by Nissa Leder
Scarlett stood there awkwardly, not sure what to do or say.
Kassandra sighed. “You are lucky my son has given you his attention. To be a prince’s human is something many mortals would kill for. Now leave.”
She didn’t have to tell Scarlett twice. Kassandra gave her the creeps. Scarlett went back to standing alone as she waited for The Hunt to end. Another hour passed. Her feet ached. How long did it take to shoot a boar?
A servant brought Kassandra more fruit, but she stumbled and dropped the plate. As Scarlett watched the servant rush to pick up everything she had spilled, someone appeared next to Scarlett, grabbed her hand, and she felt herself pulled away.
Her body felt like a feather moving through the wind, unable to control her direction. Then her feet found the ground. Nausea grew in her stomach. What had happened?
“Just breathe, the nausea goes away,” Kaelem said next to her as he released her hand. Like at the ball, he wore a sleek suit. This one was white with a lavender shirt underneath and a white tie. If his hair wasn’t navy, Scarlett may have thought he was a Wall Street broker or some other human professional. Or more like a model pretending to be one.
She looked around. They weren’t near the crowd anymore. Somehow, they’d travelled to the courtyard. “What was that?”
“Evanescing.”
“Sorry, what?”
“Moving from one place to another incredibly fast.”
Scarlett took a step. The ground felt hard beneath her feet, like after getting off a treadmill. After a few more, she walked normally. “Where are we?”
“The other side of the castle.”
“Why?”
“Your feet were hurting.” Kaelem motioned to a small fountain. “Have a seat.”
“And what do you care? Surely a fae king has better things to do than rescue some human.”
Kaelem shrugged as he sat on the fountain ledge. “Are you going to join?”
Scarlett glared at him. Why she was mad, she wasn’t sure. Ever since she made that bargain with Raith, she’d been in a foul mood anytime she remembered. She wasn’t sure why she cared so much. It’s not like she’d been begging Cade to let her leave, but she felt better knowing she could ask him to take her away. Then again, deep down, she knew he wouldn’t take her home without a fight. He’d make her feel all the pain at once until she begged him to take it away, thoughts of leaving disappeared.
“God, these brothers really have you bothered, don’t they?” Kaelem ran his fingers through the fountain water. “And you’ve kissed them both. How scandalous!”
“Get out of my head.” Scarlett gritted her teeth as she spoke, trying not to think any more incriminating thoughts. If Cade found out about her bargain with Raith, or worse, the kiss… Scarlett didn’t want to even contemplate what might happen.
“Come, sit, and I’ll get out,” Kaelem said. “For now, at least.”
Scarlett dragged her feet but took a seat next to him. “Do you have some secret plan to drown me in the fountain?”
Kaelem laughed. “You’re so paranoid. No, darling, I have no intention of drowning you. I’d have both Summer Princes after me then.”
She rolled her eyes. “A human death would be nothing more than a hiccup to them.”
“Maybe, but they seem awfully attached to you.”
Scarlett crossed her right leg over her left. She’d rather sprawl out on the grass but that didn’t seem very ladylike and wasn’t practical in her dress. “Is that why you’re so interested in me? You want to piss them off?”
“My, my. Why would I ever want to do that?” The gleam in his eyes told Scarlett he’d have no problem making waves with Raith or Cade. She looked deeper into his eyes then her gaze travelled to his lips. God they looked delicious, like caramel on an apple just waiting to be licked.
Stop, Scarlett.
Head out of the gutter.
What was it about him?
He didn’t react to her dirty thoughts so he must actually be out of her head now. Shocker. Scarlett didn’t think he’d keep his word. “Then why bring me here?”
“Summer fae bore me, and The Hunt was taking forever, so I figured I’d get us out of there. You looked to be having a more miserable time than I was.”
“You must have been bored if you’re wanting to spend time with a mortal.”
Kaelem just shrugged. “What brings you to the Summer Court? You don’t seem the typical desperate human that they usually lure in.”
Was that a compliment?
The image of her mom being carted away by the paramedics surfaced. Her chest clenched. Then the tightness slowly disappeared.
“You’re taking my pain, aren’t you?” she asked.
He didn’t answer. “So, something bad happened and you’re running away?”
“I’m not running…” But that’s exactly what she was doing. She and Ashleigh fought after yet another failed attempt at visiting her mom’s grave, and suddenly a miracle showed up to take her away—to an entirely new realm, nonetheless. “So what if I am?”
Kaelem stood. “No judgment here, darling. Only mere curiosity. I have a habit of learning the nuances of the other courts. Keeps me up-to-date should information ever be needed.”
Scarlett got lost in his eyes again. Then her eyes wandered down past his face, to his chest, then lower…
What was wrong with her? Being around him might be dangerous. Scarlett pushed herself up from the fountain ledge.
“Finding yourself…enticed?” Kaelem asked.
“I thought you were staying out of my head.” Scarlett lifted her gaze back to his face.
His eyebrow arched. Something gleamed in his gaze, an awareness of some sort.
“Oh, I am. But you’re practically drooling.” The smirk on his face let Scarlett know he knew something he wasn’t telling her.
“Is there a reason I’m having… improper thoughts?” She clenched her teeth, embarrassed at the confession.
“Since you asked nicely, I’m a ganacanagh.” Kaelem’s eyes danced. “A fae with especially potent sex appeal.”
Lovely. At least it explained Scarlett’s foul thoughts. Not that Kaelem wasn’t attractive enough to warrant lust without any extra gift—he was a fae after all. And a king. Seriously, what was with all these fae royals giving her their attention? She was a mortal. Only, she knew that might not be true.
Not only had she felt emotion radiating off of others—including Cade—but she’d always wondered if something was different about her. Not to mention the dagger orb had lit up in her hands. For her to have intrigued three fae royals, she must have something to offer that other mortals didn’t.
Then again, she might just be a silly prize they all were desperate to win.
“Too bad you’ve already promised to stay here in the Summer Court,” Kaelem said. “I could have helped you out of here.”
Sure, now that Scarlett couldn’t leave he offered his help. Typical. “I thought you were afraid of starting a battle with the Summer princes.”
He shrugged. “A little drama never killed anybody.”
He leaned his body into hers, his breath hot in her face. His lips puckered ever-so-slightly. A mouth so perfect needed to be kissed…
Scarlett shook her head side-to-side, banishing the lustful thoughts.
Kaelem grinned, then whispered, “I can see what the Summer princes see in you. The Unseelie Court could offer you so much more.” His tone sang of temptation and sinful promise. “Maybe someday you’ll come visit me and I can show your what it’s really like to have a good time.”
Scarlett took three steps back and snapped her gaze away from the Unseelie King. He was dangerous, in more ways than one.
The Hunt couldn’t be over soon enough.
Chapter Twenty
Cade tied the brown mare to a tree. He’d tried to ride her while looking for the beast, but the stubborn creature wouldn’t listen to the command of the reins. He never liked horseback riding. As children
, Raith would ride like the wind while Cade feared even a trot. And right now, Cade didn’t have time for the struggle. He’d be faster on foot.
He meandered through the trees, careful to keep his steps quiet lest he scare the boar away. It had to have been a couple of hours of searching by now and he hadn’t seen it. Not even once. Thankfully, he hadn’t run into Raith yet, either, and since Cade was still in the forest, Raith must not have shot the beast.
Something moved on a branch as he passed it. It circled down the trunk, and, when it hit the ground, he realized it was a snake. While on the tree, its skin was brown, but once it hit the forest floor, it turned a bright green. Cade backed up slowly at first, but the snake picked up its pace. As he turned to run away, a tree root popped up from underground and he stumbled over it.
The snake grew larger until it was at least twenty feet long. What was happening? Cade couldn’t get up in time, and the snake twirled itself around him, squeezing him tight. The announcer said there weren’t any other creatures in this part of the forest, so how was a snake holding him captive?
He recalled the liquid he drank. His mental shields were down. Of course. This wasn’t real.
Then he saw the boar, only a few feet away. Was it real, or was the forest toying with him? The beast ran away into the woods. The snake squeezed tighter. The forest was only messing with his head. He just needed to think of something else. Something good. Scarlett’s face popped into his head—the way her dark hair brought out the blue in her eyes. How when she smiled, her eyes squinted. Cade released the tension inside him with an exhale of breath.
The snake and tree root vanished.
Cade pushed himself up and jogged the direction the boar had gone. He saw its footprints in the dirt. It had been real. The footprints disappeared and he wasn’t sure which way to go, so he kept moving straight.
Ahead, he saw a black stallion, Raith sitting on top, his bow aimed at the boar. Of course his brother still rode on his horse, giving him the advantage of height. Cade needed to think quickly or he was about to lose.
“Run,” Cade yelled, hoping to scare the beast.
It started to dash away. Cade created a ball of Summer energy in his hand and threw it at his brother. But his aim was high and Raith ducked out of the way.
Cade tried to run toward the boar, but his right foot stepped on a branch and slipped, sending him face forward to the ground. Of all the times for him to fall.
When he looked up, Raith adjusted his aim again. As Cade screamed at the creature, Raith let the arrow go. It sailed through the air and found the boar’s heart. Cade glared at his brother, who returned the stare with a wink.
Within a breath, Cade was evanesced back into the courtyard. He appeared next to Raith, the beast dead on the ground in front of them.
“The winner of The Hunt is Prince Raith,” the announcer said.
The crowd applauded.
Cade looked to his mother who wore a scowl. This was only one part of the Battle of Heirs, and it didn’t even count for much. She shouldn’t be so upset. The winner of the actual battle would be king, not the one who did nothing but shoot a boar. Maybe this would raise Raith’s confidence and Cade could take advantage during the battle.
He searched for Scarlett but didn’t see her. Raith may have won The Hunt, but she was still Cade’s. Where could she have gone?
Scarlett stepped out from behind the thrones and walked to him.
He pulled her close to him. The Hunt was stupid. Cade didn’t know why he even cared that he lost. He would be the stronger brother in the end.
“Come,” he said to her. “Let’s go to your room.”
Cade’s mouth pressed against Scarlett’s as he guided her to the bed. He motioned the door shut with his magic.
In between kisses, she leaned her face back.
“Are you okay?” she asked, her forehead crinkled.
“I just want to take my mind off of the Right of Heir.” Cade reached around Scarlett and unbuttoned her dress.
“You’re upset, let’s talk.” She put her hands on his chest.
Fine, if she didn’t want to be physical, Cade would find another way to strengthen himself. “I don’t feel like talking, but just lie with me?”
Scarlett nodded. She took her dress off and tossed it over a chair in the corner, then crawled under the covers of her bed. After Cade joined her, she curled up next to him.
As her head rested on his chest, he ran his fingers up and down her arm. She closed her eyes as she snuggled closer to his body. He searched for her pain, but he couldn’t find much. She was so much less troubled than usual. What had she done while he was busy with The Hunt?
Raith was in the forest with him, or Cade would have worried his brother had gotten under her skin. Since bringing Scarlett to Faerie, he’d noticed her improvement. She wasn’t overflowing with grief as she had been when he first saw her overlooking the cemetery. If she continued to let go of her pain, she wouldn’t be as good of a magic source for him.
He couldn’t have that.
She peered up, gaze heavy. She parted her lips as if to say something, then snapped them shut and sighed.
Cade moved the finger tracing her arm to her cheek, gently grazing her soft skin. She exhaled and shut her eyes again.
Once she dozed off, Cade closed his eyes and entered her dreamland.
Scarlett was in a mortal bedroom, sitting on the bed as another girl glanced at herself in the mirror. Bright colors filled the room—hot pink pillows, a shaggy teal rug, a lavender accent wall behind the white headboard.
“You sure it looks okay?” the girl said. When she turned, Cade recognized her—the girl Raith had brought to the ball, Natalie.
Cade focused. Normally when he entered dreams, he physically became part of them. It allowed him to seduce humans, sleep with them, and then leave. No harm, no foul. But Cade had a different idea. He wanted to feel the high of being fully replenished, and though sex gave him power, Scarlett’s pain was a strong source, too. He searched her mind for fear.
The room shifted, and now Scarlett was back in the room she had went to during the ritual. Her mother was dead on the floor. She searched for a pulse that couldn’t be found. The pain sweltered inside her head. Regret, confusion, anger all swirled together to create a delicious magical meal.
Cade inhaled it, feeling it refuel him.
He’d take a gulp of pain then let it build inside her again before having more. Over and over he did this as her mother faded away in her mind.
The scene changed again. Scarlett in another bedroom, but this time she was with her sister who shouted at her.
“It’s all your fault, Scarlett,” her sister said. “If you’d have been a better daughter Mom wouldn’t have killed herself.”
“That’s not true.” Tears streamed down Scarlett’s face.
Cade breathed in the pain.
“You stressed her out all the time. Seriously, what kind of person are you?” her sister yelled.
She kept throwing insults at Scarlett who could do nothing to stop her. Instead, tears poured from her eyes.
Cade chugged and chugged the emotion, power bursting inside him.
Then Scarlett’s dream went black.
Cade jumped out of her mind and looked at her lying next to him in the bed. He’d taken things too far, causing her to black out. He should feel bad, but the magic inside him sent ecstasy through his veins. He was too high to feel. Too powerful.
His brother might have won the silly Hunt, but he’d seen nothing of what Cade was capable of. He held his hands out in front of himself, face up. A green orb glowed in his palms.
With Summer magic this strong, there was no way he’d lose the battle.
Chapter Twenty-One
Scarlett awoke alone in her bed, her eyelids heavy. She remembered falling asleep in his arms, and then she remembered her dreams. She felt sick to her stomach. Why did she dream such horrible things? She’d come to this place to get away from th
ose feelings, but lately they’d been resurfacing more and more, more often and stronger than ever. Now more than ever she wanted to get home, but after making the bargain with Raith, she was stuck here. Once the battle was over, she’d be ready. Until then, she’d play the part she needed to play.
“Good morning,” Cade said as he walked through the door.
“Make it stop.” Scarlett pleaded with her eyes. The memories made her dizzy. She’d felt in control yesterday, like maybe she was starting to handle the pain. But a night of dreams had torn the hope from her.
Cade sat on the bed next to her and placed her hand in his. The emotion inside Scarlett emptied until her mind was clear again, like a weight had been lifted from her thoughts.
She thought of her mother and her sister but felt nothing but numbness. It was better this way.
“I have battle practice this morning,” Cade said, hand still twined with Scarlett’s. “Will you be all right?”
Sometimes he acted like she was nothing more than a pet. Other times, like now, he treated her like she was someone he cared about. It confused her, but she wouldn’t let it bother her. Her worries were too far away at the moment for anything to bother her right then.
“I’ll be fine.” She withdrew her hand and pushed herself out of the bed. “I may go outside and explore the castle grounds, if that’s all right.”
“Of course. Just don’t wander too far. It’s dangerous outside the castle walls.”
Scarlett looked to the scar on her leg. She knew all too well the trouble she would find if she tried to leave. Somehow, she had escaped the creature, but she still wasn’t sure how. And there’d be no point in running now. She couldn’t leave, not with the bargain she’d made with Raith, which she wasn’t about to share with Cade. She didn’t know exactly what happened when someone broke a fae bargain, and she had no desire to find out by breaking one.
After Cade left, Scarlett drew herself a bath. As she soaked in the hot water, she thought of her unusual encounter as Cade and Raith competed in The Hunt. For some reason unbeknownst to her, the Unseelie King—apparently a seductive ganacanagh— spent over an hour talking with her. Kaelem asked her questions about her life before entering Faerie—about her family, friends, hobbies. He claimed humans fascinated him. With the Unseelie Court in the mortal realm, he liked to get to know them better, or so he said. Scarlett didn't believe him. He was probably laughing at the mundaneness of the human life.