by Nissa Leder
The Fates hadn’t warned them about any inhabitants of the realm. Or—the bigger issue—that their magic wouldn’t work here.
The idea of earning some unknown power for himself had made Cade rash in his decision.
Now he wondered if the power even existed, or if the Fates were playing him in some twisted game.
Poppy, jaw clenched, glanced back at Cade.
Cade took Poppy’s hand into his and squeezed. They’d figure a way out.
They had no choice.
Chapter Sixteen
Scarlett breathed in the thick air as she took in the glistening trees around her. The mist in the air made the bright green of their leaves even more vibrant.
Their unlikely group of four was now in another realm, with no allies except for each other. They’d found the door and entered the new land, but they weren’t the first ones.
As they’d crossed the invisible line between the realms, Sage had noticed the footprints. Two others had beaten them through the door.
The question was who?
Could Laik have changed his mind? Maybe he wanted the power for himself or his queen after all.
Or maybe it was Nevina and Kassandra, a team once again.
Scarlett hoped it was only two others. She, Kaelem, Raith, and Sage together could defeat a pair, right?
It hadn’t taken long for Scarlett to solve the puzzle of the realm’s entrance. As a little girl, when her mother wasn’t plagued with voices, she would take Scarlett and Ashleigh on walks through the forest to the lake that gave their town its name.
Their mother would teach them tree and plant names as needles crunched beneath their feet on the popular trail to the lake. As Ashleigh was trying her best to name everything, Scarlett wandered off of the trail and away from her family. Something called to her. It wasn’t a voice, but a feeling. As she continued away from her mother and sister, the pull tugged harder, until she found herself approaching an unusual tree. Unlike the other trees in the forest whose trunks were thin and lean, this one was thick. Its branches curved out, making the tree much wider than any of the others.
Scarlett slowed as she approached the tree, noticing three stars in a perfect vertical line carved into the textured bark. As she reached out and traced the carved shapes with her finger, something inside her flickered.
Her mother’s yell interrupted her trance and Scarlett turned and sprinted back to the path. She was scolded for giving her such a scare, but Scarlett never forgot the tree and found herself pulled there many times.
Somehow it being the entrance to the realm she now found herself in hadn’t surprised her.
Ahead, Sage held out a hand, signaling they all stop.
Scarlett couldn't deny she'd been resistant to bring Sage along, but she was smart and strong and Scarlett couldn't have asked for someone more useful to join them.
Sage corralled them all close and whispered, “We’re approaching a camp.” She gestured to the footprints on the ground then pointed to her nose. “I smell a fire close by.”
Scarlett inhaled. A faint scent of burned wood tickled her nose.
“We have a problem,” Kaelem said.
Everyone looked at him.
He continued, “There's no magic.”
Scarlett searched for a flicker of power but found nothing. She reached out her mind, but it didn't go anywhere. Even the bond she shared with Raith had disappeared.
He must have realized it, too. His gaze met hers, softness in his eyes.
Scarlett had wondered how much of her affection toward Raith came from the bond. And now, with it gone, even if only temporarily, she knew she still cared for him.
The circumstances that had drawn them together created their bond just as much as the Summer Court ceremony had. But she couldn’t deny the bond strengthened the connection.
“Well, fuck.” Raith laughed. “Four strong fae all powerless.”
Sage grabbed the daggers at her sides. “Not completely.”
Sage, Raith, and Kaelem had all been trained to fight and had been smart enough to bring weapons. Scarlett, on the other hand, was mediocre with a staff, at best, and it never occurred to her she might need one.
Sage led them slowly through the jungle, but instead of going straight, they circled the camp they'd stumbled upon.
“You three wait here. I'm going to sneak closer,” Sage said.
“I'm no genius—well, maybe I am—but shouldn't we avoid the people?” Kaelem asked.
“We don't often agree, but I’m with Kaelem on this one,” Raith said.
“Well, we agree on some things.” Kaelem winked at Scarlett.
Scarlett tensed as Raith looked between her and Kaelem.
Sage rolled her eyes. “We need to see what inhabits this place. Going blindly ahead won't keep us safe.”
“Fair enough,” Kaelem said.
After Sage left, Kaelem set the bag he'd packed on the ground and pulled out a large flask.
He took a sip. “Ah, delicious. Anyone else? It’s strong.” He held out the flask and wiggled it with a grin.
Scarlett shook her head but Raith reached out a hand.
He took a gulp. “Not bad.” Raith handed the flask back to Kaelem.
“No magic is bad enough. No alcohol and I'd just give up.” Kaelem took another swig before putting it back in his bag.
The three waited silently until Sage returned a few minutes later. “I know who beat us through the door.”
“Who?” They all asked in unison.
“Cade and Poppy,” Sage said. “The camp is full of fae-like people and they have Cade and Poppy tied up to a tree.”
“I should have known my little brother would try for more power. Ruling the Summer Court isn't enough for the over achiever,” Raith said.
Scarlett told him about Cade’s alliance with Nevina. “But he seemed to regret that decision. Maybe he figured this was a better way to get stronger.”
Raith chuckled. “And now he's tied up. Serves him right.”
Did it, though? Scarlett had seen into Cade’s mind and he didn't seem greedy to her. But she didn't want Raith to know. She was embarrassed by her invasiveness. And by her sympathy. Cade had left them both for dead. Raith’s anger was well earned.
“Do we leave them?” Scarlett asked.
“Uh, yes,” Raith answered first.
“Saving them would be risky,” Kaelem added. “If we’re captured too, who will save us?”
“But we have no idea what else we’ll face. If they’d be willing to ally with us, we’d be stronger,” Scarlett said.
Raith huffed. “Big if.”
“They were tied to a tree outside of the camp. If I hurry before they move them, I could be in and out with them in a few minutes,” Sage said.
Raith looked at Kaelem the Scarlett. “And if they turn against us after you've saved them?”
“Then it's four versus two.”
Raith finally agreed, though he made his distaste for the plan loudly known.
Kaelem didn't say much, which was a first.
“I’ll go too.” It was Scarlett’s idea. She wouldn’t expect Sage to do everything.
This broke Kaelem’s silence. “No, that would be pointless.”
“It’s not worth the extra risk,” Raith added.
“Sage can gamble her own life but I can’t mine?” Scarlett stared them both down.
Truthfully, it wasn’t the smartest idea. Sage was a warrior and Scarlett, well, wasn’t. But sitting back and allowing everyone else to fight for her wouldn’t make her stronger. Her decisions were hers to make. Not theirs.
“We will be back with them soon. Be prepared to fight them if they refuse to ally with us.” Sage headed back toward the camp.
Scarlett shifted her gaze back and forth between Kaelem and Raith. “I’ll be back soon.”
Raith reached for her hand. “Be careful. Please.”
Scarlett kissed his check.
Kaelem approached her. “Raith an
d I will kill each other if you don’t return to stop us.” He grinned then kissed her mouth. “For good luck.”
Scarlett turned and followed Sage without a glance back, thankful she couldn’t feel Raith’s reaction to the kiss, and he couldn’t feel hers.
Sage heard Scarlett’s footsteps hurrying behind her.
She had to give the girl credit. Sage had agreed that potentially gaining two allies was worth the effort, but she had no expectation for anyone to help her in their rescue.
Sage had seen Scarlett destroy the former Summer Queen with her mind magic. Even though her fae power was new, it was strong.
But here, they had no magic. And Scarlett wasn't skilled in hand-to-hand combat.
At one time, Sage wasn't either. But Vienna, the Woodland Queen, had taken her in and taught her to become a warrior. Sage didn't have time to teach Scarlett much, but she admired her courage and wouldn't stop her from trying. She just hoped Scarlett didn’t do anything to mess her up.
“We’re getting closer,” Sage whispered. “Be as quiet as possible and when I give the signal, wait for me. I'll hurry and untie them and we can all head back.”
Scarlett’s eyes doubled in size. She shouldn't have come if she was that afraid of staying alone for a few minutes. Sage should have known better than to bring her.
Then Sage heard the rustling behind her.
Well, shit.
As her hands were bound, Sage assessed their captors.
The group was comprised of men and women. Were they fae? She wasn’t sure. They weren't human, though. That much she knew. All looked strong, with flawless skin.
The woman who pulled Sage along wore a lavender outfit. The crop top and skirt highlighted her muscular abs. The outfit was brighter colored than Sage’s tribe had worn, and looked to be cotton instead of leather, but Sage sensed a similarity between her captors and the group of women who taught her to fight.
The big unknown was whether or not they had magic. If they did, Sage’s plan would be a stupid idea.
“I’d like to speak to your leader,” Sage said.
The woman ignored Sage as she yanked her into the camp. Behind them, a man tugged Scarlett, who hadn’t said a word since their capture.
Small tents sat in a large square creating a perimeter around three large tents in the center. A fire burned in a large pit made of colorful stone that seemed to glow in the firelight.
As they walked through camp, the tribe members all stared and whispered amongst themselves. There were no children.
“I said I’d like to speak with your leader,” Sage repeated, annoyance heavy in her tone.
Ignored again.
They approached a wooden cage. Someone opened the door.
“Inside,” the woman pulling Sage said.
“I invoke a leader challenge.” Sage spoke with confidence.
Everyone stared at her.
If this tribe was anything like hers, a leader wouldn't refuse a challenge.
And the leader wouldn't let Sage live if she won.
Scarlett stared through the bars of the cage they’d been put into. The woman tugging Sage had practically pushed her inside, but the man who’d pulled Scarlett was much gentler and even untied her before locking them in the cage.
Sage remained bound.
“Why aren’t there any children?” Sage asked as she peered through the bars.
Scarlett wasn’t sure if she was asking her or herself. “Maybe they’re inside some of the tents.”
“How long does it take to tell their leader about my challenge?” Sage huffed.
Scarlett wasn’t sure what Sage’s rush was. They had absolutely no idea who the leader was. Sage was a competent fighter, but what if the leader was even better?
And just because their group didn’t have magic, it didn’t mean these people couldn’t possess power of their own.
“If we don’t return, Kaelem and Raith will come looking for us,” Scarlett said.
Sage rolled her eyes. “Please. I don’t need those oafs rescuing me.” Scarlett didn’t appreciate the arrogance in her tone. “Not everything has to be a physical battle, you know. Sometimes using your brain and being practical is a good idea.”
Although Scarlett wasn’t the best fighter, she wasn’t helpless. For one, by not resisting, she’d been allowed out of the rope tying her hands together.
Sage’s furrowed brows softened. “You’re right. But this is our best chance. Even if they come to help us, we’re still far too outnumbered without our magic. And we don’t know whether they have magic. A challenge will be one against one. It’s the best odds we’ve got.”
“But like you said, we don’t know what magic they might have. And if they do, the leader is likely to be the most powerful of them all.”
Sage shrugged. “Then I’ll improvise.”
Scarlett admired her bravery, but she didn’t miss the sliver of worry in Sage’s eyes when she learned her challenge had been accepted.
“I’ll return to get you when our leader is ready,” the woman who’d bound Sage said before turning and walking into one of the large tents.
“You’ll do great,” Scarlett told Sage. She meant for her tone to sound encouraging, but it came out worried.
“No need to lie, I know you think I’m crazy.” Sage grinned.
“Only a little.” Scarlett laughed. “But I think you’re fearless as hell. And maybe a little reckless.”
“What’s life without a little risk?” Sage asked.
As they waited, tribe members walked by, staring into the cage and mumbling to one another. Scarlett now knew what it must feel like to be a tiger at a zoo.
“Why did you agree to come here with us?” Scarlett asked. “I mean, I’m thankful but…” She didn’t mean to sound so ungrateful.
“It’s okay. I get it.” Sage leaned her back against the bars and slid down to a sitting position. “I figured Raith would find a way to get himself killed. I know you’d try to save him, but, no offense, you might not be able to and I know the Unseelie King wouldn’t risk a broken fingernail to help him.”
Scarlett wanted to defend Kaelem, but, truthfully, Sage was probably right. Kaelem would have died to save Aria, but somehow she didn’t think Raith’s life mattered much to him.
“You care for Raith.” Scarlett moved to Sage and sat next to her.
“Yes,” Sage said. “I can’t really explain it. When I saved him in the Faerie Forest, I just felt like a part of me had been missing something and that he was meant to be a part of my future.”
Scarlett stared at Sage’s beautiful face. Her green eyes were fierce, her long, copper locks gorgeous. She was strong and loyal, brave and confident. Everything Scarlett wished she could be.
“I’m not in love with him, Scarlett,” Sage said. “Truly. If I had to be with a guy, I suppose I see his attractiveness and all, but guys just aren’t my thing.” She smiled. “Seriously, you have no need for any jealously.”
“I…” Scarlett wanted to deny her envy, but she knew it was pointless. “I’m sorry.”
“No need to apologize,” Sage said. “I see the way you look at Raith and he looks at you, but be careful because I’ve seen you look at the Unseelie King with those same eyes.”
Before Scarlett could respond, the woman returned and yanked Sage away and into one of the large tents.
Chapter Seventeen
Sage tightly gripped her daggers.
Scarlett, hands bound again, anxiously watched Sage as she prepared to fight the leader she had yet to see.
A crowd of people surrounded Sage as she waited.
Challenging someone she'd never seen wasn’t her brightest idea.
The crowd parted. Sage expected to see the leader walk through but instead Poppy and Cade were yanked into the opening.
To say they looked surprised would be an understatement. Sage met Poppy’s glare and hoped she'd be smart enough to play along.
A few moments later, the tribe’s leader ste
pped into the opening. The first thing Sage noticed was that the leader was female. She was tall and lean, with dark hair and caramel skin, and not at all what Sage expected.
She approached Sage with a grin. “So, you've come to my land to challenge me?”
“I was tied up by your people so I challenged you. Had I not been so rudely bound, we might be in a different situation.”
“Fair enough. Those are your weapons of choice?” She gestured to the daggers in Sage’s hands.
“Yep.”
“I'm Vida, by the way. I think we should at least know each other's name before we slice at each other's throats.”
“Sage.”
Vida glanced at Scarlett and her curved grin flattened. She glanced at a warrior behind her, and when she looked back at Sage, her grin reappeared. “Very well, Sage. Let the fun begin.”
Vida backed up as the crowd tightened to create a firm border around the fighting arena then pulled two daggers from behind her back.
Sage had learned to feel out an opponent first, and now more than ever, she knew nothing about her opponent. She lunged to Vida’s right.
Vida struck her daggers at Sage’s throat.
Sage blocked them and dove to the side, tumbling away from her reach.
“You're quick, I'll give you that.” Vida darted at Sage, daggers out.
She released a war cry as her hands, lighting fast, attacked Sage.
With reflexes equally as quick, Sage blocked every strike until one cut her arm.
Blood dripped to the ground.
Sage ducked as Vida’s dagger cut through the air aimed at her eyes.
One of the first things Sage had learned with the Woodland tribe was to use her entire body. When someone attacked her with her hands, she would hit with something else.
Pushing off the ground with her foot, Sage kneed Vida in the stomach, sending her backward as she gasped for air. If Vida had any magic, she wasn’t using it.
Vida pushed herself up and leaped at Sage with her daggers in the air.
They sparred again, trading blow for blow as sweat pooled on Sage’s forehead. The heavy, humid air made every strike harder than she was used to.