Forbidden Queen Complete Series: Books 1-4

by Dyan Chick

  I thought back to my time with Ethan. Everything about it felt right and natural. Even when I had been with Dane, I couldn't even find a single flicker of regret. Warmth spread through me and I smiled. I guess, I did feel a little different. I felt a little more confident.

  Letting go of the human morals and following my own intuition hadn't resulted in anything catastrophic. I enjoyed myself, and I wanted to do it again. Perhaps I was going to make it in this world. Maybe having magic from all three Courts was a fluke and the Queen could help me tame it. Maybe by the end of this week, I'd be settling into my new routine in this world, whatever that may be.

  As long as I could find a way to keep these princes in my life, I would be happy here. I couldn't imagine being anywhere without them. Even Cormac, as serious as he was, felt like he was part of me now and I wouldn't trade my time with them for anything.

  I snuggled under the blankets, feeling more calm and more at peace than I had in years. I knew tomorrow was going to bring changes, traveling with Tristan was going to bring its own set of challenges. But I was ready for the next phase, ready to embrace my new life as a Fae, and ready to leave the fears and frailty of being a human behind.

  "Cassia, it's daybreak," Ethan said gently.

  Groggily, I opened my eyes and blinked up at Ethan's handsome face. I greeted him with a sleepy smile and reached my fingers toward his cheek, brushing them against his skin. As confident as I had been before I went to bed last night, I still wanted to make sure this was all real. I wanted to make sure that Ethan was still here, and that he was still mine. "Good morning."

  Ethan leaned down and kissed my forehead. "Breakfast is ready and soon it will be time to go."

  "She going to come? Or am I going to have to carry her down?"

  I turned toward the newcomer and couldn't help but smile at Dane's huge grin. "She's coming," I said, throwing the covers off of me. Though, part of me wasn't completely opposed to the idea of Dane throwing me over his shoulder. A vision flashed through my mind and I saw the world from upside down as Dane walked with me over his shoulder. It faded nearly as quickly as it had arrived, leaving me with a smile. "Can you imagine the look on Cormac's face if you came down to breakfast carrying me?"

  "It would be pure jealousy," Dane said. "And worth every second." He charged me, ducking down to scoop me up and throw me over his shoulder, just as I had visualized.

  I squealed and giggled as Dane raced out of the room causing me to bob up and down on his muscled shoulder. "Dane, put me down, you beast!"

  "Not until I see that look on Cormac's face," Dane said.

  From my vantage point, I had a very clear view of Dane's firm buttocks and I felt my cheeks heat at the memory of him without his clothes on. I looked up to see Ethan trailing behind us, laughing.

  "I'm not healing you if Cormac decides to punch that grin off your face," Ethan said.

  "It'll still be worth it," Dane said.

  I'd given up asking for him to put me down, I was laughing too hard to speak anymore anyway. The mood was lighter this morning now that the Sodalis were gone and everyone had a full night's sleep. No one seemed all that bothered by the fact that we had to go see the Queen. And I wondered how much of that was for my benefit and how much of it was because of their station.

  I tried not to think about how my father had reacted every time someone with higher rank than him came by our house. He was a ball of stress, preparing and working round-the-clock to placate and impress other human beings who had nothing on him other than a title. Yet, when those people were around each other, there was no sense of fear or anxiety. My males were all royalty themselves. And though I didn't understand the way the Fae Court worked, I still knew they were high-ranking enough that going to see the Queen wasn't the same as someone like me going to see her.

  Dane took the stairs carefully down to Tristan's grand dining hall. I couldn't see what was in front of us, so I watched Ethan's face to get a sense of how Cormac was going to react to the three of us acting like children.

  Ethan pressed his lips together, trying to maintain some sense of decorum so I knew Cormac was in the room.

  "I brought you something," Dane said.

  I could only assume he was speaking to Cormac. Then, Dane burst out laughing and Ethan joined him.

  "Just put her down," Cormac said.

  "Now I understand how Faerie lost the Winter Court," Tristan said. "The second you think you've defeated your foes, you begin to celebrate."

  "Not all of us," Cormac said. "And we granted the Winter Court its succession; the Winter Court didn't earn it."

  The mood in the room shifted. It felt like every speck of happiness had been sucked out.

  Dane set me down on the ground. "You know, the Winter Court could learn a lot from us. When you're kind to females and make them laugh, you don't have to force them to come to you."

  Tristan lifted an eyebrow. "You want to go down memory lane?"

  "That's enough," Ethan said. "We've all agreed to help Cassia reach the Queen. Our personal histories can't be brought into this. Past is past."

  Tristan leaned back in his chair and stared at Cormac. I glanced over at the Autumn Prince and could almost see the fire in his gaze. His hatred for Tristan wasn't just based on his alliance to Faerie, that was clear. I didn't know what was going on between the two of them, but I knew that the sooner we reached the Queen, the better. That was, if we could get there before the two of them tried to kill each other.

  Breakfast was a silent affair, which made the careful footsteps of the servants in blue sound thunderous. Wordlessly, they set plates in front of us and refilled drinks as the Fae males ate more than I thought possible for anyone to consume in one meal. Finally, I couldn't take the silence anymore.

  "Why can't we just slide to the Queen's palace?” I asked.

  "There are protocols," Cormac said.

  "But it can be done," Tristan said. "My guess is that Cormac is testing me, dear. It has nothing to do with you."

  Cormac's jaw tightened, but he didn't respond to the comment.

  I wondered how we were going to survive any amount of time with the two of them together.

  Chapter Two

  Tristan insisted on providing horses from his stables for each of us. I felt bad that Starlight, the horse that had taken me through my time in this land so far, was still waiting for me at the stables in Twin Falls. "We told them we'd be back soon," I said to Cormac. I knew he would understand how I felt and to what I was referring.

  "The horses are well cared for, my friend and I have an agreement," he said.

  "How was it that you came to befriend the owner of the Dizzy Dragon?" I asked.

  "I spent some time in my younger years in the Orc kingdom. I got to know many of those who live there," Cormac said.

  "So he's an orc." I thought it rude to ask, but now that I knew, it made sense. I'd always assumed Orcs were wild and lacked manners. In every story I'd ever heard, they were the villain.

  "Don't let his exterior fool you, that Orc is just a big softy," Cormac said.

  "Oh, to be fair, he is a rare example of his kind," Dane said. "Not a good idea to just assume everyone will be your friend."

  "Orc or Fae," Ethan added.

  "That's true," Cormac mumbled.

  "So, basically it's no different than the human world. Don't trust someone unless you get to know them and assume everyone always want something from you," I said.

  "Maybe you are Winter Fae," Tristan said.

  "We don't know what she is yet," Ethan said. "And if we want to get there in a decent amount of time we should probably get going."

  "And here I thought Cormac was still boss," Tristan said.

  "Unlike the Winter Court, we in Faerie believe in equality," Cormac said.

  "Only for those who are highborn with magic in their veins," Tristan said. "Or have you since granted citizenship to your serving class?"

  I turned from Tristan to Cormac, my brow furrowed
. "What does that mean?"

  "There are some things about the way our kingdom is run that have been going on for a long time," he said.

  "That doesn't make those things right," Tristan said.

  "You two can argue about politics later," Dane said. "Ethan's right, we don't leave now, we'll only get a few hours in before sunset. Might even add an extra day to this trip. And none of us want that."

  "If this is going to be too much trouble," I said, "one of you could take me to the Queen. It doesn't have to be all of you." My heart ached at the words, I didn't want to leave any of them behind, well maybe Tristan. But I didn't want the fighting to continue.

  "I'd be happy to take you, but something tells me none of these three would allow it," Tristan said.

  "That's the truth," Dane said.

  "Cassia, once we find out which Court you belong to, you become the responsibility of that prince as a citizen of that court, since we don't know..." Ethan trailed off.

  "Do you take this much care for all of your citizens?" I asked.

  "Probably not, no," Ethan said. "But it isn't typical to meet a changeling who has the power of three courts."

  At least he was honest, but it still didn't make anything easier. "Then we should get going."

  I watched the stable boy as he readied our horses. All four of them were large creatures, white like the snow, with gray leather saddles, and gray saddlebags. In the clothing we wore, all of us would look the part of Tristan's court. I wondered if that was on purpose to prevent anyone who might see us from knowing who we all really were or if all the clothes in Tristan's palace were this color. It felt odd to be uniformed in such a way. Though, I still wasn't sure who I was, I certainly didn't feel like I was a Winter Fae. I didn't like games or deception and I had a feeling Tristan lived for those.

  "Can you ride?" Tristan asked as he lightly touched my elbow.

  I turned to him. "I can ride just fine."

  "She's an excellent rider," Cormac said.

  Compliments from the Autumn prince were rare and I felt my cheeks flush at his words.

  Someone handed me the reins to one of the large white horses and a stable boy slid a stool in front of me. Without waiting for instruction, I climbed into the saddle. "I thought we were leaving."

  Cormac grinned at me before mounting his own horse.

  "This way," Tristan called, leading the way.

  I expected the Winter Court to be dusted with snow and I expected that the thick dress and fur-lined boots would still leave me feeling the chill in the air. But for some reason, it wasn't any cooler than it had been in the Autumn Court. My breath came out in clouds so I knew the air was colder, but I wasn't feeling the sting of the winter air on my cheeks. I wore thin, flexible riding gloves that allowed me to have complete range of motion with my fingers. Everything Tristan had provided for me to wear was nicer than anything I usually wore. Part of me felt guilty for how much he and the others had provided for me. I knew I wouldn't be able to repay their kindness.

  I let my mind wander to the landscape, trying to eliminate the sinking feeling creeping in on me. In the human realm, I knew there'd be a price for all of this. Based on the Fae lore I'd heard, I knew they often dealt in favors. Yet, the only verbal agreement that had passed between me and any of the princes was one with Tristan regarding my knowledge of humans. And he hadn't brought it up once since initially asking. I wondered if he forgot. It seemed a silly favor in the first place, but he had made it seem important. Perhaps in light of the Sodalis attacks and the risk I posed to Faerie, it no longer mattered to him.

  As we rode down a pink and gray cobblestone road, I looked at the leafless trees and patches of pine on the faraway mountains. This wasn't the winter wonderland I had hoped for. Instead of sparkling white snow, I saw brown grass and dead shrubs. It was as if everything was at the beginning of winter, after leaves had fallen and the cold nights had prevented new growth before the snow came.

  Ethan rode next to me, with Cormac in front and Dane behind me, Tristan at his side. We were riding quickly enough that conversation would be difficult so I kept my thoughts to myself. Though I wondered if there was a way I could ask Tristan about the landscape here without offending him.

  We rode parallel to the mountains, never toward them. Something inside me longed to visit those peaks. I'd never been on a mountain, but I'd learned about them in my limited geography lessons as a child. I knew well enough that there were mountains and oceans and lakes so wide that humans couldn't see across them.

  All I had seen was either forest or grass or farmland. The seasons changed back in the human realm, each of them bringing life or death in an endless cycle. It seemed odd to have these places nearly frozen in one part of that cycle. How did they ever grow crops in the Winter Court? If spring never came, they would never have the summer growing months for the fall harvest. I'd seen the Fae eat, they clearly needed food, and lots of it. Where did that come from? They couldn't have grown it themselves, could they?

  The sun neared the midpoint of the sky, a faded white disk behind a mask of thick gray clouds. Cormac finally slowed and stopped. Ethan and I stopped behind him and Tristan rode up alongside. "Ready for break already? I assure you, the horses from the Winter Court ride all day and night. All creatures of the Winter Court can do that." Tristan grinned.

  I shook my head and turned away from him, not wanting to indulge his innuendo.

  "I'm concerned about Cassia, she's never done a ride longer than a few hours. She needs the rest," Cormac said.

  I would never ask for a break, which I think Cormac knew. The thought of getting off the horse and stretching my legs was very appealing. "Maybe just a short one?"

  Tristan was off his horse before anyone answered me and offered his hand to help me off of mine. "Why don’t you stretch your legs then we can continue on. When we get to town, I’ll show you some of the Winter hospitality we're so well known for," Tristan said.

  I hesitated before taking Tristan's hand. I'd heard nothing but bad things about him and had applied those rumors to all of the Winter Court. Though, now that I was thinking about it, I'd been shown nothing but excellent hospitality. Unable to hide my smile, I took Tristan's hand.

  We passed homes settled off the road, increasing in number the closer we got to town. In the distance, I could see buildings crowded together. Wherever Tristan was taking us, it was the most densely populated place I'd seen so far in Faerie. The road widened as we approached the first grouping of buildings. Several carts and buggies pulled by horses passed us, leaving town as we entered.

  We seemed to have arrived on market day. The streets were lined with tables covered in goods. Fruits and vegetables, pottery and housewares, fabric and jewels overflowed as various vendors shouted at passersby to gain their attention. The streets were lively, and full of people who ducked around us as we carefully made our way through.

  There were more Fae gathered at this marketplace than I'd seen the night of the wedding. I looked around the town trying to discern its size. There had to be hundreds of buildings here and all that I could see seemed in good repair. Despite the desolate landscape, the Winter Court seemed to be thriving. Where they got the fresh fruit and vegetables from I didn't know, but they didn't seem to have any problems surviving in this cool climate.

  Tristan stopped in front of a three-story building with large glass windows and intricately patterned brickwork. As soon as we stopped, someone came through the door and greeted us with a sweeping bow.

  I expected to see another blue clothed servant, but this Fae male was tall and dressed in a crisp white tunic and gray leggings that looked like something I might find Tristan himself wearing. The Fae who greeted us had the same glowing quality every Fae I'd come across had. His bright blue eyes and strong jaw line quickly caught my attention. He didn't look like the guests at the wedding. He looked more like my princes and with his long blond hair he could be mistaken for Tristan's brother.

  Tristan dismounte
d and offered a hand to me. I took it and climbed off the horse. The man who had exited the building stood waiting calmly, hands clasped in front of him. As soon as I was off the horse, Tristan guided me over to him with his hands on my shoulders.

  The man bowed. "Welcome, My Lady, Your Grace."

  "No reason to be so formal, Kai. She's a friend not a fucking dignitary."

  "Some of us in the Winter Court have manners," Kai said. "May I take your cloak?"

  "Such a show off, this one," Tristan said with a grin. "Kai, this is Cassia. Cassia, my cousin, Kai."

  Kai inclined his head. "Lovey to meet you, Lady Cassia. And more friends who aren't dignitaries?" Kai lifted an eyebrow and I turned to see what he was staring at.

  Ethan, Dane, and Cormac had joined us at the front entrance to the building.

  "Yes, friends," Tristan said. "For now."

  "Come on in, your suite is ready for you," Kai said.

  Tristan walked in through the double doors and I followed close behind him. I was grateful that Ethan, Dane, and Cormac were right behind me.

  I looked around the massive formal entryway. Gray marble floors stretched in front of us, capped by walls covered in white damask wallpaper. Along the wall on either side were pedestals topped with small sculptures. One wall held a massive tapestry showing a battle scene. Masses of bodies punctuated with bursts of red. I turned away from it and looked at the other wall where a series of framed paintings showed portraits of Fae males who all looked very similar to Tristan and his cousin, Kai.

  "Will you all be staying with us this evening?" Kai asked.

  "They're all staying," Tristan said. "Will you please prepare the guest rooms?"

  Kai nodded, then walked down a wood paneled hallway and disappeared out of sight. I turned and looked at Tristan. "What is this place?"

  "We call this place the Small Palace. It used to be the primary home for my family, but we outgrew it. Kai runs things for me in this part of the Winter Court, so he lives here."