Wicked Darkness

by Victoria Zak

  She knew it was him who had dressed her and put her to bed. This was how it was going to be from now on. She’d be his pet.

  “I see you’re awake,” A deep voice came from across the chamber and sent a chill down her spine.

  Alder emerged from the shadows. She stumbled back as he approached.

  His long, black hair hung loosely past his shoulders. Black, scrolling tattoos peaked out from the neckline of his tunic. His ice-blue eyes were mesmerizing and matched his chilly demeanor.

  “Aye, I’ve slept verra well. Do ye know when the queen will see me?”

  Alder opened the wardrobe and pulled out a green, velvet dress with gold trim. “Come here, Leana.”

  Slowly, she padded across the chamber and stood in front of him. “When can I see the queen? She must know I’m here.”

  Why was he ignoring her? Alder gently pulled the dress the over her head. He walked to the corner of the room where he had been watching her and returned with a chair. He placed it in front of him. “Sit.”

  Leana did as he asked. There was no sense in arguing to see the queen.

  Her majesty would call for her when she was ready. Leana sat with her hands folded in her lap. She felt the prince pick up a handful of her hair and bring it to his nose. He inhaled deeply and sighed. “I’ve missed you.”

  Her stomach tightened. There wasn’t one thing she missed about this place.

  Alder gently ran a comb down her hair. “You’ve been a very busy traveler, haven’t you?”

  “We had to leave.”

  Alder yanked her hair back. His hot breath brushed against her skin. “You cannot outrun the queen, silly girl.”

  Leana grabbed his hand. “I have learned me lesson. I’ve come home to stay.”

  His grip loosened. “I have always loved you. I have given you freedom, and now you have fallen in love with a human. You dared to break the blood oath, which cannot go unpunished. I can forgive you, but I will not be able to protect you from the queen.”

  “Alder, I never knew how ye felt for me. Ye were like a brother.”

  Alder winced. “A brother?”

  “Aye. I had to protect me family.”

  “No.” He threw the comb across the chamber, then strode to the hearth.

  He gazed at the ceiling as he breathed in a calming breath. “I saw you with those two men in the blacksmith shop. It was me that killed them.”

  “Laird Cormag hunted us like a pack of wild dogs. Ye put me sisters in danger. What were ye thinking?”

  “What was I thinking?” The flickering flames from the hearth cast a sinister glow on his face. “I wanted you to suffer like I had. I wanted you to feel the pain of your heart being ripped in two. I thought you’d come home after your clan banished you. I never thought you’d run away.” Alder turned away as if he was ashamed at what he’d done. “I never meant to hurt you.”

  If Alder was capable of murder, what had he done to Kendrick? “What do ye mean?”

  “Leana, you cannot lie to me. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Heard it with my own ears. I was hiding in the kitchen when you confessed your love to that human. Aye, I was angry, but I didn’t hurt him. This time, I wanted you to pay. When you summoned me, I was here telling the queen what I had seen and that I had found you.”

  “What?” Leana couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “You would betray me like this?”

  “I have ignored the queen’s orders far too long. It was time I brought her the ultimate prize.”

  “Prize?”

  “Leana, I cannot control myself around you. I adore you, and then you turn around and do something stupid. And trust me, woman, you will be punished.”

  Leana hung her head. “Please tell me ye will no’ hurt Kendrick.”

  Alder returned to her side and took her hands in his. “No harm shall befall him as long as you stay in the realm. You can never see him again. Is that clear?”

  Tears streamed down her checks. She couldn’t speak but nodded.

  “In time, you will forgive me and come to understand that everything I did was out of love. You know you can never change who you are, Leana.

  The more you try, the more people are hurt. ‘Tis time you accept your Unseelie side.”

  Leana knew exactly what she was coming home to do, and it wasn’t to be his pet. He was terribly mistaken, she’d never forgive him for the wicked things he’d done. And she would never embrace her Unseelie side.

  Leana pulled her hands away. “I want to see Queen Snowdrop now.”

  “She’s waiting for you in her solar.”

  Desperate to get the meeting over with, Leana went to the door. As soon as she touched the latch, her hand burned. Icy blue bars lined the walls. She was trapped inside her bedchamber by the queen’s magic. She turned to the prince. “Alder, let me out.”

  “The queen is deeply hurt by your betrayal.” He cupped her face. “I cannot protect you.”

  “I have never asked for your protection, nor do I want it. Now open the door.”

  With a flick of his wrist and a heavy sigh, Alder opened the door.

  Leana rushed out and down the corridor to a winding staircase. It wrapped around five times before it touched the main hall. With haste, she made it to the queen’s door. It had been a long time since she’d been inside the queen’s solar. Nothing good ever happened there. But that was going to change now.

  The air around her grew colder and smelled of blood. Fear unleashed inside Leana, but she must face the queen—for her sisters and for Kendrick and his children.

  She sucked in a breath and knocked on the door. A young woman, pale as winter snow and wearing a long-sleeve robe, opened the door. Leana entered the chamber. The maid had puncture holes in her neck which made Leana think the queen would make her return to her old ways, hunting humans and bringing them back for Snowdrop to feed on. Maiden, Mother, Crone. What did her future hold?

  Leana made her way through another long corridor. With each step, the ice floor creaked and echoed. She could barely hear her own thoughts over the pounding of her heart.

  “Be brave, Leana,” a familiar voice whispered.

  “Mum?” She turned around, but no one was there.

  Hearing her mother’s voice could be a trick. The fae were unusually cruel and fed on anyone’s fears and regrets. Leana continued down the corridor blocking out her mother’s voice. Soon everything would be righted, and her family would be safe.

  The corridor opened up to a huge chamber with ice walls. Five wide steps opened to the queen’s bathing pool. Blood trickled down the stairs like a waterfall.

  As Leana started to climb, Aspen stopped her. “The queen is bathing.

  Wait here.”

  The queen stood, blood trickling down her pale body. The sinister glare the queen gave Leana would have made the devil shudder. A slave dried the queen, then another wrapped her in a dark robe. As Snowdrop descended the steps, she pulled a pin from her hair.

  Leana wasn’t blinded as others would be by the queen’s grace. Leana knew her bite was deadly, her soul as twisted as the rowan tree that bent around her throne.

  Aye, Leana was going to pay dearly.

  The queen smiled at Leana, but she didn’t move, didn’t even bow.

  “You are in the queen’s company. Kneel.” Aspen pushed Leana to the floor. “Have you forgotten your place?”

  She fell to her hands and knees.

  Pain shot through Leana’s hand as the prince stepped on it, grinding her fingers into the ice. “Address the queen properly,” Aspen growled through clenched teeth.

  “My Majesty.”

  The queen turned her head as if she didn’t hear. Aspen kicked her in the ribs, knocking Leana to her side, and she heaved for air.

  “The queen did not hear you,” Aspen said.

  Leana looked up at Aspen, and he grinned, revealing what pleasure he took in hurting her. With a stagger, Leana rose to her knees.

  Show no weakness.

  She b
owed her head. “My Majesty.”

  Form the corner of her eye, Leana saw Alder enter the chamber and join his brother, Ash, in the back of the room. Leana didn’t know why, but she looked to him for help. She needed someone on her side, for the queen would never understand why she’d betrayed her.

  The queen stepped around her, hatred shining in her eyes. “You’ve finally came home, child,” the queen said. She nodded to Asher and Alder and they left the chamber.

  Seconds later, they returned with three women with hoods over their heads.

  Leana didn’t know what was happening. Her chest tightened as she thought about what the queen would have her do to repledge her loyalty.

  Would she have to kill three innocents to prove herself?

  The princes brought the prisoners to the queen. “The blood oath can never be broken. No matter how far you run, you’ll always belong to me.” With a wave of her hand, the princes removed the women’s hoods.

  “Nay!” Leana charged forward, toward her sisters and mother, but Aspen held her back. “Nay!” Leana’s knees buckled. “Please let them go.”

  “Go?” the queen spat. “You all have betrayed me, taken my lover, and plotted to kill me.” She glared at Adaira. “Did you actually think you could take my kingdom with that pathetic army? Wolves are no threat to me, as for humans…” She snickered. “Pathetic. Now you want me to show you mercy?”

  “Please,” Leana begged.

  The queen’s lips curled down into a sneer. She grabbed Leana’s chin, digging her nails into her skin. She leaned in close. “Why should I show you mercy?”

  Leana stood steady. She knew how to save her family. “I’ve come to make you an offer.”

  “You and your sisters already belong to me. What could you possibly offer me?”

  “My unwavering devotion.”

  Intrigued, the queen paused. “Go on.”

  “Me sisters never wanted to make the blood oath. They did it for me. I want you to release them. Release me mother from the troubles of the past. In return, I will serve ye and the realm forever.”

  The queen shook her head.

  Leana had to think of something to convince the queen before she dismissed her. “You know it will only be a matter of time before we escape again. We did it once, we’ll do it again. If ye let Masie and Adaira go, I’ll swear allegiance to ye.”

  “Leana, I cannot let them go without something in return. A life for a life.

  You know the rules.”

  “Ye have mine.”

  “I need more. Fresh blood. You’re asking to free three people in exchange for one.”

  “May I speak freely?” Leana asked.

  The queen nodded.

  “I’m asking ye to save yer family. Let them go, mend the past. Doughall isn’t worth ruining yer relationship with yer sister.”

  The queen gazed at her sister, Helen. “I’m not interested in mending the past. What she did to me is unforgiveable. Laird Keith was mine.”

  “Laird Keith kidnapped our mother from Laird Gunn,” Masie revealed.

  “’Tis true. I saw the tapestry.”

  “Masie.” Helen held up her hand. “’Tis no’ matter. Yer aunt knows and she still blames me.”

  “Enough,” the queen commanded. “I do not care. ‘Tis you that wants something from me. I suggest you tread softly. My patience is wearing thin.”

  “What do ye want me to do?” Leana asked.

  “You ask me to free your mother and sisters and I get you in return. A life for a life, Leana.” The queen paced, tapping her long, icy finger on her chin.

  “I need an heir to the throne.”

  Leana’s heart dropped as she knew what the queen was thinking. An heir only meant one thing…an arranged marriage.

  “I cannot have children of my own. By the oath, Leana, you are my daughter.” The queen stopped and faced her. “I will release Adaira and Masie. Your mother is of no use to me. She’s free to go. But you will wed Alder and give me an heir and many grandchildren.”

  “Will ye free Clan Keith and the Honor Guard from the dungeons?”

  Frustrated, the queen threw her arms in the air. “Maiden, Mother, Crone!

  I’ll free them all.”

  “Leana, ye can no’ do this.” Helen yanked free from the prince. She cupped Leana’s face. “Me sweet, red-haired wildflower. Ye dinnae have to do this.”

  Leana leaned into her mother’s gentle touch. By the gods, she wished she could go back in time. She wanted to be the little girl dancing with her sisters and mother in the summer sun. She wanted to be a girl without a care in the world.

  Leana gazed into her mother’s eyes. They were blue like hers. She’d never forgotten how they twinkled when she laughed. Her mother would laugh again. “Mother, I have to do this. ‘Tis the only way for Adaira, Masie, and ye to be free from the queen. I started this nightmare and I will end it.”

  “Ye are as stubborn as me.” Helen smiled, then turned to the queen. “I’m no’ leaving here without me daughter.”

  “Mum, please.”

  Helen waved her hand. “Galanthus, ye’re forgetting an important detail.

  A union between Alder and Leana will bind our house as allies. Their child will be as much mine as yers. Leana will be named a princess of the Unseelie court, and as her mother, I will stay here and be treated with respect.”

  Leana could see the hatred brewing in the queen’s eyes. She’d been outwitted. “I suppose you are right, Helen. The wedding will happen tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow?” Leana gasped.

  “Yes, child. I want that grandchild soon,” the queen said. “Now, if we’re done, I have some business to attend to.” She left the solar.

  Adaira and Masie ran to their sister. “Leana, we’ll think of a way out of this,” Adaira promised.

  “Aye, ye will no’ marry that beast,” Masie said as she hugged her. They

  wrapped their arms around each other and huddled together. “I have me girls back,” Helen said through tears of joy. “As long as we have one another, we’ll find a way out of this.”

  Leana broke away. “Nay, Mum. I will marry the prince. I will keep me word and there will be peace.”

  “What about Kendrick?” Adaira asked. “Ye love him.”

  Her heart fluttered when she heard his name. Happy memories of Anna, Allie, and Kit flashed before her eyes. She loved them with all her heart.

  Because of her, everyone she loved would be safe. “Aye, and this is why I must marry the prince.”

  Adaira shook her head. “Ye have a chance at happiness and ye’re throwing it away like a fool.”

  “Adaira…” Helen scolded.

  “Giving up on what makes ye happy is no’ the answer. This place will poison yer heart. Over time, the queen will destroy the good in ye. Ye know what I say is the truth.”

  Leana did know, and it chilled her to the bone. How was she going to stay true to herself? Or did it really matter anymore? Without Kendrick, her life was empty. At least in the fae realm she wouldn’t hurt anyone.

  “I dinnae expect ye to understand, sister, but I must do this.”

  17

  ADAIRA STRODE out of the queen’s chamber and headed straight to the dungeon where Rafe and her men were being held. Inside, she raged like a tempest. She wouldn’t allow Leana to follow through with her plan. All three sisters had taken the oath together and would be leaving the realm together.

  Two guards barred her way, and she hissed, showing her fangs, daring them to make a move. She wouldn’t think twice about ripping their heads off.

  They parted, and she swung the door open, snatching a torch as she raced down the winding stairs. The stench of filth lingered in the air causing her stomach to sour. “Rafe,” she called out.

  “Aye.”

  She followed his voice to the back of the dungeon. “Wolf, I’m here.”

  The place was dark even with torchlight. Picking up the pace, she continued down the corridor praying that
this wasn’t fae trickery.

  “Adaira!”

  Startled, she turned around and bumped into a wall of muscle. “Rafe.”

  She wrapped her arms around him. “Are ye hurt?” She took a step back and looked him over.

  “No, my queen, I am not.”

  “How about yer men?”

  “Well.” Rafe cupped her face and kissed her deeply. “I was worried.”

  “I know. Me, too.”

  Rafe tipped her chin up. “What aren’t ye telling me?”

  “The queen is releasing all of us. Even Masie and I from the blood oath.”

  “That’s incredible news.” Rafe smiled.

  Adaira wished she could feel joy, but she couldn’t. It was far worse than she could imagine.

  “Adaira.” Rafe’s smile faded. “What is it?”

  Adaira shook her head. “Our freedom came at a high cost. Leana is to wed Alder, which will unite us with the queen.”

  “Shite.” He blew out a frustrated breath.

  “I know. But there’s a way we can still beat the queen. Ye must find Kendrick and bring him here. He’s the only one that can help Leana.”

  “I dinnae understand. How?”

  “Rafe, the moment I met Kendrick, I knew there was something different about him. I could no’ put me finger on it until now. He’s a Druid.”

  “A Druid?”

  “Aye, I felt his magic. He’s the only one that can help us now. I can no’

  be tied to the queen any longer.”

  “My Queen, I’ll do whatever ye ask of me.”

  “Bring Kendrick here by tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow?”

  “Aye.”

  Rafe shook his head. “Ye know this is impossible.”

  “No’ for a wolf.” She grinned.

  “Lass, ye’re lucky I love ye.”

  Adaira smiled as she watched Rafe gather his men and leave the dungeon.

  To make sure the queen kept her word, Adaira followed them out to the edge of the fae vale. As she watched Rafe leave her heart ached. She wouldn’t rest easily until he returned with Kendrick.