Intrigues of the Lunar Fae Court

by Ivy Clyde

  A haze of lust came over Demitria’s emerald-green eyes.

  “Did you find anything about Moira?” I asked before she could throw us both into a heated frenzy of lovemaking.

  Her expression cleared as she fell back against the bed. “No. There is still no news of where she is. Even Coran doesn’t know what happened to her. We can only hope Rowan and Leon are with her.”

  “You feel responsible for her, don’t you?”

  “I can’t help it,” she said, looking up toward the ceiling. “She is Selene’s daughter. I couldn’t save her but I want to help her daughter. A person as generous and kind-hearted as Selene deserves so much more than what fate gave her.”

  I nodded quietly. Selene’s end was truly tragic. Separated from both her child and mate, she was murdered by her own brother.

  I grabbed Demitria’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “Moira is safe. My heart tells me so.”

  “I hope so.”

  Lying down beside her, I started taking off her jewelry one by one. She stayed still, allowing me to do whatever I wanted. Within minutes, I’d stripped her off the red gown as well. She lay before me in nothing but a thin linen shift.

  My hands glided over her curves, drawing out shivers from her. Demitria’s green eyes opened and she stared up at me. “I love you so much, Chantal,” she said in a quiet voice. The sincerity in her eyes made my heart pound heavily. There was so much I wanted to tell her but words failed me. So, I leaned down and captured her lips in a searing kiss, hoping it would convey all the emotions I felt for her.

  28

  Cade

  A chill shot through my spine as I descended down the stairs leading into the underground chambers. There were a number of ancient charms embedded into the walls of these passageways to prevent the entry of trespassers. Any unauthorized people would be stripped of their magical powers here. The spells didn’t affect me but I could feel them.

  The flames from the torches illuminated my way forward. Soldiers lined against the wall with weapons at the ready. I’d made sure they were all vouched and accounted for, not giving Coran the opportunity to escape.

  “Open the last cell,” I commanded one of the men standing before the passageway that led to the prisoners’ cells.

  “Yes, Your Highness.”

  The sound of boots on stone and the subtle chink of armor sounded awfully loud in these quiet hallways. I followed the guard to the end of the dark corridor. There were no torches or lanterns here, keeping the space as dark and cold as night.

  The guard released a sphere of golden light so he could open the padlock on the cell. Through the bars, I glimpsed a figure with shaggy hair slumped onto the floor.

  “Coran,” I called out.

  The man looked up and parted his long, silvery hair to stare at me with pale icy-blue eyes.

  “My Prince,” he said through a choked voice. “Has the queen commanded my freedom yet?”

  A laugh escaped me. “You’re never getting out of here alive.” Turning toward the guard, I said, “You can leave.” When the soldier left, I turned my attention back on Coran. Striding forward, I knelt down beside him. “Tell me who those men are,” I said. “the ones you sent to murder Lady Cynthia. They were all under the impression of an illusion and have no idea who they killed or were suppose to kill. However, it is clear they are military men from the human realm. They know how to use those weapons. How did you get a hold of them?”

  Fear flickered through his eyes.

  “I know you’re the one behind her murder,” I said when he remained silent.

  “How?”

  “How?” Another wry chuckle escaped me. “The queen told me.”

  “What?” Coran’s arrogance finally drained away from his face. “I don’t believe you.”

  “It doesn’t matter what you believe. The queen confessed to her wrongdoings before me, King Drustan and Lady Demitria. We know how you deliberately misinterpreted her commands and committed treason. Your greatest crime is the murder of a royal consort but there is no limit to your transgressions. Your crimes against our people will never be forgiven.”

  “None of this can be true,” he gasped.

  Lunging forward, I grabbed onto the lapels of his robes. Bringing his face close to mine, I glared at him. “Start telling the truth or be prepared for lashes and burning tongs.”

  “I shall wait for the royal court to charge me officially,” said Coran.

  I threw him away from me with such force, his back collided with the wall. A groan escaped him as he slowly sat up.

  “Guard!” I bellowed.

  A soldier arrived at the threshold of the prison cell. “Yes, Your Highness!”

  “Hang him up and use every torture method in the arsenal to find out about the identities of the humans who murdered Lady Cynthia,” I said in a tight, commanding tone. “I want to know the names of the people involved in the plot.”

  “As you command, Your Highness,” said the soldier with a salute.

  I glanced back at Coran. He sat up against the wall, staring at me with wide, fear-filled eyes.

  “Get ready to talk or you know what happens.” I let a cold smile lift the corners of my lips. Straightening up, I walked out of the cell.

  I didn’t even have to waste my breath on Coran. The soldiers would do the job for me. There would be no consolation for Rowan but he would at least know who was involved in the plot against his mother.

  I’d barely stepped onto the main level of the palace hallway when someone called out my name. Looking ahead, I saw a figure run toward me. It was Deirdre. Dressed in the Belenus Court uniform, she looked unusually innocent and humble.

  “What are you doing here so late?” I asked as she came to a stop before me.

  “The soldiers aren’t allowing me to see my father,” she said. “It’s been close to two weeks now. What kind of crime did he commit that’s bad enough to keep him from meeting his family?”

  “Are you really unaware of what he’s done?”

  “Yes.” Her tone was arrogant and self-assured. She’d come to plead with me to let her see her father but she hadn’t lost any of her condescending attitude. Coran’s daughter still believed she had the power to threaten and sway a prince.

  “Don’t worry about seeing your father,” I said with a pleasant smile. “You will be arrested and put into the dungeons as soon as Moira and Rowan arrive. We are all a tad busy at the moment but as soon as we’re freed up, we’ll come to get you. You and your father will have an eternity together.”

  The overconfidence in Deirdre’s faltered. “What?”

  “If you act as clueless as your father, you’d be hanged and whipped too.”

  Fear descended into her dark eyes.

  Placing a hand on her shoulder, I leaned down and brought my lips close to her ear. “You’re no longer a princess.” A chuckle escaped me. “You were never a princess.” My grip on her shoulder hardened. “Don’t try to run. It will only waste everyone’s time and you’d be whipped even more cruelly. That’s my advice to you as a friend.”

  Straightening up, I walked away from her. She didn’t call after me or chase me anymore. Deirdre was too clever to upset a potential enemy.

  The sound of heavy footsteps approached me from the end of the hall. A soldier was rushing toward me. I sighed internally. Would no one allow me a moment’s peace today?

  “Your Highness,” he said in between heavy gasps and pants. “They are here.”

  I frowned. “Speak clearly.”

  The man swallowed and tried again. “Your Highness…Prince Rowan and Leon are here. They have both gone to your quarters.”

  Relief and excitement spread through me at once. “When did they arrive?”

  “About half an hour ago, Your Highness.”

  “Was it just the two of them?” I asked. “Was Lady Moira with them?”

  “No, Your Highness. It is only Prince Rowan and Leon who came together.”

  “Right. You can go n
ow.”

  The man bowed and turned away to leave. My excitement turned into anxiety at once. Why wasn’t Moira with them? Taking a deep breath, I rushed toward my chambers.

  My heart pounded in my chest as my feet crossed the threshold of my chambers. While part of me was relieved to have my brothers back, I couldn’t help but feel afraid of the news they might bring me back. Moira wasn’t just my mate. She was also my best friend. These past few weeks were terrible but at least, no one told me to stop hoping she would be back.

  Rowan and Leon were still in their traveling cloaks. They greeted me with smiles and some of the twisting feeling in my chest lessened. They wouldn’t grin like that if something happened to Moira.

  “Where is Moira?” I asked at once.

  “He doesn’t even ask if we’re okay,” said Leon with a frown.

  Rowan gave a nod and smiled. “She is safe, Brother. Don’t worry.”

  Striding forward, I lunged at my elder brother. For the first time in my life, I was glad of Rowan’s boring straightforwardness. He didn’t tease me like Leon. “I am so glad you’re back,” I said, hugging him tightly.

  “No love for this brother of yours,” said Leon in a drawling tone.

  “You’re an asshole,” I said, still hugging Rowan. His body shook with silent chuckles as he gently separated me from him.

  Stepping back, I looked at both my brothers. They both seemed unhurt and healthy.

  “Where is Moira?” I asked.

  “First, get us some food and wine,” said Rowan. “We traveled an entire day without stopping to reach Aelia. There is much to be said and explained. I don’t want us interrupted over anything. And make sure you clear everyone from around here. There are still some things people can’t know yet.”

  His grim tone cooled some of my burning curiosity. Both he and Leon looked exhausted. They were willing to talk but I supposed they both needed some sustenance after a long journey.

  Leaving them in the room, I went out to find a servant to order a feast for three. Moira was safe and both my brothers returned unharmed and whole. Even though the events of the day weren’t cheerful, their return was an occasion to celebrate.

  The food and wine were arranged within an hour. I commanded all the maids to leave the hallways outside my bedchambers. With Mother no longer monitoring my every move, it was a fairly easy task.

  “There is so much to tell you, I don’t even know where to begin,” said Leon after a deep sip of his wine.

  “Start from the beginning,” said Rowan in a grim tone. “Tell him what you told me when we were on our way to find Moira.”

  Leon grabbed a leg of roast duck and took a large bite. He didn’t speak until he’d eaten the meat off the bone. “Moira found out about her real parents,” he began.

  I listened to Leon’s tale and felt my mind expand with the intrigues surrounding my mate’s life. From the very beginning, I could feel she was someone special. I just had no idea she was the direct heir to the throne of Amaris. She was not a powerless, abandoned fae. She was the most powerful fae among us.

  It hurt a little to know Leon knew about some of Moira’s secrets but chose not to tell me. However, it was easy to forgive him when I realized he was doing it to keep our mate safe. Deep inside, I was glad my brothers could really trust me.

  Leon’s tale involved court politics and the introduction of a new person in our midst. Moira no longer belonged to the three of us. A fourth had joined our ranks.

  A few hours passed between us.

  While they told me everything that happened in Amaris, I got no chance to tell them about Coran and the revelations I’d been subjected to. I was already tired. My brothers were exhausted too. This wasn’t really the time to make decisions.

  “Let’s take some rest and meet early tomorrow,” I said. “A lot has happened on my side too.”

  “Is Coran still in the dungeons?” asked Rowan.

  “Yes, Brother,” I said. “He is going nowhere.”

  Rowan’s features relaxed at once. “All right, then. I shall see you tomorrow.”

  To my pleasure and surprise, both Rowan and Leon hugged me tightly before leaving. Warmth spread through my chest as I watched them leave. It had taken a while but we were on the path to healing from our wounds. Moira would soon be with us and we’d be whole again. There were a lot of surprises to take in, especially the fact that Moira had a female lover and mate, but with time, I knew I would be able to accept everything.

  For the first time in days, I was able to breathe freely.

  29

  Rowan

  The breeze flowing through the branches of the peach trees was cold but the sun on my face was warm. My gaze fell on my brother, Leon. His eyes were closed and his face was tipped upward. The crimson locks of his hair shone like strands of fire. A deep sigh escaped his lips as he turned toward me.

  “The sun feels so good here,” said Leon with a smile on his lips. “I have missed its warmth.”

  “The sun shines brighter in Aelia,” I said, enjoying the warm sun rays kissing my face.

  “It was fun in Amaris but I was glad to sleep at nighttime,” said Leon.

  I chuckled. “Yeah. I am glad we’re only complaining about sleep and nothing direr than that.”

  “Lucia looked after us really well,” he said, moving to sit at the table under a heavily-blossoming peach tree. I followed him and sat down in a nearby chair. “I can’t help but admire her. If Moira didn’t come in my life, I would have fallen for her.”

  An unrestrained chuckle escaped me.

  “What is so funny?” asked another voice. The next moment, Cade came to join us at the table. We’d decided to meet up here this morning so we could discuss our immediate plans.

  “Leon has a crush on Moira’s fourth mate,” I said, pouring myself a cup of fragrant jasmine tea.

  Cade’s lips curved in a mischievous grin. “As long as she doesn’t decrease the attractive quotient of our harem, I will be accepting.”

  “She is a sky elf,” said Leon in a tone like that should solve Cade’s dilemma.

  Cade’s expression turned grim. “I must meet her to determine whether she is really good for Moira.”

  “She protected us all,” I said, hoping to alleviate Cade’s suspicions. “She is devoted to Moira in every way. Lucia won’t think twice before jumping in the path of danger to protect Moira.”

  “She must be something, then,” said Cade. “Even you’re not shying from singing her praises.”

  “Lucia is the bravest woman I’ve known,” I said. Taking a deep breath, I drained the tea in my cup and fixed my gaze on Cade. “Tell me about Coran.”

  Anxiety flickered through his lavender-hued eyes but he was quick to hide it. “He will never escape the dungeons,” I said. “I have made sure of it. Also, we know who the real culprit behind Lady Cynthia’s death is.”

  “What?” gasped Leon while I stayed still and quiet. “Who is it?”

  “Coran.”

  “The queen isn’t involved?” I asked.

  Cade hesitated but gave a nod. “Mother confessed to what she did yesterday. Father and Lady Deirdre were present as well. So, you can talk to them if you don’t believe it. Coran poisoned her mind ever since Father married Lady Ingrid. When he married Lady Cynthia and they had you, she became even more paranoid, thinking you would kill me after taking the throne. She didn’t feel safe about Leon either. Coran made her think the only solution was to get rid of you both.”

  Leon’s amber eyes were blazing with suppressed rage.

  “Coran promised to get both Lady Cynthia and you out of the way,” said Cade. “Mother assumed he meant to get her out of the palace. She didn’t expect he would have her murdered. She has been scared Coran would spill these secrets to the world. That’s the reason she kept taking his side in every matter. All this time, she’s been burning in her own guilt and shame. She was close to killing herself yesterday.”

  “It still doesn’t excuse h
er from nursing such hatred toward me and Rowan,” said Leon in a tight voice. “She’s kept me from seeing my mother.” His fists banged the table hard. “She’s been keeping me from my father too! She can’t do as she pleases just because she is queen.”

  Cade’s gaze shifted from us. Guilt descended into his expression.

  “Queen Brenna confessed to all this in front of you and Father?” I asked after a while.

  “And Lady Deirdre,” said Cade. Taking a deep breath, he added, “There is no excuse for what she did but she knows and understands that everything she did was wrong. I hope you can forgive her.”

  I had no reply for him. The queen mistreated both me and my mother for a long time now. While I could believe Coran was behind everything, it would be hard to forgive the way Cade’s mother tormented me and Leon.

  Still, it wasn’t Cade’s guilt to bear. He hadn’t done anything wrong. What choice could he have but follow his mother’s commands who was also the queen?

  “What about the human assassins who carried out the deed?” I asked after a while.

  “They are in our hold,” said Cade. “I told the guards to use every means of torture to get the whole truth out of Coran. By the time we’ve taken care of things in Amaris, we would have all the information we need.”

  A long breath escaped Leon as he ran his fingers through the long locks of his crimson hair.

  “We can’t be distracted by anything right now,” I said, gazing at him. “Coran is being dealt with. Soon, we’ll have the names of every corrupt official in the royal court. Father tried to get rid of them for centuries but it’s finally happening. Moira’s appearance has changed the course of both lumina kingdoms.”

  A smile came on Cade’s lips. “Our fated mate,” he said, his voice full of wonder. “Do you remember Lady Demitria saying she will bring us all good luck? We’d all mocked her for it.”

  “The old crone knew exactly who she was,” said Leon with a frown. “She could have just told us the truth from the beginning.”