The Fate of Crowns: The Complete Trilogy: A YA Epic Fantasy Boxset

by Rebecca L. Garcia

  Once alone, after wrapping a towel around myself and walking to my bed, I held onto my pillow and found comfort in my memories. I whispered a prayer for Morgana to the ancestors. I asked for them to surround her and keep her safe. I needed her to be alive. Next, I asked for Birch’s safety, apologized once again for my betrayal, and expressed my thankfulness that she was alive. I felt them around me, even as far away from Magaelor as I was. I could sense them. It brought me some solace in my torment.

  ***

  Prince Kiros walked in without knocking. “Good evening.”

  I grunted. “I could have been getting dressed.”

  “My apologies,” he replied, although he didn’t look in the slightest bit sorry. He strode to the end of my bed. My linens had just been changed, although Edna always ensured the colors matched the rest of the room. “I come bearing gifts.”

  I’d noticed the small package he was carrying. It was wrapped in silver paper and tied with a purple ribbon.

  “No.”

  He arched an eyebrow. “You don’t even know what it is yet.”

  “I don’t care.” I scowled. “So.” I paused for a second. “Have you come to tell me your father has picked a date for my execution, or will you be trying to kill me in my sleep?” I offered a sarcastic smile.

  He let out a heavy sigh. “Please.” He gestured toward the plush sofa pressed against the left wall. “Humor me.”

  I inhaled deeply. “Fine.” I walked behind him. He had little consideration for my condition, as he quickened his pace, leaving me rushing after him, but then what could I expect from a solis prince?

  He sat down first, shuffled position, and leaned back. He placed the small box, big enough to fit a broach, in his lap. He tapped his riding boots against the marble. I took my seat, gasping when I hunched over.

  “Oh, sorry. Let me help you.” He touched my arm, and I jerked back, bringing more pain.

  “Don’t touch me.”

  He pressed his lips together in a hard line. “I can already tell how this is going to go,” he grumbled. “I will begin by explaining that I do not wish to be your enemy. In fact, I was hoping we could be friends.”

  I snorted, then swallowed my laughter. He couldn’t be serious. I searched his expression, but he gave nothing away. “It’s unlikely.”

  He raised a finger in protest. “But not impossible.”

  I hadn’t noticed it before, but I’d not spent much time looking at his face. A deep yet short pink scar ran along his head, from the top of his ear to where it faded at his temple. It was the only blemish on his face. I wondered how he got it but didn’t care enough to ask.

  He moved his crown and puffed out his cheeks. His eyebrows were thick but tidy. He was clean-shaven, not a shadow of stubble visible around his jaw. His cinnamon-brown hair shone copper highlights when the strands hit the sunlight arrowing through the window. It was short at the sides and long on top. It had been styled with precision, different than most men I met—who didn’t put much effort into personal grooming.

  I averted my stare, casting my eyes downward. “Tell me what it is you want.” My patience was already wearing thin.

  “You want to rule, correct?”

  His question threw me off. I dragged my gaze back up to meet his. “Of course.”

  “Then I think I can get us both what we want. I think it would be a waste for you to die. You’re a monarch, and that does mean something to me.” He exhaled slowly and relaxed his shoulders, leaning his elbow against the arm of the sofa. “I’ll be honest with you. There’s no point dancing around the truth.”

  “I agree.”

  “My father wants Edgar to be on the throne.”

  “Obviously.” I pressed my fingernails into my knees. “Anything else you know that’s actually news?”

  “Edgar can be controlled to a point. We can appoint who we want as chancellor and have a foothold in Magaelor.”

  I clenched my jaw but didn’t interrupt.

  “Where Xenos sees an opportunity, I see a problem,” he explained. “Edgar, no matter how much he is on our side, is still a monarch in his own right, and some of his ideas do not align with ours.”

  “I’m surprised to hear that,” I admitted earnestly. “I presumed your father and my cousin had a lot in common.”

  “The problem is Edgar will not always be able to be controlled. Xenos may not see it as an immediate issue, but I like to look ahead.”

  “Undermining your own father, hmm.” I arched an eyebrow. “Not very prince-ly.”

  He shrugged. “You’re the last person he’d listen to, and I’ve sent the rest of the servants away. I have nothing to hide from you. I wanted to be honest. In fact, you’re a big part of my plan.” His smile made me uneasy.

  “Which is?”

  “I know a way to bring our kingdoms together!” he exclaimed, looking pleased with himself. “I’ve discussed this with the king, and after some deliberation, he has agreed. I believe it to be in both of our interests, allowing you to live and rule and remain queen.”

  My eyes widened. “How?” I clung to a childish hope that he was going to let me leave, but nothing was ever so easy. “What do you want in return?”

  “I would like to take you as my wife, making you the next queen of Berovia.”

  Shock erased any lingering questions on my tongue.

  “You would be queen, and naturally, I will be king of Magaelor.”

  I blinked several times, then curled my bottom lip behind my teeth. He was serious, and while I admired the idea in the abstract, it only benefited him greatly. He was simply a prince now, so by marrying him, I would give him both a throne and control over Magaelor. He would be king consort, but ultimately, he would have more power than me when it came to the council at court. King trumps queen every time in the eyes of men. I’d be handing my kingdom to Berovia. Our magic would be stripped from us. I’d be queen of Berovia, but that didn’t mean much. Who knew how long it would be before Xenos died, especially now that he had the Ring of Immortalem. I didn’t need to ask. I already knew. He thought Magaelor would be more willing to accept Berovia if their rightful monarch married one. It was the biggest show of support I could give.

  “I would also expect the full rights to the crown,” he stated. “Naturally.”

  I let out a tense breath. Of course he’d ask for that. It made him king, not a consort. If we didn’t have a child, and I died, Magaelor would be his. The line of succession would forever be changed. It would only be a matter of time until they’d try to get rid of me once they got what they wanted, but to refuse the marriage offer was a death sentence. I had to sound interested if I had any chance of getting out of there. I offered the only answer I could.

  “May I think on it?”

  “Yes.” His eyes lit up. “I’ll have a scholar bring you the contract to look over. You have two days, per King Xenos’s instruction. However…” He licked his lips. “I imagine you already know the alternative.”

  I nodded. “I do.”

  He placed the box next to me. “It’s a ring.”

  I stared at the unopened package. “Now I have no reason to open it.”

  “It’s green, like your eyes.”

  “My eyes are blue.”

  “Oh. Right.” He scratched the back of his head. “Then, well, emeralds are beautiful. Like you.”

  I cleared my throat. “Let’s not embarrass ourselves by feigning flattery. This is purely a political proposition.”

  “I’m glad you’re coming around.” He looked at the window. “It’s getting late. I must go. Xenos is holding a banquet for the duchess of—you don’t care.” He let out a clipped laugh. “Good night.”

  TWELVE

  Treetops swayed in the abnormally cold winds sweeping through Bluewater Province. Winds ripped through the sky, tearing leaves from their branches and collecting them into a carpet of green below.

  The cloudless night beckoned me as I watched it. I shoved my foot into a loop of t
he rope I’d fashioned from the clothes in my drawers, then climbed over the ledge of my window. My breaths rattled as I gripped the fabric, feeling the strain on the pole I’d tied it to.

  Tonight was the night I would escape. Day two loomed on the edge of midnight. The air bit my cheeks. I was almost at the bottom, the taste of freedom close to my tongue. I shimmied down farther. My heart leapt when my feet hit stone.

  “Winter.” Cedric’s voice brought the scene crashing around me. The rope disappeared, and suddenly I was standing at the forest’s edge with him.

  I blinked back tears. “It was a dream.”

  His gaze flitted over me. “You look better.” He regarded my expression before continuing. “Are they treating you well?”

  I raised my eyebrows. “They tortured me. Anything is better than that.”

  He swallowed hard. “I mean now. Are they taking care of you?”

  “Yes,” I admitted. “Only because I am of value to them now.”

  His eyebrows knitted together. “What do they want?”

  My expression darkened. “Prince Kiros has offered his intention to marry me, asking for full rights to be king of Magaelor.” My heart hurt as the words left my mouth. “He wants an answer by today. If I refuse, then they’ll kill me.”

  “He said that?”

  “He didn’t need to. It was implied.”

  “What will you answer?”

  I rubbed my arm. “Yes.”

  “Yes?”

  “Yes,” I repeated. “What do you want me to say? No?”

  He pressed his fingers against his forehead. “Of course not.” He looked at me, his eyes gleaming under the fake moonlight.

  “I won’t go through with it. I just need to bide some time to escape. I don’t how, but I’m determined.”

  He grabbed my arms and looked me dead in the eyes. “About that. I’ve been searching for you, sleeping as much as I could, navigating the dream plains.” His stare turned wild as we fell into an ocean of layers, the dream reacting to his emotions. The forest morphed, turning the trees snowy, then red from autumn. “I wanted to tell you I’ve made arrangements with people I trust. Skilled men. They’re going to help me get you out of the castle, but it will take a week, maybe eight days.”

  “It’ll be too late then. If I agree to this wedding, they’re not going to waste time. They’ll marry me off as quickly as they can.”

  He stared at me with tortured eyes. “Then you must stall them, Winter. Pretend to care, act however you need to. Like you did with Blaise. Find a way.”

  “Why can’t your father help?” I asked, desperation lacing my tone. “He’s a king.”

  Cedric shook his head. “He doesn’t want to start a political upheaval with Xenos. I tried.”

  I swallowed thickly. “I know you would have. I just… Cedric, what am I going to do?”

  “Play the part. Win Kiros to your side. Earn his trust. Flirt. It doesn’t matter. Winter, you must stall, for your safety.”

  “I hate him.”

  He squeezed my arms. “It doesn’t matter.” His expression was frantic. “This isn’t about principles. It’s about survival. You’ve come this far. You made it from Berovia to Magaelor before and got through a wedding and out of Niferum. You can do this.”

  I rested my forehead against his. “I’m tired of fighting,” I whispered, my breath fogging the air.

  He let out a heavy sigh and brushed my hair back from my face. “I know you are.” He ran his finger down my cheek and then my neck, until the dream started to dissolve. I wasn’t ready to let go.

  He pulled me to arm’s length and a lump ran down his throat. “Do whatever you have to do to gain their trust.”

  He faded, slowly at first, then all at once. I blinked and opened my eyes. I didn’t even get to kiss him good-bye.

  I inhaled sharply, preparing for the day ahead. I propped myself against the plush pillows, barely looking around. Edna was waiting by the foot of my bed, making me jump. “You people.” I placed my hand over my chest. “Why can’t you just knock instead of standing there like a living statue?”

  “I’m sorry I frightened you.”

  Fear crowned her honey-brown eyes, piercing guilt into my chest. She was just as much a prisoner here as I was, even if she didn’t know it. She was enslaved by coin, her duties as a woman, and society. “Don’t be, it’s fine.” I pressed my lips together. “I need you to do something for me. Go and find Prince Kiros. Tell him I’m ready to give him my answer. Tell him I said yes. I will marry him.”

  ***

  Edna brushed a lock of golden-blonde hair back, tucking it behind her ear. She finished placing the pins and spun me around. She tightened the corset strings, and I gasped for breath on the final tug. “You look perfect!” she exclaimed, admiring her work.

  I turned to take in my reflection. My eyes trailed down the dress. It was unlike any fashion I was accustomed to, even at court. The bodice was navy blue, embroidered with silver stars. The skirt was a shade darker, and on it, stitched constellations of white contrasted. Black lace trimmed the hem. A V-neck showed my cleavage. I wasn’t used to having my body on show. It was crude for a royal, but I supposed I didn’t have a choice. It was the same with the Gothic fashion in the dark fae court. The dresses I’d worn there were equally as revealing.

  My black hair was pinned back, half up with curls reaching down my back. I admired my nails, painted to match the dress and coated with a gloss that made them shine. She’d applied makeup, which I wasn’t used to wearing, and it sharpened my angular features. My lips looked bigger somehow, and my eyes popped against the blue gradient shadow on my lids.

  She pumped the atomizer on a glass bottle of clear liquid, then smiled. Sage with a splash of vanilla pinched my nostrils.

  Edna was dressed in a yellow, plain dress, with a white apron tied around her center. “You’ll be a guest of honor at the constellation ball. Every year, the king invites hundreds of dignitaries, the fae royal family, and—”

  “Did you say the fae royals?” I asked, interrupting her.

  “Yes.” She nodded. “I do believe this year the princes, sadly, won’t be attending.”

  Considering Cedric was a prisoner here not that long ago, the revelation hardly surprised me. They were probably asked not to come. “Right.”

  “There will be cake,” she said with a toothy grin. “We get to eat what’s left over, and there’s usually a lot. King Xenos spares no expense in honoring the stars.”

  “Why is this done again?”

  “Oh my, I should have known you wouldn’t know our traditions. I am sorry.”

  “Don’t be,” I mumbled.

  “The constellation ball is an age-old tradition. Xenos is a great believer of the stars’ signs and using them to see the future and define our motives.”

  “Oh.”

  “Today marks the death of Sanora Umberburt, the philosopher. He was the one who came up with all the signs, bringing their truth to Berovia.” She looked ahead, dreamlike. “There are four of them, and those born under each star have different traits and purpose here. I am born under Aghai, the sign of the first three months of the year. We bring harmony and loyalty and value generosity. Our purpose is to serve.”

  I repressed the urge to roll my eyes. “Sounds great. So, will Prince Kiros be meeting me here or at the ball?”

  “He should be here any moment now.” She tapped her finger against her chin. “He was happy to hear you accepted the proposal.”

  She eyed my finger. I’d worn the ring he’d left behind as a show of acceptance and gratitude, but really, it was like a chain, binding me to the man and place I hated more than anything else.

  “Thanks,” I muttered.

  “It’s a beautiful ring. I love emeralds.” Everything about Edna was in moderation. The way she spoke, her movements, expressions…

  “Yes. He said they matched my eyes,” I joked, but she didn’t laugh.

  “How sweet.” Her gaze flitted
to mine. “I’m sure he thought they were green in the light.”

  I turned my back toward her and gripped the marble ledge by the basin. How did she have a good opinion of him? Play nice, I told myself. Remember what Cedric told you. I retreated into my mind. Tonight would be the first time I’d seen Kiros since I gave him word I would marry him. I despised them all, but now I had to play devoted fiancée and lover. I needed to win him over. I assumed Cedric had advised me to do so, hoping he’d give me some free rein at court so I wouldn’t be surrounded by guards when the time came for me to escape. I only needed to stall one week. I already had a plan, starting with today.

  The doors were opened. “Prince Kiros of Berovia,” a guard announced.

  “That’s a first.” I scoffed. “He usually just walks in as he pleases.”

  Edna politely ignored my grumble.

  Kiros was dressed finely in a white suit with gold embroiders, stitching, and buttons. His hair was combed back, his crown polished to fracture any light that hit it.

  “You look handsome.” I coyly turned my head at an attempt at flirting. I hated it.

  “Devastatingly so.” He admired himself in the mirror, then smirked. “I’m joking.”

  I bit down so hard on the inside of my cheek. I tasted blood. “I never did thank you for the ring.” I waved my hand in the air. The emeralds flashed a light onto the wall. “It’s beautiful.”

  “You’re very welcome. I’m happy to see you’ve come to your senses, although I have to wonder what sparked this sudden change in personality.”

  I rubbed the back of my hand. “I figured we’re going to be married, so why not try to at least be friends to start,” I lied and skirted around another subject. I knew from the servants’ chatter that Kiros planned on us being wed in three days, but I feigned ignorance. “I was hoping we could marry in eight days. It will be my birthday,” I lied, “and entering into our sacred union on the day I entered the world seems appropriate.”