Right before we’re about to duck through the doorway, Kirian turns back to look at Gia one last time.
I squeeze his hand. “Does it help to know she didn’t seek out the witches? That they came to her?”
“No. It doesn’t matter how it started. The end result is still the same. Gia cared for power more than anything. More than her kingdom, more than her family. Now she has nothing.” Shaking his head, he quietly adds, “May the shadows be merciful on you, sister.”
Not bothering with the carrier, he picks me up. One arm supports my back and the other is under my knees. Looping my arms around his neck, I hide my face against his chest as he surges forward into the darkness.
And then we’re running.
Well, he’s running. I’m just hanging on for dear life while being jostled around. My eyes are shut, but then I remember we’re supposed to be able to see with Astrid’s help.
I’m not sure if I should look. Maybe I don’t want to know what dangers lurk here.
Oh, hell. Who am I kidding? I can’t resist.
I peek through one eye.
Everything is illuminated around us, but it’s not a natural kind of light. There’s a murky green tint to everything, as if we’re wearing night vision goggles.
The cavern is bigger than I thought it’d be. It’s probably the width of a football field, and every fifty feet or so, there are wide cracks in the walls. Slitted eyes glow from the shadows inside, and I see the glint of sharp teeth.
When we pass a dead tree with bats hanging from the branches, Kirian’s legs pump faster. The creatures take flight, swarming overhead.
Peering over his shoulder, I look behind us. A scream lodges in my throat when I see a man with a boar’s head standing in the middle of the cavern. Watching us, his tusks glisten with saliva and his eyes are an unnatural yellow.
Welp. There’s a reason why people can’t see in the Shadowlands—because it’s fucking terrifying.
Deciding I’ve had enough, I close my eyes and bury my face by Kirian’s neck while silently praying we make it out alive.
Thankfully, it doesn’t take long.
Kirian dodges to the left, probably avoiding something awful, and the toe of my shoe scrapes against something rough. The canal is narrowing toward the exit.
The air changes, going from oppressively stagnant to a refreshingly cool breeze.
I breathe out a sigh of relief when I look up and see the night sky.
We’re in the Dream Realm.
Just as Kirian sets me on my feet, we hear a blood curdling scream full of rage from inside the Shadowlands. The ground shakes and a flock of birds squawk as they take flight from a nearby tree.
Gia’s awake.
“Right on time,” Damon announces. Panting from exertion, he sets the load he was carrying on the ground.
“Well, what now?” I ask Kirian.
“Back to Delaveria,” he replies, urgency in his tone.
Damon faces us. “Kirian, I’ll need to get Astrid settled. I want to help you with everything that’s going on, but…”
“Your mate,” Kirian finishes for him. “You want to find her.”
He nods. “The sooner, the better. After what Astrid said… my mate could be in danger. I want to search the human realm. Now that I know it’s possible to find her there, that’s where I’ll look.”
“I wish you luck.” Kirian holds out a hand, and Damon shakes it.
“You’ll still come to our wedding, right?” Hopeful, I clasp my hands together. “It probably won’t be for a while. We can’t have the ceremony until the Night Realm is back to normal.”
Damon grins. “I wouldn’t miss it.”
“Me either,” Astrid chimes in.
I smile at my friends. And that’s what they are. Real friends.
We say our goodbyes to the Dream Realm king and the witch, and they walk leisurely together on the path to Damon’s castle. Astrid laughs at something he says.
Those two have an odd dynamic, but it works. I’m glad they have each other.
My gaze moves to Kirian, and I catch him staring at me. “You okay?”
Blinking, he shakes his head, like he hadn’t even realized he was gawking.
I love it when he does that.
“How could I not be? You’re safe and we’re together.” His arms circle me. “Do you have any idea how gorgeous you are? I’ll never get tired of looking at you.”
“Even when I’m old and wrinkly? It’ll happen someday, you know.”
“And I’ll be right there with you. Fae age, too—just very slowly. But now that you’re here, your ears will get pointy and you might grow wings. In time, you’ll become fae just like the rest of us.”
I tilt my head to the side. “Will I develop powers?”
Kirian pauses. “You know, usually, the humans who change into fae don’t. But since you have fae blood in you, maybe.”
“I could be like a superhero.” I grin. “How cool is that?”
“Well, if the hairs on the back of your neck start to stand for no reason, let me know. Fae children often feel that when they’re honing their abilities.”
Oh my God. That’s happened to me. A few times.
“Is it normal for people to be able to sense truth or dishonesty here?” I ask, wondering if that’s a common power.
Kirian’s lips twist. “Like they can tell when someone’s lying?”
“Yeah.”
“Not that I know of. We have clairvoyants, but they’re more into connecting with spirits or telling fortunes. Why?”
“Well, this might sound crazy, but I swear I can tell if someone’s being honest or not.”
Touching my blue silk scarf, I think back to the first time it was noticeable. I remember being so sure Fallon was telling the truth about his motives behind throwing it at me.
I quickly explain that particular instance, and what I felt when Farrel was spilling his past with Gia. Come to think of it, I also experienced the same sensation when Torius and Kai denied any involvement in trying to hurt me.
“It’s definitely a possibility,” Kirian says, stroking my cheek. “The longer you’re here, the stronger it will get. Let’s test it out once we get back home.”
Home. This time, instead of feeling dread at the word, I’m relieved. It feels right. I couldn’t care less about what the fae think of me—I have a purpose.
Getting the women and gnomes back from the Day Realm is priority number one.
There’s a teeny tiny worry in the back of my mind about what my parents will think in the morning when they wake up and I’m not in my bed. They’ll probably just assume I spent the night in my treehouse. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve disappeared into the woods at night.
And then on Kirian’s birthday, we’ll use his portal to go back. I’ll be able to visit with my parents one last time before I “leave” for my new adventure.
It’s going to take some time for me to get used to the new time conversion. To my parents, only a day will have passed. But for me, so much is going to happen.
Kirian and I already talked about it, and we decided the best plan is for me to not return for a while after that. After all, Mom and Dad will think I’m off working somewhere. We can use Kirian’s portals to go other places in the world where I can make a phone call, but I won’t see them until Thanksgiving. Which, in Valora, is like ninety-some years from now.
I’ll miss them, but I’ll be okay as long as I have Kirian.
His wings bust out, and it’s seriously sexy when he does that.
“You ready to go back to the shit storm we left behind?” His expression is serious as he lifts me up. “Our people will need extra care and time to recover. I don’t think anyone will be better at mending their hearts than you.”
“You really mean that.” It’s not a question. That hair-raising thing happens again, and I know he has a hundred percent faith in me. “Let’s hurry back. The sooner we get there, the sooner we can get married.”
A growl rumbles in his chest as we leap into the air, and his response is almost lost in the wind. “I can’t wait.”
Kirian
The carriage rocks and sways on the uneven path as we enter the city. Quinn dozes peacefully with her head on my lap. Kai is at the reins and Torius rides behind us.
Gia’s betrayal still stings but having Quinn and my best men with me dulls the pain.
Soon, all will be right again in the Night Realm. We’ll retrieve our people from the Day Realm, we’ll outlaw distilled Day water, and Quinn and I will have the best wedding Valora has ever seen.
The love I feel for her is overwhelming. It grows with every passing minute, and I wonder if there’s a limit. Will it ever stop or plateau? Or will it keep expanding until I can no longer stand to be apart from her for even a few seconds?
My pleasant thoughts are interrupted by the distant sounds of rioting, and my mood plummets.
Fuck.
Riots don’t happen often, but when they do, the fae take it to dangerous levels. Think of a normal angry crowd, then add in special powers and the ability to fly. Cities can be burned to the ground and reduced to rubble in minutes.
Kai snaps the reins and we speed up. I carefully move Quinn, trying to slyly slide a pillow under her face, but her eyes pop open.
“What’s going on?” Sitting up, she blinks sleepily. “What’s that noise?”
“Stay inside.” I hate to leave her in here without an explanation, but whatever’s happening out there needs to be stopped, and I don’t want her involved.
The carriage is still barreling down the road when I open the door. With my hand on my axe, I hop out. My boots land on the familiar cobblestone, and as my wings unfurl, I break into a run, getting ahead of our caravan.
But what I see has me stopping in my tracks.
Smiling faces. Flailing arms. Dozens of Night Realm flags waving through the air.
The streets are filled with people, and they’re not yelling or fighting—they’re cheering.
Having spotted us, Delaveria guards are already approaching. Kai stops the carriage and jumps down beside me, and Torius joins us after dismounting his horse.
“The women and children have been brought home,” one of my newest guards says, smiling. I can’t remember his name. He’s young, just turned twenty-five last spring, and he hasn’t experienced a true battle yet.
“All of them?” I ask skeptically.
“Yes, Your Majesty. Every single one.”
“Unharmed?”
His grin falters. “Queen Zella is assessing the damage herself as we speak.”
That’s a no. “And my father?”
“He is well.”
“My soldiers?”
“Six dead and thirty-nine injured.”
We’ve had worse outcomes. I’m actually surprised we fared so well. I feel like there has to be a catch somewhere.
“Kirian?” My mate’s voice causes chills to sweep through my body, and I turn to see her leaning out the window. “Can we go to the people? Now? I’m worried.”
I couldn’t have asked for a better partner. “Yes, love.”
I move to get Quinn out of the carriage, but the soldier stops me. “Uh… One more thing you should know. The Day Realm king is here.”
My eyebrows furrow. My uncle has always refused to step foot on Night Realm territory. Whenever matters needed to be discussed, he sent a council member in his place.
“King Zarid is in Delaveria?”
“No. King Zander,” a drunk fae pipes up, stumbling over with ale dripping from his beard. “The pipsqueak finally got the crown.”
“Zander is king now?” I ask slowly.
Something isn’t right. I’m not unhappy to get a visit from my other cousin. Zander and I have only met a handful of times, but he’s a good man. From our talks, I know he wants more than just peace for our kingdoms—he wants prosperity.
Needless to say, he isn’t like his father.
But King Zarid wouldn’t just step down. I’m sure of it. In so many words, he’s told us we’d have to pry the crown from his cold dead hands.
“This is good news for Valora,” I say cordially. “Tell my men they’ve done well. There will be a banquet in their honor within a fortnight.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” The soldier jogs away, taking up his post on the street again.
Extending my hand to Quinn, I help her down before scooping her into my arms.
She knows the drill. Wrapping both legs around my waist, she hangs onto my neck as we take flight.
Within minutes, we’re landing in front of the palace doors. Two soldiers open them for us, and when I acknowledge them with eye contact, they still seem taken aback by the fact that I can see.
Takes some getting used to.
Hand in hand, Quinn and I hurry to the great hall. Since it’s the largest room, I have to assume that’s where everyone’s being assessed.
And I’m right.
As soon as we walk through the doors on the lower level, we’re greeted with mayhem.
At least two hundred Night Realm residents take up the space. Young fae females and gnomes are huddled by the stairs. Several are weeping on the floor or sitting on the steps. Others stand still, staring off into space as if they’re dazed. They look dirty and tired, but otherwise uninjured.
I can’t say the same for my soldiers.
Makeshift cots are set up along one wall, and palace nurses are tending to the wounded men. Bandages are wrapped around deep gashes and missing limbs.
Quinn covers a gasp when she sees one who lost a leg.
“Fuck.” Even I’m overwhelmed by the sight of so much blood. “I should’ve ordered Kai here right away.”
“I’m on it.” He marches past me, his wings still out, approaching the ones who seem to be the worst off.
I can’t believe I ever doubted him. Or Torius. I make a silent vow to make it up to them somehow.
When my mother sees us, she runs over to hug me, then turns to my mate. “Quinn, will you tend to the gnomes? Some of the children have been asking for you.”
“Of course.” Quinn puts a hand to her chest while emotional tears fill her eyes.
She leaves me with a quick caress to my forearm, and when she makes it to the group of little people, she kneels down and they swarm her. There’s got to be thirty of them. It’s the biggest group hug I’ve ever seen.
When Quinn stands, she’s hefting Fiona in her arms. “I bet you’re all hungry. Let’s go find some pudding, huh?”
The gnome’s excited chattering fades away as she leads them through the door that goes to the kitchen.
“They love her,” Mother says, affection in her voice.
“And she loves them back. Are they okay?”
“Overworked and exhausted, but yes.”
“The females?” I’m almost afraid to hear the answer.
Mother confirms my fear when she frowns and looks down at the floor. “Some are untouched. Others weren’t so lucky.”
Father comes over, his dark hair still a tangled mess from battle. Blood is smeared and splattered on his body from head to toe. I’m not sure if any of it is his, but I don’t see wounds on him.
“You look well.” I embrace him with a few manly claps on the back.
“That’s because I am. Not a scratch, my son.” His confidence could be mistaken as cockiness, but my father is one of the best warriors I’ve ever known. He’s just being honest. “We were victorious today.”
“So I heard.” When we separate, my eyes find Zander.
He’s sitting on my father’s throne. His head is hanging down and inky black hair hides his face. The shirt he has on is dark blue with gold buttons and his pants are black leather.
I cock my head to the side. I find it odd that he wears Night Realm clothing.
A crown is in his grasp, and he turns it in his hands. Memorizing it by touch, he bumps his fingers over the light jewels and the designs etched in
to the gold.
I wonder if he wants to be king, or if this is a burden to him. He could let his mother rule as a lone queen, but I’m not sure if their people would respect a human fae. Discrimination is still very much an issue in the Day Realm, and having special powers is a deciding factor in social status there. As far as I know, Rowan has none.
Come to think of it, I don’t know what Zander’s fae ability is. Maybe he doesn’t have one either. After all, he inherited his mother’s olive skin and dark hair. Lack of power would explain why his father didn’t want him involved in physical altercations.
“A victory for us is a loss for them.” My father tosses a concerned glance at Zander. “A very big loss.”
“Care to elaborate?”
“I couldn’t have won without Zander’s help.”
“History repeats itself,” my mother interjects sadly, pressing close to my father’s side. “My brother suffered the same fate as my father. Zarid was killed by his own son.”
Surprised, my eyebrows shoot up. “Zander killed Zarid?”
Father makes a sound of confirmation. “Zander wasn’t even supposed to be there today. You know Zarid never let him fight.”
I do know. It’s one of the reasons I’ve seen so little of my cousin. Zarid ruled his kingdom with an iron fist, and that included his own wife and son. They were like his captives, always under his thumb.
“A griffin swooped down out of nowhere,” my father continues, his light-blue eyes wide with horror. “Everyone was so busy fighting they didn’t see him until it was too late. He went straight for Zarid. He—he snapped his head off with one bite. Completely decapitated.”
I couldn’t be more confused.
“Talon?” I ask, a little disturbed by how shaken my father is by this. Not much phases him, so it must’ve been bad.
His eyes narrow. “Who?”
“Damon’s griffin,” I clarify. “It’s the only one I know of. Large beak, white wings, lion ass.”
“No. This one had black wings, and it was no pet. It was Zander.”
Stunned, I cough. “Excuse me?”
“Zander. After it was done, he shifted to human form, naked as the day he was born, covered in his father’s blood.”
The Fae King's Curse Page 27