I didn’t know you felt that way about me.
Shut it. It’s only for peace.
You wound me so.
“It’s not for real guys. It’s to get the alliance of all the kings,” I say, desperate for anyone to respond.
“What’s not for real?” Lucien probes, sounding strangled.
“The fated mates part,” I say while looking at my lap.
“Right.”
Fiora jumps in, “Ah, all right. That’s an intriguing proposition, but I’m not sure the fae realms are in need of a high king and queen.”
Before I can respond, Rowan smiles wickedly at her. “That’s not up to you, is it? If my queen wills it, it shall be done.”
“There you go again calling her your queen,” Damon spits.
“She said she is, did she not?”
They stand up threateningly, leading to the others doing the same. I shake my head before dropping it into my hands. This is a hopeless alliance if the princes can’t even get along with Rowan. How can I expect their fathers to feel any more inclined to side with us? Perhaps there’s still hope. Everyone here has personal feelings, but I’ve never met the high kings of each region. Octavius runs his hand up and down my back, trying to comfort me. When I glance up through my fingers, Beth takes a sip from her glass and winks at me before slamming it down onto the table. The plates and silverware jump at the motion, and the males stop arguing to look at her.
She raises one eyebrow. “So you guys are supposed to be the famous light fae masters? If so, this is disappointing. I’d like to think someone of your age and caliber would know how to separate personal matters from doing what’s right. Rowan is not your enemy, and the sooner you realize that, the sooner we can get this show on the road.”
Rai rubs one hand over his eyes. “Gods, we’re so used to fighting that it’s all we ever do now.”
Damon points at Rowan with his thumb. “Well it’s not like this guy is being friendly either.”
Rowan rolls his eyes, but I cut in. “He’s right, Rowan. Stop acting like a pompous asshole and treat the people around you like equals. Lucien was right yesterday: respect is earned.”
“Fine, if it’s what you want, and I’ll ignore the fact that you called me a pompous ass.”
“And stop saying that!”
“Say what?”
“That you’ll do whatever I ask!” I shout.
“But I will, I’d follow you to the ends of the earth because—”
Adrian waves his hands in the air, speaking over him. “All right, all right! Time to settle down.” He looks at me. “What’s the timeline here? You mentioned the dark fae might be looking to get revenge on you and the light masters for what happened at the solstice ball.”
“We leave tomorrow. I’m not waiting to see if they make a move. I want to hit each kingdom by the end of the month, including travel time. We will go to the air kingdom first, Rai being our ambassador. Followed by the water kingdom, and then the fire kingdom. Between each trip, we will meet up here to discuss how things are progressing.”
Lucien crosses his arms. “And who goes each time?”
“The prince of that kingdom, Rowan, and me. We have to travel to each kingdom as a unified front with the support of the prince. That will go a long way before we even meet with the king.”
Damon nods. “She’s right. It’s a good plan. And while they’re out scouting, we will hold down the war front while class is out. That way we can gauge if a more extreme attack is coming.”
“But we’re missing something from this equation,” Orin says. “What about that shadow king you met, Tiana? Rowan’s twin?” He gestures to Rowan. “Will he side with you?”
I bite my lip. “I’m not sure. He seemed friendly, but also told me not to trust him.”
“My brother is a non-issue,” Rowan says. “He’s always been weak, that’s why he lost the first time.”
“Give it a rest, you’re killing me,” Beth replies, exasperated. “We’re doing this for peace, it’s about convincing him that you’ll be a good leader, not an oppressor like you used to be.”
Rowan looks at me and I shrug while giving him a she’s got a point look. He always acted this way in my head, yet somehow it was funnier when he wasn’t saying them aloud to everyone in the room. Now his words have actual consequences and leave bad impressions on people. As a king, he should know that what people think about you is important. He looks at me then, a seriousness in his eyes that I haven’t seen since he appeared.
No, a king rises above those around him. He works for the good of the people. If that leaves a sour taste in some noble’s mouth, I’m fine with that. You can’t please everyone.
Yes, but you could at the very least be civil.
This is me being civil.
Then you must be a rabid dog when you are upset.
A what?
Never mind.
Fiora looks between us, forcing me to break eye contact with him.
“Yes,” I say, “we can still communicate telepathically.”
“Ah,” is all she says in response to my clipped tone .
I wave my hand toward the door. “Everyone out except for Rai, Rowan, Octavius, and Lucien.”
They move without comment, and Orin trails his hand along my arm in farewell or encouragement. I’m not sure which. The rest of them leave without comment, and Beth gives a little wave before shutting the door. I turn to the others to see them standing there expectantly.
“Rai, can you send word to your father that we will begin our journey tomorrow?”
He nods. “Yes, I will. I will also prepare horses for transport since we do not have portals available as the dark fae did.”
“We’ll also need food and water canteens for the journey.”
“Understood, I’ll go to get everything ready.”
“Rowan will assist you before going back to the spirit fae dorm,” I say.
“Ah, I don’t think that’s necessary,” Rai says, looking at Rowan.
Rowan smiles politely. “It will be good to get to know one another. That way you’re trust in me for our journey will be absolute.”
Rai rubs the back of his neck. “All right. Let’s go.”
Rowan kisses my cheek quickly and unexpectedly, and a blush fans across my cheeks. They leave together, but not before Rai shoots daggers at me. I turn toward Octavius and grasp his hands in mine.
“Will you go back to your father? Just for a little while?” I plead.
He smiles. “Anything for you, Tiana. I will try to keep my father's wrath at bay until the end of the month, but there are no promises.”
I cup his cheek with my palm, patting it affectionately. “Thank you, Octavius, for everything.”
“Of course, my allegiance is to the high king and queen of the realms.” He pauses to glance at Lucien pointedly. “Whoever that may be. I’ll keep in touch. Keep your phone on.”
“Will do,” I reply as he saunters out of the room.
Lucien watches him go until the door closes and we’re alone. He turns to me then but says nothing. Even his expression is grim. What does he think I’m going to say? Was my proposal to the group really that damning?
“Hey, so about earlier. You seemed pretty upset,” I hedge.
He clenches his jaw, looking away. “Yes, I was, but if it’s him you want then I support that.”
I step up to him, splaying my hands across his chest. “Is it okay if I don’t know who I want just yet? You’re the one that said I have a right to choose. To explore my options.”
He finally meets my eyes, and they burn violet. “And he’s an option?”
“Yes. He means one thing to me while you mean the other, and to me, my fated mate should represent both. The others are nice, but they’re not spirit fae and that is where my heart lies. I’m trying to make a decision, and I know that I’m hurting everyone involved, but I can’t seem to stop.”
He grips my hands as his face softens. “I underst
and. I might not like it, but I recognize that you’re entitled to your own choices.”
I lean forward and kiss him deeply before pulling away. “Thank you.”
He pushes me backward against the wall before grazing my neck with his lips. “But do not forget that I endeavor to be yours—body and soul—for the rest of eternity.”
Chapter Four
The next morning, Rowan rouses me earlier than I’d like by knocking on the door. I groan and roll over into Lucien's chest, wrapping my arms around him. We had agreed to sleep together last night to tide ourselves over during the trip, much to Rowans dismay. He had a few choice words to say into my head for most of the night.
Sorry to wake you and your lover, but it’s time to go.
Oh, stop acting like that.
I’m sorry if the thought of my queen lying with another man is upsetting to me.
You’re a diva.
Hmph.
A giggle escapes me, and I crawl out of bed to get ready for the journey. Lucien barely moves from his sleeping position, further showing that he’s not a morning person. Instead of showering in my room, I take my clothes and tip toe to Rowan’s. He’s pulling on a tight, traditional-style tunic lined with silver and gold thread. He has also put the jewelry back on, along with a crown I hadn’t seen him in before.
“Wow, you’re really going for it, aren’t you?”
He looks up from his belt, grinning. “Yes, I am a king after all.”
I laugh. “I suppose. I’m going to use your shower.”
He sits on the bed to pull on his leather hiking boots Rai had given him. Apparently, they spent most of the day together after leaving me and Lucien in the main building. Despite my curiosity, Rowan refused to tell me what they had discussed. I have a sneaking suspicion that it was me. Or Lucien. Either way, Rowan is permanently up to no good now that he has a physical form.
“Ah, you’re letting him sleep, how sweet,” he drawls.
“You’re insufferable,” I say while breezing past him into the bathroom.
His chuckle follows me in, making a shiver crawl up my spine. No matter what he says or does my attraction for him is only heightened. It’s as if he’s using his power to make himself more desirable, but that’s not possible, is it? The worry causes me to pull my lip between my teeth, nibbling on it. Before all I had wished was for Rowan to be real because then the choice would be clear. In my head he was perfect and knew me almost better than I knew myself. But now?
Outside my body, he’s someone I hardly recognize. A man who has a past I haven’t heard about. Someone who is magnetic and charismatic, but also rude from time to time. I’ve realized that no matter how well he may know me, I have no idea who he is. It never came up. We talked about me and my problems. Never the other way around.
After taking a short shower, I climb out, wrapping a towel around myself. Rowan is still in his room, lounging on the bed with his hands behind his head. How is it possible for him to look so regal yet relaxed at the same time? I suppose some people are born for this life. Hell, Mother Earth birthed him herself for this purpose. I pick up his brush and begin running through my hair, all the while still watching him.
“Tell me something about you. Something that I don’t know,” I request.
He glances at me, the golden light in his eyes flashing, rimming his violet irises. “All right. My former castle used to be here before the academy. Of course, it had crumbled into disrepair centuries before they decided to use this land.”
“So your castle was placed in the in-between?” I ask.
He furrows his brows. “Is that what they call it now? How unoriginal.”
I close the door enough so that he won’t be able to peek at me changing and pull on the ridiculous garb Rowan picked out. After pulling on the tunic, I spin, admiring myself in the mirror. The soft sunset-orange fabric is trimmed in gold, just as his is, and yet it’s more elegant. The neckline is low-cut, showing off my breasts while tightening under them to provide support. The rest of the top flows down past my butt, resembling a short dress. Thankfully it isn’t some type of medieval dress or chastity belt. Even if it was, that ship has long since sailed. The thought makes a giggle slip out.
“What are you giggling about?” he says, closer to the door than before.
“N-nothing! Don’t come in, I’m naked.”
His deep chuckle answers my nervous plea. “You do realize that your statement only makes me want to even more?”
Before he can decide to thrust the door open, I pull on the tight, uncomfortable, brown leather riding pants to cover my bare ass. The door swings open right after and I stick my tongue out at him, making him laugh in response. Rowan walks around me, perusing the view before him. His expression gives nothing away. Does he like it? Hate it? I have no idea. He grasps the thick leather belt from the counter before wrapping it around my torso, pulling me in closer. Heat flashes my skin when we lock eyes.
“What are you doing?” I breathe.
He licks his lips slowly while tightening the belt for me under my breasts, almost grazing them with his fingers. My chest bucks forward without my permission, and a smile forms on his lips. What is he doing to me? One small touch sends me over the edge into a pool of desire. It’s pitiful, really.
“I quite like this getup on you, it reminds me of my past,” he whispers, stepping up to me so our chests are flush against each other.
I blink slowly and look up at him through my lashes, teasing. “And what of your past? A female lover, perhaps?”
His lips brush mine ever so slightly, sending electricity through me. My hands go to his waist to steady myself, and he brings his hands to cup my lower back. Every place he touches sends a fire through me, chased by dousing water and playful wind. He truly is a beautiful myriad of the elements. It’s invigorating and terrifying at the same time. Rowan lays his forehead against mine, forcing me to look into his eyes once again.
“You will be my undoing, Tiana. Mother Earth has always been my keeper, but that may change.”
His eyes are glowing a brilliant golden hue, pulsing in time with my heartbeat. It takes my breath away. I will be his undoing? Well, he’s already mine. Lucien may feel like home, but Rowan feels like destiny. A tidal wave that I can’t stop from engulfing me and sweeping me back out to sea. Is it truly my calling to become his queen? His one true fated mate? It feels unreal.
Perhaps I can ask Julius, his twin. He mentioned knowing the future, the destiny of the realms. That’s the reason he let me go so easily at the dark fae academy. I’m sure I wouldn’t have gone anywhere if he willed it. But do I really need confirmation of someone who knows the future? Shouldn’t I know the answer within my heart? I cup Rowans cheek and stroke it with one thumb. He smiles and kisses my palm. The gold hue between us brightens, encasing the room itself. With it comes a feeling of love so powerful that I sag against him.
Does he truly love me?
All I know is that when I look at Lucien, I think of Rowan, and vice versa. It’s brewing a storm of guilt within me that’s bound to explode as something nasty and uncontrollable, and I feel powerless to stop it.
“Let’s go. Rai must be waiting for us by now.”
He pulls back, a carefully blank look on his face as the magic dims. “Yes, let’s.”
***
Rai is indeed outside the spirit dorm with three horses, all different sizes and colors. The horse he’s astride is charcoal-grey with a deep black mane and tail. The one next to it is white, and smaller. But the one on the far right is truly magnificent. It must be a Clydesdale as it’s the largest horse I’ve ever set eyes on. Lithe muscle along its chocolate brown body speak of long hours galloping in meadows. The creature stamps its hooves impatiently, looking at us out of the corner of its eye. Each of the horses are saddled with bags full of our belongings, ready for the long journey ahead.
Rai waves us over. “Sorry about Brand, he’s a bit restless in the morning if he hasn’t had exercise. He�
�s for you, Rowan.” He turns to me. “And Liz is for you, Tiana. She’s gentle and easy to ride, I assure you.”
Rowan helps me up and over Liz’s saddle, and she even kneels to make it easier. I pat her neck cautiously, feeling out of sorts. I’m not used to being around such large animals. As soon as Rowan is up on his horse, which, I might add, is a whole head taller than mine, Rai urges his forward. Mine follows without much prompting, and Rowan falls into step beside me as we make our way into the dense forest. He watches me for a while as I attempt to stay upright in the saddle while also being comfortable.
“You don’t ride much, do you?” he asks.
“Of course not! There are cars where I come from.”
Rai laughs from ahead of us, glancing back. “That’s one of the downfalls of the fae. We prefer to be secluded and live in wooded areas. It calls to our blood. Although, we’re no stranger to cars and technology.”
Rowan snorts. “Technology is unnecessary when you have magic.”
“I guess that’s true,” I concede.
We move along for almost an hour in silence after that, and the forest seems to change along the way. The trees go from normal green to a light yellow, as if it’s fall. Around us, wildlife seems to be more curious of our presence than afraid. Deer watch us pass with little interest, and birds fly with us, chirping happily. It makes me wonder how long this forest has been coexisting with the fae. It’s such a stark difference from the human realm.
“Are we in the air kingdom yet?” I ask Rai.
“We will be within the borders in a few hours, then we can take a rest for lunch. After that, it will take another day of traveling to reach the center of the kingdom where my father’s castle resides. Don’t worry, though, we will stop for the night at an inn I’ve become familiar with during my own travels.”
“Ah, all right. Thanks for the update.”
“Impatient, my queen?” Rowan teases from beside me.
I slug his arm. “No, I’m just wondering what prompted the change in scenery, that’s all.”
“The trees have changed since we’re no longer in the in-between, as you call it,” he says while shifting on his horse.
High Fae Academy - Year Three: Paranormal Fae Romance Page 2