Forbidden Queen Complete Series: Books 1-4

by Dyan Chick

  I released my magic, letting it flow through me instead of holding it back. A gentle tingling radiated through me. The magic was no longer clawing to escape. For the first time, I felt like I was in harmony with my magic.

  Nearby, I felt a pulse that mirrored the feeling of magic. It seemed to draw us in. I turned toward it, then paused to look at Malin. She had turned the same direction as if she could feel it too. The two of us moved forward, quietly as we could through the underbrush.

  The temperature dropped again as we lost more sunlight. Soon we wouldn't be able to see in the shadows that were claiming the woods. Neither of us spoke as we walked toward the feeling. I thought Malin was just as ready to leave this place as I was.

  We wove around an especially large tree and then we both stopped. My jaw dropped open as I stared at a glowing gem in front of us. It hovered above the ground, letting off warmth and a gentle hum. I moved closer, feeling some of the tension melt off of me as the gem warmed my frozen limbs.

  Malin reached her hands out toward it, warming them in the glow as if she were in front of a hearth. "Now what?"

  "I think we're supposed to take it. Or at least touch it," I said.

  "You first, if it's a competition, I don't want to win," she said.

  My brow furrowed, still finding it difficult to understand why she was here if she didn't want to win. But I knew family pressure was difficult to avoid. "What if we touch it at the same time? If this thing gets us out of here, I don't want you left here freezing all night."

  "Good point," she said, moving closer to the gem.

  As we moved closer to it, I was able to see the details better. It was about the size of my head and appeared to be nearly clear with a tint of blue. The gem was cut in angles that made it sparkle and shimmer as I moved alongside it.

  Malin took up position on the opposite side of the gem from me. "Count of three?"

  "One," I said, "two, three." I grabbed the gem with both hands.

  Everything around us went black and I held my breath as I repressed a flicker of joy. I wasn't out of this yet. My hope was that this ended the second trial, but I had no idea where we'd end up.

  I landed on my feet but hit the ground so hard I lost balance, falling to the side in a crumpled heap. Before I could take in my surroundings, I looked up to see if Malin had made it through.

  She was across from me, also in a heap on the ground. She was laughing and the gem was nowhere to be seen.

  I started laughing, too. The whole things seemed so ridiculous now that we were away from the woods. Catching my breath, I looked around and realized I wasn't back in the dungeon cell I'd started from. Polished wood floors, bookshelves that spanned the entire wall and a massive staircase greeted me. I knew this place. Flutters filled my chest as I pushed myself to standing, all traces of laughter gone. I was back at the Winter Palace.

  Three guards rushed into the room, swords drawn. Malin yelped behind me and I put my hands up. "It's me," I said. "Cassia. She's with me. She's a friend."

  Another figure emerged from behind the guards. He was dressed in a uniform complete with leather armor. A sword in his hand. Tristan looked ready for battle, but that didn't stop me from running right to him.

  I stopped a hands breath away from him, lower lip trembling. He was here and he was safe.

  "I heard you calling me, Cassia," Tristan said. "How did you..."

  "The second trial pulled me away and delivered me here when I finished," I said. "Your father has one of the council members. I think she might have rigged my trial to bring me back here."

  The tightness in Tristan's expression melted away as his blue eyes stared into mine. "I thought I'd lost you."

  "I'm here. I'm safe." I didn't know how to react to him. Part of me wanted to burrow my face in his chest so I could feel his strong arms wrap around me. Part of me wanted to run my fingers through his hair and pull his mouth next to mine. But there was hesitation deep within that kept me standing still, unmoving, so close to him that I could feel his warmth.

  "Your Grace," one of the guards said. "It's time. The soldiers are waiting for you."

  "Soldiers?" I asked.

  "We were going to wait until after Queen's Trial, but once my father took you, I called in my allies. Even the humans were willing to join in once they knew he'd taken you."

  I felt like the air was leaving my chest. I'd just returned and I was starting to thread together my feelings for Tristan only to have him leave for battle. I opened my mouth to ask him to stay. To beg him not to go. But my voice came out steady and stronger than I expected. "Be careful. He has a member of the council, Jaya. She helped me get of there. And Nani’s still there. Please get them out safely.” I paused, forcing back the urge to ask him to stay here. For him to send the others and save himself. “Please be careful. I'd like you back. In one piece."

  A half smile formed on Tristan's lips. "I've been waiting a long time to hear something like that from you."

  "I mean it," I said.

  "I'll come to you as soon as it's done. But you need to go somewhere safe," he said.

  "She can stay with me," Malin said from behind me.

  Tristan's brow furrowed as he took in the female behind me as if noticing her for the first time.

  "Malin Valoi, Your Grace." Malin bobbed into a curtsy.

  "Can you take her to the Spring Prince?" Tristan asked.

  "Yes," she said.

  "Cassia, there's so much I have to tell you, but it has to wait. Go now. I'll come for you as soon as I can." Tristan's expression hardened once more, the look of a male about to face his enemies. Then, he turned away from me and walked down the hall, his guards behind him.

  An empty echo filled my chest as I watched him walk away and at that moment, I knew Nani's guess was correct. Tristan and I shared a mating bond.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Malin's hands were on mine before I could think about what to do next. My stomach twisted as I felt the ground vanish from under me once again. Breathless, I ignored the wetness of my cheeks as we slid to wherever Malin was taking us. I should have been worried, but Malin caused me no ill feelings. I'd known her for mere hours, but I trusted her. I knew I should be suspicious of new people, but I couldn't bring myself to attach any of those feelings to her. I hoped my intuition wasn't failing me and I squeezed her hand tighter as we rushed through the void.

  My feet touched down on soft earth and damp blades of grass brushed against my ankles. I took a deep breath, the scent of honeysuckle filling my nostrils. It was intoxicating and calming. Birds chipped overhead and a warm breeze rustled the leaves of the nearby trees. A sense of peace caressed me like a warm blanket.

  Behind us, I saw a beautiful, sprawling home that looked like it belonged in a fairy tale. It was made of brown bricks and trimmed in dark brown wood. Each of the windows was bordered with shutters and all of the windows on the first floor had window boxes overflowing with blooming red and yellow flowers.

  "Welcome to the Spring Court," Malin said.

  I turned to her. "Thank you."

  "I know you're not Queen yet," she said. "But I'm going to pretend you've already won. I've met most of the other candidates. Any one of them would have left me to die if they didn't kill me off upon meeting me in those woods. You're the exact thing we need in Faerie. It's been hard around here since the Winter Court broke off. And clearly, you seem to have some serious pull with the Winter Prince."

  My cheeks heated. I knew she was right. As much as Tristan drove me crazy, I knew his affection for me was at the forefront of his decisions. I frowned, wondering why he'd spent so much time pushing me away if he felt the mating bond. Or did he not know it yet?

  "I'm sorry about your prince," she said.

  "I wouldn't say he's mine," I said, knowing the words were false. I was part of Tristan just as he was part of me. Just as I was connected to the other three princes, I needed Tristan in the same way. I knew it was going to cause complications, but I woul
d have to deal with that later.

  She smirked. "Alright."

  "The Spring Prince, however, is mine." Just thinking of Ethan was making me feel safer than I had in days. "Can you take us to his home?"

  She pointed. "This is his home. Charming, isn't it? He doesn't live with his father in the palace."

  I hugged Malin. How someone who had known me for such a short time could anticipate my needs so well was beyond me. I was just grateful I found her.

  Malin hugged me back and then the two of us stepped away from each other. I smiled at her. "Come with me."

  She followed me to the doorway and stood behind me as I knocked. My knees went weak as Ethan answered and I wobbled on my feet.

  Ethan caught me in his strong arms. "Cassia, is everything alright?"

  "Yes, no," I said. "I'm not sure."

  "Malin," Ethan said. "What's going on? Are your parents well?"

  "They're fine," she said. "Cassia and I met during the second trial. The Winter Prince asked me to bring her here for safety."

  "Come in," Ethan said. "I want to hear everything."

  The three of us walked into the entryway and followed Ethan into a modestly appointed sitting room. Wood rocking chairs, a couch and two chairs with cushions over them formed a semi-circle around a fireplace.

  Ethan guided me to the couch and I sat down. He took the seat next to me and Malin sat in one of the rocking chairs.

  "I don't understand," Ethan said. "Did Tristan let you out of the favor?"

  "Things got complicated." I played with a hole in the fabric of my dress. "I completed the first trial, then the Winter King took me. I would still be there if the second trial hadn't caused me to slide into the middle of a forest. Malin and I met each other there and we worked together to complete the task. When I was finished, it brought us back to Tristan's palace instead of to the Winter King. Tristan has amassed an army and is on his way to take down his father as we speak."

  Ethan was silent, seeming to mull over everything I had just said. I condensed a lot of information into a few sentences and I watched him closely, waiting for him to speak.

  Finally, he reached his hand over to me and clasped my fingers in his. "This war has been brewing for a long time. Tristan was bound to go after his father eventually. That has nothing to do with you. You're a catalyst to force his hand after years of him biding his time. As for the rest of it, we need to let the Council know where you are. The rules of Queens Trial are harsh. I'm afraid kidnapping isn't enough to grant your reprieve if you miss or are late to one of the tasks." He turned to Malin. "Thank you for bringing her to me. Have you been staying with your family?"

  Malin nodded. "Yes. And I'm sure they're expecting me. May I borrow a horse?"

  "I'll walk you out to the stables." Ethan turned to look at me. "Stay here. I'll be back in a few minutes."

  I leaned back against the seat and closed my eyes. I brushed my hair off of my face and rested my hands on top of my head. Ethan's home, was quiet and smelled like flowers in a spring breeze. It had been a long time since I sat in silence someplace where I felt comfortable. The Winter palace had never felt safe to me, even though I knew Tristan wouldn't hurt me.

  Tristan made me feel both heat and ice at the same. It was a burning intense emotion that I had come to associate with the Winter Prince. I thought it was driven by my dislike of him, but now that I thought about it, there was too much appeal to the feeling for me to walk away from it. There was a dangerous excitement to being around Tristan that I craved.

  Ethan made me feel different. He was comfort and coziness and peace. Ethan made me feel like I was home. I knew I wouldn't be able to spend too much time away from him without feeling emptiness.

  Then there was Dane, who was heat and fun and the promise of adventure. I smiled just thinking about him. Finally, I recalled Cormac's touch, the heat of him and the way he made me feel so safe as I gave up all control. Each of the princes was a piece of me and I needed them all. Right now, the comfort Ethan could bring was exactly what I needed. Had Tristan known that?

  I lowered my hands to my lap and opened my eyes. I knew I needed to try and keep my focus on the trials not on juggling the whims of my heart. I wasn't even sure I had passed the second trial and if I had, I still had the third to worry about before I would have to go to the Queens Palace for the second part of the trials. There was still so much uncertainty ahead of me.

  I heard the sound of the door opening and turned to see Ethan walking back into the house. He closed the door behind him and bolted it. "You should be safe here until we can figure out what to do next. You're lucky you ran in to Malin. I've known her most of her life, her family owns the farm and the lands that border my own. They're one of the few families in the Spring Court I would trust with my life." Ethan crossed the room to a small writing desk and pulled out a piece of paper and a pen. He scribbled across the paper then folded it up. Then he dropped the paper into a hole on the side of his desk and it vanished from sight.

  "Is that for the council?" I asked, not even attempting to understand the magic he used to make the paper vanish.

  "Yes. I let them know you're here so they can decide if you can compete from here or if they want you to move somewhere else." Ethan walked back over to the couch and sat so close to me our legs were touching.

  He rested his large hand on my cheek and I leaned into his touch. Then, he slid his hand down to my chin and gently tilted my chin up so our eyes met. "I've been so worried. You have no idea how much I worried about you. I thought I was going to have to wait weeks to see you. I know I should feel terrible about all that you've been through but right now all I can think about is the fact that it brought you back to me sooner."

  With his words, I felt my anxiety and worry melting away. With the danger surrounding us, I knew I should be grateful for any amount of time I got to spend where I felt safe and happy. I smiled at Ethan. "I'm not planning on going anywhere unless they drag me away from you."

  Ethan leaned down and gently pressed his lips against mine. He moved his mouth slowly and wove his fingers through my hair as he pulled me in deeper. My mind went blank, driving all my worries away as my hands took on a life of their own, exploring Ethan's body as he pressed into me.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Early morning sunshine streamed in through the sheer curtains in Ethan's room. I was laying on his chest, his arm around me. His warmth had kept me feeling safe and comfortable all night. Sunlight poured across Ethan’s bare chest making every ripple of muscles look even more spectacular than they had in the candlelight last night. I didn't want to move from this bed, but I knew the third trial was going to come today.

  Carefully, I turned in his arm, trying to wiggle my way out without disturbing him. Another arm closed in around me, pulling me closer to him. My bare breasts pressed against his chest and he let out a low growl.

  His eyes were still closed as he lowered his face into the crook of my neck nuzzling me with his nose. I giggled. He brushed his soft lips against the sensitive skin of my neck, kissing me in a line all the way to my shoulder.

  "You know we have things to do today," I said, instantly regretting the words.

  He smiled lazily. "We do. But this is the first time you're waking with me in my bed in my home. It's hard to imagine letting you leave it now that I've had you here."

  I sighed. "I feel the same way."

  He kissed my forehead and released me from his embrace. I stood, walking away from the bed to where I had shed my clothes.

  "I'm never going to get used to sharing you," Ethan said.

  I froze, my back to him. My first thoughts going to Tristan and wondering how Ethan knew.

  "Cormac and Dane are going to kill me if I keep you here without telling them you're here and safe," he said.

  I let myself relax and arranged a smile on my face before turning back to him. "It would be the fair thing to do."

  Ethan took a deep breath. "I have always considered myse
lf fair, but I have to admit, I have to fight the urge to keep you to myself from time to time."

  He let out a low growl and jumped from the bed, grabbing me and playfully carrying me back. "One more round before I announce to the others that you've returned to us."

  I shrieked as Ethan threw me on the bed. He kissed my cheeks, my chin, my neck, down to my collarbone, then kept kissing me. Laughing, I surrendered to his kisses.

  A knock on the door interrupted us just as Ethan's fingers had slipped between my thighs. I grabbed a blanket and covered myself and Ethan hopped down from the bed, striding over to the door unconcerned by the fact that he was completely naked.

  I watched the muscles on his back ripple and the tightening of his butt and thighs as he walked. For a moment, I wondered how I'd gotten so lucky. How was it that I was here with this beautiful male?

  Ethan paused at the door, grabbing a sword that was propped against the wall. I hadn't noticed it before and it made me wonder if there were more weapons hiding around his house. I needed to be more observant. In the sleepy comfort of Ethan's embrace I had stopped worrying about my safety. As he gripped the sword in his hand, alertness snapped back into place and all of the contentment I had felt melted away. I gripped the bedding in my hands tighter, wishing I had a weapon nearby. Instinctively, I felt for my magic and it rose up to greet me with a familiar tingling sensation. I still didn't know what I'd do with it if I needed to, but knowing it was there and knowing that I could make things happen made me feel more confident.

  Ethan opened the door quickly, lifting the sword to a defensive position at the same time.

  "Put away your weapon," Cormac said without pause. His eyes moved past Ethan to where I sat on the bed, covering my naked body with blankets.

  I swallowed as heat rose to my cheeks as embarrassment swirled inside me. I'd never hidden my relationship with the princes from the others, but I didn't expect to have one of them walk in on me with another. How must he be feeling? Would he be hurt or feel betrayed that I was here with Ethan and not with him? We hadn't even told him yet that I returned.