by Nissa Leder
With goat legs and a naked chest with fully-formed breasts, the female creature stood tall. She scanned the group with her caramel-colored eyes. Her long brown hair was tied into a braid and pulled to the front, and from the top of her head grew a pair of pointy horns.
“My, my. What a large group.” Her bell-like voice rang through the air.
“We’ve come to cross the lake.” Rowen bowed her head.
“I’m Ailani. And you are?”
“Rowen.”
Ailani looked at the rest. She stared until they all shared their names.
“Much better,” Ailani said. “You’ve come to cross the Spirit Lake? What is it you seek on the other side?”
“The tree,” Raith said. “We’ve come for its power.”
“You’ve all come for its power? Only to be disappointed, I’m afraid. It cannot be shared.”
Sage eyed Cade and Poppy from her peripheral. They kept their gazes forward.
“We need to keep it from falling into the wrong hands,” Raith added.
Ailani placed her hand on her hip. “And what if one of you is the wrong hands?”
“I’m not sure,” Raith answered.
Ailani smiled. “Lucky for you, only a clean spirit with good intentions can pass the Spirit Lake.”
“And if our intentions aren’t pure?”
“That’s for me to decide. Perhaps you’ll drown. Or, if I’m feeling particularly nice, I’ll pull you back to this edge of the shore.” Ailani gestured to the water. “So, who’s first?”
“I’ll go,” Raith said.
The longer they all took, the longer Scarlett was alone with Kaelem, and Raith didn’t like that. Not one bit.
He ignored everyone else as he passed Ailani and arrived at the water’s edge. Scarlett needed him and that was his only focus. He’d deserted her twice. This time, he’d be there, even if she’d fallen for the Unseelie King.
The water sent a chill through him as he stepped his first foot in. With an inhale, he continued until the water reached his neck.
“You must walk all the way across if you wish to pass,” Ailani said. “Your feet will stick to the ground, even when your head submerges. Best to hold your breath.”
Raith took one last inhale before dipping his head into the water. As soon as he was completely into the lake, a vision hit him.
He could feel his feet continue to move forward, but now his consciousness was elsewhere. An unusual forest surrounded him as the sun sat high in the sky.
There were trees of different shapes and sizes, some with fruit, others completely bare. He sat on a large log with smooth, white bark.
“You are lovely.” Ailani appeared next to him. She ran a finger down his arm. “Strong, handsome, caring. Conflicted about your mother and the other woman. Hurt at your mother’s abandonment. Envious of the woman’s feelings for another man.”
How did she know all this?
“When your body is in the lake, you are mine to explore,” Ailani said.
She could hear his thoughts?
“Yes, Raith. I can hear your thoughts and see inside your soul. I know your past and see flickers of what could be in your future.”
Ailani stood and moved in front of him. Her exposed breasts—now at his eye level—were good-sized, yet perky.
Raith shifted his attention elsewhere.
“Don’t be ashamed.” Ailani touched his cheek with her palm. “You can play with them if you’d like.”
“No, thanks.” Raith kept his gaze high. “I want to get to the other side of the lake as soon as possible.”
“To save the woman.”
It wasn’t a question, but Raith nodded.
“What about your mother? You finally have her back. What if you drown and never see her again? You can turn back now.”
Raith didn’t want to lose his mother after having her back for such a short period. But he’d already abandoned Scarlett in his search to learn more about his mother. He wouldn’t do the same again.
“But that was just for information,” Ailani purred. “This is for your mother, who is very much alive. Surely, Scarlett would understand.”
It was different now, Raith had to admit. After so many years motherless, the desire to get to know her pressed heavily into his mind.
He didn’t want to have to choose between them.
But what if the time came when he had to make a choice?
Who would he choose?
Chapter Twenty-Four
Cade waited for his brother to reappear on the other side.
“Who’s next?” Ailani asked.
“Where’s Raith?” Cade stepped forward.
“He’s being evaluated,” she purred.
He’d been underwater at least a minute. Maybe more.
“You cannot help him,” Ailani said. “But you can start your journey across.”
Cade continued to the shore and stepped into the water. He’d only be able to help Raith if they both made it across.
When his head submerged, a forest appeared around him. Was Raith here too?
Ailani appeared in front of him. “He’s here, yes.”
Cade scanned the area but saw no one and nothing but the trees that surrounded him.
“Well, he isn't exactly here,” Ailani added. “You're in your mind and he's in his, but I'm with you both.”
What had they done?
“Now, now, don't worry,” Ailani said. “Yet.”
She was in his head, which he should have expected. How else would she see inside him to allow him across the lake?
Ailani circled Cade. “You used her for your own gain.”
Who? Scarlett?
“Yes, the woman who fills your brother’s thoughts. And you thought you'd killed them both.”
Regret hit Cade. He gulped. He’d let his desire to win overshadow everything else, but he'd regretted it. Truly. Would this woman believe him?
“Regret, yes. Everyone seems to be so good at regret after they've achieved what they'd wanted.” Ailani stopped in front of Cade again. Her gaze latched onto his.
“But would you really take it back? Would you give the Summer Court to your brother if it meant you'd never left him for dead?”
Cade kept his eyes on hers as he thought about what she'd asked.
He wanted to say yes, he'd give Raith the crown if he could undo his actions. But that was a lie. He wanted to be king. Partly for his own selfish reasons. But also because he wanted to be the king his people needed. He didn't think he’d feel such protectiveness over the Summer Court until he'd stood in front of his people and looked into their eyes after accepting the crown.
“No,” Cade admitted, his gaze dropping.
“You trust her, though.” Ailani tipped Cade’s chin upwards. “The blonde woman.”
Poppy. “Yes, I do. With my life.”
Ailani leaned forward and gently kissed Cade. “I've made my decision.”
Kaelem and Scarlett walked across the valley, heading straight for the tree. Their path was empty, but Kaelem remained on edge.
Scarlett kept a few steps behind him.
He’d lied to her before. He didn't think the power could be shared. That wasn't how magic usually worked. He almost felt bad about it, but he needed to do what was best for his court.
As they approached, the tree grew bigger with each step. He'd known it was a magnificent size. But now, as they neared, its roots poking out of the ground, it overdid any of his expectations.
“Stop,” Scarlett said from behind him.
Kaelem obliged, tensing. “What is it?”
“Someone is close. I feel it.”
Kaelem couldn't sense anything, but he trusted Scarlett. She was attuned to this place. He wondered why. What about her tied her to this realm? Something had drawn the fascination of so many in the fae world. The Summer Princes, Kaelem, even the Seelie advisor watched Scarlett curiously.
He’d always wondered what drew the attention to her, but when
the Fates had visited her, he knew it meant something big.
Slowly, he and Scarlett continued toward the tree.
Its white-bark trunk was at least fifty feet in diameter and it towered so high Kaelem, standing at its base, couldn't see the top.
A familiar chime of laughter caused him to stiffen.
In front of Kaelem, the Fates appeared. Somehow they could evanescence there.
But how?
Scarlett stepped to Kaelem’s side.
“I didn't expect to see you three here,” Kaelem said, determined to hide his nerves.
“We have many surprises,” they sang.
“Is that so?”
Kaelem took Scarlett’s hand. The Fates were the ones who told him she was the key. They were the ones who told everyone about this place and how to get here. Why?
“The gears of your mind are turning, Dark King.” They smiled. “You are smart, but desire kept you from caution.”
“You wanted me here,” Kaelem said.
“We wanted her here. You were just a means to make it so.”
From Kaelem’s side, Scarlett spoke, “You're part of this realm.”
Interest flickered in the Fates’ eyes. “Yes, dear. You sense it like you sensed this tree. This is our home. We were banished before, but now we return and will be stronger than ever.”
“You want the power,” Scarlett said.
Gluttony lit their gazes. “And we will get it.”
The woman in the center pulled out a knife and threw it at Scarlett. It stabbed her in the arm, causing her to drop her staff.
Another lunged at Kaelem and pushed him backward. As he fought her off, one of the others yanked the knife from Scarlett’s arm and chucked it at the tree.
Kaelem had never seen them act separately. They’d always moved as one, spoken as one. But now, as they attacked, each had a will of her own. He and Scarlett were outnumbered and taken by surprise.
A flash of light pulsed from the tree, temporarily blinding Kaelem. When he regained his vision, he saw Scarlett struggle as the Fates pulled her toward the tree. Scarlett kicked, but their grips were too firm. Kaelem wanted to help, but he was too far to save her.
The Fates plunged Scarlet into the tree. Kaelem waited for her to collide into its trunk, but as her body hit it, she disappeared. It was if the tree had absorbed her.
How had it done that? No opening had appeared. One second Kaelem saw Scarlett, the next she’d vanished.
Kaelem pushed his questions aside as the Fates sauntered toward him.
“You will not take what is ours.”
Although he’d regained his vision, he still lacked balance. He held his sword, growing dizzier as they got closer. “What's happening?”
“You were too close to the light.”
Behind the Fates, the tree trunk opened up into an arc. A faint glow burned from its center.
Scarlett gasped as she stepped out from inside of the tree. Shaking, she fell to her knees.
The Fates turned toward her. Using their distraction, Kaelem snuck around them. When they looked back to where he’d been, an arrow flew through the air, striking the center Fate. Sage, joined with the rest of the group and another woman Kaelem didn't know, shot another arrow.
Kaelem rushed to Scarlett. As he neared her, the tree caught his attention. Its trunk was peeled back, opening to a glowing orb floating inside.
The power.
With only a few steps, he could touch it.
Mesmerized, Kaelem couldn't pry his gaze away. Any worries for Scarlett vanished.
He was so close.
Something stabbed his back. Pain seared between his shoulder blades. Desperate to make it stop, he reached for whatever caused it, but it remained out of reach.
Scarlett stood next to him, eyes filled with guilt. “It isn't for you. It's for me.”
She turned away and disappeared back into the tree as Kaelem dropped to the ground.
Chapter Twenty-Five
The energy floating in the tree lured Scarlett like an addict to drugs. From afar, the orb appeared white, but as Scarlett drew closer, she saw the colorful specks of pinks and blues and teals and purples—a luminous opal of power.
The glow of the orb shined throughout the tree. The inside bark—white like the outside— was perfectly smooth, as if it had been sanded to perfection. The tree didn’t matter now, though. The power drew all of Scarlett’s attention.
Her hands reached out and cupped the orb. As her flesh met the energy, her skin tingled. Undeterred, she lifted it.
The tingling turned hot, burning from her hands up her arms, directly to her heart. From there, it spread through her veins, transitioning from flame to ice.
Her skin prickled as the power disappeared into her hand and filled her.
She closed her eyes as she absorbed the magic.
A memory struck her.
Ten-year-old Scarlett walked to the park after one of her mother’s fits. Tears streamed down her cheeks. She wiped them and lifted her chin.
The sun set as the world around her took on an orange glow.
Scarlett sat in one of the swings, the park around her empty.
Though there was no wind around, a breeze blew through her hair. She turned to see three women approach her. Side-by-side, they walked as one, all with black hair and black eyes.
A tingle spread up Scarlett’s spine. “Who are you?”
“That’s not important.” They spoke as one, their voices a perfect harmony.
This was weird.
They continued, “You are an interesting girl. We’ve waited a long time for you.”
Scarlett gulped. Her knuckles whitened as she gripped the chains of the swing. She wanted to run, but her limbs wouldn’t move.
The women approached her. The middle woman reached out her hand and grazed Scarlett’s cheek.
“Until we meet again.” In a blink, they vanished.
Scarlett looked around the park. Had she just been talking to someone? She couldn’t remember.
Still inside the tree, Scarlett opened her eyes. Darkness enveloped her. Light from outside shined in, luring Scarlett outside. As she stepped into the sunshine, the darkness inside of the tree burst forth like a blast from a bomb.
Scarlett exited to a group of gaping mouths.
Raith’s gaze met Scarlett’s first. The uncertainty in his expression confused her. Why did he look surprised?
She held out her arms to inspect herself and saw the white designs somehow tattooed onto her skin. Floral shapes, dots, and lines covered her hands and arms.
“You okay?” Raith stepped toward her.
“I’m great.” Scarlett had never felt so alive. Magic buzzed through her again, stronger than ever before. It was as if she’d been lost at sea to the mercy of the crashing waves, but now the waves were hers to control. She cupped her hands. A small opal orb appeared. “Where’d the Fates go?”
She’d like to see them try to hurt her now.
“They disappeared.”
Of course, they had. Cowards. Who were they? And who was Scarlett now? She scanned the world around her.
Looking down from the ledge above, a castle now stood. Lushness spread across the valley. The forest of dead trees had vanished, a field of red and purple tulips replacing it. A hummingbird hovered around her face before flying toward the castle above.
Something on the ground caught Scarlett's attention.
Kaelem’s body was curled on the ground, face down.
She’d done that to him. When she saw the power, she’d needed it as if it were water or air, essential to her existence. It belonged to her. When she saw the desire in Kaelem’s eyes, she hadn’t thought twice before sinking the knife into his flesh. What had gotten into her?
Scarlett approached him and kneeled down. She yanked out the knife she’d stabbed into his back then hovered her hands over the wound.
The life inside him withered.
Uncertainty flickered inside of Sca
rlett, dark and thick like tar.
He’d taken her sister from her for his own needs.
Now, Ashleigh hated her and Scarlett had no idea how to fix it.
Then he’d stolen Scarlett from the group so he’d have a better chance to take the power for himself. He spoke of sharing, but Scarlett knew it was a lie.
She shook the ugly thoughts away.
He’d given her a pill that saved both her and Raith. He’d spent hours teaching her to master the power inside of her.
She’d seen the change in his expression the more time they spent together. Despite his actions, he cared for her.
And she cared for him.
No matter how complicated their history had been, she didn’t want him to die now. Scarlett closed her eyes, searched for the destruction the strike had caused, and healed it with her Seelie magic, now stronger than it had ever been.
War was coming and Scarlett wanted all the allies she could get.
Kaelem twitched and turned, rolling into Scarlett’s arms. His navy hair covered half his face and, for once, he looked vulnerable. Scarlett tucked his hair behind his ear and gently kissed his forehead.
She felt the pulse of jealousy through her bond with Raith. It had returned with her magic. She wanted to promise him there was nothing to be jealous of, but she wasn’t sure about anything anymore.
Kaelem blinked, unfocused, until his eyes fully opened.
When he saw her, he grinned. “The student has surpassed the teacher.”
Scarlett laughed. “Looks like it.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Raith tensed as he watched Scarlett heal Kaelem.
The bastard took her sister. Took her. Why didn’t Scarlett just let the asshole die?
Saving him was bad enough—Raith knew Scarlett well enough to know she wouldn’t let someone die if she could save him—but the grin Kaelem gave her and the laugh she gave in return stabbed Raith in the chest. When Kaelem had opened his eyes, Raith felt Scarlett’s relief through the bond.
Her expression as she laughed was what made Raith know—no matter what power she’d just absorbed—the same Scarlett lived inside her now tattoo-covered body.