by Nissa Leder
“Welcome, to the Winter Games.” His voice boomed through the room. “Challengers fight with weapons of ice. It’s a fight until an opponent surrenders, and anyone here is open to challenge.”
“Does anyone ever die?” Scarlett asked Kaelem as they took their seats.
“The ice is enchanted. Injuries hurt as bad as they would with steel weapons, but the ice weapons’ effects aren’t permanent. You could get stabbed in the heart and, while it would hurt like hell, you wouldn’t die.”
That was what made the games so brutal. No one held back. You could decapitate someone and they’d remain alive, separated into two pieces. Kaelem enjoyed the gore of it. He always appreciated a good game. This was a game of blood and pain. Savage and brutal. And without the fear of death, opponents were braver. And careless.
“Please welcome our first two competitors, both members of the queen’s guard.”
Two large male fae entered, one in a black outfit, the other in white. The fae in black held a sword, the one in white a bow and quiver of arrows—both the blade and bow set were made entirely of ice. The opponents met in the middle and shook hands.
“Let the games begin,” the announcer said. Then he vanished.
“They need nicknames,” Scarlett said. “How about Black Sword versus White Bow.”
Black Sword darted behind a wall made of ice. White Bow lunged the other direction. From his seat, Kaelem could see Black Sword sneak around the wall and behind a tree of ice.
Scarlett’s stare fixated on the area.
Cade and his guard, Poppy, sat behind them.
Kaelem slung his arm around Scarlett. The Summer King made touching Scarlett so much fun. Kaelem felt the burn of anger behind him. As a new king, Cade really needed to get a better hold of himself. By wearing his emotion so boldly, Kaelem knew his weakness.
Would the Summer King protect Scarlett with his life?
And if the jealousy game wasn’t already fun enough, the female guard radiated her own envy. They both kept their mind shields up, preventing Kaelem from knowing their thoughts, but he didn’t need to peek in their heads to know their desires.
Black Sword ended up stabbing White Bow through the thigh, ending in his surrender.
Scarlett winced as the winner pulled the sword out and blood dripped onto the clean ice. “It’s morbid.”
“The Winter Court is known to revel in morbidity.”
Three more sets of opponents faced off, the last round concluding with someone’s arm sliced off.
“I think that’s enough for me,” Scarlett said.
As Kaelem and Scarlett stood to leave, the announcer said, “That’s all of our scheduled battles. Do we have any challengers in the crowd?”
From behind Kaelem, Cade spoke. “I challenge the Unseelie King.”
Kaelem’s attention snapped to the Summer King. Shock covered his guard’s face.
Kaelem grinned. “You really think that’s a good idea?”
What was Cade thinking? It was a suicide battle. Cade hadn’t even been king a year. Kaelem, though still considered a new king, had been ruling the Unseelie Court for a decade.
“It’s all in good fun.” The intensity in Cade’s eyes suggested otherwise.
“Very well.”
He’s just doing it to get to me, Scarlett thought.
Kaelem turned around and faced her. He wasn’t sure if she’d play along, but he had to try. The temptation was too strong not to. With his back to Cade, he winked at Scarlett, then he pressed his lips to hers.
Her soft lips returned his kiss. Electricity flickered through him. His tongue grazed her bottom lip, sending a jolt of lust from Scarlett.
Kaelem pulled back. “For good luck.”
Only for the ruse.
Her response said otherwise as Kaelem absorbed her desire floating in the air.
He and Cade were escorted to a room on the bottom floor of the arena under the seats. Kaelem was fitted in a black outfit. He hadn’t worn battle gear since his training days. He looked so much better in suits. Sigh. But breaking Winter ritual and not wearing the outfit given to him might upset the Ice Queen, and he had no intention of doing that—yet.
There was an entire room full of weapons to choose from, but Kaelem kept it simple by selecting daggers.
He walked out to the arena with the daggers strapped to his back. After he made it to the middle of the arena, Cade strutted out with a sword in his hand. Yes, that was right, the Summer King had an obsession with swords.
Very well.
After they shook hands, as was the Winter Court custom, the announcer counted down, then, when he said “Begin,” Cade hurried to cover.
For demanding to battle Kaelem, Cade sure seemed like a coward. Kaelem reached out with his mind gift. Cade’s mental shield was raised, but Kaelem could still feel his consciousness.
Cade hid behind a wall of ice that stood eight feet tall and ten feet wide.
“Hiding will do you no good.”
Cade lunged at Kaelem from around the corner of the barrier, sword out. He slashed at Kaelem.
Kaelem ducked and pulled the daggers out from behind his back. When Cade’s sword sliced through the air again, Kaelem rolled away and continued to his feet. With his daggers held in front of his body, Kaelem stepped to the side as he circled Cade.
“This really was such a fun idea,” Kaelem said. “I’ve been meaning to dust off my fighting skills. It’s been a while.”
“I thought it was time the Unseelie King was humiliated.”
“I’m sure few would complain if you beat me. Everyone loves an underdog.”
Cade jumped at Kaelem with his sword aimed at his heart.
Kaelem blocked the attack with crossed daggers. He pushed the sword back at Cade.
Kaelem jumped as Cade spun and sliced at his feet, but he wasn’t prepared for the second part of Cade’s move.
Cade’s sword slashed at Kaelem’s arm.
Kaelem leaned back, missing the brunt of the blow, but the sword’s tip broke skin.
A cut two inches long appeared on Kaelem’s bicep. “Well done.”
The magic of the weapons kept anyone from dying from his wounds, but it also kept a fae’s magic from healing himself in the arena or as quickly as usual after.
Kaelem bled as if he were mortal.
Cade struck again. Kaelem fought him blow for blow, inhaling the wrath Cade emanated. It was delicious. The more Kaelem absorbed, the more his magic grew inside him.
“Scarlett is a great kisser, wouldn’t you say?” Kaelem purred.
“I don’t know how you’re manipulating her, but I know you are.” Cade cut off Kaelem’s strike to his face. “Scarlett could never care for someone like you.”
The Summer King was right. Scarlett was only there because of blackmail. But Kaelem wasn’t certain she would have said no if he’d just been honest. Regardless, he was King of the Unseelie Court, and whether a girl could have feelings for him or not was of little importance.
“And what did you do to her? I felt how drained you kept her when she was in your court.”
Fury burst from Cade.
It was exactly what Kaelem needed to break through his mental shield. As Cade swung for Kaelem’s stomach, Kaelem read his next move. Cade thrust his sword at Kaelem’s face, but he was too late.
Kaelem’s sword punctured through Cade’s chest.
Cade dropped to the ground.
Kaelem hovered over him, his other dagger raised above Cade’s eye.
“Surrender, Summer Prince.”
Cade did, wrath in his eyes.
Kaelem raised his hands in victory as the crowd roared.
Scarlett had wanted Kaelem to kick Cade’s ass, but seeing Cade crumpled on the ground sent a wave of guilt through her.
She wiped her mouth. She’d kissed Kaelem just to make Cade jealous. Seriously, when did she become so petty?
The frenzy in the air had Scarlett’s mind high in the clouds. It filled her in a
way she still wasn’t used to. It was as if she was empty without passion until she absorbed the emotion floating around her, and she’d do almost anything to keep fulfilled.
“We have time for one more round,” the announcer said as a group of winter fae pulled Cade from the arena.
“I challenge Scarlett,” Poppy said behind Scarlett.
Chapter Nineteen
No, surely Scarlett was hearing things. Why would Poppy want to fight her? It wasn’t fair at all.
Then again, that was probably exactly why she had challenged Scarlett.
“Scarlett is a date, not an official guest,” Kaelem said to the Winter Queen, who sat on a throne on the balcony above him.
“There is no rule against it,” she replied with a gleam in her eyes. “The girl must fight.”
Scarlett returned Poppy’s glare with a scowl of her own. Poppy might have years of fighting experience and Scarlett only had what she’d done to prepare for the battle, but Scarlett wouldn’t cower away like a baby.
If she was going to lose, she’d lose swinging.
Scarlett, dressed in a tight black leather fighting outfit with long sleeves and a V neckline, entered the arena. She’d selected a staff as her weapon, with a spearhead on each end. Since she had no idea how to use a sword, it was her best chance.
After Scarlett, the announcer introduced Poppy. The crowd cheered. Apparently, they already knew who would win. Scarlett looked around into the sea of eyes peering down, eager to see her humiliated. The idea of the games fascinated her much less now that she’d turned from spectator to participant.
What nickname would someone in the crowd give her?
Reluctantly, Scarlett shook Poppy’s hand. Poppy’s expression screamed conceited. She had no worry and, Scarlett hated to admit, rightfully so.
Scarlett stood no chance, but she would do what she could to not make a total fool of herself. Kaelem had said the weapons couldn’t kill, so on the bright side, she wouldn’t die.
Scarlett raised her staff in front of her until the announcer counted down to one. Then she bolted.
While she refused to be a coward, she also wasn’t an idiot. Keeping Poppy on her toes would be Scarlett’s best chance, and if she were going to lose, she wanted to last more than thirty seconds.
“Run, run, human.”
The word struck Scarlett right in the heart. Surely, Poppy meant to insult her, but it wasn’t an insult to Scarlett. It was a reminder of what she no longer was—what was gone forever.
Scarlett darted to another hiding spot, this time behind a fountain made of ice. But to Scarlett’s surprise, running water poured down its front. Scarlett closed her eyes and felt for Poppy. Her aura drew closer.
When Poppy was near enough, Scarlett stepped out and lunged, knocking Poppy to the ground with her staff.
Scarlett thrust the spearhead at Poppy’s face. She missed, but hit the top of her shoulder. Better than a complete miss.
Poppy screamed—in pain or fury, Scarlett wasn’t sure—and pushed herself up, daggers in front of her.
“You’ll pay for that.”
Scarlett contemplated hiding again, but what good would it have done? She was better off facing Poppy now and praying for a miracle or that Poppy would just get it over with. With a deep breath, Scarlett tried to remember everything Jaser had taught her.
Poppy jabbed a dagger at Scarlett’s throat. As she blocked it with her staff, Poppy kicked her in the stomach. Scarlet flew back into the fountain.
The water was warm as it spilled over Scarlett, but surprisingly not wet. When she pushed herself up, she remained perfectly dry.
“Scared yet?” Poppy asked as she spun the daggers in her hand.
Show off.
Scarlett lifted her shoulder in indifference. “It doesn’t matter how well you fight, Cade would still rather have me.”
A high-pitched shriek exploded from Poppy’s mouth as she attacked Scarlett.
You bitch.
The words played in Scarlett’s mind, but they weren’t her own.
Somehow, she’d heard Poppy’s thoughts.
Scarlett fought off the first three strikes. She tried to break into Poppy’s mind again, but to no avail.
Poppy’s fourth blow sliced across Scarlett’s cheek. Scarlett winced as she felt the icy air hit the open wound.
Happiness struck her, sending a giggle to her lungs. She felt human again.
Her laughter didn’t last long. Poppy, face full of frenzy, plunged the daggers into Scarlett’s gut.
Pain shattered through her insides, a million needles poking into her at once. The air in her lungs had vanished. She coughed, desperate for breath. Blood sputtered out of her mouth, joining the pool of red dripping from her stomach.
This was what death would feel like.
“Do you surrender?” Scarlett heard the announcer’s voice from far away, as if it were a whisper lost in the wind.
She nodded, or tried to, and everything around her faded into blackness.
“You’ll be okay,” a familiar voice said, soft and distant.
Someone lifted her into his arms as she drifted to sleep.
Chapter Twenty
A fuzzy memory sat on the top of Scarlett’s mind as her consciousness resurfaced. She blinked as her eyes adjusted to the moonlight shining through the window.
Kaelem lounged in a chair at the foot of her bed, fast asleep.
As Scarlett tried to sit up, pain attacked her from the inside out. “Ow.”
Kaelem’s eyes popped open. “You’re awake.” He rushed to her side.
Scarlett carefully felt her stomach. “Is it bad?”
“I would lie and say no, but I’m pretty sure it hurts like hell so you’d see through it.”
“I wanted to win so badly.” Anything to wipe that smug look off of Poppy’s face.
When Scarlett tried to sit up again, Kaelem reached over and gently lifted her, then placed a pillow behind her back.
“You gave it a good effort.” Kaelem tucked her hair behind her ear. “I don’t think anyone thought you’d draw blood.”
“Glad to have had the vote of confidence.” Scarlett touched her cheek and felt the scab from the dagger’s slice.
“It makes you look tough.”
“And what does this make me look like?” She gestured to her abdomen wound.
“Also tough. Just not a good fighter.”
After Kaelem left the room for a moment, Scarlett remembered at the end of the battle, when she heard thoughts that weren’t her own, like Kaelem could. Should she tell him?
No. She couldn’t trust him. He blew any chance of that when he took Ashleigh. It was a new skill she’d have to master on her own. It wasn’t like she’d accidentally kill a man by reading his thoughts, and that was the only reason she needed him to begin with. If it wasn’t life or death, she could figure it out on her own. And maybe it hadn’t even really happened. She may have just thought she heard the words, nothing more than a trick of the imagination.
Kaelem returned with a silver mug, steam rising from the top. “This should help with the pain.”
“Fae drugs. Yay.” Scarlett sipped it. She was expecting it to be bitter, but it was sweet, delightfully so. A tingle spread through her, coating the pain with whatever she’d just ingested.
“How long have I been out?”
“A few hours.”
Scarlett finished the drink.
“That kiss really pissed Cade off, didn’t it?” Scarlett tried to fill the awkward silence, but her choice of topic only made it worse.
“We can do it more often if you’d like.” Kaelem grinned, but his offer sounded empty.
“That’s okay,” Scarlett said. “Wouldn’t want to start an all-out war here in the Winter Court.”
“No, not yet.”
“Not until you get what you need.” Whatever it was. It would be a lot easier if he just told Scarlett what it was. Then she’d know what she might die for because that was the
reality.
Maybe she had the potential to be a strong fae, but if the fight showed anything, it was that she wasn’t strong yet. Poppy handled her like nothing more than a pest. It was one-on-one and Scarlett had no chance. How was she supposed to be of any real help to Kaelem?
The only thing Scarlett had any confidence with was healing.
Healing. Of course.
She placed her hands over her stomach. With her eyes closed, she inhaled the torn skin. She absorbed out some of the injury, but the slices in her stomach remained.
“The magic in the weapons keeps your magic from doing much good,” Kaelem said. “But the wound will still heal. It won’t be fully healed by morning, but it should feel better. You should get some sleep.”
Kaelem lifted the blanket at the end of the bed over Scarlett’s legs. “You’ll get the hang of being fae. Don’t worry.”
He let Scarlett have the bed to herself as he returned to the chair.
Once Scarlett had drifted back to sleep, Kaelem quietly left the room. He’d planned on protecting her here at the Winter Court, but he’d failed epically. She wouldn’t die from the injury, but he still felt bad. And sitting there feeling bad would do neither of them any good.
He’d surprised himself at the worry he felt as Scarlett faced Poppy. With the magic of the battle, Scarlett was in no real danger, yet Kaelem hated the thought of even a cut slicing her skin. He hadn’t planned to grow so attached, but he couldn’t deny his affinity toward her.
But to save his sister he did the same thing Nevina did to him: stole someone from Scarlett.
Kaelem knew the feeling of protectiveness he was capable of. He’d have died willingly to protect his younger sister. Knowing he’d failed her was a constant weight pressed into his chest.
It was the middle of the night and the castle halls were empty. It had been three years now since he’d last visited the Winter dungeon, but he remembered the way.
Kaelem walked down a long tunnel of stone, one of the few places in the castle that wasn’t made of ice. His footsteps echoed through the long chamber. As he took a deep breath, the smell of rot slipped up his nose.