by Nissa Leder
“So, she sent me to learn more about the human world. One town in particular, Silver Lake, held magical energy, which led me to believe if the humans were working on a secret weapon, it might be there,” Laik said.
Kaelem finished his drink and, using magic, sent it to the bar counter. “And were they?”
“Eventually, I found humans who were aware of our existence, but I never found any weapons. I did, however, see a beautiful, pregnant, human woman leaving the grocery store with a purse slung across her shoulder and two handfuls of grocery bags. As she walked to her car, one of the bags ripped open and its contents dropped to the ground. I couldn’t stop myself from going to her. The least I could do was help her to her car.”
“Ah, love at first sight?”
Laik smiled. “I don’t know if you could call it love right then, but after meeting her, I couldn’t stay away.”
“And what did your mother think of your affection toward a human?” Kaelem knew the answer—the Seelie Queen was kept blissfully unaware—but he wanted to know how Laik had kept such a secret.
“Even though I couldn’t find a weapon there, I pretended I had a lead so I could keep going back. Scarlett’s mother was about to have her first child alone, and I told myself I would stay until she’d had the baby. Then I decided I could help her for the first few days. Which turned into weeks, then months, until eventually, she carried Scarlett in her womb.”
Kaelem lifted his ankle onto his knee. “When did you tell her about what you were?”
“I wore my glamour for a week, and then one day I forgot and she saw my ears. I expected her to panic, but she didn’t. She said she always knew that I was something special. Something powerful.” Laik’s eyes looked at Kaelem, but their stare was somewhere else entirely. “When she found out she was pregnant with Scarlett, she was excited. She never feared me or my magic. But I feared what would happen if my mother found out about her half-human granddaughter, so I researched until I found a way to hide her nature so no one would ever know. Had she never stepped into Faerie, she’d still think she was human.”
“What about our courts? Would they have triggered her magic?”
“No, that was the beauty of the cloak. Even if she had walked into the Seelie Court and right to my mother’s throne, the Seelie Queen would have thought she was a mortal. But after Scarlett stepped into Faerie, the cloak disappeared entirely. Not everyone can sense humans with fae blood, but I imagine you were able to see her true nature.”
“Yes, I did.” Kaelem had sensed something different about Scarlett the moment he met her at the Summer Court. He’d sworn he felt Unseelie magic in her, and he’d been right. “So, you found yourself in a forbidden love. Like mother, like son, since you exist as half-Seelie, half-Unseelie.”
“I guess, as they say, love knows no bounds.” Laik stood. “I know I abandoned Scarlett and her mother. I thought I was protecting them. I can’t blame her for hating me, but I want the chance to speak to her again. Would you ask her if she would be willing to let me visit her castle?”
“Of course.” Kaelem had also made his share of mistakes when it came to Scarlett. Who was he to refuse to help Laik? Plus, keeping the Seelie Court on their side would benefit everyone, so the more attached Laik was to Scarlett, the better. “I’ll walk you out.”
After he had escorted Laik to outside of the Unseelie Palace where he could evanesce back to his own court, Kaelem returned to the lounge to pour himself another drink. He would have laughed if anyone had told him he would someday ally with the Seelie Court, whose king was the father of his…what was Scarlett to Kaelem? Lover? They’d only made love once, so the title of lover didn’t seem adequate. Fae rarely used terms like girlfriend or wife, and even if they did, those wouldn’t work either.
Regardless of the title, Kaelem couldn’t deny he cared for Scarlett more than he’d ever cared for any woman, which both scared and excited him in ways he couldn’t explain.
If they could win this war, he would have plenty of time to explore his attraction to her. In the meantime, he would enjoy the game they played, a welcomed distraction to the uncertainty of the future.
With the Seelie Court officially on their side, things were looking up. And though times were still dark, Kaelem thought a celebration was in order.
Raith blocked the sword with his daggers as it swung for his stomach.
He and his mother sparred behind the castle in a woodsy area that was still protected by the magical wards in place to keep the Fates and their creatures out. The trees hovered overhead, shielding his skin against the day’s bright sun.
Nature buzzed all around him. Since the Faerie courts’ full power had been released, he’d been even more attuned to the life of the botanical world around him. The plant life in the Otherworld was the strongest he’d ever felt, with Faerie right behind it and the mortal world in last place.
“You’re getting stronger all the time,” his mother said as she withdrew her weapon. “How is your wound feeling?”
“Good as new,” he lied. Truthfully, it still hurt like hell with every slight move of his torso. But she was right. His strength was returning. If he could ignore the pain, he could regain his combat skills.
“The grimace on your face says otherwise.” Rowen returned the sword to the scabbard at her side. “But your coloring is back to normal and you don’t hesitate as you fight. With time, I’m sure the pain will subside.”
Raith’s eyebrow curved. “How sure?”
She frowned. “Not all that sure. But we have to hope for the best.”
Why couldn’t he just keep his mouth shut? There was no point in spreading his misery onto others. And his mother had every right to be as gloomy as he was. Ankou had captured and tortured her. Raith had seen the scars on the back of her upper arms. What other wounds lie in places covered by clothing? But he hadn’t once seen her wince as they trained.
Raith forced a smile he hoped was believable. “It will heal and we will win this war.” He couldn’t know that, but the confidence that everything would turn out for the best kept him fighting.
“Should we take a break?” Rowen asked.
“No, let’s practice a bit longer. I want you to use your magic on me. Don’t go easy.”
Rowen smirked as she removed her sword from its scabbard and tossed it on the ground. “Are you sure you can handle my incredible abilities?”
“I guess we’re about to find out.” Raith raised his daggers, ready for her first attack.
To start, Raith would only rely on his daggers. He could use his nature gift if necessary, but he wanted to see how long he could last without using it on the offensive. He could, however, use it to strengthen his defense against her attacks. As he reached out his magic, he felt the tree behind him come to life.
He turned around as a branch swung at him. He ducked, barely avoiding a smack to the head.
Another buzz of magic flared to his right. A strand of ivy that had crawled halfway up a tree trunk slithered at him. As he was about to throw a dagger to stop it from coming any nearer, something collided with his back, sending him flying forward into the ivy.
Shit. He’d forgotten about the branch.
The ivy curled around his ankle and tightened. As he tried to slip his fingers underneath it to pull it off, he felt the magic of the tree again.
He rolled on the ground, narrowly escaping an overhead strike of the branch.
After spending so long recovering, his reflexes were too slow. If Decuma had been trying to hurt him when he’d fought her as their group had tried to stop the ritual, Raith would likely be dead. But she’d only been toying with him like a cat with a mouse.
If he faced Morta next time, he wouldn’t be so lucky.
He needed to think.
If he couldn’t use his magic to stop the oncoming attacks, he’d have to use his daggers. But even with them, he couldn’t fight off an entire forest of trees. No, he’d have to stop the source controlling them.
When the branch swung at him again, he leaped up and jumped onto it. A sharp pain starting at his wound and spreading outward flared through him, but he pushed it away. From up on the branch, he jumped toward his mom, who no longer had a weapon.
As he lunged at her, another branch swung at him from above. He dodged it and pressed forward.
Raith flung a dagger at his mother, but she blocked it with the bronze cuffs around her wrists.
With only one dagger left, he needed to think.
More ivy crawled toward him, this time from four different trees. With quick steps, Raith escaped their grips. But with all of his attention focused on the ground, he didn’t see the branch swinging at his feet from behind until it was too late. It hit the backs of his ankles and tripped him. As soon as his backside hit the ground, the vines of ivy secured both his wrists and ankles.
Rowen walked over to him. “You lasted a lot longer than I thought you would.”
Raith groaned. He had lasted a while, but not long enough to win, which wouldn’t be enough in an actual battle. Without him using his magic, it wasn’t a fair fight. But it’s what would make him stronger and faster so that the next time he faced the Fates, he would be ready.
Chapter Three
After the day’s training with Scarlett, Sage returned to her room in the Otherworld Castle and took a long soak in the clawfoot tub. Her room there was large and had its own private bathroom as she’d had when she lived in the Autumn Court. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed a tub. As a Woodland Tribe warrior, she always had to bathe in the lake, which was much colder and dirtier than bathing in a castle.
When she was cleaned up and rested, she headed to the portal to the Unseelie Court. It had been at least a week since she’d visited her family, and although she knew she was most useful in the Otherworld preparing for war, she’d missed them.
She’d been away from them so long during her time with the Woodland Tribe, almost never longing for her old life. Back then, it had represented confinement and expectations. She was an animal trapped in a cage. After she’d left, she’d become a bird in the sky. But once she’d joined the tribe, a new cage trapped her.
Now, she had the freedom to make her own choices, which was what she’d always wanted, but she still wanted her family to be a part of her life—her mother and sister, at least.
Sage stepped through the portal and into an empty room in the Unseelie Palace. The large window showcased the sparkling city and dark night sky.
When she approached Willow’s room, the door was open. Laughter bounced from inside into the hallway.
“Hello,” Sage said as she stepped through the doorway.
“Sage!” Willow hopped up from her chair and rushed to her, pulling her into a hug.
Her mother rose from the couch. She smiled at Sage. “I’m happy to see you safe.”
“Come, sit.” Willow grabbed Sage’s hand and pulled her to the seating area.
Declan stood and bowed. His coloring had returned and he looked as healthy as the first time she’d met him.
“No need to bow to me,” Sage said. “Now, what is it that has you all cackling in here?”
“Declan was telling us a story of the first time his father took him to hunt.” Willow fixed her skirt then sat.
“I was very young,” Declan said. “My father wanted me to learn as soon as I could in case he was ever injured, but the bow and arrow were too big for my small size.”
As Declan continued, Sage’s thoughts drifted to the battle ahead. If they failed and Morta gained control of the fae and Sidhe worlds, what would happen to her family? Declan could be a capable fighter, but Willow and their mother hadn’t been taught combat. Would Morta have other plans for the women and children? Or did she seek death for all?
Willow burst into laughter again, pulling Sage back to the conversation.
She hadn’t heard the rest of the story, but she faked a chuckle.
Someone cleared her throat at the doorway. Sage looked to see Aria staring at them, her face solemn. As Sage stood, unsure of what had happened to cause Aria’s usually positive demeanor to dim, another person stepped into the room.
Jade—Sage’s Woodland sister—found her gaze. Her eyes were puffy and her fighting leathers were torn. The color had been drained from her face, and she looked nearly ghostly.
What had happened to her? More importantly, why was she there?
“She killed her.” Jade’s voice cracked as she spoke.
Questions raced through Sage’s mind. Killed who?
Vienna.
No. She couldn’t be…
But who would have killed her? Morta? That didn’t make any sense. Surely, the queen of some small tribe wasn’t worth her attention as she prepared her army for war.
Tamara.
Tears pooled behind Sage’s eyes. She met Jade’s gaze again and knew she was right. Losing their queen would be devastating, but the pain in Jade’s expression was more than loss and heartache. It was full of anger and betrayal.
“Why?” Sage choked out, unable to speak a full sentence.
Aria placed her hand on Jade’s upper back. “Come, let’s all sit. The brownies will bring us some tea.”
When they’d all taken a seat—Aria next to Sage, their bodies pressed together—Jade took a deep breath. “After you left, she told everyone she’d seen you and Vienna being intimate and demanded that Vienna step down as queen. I’d never witnessed Vienna so angry. She said the tribe could take a vote, and if the majority agreed, she would do as they wished. But only a handful of others voted with Tamara.” Jade swallowed. “Tamara was livid. She didn’t understand how we could not care. She claimed we’d sacrificed our desires to be part of the tribe and Vienna had betrayed us all by acting on hers. When no one else changed their vote, she invoked a challenge.”
Guilt rose in Sage’s chest and filled her like fire. This was her fault. She’d stayed away for so long to keep Vienna safe. She should have been stronger when she’d returned.
“Vienna accepted, of course, but she wasn’t as ruthless as Tamara. Queen Vienna would never want to hurt one of her sisters, and it showed in the battle.” A single tear dripped down Jade’s cheek.
Sage had never seen her—or any of her Woodland sisters, for that matter—cry. They were fierce and focused.
“When?” Sage asked, still unable to find the right words to say.
“Yesterday.” Jade wiped away the tear. “Before anyone else awoke, I left to find you. I remember you mentioning your family had fled to the Unseelie Court. I hoped you’d be here, too.”
A brownie evanesced into the middle of the room. He held a tray in one hand, with a stack of glasses and a kettle placed atop it.
“We’ll all take a glass.” Aria gestured for the brownie to come over.
“Of course, princess.” The brownie meticulously balanced the tray as he walked toward them. He wore a suit and tie, which still seemed odd to Sage. The Autumn Court brownies wore simpler clothing made of earth tones.
But that wasn’t important. Sage wasn’t sure what to do now. Vienna was gone. There was nothing she could do to bring her back. But how could Sage let Tamara claim Vienna’s crown as her own? She may have won it fairly, but she didn’t deserve it. And Sage didn’t trust her to lead the tribe.
She didn’t need to decide now, though. She needed to see Vienna’s body one more time, before it was burned. If the challenge was yesterday, it meant the ritual burning would be three days later. However, time moved differently in the Unseelie Court, with hours there becoming days back in Faerie.
The brownie handed everyone a full glass of tea, its steam drifting upward like smoke. Willow and Aria were the only ones to take a drink.
/> “I will return to the tribe with you.” Sage cupped her teacup. The thought of eating or drinking anything right then repulsed her, but the warmth against her hands felt nice. “To say goodbye.”
“Tamara will never let you see her.” Jade ran her finger around the top of her cup. “And once she finds I’m gone, I’ll be banished. You must challenge her.”
Sage nearly dropped her drink. Challenge Tamara and become the Woodland Queen? Sage couldn’t take Vienna’s spot. She was undeserving. But so was Tamara.
“I will be careful. I can’t decide anything until I say goodbye. I…”
Aria reached out and placed her hand on Sage’s knee. “You can take whatever Unseelie weapons and soldiers you need.”
Sage looked at Aria. “We will take a few weapons, but Jade and I must go alone.”
Aria nodded.
Next, Sage turned to Willow. Her little sister’s expression was solemn, and she looked so much older than she had when Sage first visited the Autumn Court with Raith. The last few weeks had been difficult, yanking Willow from the only life she’d ever known. But Willow was strong, and Sage knew she would take care of their mother while she was gone.
“Be careful,” Willow said.
“I will.” Sage stood and set her tea glass, still full, onto the table in front of the couch then stepped to her mother and hugged her.
She wasn’t sure what she planned to do, but they needed to leave soon if they wanted to make it before she lost her chance to say goodbye to Vienna forever.
Scarlett rolled over in bed, unable to sleep any longer after a night of bad dreams.
Visions of everyone she’d lost in her life played in her mind, the memories of their deaths haunting her. Her mom, Teddy, Natalie, all needing her to save them and her failing each and every time.