But I didn’t. I let my guard down and they must have seen my form sitting in the window—right next to their prince’s room.

  It was not far from here I killed their first prince.

  I hastily fix up the bed so it doesn’t look slept in, at least at first glance. Then I march into Rev’s room and slip into the corner I know will remain shadowed even once lights are turned on.

  If they flash their Luminescent light directly onto me, they’ll see my unnaturally covered silhouette, but I’m hoping my proximity to a slumbering Rev will keep those chances low.

  I don’t know what will happen if I’m caught here, but it’s a complication I’d rather avoid.

  Rev

  I jerk awake as someone busts through my bedroom door. Shouted orders and stomping boots fill the room. Before I can blink the sleep from my eyes, the room is full of guards.

  “You can put the weapon down, your highness. We have it under control.”

  At first, I’m confused, but then I notice the dagger in my tight fist. Well, I suppose it’s good those reflexes are working correctly.

  “Have what under control?”

  “There was an intruder seen from the window. We believe the shadow fae has infiltrated the castle.”

  My mouth falls open. “And did you catch the intruder?”

  “Well, no, sir. Not yet. But we won’t be leaving until she’s found.”

  I roll my eyes. Great.

  “And if she’s found I’m going to have to banish the guards on gate duty.”

  The guard blinks back his shock, but I wave it away. “Send Sir Simmons in, I’ll have a chat with him.” The Captain of the Guard will be the only person able to make the right choice here. That or my father, but he’d figure out more than I’d desire.

  There are only two guards I trusted with my secret visitor.

  “Yes sir.” He nods to the four remaining guards stationed around my bed like it’s the wall of the kingdom.

  “She’s obviously not in the room,” I hasten to say. “Have the guards outside the doors, not caging me in like a beast.”

  “I’m very sorry sir, but the intruder is able to use shadow to hide from sight. We can’t be too careful, at least for the time being.”

  I raise my eyebrows. “Learning more about shadow fae, are we?” Well, at least they took my orders seriously. I do, however, bite my tongue to keep from telling them that if they shined direct light onto potential hiding places she’d be exposed—she uses the natural darkness and shadows to her advantage. If you take away that advantage, you expose her.

  But right now, it’s in my best interest that they don’t find her. And truth be told, I don’t fear Caelynn. I should, I realize. She used her shadow power to hide from the guards ten years ago, slipped inside my brother's room, and...

  I swallow.

  If I were wise, I’d be wary of her. But apparently, I’m not wise.

  She could have lied about her motives for killing Reahgan. She told me she did it to save me, and I believe her. The magic in the trials was certainly not lying when it told me she was my fated mate. My stomach sinks at that thought.

  It’s a bitter truth that wedges its way into the cracks of my heart.

  Maybe that’s more reason I shouldn’t trust her. The magic of the mating bond has a sort of hypnotizing effect. It drives me to be near her, to protect her, to care for her. And perhaps that means I’m not thinking clearly.

  But it does serve one purpose: it’s easier to trust someone you know is magically inclined to care for you too.

  She had many chances to harm me during the trials. And given what I know, I am confident I am safe with her. My father is another story. But then again, he’s not actually my father so...

  It’s hard to break the habit of calling him that name.

  The four guards stand in a semicircle around my bed, backs facing me, ever vigilant. I flop back onto my pillow and sigh. Where is Caelynn? She was seen from the window, which means she wasn’t sleeping. Is she in the halls somewhere? Or hiding in this very room?

  I look around, but it’s too dark to see much.

  Finally, Sir Simmons marches into the room. Followed by my father.

  I suppress a groan and cross my legs, still partially beneath the covers.

  “You wanted to see me, Your Highness?”

  “Yes,” the king tilts his head, “I’m rather curious what you have to say to the guards.”

  Great. He already suspects. Oh well, let him suspect. He hates me anyway.

  “I was simply going to request the guards loosen their security measures when it comes to my private sleeping quarters. The intruder is clearly not here and even if— “

  “Even if what?” the king says, stepping forward, a scowl written on his face.

  I keep eye contact. I’m way past backing down from this fae. “Even if she was, she is not a threat. Not to me.”

  Every muscle in the king’s body tenses, even as he forces his expression to one of casual curiosity. “Ahhh, she’s not a threat to you.”

  I chuckle. “Relax father, I don’t believe her a threat to you either.”

  He watches my expression closely. He wants to see if I’m lying. Fae are quite able to lie, unlike the legends humans have of us, but it is a rather uncomfortable endeavor, and it almost always shows signs. A tick or a wince or a tightened jaw.

  “What other reason could she have for trespassing a third time?”

  Third? She was here this morning but... I wince as I realize his meaning. The first time was ten years ago when she murdered my brother.

  “I hadn’t realized you had become such close friends.” My father’s words are acid, and I narrow my eyes.

  “Allies, Father.”

  “So, you do not care for her?”

  I consider responding, but there is no correct response. And to be honest, I’m not sure what is lie and what is truth when it comes to her. Would I flinch if I were to tell my father I don’t care for her? She’s... God, I have no idea what she is.

  So, I decide not to respond at all.

  “I have intentions on making a trip to the Crumbling Court first thing in the morning. I will be out of your hair then.”

  The king’s lip curls in disgust. He steps forward, a menacing expression on his face, and for the first time in my life, I wonder if my father would try to kill me. I wonder what the guards might do if he attacked me. Would they defend me or follow his orders? He leans over my bed, eyes full of dark hatred. “You are no son of mine,” he whispers.

  Sir Simmons winces. I clench my jaw. “I’m aware.”

  He blinks away his instant of surprise, and anger returns to his controlled expression. He stands up straight, eyes cast past me to the corner of the room. “If I find that whore in my palace again, I’ll remove her head from her body myself. And I’ll do it slowly. Damn the consequences from the High Court.” With ano
ther curl of his lip, he whispers, “The Night Bringer sends his regards.” With obvious effort, he forces his body to spin, and he stomps from my room, slamming the door behind him.

  Sir Simmons pauses, glancing back to me. “Are you all right, Your Highness?”

  “Perfectly well, thank you.” I force a smile. “I appreciate your diligence, but your guards are no longer needed. You can call off the search as well.”

  He purses his lips, his expression unreadable. Then, he nods and calls the guards to follow him.

  Once the door closes, I let out one long breath.

  Caelynn

  My heart pounds so hard it’s hard to hear much beyond the pumping pulse in my ears. Finally, the last guard leaves the room, and I let out a breath and drop the shadows from around me.

  “Have I ever mentioned your father is a dick?” I say with a weak voice.

  Rev whips around to look at me and blinks. I wasn’t sure if he’d known I was there or not. “He’s not my father,” he says simply.

  “Yeah. I know.” I take in a few more deep breaths then sit on the edge of his bed. “He looked right at me. He knew I was here.” I can’t bring myself to mention his comment. I can’t say his name. Not aloud.

  Rev swallows, the look in his eye tells me he agrees. “But if he knew, why didn’t he— “

  “I don’t know,” I say. “He could have called me an intruder and had me arrested.”

  “Perhaps he knew I’d defend you to the queen. And if I did that, you may give proof of the assassins. Did you really leave the other assassin alive?”

  “Yes,” I whisper. “I don’t kill excessively.”

  “I don’t know that would have been excessive. Justified, more likely.”

  “I got my point across with one head. I didn’t need two.” I only took that head because the fae was already dead. I’d stabbed him through the heart during our skirmish. The other knew he was beat and surrendered. No need to tell all of that to Rev, though.

  “We really must get out of here at first light now. They’ll be looking for you, and I wouldn’t take my father’s threat lightly.”

  I nod. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

  “You should try to get some sleep,” Rev says softly. “Would you like to take the bed? I can sleep on the sofa.”

  “No!” I say quickly. “I wouldn’t dream of tossing a prince from his bed.” I chuckle, secretly hoping my cheeks aren’t visibly red. “I can take the sofa.”

  “You weren’t sleeping. That’s why they noticed you.”

  I nod. “A stupid mistake. It won’t happen again.”

  Rev sighs. “Anything the matter?”

  Everything, I think. So much. “No, nothing especially. It’s just strange being here.”

  He nods absently.

  “Before we leave tomorrow,” I say, mostly out of a desire to change the subject. “You should go to the library and grab any books on the Schorchedlands you can find.”

  His eyebrows flick up then down. “I’ve read as much as I could already—you’re not the only one with a love for history.”

  I smile. To be honest, I don’t even remember telling him I love history. I must have mentioned it during the trials. “I’d like to bring them with us. I don’t suspect the Crumbling Court will have as many resources as you do.”

  He nods slowly. “I’ll deal with it in the morning. It’s time for sleep.”

  “Okay,” I whisper.

  He lays back, and I walk slowly to the couch on the other side of the room.

  “Caelynn?” Rev whispers.

  “Yes?” I squeak. How pathetic is that?

  “Are you all right?”

  “Yeah, I’m fine,” I say, knowing I’m too far and the room is too dark for him to see me flinch as my gut clenches.

  Truth? No. Not at all. For so many reasons.

  Rev

  When I wake in the morning, the sun is already bright and intrusive. Caelynn is nowhere to be found. But then again, maybe I just can’t see her.

  I focus, casting my gaze around the room, testing to see if I could break through her shadow magic illusion. I don’t even know for sure if she’s still in the room—but it seems unlikely she’d take the chance of running about the grounds after nearly being caught last night.

  I examine every corner of the room where there is even remote shade—nothing. Disappointed, I take in a big breath. “Caelynn?” I ask, defeat a bitter taste in my mouth.

  No response.

  I purse my lips. Maybe she isn’t here after all.

  I roll out of bed and find a note sitting on the table by the window. I unfold the paper and read the few words scrawled on the parchment:

  Meet me in the forest. Don’t forget the books.

  I sigh and begin packing up immediately, wondering why she left before me. She could have woken me if she was eager to get moving. It’s strange to have her helping me, to be honest. I’m partially relieved to have an ally, someone to trust.

  Another part of me knows I’m insane because that person is Caelynn from the Shadow Court.

  I shake my head. She ruined her life to save mine a decade ago. She was forced into that bargain. There’s still a lot I don’t about the shadow fae, but I do believe her when she said she hates herself for what she did.

  Over on my desk, I grab the three books I’d been scouring through most recently. There are another four in the library I’ll grab before leaving. I’d read through those thoroughly already, but maybe Caelynn will see something I hadn’t. Or Tyadin. Maybe we’ll get new information that paired with old, and we can come up with a plan.

  I hold on to that vague hope.

  Because right now, based on everything I know, I’m totally screwed.

  Caelynn

  I find a spot on a low hanging branch of a white maple near the path, and I settle in for a long wait. My fingers glide over the oddly smooth bark. This tree won’t scratch my legs the way the one outside Raven’s dorm did.

  My stomach sinks at that thought. What’s Raven doing now? Is she angry or sad or... just fine? She’ll be starting classes tomorrow. She was so excited to start at that new school, where no one knew she was a foster kid or about her drug-addicted mother.

  I hope she loves it. I hope so much for her it hurts.

  Above me, through the nearly see-through glimmering leaves, the sun is making its slow trek into the sky. I sniff, as I watch it with a heavy heart.

  My magic rumbles within my veins, aching for movement. Yeah, yeah, I know this is boring, but we have to wait for Rev, I think to it like it has a mind of its own. I mean, maybe it does. It did once before. I’m reminded of the time it was an external power, living inside of me, whispering in my ear. Kill.

  Does it still desire destruction and spilled blood? Based on its origin, I wouldn’t be surprised. That creature desired pain, power, and control in any way he could obtain it.

  The magic is mine to rule now, but sometimes I feel him. The Night Bringer gave me this magic. It’s part of him.

  He hasn’t used it to hunt me down, though I suspect he could if he wanted. So, what? Has he given up on me and moved on to some other plaything? Or is he waiting?

  Or maybe, maybe I’m still playing his games without realizing it.

  Rev

  I can feel my father’s eyes on me as I prepare my stead for departure. He’s on his balcony, high on the fourth floor, just watching. Guards flank the pathway into the forest, all on high alert.

  I prepare to mount my stag, Killian: a lovely golden offspring of my brother’s chosen heir gift. A stag he never even rode before his death. His coat is a shiny bronze, and his antlers large and glistening like true gold.

  I clear my throat, pushing those thoughts from my mind and readjust the saddle, followed by the stirrups. Never mind that my brother would hate me if he knew I’d befriended his murderer. Well, actually, Reahgan was all about power. He might be annoyed with me for my chosen allies, but he’d recognize the logic. Caelynn is
powerful, she’s smart and she’s loyal.

  She’s a means to an end, I tell myself.

  Once I get the cure, her banishment will be reinstated, and it will all be moot anyway. I can still do this. I can still secure all of the things I desire.

  I’ll never have a true mate, but that’s something I can live with. Caelynn can go back to her human lover, I’ll make sure my father leaves her be, and I’ll be king.

  That’s that.

  A gentle sparkle catches my attention on the side of the stone pathway. A little rebellious Lumistone bush has sprouted like a weed in a place it’s most certainly not supposed to be. My mother will certainly rip it out the first moment she sees it.

  These plants have purplish-grey vines that wind and twist up and around anything they come into contact with; they’ll overwhelm structures if they’re not stopped. We have a garden shed on the north side of the grounds completely covered in them and a few trellises decorating the side of the gates.

  They grow a fruit specific to my court that looks a bit like a small white grape, but if you cup it in your hand, it will reflect a rainbow of colors, scattering over your fingers gently. The fruit remains juicy and sweet on the vine but is only edible for a few minutes once plucked. They begin drying quickly, and after six months, they become stone-like. They’re not valued in our magical currency system, but they’re quite lovely and cherished by only this court.

  I pluck one of the tiny fruits, stare at it for entirely too long. Then, I slip it into my pocket as a sign of what will never be.

  I take in a long breath, banishing the ache in my chest. What I would do if things were different... well, I don’t even need to dwell on it. Because what’s done cannot be undone.

  I swallow, mount my stag, and send one last fleeting glance to my father who watches me with clear condemnation. Don’t worry, father, I think, giving him a sharp nod in fair well, I’ll never give you the chance to disown me. You’ll live the rest of your life knowing a bastard child, not even your own blood, is the only legacy you leave behind.