by Leder, Nissa
Oh, that’s what he meant. Was it a compliment? “Thanks?”
“The tattoos are new,” he added. “They’re nice.”
Scarlett held out her arms and stared at the white designs.
She’d always wanted to get a tattoo. Something small with some bigger meaning. It seemed life had a different plan for her. The designs covering her skin were anything but small, but they did have a bigger meaning. A huge meaning.
They meant she was queen whether she liked it or not.
“Thank you.”
“How are you handling it all?” Laik’s eyes met hers and she saw the concern they held.
“It’s all very strange. Not so long ago, my biggest worry was graduating high school and keeping my mom sane.” Scarlett gulped.
Laik’s gaze dropped.
Scarlett continued, “And now I have magic and apparently a lot of it. I wish I were more like Genevieve, all queenly and majestic. But I’m not.”
Why was she telling him all of this? She should be pretending to be powerful and confident to convince everyone to help her defeat the Fates. Especially Laik. He’d report back to his queen, one of the most powerful rulers and a much-desired ally. She clamped her jaw shut, vowing to be more careful with her words.
He took her hand. “Give it time. Believe in yourself.” He glanced around them. “But be careful who you trust. Some will see your sincerity as vulnerability.”
Scarlett wasn’t sure what to say.
Laik released her hand and pulled away.
“There you are,” Kaelem said behind Scarlett. “Come, let’s dance.”
He reached behind Scarlett and grabbed her waist then turned her toward him.
“It was nice to visit,” she said to Laik.
He bowed.
The dance floor had been empty as Kaelem danced with Genevieve, but now others were swaying to the music. Kaelem’s hand took Scarlett’s and he tugged her into the center.
“You look quite seductive in red,” he said as his hand rested on her lower back.
“You don’t look so bad yourself,” she teased.
Kaelem always wore a suit, but tonight’s was a step above the rest. The dark blue color made his navy hair look lighter than usual, and the way his steel eyes inhaled her sent a shiver to the most sensitive parts in her body.
His ganacanagh gift, she remembered. She didn’t try to block it out as she usually did. Instead, she let it swim through her veins, vanquishing the constant worry she’d felt since becoming queen, if only for a little while.
Scarlett pressed her body into his as he led her across the dance floor.
Kaelem was beautiful, charming, and had been the only one who hadn’t treated Scarlett as a delicate crystal ready to shatter. But he was also headstrong, selfish, and deceitful.
Be careful who you trust. Laik’s warning played in her mind. In a world of power and greed, could she trust anyone?
Kaelem’s hand dropped a little lower, pulling her from her thoughts. “It’s too lovely a night to look so distressed. We’re here to make allies and have a good time. You can’t save the world tonight, darling.”
He was right, of course. But since becoming queen, she’d felt the pressure of the world on her shoulders. Unlike the other rulers whose sole focus was on protecting their own courts, Scarlett needed to think of humans as well. Her sister, of course, was at the top of her priorities, but she knew that all humans could be in danger if the Fates took control.
Maybe she was overthinking it and they had no intention of bringing mortals into anything, but when did the powerful ever not prey on the weak?
She’d lived it first hand when Cade lured her into Faerie. She’d made the choice to go with him, but she was fragile and desperate and he used her emotion against her. He needed her pain as fuel and made his ability to numb her seem irresistible.
And, despite this, she believed Cade was one of the better fae. What would the Fates be willing to do to humans if it served their interest?
Scarlett leaned her head onto Kaelem’s chest. He was right. Worrying wouldn’t fix anything.
He smelled like vanilla and oak, a little sweetness and a little spice. She breathed in the lust he exuded. Her fingertips tingled as the magic in her buzzed.
She remembered the night they’d spent together at the Seelie Court—how far she’d let things go. But she’d stopped it before they’d gone all the way. Not because she hadn’t wanted to let him devour her, but because she could feel how much he wanted her and denying him kept the game between them going.
His hand traced up her arm.
Your lust tastes like fruit and honey, he purred inside of her head.
Scarlett’s lips curved into a grin. But do you deserve dessert?
His hand slipped underneath her dress, teasing her. I’m willing to earn it.
A quiet moan slipped from Scarlett’s lips. Her heart raced.
The song ended and Kaelem stepped away. He opened his mouth to say something aloud, but instead, spoke into her mind again. Aria brought Ashleigh here.
Here? As in the dance?
Kaelem nodded. Ashleigh has been too cooped up. Aria thinks giving her a taste of the fae world might help change her attitude.
Scarlett frantically looked for her sister but couldn’t see her. The room was full of fae. What if someone tried to hurt her?
Aria will protect her, Kaelem assured her. And no one would be stupid enough to try anything here.
Scarlett reined in her panic. Freaking out wouldn’t keep her sister safe, no matter how much she wished it would.
We can continue our dancing again later, darling. Right now, duty calls. He turned and, without even a glance back, headed toward the booths.
* * *
Sage watched the couples dancing as she sipped on a cocktail named the Bouncing Banshee. She normally stayed away from alcohol, wanting to always be prepared for some unexpected attack, but she’d been sitting awkwardly in silence next to her father since they arrived and, when the lavender-haired server had asked if she wanted a drink, it sounded too perfect to resist.
She’d been relieved when her father stated he planned to attend the Unseelie ball to weigh his options. She should have just let him attend by himself while she stayed home and spent some time relaxing in the Autumn Court. Instead, she volunteered to accompany him.
He’d hesitated at first. It wasn’t as if they’d ever had a great father-daughter relationship thanks to the fact she hadn’t lived in the castle since she was fifteen. But, to her brother Ajax’s annoyance, her father determined Sage would be the best companion since she had a relationship with the Unseelie King.
Truthfully, she didn’t like Kaelem much and didn’t necessarily trust him. But, she believed that their goals aligned and that siding with whoever would stand against the Fates was in the best interest of the Autumn Court. Despite not living there for many years, it was still her home, and she desperately wanted to keep it safe.
Sage sipped the last bit of the drink out of her straw. Whoever made it made it strong and she already had a slight buzz. It had been so long since she’d been drunk and was a state she only found herself in a few times.
She should say something to her father.
“Enjoying your drink?” she asked. She glanced down and realized he’d barely touched it.
“It isn’t the worst drink I’ve had, but I prefer the maple liquor of our court.”
Sage remembered when she was ten and had asked to try her father’s liquor. He’d grinned and handed it to her. When she took a sip, at first it was sweet. Then the taste of alcohol hit her tongue and she’d gagged, making her father chuckle.
When Kaelem approached their table, Sage exhaled her relief.
“Thank you for attending our gathering.” Kaelem held up his arms and gestured around. “It’s always a pleasure to see you, Dagon.”
“As it is to see you.” The Autumn King dipped his chin. “My daughter has encouraged me to hear what yo
u have to say.”
Kaelem winked at Sage. “She’s fierce and smart, and I’m honored to have earned her respect.”
Sage dropped her mental shields. Don’t get ahead of yourself, King.
Kaelem smirked and Sage knew he’d heard her thoughts.
“I’m going to go have my drink refilled.” Sage scooted out of the booth. Giving Kaelem some privacy with her father was best. As annoying as it was, he’d be more open to listening to Kaelem “man-to-man.”
The Sage who left the Autumn Castle at fifteen would have been stubborn and remained at the table no matter the effect it had. Her father should be welcoming of her advice whether or not she was a girl, so she would have stayed out of spite. But now, she knew that sometimes it wasn’t worth a fight when something bigger was on the line. She wanted to rescue Raith and keep her court safe, both of which she believed would be more likely if her father was open to Kaelem’s alliance.
She carefully stepped away from the table. She’d worn heels, something she hadn’t done since she left the castle at fifteen, and keeping her balance took effort.
Her long, teal dress hugged her lean figure and prevented her from taking long strides. Dressing up wasn’t her idea. Her mother had subtly suggested it, claiming Sage would look so nice in a gown.
Sage had read the subtext: her father would be more apt to listen to Sage if she played the part of princess. The idea made Sage gag, but her mother was right. Her father’s old-fashioned ways were the reality of who he was, and not considering them would be digging her own grave.
She slowly walked to the nearest bar and waited in line. Her skin tingled from the alcohol already, and she probably didn’t need another drink, but Raith’s face popped into her mind and she’d take anything that would temporarily help her think of anything else.
As the person in front of her ordered four drinks, she looked around the room.
That dress looks exquisite on you, a voice said in her head.
Sage scanned the faces around her. When she met a set of almond-shaped eyes, the woman smiled.
How can I hear you? I don’t have mind powers, Sage thought.
My mind gift is special. If your mental walls aren’t strong enough, I can send thoughts.
The woman was beautiful. Her midnight blue hair was cut into a short bob, accentuating her long neck. The sparkly gold dress she wore showed off her long legs, which ended in a pair of matching heels on her feet.
And you look exquisite in that dress, Sage replied.
I look even better out of it. The woman grinned.
Who was she?
Then it hit Sage. This wasn’t the first time she’d seen her. She was Kaelem’s sister, Aria—nearly unrecognizable from when Sage had first met her when they rescued her from the dark, cold Winter prison.
Reading Sage’s thoughts, Aria replied, I look a bit different with a little hair and some time away from starvation and torture, don’t I?
A bit.
You clean up nicely, yourself. Aria turned to a young blonde woman who approached her with a drink.
Was she her date? It took a moment, but Sage sensed the woman was mortal.
This is Scarlett’s sister, Ashleigh. Aria took the drink Ashleigh handed her. Just a friend.
The man in front of Sage picked up the tray full of drinks from the bartender and walked away. Sage stepped forward and ordered herself another Bouncing Banshee and, when she glanced again, Aria was gone.
Chapter Six
After her dance with Kaelem ended by learning her sister was there at the dance for everyone to see, Scarlett needed some fresh air. Her dress didn’t cover much, exposing most of her skin to the chilly night air.
She found herself walking to the gardens. It was her favorite spot in the Unseelie Palace where she’d spent many hours during her time there. Being fae had been new to her then. Every day she practiced her magic with Kaelem, and slowly but surely, she improved. Just when things started to feel natural, she became Sidhe.
Scarlett entered an archway tunnel covered in climbing vines with white blooms sprinkled throughout the teal leaves. It opened to a large rectangular area surrounded with rose bushes. The string of white lights crossed above lit the assortment of garden flowers.
She wondered how plants could grow in the court of eternal darkness. Magic, of course. Something mortals thought to be unreal, a make-believe dream that filled fictional fairy tales. If only they knew the truth. And how much danger it put them in.
Enough of that. She pushed the worry from her mind and, instead, thought of Kaelem’s hand tracing her skin. She shivered. How she wanted his fingers to explore more.
“Scarlett?” A familiar voice asked behind her.
She turned to see Raith’s blue eyes staring at her.
Her muscles tensed. How was he there?
“You are stunning.” He stepped toward her. “I’ve missed you.”
“How did you escape from the Fates?” Scarlett scanned the garden. Was he alone?
She searched out with her mind. It wasn’t a skill she’d perfected yet, but Kaelem had taught her how to sense the presence of other minds. She didn’t sense anyone else near.
“After we left all of you, they thought I was under their control. I pretended to be so that when they let their guards down, I could escape.”
Scarlett’s chest tingled with relief. She’d feared he was stuck in some prison cell, starving and hurt. But here he was, seemingly untouched.
He stepped toward her.
She raised her hand and gently touched his face. He was actually there, not some illusion. “I thought you might be dead.”
“Please, you should know me better than that.”
He ran his fingers through her wavy hair then down her tattooed arms. His index finger tipped her chin up and when their eyes met, something wasn’t right.
Raith leaned in and pressed his lips against hers. His tongue probed into her mouth, more forceful than he’d ever kissed her before.
What a dumb girl. The Fates will be pleased, Raith’s thoughts played inside Scarlett’s mind.
“Scarlett,” Kaelem’s voice calmly said.
Raith grabbed Scarlett’s wrist and twisted her around. He pulled a knife and held it to her throat, its steel cool against her skin. “Now, now, Kaelem. Don’t make another move or I’ll slit this pretty throat of hers.”
“Come on, Raith. This isn’t you. The Fates are using you.” Kaelem took a step forward.
Raith touched the blade to Scarlett’s throat. “Don’t come any closer.”
Kaelem raised his hands. “Okay, I won’t.”
Scarlett tried to think of something she could do to escape. When she wiggled to search for a way from his grip, the blade sliced her skin. The wind blowing against the cut stung like crazy.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen the Unseelie King look so worried. Do I sense feelings?” Raith’s hand slithered down Scarlett’s side, past her hips and to her bare leg. “She’s nice to look at; I’ll give you that.”
Scarlett shuddered. Raith’s hands had touched her intimately before, but this wasn’t the same. This wasn’t the Raith who protected Scarlett in the Battle of Heirs, came to her aid at the Winter Court, or followed her into the Sidhe realm.
Stay calm, Kaelem’s voice said in her head.
Raith’s fingers lifted the side of her skirt.
A pulse of anger shot from Kaelem as he clenched his fists.
“Don’t like that, do you?” Raith laughed. “I don’t think you’ll like what the Fates have planned for her any better. Ankou needs her and once he has her, you’ll all bow to him.”
“This suit is too expensive to dirty by fighting you.”
“If she means that much to you, come over here and save her.” He was enjoying toying with Kaelem. He already had Scarlett in his arms. He could evanesce them both away in a blink. If there was a way for her to stop him from taking her, she didn’t know it, and if she evanesced, she would take him wit
h her.
How could she have been so dumb? She should have transported herself back to the ballroom as soon as she saw him. Of course, he hadn’t snuck away. The Fates were too cunning for it to be that easy.
“Please, Raith,” Scarlett whispered.
He moved his knifeless hand around her neck, now dripping with blood, and tightened his grip. “This game isn’t as fun, is it, King?”
Scarlett struggled to breathe. Her chest burned. She grabbed Raith’s arm and desperately tried to pull it from her throat, but it didn’t budge.
Raith screamed out in pain as he dropped the knife and reached for his back. “Fuck.”
Sensing his distraction, Scarlett twisted herself from his grip and kicked him in the stomach. As Raith swore some more, she ran to Kaelem.
He wrapped his arm around her and held her close.
A dagger stuck out of Raith’s shoulder blade. Behind him, Aria was ready to throw another.
Next to her, Ashleigh stood gaping.
Raith glared at Scarlett and Kaelem then vanished.
Scarlett stepped away from Kaelem. She needed to pull herself together. Nothing had happened. She was fine.
So, why did she feel so broken?
She looked at Ashleigh, dressed so elegantly and much healthier looking than the last time Scarlett had seen her.
Ashleigh stared wide-eyed at her.
Scarlett wanted to be mad that her sister was even there, but the incident with Raith had drained her energy and seeing her sister somehow gave her strength.
What would Ashleigh think? She’d seen the changes from when Scarlett had turned from human to fae, but now Scarlett was Sidhe.
Scarlett wanted to say something. Anything. But nothing she could think of seemed the thing to say.
Then, to Scarlett’s surprise, Ashleigh ran to her and pulled her into a hug.
“I never,” Ashleigh said through her tears, “thought about how everything affected you.”
Scarlett inhaled the guilt and fear surging through Ashleigh. The magic inside her buzzed. She didn’t like her sister feeling such negative emotions, but realizing Ashleigh still cared about her filled Scarlett with relief.
