"Tomorrow's the Day of the Wicked." My new magic sparked through me. My power no longer attacked itself. It was wild and free like Belenus. "It's when the Forest Fae either reform or die."
Belenus’ smile was as malevolent as mine. "You're a demigod. You don't choose between someone else's options. You make your own third way." Then he roared, "Run wild like the fire."
Belenus snapped his reins, and the chariot dived into the bonfire. The flames surged up, burning Belenus and his horses and taking them back to their side of the veil.
Our god was vanished, I was a demigod, and in only a couple of hours, the sun would dawn over the Day of the Wicked.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Wicked Reform School, Trial Area
Saturday 1st May
It was the morning of the true Day of the Wicked. Wells would insist that either I reformed and graduated or remained wicked and died. But unlike the mock run-through on Monday, this time I’d created my own third option: escape.
The other fae didn’t call our tribe Rebel for nothing.
I squirmed on my spot in front of the guillotine. I was safe, however, snug between Radley and Felix. When their shoulders nudged mine, power sparked through me. My wings crackled with golden magic.
Why was I thrumming to incinerate the Dean’s guillotine and his smug demon face along with it?
Ah yes, demigod.
My power surged through me for one moment longer, then I forced it deep inside: hidden.
Last night, my bonded and I had screwed in as many ways as we could imagine (and Laurel knew more ways to fit our sexy parts together than I'd ever dreamed, which was the benefit of a succubus as a lover). By the end of the night, we'd broken over fifty Dictates.
Next time, I’d shoot for a hundred.
Beau had groaned, collapsing back. Laurel had glowed with the energy, on which she’d fed. Exhausted, we'd laid in each other’s arms, until the fire had died to embers and dawn had streaked the sky.
We'd watched as summer had come in.
Then the world had lurched. The veils between worlds, which had been torn apart the night before, had mended themselves. I’d missed the scent of ancient magic.
Would I see Belenus again?
Wells would’ve been crazy with worry that we hadn’t returned to our dormitory after the Beltane Dance, but as revenges went, it wasn't up there with Radley's worst.
After all, how would Wells make us suffer for breaking the rules? Threaten to chop off our heads...?
Then the world had grown hazy. I’d gasped, panting. When I’d blinked away the haze, I'd found myself sprawled with my lovers on top of the cliff that we'd hurled ourselves off the night before.
I'd crawled to the cliff edge and peered down. Then I'd shivered at the sight of the waves crashing against the rocks.
The beach had disappeared like it'd never been there.
Yet I'd known by the way that I'd burned with power rather than pain just how much it hadn’t been a dream. Now I had to save the lives of all my tribe.
I glanced across the stage at the fae, who stood in gleaming ranks. They didn't appear afraid. Their chins were tilted up, and their gazes burned with something that I hadn't seen in them in a long time...hope.
The other Houses crowded the stage along with the staff. They buzzed with anticipation, and I didn’t think it was just the excitement of their bets. Since the method of execution loomed in iron behind us, the most popular bet appeared to be on who’d die first.
Yet the mood in the crowd had changed. The vampires jostled the shifters, but they didn't fight back. When the mermaids chatted to the witches, I raised my eyebrow.
Anticipation was thick in the air. The other paranormals weren't here to witness our deaths. At least, most weren't.... Okay, 60:40.
Shining Belenus, let it be enough.
I shuffled my boots on the stage, scrunching my nose up against the tangy scent of blood. Was it stronger than before or were my senses simply better? Since I'd been reborn, everything was brighter, louder, and more intense.
The world felt reborn right alongside me.
The fountains tinkled, the air was fresh, the sun beat hot against my head. Above, phoenixes swooped across the sky, singing haunting goodbyes.
My wings fluttered like they couldn't wait to take flight. Radley shot me a look that caused them to wilt. In the name of the forest, I mustn’t risk the staff guessing that I’d become a demigod.
I ducked my head, attempting a contrite face.
"Aye, that's right," Apollo glanced up at me through his thick lashes. Naked, he knelt in front of me. I'd refused to put his collar back on him. Conveniently, I'd lost it on the magical beach. When he next shifted, it'd be because he chose to and not because he was forced. It'd be the first time in his life that he shifted for himself. I itched to witness it. "Remember that this is the day we're returned to Court, My Lord. That'll cool your wings."
My wings wilted further, curling around me. I’d never return to the poisonous black court with its narrow corridors and sneering fae.
It'd kill me for real.
"That's the face we need," Felix muttered.
I searched the audience for Laurel. Where was she? What if Wells had locked her up or refused to allow her at the ceremony?
Unfortunately, scanning the crowds meant catching the Dean's eye. He shot me a beaming smile. The asshole thought that I was tamed and as controlled as his golems. I couldn't wait for him to discover Natalia's strength. When Natalia waved at me, I fought hard not to wave back.
Where was Laurel?
My pulse raced. Surely, Wells wouldn't have trapped her in the dungeon? Perhaps, we should’ve worked out a Plan B…
Yet Wells would enjoy forcing her to watch us being returned to the Court. He wanted to prove that his method of reforming was the correct one.
Then a pair of phoenix twins strolled to one side, and Laurel pushed to the front. Her fiery ginger scent wound around me, and I longed to kiss her. I'd never have enough of her because to the tips of my wings, I knew what being bonded meant now. It was loving someone so fiercely that you'd protect and fight for them, but that you could never live without them.
I understood Wells' grief for his dead wife.
My draw to Laurel stole the breath from me. Yet my bond wasn't complete without my fae and shifter lovers as well. Plus, if we ever had children, then I'd love them with the same fierceness. I'd never forget them like Wells had Beau.
I'd done that once. Never again.
When my gaze caught Laurel's, my wings perked up again as much as my prick. Her smile was strong and reassuring, rather than sad like when I'd first seen it. She didn't doubt me for one moment.
So, I didn't doubt myself.
Ogres ringed the crowd. Their swords were raised in preparation. When one slunk past Laurel, leering at her, I noticed the way that she assessed him. Those assholes who thought with their pricks (another image that I'd have to scour from my mind), wouldn't be hard to control.
Wells stepped to the front of the stage with Lincoln trotting proudly at his heels. Wells' uniform had been brushed and polished until it gleamed midnight black. Beau stood at Wells’ shoulder, fiddling with his cuff. He was pale, but his haughty mask was fixed in place.
Wells was relaxed, however, and he smiled benevolently at me.
Okay, now I felt icky.
Wells needed to believe, however, that this ceremony was only a formality because I was going to say yes...
Yes, I was reformed. Yes, I'd return to the Court. Yes, I'd be forced into the bond.
Then my tribe would follow me, even though I'd renounced lordship rights.
It was a shame for Wells really that I had a whole lot more than that to say.
"Where's my requested drumbeat?" Wells asked conversationally, but there was a dangerous bite to his tone.
The fae remained still. They didn't beat their wings together.
The audience fell to a sudden hush.
; Anticipation. Readiness. Threat.
My magic wound around my lovers like a shield. Danger scented the air. Suppressed violence simmered close to the surface from so many paranormals, and it set my teeth on edge.
The Dean wasn't smiling anymore. Instead, he glanced around himself in confusion. Not even the beserkers had made a move yet, and they were dumb. They all knew to wait for the signal.
Wells cleared his throat like he hadn't just been publicly ignored by his own House. “The Marquess of Spring, step forward. It’s time to judge the wicked."
I allowed my hair to swing forward, covering my eyes. The less Wells could see of me, the less chance he had to guess the truth. Radley and Felix swaggered forward at the same time, flanking me. Apollo crawled sexily in front of us. I'd never imagined that it was possible to crawl in a dominant way, but Apollo pulled it off.
Wells blinked at Apollo. "And this naked creature is...?"
"A sacred shifter." Apollo knelt, sitting back on his heels. "Plus, beautiful," he added as an afterthought, "and like the one that you still have collared at your feet. You wouldn't know how gorgeous I’m certain he is, since you've never freed him, right?"
For once, Lincoln didn't hiss. Instead, he stared longingly at Apollo and then up at Wells.
Wells shifted uncomfortably. He avoided meeting his swan’s accusing glare. "Once we're back at Court, you'll be a pampered pet too. Shifters are beautiful, elegant, and acceptable in swan form only." He waved his hand at Apollo. "This, on the other hand, is not."
When Apollo shivered, I stroked my hand through his hair, before fluidly dropping to my knees in front of Wells. Radley and Felix knelt either side of me. One last time, we'd be wing by wing in this school.
"Don't you have a tribal dance for me?" Wells drawled. "A Shakespearean sonnet? Surely you at least have a sarcastic quip?"
I shook my head.
"I don't need Shakespeare to tell you that every Forest Fae and even every human (who you despise), are more civilized than you." Felix's eyes were steely with determination. I loved that he didn't stutter. "The mysteries of the world are wasted on the small-minded."
"Boom!" Radley grinned.
I stroked along Felix’s neck with my wing. “Well said, Lix.”
Wells’ gaze darted between us, before settling on me for a long moment. My shoulders stiffened.
Don't let him guess...
Then Wells pulled out a graduation scroll from his pocket. "Aren't you at least going to turn this to ash? I never thought that I'd miss your drama."
When Wells glanced at the Dean, I knew that Wells was playing to the crowd. If he needled us, he could prove how reformed the Hostage Lords now were. He could show the entire school that our emotions had been wrecked in a single week.
Who I was to let down an audience...?
I clasped my hands together. "In the name of the Queen, I regret our despicable behavior on Monday. I beg your forgiveness." Wells scrutinized me; his expression was conflicted. He was desperate to believe me, but then, he'd known me for a long time. "Why? Are you disappointed?"
Finally, Wells allowed himself to let out a bark of laughter that made Beau jump. "I’m delighted. You shall make the most outstanding Court Fae."
Gold sparked my feathers, and rage coursed through me. It was the pain of my ancestors and the pride of my fathers. It was everything that I was and had been ripped away from me.
I was a Rebel Fae. This was my Day of the Wicked, and I'd be proud to claim my heritage and not the Court's.
"Thanks for that. But first, let me tell you a story. This is my graduation, after all. Won’t you all listen to the myth of how our Rebel tribe gained their name?" When I glanced at the ranks of fae, they beat their wings. Wells jumped, then frowned. Had he realized yet that the fae were no longer taking orders from him? The ancient drumming of the fae’s wings was no longer to urge me towards death but in solidarity of the tale. When a breeze gusted through my feathers, it was like the breath of every one of my ancestors. "The Court Fae say that it's a mark of shame that the color has been bleached from our wings in fae form. But in fact, us Forest Fae know that our wings are a mark of pride. We're called Rebel because our ancestors were the first to rise up against the tyranny of the Seelie. Every Dark Fae owes us gratitude. Rebellion sets you free...even your Queen."
"Enough stories and treason," Wells growled.
Beau tapped Wells' shoulder. "You've just broken Court Dictate 203: No snarling or growling."
Wells growled again.
Despite myself, I snickered.
"Where's the Countess?" Wells questioned. "She should be here to witness your graduation and then complete your bond. You have no conception the trouble that I’ve suffered at her hands because she’s desired to tame you. Do you know how long she's wished to bond with you?" I shuddered because yeah, I did. "I'm not inclined to believe that you're innocent as to her whereabouts."
Felix cocked his head. "That certainly sucks for you."
When Wells circled us, the hairs on my nape rose. "If she doesn't arrive by the end of the ceremony, her claim on you, Lord Spring, shall be forfeit. And that delights me as much as you reforming does." I twisted to Wells in shock. He’d never wanted me to bond with the Countess? "Do you believe me still so unloving towards my flock? I’ve never been free to make my own choices. But I detest cruelty between lovers. My bonded never raised her hand to me or..." His gaze rested on Beau. "…Her son. I swear that I shall do everything in my power to ensure the Queen chooses a Court Fae who'll treat you with the same kindness..."
Wait, he intended for my fate to rest in the hands of the Queen? She'd wanted to bond with Quinn. What if she saw me and decided simply to take the younger brother?
Focus, Quincey, you're already bonded to royalty...
"I’ve just found a way to save you the bother. Do you remember your counselor? She’s here, willing, and kind," I suggested.
Wells' lips twitched. "Good try."
"It was worth a shot. She's prepared a goodbye gift." I gazed hard at the ground, as my heart thudded in my chest. This was it. "It's a special end to the ceremony."
"That's not appropriate."
"If you've tasted love," Felix said, quietly, "then you'll understand what this means to us."
Wells hesitated.
Please, please, please...
At last, Wells stepped back. "Be my guest. Does she intend to pull a skvadar out of a hat?"
I forced myself not to grin. "Something like that."
Wells startled, when Beau clapped his hands. Instantly, the fae separated, carrying forward folding chairs that they put out along the front of the stage as if for a show.
"What's going on?" Wells demanded.
Felix, Radley, and I pushed ourselves to our feet, slipping our hands to the hilts of our scimitars.
"The performance of our lives." I steered Wells to the middle seat, pressing him down.
Wells blinked in confusion as the fae, led by Sour Face himself, dived into the crowd and dragged up the reluctant staff to fill the seats. Even the Dean strolled to take his place like it was a throne and he was being offered a treat.
I couldn't wait for him to choke on it.
The ogres didn't want to be left out, sheathing their swords and strutting to stand around the edges. My nose wrinkled at the stench of mud that hung around them.
Finally, Laurel stalked onto the stage. Her dress fluttered behind her like she was so white-hot that she flickered with flames. She was decidedly hot and made warmth pool inside me. Particularly, at the way that her eyes lit with predatory danger.
Laurel was about to battle for her bonded, and a succubus was deadly when protecting her harem.
Right now, however, she was going to dance.
When I slipped on "Glory Hole" by Portishead, Laurel matched the song's spooky sensuality, as she danced in front of the staff. I wanted to screw her hard and fast and make love to her slowly at the same time. She raised her hands above her hea
d, swaying her hips and glancing over her shoulder at them.
She was a temptress. A flame sprung to life. Everything.
My mates banded around me, my wings beat, and the anticipation in the crowds grew.
This was the signal.
Laurel threw her succubi power to mesmerize, which had been boosted by our marathon sex session the night before, at the gathered staff. They couldn't resist. In a daze, they sat under her thrall.
How deadly could Laurel be with such a power now that she was bonded to the five of us?
I was starting to get the fated: a succubi princess, demigod, sacred shifter, Marquess Court Fae, and two Rebel Lords.
Yet when I studied Wells, there was just enough of a spark in his eyes for me to wonder if Laurel's spell was truly working on him.
I nudged Beau. "What's going on with your dad? How could he resist that level of power?"
Beau worried at his bottom lip with his teeth. "He once said that no succubus could tempt him with their dirty emotion. I believed it to be nothing more than Court prejudice. Yet perhaps, this is what he meant and why he felt safe to hire one. You know, she could compel us to do anything, if she wished."
I shivered. Yet Laurel had never abused her power. She'd never forced anything on us.
"Then why is Wells pretending?" Radley snarled.
Apollo grasped Radley's hand. "Leave off growling. Despite it all, the rascally bastard might want to give us a chance to experience freedom. It sounds like he never has."
When my gaze shot to Wells, he coolly met it. He wasn't mesmerized. Yet he hadn't tried to raise an alarm. For the first time since I was a kid and he’d helped the Countess to foster and tutor me, Wells was allowing me to make my own choices. Like Belenus, he wanted me to prove myself.
Then Natalie gave me the thumbs up, and the wards snapped down. At the same moment, the glowing runes on the coat lapels of every single fae, faded.
We could fly.
Instantly, it was chaos.
The gates crashed open. The wolf shifters howled, and the witches shrieked with delight. I hoped that the spells had broken on the cyclops guardians as well.
Oscar nodded to me from underneath his dark hood, before he led the vampires darting across the lawns and towards the gates. Even the phoenixes landed, crashing into the mermaids and elves, in a wild sprint for freedom. They didn't know that the invisible barrier in the skies had also been lowered.
Rebel: House of Fae: A Dark Fae Paranormal Romance Page 25
