by J. M. Kearl
I pulled a smile. I’d met the prick when he and his little imps attacked me outside of the Hesstian castle. “My Uncle Bastian introduced us, Queen. I was quite impressed with his power. Prince Astaroth thought I was a choice you and his father would approve of.”
The Queen smirked. “No, there must be something else. My son cares nothing for what his father or I approve of.” She tilted her head, scrutinizing every inch of my being.
My heart crashed loudly. I was already digging myself into a hole. “Perhaps he learned his lesson from the last time.” Holy phoenix, that was probably the worst thing to say.
Queen Starcrest stared at me for several beats. “Perhaps. He’s certainly waited long enough.” She looked to Aenea. “Too bad you married already, Aenea.”
Aenea grinned and bowed her head. “You’re too kind, Queen.”
King Valefrost and Astaroth watched us from afar. Astaroth downed a glass of whatever had been in front of him.
“I wish you luck in the competition,” the Queen said. She turned to Bastian. “She’s bold, Bas. Good on you for introducing my son to her.”
He lowered his chin. “Of course, highness.”
The Queen moved onto another table.
I sat in my chair and let out a long breath. Bastian gave me a short nod. “You did well.”
“I was afraid I said the wrong thing,” I said and took a big gulp of my drink. I didn’t know what it was but it tasted like berries.
“Don’t drink any more of that,” Aenea said quietly. “Or you’ll be as drunk as Astaroth.”
The Winter Prince tipped over a glass at that moment and then scolded a nearby servant, as if it were anyone’s fault but his own.
I pushed my glass aside. The king stood and lifted his arms out to his sides as if he wanted to embrace someone. “Welcome my guests, to my very humble abode.”
Everyone laughed except for Bastian and me. I’d learned over the last few weeks that the King’s general and I were more alike than not.
“My son has finally decided he will choose a wife. Tomorrow we will present each possible bride to you and then the Chosen will show us one of their special talents. It shall be a spectacular night.”
I stiffened. Talents? I had to showcase a talent to all these people? I turned to Bastian. “Why didn’t you tell me this? What am I supposed to do?”
He sipped his drink then said calmly, “I didn’t know.”
“I am sure our lovely Chosen will give us a wonderful evening of entertainment. I know I look forward to each performance.” He looked about the room. “For now, enjoy your meals. I will take my leave for this evening.”
Everyone stood as he stepped away from the table. Then he disappeared into the shadows.
My eyes flicked around the room. I didn’t know who my competition was but were they panicking as much as me? My talents were fighting and magic.
A girl with silver hair and navy-blue skin fanned herself with her hand. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she spoke with the woman next to her. She had the same tattoos I did. I supposed they were as nervous. I wished Zyacus was here. He would know what I should do. He never seemed to be afraid of anything and could entertain a crowd. I needed to know where he was and if he was well. It had been two days since he’d written to me. Two long agonizing days.
My mind went through every bad scenario possible. Were they frozen somewhere in this dreadful place? Eaten by an ogre? Attacked by a band of rogues? Dragon’s fire, anything could have happened. There was the chance he simply didn’t have the means to write to me, and that’s what I kept telling myself.
“Do you sing?” Bastian asked.
I shook my head. “Um, no.”
“Can you?” he pressed.
I could carry a tune but it’s not something I worked on. Certainly not what I wanted to do in front of a crowd. “Won’t all the other girls be doing that? Besides, I don’t know any faerie songs.”
Aenea nodded. “At least a few will be singing.” She smiled. “I have an idea. Not singing. Let’s go and we’ll practice.”
Bastian waved a hand and we got up from the table. I had no ideas so I was glad she did. As we made our way out, Astaroth appeared in the doorway blocking us. He put a hand on the doorframe for balance. “What did my mother say to you?”
I glanced around to find many who watched us. The few girls glaring daggers at me had to be the Chosen. I did not want a target on my back. “Your highness, I was the only Chosen she hadn’t met yet. It was but an introduction.”
“I see,” he slurred. He leaned closer; the smell of alcohol washed over me. “Stay clear of her. She’s a snake.”
I slowly backed up and bent at the waist into a bow. “Certainly, your highness.”
Aenea took my arm. “We need to practice her talent, Prince Astaroth. May we take our leave?”
He waved his hand as if dismissing a peasant and leaned into the doorframe. We hurried past him and she pulled me to an empty room. “We shouldn’t be disturbed in here. Now,” she clasped her hands, “You’re good with a bow and arrow, right?”
I smiled. “Yes.”
14
Visteal
When Aenea and I finished practicing my talent, she led me through the dark and cold castle. Guards were stationed in every hallway. Watching us with scrutiny. I’d never seen security like this. The Summer palace had guards but few and far between. It was also more open and airy.
This King truly was paranoid. “Where are the King’s chambers,” I whispered to Aenea.
She looked all around us before answering. In a barely audible voice, she said, “He changes where he sleeps regularly. No one knows.”
Sneaking in at night probably wasn’t the best plan anyway. When we came around a corner, I was shoved hard into a wall. My shoulder throbbed from the impact as I turned to two girls. Both had silvery-blue skin like Astaroth but one had aquamarine hair and the other had black. They looked enough alike to be sisters. Only one of them was marked as Astaroth’s Chosen, the black-haired girl. The one who pushed me.
“If you think a half-breed will ever win the Prince’s heart you’re demented.”
“Stay back, Chrishna,” Aenea snapped, stepping in front of me. The glint of silver in Aenea’s hand caught my eye. Was she ready to knife this girl? When Bastian said this competition was deadly, I thought he meant the tasks.
“Or what?” Chrishna demanded.
Aenea shifted and nervously glanced at me. I wasn’t sure if she were afraid of her or of being punished for fighting.
“Or I’ll break your face with my fist,” I said, standing taller. I was afraid of neither. “And last I checked it isn’t about his heart. It’s about defeating you.”
“The half breed thinks she’s tough, huh?” Chrishna said, sounding amused.
I stepped around Aenea and stood face to face with the girl, staring her down. We were about the same height and weight and I bet I’d take her in a fight.
A slow clap drew my eyes away and the girls immediately dropped into a bow when Astaroth emerged. His imps were with him, climbing the walls or scratching at the stone floor. Their bellies looked even more round than the last time I’d seen them as if their bony arms could barely hold. They must have just eaten. I’d likely cringe knowing what creatures like this would eat. Strange grunting noises came from them and their beady eyes seemed to glow in the dim light.
“As much as I love women fighting over me, save it for later.” He leaned his back against the wall. I wasn’t sure if it were out of laziness or drunkenness.
“Your highness,” Chrishna said, just now coming up from her bow. “We are pleased to see you. How are you this evening?”
One of his imps sniffed at my boot with its piggy snout. I wanted to kick it to the moon but held still. Then the thing started pulling at the buckles.
“Swell,” he said, sounding quite the opposite of the word.
I shook the imp off and stepped away from the creature. Another one latched o
nto my leg and started climbing up my pants. I grabbed its wing, prying it from me, and grit my teeth. “Stay off,” I said in a low snarl.
With fear in her eyes Aenea slowly shook her head. Did she expect me to let his creatures crawl all over me? Another one started gnawing on the heel of my boot. Why the hell did they only bother me?
“They like you.” Astaroth’s eyes leveled on mine. “Which is odd.”
I think they like my boots. The girls looked from Astaroth to me and back again.
“I’d rather they didn’t if they continue biting.” I dropped the one I’d been holding. “I don’t recall you saying they liked me the last time I encountered them.”
Aenea shifted backward as did the sisters. I needed to learn to keep my mouth shut. I was here on a mission after all.
He half smiled. “You were uglier then.”
Prick.
He walked up, pressed his fingers to my forehead and lightly shoved. “You’re still not pretty.”
Then he turned to the sisters and put his arms around their shoulders. Probably to support his drunk ass. “Come ladies. Let’s get a drink.”
Thankfully, his imps went with him.
When they were out of sight, Aenea grabbed hold of my shirt and started dragging me down the hall. “You must watch how you speak to him in public. He is Astaroth Nightfrost, Prince of the Winter and Night Court. The most powerful faerie in existence. I’m surprised he didn’t strike you.”
I knew I was supposed to act reverently in his presence, as if he created the sun and moon but he didn’t, and I only would in front of a crowd. “He must have learned not to strike me the last time he tried.”
We walked by a couple guards. I didn’t know if they heard me or not. After passing several doors, Aenea pushed through one. Once we were both inside, she gently closed it then turned on me fast. “You must not ever fight him publicly. What you did at the cottage...” her voice trailed off. “I didn’t see but father told me you have the power to hold against him.”
“I don’t know if I’d win in an open fight but I won’t allow him to threaten my life. He tried to strangle me with his magic.”
Aenea’s tense face softened. “He won’t kill you. It’s an empty threat. He needs you. You’re the only one who can offer him what he wants.”
“The throne?”
Aenea shook her head. “Revenge for his beloved.”
“I know you say he loved this woman, but he doesn’t seem capable of love.”
Aenea said nothing else.
I sat in a wooden rocking chair. This room had two beds, a closet, a fireplace thankfully, and was utterly devoid of decor. Dark and dreary was apparently the norm.
I flicked my wrist and started the fire. Aenea sat in the bed and removed her shoes. “You should get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a long day.”
Sir Gideon came out from under one of the beds and hopped on my lap. He didn’t say anything, but he purred loudly and curled up. I rocked in the chair for a while, stroking his soft fur, hoping a note would come through from Zyacus. When it didn’t, I explored the closet and found paper and ink. I wrote: please tell me you’re alive. I sent another to Taz: will one of you please answer me?
I removed my boots and coat then climbed under the blankets. I tried to wait up for a while but ended up dozing off.
When a bird chirped, my eyes shot open. I patted my lap and looked all around for a note but there was nothing. My eyes burned with hot tears. If they died out there… I’d never forgive myself.
I wiped my cheeks with my sleeve and stared at the back of Sir Gideon’s fluffy head. I gently stroked him and more tears rolled down my cheeks. I missed Zyacus. I missed my family. I missed home.
I caught a glimpse of myself in a mirror on the wall and recoiled. I hated the way I looked. I wasn’t Fae. I wasn’t one of these cruel people.
“What is wrong?” Aenea asked, standing on the far end of her bed. I hadn’t even noticed she’d gotten up.
I dabbed my eyes with the blanket corner. “Nothing.”
Wearing fresh clothing, she set an outfit at my feet. Then laid a black dress across the end of my bed. “I find it strange when humans say that while crying. It’s an obvious lie.” She grabbed a brush from a drawer and drew it through her purple hair. “If you were Fae and didn’t want to tell me, you’d say, ‘nothing to concern yourself with’. Or ‘I don’t want to say’. To say nothing is a mistake you can’t make in front of anyone else here.”
“I won’t.” I slipped out from underneath the covers and inspected the clothes. The dress was nearly as risqué as the one I’d seen the queen wearing.
“Am I supposed to wear a dress? I thought…” it wasn’t only the amount of skin I’d be showing but I’d freeze in this thing. So far I hadn’t had visions of death here. I wondered if my ability worked with the Fae.
“Yes, for the introduction ceremony when you’re presented to the people.”
I picked up the gown and toyed with the soft fabric. “You realize I’m not acclimated to the weather as you are.”
Aenea nodded. “I’ll give you a tea that will keep you warm for a few hours. It works for our servants at home.”
I set the dress down and changed into the new clothes. The outfit was almost identical to my other except the shirt I wore was now white. The black corset overtop was a different style with floral designs etched into the leather. The boots matched the corset.
Aenea looked me over. “You are pretty. Don’t let what Astaroth said worry you.”
I huffed. “I wasn’t worried. I hope he does find me ugly.”
Aenea furrowed her eyebrows. “You are a strange girl. Everyone wants the affection of the Winter Prince.”
I slid my sword into the sheath. “There’s only one prince I want and it isn’t Astaroth.”
Folding her arms, Aenea asked, “Your boy from home?”
I put a hand in my hip. “Yes. Now can we go do whatever it is we need to do today?”
Without a word, Aenea turned and opened the door. I followed her to a banquet hall where the other Chosen were already seated with their families. Bastian waited at a table for us.
Astaroth sat alone in an ornate high-backed chair on a balcony overlooking the rest of the dining hall. This time he didn’t even glance my way.
Bastian stood upon our approach. “Good morning, girls.”
“Hello,” we said in unison.
Aenea smiled at me then we took our chairs. I dished myself up the meat. I didn’t know what it was and didn’t dare ask. It could be ogre for all I knew. Then I grabbed a twisted bread piece and took a bite. It had a slightly sour taste but I liked it.
A servant who looked part beast came by and set drinks in front of each of us. I nodded and said, “Thank you.”
The guy with an underbite and two-inch tusks protruding out of his lower jaw seemed startled but a large smile followed. “It’s my pleasure.”
When the servant walked away Bastian gave me a pointed look. “You’ve forgotten again.”
I picked up my glass and took a long drink. “Where I’m from it’s simply common courtesy and is a habit.”
His stern face didn’t soften. “Break it.”
After a couple bites I started feeling hot. My cheeks flushed. I took another drink because my mouth was incredibly dry. A headache lightly throbbed at the base of my skull. I cleared my itchy throat and ate a couple bites of meat.
Aenea started talking about the incident with the sisters the night before. Bastian showed no emotion about any of it. “It’s to be expected,” he simply said.
My body temperature rose again to the point where I wanted to remove my shirt. Something was wrong with me. It wasn’t hot in here. Actually I was sure snow drifted in from the nearby open window. I blinked several times as my head started throbbing and my vision came in and out to focus. My eyes leveled on the glass in front of me. I’d drank at least half of it. Was there something in it? Was the food not agreeing with me?
<
br /> “I—” I shook my head suddenly finding it hard to speak. “I’m not feeling well.”
I pushed back from the table as a cold sweat beaded at my temples. Did the king poison me like the other girl?
Bastian took hold of my arm. “Look at me.”
It was a strain to hold my head up now, but I managed to look him in the face. “Frostfire,” he cursed and shot to his feet.
Behind me someone giggled. I stood on wobbly legs, using the table to balance. The sisters smiled and watched me intently. Dragon’s breath, they did something.
I had to get out of there. I couldn’t let them see me collapse. I hurried for the exit, stumbling into a table. The Fae gave me angry looks.
Someone else laughed. A light female laugh. No doubt Chrishna or her sister.
I pushed myself up and rubbed my eyes when black spots appeared in my vision. Nausea spiked. I was going to throw up. I ran. I didn’t know where I was going or care who watched me now.
I made it to somewhere darker. Hopefully a place no one would see me lose my breakfast or collapse. I slammed into someone. Big hands caught my waist and held firm. I weakly tugged back. I couldn’t see clearly with my vision so blurry let alone in this dark place. “Let go.” My legs were so weak now that if he did let go, I would hit the floor.
“Visteal?” he whispered.
I rubbed my eyes again. It couldn’t be. I had to be hallucinating. I touched my prince’s beautiful face. Then everything went black.
15
Zyacus
Targus had told me she would be in this room but the girl in my arms was not the same Visteal. Her hair was blue and her ears pointed, her face subtly different. She looked like one of them.
Right now, that didn’t matter. She was barely breathing. Her face, too pale. Her lips—purple. I touched her neck to find a weak pulse. I gently laid her on the floor when a man and woman appeared.
“Is she sick?” the woman asked.
