False Queen

by Nikki Jefford

  “At least they’re no longer red,” Aerith said, plucking the bandage off the blanket. “Now hold still while I retie this.”

  Ryo did as instructed. As alarming as the bandage had looked wrapped around his head, it was a sight better than his miscolored eyes. Taking her time getting it securely in place, Aerith leaned over Ryo in a motherly gesture that appeared tender despite the scolding she’d just given him. Once finished, she smoothed the hair over his forehead.

  She really was going to make the best mom.

  Aerith straightened and looked at me. “Galather will go with you.”

  My heart leaped at the chance to leave Dahlquist on such an important task. How many teenage elves got to be emissaries between Fae kingdoms? So badass!

  As emissary, I should be able to choose my escort. “Can’t Folas come with me instead?” I asked.

  Folas smirked at his brother. “Mel likes me better.”

  “Congratulations,” Galather said with a roll of his eyes.

  “Fine,” Aerith said. “I don’t care which one so long as one of you goes with Melarue to Ravensburg.”

  Ryo frowned. I didn’t blame him for looking glum. I would want to tear my hair out if I were stuck in bed without sight.

  But it was better that he stayed and recovered. And better for me to leave.

  I’d thought about him way too often in my fitful sleep, imagined padding over in the dark and climbing into his bed to keep him company and offer comfort. If it led to a kiss, then yeah, okay, that was fine too.

  If his room hadn’t been guarded, I might have been tempted.

  My heart still felt raw from Devdan. I didn’t want to treat Ryo like a rebound, switching him out with my first boyfriend the way his father had switched him for his cousin. Ryo deserved better than that.

  “What happens to me after I recover?” Ryo asked, arms hanging limp at his sides over the blanket. “Will you want me to leave or move out of my wing to make room for the real prince of Dahlquist?”

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” Aerith said. “You are family and, as far as I’m concerned, still a contender for the throne if something happens to Liri in the mortal realm.”

  Galather and Folas folded their arms but said nothing.

  I found it interesting that Liri’s loyal guards didn’t speak up on their white-haired master’s behalf. They brought whole new meaning to “out of sight, out of mind.” Fae were such fickle creatures. Or maybe they just really took their oath to Aerith seriously—as they should.

  Ryo shook his head. “I don’t want the throne.”

  Galather grunted. “He seems to be the only one,” he muttered to his twin.

  Folas scratched his chin and nodded.

  “Besides, Malon threatened to kill me if I went after the crown,” Ryo said, turning his palms up.

  “He already tried to kill you,” Aerith said. “Two of those monsters got away; the third won’t be so lucky.” She marched over to Folas, who dropped his arms at his sides and stood at attention. “This is more than a social call. I want you to bring Lyklor back to Dahlquist. I want to see him for myself and make him tell us what his kin are up to—by whatever means necessary.”

  Folas looked over at Galather. The twins shared a wicked grin.

  “It will be our pleasure,” they said in unison.

  I grimaced, glad I wasn’t going to be on the receiving end of whatever torturous plans they cooked up. Hands on my hips, I demanded, “But I still get to help fetch him, right?”

  Folas smirked. He’d never admit it, but I knew he enjoyed having me around. I mean, who wouldn’t? Besides Malon and the contessa. Most folks didn’t like to be set on fire.

  Aerith considered me a moment before nodding. “Yes, but I want at least four guards to ride with you, and you’ll need to bring a set of iron cuffs and chains. But first, breakfast.” Aerith swept toward the door, saying over her shoulder, “I will have your meals delivered to your room, Ryo. Stay put and rest up.”

  Ryo’s chin and shoulders drooped, along with the corners of his lips.

  “I’ll be right behind you,” I said as Aerith passed.

  “Don’t take too long. I’m starving.”

  “Start without me.”

  Aerith sighed then nodded.

  Jhaeros was right behind her, a silent spectator with a grim look in his eyes and flat line over his lips. The twins went next, closing the door behind them.

  Being alone with Ryo made me nervous, but I didn’t want to rush out with everyone and leave him stranded after everything we’d gone through last night.

  “I’m sorry I wasn’t able to stop him from hurting you,” I said, keeping my ground about eight feet from the bed.

  Ryo grimaced. “You shouldn’t have been there, Mel. You could’ve gotten hurt.”

  “You could have gotten killed!” I cried out, taking several steps toward him. “I thought he had killed you.”

  “Yeah, well, I guess things didn’t go according to Malon’s plans—or Albedo’s.”

  “They weren’t counting on elves to get in their way,” I said, a smile spreading up my cheeks.

  “No,” Ryo said softly, “I imagine not.” He slumped against his pillows. “I thought my siblings were bad. Turns out, my real ones are ten thousand times worse.”

  Tired of keeping my distance, I walked to his side and reached for his hand then stopped myself before our fingers touched. My hand hovered near his. From this close, I could see the rise and fall of his chest beneath his snug gray top.

  “You’re nothing like him,” I said.

  Ryo’s head jerked, and his jaw tightened as though I was coddling him. “I’m not all nice, you know,” he said, nostrils flaring.

  “Well, I’m not either,” I snapped.

  Before I could back away and leave him to sulk, his arm shot out and grabbed my wrist, pulling me against the bed and his chest. My pulse quickened, surprised by his strength and ability to grab me without his sight.

  My body thrummed to life with all kinds of unseemly urges to climb into his lap, straddle him, and crush my lips against his before he ever saw it coming.

  Heart hammering, I was just getting ready to tell him to unhand me when he spoke urgently into my ear. “Promise me you will be careful.”

  This time it was my mind going fuzzy. I felt tingling where his fingers loosened around my wrist. He leaned into me, his lips parted, and even without his gaze on mine, I could read the affection in his touch, on his mouth, and in his voice . . . It scared the breath out of me.

  There was nothing devious or crafty about Ryo. He was the type of male who would fall hard when it came to love. I was afraid he already had.

  Clearing my throat, I gave his hand a squeeze and pulled away. I cared about him, too, and I didn’t want him to worry, especially when he was laid up.

  My chest tightened. “I’m an elf. My promise means nothing.”

  I swore I could feel Ryo’s eyes blazing straight through his bandage, locking onto mine.

  “To me, it means everything.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Melarue

  F

  resh forest air filled my lungs and loosened my spirit as Folas and I slowed our mounts to pass through the heavy woods.

  We trotted side by side, four mounted guards following closely behind.

  We’d set out right after breakfast: an omelette and waffles washed down with guilt.

  I’d felt better the moment we rode across the drawbridge into the open fields, where I’d yelled out, “Race ya!” and galloped ahead of Folas toward the forest. The big blond turned out to be a skilled rider and had caught up, passed me, and flashed a smug smile over his shoulder.

  Whatever. I was just happy to be outside riding. Being stuck at Dahlquist was giving me castle fever. Too bad Aerith and Jhaeros were stuck behind stone walls. That couldn’t be healthy. I could see why Ryo had no interest in the throne, which made him so much smarter than all his siblings and cousins combined. He was
n’t like any of them. He was sweet and kind, and he wore his heart on his sleeve.

  Gah! I didn’t want to think about Ryo. Or Devdan. I didn’t want to think about anyone. I just wanted to enjoy the journey between kingdoms and take in the sights.

  “You okay there, Mel?” Folas asked, patting his gray-and-white mare on the neck. “Took you a while to leave Ryo’s room and join us for breakfast. Lover’s spat?”

  Arg! This pit head wasn’t helping.

  “No,” I said, sticking my tongue out at him. “Not that it’s any of your business, but Ryo and I are friends, and as a friend, I wanted to make sure he was doing okay after having you all ambush him in his bedroom.” I lifted my nose in the air. “You better watch it, Folas, or you won’t be my favorite twin anymore.”

  He grunted and kept quiet until we’d passed through the forest. Once the road opened up, Folas turned to me with a small smile and asked, “Race you again?”

  “Now we’re talking.” I gave my steed a gentle squeeze and loosened her reins.

  The long braid Aerith had woven into my hair lifted and smacked against my back like the gentle slap of a whip. The wind played with the loose strands of hair around my face. It was like flying four feet above the earth, sailing across rolling hills, and watching the distant town of Ravensburg get closer and closer.

  Star, the chestnut mare I rode with the white star on her forehead, was a dream. Everything from her canter to her trot was smooth, and she responded to my commands without a moment’s hesitation.

  I was beginning to regret not taking Aerith up on her offer of purchasing me a horse back when we were in Pinemist.

  An hour later, my butt was seriously sore, and I decided that riding was best done in small doses. At least the castle and the outlying village were within sight. As we rode up to the castle gate, a bronzed guard in a sleeveless tunic asked us to state our business.

  “Queen Aerith Elmray has sent us to speak with your queen,” Folas announced.

  “Follow me,” the muscled guard said. Our horses clomped into the courtyard. The guard held up his hands. “You may dismount here.” Three skinnier guards came forward to take two horses each. “Your guards must wait here for now.”

  Folas turned and gave our companions a curt nod.

  On our way across the courtyard, Teryani emerged in a thick white gown with a red overdress and gold cuffs clasped over the long sleeves above her elbows and wrists. A beautiful blonde female kept pace at her side.

  “My watchtower guard told me he saw riders coming from the direction of Dahlquist,” Teryani said. She looked from Folas to me. “Melarue, I didn’t realize you were in Faerie.” She tucked some of her long white hair behind one pointed ear. As Teryani lifted her hand, I caught the glint of the corpse ring on her finger and suppressed a shudder.

  Standing straighter, I grinned. “Yep, and this time I got a chance to kick Fae butt.”

  Technically, I’d kicked Malon in the gut, but it didn’t have the same ring to it.

  Folas coughed, cut me a glare, then turned his attention to Teryani. “We bring urgent news from Dahlquist, Your Majesty. May we speak in private?” He looked pointedly at the blonde by her side. I recognized Ella, the elf who had been employed to stand in as Aerith’s glamour the last time we left Faerie. It was good to see her as herself in a pair of snug olive-green breeches and a rich brown cloak. I gave her a friendly wave, which made her teeth appear when she grinned.

  Teryani led us to a small, private parlor. She did not dismiss Ella, much to Folas’s chagrin. After I told him to chill out because Ella was cool, the brute beat me to sharing the news about the whole babies-switched-at-birth revelation, which was totally not fair. I was the one who had learned the information first. How rude.

  It turned out it didn’t matter.

  “Yes, I’m aware,” Teryani stated calmly as though we’d told her the grass was green. “Lyklor told me as much.”

  Folas put his hands on his hips. “And you didn’t think to send word to Dahlquist?”

  “He only just told me. I couldn’t even be sure it was true,” Teryani said, narrowing her eyes at him.

  “We want to meet him,” I spoke up.

  Teryani’s gaze slid to me, a bare smile slightly lifting the corners of her lips. “Do you now?” she said, sounding oddly amused. “He will be at dinner in one hour. Feel free to question him all you like for whatever good his answers are worth.”

  Teryani called in a servant to show Folas and me to our guest chambers. I used the time before dinner to wash the road off my face and loosen my braid into silky waves of red. I left on my same breeches and blouse, not thinking twice about my attire until I stepped into Ravensburg’s formal dining room.

  Tall white tallow candles glowed from five sets of brass candelabras spread out across the table. Five sets of porcelain plates and shiny silverware had been arranged on one end, though there was room for twenty-four diners. All the candles had been lit despite three-fourths of the table being unoccupied.

  I was the first to arrive, or so I thought until I heard the sound of a deep, amused voice, speak from a dark far corner of the room.

  “We have company tonight.”

  I whipped around, facing the direction of the voice. He stepped forward into the candlelight, making my mouth go dry. Thick blond hair curled slightly at the ends above broad shoulders. He had a healthy peach and slightly tanned color to his skin unlike so many of the pasty Fae royals. A red jacket with a wide collar fit snugly around his arms and torso. There were no frills or ruffles. It reminded me of something cool you’d find in the human realm on a rock star. He was both beautiful and sexy—one of the most handsome males I’d ever laid eyes on.

  I ran my tongue over my teeth, bringing moisture back. “You must be Lyklor.”

  He didn’t even budge. “It seems you have the advantage. I wasn’t aware we were entertaining this evening,” he said, keeping to this spot on the opposite side of the room.

  I kept expecting him to prowl closer, but he remained in place as though waiting for permission to come over and sit.

  I took measured steps to his side of the room, head lifting, feeling pleased that, as he’d claimed, I had the advantage. It wasn’t until I was five feet from him and saw the triumph in the shine of his blue eyes that it occurred to me he hadn’t been waiting for an invitation at all. He’d been standing back, anticipating I would come to him.

  “I am Melarue Heiris,” I announced.

  He looked at me with boredom.

  “Aerith’s sister.” I didn’t mean it to come out so peevishly.

  “Ah,” he said, “I never met her, but then, she wasn’t married to my brother for very long.” The dismissive tone of his voice grated at my nerves and caused my jaw to ache when I clenched my teeth.

  All the questions I had for him seemed to dissolve like too much salt on my tongue. I drew back my lips.

  Heavy footsteps clomped over the floor, Folas joining us. Even with his graceless entrance, I didn’t notice him until he had stomped over. I was too wrapped up in annoyance I couldn’t explain.

  “Couldn’t wait for me,” Folas said gruffly when he reached my side.

  Lyklor flicked his gaze from me to Folas. “Your mate, I presume?”

  I wasn’t sure whose jaw dropped faster—mine or Folas’s.

  Yet again, I was too perturbed to immediately respond.

  Folas recovered first. “I am one of King Liri’s personal guards,” he snarled.

  “Why aren’t you with the king then?” Lyklor asked, raising his brows in an excessively judgy look.

  Folas clenched his jaw, and it soothed me somewhat to see I wasn’t alone in my frustration. Never mind lying, Lyklor’s special skill seemed to be annoying others.

  Folas took a menacing step up to Lyklor, inches from his face. Although Folas towered him by several inches, Lyklor didn’t flinch or even lean back. “You dare question me, you insolent little prick?”

  Way to take him
down a peg, Folas. A grin shot up my face. Lyklor’s gaze flicked briefly to me, and seeing my smile, he narrowed his eyes.

  “Oh, lovely, you’ve made your introductions,” Teryani called out as she swept into the dining room in an ivory evening dress.

  Ella walked in behind her in a light green gown.

  I glanced down at my breeches. Catching the motion of my gaze and seeming to read my thoughts, Lyklor offered me a smirk that seemed to say, “Yes, you are most definitely underdressed and out of place here.”

  With my back turned to the queen and Folas’s attention momentarily drawn away, I stuck my tongue out at Lyklor, my way of saying, “I don’t give a fig, you Fae snob.”

  Lyklor’s eyes fastened on my tongue. He grinned and stretched his out slowly, showing off the iron ball pierced in the middle. He tapped it against his teeth, twisting the tip of his tongue sideways like a snake coiling its tail.

  My eyes widened as my stomach dipped and rose like I was riding a roller coaster back on Earth.

  “Despite another unannounced visit from Dahlquist, my kitchen staff have outdone themselves rearranging the menu,” Teryani announced. “Mel, come. You will sit beside me.”

  It was a relief to back away from Lyklor and his silver tongue—a relief despite Teryani’s unmistakable jab.

  Teryani stood at the head of the table, waiting. Ella had already taken her spot at the queen’s right. I sat to her left, across from Ella, and was relieved yet again to see Folas take the spot beside me. I wouldn’t have to sit beside or look directly across the table at Lyklor, though he was still way too visible across from Folas.

  The towering guard kept his glare on Lyklor. “Why didn’t you inform Queen Teryani immediately that you were her brother?” he demanded.

  Lyklor huffed. “I knew she wouldn’t believe me.”

  “Are you sure it wasn’t out of loyalty to Albedo and Malon?” Folas growled.

  I gave a shudder at the mention of Malon and watched Lyklor for any indications of his true feelings for his cousins. His eyes narrowed slightly when Folas said their names and his gaze turned cold, but that seemed to be his overall demeanor when it came to anyone.