“Stay.” Huffing, Gia stands, gesturing to the frozen figures. “These are my witnesses. I hereby issue an official challenge for the throne.”
Fine. If she wants a fight, she’ll get one.
I palm my axe as I come down the stairs. My power stores are high right now, thanks to Quinn and the mating bond. I just hope it’s enough to beat Gia.
The thought of truly harming her makes my stomach churn. In all the other matches we’ve had, I went easy on her. She didn’t know it, but I held back because I didn’t want to hurt her.
But there’s no trace of the little girl I once knew.
There’s a wild glint in Gia’s eyes, and her fingers twitch at her sides as she sizes me up.
With a flick of her wrist, a gust of wind opens the window across the room. The glass panes shatter against the walls.
Just as my foot makes it off the last step, a lightning bolt shoots inside, heading straight for me.
Everything goes white.
My muscles seize and I fall to the floor. The back of my skull smacks hard against the marble, and pain radiates through every cell of my body.
Everyone is screaming, but I barely hear it over the ringing in my ears.
My head throbs. My skin sizzles. My heart beats in an odd, unstable rhythm. I try to move, but I can’t.
I’ve been hit by lightning many times before. Just a hazard of flying. No big deal. It usually stuns me for a few minutes, but I can’t afford to be immobile right now.
I blink up at the ceiling as Gia struts over to me.
I hate to admit it, but if the beginning of our fight is any indication, I’m no match for someone with enhanced powers.
Wielding lightning? My father’s the only person I’ve ever known who can do that.
I try to call on the birds, the vines, insects—anything that might be able to create a diversion. But they’re all under Gia’s command. If our abilities were different from each other, I might have a chance, but right now, we’re pulling on the same rope.
I’ll lose this tug of war because she has more influence than I do.
All I have is my wits and physical strength, both of which are extremely hindered at the moment.
As if being completely incapacitated wasn’t already enough, roots break through the floor underneath me. The marble cracks as brown ropes twist around my torso, arms, and legs. Some of them have thorns that scrape and stab me.
Gia circles my body, and I spy an iron spike in her hand. It’s unlike a knife or a spear. The tip is needle-sharp, and it becomes thicker toward the base.
My sister doesn’t want a challenge.
She wants an execution.
I’ve always had respect for her, but memories of her cowardly attempts to claim the crown bubble to the surface. The way she tried to take advantage of my disability. The times she pretended to be finished, only to jump up and strike me in the back. Her use of iron weapons; even after we’d agreed to leave the dangerous metal out of it, she always found a clever loophole in her wording.
Nothing was too low for Gia.
I used to think her smart and resourceful.
Now, I see her for what she truly is—ruthless and deceitful.
“I’m doing this to help you.” Frowning down at me, she grips the wooden handle of the spike. “What sort of existence could you possibly have now? Your fated mate is gone. You’re blind. You won’t be a ruler. I’m simply putting you out of your misery.”
She actually sounds sincere. It’s so ridiculous that I laugh.
“You knew Quinn was my fated mate,” I croak out, trying to keep her talking. “How?”
I mentally will my body to pull against the binding roots, but I barely manage a twitch because of the electricity still numbing my limbs. If I was at full strength, I might be able to break them. But right now, it’s no use.
Gia snickers. “Oh, poor Kirian. The fact that you were too much of a moron to realize it is proof I should be queen. It was obvious the second I saw you together in the dining hall. The way you had to touch her all the time and how you angled your body in front of hers, protecting her. Even when there was no threat, you were willing to die for her. Besides, you ran off to the human realm all that time for no reason? I don’t think so. You were drawn to her and couldn’t stay away.”
“Just another reason to be jealous of me, eh?” I probably shouldn’t try to piss her off right now, but I can’t hold in the low blow.
“Yes,” she hisses, then throws a quick glance at Farrel. “No offense, dear.”
“None taken,” he grits out. “But, darling, I think you should take a moment to reconsider your actions. This isn’t you.”
“This is me! For the first time in my life, I feel right.”
“Where’s Mother?” Tingles are replacing the numbness in my fingers, and I successfully make a fist.
Slowly, I try to get to the handle of my axe. It’s just a few inches away, and Gia doesn’t seem to notice my movement.
“In the dungeon, along with the rest of the council and anyone who dared to defy my orders.” She grimaces, looking somewhat ashamed. “I had to use iron shackles. It was the only way to keep her from interfering. She’ll forgive me someday.”
“She won’t,” I say with certainty. “Don’t do this.”
She ignores me. “Goodbye, brother. I’ll see you someday on the other side of the stars.”
As she raises her weapon, my grip closes around the handle of my axe.
But it’s too heavy.
Fear strikes me harder than the lightning did. This might actually be the end for me.
My life flashes before my eyes, and the whole thing is a culmination of Quinn.
She’s pulling me out of the river. She offers her coat when I know she’s colder than I am. She gives me her marble. Years pass, and everything is a blur but her. She reads to me. She hums while she helps me harvest the honeysuckle. She cries because her peers at her school are mean to her. We fish. We eat butterscotch pudding. We dance.
More than anything, we love.
I almost think I can smell her sweet scent. My mind must be playing tricks on me, because my veins buzz as if she’s near, and I swear I can feel her strength flowing into my body.
What I wouldn’t give to kiss her one more time.
My eyes zero in on the sharp tip of the spike.
And then it comes down.
Quinn
I’m winded from sprinting through the castle. I got lost a couple times, but the arrow traps led the way.
Nausea from fear—not my fear, Kirian’s—makes my stomach flip. My muscles burn as I pump my legs faster down a familiar corridor. I’ve only come through here once before, but I recognize the portraits of all the royals as I get closer to the great hall.
Splintered wood is hanging where the doors once were, and the howling wind inside is unnerving. When I run through to the balcony, I see Gia standing over Kirian on the first floor below.
She’s about to stab him.
“Stop!” I scream, and Gia pauses mid-crouch, the tip of the spike just a couple inches from Kirian’s chest.
Her lavender eyes are angry slits when she looks over her shoulder at me.
“She isn’t supposed to be here!” She aims her rage-filled voice at Farrel. “You didn’t snap her neck before you pushed her through the portal? You defied me.”
He stays silent, smoldering at her with a hateful look. Yikes. I’d say there’s trouble in paradise.
At least now I know who was manhandling me in the Shadowlands, and I’m thankful my spinal cord is still intact. But I don’t have time to contemplate Farrel’s reasoning for letting me live.
My hands splay on the smooth railing as I lean forward and try to figure out how badly Kirian’s hurt. He’s bleeding in several places and his clothes are ripped. The vines restraining him have long thorns, and one is buried deep in his right shoulder.
My hand goes to my upper arm in the same spot. I ache there. His pain affe
cts me.
Our eyes lock, and I almost expect him to scold me for coming here or tell me to run.
Instead, a grin spreads over his face. It’s not the kind of smile where he’s happy to see me. It’s mischievous, like he has a secret.
I feel a strange tingling in my veins, and the pain I’d been experiencing gets replaced with an essence of power.
Before I can ask Kirian if he’s okay, Damon is suddenly dragging me back and trying to push me behind him.
I struggle, because I’m losing sight of what’s happening.
I don’t know if it’ll help, but I toss Garryn’s dagger over the balcony, hoping my aim is good enough for it to land where Kirian can reach it.
A second later, I hear some loud snapping sounds and then a high-pitched scream of agony.
Managing to break away from Damon’s hold, I crane my neck to see what’s going on down there.
Kirian’s upper half is free from his restraints, and Gia’s on the floor with the dagger sticking out of her kneecap. Her silky gown is pinned to her leg and a red stain spreads over the white fabric.
In a quick move, Kirian grabs his axe and swings it down on her foot, slicing the metatarsals longways.
Revolted by the gruesome sight, I cover my mouth.
Gia lets out a guttural howl as she drops her weapon and blood pools around her. Kirian rips the rest of the vines off, sending dirt and debris flying as he stands.
He spins his axe around in a practiced motion and kicks the spike across the floor, away from Gia. “By the way, my fated mate is alive. The curse is broken. I can see, and I’ll rule this kingdom until the day I die—which will be a long time from now.”
Taking advantage of Gia’s momentary distraction, he calls on his powers. Vines spill through the open window, crawling over to her. They wrap around her arms and legs, binding her hands behind her back.
Now that she’s restrained, I think it’s over.
But I’m wrong.
All the windows fly open, and a lightning bolt dances into the room. It’s moving sluggishly, as if Gia’s weakened. At first, I’m worried she’s going to use it on Kirian, but it’s not headed toward him.
It’s going straight for me.
As I back up, Damon puts himself in front of me, and I hear the flap of Kirian’s wings before he lands on the stairs. He’s blocking us, planning to take the strike.
Both of these men are willing to endure a lightning bolt for me.
But Kirian and self-preservation are one in the same. If he gets hurt, so do I.
I’m about to shout to him to get out of the way when, suddenly, the electricity begins slowly draining away, leaving the room the same way it came in.
Everything gets quiet when the wind dies down. The rain stops, clouds recede, and I see a few stars twinkling in the night sky outside.
“What happened?” My adrenaline is at an all-time high, and I’m panting like I just ran a marathon.
Peeking around Damon, I glance down at Gia. Her eyes are closed, and her breathing is slow. She’s unconscious.
“Asleep,” Damon explains. Walking down the stairs, he claps Kirian on the back. “Did I ever mention I can lull people into slumber?”
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Kirian says flatly, following him. “Why didn’t you tell me that earlier, say, I dunno, two thousand years ago?”
Damon shrugs. “We’ve all got secrets.”
Pissed, Kirian narrows his eyes. “A shit ton of conflict could’ve been avoided if you’d used your power earlier.”
“I was waiting to reveal it at the right time.”
“The right time would’ve been before Gia kicked my ass.” Kirian spits some blood onto the floor at the bottom of the stairs, and I’m concerned about all his injuries.
My tongue hurts, which means he must’ve bit his at some point. He’s got a gash running down the back of his skull, and countless cuts from the thorns.
But before I check him over, I just need to touch him.
He turns and opens his arms to me. Jumping from the second step up, I leap onto his body. I squeeze him tight, my legs wrapped around his waist.
I kiss him, and the metallic taste of blood hits my tongue. “You jackass. You almost died. Don’t do that again.”
“But I didn’t, thanks to you.” He kisses me again before nuzzling my cheek. “I appreciate the dagger, my queen. You’re my hero.”
“Hey, what about me?” Damon complains. “I’m the one who knocked Gia out.”
We ignore him. Our hair and clothes are damp from rain, sweat, and blood, but relief makes me feel light.
The danger is over.
Kirian presses his nose to my hair and inhales. “How did you get in?”
“Talon flew me up to the tower. Don’t worry.” I throw a look at Damon. “He’s safe. He went back to the stables after dropping me off.”
“You should’ve stayed in the nobles’ house,” Kirian says, but there’s no bark behind his words.
I twist my lips to the side. “I just saved your life.”
He lets out a resigned sigh. “That you did. As soon as I saw you, my strength increased, and I was able to get free.”
“I would’ve put Gia to sleep before she ran you through,” Damon huffs, insulted he’s not getting more credit. All that earns him is a scowl from both Kirian and me. At least he has the decency to look guilty. “I just wanted to find out how powerful this distilled Day water really is. Now I know.”
“When will she wake?” Kirian asks him, setting me down.
“Whenever I allow it, but I’ll have to stay near her. If I get more than fifty feet away, my influence will wear off in a matter of minutes.”
I start to fuss over Kirian’s wounds while he continues his conversation with Damon.
“She needs to stay asleep until the water leaves her system.” He raises his right arm so I can inspect a cut on his ribs. It isn’t deep, and the bleeding has already stopped.
In fact, all his injuries seem to be healing quickly. My finger goes over a scrape on his arm that’s already closed.
“How long will that be?” Damon wonders.
Kirian looks to Farrel. “If anyone would know the answer, it’s you.”
As Gia’s chosen mate gets up from King Keryth’s chair, he’s visibly trembling. “King Kirian, I can explain many things, if you’ll allow me.”
Kirian holds up a hand to silence him.
“First things first.” Tucking me close to his side, he turns to the frozen, wide-eyed fae still lingering in the hall. “I am your king, and this is your new queen. That isn’t changing anytime soon. It’s true that Quinn is my fated mate and the curse is broken. Spread the word: traitors who took advantage of my absence will be dealt with harshly.” When no one makes a move to leave, he shouts, “Go!”
After everyone has shuffled out, Kirian motions for Farrel to continue.
The dark-haired fae lowers himself to both knees, bowing his head while linking his hands behind his back.
“You take the position of someone who’s up for a beheading.” Kirian’s shocked by Farrel’s submission. “Why? You don’t want to fight me?”
“I don’t want to fight anyone,” he replies to the floor. “Not you, not your sister. I’m tired, my lord. Gia has made me do so many terrible things.”
Am I supposed to feel bad for this guy? “You pushed me through the portal.”
He nods. “I apologize. I never wanted to hurt you. Truly.”
“How did you manage to navigate the darkness?” I ask.
“A seeing spell Gia got from the witches,” Farrel replies, stealing a quick glance at Kirian. “The coven that cursed you, King Kirian—they contacted her about a year ago. They wanted to join forces with her. They said they would help her gain control of the Night Realm.”
“In exchange for what?” Kirian’s voice is hard.
“At first, it was information they were after. They wanted her to tell them right away if you found y
our mate, and she did as they asked.”
“What was their end goal? To hurt Quinn?”
Farrel grimaces. “I suppose. Gia wouldn’t tell me specifics. All she did was give me orders.”
“The first night in my room?” I persist, wanting all the answers. “That was you, too?”
“Yes. As I said, I couldn’t harm you. I could’ve killed you if I wanted to, but it’s not in my nature. I’ve never taken a life before.”
I start tapping my foot. “But the explosion and the poisoning? I could’ve died then.”
“That wasn’t my doing. A witch named Merina set up those catastrophes. When they failed, Gia sent me to end you before putting you back in your home world.”
A strange prickly sensation crawls up my neck, but it’s not a bad feeling. It’s the same one I’ve gotten before when I know someone’s being honest. I don’t know how I know Farrel’s telling the truth—I just do.
“You had mercy on my mate,” Kirian says, his tone unreadable. “You went against Gia. She was your superior and your mate, yet you defied her.”
Farrel gives a nod as he glances at the woman sprawled on the floor a few feet away. “Over these past several months, I’ve grown to hate her. As of now, I revoke our mating vows. I am no longer hers and she is not mine. As for how much of the water Gia ingested, it was a lot. I don’t know the exact amount, but she’s been like this before. It’ll be at least three days before she’s back to normal. The Glow—it’s addictive and dangerous.”
Kirian tilts his head. “Glow?”
“That’s what people have been calling it. If my powers were more useful, I might’ve become just as lost as Gia. I drank a few sips once. I could hear animals communicating as far as the Day Realm. I couldn’t sleep for two nights because it was so loud.” His dark-blue eyes swim with shame. “Your Majesty, I’ve brought harm to your kingdom and I willingly accept any punishment you deem fit.”
Swallowing hard, I look away from him, wondering if he’ll be executed soon. I might be witnessing my first beheading today. Possibly two, depending on what Kirian decides to do with Gia.
“I need a moment to consult with the queen.” Kirian leads me away, and it takes me a second to realize he’s referring to me.
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