He lay back on the bed he’d made out of leaves and put his arm behind his head. He didn’t do much these days, but it was okay. He would figure out what to do eventually.
He heard rustling in the woods surrounding him and an uneasy feeling consumed him. He’d luckily avoided any run-ins with monsters, creatures, or fae so far, but he had a bad feeling his luck had run out. He peered around and grabbed his sword to prepare himself.
The ground shook with heavy footsteps and he groaned at his realization. A plagoon was a large creature that fed on fae. They roamed the woods in search of fae who were alone and preyed on them until they caught them in a vulnerable position.
He stood, back straight and shoulders squared, as he waited for the plagoon to appear. Fae creatures were deadly, and he didn’t know if he would survive this. The fear gripping his soul was almost too much to bear and he struggled with shaking hands to hold onto his sword.
It appeared, walking on two legs with its arms flailing at its side. It wasn’t the most coordinated creature, but it made up for it in intelligence. A smart creature was the deadliest. Finn faced it with determination. It stalked closer to him and he widened his stance to make himself look bigger. He forced his air magic at it, knocking it back slightly. It powered through with a deadly roar and pounced.
Finn gasped and dodged his attack by centimeters. It continued to fight him, wearing his already low energy down even lower. When he thought he couldn’t fight anymore, he thought of Freya. He could have been happy with her and he’d walked away.
Maybe this is what he deserved. Maybe this was his new destiny for leaving his mate.
The plagoon stamped his foot beside his head, grazing his cheek with its claw. Finn grabbed his sword and held it upward, hoping he could reach its heart in time to end it. It fell toward him, teeth bared, and Finn stabbed his sword upward as hard as he could. The beast stilled and stared at him, blood bubbling in its mouth.
Warmth hit Finn as he was coated in the substance and he scrambled backward as quickly as he could. The plagoon fell and pushed the sword the rest of the way through its body. It was dead. Finn had somehow defeated one of the deadliest creatures in the fae land.
And he knew what he had to do now.
Desperate to get out of the woods, he struggled to transport to Winter Court. His magic was depleted and almost nonexistent and it was impossible for him to use it. He would have to walk. He could recharge in either Summer or Winter Court, so he willed his legs to work and began his journey. He was in Spring Court and Summer was at least two days away on foot. He knew it was possible he’d die on his way there, but he had to try.
He pulled his sword from the beast and wiped it on the ground to clean it the best he could. He would have to find a pond or river to clean himself. He locked his jaw and set out on his adventure.
“Tell me about your parents,” Jacob proposed as they sat in the sitting room. They were all present, relaxing in various states. It was almost time for the last of the elemental celebrations and they were all on edge. Freya’s birthday was a week away and they each struggled with knowing the curse wouldn’t break.
“My mother’s family has always ruled the Kingdom of Dune. That’s our surname,” she explained. “Prior to the curse, the Courts were all one big court she ruled over. The fae would have wide celebrations, using the now Court land for different purposes. One Court focused on creation while another focused-on food and beverage. Each area had their own responsibility and the fae of the land divided up into what interested them most.
Once the curse was placed, the areas were divided into Courts and individual curses were placed. If we each break the curses, the land will once again fall under the Kingdom of Dune and my sisters and I will have to decide if we keep the Courts as they are.”
Jacob watched her intently, mesmerized by what she was saying.
“My family has forever been royalty. My mother had four mates, just like my frollick and my sister’s frollicks will be. It’s been our family’s destiny for as long as our history has been documented. My fathers were amazing, each one bringing something wonderful to their relationship. Daddy Air was so kind and gentle. I miss the way he would play dress up with me. Daddy Water was sterner and more focused on the bigger picture. ‘You will be ruler one day, Freya. You must learn about the kingdom.’ Daddy Earth was fun. He was always laughing and making us laugh. And Daddy Fire was the one with the temper. His voice would boom and for the longest time, it scared me, but it was just his voice. I was only four when they died, but I remember each of them so clearly.” She sighed as she spoke, the memories creeping up on her and taking hold of her heart.
“And my mother,” she grinned when she mother. “Analissa was the most beautiful fae. She had lighter hair like Silvia. She was so gentle yet firm in her ruling. The fae land thrived under her.”
“Analissa?” Jacob quizzed. “That’s so similar to Rulissa.”
Freya’s lips drew into a straight line and she nodded in agreement. “It’s because they are sisters.”
Jacob, Henry, and Matthew all gasped. “What?” they all said in unison.
“Most people don’t know. Their mother had an affair and Rulissa was the result of it. Her frollick was devastated and Grandma Earth knew Rulissa would suffer if she stayed with them. Knew her life would always be one focused on how she was created, so she sent her to live with her father. Rulissa grew up nasty and jealous because of it. She’s always felt she should rule since she shares our blood. Killing my parents and cursing us was the best she could do. If each of stay cursed, she has her gateway to ruling.”
They stared at her in shock. Matthew held his hand over his mouth and Henry’s eyes were bugged out they were so wide. Jacob kept shaking his head.
“I can’t believe no one knows.”
“You can’t tell,” she explained. “If it got out, her followers would become even more dangerous. We can’t put the fae land in any more danger.”
They all agreed. Matthew sat back and rested his arms on the edge of the chair. “I think the fact you have a True Mate means something.”
She cocked her head to the side and scrunched her brows. “How so?”
“I don’t know yet, but I think it’s important.”
She laughed, “Well, yeah. It’s unheard of. Of course, it’s important.”
He shook his head at the response. “It’s more than that. I don’t know yet. Have any of your sisters found their mates?”
“Not yet. But it’s always been expected I would find mine first since I’m the oldest.”
He leaned back and rested his head on the back of the chair. “I think it’ll be interesting to see who they mate with.”
She didn’t know what exactly he was getting at, but it wasn’t the biggest concern for her at that moment. She had to prepare her Court for the reality the curse was not breaking. Finn hadn’t come back, and she didn’t expect him to at this point. No one she knew had seen him and the fear he’d already lost himself to madness was very real.
They continued talking about her family history as the dread loomed over her.
24
The last of the elemental celebrations was tonight and since it wasn’t as cold as it normally was, they’d decided to have it outside. Fire fae created pockets of fire and filled the pots lining the walkway with flames. It was enough to warm the area and create a cozy spot to gather.
Freya and her frollick greeted each Fire attendee with a smile. Once most of the fae had arrived, they made their way to the courtyard where they mingled and chatted. The performers took the stage and created magnificent displays of fire and had everyone in the crowd cheering.
A loud sound shook through the air and the ground below them quaked. Rulissa and her followers flooded the courtyard with death in their eyes. Freya instantly started fighting them off and protecting her Court.
Henry, Jacob, and Matthew each fought a follower while Freya set her eyes on Rulissa. She was angry once again a c
elebration had turned deadly due to her jealousy and she wanted nothing more than to destroy her. She knew she wasn’t strong enough alone, but it didn’t mean she wouldn’t try. Rulissa locked her gaze with Freya’s and gave her a coy smile. She was enjoying every second of the destruction and it fueled Freya’s anger.
Once they were close enough, Freya sent ice creeping across the ground to stop Rulissa from moving toward her. They battled until her followers joined and ganged up on Freya, who turned, fighting off two Air fae who were desperately trying to cut off her breath.
Rulissa shot a stream of power aimed at Freya with a deadly glimmer in her eye. Freya, who was fighting another fae, didn’t see it coming. Finn ran into the scene, desperately seeking out Freya and ran faster when he saw the power flowing toward her back. He jumped over fallen bodies and hurried his way over, throwing his body in the line of fire seconds before it reached Freya.
She felled the fae she was fighting and turned sharply, seeing Finn with a gaping wound. He lay on his back, struggling to breathe, and stared up at her with sad eyes. “Freya.”
“Finn! What are you doing here?”
“I came back for you,” he said, his voice strained. It sounded like he had blood caught in his throat and he was having a hard time speaking. He looked worse than she’d ever seen a fae, his clothing torn, and skin covered in matted blood. He was weak, his skin gaunt and pale. He’d clearly had a rough time since he’d left.
“You did?” She dropped to her knees and reached for his hand. “You’re just in time.”
“Please, do the mating ceremony with me now. Before I die,” he begged. “I want your land to be uncursed.”
Tears brimmed in her eyes and she sniffled. “Finn … I ….”
“Do it,” he urged.
She pierced her finger and pressed it to his wound. “I, Princess Freya of Winter and Water, promise to forever be your destined mate. I vow to honor and protect you at all costs. Nothing but death will part us.”
He fought to get the words out and they were broken in places. “I, Fi-nn of Summer ann-n-nd Air, promise you forever. I will hon-n-n-nor you and prote-ct-ct-ct at all times.” His words were ragged and unsteady as he finished his vow.
The places where their blood met surged with energy and Freya felt the mark heat up. Where Air was on her chest, a small heart appeared beneath it. She gazed at the tattoos on her chest and briefly thought they completed her.
Finn began gasping loudly and Freya turned her attention back to him, tears falling freely from her face. “I’m so sorry.”
“It was worth it,” he said with broken speech. “Be safe.”
His last breaths were shortly after and Freya flung herself over his body. They may not have had the same connection she did with the others, but he was a member of her frollick and the pain she felt in her heart was real. She scanned the devastation around her and knew she had to find her mates to finish Rulissa.
She stumbled through the rubble and bodies as she searched for Henry, Jacob, and Matthew. She had a newfound determination fueling her and she wouldn’t let Rulissa take anyone else from her.
After they were all reunited, she explained what had happened with Finn. They all expressed their sorrow and were eager to finish this fight.
“Enough!” Freya screamed.
The fighting around her stalled and Rulissa grinned from the top of the castle steps. “Had enough, little Freya?” she teased. “Look at how many of your people died tonight! Even one of your own frollick members. However, will you break the curse now?”
Freya refused to give in to her taunting and reached for her mates. “Finish her, guys.”
They connected and felt the magic bubbling through their veins. Freya glared at her and shot her free hand out. Icicles rained upon Rulissa, piercing her skin and leaving a bloody trail. Next, Jacob wove vines up her legs and around her body to hold her in place. Matthew hit her with enough water to knock her over and pinned her to the ground. Rulissa gaped at them in shock, clearly not realizing the mating with Finn was completed. Freya’s frollick was full and the power they held was unmeasurable.
“Douse her,” Freya hissed at Henry.
He flooded her body with fire, hearing her screams as her flesh burned off. Her followers quickly rushed to her aid, hitting her with water to stop the spread. It wasn’t quick enough, though. The damage was severe and Rulissa wouldn’t be hurting any of them for some time.
They disappeared in seconds with her other followers leaving right after her. Freya studied the loss surrounding her and dropped to her knees in grief. She was hurting, her heart breaking for the fae they’d lost in this fight. It wasn’t fair to attack on such a happy day when so many were unprepared.
But Rulissa wasn’t fair. She never had been.
The next two days were filled with remembrance ceremonies and cleanup. The palace was still standing, though one wing was completely gone. She knew they’d rebuild, but it was devastating to see her home in partial ruins.
“The ceremony is today,” Matthew said as they lay in bed. Henry and Jacob were both missing, off to train she suspected.
“I know,” she said. “It doesn’t feel like it should be.”
He rubbed his hand across her arm. “I know it doesn’t but think of how happy everyone will be once the curse is broken. We’ll have spring!”
She grinned at the thought. “We will. And tomorrow is my birthday.”
“And we’ll celebrate it, too. You deserve it.”
He left her with her thoughts and headed to the bathroom to ready for the day. The ceremony was at noon and she had a few hours before she had to be ready. She continued to grow lost in her thoughts, fighting the guilt she had over living, until a knock interrupted her.
“Who is it?”
Silvia’s voice came through the door, “Us! We’re coming in!”
Silvia, Vivian, and Lena stumbled into her room looking like the goddesses they were. Each was dressed to the nines with long flowing gowns and stunning hairdos. Freya jumped up in excitement and squealed, rushing from the bed to hug her sisters.
“You’re here!” she exclaimed.
“We’re here,” Lena grinned.
“We figured Rulissa was to hurt to do anything, so we came for the ceremony,” Vivian added.
“Let’s get you ready!” Silvia suggested excitedly.
They all flooded her closet and began going through her gowns. They finally decided on a midnight blue one that was strapless with speckles of jewels along the bodice. She put it on and gazed at herself in the mirror. She had to admit it was a nice gown for such a special day.
Vivian got to work on her hair style while Lena made up her face. Silvia rummaged through her shoes before settling on a pair that matched it well. They primped and primed for almost two hours before they were finished with her.
“You look amazing,” Silvia said breathily. “Look at how beautiful you are.”
Freya blushed and whispered her thanks. She twirled in front of the mirror and felt like the princess she was for the first time in a long time.
“Let’s go,” Vivian said. Her sisters spilled out of her room and started down the stairs, but Freya hung back. Her nerves were getting the best of her and she fought back the feeling to run.
“I knew you’d have second thoughts,” Orion chuckled. “Come on.”
He met her halfway up the stairs and held his arm out for her. She took it happily and they glided down the rest of the staircase.
“I’m not second guessing the ceremony … I wish my parents were here, too.”
Orion nodded. “I know. And they are watching over you. You know all fae go to the veiled realm after death. They can see you. They are proud of you, even if they can’t say it.”
She fought back tears and shook her head in agreement. “Thank you,” she whispered.
He walked her outside and let her go at the top of the steps. “You’re on your own after this. I’ll see you out there.” He placed
a gentle kiss on her cheek and took the stairs two at a time until he was at the bottom.
Freya carefully went down the steps and rounded the corner to the back courtyard. It was made up beautifully with ice sculptures, flowers from Summer Court coated with an icy covering to preserve them, and chairs filled with fae. She glanced over the crowd and realized most of her court and several fae from other courts were all in attendance.
Her nerves spiked up another level.
She wove through the crowd, greeting those she knew and saying hi to those she didn’t. She finally reached the podium and noticed her frollick waiting for her. Each was dressed in a tuxedo and each was good enough to eat. Matthew gazed at her with loving eyes and Henry peered at her like he wanted to rip the dress from her flesh. Jacob appeared as nervous as she felt.
She walked up the stairs and stood before them, smiling widely at each of them. Orion joined them, as he was performing the ceremony, and they began.
“We’re here today for the mating ceremony between Princess Freya of Winter and Water and her frollick. Prior to today, she completed the vows with Finn of Summer and Air. After today, Princess Freya will have completed her frollick.”
The crowd cheered and whooped excitedly. Freya knew they were ready for the curse to be broken and she knew one Court being free gave the others hope. She faced her mates and glanced at Orion expectedly.
“We’ll begin with Henry of Winter and Fire.”
They held hands, pierced their fingers, and said the vows she’d said with Finn. The same powerful feeling consumed her, and a heart appeared beneath the fire symbol on her chest. She repeated this with Matthew and Jacob, feeling a new mark appearing.
She lowered her eyes, seeing a single line weaving in and out of each mark, connecting them to each other. She felt a sense of calmness and happiness wash over her once it was finished. She knew in her heart this was where she was meant to be and who she was meant to be with.
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