by Nissa Leder
Cade made getting under his skin so easy. He opened his mouth then shut it. “I’m going to do a perimeter walk.” He stomped away.
Perfect.
After Cade had left, Kaelem snuck to Scarlett and picked up her staff.
He bent over and whispered in her ear, “Shhh. I need to show you something.”
Scarlett awoke. Groggily, she let Kaelem pull her up and quietly lead her away from the group.
“What’s the matter?” Scarlett asked.
Kaelem pulled out a vial of liquid from his pocket. Before she realized what he was doing, he put it to Scarlett’s lips and poured it into her mouth.
She choked on it, coughing most of it up. But a drop was all that needed to be ingested for it to work.
“What…” Scarlett’s eyes shut as her body went limp.
Kaelem caught her before she fell to the ground and carried her away.
Chapter Twenty
His shoulder burned as Raith sleepily rolled over on the ground.
“Wake up.” Someone shook him. “Now!”
Raith opened his eyes to Cade above him with panic on his face.
Were they being attacked again?
Raith quickly pushed himself up despite the pain screaming in his shoulder. “What’s happening?”
“She’s gone.”
Raith’s throat tightened. He knew who Cade meant. Why would she leave?
“He took her. I know it.” Anger filled Cade’s voice. “I left to do a perimeter check and when I got back, they were both gone.”
Raith wanted to believe the only way Scarlett would leave would be unwillingly, but he’d seen her interact with Kaelem, and he couldn’t deny she was comfortable with him. “Was there a sign of struggle?”
“No, but he had to have tricked her. He was messing with my head, trying to convince me that you weren’t trustworthy. He annoyed me enough I had to get away, and when I returned, they both were gone.”
It could have been a plan between them both. Kaelem would find a way for some freedom and then they’d dash away. But Raith couldn’t believe Scarlett would do that. If she’d disappeared, she was taken.
“What are you two arguing about?” Sage sat up and, next to her, so did Poppy.
Cade told them what had happened.
Sage searched for signs of which way they went, but there weren’t any. Kaelem knew not to leave a trail.
How could he have lured Scarlett away so quietly? Though Raith didn’t believe Scarlett would leave them willingly, would she have gone somewhere alone with Kaelem for some privacy?
Raith ignored the questions racing through his mind. It didn’t matter how Kaelem got Scarlett away, all that mattered was finding them before something happened to her.
“They’re going for the power,” Poppy said. “We have to beat them to it.”
The sun had begun to rise, illuminating the valley below. They searched for Kaelem and Scarlett, but they were nowhere to be seen.
“The longer we wait, the closer they get,” Cade said.
Raith agreed. The sooner they left, the better chance they’d have to catch them. Raith didn’t care about the power, though he’d prefer Kaelem not get it after betraying them. But he wanted Scarlett to remain safe, and he didn’t trust Kaelem.
They packed up their things and continued the journey. As they followed the valley ledge, they stumbled on a staircase that zigzagged down the steep edge.
“This looks fun,” Raith said as he gazed over the edge.
“Oh, yes. So much fun,” Sage said.
Cade walked to the start of the staircase. “Let’s just get it over with.”
Poppy went next.
Carefully, Raith balanced as he took each step. With only one functioning hand, his equilibrium wasn’t centered. One lean too far to the right and he’d drop to the ground with a splatter.
Leave it to him to survive the attack from the giants only to fall to his death. Raith preferred that not happen. Then he couldn’t get his revenge on the conniving Unseelie King.
Sage followed him closely, likely ready to grab him if he wavered. Though slow, he made it to the bottom.
“Whew,” Raith said as he took the last step. “Glad that’s over.”
They all continued into the forest of bare trees. Though they had no leaves, they still blocked a good amount of the sun, but it was much hotter than the jungle had been. And unlike the moist terrain they’d been walking on the past few days, the dirt now beneath their feet was completely dry. Its sandy color blended with the trees making everything around Raith blur together.
Sage stopped abruptly in front of him. “Shhh. Listen.”
Everyone froze. Heavy breathing surrounded them.
A creature with a human body and a furless, wolf-like head stalked toward them on all fours. Before it reached them, he stood on his hind legs and howled.
Raith regretted his satisfaction after making it to the valley.
His injury was improving, but he was still useless with a weapon.
“This isn’t good.” Sage drew her daggers.
Everyone followed suit, readying their weapons.
More of the creatures appeared from the cover of the trees.
Raith feared what had happened if Kaelem and Scarlett had gone this way.
Scarlett kept her gaze forward, refusing to even look at Kaelem.
“C’mon, darling. It’s for the best.” Kaelem reached for her hand.
Scarlett turned her shoulders, looking away from him.
“It’s going to be a boring walk if we keep silent the entire time.”
“The tree is across the valley. Why are we walking around? Do you want it to take twice as long so you can annoy me to death before we get there?” Scarlett snapped.
“I didn’t like the look of all those dead trees. And I mean, c’mon, vultures flying above is about as bad of a sign as you can get.”
“So, we left everyone else to cross the valley alone?” Scarlett couldn’t believe it. Then again, yes, she could. When had Kaelem not been selfish in his decisions? Did she not learn her lesson when he trapped Ashleigh? Why did he even bother bringing her? The tree was within sight. It wasn’t like Scarlett was much help without her magic if anyone attacked. Why not leave them all behind and go for the power himself?
“They’re all capable fighters. If they choose to go that way, I’m sure they’ll be fine. Just hopefully slower than us.”
“You’re really something, you know that?”
“Thanks, darling.”
“Not a good something. You’re an ass.”
Kaelem lunged at Scarlett and grabbed both her wrists. “I’ve told you to never trust anyone. Ever. And that includes me. But we want the same thing: to protect those we care about. This power will help with that. I am already a powerful king. If I get the power, then I can keep both you and your sister safe.”
Kaelem loosened his grip on her wrists. Scarlett crossed her arms and huffed like a child. She couldn’t disagree. She might have the ability to be a powerful fae, but she was still learning to control her magic. What made her think gaining more power would be safer for her and her sister?
Yet, she wasn’t a typical fae, taught to be selfish and greedy, distanced to the other fae by a court. She had Seelie blood and Unseelie blood, which apparently meant a big deal.
“If you have to hate me, so be it, but if you allow me to, I’ll protect you,” Kaelem said.
“But everyone was trying to protect me.” Scarlett hadn’t appreciated being treated as delicately as glass, but she was thankful the others seemed to care.
“And soon, we’ll arrive at the tree. Will they protect you then or run you over to get more magic for themselves?”
“Isn’t that what you plan to do? And why even bring me? Traveling alone would have been faster.”
“Because…” Kaelem stared at her. Scarlett felt the impact of his pause. Something heavy sat at the tip of his tongue. His mouth closed and he swallowed wh
atever he was about to say, and instead, said, “You’re the key.”
Whatever she expected him to say, it wasn’t that. “I’m the key?”
What did that even mean? He enjoyed games too much for Scarlett to believe anything he said.
“No one else claimed to feel the tree like you did.”
Even now, Scarlett felt the buzzing inside her. Somehow, she was connected to it. Which made her crave its power even more. But how did Kaelem know?
“What do you mean?” She tried to play dumb.
“You nearly fell into a trance when you stared at it,” Kaelem said. “I pay attention to you, darling. You’re rather transparent.” His mouth curved into a smirk. “It’s endearing.”
“I…” Heat rushed to Scarlett’s cheeks. She didn’t want to be flattered. It should be creepy. “So what? I felt the tree’s energy. That doesn’t mean anything.”
Kaelem shrugged. “Maybe not. But what if it does?”
Scarlett wanted to deny it, but, deep down, she knew somehow she was connected to the tree.
The question was, what did that mean?
Sage stabbed another one of the creatures and kicked it away.
From afar, their bodies had seemed human-like. Now closer, she could see their bones protruding from their ashen skin. A fine layer of silver hair coated them like fur. Long fingers and toes shot out from their hands and feet.
“There are so fucking many,” Raith said from behind her. With his injury, he’d been no help in fighting them off, and the other three had surrounded him for protection.
Next to Sage, Poppy sliced one’s throat and kicked it away. “They’re dumb as can be.”
Cade’s sword proved most effective with its extended reach. “We’re never going to get out of here.”
As one approached Cade, drool dripped from its mouth.
Instead of charging at them all at once, the creatures took their time.
A shriek echoed through the trees, causing the creatures to cover their ears with their thin fingers.
A gray horse galloped toward them with a hooded rider holding a long stick with its end on fire.
The creatures yelped as they backed away from the burning stick. One was too slow. As the flames contacted its skin, its yelp sharpened to a scream. The blazing embers spread as the fire completely devoured the creature.
“Follow me,” a female voice said from behind the hood.
None of them questioned her motives. They all sprinted behind her as her horse trotted back toward the cliff.
Sage glanced back. The creatures didn’t follow them. The fire must have scared them.
When they’d escaped the forest, the woman jumped off of the horse.
Raith, Cade, Poppy, and Sage all stared at each other.
She wouldn’t save them from the things then harm them, would she? And why had she saved them? Since the tribe they’d encountered after coming through the portal, they hadn’t seen any fae-like creatures. This realm seemed oddly void of anyone resembling the high fae.
Uneasiness swam through Sage. A mysterious woman saving them just in time. How could that be a coincidence?
As the woman approached them, she removed her hood. Long, dark locks flowed from her head as her blue eyes scanned the group.
Next to Sage, Raith dropped the dagger in his hand. “Mother?”
Chapter Twenty-One
Scarlett hoped that wherever the rest of the group were, they were safe.
If they all had their magic, chances were Kaelem and Scarlett were as strong as the four of them together. But without it, the other four had the advantage. Not that Scarlett wanted to fight them. But it reassured her that they were all competent fighters. Even Raith—injury and all—was probably better than Scarlett.
Back in the Summer Court, Jaser had taught her to use a staff as she prepared for the Battle of Heirs. She tried to remember the tips he’d given her. Even as a human, he hadn’t dismissed her as much as she was now dismissing herself.
Everyone else treated her as fragile, but Scarlett refused to allow herself any pity. She gripped her staff firmly on each side of the opal stone. If anyone attacked them, she’d be ready.
What if Kaelem was right about the others? If they all arrived at the tree at the same time, would everyone fight to get the power? If Scarlett couldn’t be the one to get it, who did she want to get it?
She ignored the questions and, instead, focused on each step. What-ifs were pointless. If she had to make a decision later, she couldn’t worry about it then.
Still in the forest above the valley, Scarlett and Kaelem continued moving. They approached the sound of running water. Ahead, the trees grew thin and opened to a river that continued over the ledge and became a waterfall.
“Now what?” Scarlett asked.
If they couldn’t continue, they’d either have to turn around or drop down the valley sooner than they’d planned, making this whole detour pointless.
“We cross.” Kaelem pointed to a tree. A rope was tied to it and spread across the river, tied to a tree on the other end.
“I’m not walking across that.” Had he lost his mind?
“We aren’t walking across it. Not without magic to protect us,” Kaelem said. “We’re going to hang on to it as we cross the river.”
“But…”
“We don’t have time for another plan.”
“If I’m the key, then what’s the rush?” Scarlett would prefer to stay as dry as possible.
“That’s my theory, yes. But what if I’m wrong? Or what if there’s more than one key. I don’t think our group is the only ones searching for the power.”
“What do you mean?” They hadn’t seen anyone else come through the door.
“The Fates always stir things up as much as possible. The more people searching for this prophesied power, the more fun they have.”
Since there was no way around it, Scarlett agreed.
She hated to agree with him. She’d rather continue thinking he was a villain out for only his own gain. But as she’d walked, stubborn in her silence, she’d digested everything he’d told her.
She’d been the one to suggest saving Cade and Poppy, and while they’d all worked together so far, if they found the power, the truce amongst them all was off. Scarlett doubted Raith wanted the power. Then again, she’d sensed his jealousy toward Kaelem. Would Raith take the power simply to outdo the Unseelie King?
Scarlett didn’t know Sage well enough to predict her goal. She’d come because Raith had asked her to, but that didn’t mean she had no desire for the power.
Poppy would never take the power from Cade, but she’d fight to take it for him. With so much uncertainty, Scarlett couldn’t be angry with Kaelem. She wouldn’t have come willingly. She hated to admit he’d been right, leaving her no choice but to begrudgingly cross the river.
Kaelem went first, tying their bags to the rope and pushing them across out of the water.
Scarlett followed closely behind, with only her staff tied to her back like a beauty pageant sash. The iciness of the water caused her to suck in her breath and she felt nothing like a beauty queen.
The rapids crashed against her, but she kept a firm grip on the rope. Panic would do her no good. This was her chance to prove she wasn’t as weak as everyone treated her. Her heart raced but she swallowed her fear.
Hand over hand, she made her way across. By the time she reached the far bank, she’d grown used to the chilliness of the water.
Kaelem reached out a hand and helped her.
Stepping into the air made her gasp again. “Freakin’ brrrr.”
Kaelem laughed. “I can think of a way to warm us up.”
Scarlett grimaced. “I think not.” She shivered. God, it was cold.
Kaelem unbuttoned his shirt. It had started clean, but had gotten dirtier each day. The water had rinsed away some of the grime.
“I said no.” Scarlett crossed her arms in front of her chest.
“Nightf
all is approaching. It’s only going to get colder. I’m taking off my clothes so they can dry.”
Scarlett groaned. Her clothes were soaked. But she didn’t want to be naked, either. “The fire will dry them off.”
“We aren’t making a fire.”
“What?”
“With six of us, two could guard watch in case someone attacked, and if they did, they had to fight our whole group. Now it’s just us two, and you’re lousy at combat, darling.”
“But we’ll freeze.”
“Not if we dry off. And if worse comes to worst, we’ll find some way to keep warm.” He smirked.
Scarlett glared. She wouldn’t let it come to that. But she needed to let her clothes and her body both dry. Groaning, she removed her clothes and hung them over a tree branch.
It wasn’t like they hadn’t already seen each other without clothes. But at the Seelie Court, Scarlett had been drunk and worried it was her last night alive. Now, completely sober, modesty weighed on her. She crossed one arm over her chest as she covered her lower half with the other arm the best she could.
Naked, Kaelem laid out blankets on the ground.
In this realm, his ganacanagh gift was blocked. Which made Scarlett’s desire for him real. Which was so much worse. She hated it, but she couldn’t deny her attraction.
Looks were superficial, and with a clear head, she refused to do anything with him. But was their connection based merely on appearance? She knew the answer even if she didn’t want to accept it.
After a while, her bashfulness waned. Who knew what her future held? Soon, they’d be fighting for a power she knew little about. Worrying about something as trivial as nudity seemed silly.
Scarlett caught Kaelem staring at her. She wouldn’t give him what he wanted tonight—no matter how cold she was—but she’d have fun making him want it more.
Raith felt like he was in a dream.
Before that moment, if someone had asked him to describe his mother, he'd have drawn a blank. He was only four when she'd died—or, apparently, hadn't. Growing up, he’d tried to remember her. Flashes would surface, her blue eyes, her wide smile. But he could never fully imagine her.