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

by Rebecca L. Garcia

  “Ah, I had planned, actually, on us being wed by week’s end.”

  I cast my eyes downward. “I apologize. I didn’t know your plans. It’s my fault really. I shouldn’t have added sentiment.” I slumped my shoulders. “I guess our marriage will be just an alliance. I shouldn’t have thought to make it more than that.”

  His lips parted, and confliction flashed in his eyes. “No, don’t blame yourself. I should have known you’d want something meaningful. It’s understandable. We can marry next week.”

  “The twenty-third,” I said. “That’s my birthday.”

  “That gives us”—he counted his fingers—“eight days. I’ll explain to my father.” His smile dimpled his cheeks. “I must admit, I had not expected to see you so amenable. I’m very pleased. I know it felt forced, but this union will be beneficial to us both. Berovia can offer your kingdom so much wealth, grain, and more. I know Magaelor has its problems, but we’re willing to take it on, even if it is a drain. I know together we can make it better. You have beautiful coves many have never ventured, filled with pink crystals that are a luxury here. There are other things, of course, like pixies. A strong resource.”

  It took everything to not clench my fist. I exhaled sharply. “I could never have imagined such a wonderful agreement. I was still in shock those first days, from the…” I lowered my voice to a whisper. “Initial experience here.”

  He nodded, and a self-assured smile spread over his face. “I presumed that’s what was going on, and it’s not like I shouldn’t have expected it. You’ve been through a lot.” He extended his arm for me to hold. Touching him made my insides squirm, but I reminded myself I had to do whatever it took.

  I closed my eyes and pretended I was walking with Cedric instead. My shoulders relaxed, and my breathing slowed. I tilted my chin upward as I was led down the grand staircase into a well-lit room of gold and cherrywood finishing. The chandelier was the size of my entire bedroom back home. Diamonds reflected the light from the lamps on the walls. “Oh my.”

  He chuckled. “It’s quite different to the smaller rooms you’re used to, I’m sure. This will be your home too now. Fate has shined down on us.”

  I ground my teeth. I wanted so badly to tell him that Magaelor, while small, had a lot to offer and had more soul than Berovia could ever dream of. Our power came from the spirit realm. It was stronger than elemental magic, and that connection flourished our crops, gave fruits to our trees, and hope to the people. We never needed to worry about crops going bad like they did here, as we had much rain for our soil. The pixies healed our ailments, and we let them roam the woods, protected.

  He squeezed my arm, snapping me back to my unfathomable reality. “Smile,” he said behind clenched teeth as we passed two men who bowed.

  I forced a watery smile. “Who will I be meeting this evening?”

  “King Xenos.” He held himself up with excellent posture while we glided across the marble floors to open, white double doors. They looked like they were made from pearls, but I knew it was just an effect. “My half-sister, Neoma, the chancellor, Forman, and many other dignitaries, as well as the fae king and queen.”

  I reined the sarcasm from my tone. “Quite the night.”

  He looked down at me, and his smile faltered. “You look beautiful, if I didn’t say so already.”

  “You didn’t,” I snapped, then mentally kicked myself for my snark. I was trying to win him over. “I mean, thank you.”

  “You don’t need to do that. You’re allowed to be yourself.”

  I knew he didn’t really want that, but I nodded all the same. Men often spewed such lines when they really meant they wanted me to be myself so long as it coincided with the picture they’d painted in their heads.

  Kiros led me into the ballroom. The ceiling was hundreds of feet high, painted with scenes of yellows and golds. Beams met at the center where a black chandelier hung, sparkling lights onto the walls around us. Gold banners ran down the back wall, swaying as people danced near them.

  Tables of food lined the walls. Crystal platters, silver trays, and glass domes held the most curious-looking desserts I’d ever seen. I peered at one—a red cake with a mousse-like substance on top, surrounded with strawberries and purple flecks. Another, next to it, was made from red gelatin, with a green paste swirling upward to a point. I spotted some pastries, pink tarts with yellow centers. They looked ordinary enough. I eyed them for later.

  “Your Majesty. I’m honored to introduce you to Winter Mortis.”

  My hands were shaking. I hadn’t expected to see Xenos so soon. His eyes were pointed, and his irises were spotted in yellow and brown. A dark-brown goatee softened his diamond-shaped face. He was tall and thin but not muscular like his son. His hair, thick and brown, waved around his heavy gold crown, embedded with sapphires.

  He leaned in and kissed me on both cheeks.

  I flinched, but luckily, he either didn’t notice or react.

  “It’s a pleasure.”

  I could have laughed. We all knew I’d been tortured recently, yet here we were, exchanging pleasantries.

  “King Xenos, I see where your son gets his charm and looks from.” I fluttered my lashes. “It is a pleasure to be here in your beautiful home and to have your blessing to marry Prince Kiros and unite our two kingdoms.”

  A smile spread across his face. He guffawed and slapped his son on his shoulder. “I see why you were so taken with this young lady. We will begin trade negotiations with your councilmen. We look forward to the wedding this week.”

  Kiros jumped in. “Actually, with all respect, Your Majesty, Winter was hoping to have the wedding next week. Her birthday is in eight days, and it would mean a lot to her beliefs if we held it then.”

  That wasn’t accurate, but I nodded all the same.

  “Is this true?”

  “Yes,” I said with the biggest smile I could muster. My eyes brightened. “Weddings on birthdays mark a strong union to us lunas.”

  “I haven’t heard of it before, but you are the expert on lunas. Not me.” He looked me up and down. “You’re a Denor then, if you were born this time of year. Stubborn, strong-willed, and intelligent. Your purpose is to fight for those who cannot. Although, you seem more like an Aghai to me, but then, I am only getting to know you.”

  I assumed he was talking about those star sign things. “I’m excited to learn more about them.”

  Kiros smirked. “He could talk about them all day.”

  He fell silent when Xenos looked at him. I laughed, and the awkwardness dissipated between us. “I could listen all day. It’s so fascinating.”

  The king nodded, approval washing his features. “Enjoy the party.” He gave me one last look before walking away.

  Kiros blew out a tense breath. “You impressed him. You can be quite likeable when you’re not shouting and threatening people.”

  “Can we eat something before we meet anyone else?”

  “After,” he said in a low voice. My stomach growled in protest. He pulled me along the hall until we joined a small group, where a woman greeted us. She was a few years older than me and had thick, shoulder-length curly black hair, thick eyebrows, and hooded eyes.

  “Brother.”

  He kissed her cheek and tugged me forward. “This is Winter. Winter, this is my half-sister, Neoma.”

  “He always has to mention the half-sister part.” Her laugh tinkled as the few women in the group she’d been in dispersed, leaving the three of us alone. “You’d think he was ashamed.” She winked at me.

  I couldn’t help but smirk in response.

  Kiros shuffled from one foot to the other. “Ever the jokester.”

  “It’s great to finally meet you.”

  She looked around us, then brought her blue eyes back toward mine. “You’re too nice. I mean, dear old Dad did torture you. If I were you, I’d burn this whole place to the ground.”

  My eyebrows tangled together.

  Kiros growled. “Why
do you always have to act out, Neoma?” His grip on my wrist tightened. “True rulers like Winter understand their place and duties. She knows why we did what we did.”

  I pulled my lips behind my teeth to stop the flow of words that threatened to spill.

  Neoma scoffed. “Enough, brother. If you looked up enough from licking Dad’s boots, you’d realize so much more than you see.” She crossed her arms over her chest, then turned her attention to me. “I apologize for his ignorance.” She grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing servant and downed the pink bubbly in one swig.

  I wanted to thank her, to tell her I agreed with every word of what she said, but I couldn’t. My stomach twisted as I spoke the words I knew I needed to. “My future husband saved me and has offered me so much. He is a strong and kind man. If you had any grace or eloquence, then perhaps he wouldn’t be ashamed of you. You are a princess, anointed by those in the highest power. Act like it.”

  “Wow. You two are perfect together.” She rolled her eyes and walked away, shaking her head. Her curls bounced around her neck. She wore a loose-fitting black dress and ankle-high boots.

  Kiros’s eyes lit up. “Thank you for defending me. I knew I made the right choice choosing you.” He placed his hands on my waist. He gazed down into my eyes with a look that made me uneasy.

  He leaned in closer.

  “Cake,” I spluttered, before he could kiss me. Ultimately, I would have to, but not today. I couldn’t stomach his lips on mine. “I’m so hungry.”

  Disappointment swept his features, but he quickly regained his composure. “Yes. Let us go and eat, then I can introduce you to the others. Neoma aside, I think you’ll get along marvelously with the rest of my family. My cousins are here, or so I heard they’d be attending.”

  I placed my hand on his chest. His breaths quickened. It wasn’t the kiss I could see he wanted, but I hoped it would be enough to satisfy him for now. “I can’t wait to get to know them, but between us…” I said. “I can’t wait to get to know you more.”

  His gaze was drawn to my lips. “Me either.”

  A blazing dragon of fire and embers erupted in the center of the room, dousing all around it in a red hue. I watched the flames flicker, mesmerized by the magic. It moved with such rhythm before it fizzled into nothing.

  Xenos guffawed, slapping the back of a small, wispy man with a long black beard, styled into a point.

  Kiros whispered in my ear. “He’s a famous illusionist.”

  “Aren’t you all?” I questioned. “I mean, you can all use magic.”

  “We all can control the elements to a point, of course. We’re taught in the academies, but some go on to specialized places that teach greater control, alchemy, water, fire, air, or earth wielding and other masteries. It takes a lot of work and a long time to master the arts in magic. We do believe in only using magic when necessary, but at the same time”—he pointed at the man—“we all love a good show.”

  “Who doesn’t?”

  “Do you have anything like this in Magaelor?”

  I bit the inside of my cheek. “Not like this.”

  “Naturally, unless you’re bringing the dead back to life, huh?”

  The joke, at the lunas’ expense, had me balling my fists. Quickly, I exhaled slowly, uncurling my fingers. Forcing a small laugh, I looked at Kiros. “Funny.”

  He wasn’t laughing. “We’ll get you on the straight and narrow.”

  We walked in silence to the food table. A fire raged in the pit of my stomach, wanting to engulf and destroy everything in the room.

  Over by the far table, a short, curious-looking man was searching through the pastries. Next to him was a tall, graceful woman. Both had pointed ears. She looked like sunshine, radiating gold from her hair to her bright eyes. She looked like Cedric, even in height, but his strong features came from his father. They glanced in my direction, whispered to each other, and quickly looked away. I assumed they wouldn’t be in a hurry to meet the girl they refused to save.

  Kiros jumped up to see three men and a woman who’d approached us, all but forgetting me in the moment. I didn’t mind. I sat in silence as I watched him walk away. My mind drifted as I focused on people dancing. My mind always went to Morgana and her safety. No matter how many prayers I whispered for her, the worst-case scenario always crept into my thoughts. Then there was the man who had been in the pits with me. Patrick, if I remember correctly. I wondered if he’d died yet. Each thought pulled into another. My eyes flitted to Xenos, who walked proudly through the double doors. What secrets did he hide in the castle? The fortress and safety of home brought a relaxed, less guarded way of doing things. Would he have been foolish enough to leave something lying around that I could have used against him? Birch told me the Forest of Tranquillium was being cut down and he was responsible.

  A guard watched me carefully when I stood to get another cake. Whatever they’d left lying around, there was no way I’d be able to find out yet. Not until Kiros trusted me. Until then, he was my mission, my only goal.

  THIRTEEN

  The warriors had come. Symbols were painted on their bearded faces, and their eyes were focused when they walked into the castle. Swords of silver remained stowed in hilts on their backs, and daggers in their belts. Some had long hair, tied at the back, and others had short cuts. Both ensured their hair would not get in the way in battle. Storming past me and Kiros, they were addressed at the double doors by a nervous-looking guard. They stood taller than almost everyone else at court. It took everything to tear my gaze from them as I walked with Kiros toward the carriage. “Who are those men?”

  “They are barbarians. To others, protectors of the old faith. Mostly, they run with dragons.”

  “Why are they here?”

  “Father does business with them. He doesn’t wish to fight them. They have small numbers but are the fiercest of warriors.” His mouth twisted in disgust. “They care not for our laws. They ask for payment to keep the dragons under control. They look at the creatures as if they are kin. It’s very odd.”

  I wanted to shout to them how King Xenos was keeping two dragons in Berovia. Doing so would ensure my immediate execution. I pursed my lips, unwantedly keeping in the words that would turn over Xenos’s world.

  Kiros took my hand and helped me step into the carriage. “Let’s go, darling.”

  Narrow, tall sun-washed stone buildings reached high into the cloudless sky. A bridge of arches led us into the heart of Claeri, the main city in Bluewater Province. We’d left the castle behind, glistening against the orange backdrop, and raced toward the people. White horses pulled us, dragging the wheels along the gravel. The grinding halted when we reached the smooth streets.

  I craned my neck out of the window. A part of me wanted to take my chances and jump out of the carriage, but there were a dozen guards shortly ahead and behind us, and I didn’t have my staff.

  I sighed deeply and sat back against the hot velvet seat. Wiping beads of sweat off my forehead, I turned my head toward Kiros.

  His eyebrows slightly raised, and his lips curved into a smile. “You’ll love Claeri.”

  “Thank you for bringing me.” I pressed my fingers into the aching muscles connecting my shoulder and neck, feeling relief in the pressure. “I needed to see outside of the castle walls.”

  He leaned forward, brushing his fingers over the last fading bruise I had on show. “I’m so glad you have healed quickly. The ointment is made from ground unicorn horns. Only the elite use it, naturally. They’re very rare. We also have been adding unicorn blood to your teas. It renourishes you quickly.”

  I ran cold. Unicorns couldn’t survive without their horns. I recalled the one in the forest. Its horn had been removed after it’d been killed. “Was it already dead when it had its blood stolen?” I questioned.

  He cracked his fingers, flexing them outward. “I’m not sure.”

  “Have you ever seen one?”

  He nodded. “I had one given to me as a gift whe
n I was younger, from the fae queen, but he ran away.”

  “Maybe it’s your old pet’s horn they used on me.” I couldn’t help myself, but I instantly regretted the comment.

  He uncrossed his arms and leaned away from me. “I didn’t think of that.”

  “It probably wasn’t,” I stated, but the damage was done.

  By the time we reached our stop, Kiros was picking at his cuticles, staring out the window blankly.

  “Where are we?”

  “Hmm.” He whipped his head around. “The Princetown Shop Front. There’s a jeweler we love that I wanted to take you to.”

  Appropriately named. “Oh, how fun.” I clapped with forced excitement. “I need to ask you something.”

  His expression softened. “What is it, darling?”

  I looked at his hand as it squeezed mine. I wished he’d stop calling me darling. “I was wondering if we can have some time on our own. I mean, we always have guards with us. It’s hard for us to get to know each other.”

  He removed his hand. “No.”

  I closed my eyes briefly. Damn. I clawed to redeem our moment. It was six days to the wedding, and I had to find a way to lax the security. I was either confined to my room or with Kiros and his guards.

  When Cedric came, I would need to find a way to reach him.

  “No matter.” I bit my bottom lip. “We can get to know one another just fine with the guards.”

  His shoulders relaxed. He tapped his fingers against his knee. “I’d like that. Also, about what my sister said.” Uncertainty weaved in his gaze. “I want to apologize to you. For you being…” He inhaled deeply. “Tortured. Neoma was right. It was not acceptable, no matter the circumstances, and I want to make up for what happened. My father shouldn’t have done it, and I should have come sooner to order your release. I guessed, without seeing you in person, it was easy to ignore the princess sent to the pits.” His face paled. “When I saw you, you were so broken.” He choked on his next words. “I didn’t know how to act around you.”