by Nissa Leder
Kaelem ran his fingers through her hair.
Scarlett absorbed the lust pulsing from him.
High off of desire, Scarlett controlled the pace as she teased him with her tongue.
Kaelem liked games, and Scarlett found that so did she.
Raith stared at the cabin in front of him surrounded by trees. It was small, with a stone fireplace climbing up its side.
“You okay?” Sage asked next to him.
“Yeah,” he replied.
They’d followed the directions Sage’s mother had given them to the last known home of Talia. If she was here, Raith could ask her about his mother.
It was what he wanted. So, why did a pit of nerves fill his stomach?
“You want me to go see if she’s here?” Sage asked.
“No, let’s go together.”
One step at a time, Raith climbed the porch stairs and approached the door.
He knocked and waited, Sage hovering behind him.
A male with short blonde hair and amber eyes answered the door. “Hello.”
“Hi, I was wondering if Talia still lived here?”
A woman stepped out from behind the man. “You’re so much bigger than the last time I saw you.”
Her dark hair was pulled into a low bun. Her gray eyes twinkled as she looked at Raith.
“Talia.” Raith bowed.
Until he’d seen her, he hadn’t remembered her. But now, as her eyes stared into his, a spark of recognition hit him.
“You’ve come to ask about your mother, I take it.” Talia walked over to a sitting area with two chairs facing a couch. “Please, sit.”
Raith took one of the chairs, Sage the other.
“And who is this lovely woman?” Talia asked.
“My friend, Sage,” Raith answered.
“Hello, Sage.” Talia smiled. “This is Ram.”
Raith didn’t come here to exchange names. He’d searched for her on a quest for answers about his mother. But now that he was there, he wasn’t sure anymore. Did he want to know the truth? Would it help anything?
“You look a lot like her,” Talia said. “Not at all like your father.
Raith examined the room. It was small with plain furniture and little decoration. A fire burned, warming the sitting area. They’d passed many cabins like this one before arriving, but this was the first one they’d entered.
“Raith has heard rumors about the death of his mother,” Sage said, pulling Raith out of his trance.
“I knew someone would come eventually. After that Unseelie bastard pried into my mind, it was only a matter of time.” Talia stood, went to the kitchen and poured herself a glass of wine. “Can I get a drink for anyone else?”
Both Raith and Sage nodded.
“I met your mother when she was a young woman living in the Faerie forest with her mother and sister. She was always so kind.”
“She didn't grow up in the Summer Court?” Raith asked.
“Her family lived in the forest just outside court.”
Raith had been so shocked when Kaelem told him that Kassandra was his aunt, he hadn't stopped to think about any other family his mother might have.
“How did she die?” Raith blurted the words before he chickened out. Hearing about her life pierced him like a knife to the leg, enough to hurt like hell but not enough to put him out of his misery.
“She wanted to go out riding. Your father always worried about her and he offered to go too, but she insisted on going alone. She was always so free in the forest.
“She never came back. Your father ordered every soldier to search, but there was no trace.”
So, what, she just disappeared? It wasn’t what Raith expected. He thought Kassandra had stabbed her in her sleep or something of equal brutality. He asked about Kaelem’s statement that Kassandra made his father forget they were sisters.
“Yes, there was nothing I could do.” Talia’s gaze met Raith’s. “She loved you more than anything, though.”
Raith wanted that to be enough, but it wasn’t.
He reached out and placed his hand on Talia’s. He hated to do what he was about to do, but he had no choice. Something was wrong. Like air blowing through a net, Raith invaded her memory. On the surface of her thoughts, he saw Talia standing at the edge of the forest, watching his mother ride away. But the memory was blurry—a sign of being tampered with.
She thought she was telling Raith the truth, but she didn’t know the truth. Someone had messed with her mind.
Kassandra.
She’d erased his father’s knowledge of her relation to his mother. Of course, she would have wanted everyone to think his mother had just ridden off and never returned.
Raith wanted his mother, and if he couldn’t have her, he’d settle for revenge.
Kassandra would pay.
Chapter Thirteen
As Scarlett stirred awake, she felt an arm wrapped around her waist, a body pressed into her back.
Kaelem’s body.
The night before swirled into in Scarlett’s mind—a blur of dancing and alcohol, kissing and exploring hands.
And Laik frozen on the floor, his memory stolen.
The Seelie Queen hadn't come for her yet. Maybe Laik had been too delirious to realize who she was.
Scarlett sighed a breath of relief. She was safe. For now.
A sly grin spread across her lips when she thought of what happened after she'd left the library.
Things had heated up with Kaelem—a frenzy of passionate fire. It had taken everything in Scarlett, but before things had escalated to the point of no return, she'd pulled away.
A cruel move in the game they played.
It hadn't been easy. She’d wanted to devour him. Being fae heightened everything inside of her, including the desire she felt as Kaelem’s lips tasted her most sensitive parts.
She hadn't forgiven him for trapping Ashleigh, not completely at least. But the anger faded more every day and her fae nature grew, sharpening her hunger for lust.
Scarlett wanted to tell him what she’d seen in the library, but she wanted to protect Cade. Why, she still didn't know. But she did, so, for now, she would keep it to herself.
Kaelem shuffled next to Scarlett. “Morning, darling.”
Scarlett pulled the sheets over her chest. “Morning.”
Kaelem kissed her bare shoulder blade. “Last night was…fun.”
“It was.” Scarlett held back a grin.
She wasn't sure what to say. It was many things, fun included.
A knock interrupted their conversation.
Scarlett wasn't sure if she should be relieved or nervous.
Kaelem hopped out of bed, nude, and slipped on a pair of pants.
Scarlett pulled a dress over her head as Kaelem opened the door.
Laik stood alone, shifting his gaze to the ground as he looked at Scarlett.
Scarlett’s heart raced. Was he there to confront her about the night before?
“How can we help you?” Kaelem stepped in front of Laik, blocking his path to Scarlett.
Did he think Scarlett was still undressed?
“I’d like to speak to you both alone.” Laik looked side-to-side. “I have some confidential information to share.”
Kaelem hesitated, but let Laik enter. “We’ll be leaving today, so there's no need to convince us to go.”
“I know,” Laik replied. “This is something else.” After he entered the room, the door shut behind him.
Panic reverberated through Scarlett. She should have told Kaelem. Protecting Cade wasn't worth her own life. Not when her sister needed her. How had she not thought of Ashleigh sooner? What kind of sister was she?
Laik’s eyes met hers. He dipped his chin as if to reassure her everything between them was okay.
“I come to you to share a prophecy given to me by the Fates,” Laik said. “The Seelie Queen will not interfere with their predictions. Rumor of a new war is everywhere, and the Fates told me of another p
ower in another realm.”
Scarlett watched Kaelem as they listened to Laik. His expression was still, showing neither excitement nor annoyance. Did he believe what Laik said?
“Why tell us this?” Scarlett asked.
She tried breaking into his mind but was met with a shield as impenetrable as a stronghold.
Laik grinned. “Clever, trying to see into my head for the truth. But thoughts aren't always to be trusted.”
He’d felt her attempt. Had he felt it in the library, too?
“It's a fair question, don't you think?” Kaelem asked.
“Very much so.” Laik shifted his attention to Scarlett. “I know you have no reason to trust me, but I hope you'll consider what I say. The Fates told me of a power in another realm. The entrance comes where the realms all meet at the time of a solar eclipse. They claim the power will change the fate of the war.”
Why was he looking at her? Surely, Kaelem needed to know this more than she did. But the Unseelie and Seelie Courts weren’t friends, so, then again, why would he tell Kaelem any of this?
“Where the realms meet?” Kaelem asked.
“They mentioned three stars coming together. I’m not sure what they mean by that or what it has to do with the eclipse.”
“And you’re trusting me with this information?” Kaelem curved his eyebrow. “Last time I checked, your queen and I weren’t best friends.”
Had Kaelem read her mind? Scarlett checked her mental shields—still up. He must have had the same doubt she did.
“You’re right, our courts have had their issues. But when we teamed up to come to the mortal realm together and hinder the other courts’ magic, we became allies, and I fear they haven’t forgotten that. Should one of them access this power—well, what do they say, an enemy of my enemy is a friend?”
“Very well,” Kaelem said. “Thank you for this information.”
“Our courts don’t have to hate each other.”
“No,” Kaelem looked at Scarlett, “they don’t.”
As Cade slipped on his shoes, something shuffled behind him. Poppy had left the room to get some fresh air a few minutes before. How had someone else gotten in without using the door?
Evanescing was banned for court outsiders, but Laik was Seelie and as the queen’s advisory, surely, he’d be granted evanescing rights. Had the memory potion failed and he’d come for revenge?
“Hello, Prince,” the trio of voices rang through the room.
The Fates, again. Was it normal for them to visit a ruler so often? And they’d said prince again. Raith wasn’t the one living at the Summer Court and caring for its people. Cade was king.
He turned to the dark-haired beauties. “Yes?”
“So handsome,” they said. “And lonely.”
“I’m not…” Cade started. But he was. How did they know? “Are you here to ramble more useless information?”
“Useless, no, never. We speak of could-be’s, future king.”
He deserved to be king. If they had valuable information, it would be wise to listen. “What must I do?”
“Only you can decide.” They approached him. The woman on the left reached out a hand and ran a finger down his cheek. “Another power exists for the taking. When the moon covers the sun at the three stars, a door will open. Through it, the power will be at an island’s center.”
“The center?” Their riddles drove Cade crazy. Couldn’t they ever give simple answers?
“More will attempt. Not all will succeed.” They stepped back and, in a blink, vanished.
Cade groaned in frustration. Stupid Fates with their stupid cryptic talk. With a groan, Cade fell back onto his bed.
“What did I miss?” Poppy opened the door and entered.
After she was inside and the door was shut, Cade told her what the Fates told him.
“Do I tell Nevina?” Cade asked her.
He’d trusted her the day before, but as she tortured Laik, he’d realized she’d never listen to him. She’d been a queen too long and wouldn’t take someone as new or as young as Cade seriously. He was a pawn in her chess game, there to do the dirty work with his head under the guillotine should they get caught.
“She might already know,” Poppy said. “Would she tell you?”
“No. She would want the power for herself.”
The only person Cade could trust was Poppy. They’d search for the power themselves. But how did they find this other realm the Fates spoke of?
Chapter Fourteen
Back in the Unseelie Court, Kaelem reclined his chair as he caught up on his favorite soap opera. Distracting himself with silly mortal drama was just what he needed.
Just as he finished an episode, Lola entered the room. “A letter arrived for you.” She handed him a folded piece of paper.
When he opened it, he recognized his sister’s writing. Scarlett wouldn’t like what it said.
He considered keeping it to himself, but he’d been rebuilding Scarlett’s trust and he didn’t want to ruin the progress.
Kaelem found her in her room, reading a book.
As she read the note, tears pooled in her eyes. “She doesn’t want to come back? Doesn’t she realize how dangerous it is?”
“Aria will keep her safe,” Kaelem said.
“But Ashleigh is my sister! I should be the one keeping her safe.” Scarlett’s hands covered her face as she cried.
Kaelem felt like an ass, but he reached his mind out to find Scarlett’s shields down.
Fragments of the last few days flashed in her thoughts. Lust as Kaelem touched her at the ball. Hiding in a cramped area as she heard someone scream. Fear at Nevina’s voice. Healing a passed out Laik. Satisfaction as she pulled away from a naked Kaelem.
He held back a grin at the last part.
Without thinking, he placed his hand on Scarlett’s back. “Aria is tough. She’ll keep her safe for now. You need to focus on keeping her safe long term.”
Kaelem thought back to the meeting he took with Genevieve before leaving the Seelie Court.
“Looking lovely as ever.” Kaelem sat across from the Seelie Queen in the large sitting room.
“And you’re as smooth as ever,” she replied, her legs crossed and hands folded in her lap. “I wanted to personally thank you for attending the celebration.”
“There’s no need. I’m honored to be here.” Kaelem lifted his foot and rested his ankle on his knee.
Genevieve sipped a glass of tea. Always the essence of calm. Kaelem had only seen her lose her serene façade once. Unlike the Winter Queen who wore her coolness like a shield, the Seelie Queen appeared even and ever-cordial.
Until someone crossed her—like Kaelem’s father.
Her retaliation was always sly. She lacked the morbidity of most fae rulers, but was the most cunning of them all.
“How was your night with your date?” she asked.
“Interesting,” Kaelem replied. “I hope it isn’t envy I sense.”
“I suppose that would be an interesting plot twist. A Seelie Queen in love with an Unseelie King.” She pursed her lips in a sly grin. “Scarlett does seem interesting. Do I sense something deeper between the two of you?”
So many questions from the Seelie Queen. She wasn’t normally one to partake in small talk. This was the first time she’d called him to speak privately since the first celebration he’d attended as Unseelie King.
“You know me.” Kaelem shrugged. “Superficial to the core.”
“Enough pleasantry. We have more pressing issues, don’t we?” The Seelie Queen straightened her back. “I’ve been through one major fae war and it looks like another is coming.”
A quick subject change. “The Fates are sure making their way around, aren’t they?”
“It seems that way,” Genevieve said. “The Seelie court will protect itself above all, and demolish anyone who might try to bring us down.”
“Is that a threat?”
“No—a promise.”
K
aelem needed the power Laik spoke of, and he needed Scarlett to get it. Now more than ever, he was sure Scarlett was what the Fates had spoken of in their first prophecy to him.
He wanted Scarlett, but he couldn’t let his desire prevent him from protecting his court. The stronger he was, the better he’d be able to protect her, too.
Something in the Seelie Queen’s fascination with Scarlett as Kaelem’s date frightened him. Genevieve would use Scarlett against him if she could. Feelings were dangerous. Kaelem should have learned that lesson already.
Anger and fear trickled from Scarlett as her head remained buried in her hands. She’d grown stronger the more Kaelem worked with her, but whenever she got emotional, all her shields fell.
Kaelem stood awkwardly next to her, unsure to let her be or to try to comfort her more. He sat next to her and placed his hand on her back.
A few moments later, they were interrupted by Raith and Sage’s return to the Unseelie Court.
Kaelem sensed jealousy as Raith entered the room and saw his hand on Scarlett. And he sensed relief when Scarlett peered up with tear-filled eyes and met Raith’s gaze.
Kaelem swallowed the envy rising up his throat like vomit. He was Unseelie King and should be jealous of no one.
Raith’s affection for Scarlett could be used for Kaelem’s favor. Raith would help Scarlett and Sage would likely help Raith.
Kaelem wasn’t the only one who wanted the power for his court. The best chance to find it would be with help and the best way to get help was to pretend he wanted someone else to take it. Someone who had people to support her.
Scarlett.
Chapter Fifteen
Scarlett lifted her head from her hands to see Raith staring at her, his face full of concern. She pulled away from Kaelem’s touch and ran into Raith’s hug.
She should have felt his presence near, but she was too overwhelmed by Aria’s letter.
“You’re back!” Scarlett wrapped her arms around Raith and rested her head on his chest.