My family meant everything to me. And so did Crispin.
I meant to storm into Ashcraw, not as a royal prince but as a knight rescuing his true love from tyrannical parents and a banshee, otherwise known as Pervinca.
I was prepared for resistance. What I wasn’t expecting was the great big ball of nothing that happened when I tried to open a portal back to the Ashcraw parlor. There wasn’t so much as a ripple of magic when I spread one arm. I set the sword on my bed and tried it with both arms open. Still nothing.
“My father cut off all portal access.”
Crispin’s voice startled me out of my skin. I whirled around to find him standing stiffly behind me. He wore his same red suit.
I rushed up to him and reached out, only to have my hands go right through him. A pain of longing stabbed through my chest. He wasn’t really here. “Are you all right? What happened after I left?” I asked.
“I’m fine.” Crispin gritted his teeth. “The Peppercuffs are still keen for Pervinca to have my title. They said if I promised never to see you again, they would never speak of this unfortunate event.”
I clutched my stomach, sure I would be sick.
“I told them I could make no such promise,” Crispin said firmly.
My spirits were lifted as though on a cloud. “Where are you now?”
“My room. Father told the Peppercuffs I’d come to my senses in the morning.” Crispin rolled his eyes. “He’s just buying himself time to formulate a plan. I bet he’s searching for a sorcerer to compel me to wed and bed Pervinca.”
“I won’t let him.” My head jerked.
Sorcery was no joke. Crispin clearly needed saving. Plus, I missed him.
I hurried over to Folas and unfastened his scabbard.
“What happened to your guard?” Crispin asked.
“Sleeping powder,” I said as I clasped the scabbard around my own hips and sheathed the sword.
“What are you doing?”
“Coming to get you, obviously. I don’t need a portal. I’ll ride through the night.”
There were several manor homes I could portal into that would get me closer to Ashcraw, but they would entail explaining my sudden appearance and a request to borrow a horse. The less Fae who knew I was on the move, the better. My family had many critics, including those who ran in more noble circles.
Crispin sucked in a breath. “Lark, no. It’s not safe. A couple weeks ago, centicores were running rampant near Ashcraw, and they’re not the only beasts residing in our woodland.”
I opened my palm and called forth a ball of flame, smiling in its glow. “I’m armed. And I’ll be careful. I . . . miss you.”
The worry lines on Crispin’s face softened. He walked up to me, his features glowing in the light of my magic. It was torture being able to see him so clearly, knowing he wasn’t with me—that he couldn’t even feel the warmth of my flame.
“I wish I could touch you,” he said in a whisper of longing.
“Soon.” I extinguished my flame and walked past Folas to the door.
Crispin jogged alongside me. “I don’t like this, Lark. You can’t travel alone. If something happened to you—”
“Nothing will happen to me. I promise.”
“That’s not the sort of thing you can promise.” Crispin frowned.
“You can scold me after I arrive at Ashcraw.” I smiled, already anticipating Crispin grabbing me by the shoulders and giving me a good shake for making him worry. Then he’d kiss me and become so overcome with yearning, there would be no more lectures, only loving.
For their part, the castle guards maintained neutral expressions as I walked along the corridor, seeming to speak to myself. A dreamscaper could only be seen by the one they chose to visit. In the case of my fathers, they were able to visit two at a time if one of them happened to be with Mom. I’d heard Lyklor gripe about it a time or two. Apparently, Ryo liked to pop in on them when it was supposed to be Lyklor’s “turn” to share Mom’s bed . . . information I’d like to burn out of my memory. Don’t get me wrong. I loved growing up with two dads—I seriously couldn’t choose a favorite—but polygamy wasn’t for me. Crispin was mine and mine alone. I wouldn’t share. And I certainly wouldn’t become a sideline lover after he married a harpy like Pervinca.
Once I reached Ashcraw, we could portal to Pinemist. As the humans said, fly our freak flags in the elven realm. My mom and dads would welcome Crispin with open arms. They were all about the love.
“Lark, please be rational.” Crispin’s voice faltered with his fading body. He sucked in a sudden breath and was gone altogether.
No matter, I’d be at his side soon.
CHAPTER TEN
Crispin
“Crispin Hugh Maglen, open this door at once!” Father’s voice jolted me out of my dreamscape.
Bloody hell! I needed to get back to Lark and stop him from leaving the safety of Dahlquist—a fine challenge when he could walk right through me. With Father rapping the door with his cane, I couldn’t even concentrate enough to return in time to try to talk sense into the wayward prince. He’d left his guard unconscious and unable to protect him.
I knew Lark too well. He was impulsive and hot-tempered. The bloody fool would mount up and ride straight to Ashcraw without any kind of escort, or even the light of day, to aid his journey. Someone had already made an attempt on his life. There were miscreants who wanted him dead.
My chest tightened, squeezing around my heart, choking off my breath.
“Crispin!” Whack. Whack. Whack. Father’s cane smacked my door.
With a growl of discontent, I stormed over and removed the chair I’d propped beneath the door jamb. Opening to face Father, I blocked him from entering my domain.
Wrinkles ate up his face. He hit the floor with his cane. “I don’t care if you have to get down on your knees and beg, but tomorrow you will go to Pervinca Peppercuff and pledge to become her devoted mate.”
I snorted.
Father’s cane descended so fast I didn’t realize what was happening until I felt the flaming strike across my wrist. Pain exploded over my bones. I hissed.
“You dare assault your own son?” My upper lip curled.
“It’s your head I should be rapping with my cane.” Father sneered. “I let you have your fun with Thayer. It’s time to stop being another male’s plaything and accept your responsibility.”
Rubbing my wrist, I glared at him. I wasn’t Lark’s plaything. He hadn’t laughed or thrown my affection back in my face. He cared about me. He’d saved himself for me. And he was riding here now in the most stupid but bloody romantic gesture imaginable.
My mind spoke the words I could not. Fuck you, Father.
His face darkened, as though reading my thoughts. What truly concerned me was the way his entire body relaxed a couple seconds later. The wrinkles smoothed over his forehead, and his lips loosened from the tight scowl from moments before. He leaned against his cane. “If you won’t take care of your family, then your sister will.”
“What do you mean by that?” I clenched my jaw. Father’s ire at me had nothing to do with Kenzie.
Seeing the flash in my eyes, Father grinned. “Briar Whifflewort has been after me to give him his blessings for her hand.”
“That shriveled up piece of rotten fruit?” I recoiled.
“I agree. He is unsightly.” Father brushed his lapel and wrinkled his nose. “But what Whifflewort lacks in youth and appearance, he makes up for in wealth. With your engagement to Pervinca, I had thought to spare poor, dear Kenzie from such a distasteful union.” Father shrugged. “I hope your fling with that halfling prince was worth the price of your sister’s happiness.”
I withered beneath his disdainful glare. With those words, my heart shrank smaller and smaller until only a hard pebble remained.
I would not allow my sister to end up with an old male. I’d rather marry Pervinca if that’s what it took to save Kenzie from such a foul fate. Briar Whifflewort wasn’t
getting anywhere near my sister. I screwed up my face. Just thinking the old wretch’s name made my skin crawl in disgust.
“Very well, Father.” I spit out his name as though it were a piece of gristle in my steak. “I will make amends with Pervinca.”
Father’s smile ate up all the light in the corridor just as my soul went dark. “A wise decision,” he drawled before turning away. His cane tapped the floor with each step as he receded.
I waited until Father rounded the corner before slamming my door closed. It seemed to ricochet through my chest. Stomping to my bed, I flung myself on my back and tried to calm my breathing enough to go into the half-sleep necessary for dreamscaping. I had to return to Lark and tell him there was no point in putting himself in danger when I would only have to turn him away.
He had a little sister. Surely he would understand my sacrifice. He’d killed his own uncle to save his elf cousin. If anyone understood the need to protect family, it was Lark Elmray.
It took me a while to calm my breathing. But it was already too late. Lark was long gone from Dahlquist Castle, and there was no way to pinpoint an exact location with him in motion. The last thing I wanted to do was rat him out, but with his safety on the line, I had to tell someone. The blond guard was still knocked out. The next best option was Princess Sarfina. That presented an impossible challenge. The royals wouldn’t leave their bedrooms open to anyone to dreamscape in. I’d bet the entire Ashcraw estate that my name wasn’t on Princess Sarfina’s guest list.
Gripping my hair, I sat up and groaned in frustration, devastation, and worry. In my anguish, I didn’t hear the light tapping at first.
“Crispin,” my sister whisper-yelled. Opening the door, she hurried into my chamber. Like me, she was still dressed in her ballroom attire. Her cheeks glowed, and her lips smiled with mirth. “Oh, my gosh, Crispin! Is it true? Are you and Lark Elmray in love?”
I winced. It didn’t matter what we were. We were over. Before I could think of a response, she was clapping her hands.
“This is the best news ever. Lark is so handsome and sweet. And now we can be friends.” She squealed. “Pervinca must be so jealous.”
“Among other things,” I muttered.
Kenzie skipped over and hugged me before twirling away, staring dreamy-eyed around the room.
“The two of you are going to make the most beautiful couple in the kingdom. Do you think we’ll be invited to the palace more often? Can I come with you? You won’t leave me here with Mom and Dad, will you?”
Her bubbling excitement felt like acid burning through me.
“Kenzie, stop,” I snapped.
Her jaw went slack. She froze and devastated me further with her wounded look.
Father was right. It was time I did my duty. Not for my parents or the estate, but for my sister.
I squared my shoulders and lifted my chin. “It was a one-time dalliance,” I said coolly. “Lark Elmray was an itch that needed scratching. Pervinca comes from good stock, unlike that halfling. Scandal follows the Elmrays every direction they turn. Do you think I want to drag down our family’s reputation by entangling myself with that fire-wielding show-off? Pervinca is the one I should be with. The one I choose.” I sounded deadly serious even as my heart broke apart. I concentrated on freezing it between my ribs, feeling the cold seep into the cavity of my chest. Every insult stabbed inward.
Kenzie blinked several times. “You don’t mean that.” Her lower lip quivered.
“I said the words, didn’t I?” I didn’t mean to sound cross with her. This wasn’t her fault. If I unveiled Father’s threat, she’d probably tell me to follow my heart and let her worry about herself. As her older brother, it was my job to look out for her.
Kenzie glanced at the door. Good. She should go. The sooner the better. I still needed to figure out how to protect Lark in his mad dash across the kingdom.
“Do you love him?” My sister’s harsh demand rattled my bones. My eyes snapped to hers. “Answer the question, Crispin.” She’d never spoken to me this way before. When I refused to answer, Kenzie’s eyes narrowed. “I’ll take your non-answer as a yes. I know you’re stubborn, but I didn’t realize you were a coward.”
“I’m no coward,” I snapped.
“Then tell me why you insist on marrying Pervinca?” Kenzie put her hands on her hips, matching my glower with one of her own. I wasn’t used to this look on her face. I pursed my lips. “If you won’t tell me, I’ll have to guess. First guess: The Peppercuffs threatened harm will come to Prince Lark if you don’t marry Pervinca.” She studied my face and rubbed her lips together. “That’s not it. Second guess: Father threatened Prince Lark harm or ostracization from noble gatherings.”
I folded my arms. “Really, Kenzie? You’re going to stand here all night throwing theories at me?”
Her eyebrows arched as though to say challenge accepted. “Third guess: You’re ashamed of Prince Lark.”
“I’m not ashamed of him!” The outrage rushed out of me.
The little brat smiled smugly. “Good.” I glared at her, but she only seemed to find it encouraging. “Fourth guess: Father is coercing you in some way to go through with the Peppercuff engagement.”
My scowl gave me away.
“That’s it!” Kenzie said, snapping her fingers. “You’re the one being threatened.”
“I am not,” I said.
“Lark?”
“No.”
Kenzie chewed on her bottom lip while her pupils moved up in thought. They settled back down to me. “Is it me?” she asked softly. “Is Father threatening me to keep you in line?”
I shook my head. “He would never hurt you.”
“What aren’t you telling me?” Kenzie pressed. “Please, Crispin. We’ve always been able to tell each other anything.”
Staring into her sweet eyes, I wanted to confide in the one person I always could. I pressed my lips together. The love I felt for my sister outweighed all else.
I turned away from her. Avoided her gaze. “Please leave.”
Part of me hoped she’d stay and badger me some more—force the truth out of me and come up with a solution to all our problems. Instead, I heard the soft patter of her slippers over the rugs followed by the snick of the door closing behind her.
Kenzie’s departure felt like a flame snuffed out. In protecting her, I’d have to give her up as my confidant and best friend. This secret had erected a stone wall between us. Once I married Pervinca, my ruthless bride would guard that wall, ensuring neither Kenzie nor I ever climbed back over. My heart and my soul. Tonight, I’d lost them both.
My fingers curled into fists.
I’d be damned if I let Lark Elmray break his neck to get to me.
I lay back on my bed and calmed my racing mind. I traveled back to his chamber, to his guard, but the sleeping giant wouldn’t rouse even when I yelled at him.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Lark
Darkness enveloped me on all sides, but my heart blazed like the torch I carried while riding the vacant road. Despite what Crispin might think, I wasn’t entirely reckless. I wore a black hooded cloak atop a black steed. The torch was both to hide my elemental magic and keep it in reserve.
I’d never minded the dark. The realm felt less crowded. In fact, I’d argue that it was safer for me to travel at night. It was unexpected. And assassins had to sleep, too.
Nearly a day of riding separated the castle from Ashcraw. Tamping down my impatience, I kept a sharp eye on the path, spurred on by the reward at the end. A kiss. A touch. More kisses.
I’d never kissed another male until Crispin. He’d confirmed the answer to a question I’d harbored since boyhood. Suspecting and experiencing were two entirely different beasts. The encounter roared through me, rousing all my senses. It was as though I’d been sleepwalking through life until Crispin’s mouth touched mine. I couldn’t wait to do it again, to feel fully alive.
My horse nickered. A hoot drew my attention to the forest
. I skimmed the edges of the woods, grateful I didn’t have to ride through them. The way to Ashcraw was relatively open, unlike the trip to my aunt’s castle in Ravensburg, which required traveling through dense forest. Ashcraw lay in the direction of sprawling fields. In the dark, the pastures reminded me of a starless sky stretching across the lands.
Several more hours into the journey, I had yet to encounter another soul. The villages I passed were silent. There wasn’t so much as a lantern glowing through the window of a cottage.
A crescent moon hung overhead. The stars shone brilliantly in the sky. I rose and fell smoothly in the saddle as I cantered over straight stretches of road. The torch flame sparked in the wind created by the movement.
I still had a good hour of riding when I spotted a flame headed toward me. I gave the reins a gentle tug, bringing my steed to a halt. There was only a single light, which indicated a single rider, but it was still too far off to tell. I hoped Crispin hadn’t been bullheaded enough to ride out to meet me. It didn’t seem like his style. It could be a civilian leading a mob for all I knew.
I tossed my torch behind me, into the middle of the dirt road where it was far from grass or anything flammable that could catch. Then I pulled out Folas’s sword, gripping it tightly.
I clucked to the horse and urged him forward at a steady trot. Squinting in the dark, I saw the rider approach at a steady gait, seated upright and proper as he neared. A smile broke out over my lips as his outline came into focus. In an instant, I recognized the proud stretch of his spine and perfect angle of his seat as he bent his hips in forward motion.
I slid the sword back into its scabbard and squeezed my horse between my thighs, urging him into a canter, but then I tugged the reins when Crispin and I met in the middle of the road. I pulled back my hood and met the intensity of his gaze. His eyes were bright in the flame of the torch. He wore dark riding breeches and long leather boots. A short wool double-breasted jacket clung snugly to his chest with long coattails fanned out behind him. At least he’d had the good sense to leave his manor with a sword strapped at his side.
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