False Queen

by Nikki Jefford

  Liri wasn’t welcome here. To top it all off, he’d ruined my first batch of cookies.

  I untied my apron and threw it on the stool with the oven mitts before storming out of the kitchen. I took a detour to the weapon’s room and grabbed my old bow and arrow. I had many to choose from, but I was feeling nostalgic. Maybe the same bow that had won me a Fae prince would put down a Fae king—if Liri was dumb enough to try forcing me from the premises.

  I had an arrow nocked and ready as I strode into the foyer. I didn’t know what to expect but it certainly wasn’t Liri’s hunched form, doubled over, groaning.

  Jhaeros watched him coolly from several feet away, arms folded over his chest. It looked like my mate-to-be had taken care of Liri before I had the chance. I couldn’t believe Liri had arrived in the flesh without any kind of guard.

  “Did you stab him?” I asked.

  A smile twitched over Jhaeros’s lips, but his jaw remained locked tight. “Didn’t have to. The foyer is surrounded in iron, a little addition I had installed after our return from Dahlquist.”

  “Good thinking.” Damn, I loved his foresight.

  Liri’s white head snapped up, his face contorted in pain. “Aerith,” he hissed. “We need to talk.”

  “So talk.”

  He tried to stand straight only to wince and fold over, clutching his stomach. “Please,” Liri gasped.

  I looked at Jhaeros and raised my brows.

  “Did he just say please?”

  Jhaeros didn’t return my amused smirk. He still looked ready to rip Liri’s head off with his bare hands.

  “I am alone. I came in good faith,” Liri said.

  “I’ll admit I’m curious to know what would cause you to do such a thing. Go into the sitting room, over there.” I used my nocked arrow to point the way.

  Liri narrowed his eyes but did as I instructed, shuffling his way across the foyer and through the door to the sitting room. Once inside, his bellow blasted through the doorframe into the entryway. “How dare you treat family this way!”

  I met Jhaeros’s eye and snorted.

  “At least he said ‘family’ and not ‘a king.’”

  Again, Jhaeros didn’t so much as smirk. Wait until he found out Liri had ruined an entire batch of cookies, then he’d have an extra reason to hate the Fae bastard.

  As I started for the sitting room, Jhaeros rushed in ahead of me. I followed close behind, aiming my arrow at Liri’s chest.

  “You’re not welcome here, Liri, but we’ll let you say your piece. Now talk.”

  Steely eyes narrowed on mine. Liri’s lip curled. He snarled. “Lower your bow.”

  “Give me one good reason to,” I countered.

  “I am not here to hurt you.”

  “Not good enough.” I kept him locked in my aim.

  “I’m not here to take you against your will either.”

  “That’s a start,” I said. “What about Jhaeros? Are you here for revenge?”

  I’d shoot Liri down before he got the chance to get within three feet of my beloved.

  “Why? Over my dead aunt?” Liri scoffed. He moved behind the sofa as though he meant to duck and use it as a shield if necessary. Liri gripped the edges of the stiff cushioned back. “I am glad the bitch is dead. However, I was most unhappy to learn I had been deceived and that you left Faerie without saying goodbye. Whatever our differences, Aerith, we will always be family.”

  “I’m starting my own family,” I informed him.

  “I see that.” Liri’s eyes flicked down to my belly. “I am relieved to see your child is well.”

  “Enough chitchat,” I said. “Why are you here?”

  “Will you lower your bow?”

  “It depends on what you have to say.”

  Liri shook his head and sighed. Silence followed.

  Jhaeros kept his arms folded, and I kept my arrow aimed.

  “They took Hensley from me,” he said at last. The crack in his voice made me lower my bow slightly.

  “Who did?”

  “My damned cousins; curse them to the seven hells,” Liri spat.

  Knots tightened in my stomach. I hadn’t given Hensley much thought since leaving Faerie. She’d made her bed and seemed to like lying in it. It appeared everyone had gotten what they wanted: Teryani, the Kingdom of Ravensburg (and even an Aerith lookalike for company); Hensley, the royal mate she desired; Melarue and Devdan, a portal to Earth; and Jhaeros and me, a one-way ticket out of Faerie.

  I should have known it was all too good to last.

  Hensley had been my friend and closest companion. She also spared me Liri’s wrath and attentions, for which I would be forever grateful.

  “Where is she, and what do they want?”

  Liri walked around the sofa and took a seat. Briefly, he put his face in his hands before lowering them to his lap. “Our mate bond had just been completed and the crown set upon her lovely head.” His lips puckered into a frown. “Then she vanished right there in the throne room in front of everyone. All that was left behind was the crown. At first I thought Ryo had something to do with it. He was the one who was holding the crown, but he said the officiary gave it to him before the wedding coronation.” Liri’s jaw tightened, and his fingers curled into fists. “The traitor who performed the ceremony didn’t even try to run. He just stood there laughing as Galather and Folas seized him. He was dragged to the dungeons and interrogated. The bastard made me look weak in front of our families most loyal supporters.” Liri hissed. It took several seconds for him to continue. “And he stole my mate.”

  “Sucks, doesn’t it?” Yeah, so I couldn’t help myself on that one.

  Liri scowled. “Back to what I was saying, the traitor said that my cousin Malon would visit me in a dreamscape that night and explain all. Not only had they disrupted royal proceedings, but the little shit meant to keep me waiting . . . which I did.” Liri’s shoulders sagged. “Cousin Albedo couldn’t be troubled. He wants the throne but sends his brother to do the dirty work. Malon gleefully informed me that Hensley’s memories of me and her time in Faerie had been stolen.”

  “How is that possible?” I asked.

  “With the help of my ex-lover, Isadore, a Fae sorceress. Curse her! She’s created an alternative life for Hensley in the mortal realm. Malon said that if I want Hensley back, I must go to the location they sent her on Earth and win her over without glamours or magic. If I try to tell her about her past in Faerie, or about our mate bond, her mind will be lost to me forever.” Liri’s lips formed a grim line, even his hair looked limp and defeated, hanging over his hunched shoulders.

  At least his cousins hadn’t killed Hensley. “What do you mean to do?” I asked.

  Liri’s chin snapped up. “Win her back, of course.”

  I squinted at him. Who was this Fae in our sitting room? “Without glamour or magic?” I asked dubiously. Liri simply wasn’t the courting type.

  “I am willing to do whatever it takes. My cousins think I cannot attract a human woman through fair means.”

  I had my doubts too, but I kept them to myself. Liri was clearly distraught, and I’d heard enough stories of the Elmray cousins from Cirrus to know they were far worse trouble than my in-laws.

  “Well, good luck with all that, Liri,” I said, giving a subtle nod at the door.

  His eyes widened. “I cannot leave the throne empty while I’m on Earth. That’s exactly what Albedo wants.”

  “I’m sure Jastra will manage just fine,” I said.

  Liri stood. “Jastra insists on accompanying me to Earth. You know I cannot leave the kingdom in the hands of Sarfina and Ryo.”

  I shook my head, hoping he wasn’t going where I thought he might.

  “I need you to rule in my absence, Aerith.”

  Yep, he totally went there.

  “You’re joking.”

  He narrowed his eyes. “You know I don’t joke.”

  I certainly did, but it didn’t make his request any less ludicrous. “No,
thanks. Not interested. I’ve got my own household to run and a baby on the way. As. You. Can. See.” Could I make myself any clearer? Wow, that first time he’d visited me in a dreamscape and claimed he’d make me queen felt like a prophecy circling around to bite me in the ass.

  “You are a princess of Dahlquist. It is your duty.”

  “No. As king it is your duty to rule your kingdom.” One I wasn’t overly fond of. I’d barely gotten out of the castle during my brief marriage to Cirrus. The Elmrays treated the palace like the center of the universe. As far as the noble Fae families who had attended their fetes, I didn’t much care who ruled over them.

  “I cannot save her unless I leave.” Liri squared his shoulders and shot me an accusatory look. “Do you know what Hensley’s last request was before she was taken? Her only request?” When I lifted my brows, he continued. “She wanted me to return you to the elven realm. That’s all she asked. She never gave up.”

  “And would you have granted her request?”

  Liri nodded. “I planned to following our ceremony, but before our union took place, we learned that you had already returned home after striking a bargain with Teryani. Hensley was extremely relieved.”

  Hensley, not Liri. No surprise.

  “Your happiness meant more to her than her own,” Liri continued. “She wanted only to please the rest of us. She doesn’t deserve to have her memories stolen, her free will taken away, her mate ripped from her side. You didn’t see her in the human world. She was miserable, an empty shell. I know she never wanted to return. Please, Aerith. If you hold any love in your heart for your friend, help me so I can bring her home.”

  Ugh. Guilt threaded around my heart and tightened like a ball of string. Of course I felt bad for Hensley. I knew what it was like to be whisked off against my will and taken from the male I loved. I would never comprehend her choice of mate, but that didn’t mean I wished her ill. But still, I had no desire to return to Dahlquist. There was no one and nothing I missed about that place.

  “What about Galather or Folas?” I asked. “They’re loyal. Can’t one or both stand in?” As twins, they could even take turns—shifts—the same way they’d forced my sister and Devdan to guard me.

  “No,” Liri said firmly. “Servants can’t be left to govern. The nobles would use it as an excuse to back Albedo.”

  “I suppose you’re right.” I chewed on my bottom lip. “But you do have one brother left.”

  Liri stood and flung his arms at his sides. “I might as well hand the throne over to Albedo while I’m at it.”

  “You doubt Ryo’s loyalty?”

  “It doesn’t matter if he’s loyal. He’s too young and impressionable. Albedo would find a way to influence him. It wouldn’t take much.”

  “And whose fault is that?” I challenged. “You’ve given Ryo no reason to back you, nor have you trained him for such a position.”

  “I never dreamed there would be a need to.”

  I huffed. Some ruler he was, not even grooming a replacement. The Fae likely saw it as tempting fate. I saw it as practical, plain and simple. Liri hadn’t been groomed either, and look how well that was turning out. I bet I could do a better job. A pregnant elf. It would be a big improvement over the current leadership.

  “Please, Aerith. You’re the only one I trust.”

  I guess some things didn’t change. Despite everything, Liri still had faith in me.

  I looked at Jhaeros, who was frowning at Liri. I wished I could read his mind or, better yet, have a private moment to discuss the situation.

  Liri’s attention never strayed. He acted like Jhaeros wasn’t in the room.

  “As sorry as I am to hear—” I began.

  “I love her,” Liri burst out.

  “You—what?” My jaw dropped. Liri was capable of love? And toward a human no less? Maybe there was still hope for him.

  “I love Hensley. I’ve”—Liri sucked in a breath—“never loved anyone before now. I’m not sure I’m overly fond of the feeling.” He clutched his chest.

  All I could do is stare at him. Even if he was capable of lying, it wasn’t the kind of lie he’d want to tell. He’d see it as a weakness, beneath him. His royal Faeness truly was desperate.

  “Do you want me to get on my knees and beg?”

  This brought an instant grin to my lips. The mental image of Liri on his knees almost made up for the half-baked cookies. “Yes, actually. I’d like that very much.”

  Liri scowled.

  Hey, if you don’t like the answer, don’t ask the question.

  I doubted very much that the king of Dahlquist would lower himself to our sitting room floor and beg me to rule his kingdom in his absence.

  Inhaling deeply, then releasing the breath, Liri took slow steps toward me. I watched him every step of the way until he stopped four feet in front of me.

  Eyes locked on mine he said, “Tell the elf to leave.” Ah, so he had noticed Jhaeros’s continued presence.

  I lifted my chin. “I will do no such thing.”

  Liri gritted his teeth. “Don’t make me regret doing this.” With those words, he got onto his knees and stared up at me with eyes that were both outraged and desperate. “Please, Aerith. I am begging you to watch over the castle; keep my throne and my family safe until I’ve returned with Hensley. Will you do this for me and for my family—your family?”

  “Stand,” I said.

  Liri was up in a flash, eyes intent on mine.

  “Give me a moment to discuss it with Jhaeros. You can wait here.” I glanced over his shoulder at Jhaeros before turning and striding out of the sitting room. I didn’t look to see if Jhaeros followed. I knew he would. I didn’t stop until I’d reached the kitchen.

  I set my bow and arrow on a clean section of the counter, pried a half-baked acorn from the now cool tray, and bit into the top. No sense wasting the cookies. When I tried to offer Jhaeros a squirrel, he declined.

  “Well, Aerith, what do you want to do?” he asked.

  “It feels more like a matter of what I feel obligated to do.”

  “Stand in while Liri is gone?” Jhaeros asked stiffly. It was plain to see he hated the idea as much as I did.

  I stuffed the last of the acorn into my mouth and chewed rapidly. Pregnant stress eating. A winning combination. “Would you come with me if I did?”

  “It’s not even a question.”

  I knew he would, but it still filled me with the kind of joy that sparkled and shined when he spoke the words with such conviction.

  I sighed. “I feel like we just got back from Hawaii. What happened to settling in, getting comfy, and becoming happily dull together?”

  Jhaeros slid up behind me and wrapped me in his arms. “Life is never dull with you in it.” His loving voice brushed over the tip of my ear.

  I leaned against him. “At least I’d be in charge.”

  “Is it safe? How dangerous are Liri’s cousins?”

  “I never met any of them, and Cirrus hardly spoke of family outside of his siblings. Well, whatever their vices, you’re the one they should worry about.”

  Jhaeros grunted. “That’s hardly reassuring.”

  “It is to me. With our skills and cunning, we could certainly hold down the fort until Liri’s return. You could be my special advisor, not to mention my paramour. Every ruling queen needs one.” I spun around, placed my hands on Jhaeros’s broad shoulders, and stood on my tiptoes to kiss him.

  “Fhaornik and Mrs. Calarel will miss us.”

  “I’ll miss them more. At least this will give Fhaornik time to practice his ukulele for our grand return, which will be before the birth of our child. I need to make that perfectly clear to Liri.”

  “Right now, I bet he’d be willing to agree to anything in exchange for your help.”

  “The power of love.” I glanced around the kitchen. “Do you think I could finish making my cookies first?”

  Jhaeros chuckled. “Well, you are about to be queen.”

&
nbsp; And the queen wanted cookies—with frosting—and sprinkles.

  Flames licked the stone walls from torches, making the throne room appear like a dungeon without cells. The Elmray clan gathered before dinner, along with Galather and Folas. As usual, the twin guards wore dark matching tunics and trousers, braided leather bracelets, and thin silver necklaces. Their blond hair was pulled back into low ponytails. I stood on the dais with Liri, wearing absolutely no jewelry, and a simple yellow cotton dress with strappy sleeves—a little something I’d picked up in Hawaii. Humans knew how to make comfortable clothes, which I was appreciating the more my belly bulged.

  Liri had tried to talk me into changing into something a little more regal, after which I’d reminded him he would accept me as I was or not at all. Being around the Fae prick made me appreciate Jhaeros even more. He stood to the side of the group, a sword sheathed at his hip, watching everyone with hawk eyes.

  Before everyone arrived, we’d set my bow and quiver behind the throne where I planned to keep it during the duration of my regency. The chair would act as both a shield and weapons cache if I ever needed it. I had brought a total of three bows and quivers filled with arrows. I’d keep one in our chambers and one secured under the dining table. Jhaeros planned to have a sword and dagger on him at all times—outside the bedroom anyway.

  When Folas ushered my in-laws into the throne room, their attention swung from me to Jhaeros.

  “What is Aunt Naesala’s fiancé doing here?” Sarfina put her hands on her hips, her blonde ponytail shooting out of her head like a spark.

  “I took a liking to him at the ball,” I informed her.

  Since Liri couldn’t lie, I did the honors. More of a white lie really. Sarfina didn’t need to know that the ball I spoke of was the Monster Ball, long before his charade in Faerie. Let her think I’d first met Jhaeros at the ball in Dahlquist. If Sarfina suspected otherwise, she’d accuse me of conspiring, yet again, with Liri. I didn’t need that kind of drama. Good vibes only for the bundle of joy growing inside me.