Forbidden Queen Complete Series: Books 1-4

by Dyan Chick

  Cormac frowned, but stopped.

  I could feel the magic crackle in the air as Dane left his hands outstretched in front of the Autumn Prince. I shuddered as I recalled how the pretend Cormac had acted toward me. How had Tiana known to be so familiar with me? Had she been inside my head?

  Dane dropped his hands, then moved closer to Cormac, clapping the prince on his back. "Welcome back, brother."

  Cormac returned the friendly gesture, giving Dane an almost-hug before walking into the room. He stopped in front of me, throat bobbing as he swallowed.

  He seemed unsure of himself. As if he was being shy. That wasn't like him at all. Brooding, closed off, sure, but shy was new.

  "Cormac," I said, breaking the silence. "I'm so glad to see you."

  "I'm sorry," he said. "I left the palace. I fell right into her trap. I understand if you want to eliminate me as consort."

  I moved closer to Cormac and took his hand, clasping it in mine. "Of course I don't want to do that. I need you. This wasn't your fault."

  "It was," he said. "I should have known the message requesting me was fake. I know better than that."

  "She tricked all of us," I said. "She knew all of our weaknesses, but that's never going to happen again. She's gone. She can't hurt us anymore."

  Cormac rubbed his thumb over my hand. "I won't let anyone harm you again. I swear I'll protect you better."

  "And you'll have help," Dane said. "She's got all of us here."

  "You can't all be with me all of the time," I said. "Sometimes, I'll need to protect myself. But you can all help me learn how to use my magic so I can defend myself better. I got lucky this time. But I can't rely on luck."

  "How did you defeat Tiana?" Cormac asked. "Ethan didn't say. He was in a hurry when he arrived back at the Autumn Palace."

  "I made friends with a wolf," I said.

  Cormac smiled and brushed his thumb against my cheek. "I knew your Autumn magic was strong."

  "It wasn't just any wolf," Dane added. "It was from the Under."

  Cormac lifted an eyebrow. "That is a surprise."

  "I've had enough surprises to last me a lifetime during these trials," I said. "I'm so glad the first part is over."

  Cormac dropped his hand from my face and his expression darkened. "Not quite."

  "What do you mean?" Dane asked.

  "What is it, Cormac?" I asked.

  "You never actually completed the third trial," he said. "The whole trial was falsified so it doesn't count."

  "Okay," I said, trying to keep my disappointment in check. "So I take the third trial, then."

  "It's not that simple," Cormac said. "They already ran the third trial. You missed it. Based on the rules, you're out."

  "No," I said. "That's not fair. I didn't know it wasn't the third trial. They can't kick me out for that."

  "I know," Cormac said. "I've already requested a meeting with the Council on your behalf. You'll have to appeal your case."

  "What?" Heat rose in my chest. "They can't do this. I didn't do anything wrong."

  "I know," Cormac said, again. "But you'll still have to speak with them. We'll try to make them understand."

  I staggered back, bumping into the bed. I sat down and rested my head in my hands. After all I'd been through, I thought I was at least done with the first part of the trial. Now, it turns out I might not have anything to show for the last few days.

  "Cassia," Cormac said. "I know you've been through a lot, but we need to go. They're waiting for us."

  I dropped my hands and looked up. "Right now?"

  "Don't worry, love," Dane said. "We'll go with you. We'll help them see sense."

  Cormac gave Dane a look that was probably a warning. "You know we can't enter the chamber. She has to do this alone."

  He turned back to me. "I have faith in you, Cassia. And we'll be right outside the doors waiting for you when you finish. No matter what they decide, we're not going anywhere, are we, Dane?"

  "Giant wolves couldn't keep me away," Dane said with a grin.

  Blowing out a long breath, I nodded. "Let's get this over with."

  I paced the hall, waiting for the council to summon me. They'd taken over the throne room at the Autumn Palace but the Queen was nowhere in sight. I knew she couldn't do anything on my behalf, but it would have been nice to at least see her.

  "You can sit down, Cassia," Dane said as I walked past him again.

  "I can't," I said, turning to walk the other direction again.

  "Deep breaths," he said.

  I glared at him.

  "Or not," he said.

  "Cassia," Cormac said, catching my arm. "You have to calm down. The council won't respond to emotions. You have to be honest and clear. You can't get upset or let them get to you. Do you understand?"

  I swallowed hard, then nodded. I wasn't sure how I was supposed to remain calm, but I had to try.

  "Cassia!"

  I looked up to see Ethan running down the hall. He stopped in front of me and Cormac released my arm, giving the two of us some space.

  "I'm so glad I caught you before you had to go in," he said.

  I gave him a quick hug, overly aware of the other eyes on me. "Thank the gods you're safe. Did you get the tear sealed?"

  "Yes," he said. "And your new friend is settled in an empty stable. She's terrifying the horses, but they'll get used to her. You should visit her when you're done. Take him with you," he said, pointing to Cormac.

  "Thank you, Ethan," I said.

  "Cassia?" an unfamiliar female voice called.

  I turned to see the doors to the throne room open. A short, curvy female Fae with long red hair was watching me from the threshold.

  "We're ready for you."

  I inclined my head in what I hoped was a proper sign of respect then glanced back at my males.

  Cormac lifted his eyebrows. "Go."

  Ethan and Dane nodded.

  I turned away from them and walked into the room.

  The red haired female closed the doors behind us, but I didn't turn back to look. I already felt trapped enough as it was.

  Ahead of me, a raised dias that probably usually held the throne, had six small chairs sitting on it. Two of the chairs were empty. My chest tightened as I recalled Jaya, the council member who had provided me with the second trial. She'd given me a correct trial and she'd ensured that I didn't return to the location I started from. I knew she'd probably saved my life.

  I tore my eyes away from the empty chair and looked at the other members of the council. The red haired Fae settled herself into one of the empty chairs.

  I waited patiently, unsure of how this was supposed to work. Were they waiting for me to address them? After a few awkward moments of silence, I lowered myself into a curtsy. "Council."

  "Welcome, Cassia," the red haired woman said. "Do you know why we are here?"

  "To address my third trial," I said.

  "Correct," Red replied. "You are here because you are asking for special permission to be granted to you after you've already been extended special permission to compete in the first place."

  My brow furrowed. "I'm sorry, I don't know what you mean."

  She lifted a perfectly sculpted red eyebrow. "Oh? Did nobody tell you changelings were illegal?"

  "Yes, I've heard that," I said.

  "So you realize that you shouldn't even be here," Red said.

  "I—" I didn't know how to respond to that. I knew changelings were illegal, but I never thought about potential consequences.

  "We granted you permission to compete due to the fact that you were a child and the decisions to hide you were not yours to make," Red said.

  "That's true," I mumbled.

  "However, the decision to skip the third trial was not out of your hands. You are capable of making your own decisions now, I gather?" she asked.

  I weighed her words carefully, realizing that there was a risk of answering incorrectly. I decided no answer was best. "I was given a
third trial envelope as delivered by someone I trusted who was actually Tiana in disguise. She lured me away and attempted to kill me."

  "The rules are clear," a male Fae said. "There are no allowable excuses for missing a trial. Candidates who miss one are out of the running for Queen."

  "Surly, there can be an exception to this since I thought I was given the third trial?" I asked.

  "No exceptions," another male said. "That's the rules."

  "Surly, this is an unusual situation," I said.

  "Of course it is," Red said. "But you even being in the trials is unusual as well. Queens aren't even allowed to have children. We've already made enough exceptions for you."

  "But that hasn't always been the rules," I said. "You used to allow changelings and Queens used to have children."

  "Yes, they did," one of the males said. "And we all paid too high a price during those times. Don't think you're special because of who you are."

  "You realize whoever wins this is going to come after me, don't you?" I asked.

  "Do you even want to be Queen?" Red asked.

  "Of course, I do," I said, surprising myself with how sure I sounded. Maybe everyone else's faith in me was finally rubbing off on me.

  "What makes you different? If we did this, we'd be breaking the rules for you again," one of the males said.

  "I never asked you to break the rules for me before," I said. "As you mentioned, that wasn't my doing. This wasn't my doing, either, yet you blame me. And that's fine. I should be more observant and I have learned my lesson. But I can tell you, I will be an amazing Queen. I'm honest and fair. I believe in good and peace. I want what is best for Faerie, even if I'm new to learning about everything, I'm all in. This is what I was born to do."

  "Even if we made an exception," Red said. "There's still the issue of the incomplete trial."

  "Let me do it now," I said. "Let me show you."

  Bang. Bang. Bang.

  The council stopped talking and they looked past me to whatever was causing the disruption. I turned just in time to see the doors to the throne room swing open.

  Jaya strode into the room, her dress torn and bloody. She had a long cut on her cheek and smudges of dirt on her face. Her hair hung loose and wild around her face, but she held her chin high.

  Next to her, looking equally worse for wear stood Tristan.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  My heart leaped and I let out a choked cry as I our eyes met. He was here and he was alive.

  Tristan's blond hair had been pulled back in a hasty tail giving me a clear view of his dirt covered face. A tear in the fabric on his shoulder revealed a wound that had sent crimson blood soaking into his tunic.

  My forehead creased in concern. I wanted to run to him, but I knew I had to maintain my composure here. The council was about to eliminate my chance of becoming Queen and I couldn't show any signs of weakness.

  Nani? I mouthed the word, hoping Tristan caught my question.

  Safe, he mouthed back.

  I let out a sigh of relief.

  "What is the meaning of this?" Red asked.

  I turned to see her descending the dias. "Jaya, what happened? We've been trying to reach you for days." She turned to Tristan. "Is this your doing? Have you followed in your father's footsteps?"

  "Stop, Amala. The Winter Prince saved my life because she asked him to." Jaya lifted her chin toward me.

  The red haired female, Amala, looked over at me. "Why was she in danger in the first place? What game are you playing with the Winter Prince?"

  "No game," I said, feeling the truth of the words. Tristan's plans had always felt like games to me before. Like he was hiding thing from me for his own gain. Now, I knew his reasons weren't for his own interest. He was protecting his home and protecting me. "I was a guest at his palace, as you know since my first trial was sent there. Then, the Winter King kidnapped me."

  "He intercepted me on my way to the Winter Palace," Jaya said. "I never reached Cassia. He held us both."

  "How do you fit into all of this?" Amala asked Tristan.

  "He's the new king," Jaya said.

  My stomach twisted into knots and a chill ran down my spine. "You did it." The words came out so quiet, I wasn't even sure I'd said them.

  Tristan gave me a quick half-smile before fixing a more serious expression on his face. "My father was a tyrant. He caused the war that split Faerie and he brought nothing but pain to anyone who ever crossed his path. He has been eliminated."

  Amala's face twitched and she blinked a few times. Then, she inclined her head. "Congratulations on your victory, your highness."

  Tristan nodded but didn't respond.

  Jaya walked away from us, toward the empty chair.

  "Jaya," Amala said, "I'm sure you're exhausted from your ordeal, shouldn't you rest?"

  "A candidate cannot be removed from Queen's Trial unless the entire council votes on it. How were you planning to acquire my vote?" Jaya asked.

  The timid female I'd seen held captive by the Winter King was gone, replaced by a warrior.

  "We hadn't heard from you for days," Amala said, walking toward her seat. "We feared the worst."

  "Yet, you still set up six chairs," she said.

  "Forgive me, high priestess," Amala said, lowering herself into a curtsy at Jaya's feet.

  "Have a seat, Amala. Let's finish this," Jaya said.

  I couldn't help but smile as Amala quietly took her place, deferring her power to Jaya.

  "You may take your leave, your highness," Amala said to Tristan.

  "No," Jaya said. "He stays."

  Amala shriveled a bit in her chair, her confidence visibly reduced.

  I held my chin high, keeping my eyes on the Council. I couldn't see Tristan, but I could feel his presence. It comforted me and gave me the boost of strength I needed to finish this.

  I curtsied to Jaya. "Priestess, it's good to see you again."

  "You as well," Jaya said. "I'm glad you were smart enough to find your way out of the trial and back into safety."

  Seeing her poise and leadership here, I realized her entire terrified persona might have been an act. If I made it through this, I wanted Jaya close. She was exactly the type of counsel that could aid a ruler in making clear decisions. "Thank you for your help."

  "Thank you for asking your mate to help us," she said.

  Mate. The word sounded so natural coming from Jaya. Nobody flinched. It made me wonder if I had been the last to know. Was the connection between the two of us so obvious that even strangers saw it?

  "You showed great strength under pressure. You were able to keep your head and focus on the trial even with so much going on that was beyond your control," Jaya added.

  I took a deep breath in and lowered my gaze, staring at my borrowed boots. I didn't feel brave at the time, I just did what I thought needed done. I looked back up at Jaya.

  "Am I to understand that the candidate missed the final trial?" Jaya asked the others.

  "She did, indeed," one of the males answered.

  "And what did you create for the final trial in my absence?" she asked.

  "Each candidate was given a puzzle box they had to open with magic." Amala glanced at me, then looked back at Jaya. "It's vital to have a firm grasp of how to use magic under pressure for a Queen."

  "A puzzle box?" Jaya asked.

  The members of the council fidgeted in their seats. A couple of them cleared their throats.

  "We have a candidate who battled Tiana while facing a creature of the Under and you want to eliminate her because she didn't complete a puzzle box?" Jaya lifted an eyebrow.

  None of the other council members spoke.

  "I request a vote," Jaya said. "Those in favor of allowing the candidate to move on to the physical trials?"

  Jaya extended her hand in the air. Two female Fae who hadn't spoken raised their hands. Then, slowly, the two male Fae raised their hand. Finally, Amala's hand stretched into the air.

 
Jaya lowered her hand and the others followed. "It's settled, then. Cassia, congratulations. You're moving on to the physical trials."

  My shoulders dropped as the tension I held released. "Thank you."

  Jaya smiled and inclined her head.

  Amala glared at me. I turned away from her, knowing I'd have to keep her on my good side for the next part of this process.

  The members of the council stood and walked away from their chairs. One by one, they filed out past me into the hall where I knew Ethan, Dane, and Cormac were eagerly waiting to hear what happened.

  Tristan grabbed my hand as I watched the council members leave. "Are you alright?"

  "Me?" I almost laughed. "You're the one who was in a battle." I reached for his injured shoulder.

  He turned away from me. "It's nothing,"

  "Don't do that to me," I said.

  "Do what?" he asked.

  "Shut me out," I said. "No more pretending. We need each other. You know that. I know that."

  Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of Ethan, Dane, and Cormac waiting in the hallway. They stood just outside the door, ready to run to me if I called to them.

  "That might be true," he said. "But how are you going to explain that to the rest of them?"

  "They're going to have to accept it," I said.

  "That's not going to be as easy as you think," he said.

  "Nothing worth doing is ever easy," I said. "You know that. Probably more than anyone."

  "Cassia."

  My knees wobbled at the sound of my name on his lips, coming out as if he were saying a prayer. "Yes?"

  "If you want me, I'm yours," he said.

  "I want you," I said.

  "I was hoping you'd say that." He leaned down and pressed his lips to mine.

  I kissed him back, knowing that I was going to have a lot of explaining to do once this kiss ended.

  <<<<>>>>

  Court of Destiny

  Forbidden Queen, Book Four

  Chapter One

  The fire crackled and a log fell, sending sparks flying into the dark room. It was cooler in the palace than I anticipated but I wasn’t cold. That wasn’t possible with Tristan’s body pressed up against me.