by Nissa Leder
Vida tugged the redcap toward Scarlett. “Kill it.”
Scarlett lowered her gaze, meeting the creature’s stare. “These creatures have no choice. Morta uses them as slaves, disposable and worthless. She will do the same to everyone beneath her if she gets the chance.” As Scarlett placed a hand on the redcap’s cheek, it hissed. “Forever, you will sleep.”
The redcap fell to the ground, not even a sigh escaping its mouth.
It wasn’t exactly the painful death Vida had suggested. Quite the opposite. Scarlett went inside its mind and simply shut it off for good. No pain. No shrieking of agony. But that didn’t mean it wasn’t effective.
“I am not a monster like she is.” Scarlett straightened her back and looked at everyone staring at her. “I will do what I must—kill who I must—to defeat her and bring balance back to our realms. But I won’t become her in the process. I won’t force you to follow me with fear. My power is equal to hers, but I believe our army will be greater if those in it are here by choice.”
When Scarlett finished her speech, every person in the ballroom below dropped to a knee in a bow. Then everyone on the stage with Scarlett, Kaelem included, did the same.
Seelie and Unseelie, Sidhe and the few from Faerie like Cade and Poppy, all pledged themselves at that moment to Scarlett’s side.
And despite the torn clothing and dead Darkland creatures scattered throughout the room, the alliance was now more secure than ever.
As Scarlett watched everyone drop to a knee and dip their heads in a bow, a chill flooded her.
Never in a million years could she have predicted that someday she’d rule another realm, let alone earn the respect from so many others. She’d meant every word she said. She couldn’t become Morta. She wouldn’t.
When Vida had asked her to torture the redcap to send a message, the thought thrilled her. The rage she’d felt inside her for so long sang at the chance to hurt something. But as she glanced out into the crowd, she knew that killing the creature as vengeance might scare a few into remaining on her side, but that fear could only go so far. It was a temporary emotion. But admiration would outlast it. If they truly respected her, they would choose her side and stay there, despite the difficulties that lie ahead.
With her speech over, Scarlett dismissed everyone and thanked them for attending.
Vida, Ailani, and Param all approached her.
“I don’t know how they broke through our barriers.” Param shook his head side-to-side with a frown curled on his lips. “But my team will be meeting right away to add more layers of protection.”
“Do you think that was the limit to what they could send?” Vida asked Param.
“I can’t be sure,” he said. “It’s possible our barriers restrained them from a larger attack. Or perhaps Morta wanted to send only a few. I will know more after some testing.”
“Thank you,” Scarlett said, trying her best to sound reassuring. She turned to Vida. “I need extra guards outside Ashleigh’s room from now on.”
“Of course.” Vida nodded. “I will increase security everywhere inside the castle.”
“This was a scare, but we will use it as a chance to strengthen our defense. Now, I need to check on my sister.” Everyone bowed to Scarlett before she returned to Ashleigh, whose coloring had returned, the paleness in her skin giving way for her usual pink tone.
“Scar?” Ashleigh croaked as Scarlett bent near her again.
“I’m here,” Scarlett said, reaching for Ashleigh’s hand.
“Is everyone all right?” Ashleigh sat up and scanned the room.
“Yes, there were only a few creatures.” Aria helped Ashleigh stand up. “One snuck up on you from behind, but your sister was able to heal the wound.”
Ashleigh glanced at Scarlett.
Scarlett had done what she could for the wound, but even without seeing it, she knew she hadn’t been able to heal it entirely. Her light magic could only go so far with the Darkland creatures. It was no good with the redcaps but could help against edimmu attacks.
She didn’t want to admit in front of everyone there that she hadn’t healed it all the way.
“Let’s get you back to your room for some rest.” Scarlett stepped toward Ashleigh and wrapped her arm around her sister’s waist, careful not to touch where the edimmu had struck.
Ashleigh nodded. “Goodnight, everyone.”
When they stepped into Ashleigh’s room and shut the door, Scarlett lit the fireplace and closed the curtains. If the Darkland creatures had been evanesced in once, until they found a way to add new protection, it could happen again. Until they could be sure the barrier spells couldn’t be broken—and maybe even still—Scarlett would spend the nights with her sister.
“Is the wound bad?” Ashleigh asked as she stepped over to the bed and sat down.
“What do you mean?” Scarlett asked.
“I saw the look on your face when Aria said you’d healed the wound and I can feel the burning on my back. You couldn’t heal it, could you?” Ashleigh’s aura was calm. If she truly thought the wound couldn’t be healed, Scarlett would have expected some fear to appear. But there was none.
Scarlett sat next to Ashleigh and unzipped the back of her dress. “I was able to heal most of it with my light magic, but the light has its limits against the Darkland creatures.”
Three lines ran vertically down Ashleigh’s back. The wounds had already scabbed thanks to Scarlett’s attempt at healing, but they hadn’t vanished as she’d hoped.
“I can use my dark magic to finish healing them.” Scarlett lifted her hand over the wounds. She hadn’t wanted to use it in front of the crowd. Her light magic had done enough to keep Ashleigh out of danger’s way, and her dress had kept the wounds hidden. But now that they were alone, she could let herself pull from the darkness within.
“No,” Ashleigh said. “It isn’t worth risking.”
“But I don’t know how long it will take for them to fully heal without it.”
Ashleigh grabbed Scarlett’s hand. “It’s okay. They hurt, but not too bad. I will visit Galena in the healing wing every day for her to dress the wound and keep it clean. Unless it gets infected, it will heal and things will be fine.”
Scarlett swallowed. She’d already lost Natalie and Teddy, and nearly could have lost her sister tonight. How could she keep Ashleigh safe? “Let’s get you into some pajamas. Everything will be better after a good night’s rest.”
Ashleigh smiled. “Of course it will.”
After both sisters were dressed and next to one another in Ashleigh’s bed, Scarlett used her magic to snuff out the fire.
As Ashleigh slid her legs underneath the covers, she winced.
Scarlett’s stomach twisted at the sight of her sister’s pain. “Please, let me heal them.”
It couldn’t be that big of a deal to use a little darkness if it meant keeping Ashleigh from discomfort.
“I’ll be okay, really.” Ashleigh pulled the covers to her chest. “Living in this world means I’ll face dangers from time-to-time. I might be human, but I’m not weak.”
Scarlett nodded. Ashleigh had always been tough. Scrapes and scratches barely fazed her. She always had more important things to worry about. Both sisters were strong like that. Growing up with their mother had made them that way.
Scarlett would grant Ashleigh her wish this time. But if there ever came a time where she must give in to the darkness to save her sister, there would be no choice. Scarlett would always do everything in her power to keep Ashleigh safe.
Chapter Eight
After removing his torn jacket, Cade pulled his shirt over his head. One of the redcaps had taken a swing for his abdomen, but thankfully only scratched his clothing.
“It was such a nice suit, too,” Poppy said as she leaned against his bedpost with a dagger in her hand.
He glanced at her, looking for some sign that she’d just been in a fight. But her dress was just as flawless as it had been before the ball. The
only difference was the dagger, which she’d pulled from a band around her thigh when the attack happened.
“You’re always prepared for a fight, aren’t you?” He stepped toward her, now shirtless.
She shrugged a shoulder and tilted her head to the side, her hair swaying with the motion. “It’s better safe than sorry, I figure.”
“I suppose so,” Cade said. He hadn’t had a weapon, but with his Summer magic stronger than ever, he didn’t need one. The only reason the redcap had ripped his clothing was because he was distracted as he looked to make sure Poppy was okay. It was a silly thing to do. Of course, she was okay.
“The suit was nice, but what’s underneath isn’t too bad either.” Her words were flirty, but her tone was unsure.
Cade reached out and placed his finger under her chin, pulling her gaze to his. Slowly, he leaned in until their lips met.
A flood of lust swept through him like a windstorm. Her mouth tasted of honey. As his tongue grazed hers, his heart sped.
As perfect as the moment felt, he pulled away.
“Everything okay?” she asked, her brows pressed together.
He didn’t want to stop what was about to happen, but he’d made her a promise. There would be no more secrets. And he hadn’t told her about his plan with Raith.
“I want you so badly.” Words were hard to find amongst the lust pulsing through him. “But I gave you my vow for honesty. And so, before we go any further, I need to tell you my plan.”
She stared at him as he told her of his meeting with Raith and how the brothers planned to sneak into the Summer forest until they could find their way inside the castle.
“Surely, this wasn’t your idea,” she quipped. “It smells of Raith, of carelessness and idiocy.”
“I’m flattered you don’t associate those terms with me.” He grinned. “Yes, Raith came up with the plan. But it’s the best one I’ve got. I’d love a better strategy. But unless you have a different proposal, then I must try this one. I can’t watch my mother ruin our court. The people deserve a ruler with their best interest in mind, and I now know that my mother is not that person.”
It still hurt to admit that he’d been wrong about her for so long. He wished the woman who’d raised him was loving and valiant. But he was no fool, at least not anymore. Growing up, she rarely showed him affection. Instead, she pushed him to become exactly who she needed. And he’d been the fool who followed her blindly. But not anymore. He was determined to be the king his people needed, even if doing so was dangerous.
“Let me come too,” Poppy said.
He caressed the side of her cheek with the back of his hand. Her skin was warm and soft. “I would love nothing more, but I can’t. I need you to represent me here.”
She bit her lower lip as she inhaled. “Very well.”
Cade closed his eyes and breathed in her sweet scent. There were no more secrets. Nothing to stop him from what he was about to do.
He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close. His other hand slid into the back of her hair and brought her mouth to his. She was angry at being told she had to stay. The bitterness was heavy in her aura. But he inhaled it, letting it fuel his passion.
As a moan escaped her lips, he knew she was doing the same.
His fingers found the buttons of her dress and undid them one by one. His hand pressed into the warmth of her back as all of his senses heightened.
This was what he’d wanted for so long.
As her hands roamed his body, lingering on his most sensitive areas, he knew she wanted it too.
Summer warmth radiated from them both as their bodies moved together as one, onto the bed and into each other’s embrace.
After a night of little sleep, Raith rose from his bed and headed to the dining room for breakfast. There, he saw Cade and Poppy sitting on opposite sides of the table.
The faint remains of lust burned in both their auras.
Raith couldn’t suppress the grin that curved on his mouth. Had the two finally given in to their most basic desires? He’d sensed the chemistry between them for so long. And he’d sensed the restraint they both held toward one another.
Poppy’s gaze lifted from the plate in front of her and found Cade’s. As their eyes locked, they both grinned.
They had crossed the line.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Raith said as he stepped inside the room and pulled out the chair next to his brother.
“We’re just eating,” Poppy snapped as she stabbed a potato with a fork.
“Mmhmm.” Raith shrugged with a grin.
Her eyes shrunk to slits before taking a bite. Poppy had never been one to show affection. She’d perfected the stay-away-from-me look better than anyone Raith knew. The only time he’d seen her let her guard down had been back when they’d left Faerie and gone to a bar in the Unseelie Court together, long before the Battle of Heirs. He’d considered seducing her back then, but Kaelem invited him to the strip club and, well, Raith had ditched Poppy.
She’d never liked him since then, and he couldn’t quite blame her.
But apparently, she liked his brother just fine.
“Are you ready to go, brother?” Cade pushed his empty plate away and stood.
Raith grabbed some fruit and a slice of bread from the table. “Sure am.” He looked at Poppy again, who was avoiding his gaze.
“I will update you as soon as I can,” Cade told Poppy.
Raith sensed the fear surfacing in her aura before her aura disappeared completely. “Very well.”
Cade and Poppy stared at each other for a few seconds before Cade turned to Raith.
There was no longer a direct entrance to Faerie from the Otherworld, so they had to use the Unseelie Court as a pass through. Raith prayed to whoever was listening that they’d get through the palace and outside the protections so they could evanesce into Faerie without running into Kaelem, but luck was not on their side.
“Why hello,” Kaelem said as they walked toward each other near the front palace door. “I’m surprised to see you two here in my court—together, nonetheless. To what do I owe the honor?”
“We are on our way to Faerie,” Cade replied matter-of-factly. “We are going to learn what we can about my mother’s plans for the Summer Court.”
“Oh, going home to mommy are you?” Kaelem lifted the mug he held to his lips and took a drink. “Ahh, coffee. I had Lola find me some of the mortal concoction. It’s absolutely disgusting but, somehow, also pleasant.”
“We are going to find a way to take my court back from my mother.” Cade’s jaw tightened, but his tone remained calm. He had more restraint than Raith would have.
But Raith couldn’t help but be entertained at how easily Kaelem got under Cade’s skin. His litter brother should be in a good mood if Raith’s prediction was right and he and Poppy had finally enjoyed their alone time to its fullest.
“I wish you the best of luck.” Kaelem tipped his mug toward them with a “cheers” gesture and continued on his way without another word.
The Summer brothers continued through the palace door and out past the courtyard gates. Once they were outside, Raith reached out his hand. “Grab on and I’ll evanesce us into the Summer forest.”
“I’m fully capable of evanescing myself,” Cade said.
“Yes, but if we want to end up in the same spot, going together is the best option.” And as much as Raith was sure it hurt Cade’s pride to admit it, Raith knew the forest better than he did. His little brother had spent too much of his childhood inside the castle walls with his nose in books while Raith made the forest his home.
Cade groaned but extended his arm.
When their hands touched, Raith focused on the Faerie Forest. The familiar tickle of evanescing prickled his skin as they traveled through the air. Going between the realms always took the longest, and required someone with incredible power to succeed. Many fae had to use portal doors to move in between Faerie and the mortal world. But those with stron
g enough magic could evanesce from either of the human realm fae courts directly to Faerie. Raith wondered if, for once, Cade was thankful for his older brother’s strength.
Finally, when they reappeared, the Faerie Forest surrounded them.
The sound of running water hummed to the left. Tall trees full of green leaves towered above them. The warmth in the air let Raith know this was Summer territory, which meant guards could be anywhere. Before, the forest wasn’t often monitored. But that—along with who knew what else—could have changed with Kassandra now in charge.
Footsteps crunched nearby.
Raith lifted a finger to his mouth and gestured to the thicket of trees nearby.
The footsteps were quiet. If he had to guess, there would only be a few fae. It might be soldiers, or perhaps ordinary people who lived in the forest. But for his plan to work, they needed to keep their existence in Faerie a secret. Fighting would draw too much attention, so hiding was the best option.
As they walked to the trees, Raith used his magic to hide their footsteps.
When they were adequately concealed in the brush, the footsteps drew nearer. Two soldiers appeared in the opening where Raith and Cade had been. One was someone Raith had never seen, but the other was Jaser.
Raith had missed his Battle of Heirs trainer turned friend. There weren’t a lot of people Raith could say he genuinely liked, but he’d been surprised by the ease he felt around Jaser during their time together.
“Looks empty,” Jaser called out. His eyes lingered near the ground in front of the trees where Raith and Cade were hidden.
Raith peeked through the branches and saw half a footprint that he hadn’t smudged. Shit. How could he be so careless?
The soldier with Jaser left the clearing, and after a small hesitation, Jaser followed behind.
“Whew,” Raith said a few minutes later.
“Why do you think they are patrolling the forest?” Cade asked, confusion set in his forehead.