by Nissa Leder
Kaelem had heard the stories of what happened to those who broke the Seelie law. The Unseelie Court was known as the dark court, but the Seelie Queen, despite the calm demeanor she wore like a costume, was the most ruthless fae ruler Kaelem knew. She was the eldest, too, now over three centuries old, inheriting the Seelie Court after her father died when she was nearly a hundred.
Refusing Scarlett altogether would have been the smartest thing. The risk was high. If they didn’t keep Scarlett’s magic full of Kaelem’s emotion, the cost could be deadly. But as Kaelem’s date, fae policy would prevent the Seelie Queen from attacking Scarlett even if she wanted to. At least in public, that was.
And the chance to do whatever necessary with Scarlett tempted Kaelem too much to turn down.
Perhaps the trip to the Seelie Court wouldn’t be so bad after all.
Chapter Five
Sage’s room hadn’t changed since she’d left her life at the Autumn Court. She hadn’t gotten around to decorating it during the few days she’d stayed there, and it remained mostly bare. A cream-colored comforter covered the bed, wrinkling beneath Sage’s body as she fell backward.
“You okay?” Raith asked, hovering awkwardly next to the bed.
“Just remembering when I decided to leave here.”
Sage’s new room was twice the size of her old one, yet she felt nothing but claustrophobia inside it, the walls holding her like a cage. Her old room had been decorated from top to bottom with bright colors—a sharp contrast to the earthy tones of the rest of the castle. This room was plain.
She’d slipped out of her dress from her council initiation ceremony and let her braided hair loose. It was an honor—or so her mother tried to drill into her brain. At first, Sage thought if she heard how great being part of the council was she’d eventually grow fond of her new position.
It hadn’t happened yet, and she doubted it would.
Because there was nothing exciting about being a figurehead of female power for a court trying to paint a picture of equality. She’d been raised inside the castle and saw it for what it truly was. Her father was the leader, and Sage was convinced he purposefully ignored any advice or ideas her mother gave simply because he could.
Sage now had a throne to sit on with only one job: look pretty.
Bile rose in her throat at the thought of her new life. Ugh.
She stepped to the window and looked out into the forest. Past the castle grounds, it spread as far as her eye could see. Autumn fae were one with nature, and, although nature weaved itself into the castle, Sage had never felt as full of magic inside its walls as she had the time she’d snuck into the forest two years ago, which had earned her a long, fierce lecture from her mother.
“It’s dangerous out there,” the queen told thirteen-year-old Sage. “As a princess, there are many who would harm you.”
Sage rolled her eyes at the memory. She hadn’t gone far, but the magic that lived in each and every tree and plant enlivened her. So much better than the stuffiness of the castle.
Now, two years had passed and she craved the feeling of the forest.
What was keeping her there, stuck in a life she didn’t want?
Nothing.
She didn’t want to be a princess. Dangerous or not, the few minutes in the forest felt more like home than the home she’d grown up in.
No matter how many times she’d heard how blessed she was, Sage felt nothing but imprisoned.
No more. It didn’t need to be that way.
In a moment of decisiveness, Sage chose her destiny.
She would leave.
After packing up a few belongings and a couple of changes of clothing—outfits she’d had the castle seamstresses make for her to practice riding in though her mother discouraged it—Sage snuck through her window, climbed down a lattice overgrown with ivy on the side of the castle, and ran to freedom. As a royal Autumn fae, the hedges that surrounded the castle as protection bent to her will, parting just enough for her to slip by.
Once outside, she hesitated. She didn’t care what her father thought. If anything, any anger that resulted from her running away made her smile. But leaving her mother and her younger sister—especially with no goodbye—sent shame to Sage’s core.
They deserved better.
But if Sage turned around, she might change her mind. Seeing the look in her mother’s eyes if she told her she’d rather roam the forest alone than spend another night in the castle would break Sage’s will.
There was no turning back. With a heavy breath, Sage continued into the trees.
The first few days away from the comforts of the castle proved harder than Sage had predicted. Howls throughout the night kept her awake as she curled into the branches of trees, hidden from the ground below.
Not once as fear coursed through Sage did she regret her decision. The uncertainty of her new life invigorated her soul.
The sleepless nights took their toll on her body and mind, as did the lack of food. With her energy swiftly dwindling away, a new desperation took root. She’d never gone hungry a day in her life, but now her stomach grumbled with ravenous hunger.
War cries echoed around her. Her pace grew slower and slower as she walked aimlessly through the forest, utterly lost.
She froze, panic swimming through her veins like ice.
From the trees above, a woman dressed in a leather skirt and cropped top dropped with a sword raised at Sage’s throat.
“Who are you?” the woman demanded, eyeing Sage from head to toe.
“Sage,” was all she could mutter.
Whoever this woman was, Sage wanted to be just like her. From the fierceness in her stance to the passion in her eyes, Sage now knew what she’d always dreamed to be.
Sage finished telling Raith about the first nights after she chose to leave the Autumn Court. It was an odd feeling to share the story with him. She hadn’t told anyone about that time of her life.
She’d never told a soul who she really was. Although she’d ignored her mother’s advice to remain within the safety of the castle grounds, she’d heard her warning: a princess outside a castle was a dangerous thing to be.
When she stepped into the forest that day, she’d left her old identity behind and formed a new one, freer and more carefree than she’d ever imagined.
“I always knew you were brave,” Raith said, “but fuck, you’re even braver than I thought.”
Sage laughed. “I’ve always worried I was a coward, leaving like I did. I couldn’t do it anymore, living under the facade my life was.”
“I get it. I never felt at home at the Summer Court after my mom died.”
Sage sensed Raith’s sadness. Since he had Autumn heritage, her royal blood made her more sensitive to his emotion. “We better get down to the dining room. Mother hates tardiness.”
“I’d expect no less from the Autumn Queen.” Raith smirked and gestured to the door. “Ladies first.”
“What a gentleman,” Sage joked.
“Nah, that owl just freaks me out and I don’t want to go first.”
The king and queen were already in their seats when they entered the dining room, Sage’s father at the head of the table with her mother to his right. The queen smiled as Sage and Raith took their seats across from her. Ajax followed them into the room and sat next to the queen. The seat next to him remained empty.
“Where’s Willow?” Sage asked, eyeing the empty spot.
“She is,” the queen hesitated, “not hungry tonight.”
“She doesn’t want to see you after what you did.” Ajax stared at Sage.
A wave of shame washed over Sage. She desperately wanted to see her sister. To apologize for leaving like she did. But she couldn’t blame Willow for avoiding her. Willow might have been better suited for princess life, but she was ever as stubborn as Sage.
“Stop.” The queen glared at Ajax. “There will be no guilt placed on anyone at this table.”
“Sorry,” Ajax mumbled as he
avoided the queen’s gaze.
Four brownies served the table. The king thanked them after each course. Although brownies were low fae, the Autumn Court treated them with respect as they both shared an affinity with nature. It was an honor for a brownie to serve the Autumn King, and positions at the castle were competitive.
The group ate in silence, devouring each course, from the salad at the beginning to the pie for dessert. Eating had always been a family event at the castle, but it had never been a time for conversation. Sage preferred it that way before she left and that hadn’t changed.
The sooner they could find out the information they wanted, the sooner they could leave.
Sage had forgotten how delicious food at the Autumn castle could be. She’d never gone hungry when she lived with the warriors, but gourmet meals weren’t part of the lifestyle.
After everyone had finished their dinner, her father excused the entire table. It was family time, and no one was allowed to leave until the last bite was taken.
Outside of the dining hall, Sage stopped Raith. “I’ll meet you back in the room in a bit.”
Raith nodded and left her.
The walls of the castle had been nothing more than a prison to Sage when she’d left five years ago, but as she ran her fingers over the ivy-covered wall of the hallway, fond memories swam through her mind.
It hadn’t always been an awful place. She spent many hours running through the empty rooms, pretending she was a knight on a mission to save a princess.
Until she learned she’d only ever be a princess in those stories. Royal girls weren’t knights.
She’d changed her fate, though.
Sage turned the corner and found herself entering the throne room. Once inside, she closed the door behind her. No one needed to see her there. Anyone not of royal Autumn blood would be punished if caught wandering alone in the sacred room. Sage had royal blood, but she’d disavowed her claim to any status when she’d run away.
Would her father discipline her for trespassing? Truth be told, she knew he would. She’d disrespected her family’s legacy when she’d left. She was lucky he didn’t imprison her when she dared return. Her mother would be to thank for that. The queen had little power over crown affairs, but she had some sway with the king.
Sage approached the raised platform that held the four thrones. Before she’d left, there had been five. One for the king, the queen, Ajax, Sage, and, someday, Willow. Princes’ thrones were positioned in front of princesses’. Even though Willow wouldn’t be old enough for her throne for three more months, her throne had been waiting for her since her birth.
Sage wondered how long after she’d left before they removed hers. What had her parents told the Autumn people? That Sage had died? Or had they shared the truth: Sage had abandoned all of them?
Above the thrones was a skylight. Sage could see the stars above. She’d sneak into the throne room as a child simply to look into the night’s sky. She’d sit in her father’s throne and pretend she ruled the Autumn Court.
Once, she’d heard voices echo down the hall and, in desperation, found some loose boards and slipped underneath the platform.
Now, as the throne room door swung inward, panic rushed through her just as it had when she was younger. Just as before, she hurriedly hid beneath the thrones, thankful no one had fixed the platform in the years she’d been gone.
“Your visit is a surprise,” her father’s voice grew louder as he entered the room. “And unguarded even.”
“There’s no need for such things amongst friends, I would hope,” an unfamiliar voice said.
“Of course not, Winter Queen.”
Nevina. Raith had filled Sage in after they’d attacked the Winter Castle. She’d trapped the Unseelie King’s sister, torturing her nearly to death.
“War is coming,” Nevina said. “I’m sure you’ve heard the whispers.”
“Yes, I’ve heard of the attack on your castle during the Solstice. I apologize I didn’t attend. Perhaps I could have helped.”
Attack on the castle? Such an exaggeration. They’d left the Winter Queen and the former Summer Queen mostly unharmed. Sure, some guards weren’t as lucky, but royals viewed those beneath them as disposable anyway.
But her pride had been wounded, so of course she’d spread lies.
Sage kept her breath quiet. Getting caught was not an option now. If she was found, she’d be forced to fight her way out. This was supposed to be a secret meeting: two royals speaking to each other. Alone.
“We’ve been tethered to the curse of the seasons long enough, wouldn’t you say?”
A moment of silence passed before the Autumn King answered. “What are you suggesting?”
“The mortal realm courts are stronger, yes, but there are only two of them and four of us. And we all know how much the Seelie and Unseelie despise each other. With a little nudge, that animosity can turn lethal.”
“Have you spoken to the others?”
“The new Summer King is cautious, but his mother knows how crucial it is we take a stand. He’s weak enough to be easily swayed by his mommy.” Nevina chuckled. “The Spring Queen has a tendency to keep to herself, as you know. Spring fae are too busy smelling the flowers to realize the inequality forced upon us. But, with the right motivation, she can be convinced.”
Something tickled Sage’s leg. Who knew how many bugs had made the darkness underneath the thrones their home? Sage’s heart fluttered in her chest as she took a quiet breath to calm herself. After spending years in the forest, a few bugs should be nothing.
“Power cannot be destroyed,” the Winter Queen continued. “They’ve trapped it somewhere and hidden it. If we learn its location, we can take it back. And once our magic is rightfully restored, we can make them pay.”
“Return to me if you’re able to discover where it’s hidden and then we’ll talk. The Autumn Court has been at peace for over a century now, and I won’t break it without feeling it’s for the best of my people.”
“Very well. But know that anyone not with the Winter Court will be against it. My father lost the last war we were in. I don’t intend to make the same mistake.”
Sage waited long after they’d left to head back to her room. She needed to tell Raith what she’d heard.
If war was coming, with which side would she stand?
Chapter Six
After her talk with Kaelem, Scarlett wandered around the palace grounds for some time, alone with her thoughts. The garden area had become her place of refuge lately, the perfectly manicured bushes reminding her of her mother and her human life.
The scent of lavender drifted through the air. Scarlett closed her eyes and inhaled the sweet smell. Though she’d learned to handle the grief of losing her mother, a day hadn’t gone by when she didn’t miss her with all of her being, especially now that Ashleigh hated her again. What would her mother have thought if she’d have learned Scarlett had turned into a fae? It was said a mother’s love was eternal, but did that include morphing into a supernatural being? Had she known the fae exist? Had she been part fae like Scarlett was? So many questions that Scarlett could never ask her.
She opened her eyes and glanced up to the string of white lights hanging above the garden. The ambient setting would make a perfect wedding venue. Scarlett imagined a bride standing in front of the red rose bushes in an ivory lace dress. It would have a small train, enough to look elegant but not so much it would be a nuisance. The unspecific bride shifted in Scarlett’s mind to a familiar face: Ashleigh’s. Her strawberry blonde hair fell to the middle of her back, curled into perfect waves. A cheek-to-cheek grin spread across Ashleigh’s face.
Scarlett shook her head, sending the impossible vision away. Ashleigh deserved a perfect wedding with a perfect man. A perfect mortal man. And Scarlett had been the one to take that dream away from her. No wonder Ashleigh hated her.
Scarlett plucked a few roses, their smell even sweeter than the lavender, and twirled them in her hand as s
he questioned her decision to attend the Seelie ball with Kaelem.
If what he said was true, she didn’t want the Seelie Queen knowing she had Seelie heritage. Would feeding on Kaelem’s emotion really keep it hidden? And was growing closer to him worth it?
The thought of spending any more time worrying about her sister caused Scarlett’s chest to tighten. She couldn’t stay there at the Unseelie Palace alone, waiting for Ashleigh to return, imagining everything she’d taken from her sister, or, worse, waiting for news that something had happened.
Ashleigh needed closure and Scarlett would let her have it.
Meanwhile, Scarlett would visit the Seelie Court.
Eventually, she headed back to her room. After what felt like hours, she finally dozed off.
Scarlett relaxed on the sofa in her house, facing her green piano. The smell of spaghetti spread through the living room.
“Smells delicious,” Scarlett said. “Almost done?”
“Just about,” Ashleigh yelled from the kitchen.
Scarlett’s stomach grumbled. Her sister made the best spaghetti, always paired with garlic bread toasted to perfection in the oven. Scarlett salivated in anticipation.
A shriek pierced her ears as something dropped to the ground with a thud in the kitchen.
Scarlett rushed toward the scream. What had happened?
Panic covered Ashleigh’s face as someone held her in a chokehold.
Kassandra, the former Summer Queen, whose icy aqua eyes narrowed as they glared at Scarlett.
Scarlett’s ears tickled her where their tops curved into points. She was fae now. She’d almost forgotten.
“Let her go,” Scarlett insisted.
Kassandra tipped her head back and laughed a laugh as cold as her eyes. “I told you what would happen if you disobeyed me, human.”
Scarlett searched inside for magic, but found nothing.
Kassandra squeezed Ashleigh’s neck tighter, causing Ashleigh to gasp for air.